Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio: From Footpaths to Expressways and Beyond

By Gayleen Gindy

Join the author in reliving Sylvania's over 180 years of history from footpaths to expressways and beyond, in volume two of an eight volume set. With 30 years of research she has included every subject imaginable that helped bring Sylvania to where they are today, with excellent schools, over-the-top parks and recreation, rich beautiful homes, commercial and industrial businesses and a quaint historical dowtown that looks like it was planned by Norman Rockwell himself. This book is a treasure trove of information for the thousands who have ancestors that once lived and helped Sylvania grow through these years. Located in northwestern Ohio, Sylvania is a suburb of Toledo, Ohio and for many years has been known as "the fastest growing suburb in Lucas County." A once rural farm community, between both the city and township they have grown from a combined 2,220 residents in 1910, to 48,487 in 2010. Over a short period of time the land has transformed into beautiful subdivisions of grand houses, so that now their subdivision names are all that remain to remind them of their once dense forests and sprawling farmlands. No longer can Sylvania be called the "bedroom community" of Toledo, because over the last 50 years they have done a lot more than sleep.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477254691

Gayleen Gindy

Gayleen Gindy is a free-lance writer, author and historian from Sylvania, Ohio, and for many years wrote under the name of Gaye E. Gindy. She has been researching the history of the Sylvania community for over 30 years and retired in 2010, after working for 33 years with the governmental entities of Sylvania Township and the City of Sylvania; working in the fire department, township administration offices and then the city police division. She has been a member of both the local historical society and historical commission for many years and has written numerous local history articles for many magazines and newspapers, as well as published nine other books about the history of Sylvania.

Book preview

Sylvania,

Lucas County, Ohio;

From Footpaths

to Expressways

and Beyond

Volume TWO:

Medical Issues, Early Medical Doctors, the Poor and Needy, the Depression Years, the W.P.A. Projects, the Railroads, the Development of our Roads, Some Road Names and Their History, the History of Fires in Sylvania and the Fire Department through 1931.

Gayleen Gindy

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AuthorHouse™

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© 2012 Gayleen Gindy. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/16/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-5470-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-5469-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012914200

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This book is printed on acid-free paper.

The information in this book is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge, but is offered without guarantee on the part of the author and publisher. The author and publisher disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Medical / Early Medical Doctors

Poor And Needy—Depression Years—Government Work Programs

Railroads Through Sylvania

Development Of Roads In Sylvania

Fires / Fire Department

References Used For All Volumes

About The Author

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is a mystery

Today is a gift,

That’s why it’s called the present

BY AN UNKNOWN AUTHOR

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

History must be written of, by and for the survivors.

ANONYMOUS

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

History teaches everything including the future.

By Lamartine

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.

By Aristotle

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

History never looks like history when you are living through it.

By John W. Gardner

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.

By Sir Winston Churchill

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

History repeats itself, has to, nobody listens.

By Virginia Woolf

Dedicated to my family

Sam, Allan, Samantha, Audrey and Sophia

I love you!

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to my husband Sam Gindy for all of his support in all of my history projects.

Those who helped with information in one way or another include: Sharon (Polly) Cooper, Liz Stover, Lucille Laskey, David Drake, Carolyn Micham, Melvin Micham, Gordon Deye, Alcy Downing, Richard Downing, Clark Collins, Rachel Stanton, James Seney, Craig Stough, Gerald Sobb, Leonard McMahon, Clayton Fischer, Cheryl Lavimodiere, Margie Lintner, Peggy Watts, George Eichenauer, John Plock, Jeff Ballmer, Rick Barricklow, Deb Raszka, Terry Helpman, Bill Dryer, Loren Sengstock, Tammy Martin, Tara Jacobs, Barb Taylor, Dan Hughes, Robert Oberly, Larry Wagner, Kathryn Keller, Vicki Alspach, Jennifer Howard, Sue Tuite, Lonnie Smith, Glenn Fink, John Fisher, Gregory Huffman, Donald Covrett, Curtis Niles, Richard A. Campbell, Clifford Keeler, Scott Reed, Charles Tipping, Melissa Burzynski, Susan Wood, Richard Laux, John Grayczyk, Ralph Stallsworth, Karen Keeler, Ara Smith, Hazel Smith, Robert C. Smith, Robert A. Smith, Milton Thomas Cory, Greg Roytek, Mark Weichel and Benjamin Marsh. Also a big thank you to the employees at the Local History and Genealogy Department at the Toledo and Lucas County Public Library for being ever ready to drag stuff out of that backroom for me and fix the machines: James Marshall, Greg Miller, Donna Christian, Irene Martin, Mike Lara, Ann Hurley, Jill Clever and Laura Voelz. And a big thank you to R. Michael Frank, Esq., for all that you did for me during some very rough times in my life.

It is impossible to personally thank everyone that helped with information for these books, so to those that I did not specifically name, I give you thanks for your contribution.

Just so that nobody in my family can say that I did not mention them in my book I would like to mention the following names of my beloved family who have all helped me in many, many ways: Sam Gindy, Allan Gindy, Samantha Gindy, Audrey Blaisdell-Gindy, Sophia Rose Gindy, Charles V. Sullins, Carolyn Daler-Sullins-Micham, Allan J. Gindy, Carolyn Sberna-Gindy, Melvin Micham, Sharon Dentel-Sullins, Jeff Gindy, Jean Mossburg, Jill Sullins-Dallas, Mark Dallas, Pen Dallas, Nick Dallas, Melissa Flores-Dallas, Luna Mae Dallas, Andrew Dallas, Bart Sullins, Julie Crayford-Sullins, Sara Sullins, Laura Sullins, Amy Sullins-Verhelst, Bob Verhelst, Bret Sullins, Charley Sullins, Jack Sullins. You are all the highlight of my life.

INTRODUCTION

This book is the second volume of Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio; From Footpaths to Expressways and Beyond, and is a continuation of my over 30 years of research of the Sylvania community. For those not familiar with the location of Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio, it is located in northwestern Ohio, and our north border line runs along the south border line of the Michigan state line. Monroe and Lenawee County, Michigan are our bordering neighbors. As I said in volume one, the Sylvania community that I discuss in these books is a combination of both the township and city of Sylvania, because we were originally one community. For a more detailed description of Sylvania, and the early years of our government, see Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio; From Footpaths to Expressways and Beyond—Volume One.

Just in case you did not get a chance to read or see the first volume, I will briefly recap the information that it included, but encourage you to get a copy for yourself. In the first volume I reported on the beginning years of Sylvania, the American Indians that lived in the Northwest Territory and in the areas throughout Lucas County, before the county was established. Included was information that I found on the locations throughout Sylvania where the Indians camped, and where their footpaths and arrowheads were found by the early settlers when they arrived. Next was the information on the first white settlers in Sylvania, the first to purchase land from the government, the original boundaries of Sylvania Township and the initial events that lead to the first public election under the new governmental entity name of Sylvania Township.

Also included in Volume One was the research records regarding the following subjects: The first elections held, the first minute book of the Sylvania Township Trustees, miscellaneous information from the trustee minute books from the 1840s to current, our governmental meeting places, voting and voting places in Sylvania, a list of Sylvania Township elected and appointed officials, the incorporation of the Village of Sylvania, the minute books of village council, a list of the Village of Sylvania elected and appointed officials, township to city merger attempts, population counts with census information, the years of large growth, our postmasters and post offices and a discussion about the creeks and river that flows through Sylvania, with a complete history on Sylvania’s public water system.

As I told you in the introduction of Volume One, when I first became interested in Sylvania’s history 30 years ago, I walked into the Sylvania library and asked the librarian if they had any books on Sylvania history. She took me over to a shelf where there were four or five small thin books, and she said this is all we have. After spending about an hour reading what was available, I needed for more information, and it was at that point that I started my research. The county courthouse, the county auditor’s office, the downtown Toledo library, the county recorder’s office, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and other miscellaneous local offices were all places that I visited every chance I could over the next 30 years. The history was there, it just needed to be dug out and recorded; something that no one had done up to this point.

This volume that you are holding in your hands is Volume Two and covers Sylvania’s medical issues, early medical doctors and some of our medical facilities. Our poor and needy residents and how they were provided for, the Depression years and our governmental work programs that helped residents get through these very rough years. Then on to the railroads that were built through Sylvania, their history and how they helped our community grow. Next read about our roads and how some of them earned their names. One of the biggest things to hit Sylvania was the announcement in 1956 that the U.S. 23 expressway and interchange would be constructed from Dundee, Michigan to Monroe Street in Sylvania. By November of 1957 a new set of details of the interchange were announced to the citizens of Sylvania, and although every effort was made by the state highway department to disrupt as little as possible of the already developed areas, the elaborate U.S. 23—Monroe Street interchange would have to eliminate a few homes along Cushman Road and all the houses along the north and south side of Monroe Street in that area; and most of those residents were not happy about selling their established homes and land.

By December of 1957 the State of Ohio was working on plans to carry U.S. 23 southward to Central Avenue, but they had to halt these plans pending a decision on where this expressway would eventually link-up with the proposed northwest leg of a Toledo expressway system (I-475), which was in the very early stages of planning. Finally, Volume Two tells the history of our fire department and takes you through 1931 when it was still in its earliest days of organization.

The following subjects will then be discussed in the volumes that follow after Volume Two: a history of the fire department from 1932 through current, the sale of intoxicating liquors, the first taverns in Sylvania, gambling, jails, history of the early constables and marshals, history of the township and village/city police departments, the history of the early Justice of the Peace system and how the Sylvania Municipal Court got its start. Then I review the history of zoning in Sylvania and the years of the largest growth. Next, the establishment of our local cemeteries, including the history of our earliest public cemeteries, undertaking, funeral parlors and funeral homes in Sylvania’s history.

There is a complete section on our parks and recreation, including the Centennial Quarry, Centennial Terrace, Harroun Community Park, early Huntington Farms, Olander Park, Pacesetter Park, Tam O’Shanter and Wildwood Preserve, among other park history, along with a little of the history of our senior citizens and teen centers.

Other Sylvania subjects discussed in detail include ghosts and ghost towns, newspapers, historical groups and places, public buildings, a long list of businesses that operated or still operate in Sylvania, including a history on each. Under the heading of events, festivals and annual programs in Sylvania you will read about the history of: the Art Festival and Art Commission, ballooning, bank robberies, the Bean Festival, the early Chautauqua movement, sidewalk sales, the Fall Festival and parade, fireworks, Fun Day, Ginnivan’s Dramatic Company, the Gold Rush and who from Sylvania went west, Lyceum courses, Harriett Beecher Stowe, the National Bicentennial Wagon Train, Sylvania’s Centennial celebration and the various time capsules to be opened by our future generations.

Silica, once a community within our community, was researched at great length, and this research is included, along with some names of some old train stops where housing and communities were established because they were stops along the train route. Then there is a complete chapter on our various clubs, centers, camps, organizations and posts as well.

Upcoming volumes also include numerous interviews of Sylvania residents and business owners, as well as a number of biographical sketches on some of our public officials and a few notable residents. If you’ve ever wondered how the various wars over the years affected the residents of Sylvania, one of these volumes includes my detailed research notes about these wars, along with an extensive list of the Sylvania residents that served their country during World War II and the wars before this, along with lists those residents that did not come home alive.

Another extensively researched subject that I have included in these volumes are the various places within Sylvania that became well known for one reason or another, including: Banks Bridge, Battery F, Bittner Barn, Cadwell’s Mill, the Catacombs, the Central Avenue Strip, Collin Farm/Kingscroft Farm, The Commons, Crandall Field, The Depot and Depot Grove, Diamond Farm, Dogpatch, Glanntown, the old hotel at Main and Maplewood, Lilac Hill, Sylvania’s Little Chicago, the Monroe Street Strip Recreation area, Ray West hill/Suicide hill and Sylvania’s South Side.

I spent quite a bit of time researching the extreme weather related events that the residents of Sylvania endured over the years, with a report on how we were affected locally by these events. And the miscellaneous subjects that I researched and wrote about include: public and private bus services in Sylvania, producing classic cars, first income tax, first McDonalds, Burger King and Wendys, the frog farm, greasers, jocks, socials, freaks and nerds, house moving, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, oil wells, oil shortages, remember when?, the ringing of the church bells, St. Joseph Antique Annex, the beginning of the Sisters of St. Francis in Sylvania, strawberry picking, Sylvan Serenaders, telephones, thrift shops, Tree City U.S.A., the Underground Railroad, Anti-Slavery meetings held in Sylvania and a list of known murders that actually occurred in Sylvania.

The seventh volume includes a re-print of the short history of Sylvania that was written through 1933 by Maynard Cosgrove, which I have come to love, along with a continuation of this story from 1934 to 2000 written Gayleen Gindy, the author of these volumes. The final volume is a complete history of the Sylvania schools.

I hope you enjoy reading about Sylvania’s history as much as I have enjoyed researching this subject. Long live Sylvania!

MEDICAL / EARLY MEDICAL DOCTORS

EARLY DOCTORS

The early medical doctors in Sylvania included: Dr. Horace Green, Dr. Amos Miner, Dr. Joel Green, Jr., Dr. Timothy E. Miner, Dr. Thomas Byron Hank, Dr. Clara-White-Hank-Kennedy, Dr. Charles H. Kennedy, Dr. Thomas Taylor Cosgrove, Dr. Thomas Cosgrove, Dr. Edwin E. Armstrong, Dr. Uriah A. Cooke, Dr. Frank Kraft, Dr. Victor B. Halbert, Dr. William Jennings, Dr. T.T. Cosgrove, Dr. Kenneth T. Cosgrove, Dr. Frederick E. Milkie, Dr. Wade L. Lathrop, Dr. Claude A. Tallman, Dr. Burgess Bills, Dr. John J. Newton, Dr. John J. Culberson, Dr. Richard H. Roberts and Dr. Harry L. Snyder.

Doctors in Sylvania in the 1800s had extremely limited medical practices and usually had to travel great lengths to the patient’s home in order to treat them. They say that the life expectancy for an adult back in those days was about 40 years old, and about 50 percent of all children under the age of 5 died. They also say that: Most people preferred to attempt home remedies, herbal concoctions, peddled medicines, or prayers before submitting to the ministrations of a doctor. The finest physicians had their good intentions undermined by hordes of quacks and bogus pharmacists who plied the back roads with carts full of useless tinctures and sky-high promises. The medical profession was also hampered by practices based on centuries of unchallenged superstitions and old wives’ tales. Sterilization was largely unknown, and bleeding was still the cure of choice for many ailments. The services of the doctor was usually requested only during the most drastic and life-threatening situations in the early days.

The first time any of the governmental officials in Sylvania talked about laws for traveling doctors was on 6-4-1869 when the village council appointed a committee to investigate the laws regarding the licensing of traveling doctors, and if they found the laws favorably, they were to draft an ordinance to be presented at the next regular meeting. On 11-5-1869 the committee reported that the law regarding licensing traveling physicians reported that after a thorough investigation they found no law bearing on the subject.

The first United States census to list the occupations of the residents was the 1850 census. Census records were recorded every ten years and the following were listed as physicians living in Sylvania (township and village) at the following censuses:

1850 census—Timothy E. Miner, Amos Miner, Frederic E. Bailey, Thomas T. Cosgrove, Joel Green, Sr.

1860 census—Joel Green, Jr., Charles H. Kennedy, Thomas Cosgrove.

1870 census—H.S. Griswold, Charles Kennedy, George O. Moore, Thomas Cosgrove.

1880 census—Thomas Cosgrove, Byron Hank.

1890 census—These census records are not available for review, because they were destroyed by a fire in 1922.

1900 census—Lyman Upham, Uriah A. Cooke, Charles Kennedy, Taylor T. Cosgrove, Arthur J. Richie.

1910 census—Uriah A. Cooke, Edwin Armstrong, Thomas T. Cosgrove, Clarence Snyder. George W. Lovewell (listed as a surgeon).

1920 census—Taylor T. Cosgrove, Kenneth Cosgrove, Edwin Armstrong, Victor B. Halbert, Uriah A. Cooke. George Lovewell (listed as a veterinary).

1930 census—Victor B. Halbert, Edwin E. Armstrong, Kenneth T. Cosgrove, Taylor T. Cosgrove, Wade L. Lathrop, Uriah A. Cooke.

The country doctor often rode great distances to see his patients, and he carried his cures and equipment with him. His bag usually had two pouches with compartments that held the various items in place. In the doctor’s bag were powders, hand-made pills, syrups, a knife, bandages, splints, among other items. It is said that No matter what the medical situation was, the doctor was expected to pull a cure out of his leather bag.

Our early doctors carried packets of powdered medicines, wrapped in squares of newspaper, and glass bottles of different liquids. Many of the medicines would cause sweating or vomiting. Opium was available for pain and was said to have been used as a general cure-all. Whiskey was also widely administered as an anesthetic. One record said: A good dose of medicine was often regarded as proof that the doctor was doing his job, and for that reason many doctors carried harmless sugar pills to give to patients who didn’t need stronger remedies. When the drugs ran out, and new shipments had not yet arrived, the country doctor wandered into the woods to gather roots, barks, and herbs for folk remedies. Thyme, lemon, powdered rhubarb, rose hips and garlic were often prescribed too.

In the early days sometimes the doctors were paid for their services not by money, but with bushels of oats or corn, cords of wood, haircuts or whatever services the patient’s family could provide. Most doctors had set rates for their services and for traveling to the home, according to the number of miles, but in many cases money just wasn’t available, so payment would be in some other form.

At the 11-19-1888 meeting of Sylvania Village Council a board of health was established and the following individuals were appointed to serve on that board: Alonzo W. Bellows—3 year term; John M. Hopkins—3 year term; Thomas Gibbs—2 year term; Eugene C. Edson—2 year term; George Wagonlander—1 year term.

According to a document in the files of the Sylvania Area Historical Society, Dr. Frank Kraft of Sylvania, Ohio billed the Honorable F.O. Peak, Mayor and Council of Sylvania on 3-18-1889 For vaccination of 56 persons as per list appended at 25 cents each = $14.00. Dr. Kraft’s invoice had the address of 1406 Benton Street, St. Louis crossed off and Sylvania, Ohio written in ink. The list of the 56 receiving the vaccinations were attached with a straight pin and listed the following Sylvania residents: Miss M. Cooper, Preston Randall, Wm. Bryan, Dan Moore, Jim M. Dermott, Fred Webb, Frank Donovan, Maynard Crum, Roy Wakefield, Greg Webb, Minnie Wakefield, Hattie Ripple, Mary Spencer, Gressie Ostrander, Ed Elliott, Dan Donovan, U.A. Cooke, Ollie Warren, Ernst Comstock, Katie Donovan, Willie Laimon, Cecil Laimon, Maude Laimon, Alice Ostrander, Nellie Wellman, Joe Young, Annie Spencer, Will Cherry, Mabel Webb, Claude Webb, Chubby Randall, Elliott Acres, N. Kimball, F. Collard, Sadie Coutchure, Isy Mabil (could be Mabie), Flora Webb, Eddie Coutchure, Ornie Mabil (could be Mabie), Miss Haughton, Miss Elliott, Dan Donovan, Mab Donovan, Reenie McDermott, Tommy McDermott, Bruce Elliott, Willie Woodruff, Sadie Woodruff, Ella Woodruff, Belle Kimber, Stell Kimber, Willie Kimber, Cliff Allen, Colly Hubbard, Gertie Hartman, Myrtle Armstrong.

The following Physician’s Announcement appeared in a 1914 Sylvania Sentinel:

PHYSICIAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT

Following the general tendency to revise medical fees upward, the physicians of Sylvania have decided upon the following minimum fee schedule:

ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 1915

Ordinary Office Calls   775 cents to $2.00

Ordinary Day Calls

Within a distance of one mile from Council Building   $1.50

Within a distance of one to three miles from Council Building   2.00

Within a distance of three to five miles from Council Building   2.50

Within a distance of five to seven miles from Council Building   3.00

and 50 cents per mile thereafter

Ordinary Night Calls

Within a distance of one mile from Council Building    $2.00

Within a distance of one to three miles from Council Building   3.00

Within a distance of three to five miles from Council Building   3.50

Within a distance of five to seven miles from Council Building    4.00

and 50 cents per mile thereafter

When prescribing for other members of the family while visiting one member, an office call will be charged.

For advice by telephone, same fee as for office visit.

Confinements, ordinary cases. $15.00 with two after calls when necessary. Forceps cases, $25.00 and up.

Additional charges will be made for examinations, treatments, dressings, for casts requiring extra skill or special management, for cases in quarantine, for detention at house for over one hour, for unfavorable condition of the highways, for more than one patient per visit, for vaccinations, for administration of antitoxins and serums, prescriptions, anesthetics and minor or major operations. Medicines furnished in quantity will be charged for according to case. After one year, unsettled accounts will be placed on general physicians’ lists as undesirable.

DR. E.E. ARMSTRONG, DR. U.A. COOKE, DR. T.T. AND K.T. COSGROVE, DR. V.B. HALBERT

. . . . .

The following article appeared in the 12-12-1946 Sylvania Sentinel: EX-NAVY DOCTOR TO LOCATE HERE—It was learned this week that through the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce the services of another doctor have been obtained for Sylvania. The people of this community have had but three doctors for the past several years, and while during the war they did yeoman service and gave untiringly of their efforts, the doctors will welcome the new physician. Dr. Frederick E. Milkie, who served 17 months in the Army as a 1st Lieutenant, and 14 months in the Navy as a Lieutenant, was released from service last July and has been looking for a small community to locate in for general practice. At present he is living with his wife’s parents in Lima, Ohio. He met his wife, who was with St. Vincent’s Hospital, while he was stationed at the separation center in Toledo. During his off days and often at nights, Dr. Milkie gave of his time voluntarily to St. Vincent’s Hospital and aided in surgery. Dr. and Mrs. Milkie will move to Sylvania as soon as he is able to find quarters. Dr. Milkie has signed a lease for the new offices being constructed in the Bank building, and he expects to be able to open practice about January 1st. Dr. Milkie studied at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Philadelphia and interned at Gallinger Municipal Hospital, Washington, D.C. (The Bank building is the Sylvania Savings Bank, or in 2010 the Key Bank building on the northeast corner of Main and Monroe).

For additional information on Sylvania’s early doctors see the individual bios provided in this same chapter.

Some of the earliest dentists in Sylvania were: Dr. George Hill, Dr. David Swanson and Dr. John A. Counter. In later years there was Dr. Jeffrey Booth, Dr. Harold Currier, Dr. Joseph B. Thornhill, Dr. D.J. Endrizal, Dr. Read Backus, Dr. David W. Crowner, Dr. Paul Roebke, Dr. Merle T. Boyd and Dr. James L. Dugan.

The first time that a dentist was listed in the census records as living in Sylvania was at the 1880 census, where George Hill was listed as a dentist. He apparently did not stay in Sylvania very long after this census because his name is not well known. There were no dentists listed living in Sylvania at the 1900 census. By the 1910 census John A. Counter was living in Sylvania and listed as a dentist. John A. Counter was again listed in the 1920 census as the only dentist in Sylvania. He went on to serve the residents of Sylvania as a dentist for many years.

EPIDEMICS, DISEASES AND ILLNESSES

In the 1830’s when settlers started coming to the Sylvania area it was said that actually there was not an unhealthier place upon the whole continent than Wood County, and then Lucas County. The river, from its headwaters at Fort Wayne, ran slowly through the marshes of the Black Swamp. The land was flat and covered with forest, with no drainage. Malaria would affect whole communities with the dread fever and ague. The first settlers were plagued by various illnesses caused by the dense droves of mosquitoes. Doctors were in great demand and those doctors who were first to settle here were few and far between. Stories told by some of the first doctors in the area included hardships with no roads, just paths through an almost impassable wilderness, with rivers to cross, supplies to carry, storms to encounter and great distances to travel.

Epidemics of sickness forced many people to head further west where both legend and logic suggested that the airs were purer. In this area people died of such diseases as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, tuberculosis, scarlet fever and malaria. Yellow fever also affected much of the population and the regional death rate in many cases exceeded the birth rate for nearly a century.

Tuberculosis was the most feared of the diseases affecting adults, and influenza and other gastrointestinal ailments were the most devastating among the youngsters. Each year there was a chance that typhoid fever, cholera, smallpox or diphtheria could turn into a catastrophic epidemic.

Cholera was a disease that caused the death of many citizens and doctors in the early days. Cholera was an infectious intestinal disorder which was transmitted by water or food that had been contaminated with the feces of people who had the disease. This epidemic of cholera had started in Asia, rampaged through Europe and came across the Atlantic on passenger ships and struck the East coast and then started to spread inland. The disease raged for almost two decades, killing some 30,000 in 1850 alone. The patient suffered severe diarrhea and this loss of fluid caused severe dehydration and changes in the body chemistry. Today doctors could treat cholera with special solutions that help replace the lost fluids. Records indicate that the early treatment of cholera, by local doctors, was the drinking of cold water, only, and injecting the veins with a large quantity of salt in warm water. Another treatment that was used was to bleed the patient until they were almost dead and then hope that the patient would regain the lost blood and be saved. Records indicate that the number of recoveries was remarkable when using this method.

In 1849, and again in 1852, the cholera epidemic hit this area hard. Dr. Horace Green was one of the earliest doctors in Sylvania, arriving in 1835. He was very successful in his business, but during the cholera epidemic of 1849 he got the disease and died.

Records also indicate that in 1834 small-pox broke out among the Indians of this area, and fearing that the disease would spread to other tribes and communities, the Government ordered the Ottawa Indians vaccinated. The Indians were terrified about this order and thought that it was a new method for the new government to exterminate them. At first they refused but were later persuaded and soon the disease disappeared.

During the year 1838 a drought hit this area. No rain fell from the third day of July until the 15th of October and the area was parched and burnt. Many people became too sick to work, and they say that the area became among the unhealthiest places to live due to disease. All the streams dried up, wells went dry and many trees died. Under this great drying process citizens became ill and got fevers, and this became an epidemic. Many citizens died. It began raining in the middle of October and then once frost hit it put an end to the epidemic. Another drought hit Northern Ohio in 1867, and once again very little rain fell from June and through to September.

To give the reader an idea of the sicknesses that hit the people of Sylvania in the earliest days of settlement, the following letters were written by members of the Harroun family of Sylvania, Ohio, to family members living in New York. These letters were printed in a book published in 1940 by Ernest Comstock titled: The History of the Harroun Family in America—Seven generations; descendents of Alexander Harroun of Colerain, Mass.

Sylvania, Ohio—9-28-1839

A letter from Experience Harroun, wife of John Harroun, in Sylvania, Ohio to Mrs. Andrew S. Harroun of Pembroke, Genesee Co., N.Y.:

John was taken with the ague on the 26th of August, sudden and very severe. One fit scarcely left him before another came on. We finally succeeded Saturday in breaking it. Levi and family have been well through the summer until about two weeks ago. Dorcas was taken with a fever and has been pretty sick though she is now recovering. Deacon Harroun’s family have all been sick a number of weeks. Chester and Harriet have barely escaped with life. A week ago they were all on the gain. Cousin Jane has also been sick. She has had the fever, but there are few about the village that have escaped this summer.

Sylvania, Ohio—March 1842

A letter from Eliza Cole of Sylvania, Ohio to her brother Andrew S. Harroun:

I took the boat at Buffalo at nine in the morning. We reached Dunkirk about 3 in the afternoon. We had a sick time of it. Will assure you the principal part of the passengers went up on deck, but the sea was so rough we were all glad to return. We touched at Erie, Connaught, Cleveland, and Huron. Reached Detroit about 8 Friday evening, then started on the same boat about 10 for Toledo arriving there about 4 Saturday morning. I arrived at Cousin David’s about 10:00 A.M. and found them all sick. Levi did not much expect I should come this spring. Mother wanted to know what Levi’s babe’s name is. It is Henry Eugene. The sun rises in the south here.

Sylvania, Ohio—5-8-1842

John Harroun of Sylvania, Ohio to Brother Andrew S. Harroun in New York:

Sister Eliza arrived here one week yesterday. We have swarmed and got a little Queen Bee. We call her name Sarah Jane. It happened two weeks yesterday. Experience is not about to sit up yet. The babe seems to be healthy. My own health is poor. I am troubled with soreness in my right side and at the pit of my stomach, and shortness of breath.

Sylvania, Ohio—4-13-1843

Eliza Cole of Sylvania, Ohio to Brother Andrew S. Harroun at Corfu, N.Y.:

I mentioned Anner’s sickness in a letter to Sister Terrell a short time since. She is still convalescent. I understand that Mr. White has given up keeping John. He told Deacon H. that John would never be contented to live with them. Now, Smith, what shall I do? It is but a few short weeks since I thought I had places for all my children. John says to write to Smith and see if he will take Andrew. Levi is here full of business. He had a man farming his barn. He expects to raise it next week Saturday. He works hard, early and late.

The following article appeared in the Toledo Blade on 7-7-1854 regarding Cholera: The Cholera is still making frightful ravages in Toledo. One report places the number of deaths yesterday (the 5th) at forty-two, another at twenty-six. The mortality was probably larger than that of any previous day. The small town-(Eutaw)-opposite Toledo, is deserted. Only five persons were left at last accounts, the remaining survivors having fled in dismay. The population before the epidemic set in was about two hundred. The location of the place is peculiar in few if any respects. The most remarkable feature in the vicinity is a swamp, whether this fact, with the limestone water, and the scum of the adjacent river, will explain the presence of the cholera, is a question to be answered. Who will analyze this dread disease? P.S. A private dispatch received from Toledo says our reports of the cholera there are erroneous. Eleven deaths instead of twenty-three occurred on the 6th. On the 5th, the number from cholera was only two. Our report said twenty-six. The dispatch also says, Disease abating here, no new cases reported today. Sufferers in Toledo are almost exclusively new emigrants. Our correspondent is reliable, but he makes no mention of Eutaw. That the disease has been very fatal in the village, there can be no doubt. We make the above extract from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. We give below the private dispatch to which the Plain Dealer alludes: Your report of Cholera on 4th inst., is erroneous, it should have been 11 instead of 23. On the 5th, the number of deaths from Cholera—2. Disease abating. No new cases reported today. Sufferers in Toledo almost exclusively new immigrants."

Another disease that caused much sickness and many deaths was Tuberculosis or consumption. This was an infectious disease that mainly affected the lungs. It was ranked among the most common causes of death. Infection resulted from eating food contaminated with the bacteria or from drinking milk from cattle infected with bacteria.

One of Sylvania’s very early settlers was Andrew Printup. This man lost most of his family to one disease after another while living in Sylvania. His wife Angeline, who had come with him from New York, was the first in his family to die in June of 1846. Then in a few days his newly born daughter Penelope died. An 18 year old daughter, a one year old son, a ten year old daughter, a 16 year old son named Joshua and then his seven year old daughter Alice. Andrew Printup wrote a letter to his brother, Henry Printup, dated 4-14-1859. In this letter to his brother who was living in Whitewater, Wisconsin he tells of his losses at that time: My Dear Brother Henry, It is some time since you left here for your home in Wisconsin and under very sobering circumstances, by the loss of my son Joshua E. and now I must inform you that Alice is also taken away from me by death on the 27th day of March last, 1859, at 5 o’clock a.m., of scarlet fever—I sometimes think I cannot be too grateful or sufficiently thankful that you were here last fall. You assisted me so much—I am not well. Emeline (his wife) is also not well. Please do write how and where you have been this winter and how you have enjoyed yourself. The people of our township thought that I had held the office of Justice long enough and therefore elected John U. Pease, Esq. in my place on the 4th of this month at the town meeting. Henry, please write to me oftener. It will cheer me and I will think of other days when we were all as one family together, little boys around the old hearth stove. I love to think of the old Mohawk, the old fishing places, the creek where it empties into the river, the old woods, the hickory orchard, the grist mill, saw mill, the old well with the old bucket. Oh how often have I wished for a drink out of the old bucket. The more I write the more I think. I wish it could be so that you could be with me all the time, but our circumstances are different and we are separated but if it could be so I would be very much pleased. Write a good long letter. Your Brother, A. Printup.

This letter gives you an idea as to how it was in the early days, and how a person could lose his entire family in just a short period of time to the diseases of that day.

A bill was approved for payment on 8-5-1891, addressed to Sylvania Village Council and reads as follows: Board of Health, Sylvania, Ohio—To: T. Taylor Cosgrove, Doctor, Pay one years salary as Health Officer from 7-3-1890 to 7-3-1891—$15.00. I hereby certify that the above claim was presented and read by me at a regular meeting of the Board of Health for Sylvania Village held 8-5-1891 and allowed by said board. J.M. Hopkins, Clerk of said board.

In reviewing the records of Association Cemetery on Convent Blvd, one of Sylvania’s earliest cemeteries, for the causes of death of the early settlers, it was determined that records were only kept on the dates of burials. It wasn’t until the later part of the 1890’s that the causes of deaths were recorded. The following were some of the causes of death listed for individuals buried in the cemetery and the year that they were buried (They are spelled as written):

Colin Infantum—1897

Typhoid fever—1898

Dilation of heart—1898

Heart disease—1928

Chronic diarrhea—1898

Kicked by a Horse—1900

Consumption—1890

Gastritis—1903

Pneumonia—1902

Malarial—1896

Diphtheria—1891

Asthma—1898

Congestion of lungs—1905

Kidney-stomach trouble—1899

Inflammatory Rheumatisms—1902

Chronic conjection of stomach—1896

Epilepsy—1898

Acute Myocardial—1904

Tuberculosis—1898

Kidney trouble—old age—1898

Apoplexies—1902

Cancer—1901

Railroad accident—1890

Abdominal cancer—1899

Lag riff—1898

Enlarged heart—1902

Bronchitis asthma—1890

Measles—1902

Old Age—1892

Consumption of the bowel—1899

Paretic Dementia—1902

Shot with a revolver—1897 (19 years old)

Dropsy—1901

Bright’s disease—1899

Killed by lightning—1868

Among the records of the Sylvania Area Historical Society is a prescription written by R. Brown, M.D. which reads as follows:

"Whiteford Center—7-29-1904

V.H. Adams, Druggist—Sylvania

Kindly give the bearer one pint of absolute alcohol for medicinal purposes.

R. Brown M.D."

An article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel on 10-10-1912 as follows: EPIDEMICS CAUSE OF CLOSING SCHOOLS—Several cities and towns in this part of the state have been experiencing epidemics of contagious diseases, serious enough to warrant closing the schools. Scarlet fever has been prevalent in Tiffin. In East Youngstown all schools were closed on account of diphtheria. North Lewisburg schools have been closed owing to the prevalence of spinal meningitis. Two children have died from the disease.

7-4-1914—The Sylvania Township Trustees authorized A.E. Stow, Sylvania Township Health Officer, to attend and serve as the township delegate at the Board of Health meeting at Cedar Point, Ohio on 7-10-1914.

The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel on 2-24-1916:—SCARLET FEVER—Wanted, sheets and pillowcases for little children very sick with Scarlet Fever, frequent washings makes this need imperative. Also, old picture magazines. If you will donate kindly apply to Dr. Armstrong.

4-1-1916—At the trustee meeting held on this date, A.E. Stow, Sylvania Township Health Officer, tendered his resignation. Dr. V. Halbert was appointed as health officer to replace him at $50 per year beginning 4-1-1916.

On 7-6-1917 the treasurer of Sylvania village paid the Sentinel Publishing Company 50 cents for printing scarlet fever signs. This check was signed by Park Wagonlander, Village Clerk.

11-3-1917—The Sylvania Township Health Officer reported to the township trustees that the house occupied by Nick Huber was infested with tuberculosis and could not be disinfected. He recommended that the building be condemned and destroyed. The clerk was instructed to take the matter up with the county prosecutor and report at the next meeting. (Nothing was ever mentioned regarding the outcome of their findings).

Records indicate that one of the worst global epidemics of influenza occurred in 1918-1919. More than 500,000 Americans died in this epidemic.

According to the church history of the Sylvania Community Church (Sylvania Congregational Church) written in 1934, by Maynard Cosgrove, there was a small note in the minute book of the church that the church was closed for several Sundays in 1918 due to conditions caused by the war and also by the epidemic of influenza.

8-5-1918—On this date the township trustees appointed Dr. Edwin Armstrong to act as the Sylvania Township Health Officer, and doctor for the poor, in the absence of Dr. Victor Halbert. The wage was set at a salary for health officer at $50 per year and for doctor for the poor—$2.00 per trip.

The following article appeared in the Toledo Blade on 10-14-1918: SCHOOLS, BARS, CHURCHES ARE ORDERED SHUT—Drastic Order to Stop Flu Epidemics Limits Retail Business Hours 9 to 4—SIXTY NEW CASES AND FOUR DEATHS REPORTED—All Public Funerals Are Forbidden—Police Ordered to Enforce Sweeping Mandate—Public, private and parochial schools and libraries, theatres, churches, Sunday schools, pool rooms, billiard halls, dance halls, soda water fountains, soft drink parlors and saloons will be closed indefinitely after midnight Monday, to stamp out the influenza epidemic. The closing order was issued by Mayor Schreiber (Toledo) and Health Commissioner Waggoner Monday morning at 11:30 after the city cabinet had discussed various notices to check the spread of the disease. To avoid crowding in street cars, stores will not be permitted to open before 9 a.m., or to remain open later than 4 p.m., allowing early and late cars to carry employees of factories and shops. Public funerals for persons who die from any cause are forbidden. The original mandate pertained to influenza victims only. This order was issued separately by the division of health and is not in the official statement prepared by the mayor. Health Commissioner Waggoner estimates there are 1,000 cases of influenza in Toledo, of which 700 are of the aggravated type. Sixty new cases were reported Monday including those developed Sunday. During the week just ended 150 cases were reported at the division of health. Four deaths were announced Monday. Safety Director Wall has instructed Police Chief Herbert and his department to enforce the order to the letter. Patrolmen and detectives who work after midnight Tuesday will pay particular attention to saloons, a majority of which open at 4 a.m., under the law. Proprietors who have opened Tuesday under a plea that they haven’t read the order in the newspapers will be shown a copy and then forced to lock the doors. We don’t anticipate any violations, said Mayor Schreiber. The public surely will cooperate. Everyone is anxious to forestall a grave epidemic. All gatherings of every description are banned. Street orators will undergo an enforced vacation. During a personal survey Sunday night, Dr. Waggoner observed 100 auditors at St. Clair and Jackson streets listening to a soap box speaker. Men, women and children also were elbowing one another waiting admission into crowded motion picture theatres. Barber shops are not affected to the closing order. Sanitary inspectors, however, will guard against crowding and improper ventilation. The city council will meet Monday night for the last time until the order is suspended. The committee meetings scheduled for Wednesday night will be postponed until the quarantine is lifted by the mayor’s order, all assemblages will be under police regulations. Patrolmen and sanitary policemen will report Tuesday evening on the response to the quarantine. The deaths reported Monday are of Daniel B. Schenck, president of the Toledo & Indiana railway; Mrs. Freda Frick, 22, 471 White street, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Tippin, 65, 1327 Elmwood avenue, and Eugenia Welver, one year old of 1049 Vance street. Motion picture theatres and pool rooms in Rossford were closed by Arthur Clark, health officer of the township, Sunday, after several new cases of influenza had been reported. The Rossford public school and the Ford Plate Glass Co.’s clubhouse were closed Monday. Services were held in Rossford churches Sunday but will be banned next Sunday if the epidemic is not abated. Schools and churches were closed and all public gatherings at Maumee were canceled Monday. Within 10 days 40 cases have been reported in the village, but many of these have recovered and the remainder are said to be mild attacks. A teacher and 28 pupils from the same class in one public school are stricken with the grippe. Their condition is not considered serious. A recommendation to the Rail—Light to keep several windows open on every street car was observed generally Sunday. Health inspectors reported the company is cooperating with the health division in its precautions against infection. Officials of the health division say the number of influenza deaths and cases in Toledo are extremely low as compared with other communities. Police Judge Young Monday requested police court spectators to stay away from the sessions during the influenza epidemic. If the request is not heeded other methods will be employed he said. Plans for public meetings in the political campaign were blighted Monday by the city administration orders, forbidding all public meetings during the Spanish influenza epidemic. The Republican campaign activities were suspended during the Liberty loan campaign. The committee had arranged for meetings to begin the latter part of this week. City Health Commissioner Waggoner said that the order applies to war organization meetings as well as general political gatherings. Chairman Frank H. Geer of the Republican campaign committee, said that the order had been communicated to him and that the plans will be changed accordingly. Congressman Sherwood has dates for meetings in Ottawa County which the Toledo ban will not affect.

2-1-1919—The Sylvania Township Trustees appointed Washington C. Thorp to serve as Health Board President for 1919 and appointed Dr. Edwin E. Armstrong as Sylvania Township Health Officer for 1919.

The following letter was sent to the Mayor of Sylvania in 1919:

Mayor of Sylvania

Dear Sir:-

Sunday September 22nd, 1918 at the request of Dr. Cooke of your city I made a trip to Sylvania to make a diagnosis on a case of suspected small-pox. As this disease is usually handled by the various departments of the public health he suggested that I send the bill to the town of Sylvania and not knowing in particular to whom to write I am sending it to you. I should have attended to this sooner, but I went into the army and have just returned which explains the delay.

Trusting that you will put this in the hands of the proper officials I am

Very sincerely yours,

H.G. Pennant."

1-27-1920—The Sylvania Township Trustees appointed Dr. Edwin E. Armstrong as the Sylvania Township Health Officer for six months at a salary of $50.

The minutes of the Sylvania Township Trustees indicates that on 8-2-1924 the trustees signed an agreement with the City of Toledo regarding payments for small pox patients. No other information was recorded at this time regarding the reasons for the payments.

A Lucas County District Board of Health report for September of 1925 reported on the following morbidity and vital statistics: Chickenpox, Cholera Infantum, Diphtheria, Malaria fever, German Measles, Measles, Meningitis, pneumonia, Scarlet fever, Smallpox, Typhoid fever, Whooping cough, Diarrhea and Enteritis under 2 years. The total number of birth for the month of September of 1925 was 94 and the total number of deaths was 34.

The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel on 1-6-1927: WHOOPING COUGH A DANGEROUS DISEASE—Eight children died in Lucas County last year from contagious diseases. Six of these eight died of whooping cough. If your child has a cough that lasts two weeks, getting worse all the time and occurring mostly at night, do not regard it as a common cold. There is more than a fair chance that the little one it getting whooping cough, and the case should be watched. Whooping cough is very dangerous to children and sometimes fatal to adults. Whooping cough starts like a slight cold, running nose, a little fever and dry cough. The eyes are bloodshot. After a week or two the cough gets worse and the child coughs many times in succession. He becomes pale and draws in his breath with a sharp scraping sound. This is the whoop in some cases. The whoop is not present. The child frequently vomits because of the hard coughing. As a result many children lost weight and became very weak. In this condition they easily get tuberculosis, pneumonia or other serious disease. Take no chances. Get your family physician and do as he tells you. If your child has a cough that you think may be whooping cough keep him in your own home away from healthy children.

The Sylvania Sentinel on 1-13-1927: SCHICK TESTING TO START HERE MONDAY—Diphtheria immunization will begin in the schools of Sylvania, Washington and Richfield Townships, Monday, January 17th. The records of the Lucas County Board of Health show an average of 108 cases yearly in this county outside of Toledo city limits previous to the adoption of the Schick test feature. The records now show but 38 cases for each of the past two years. Not a single case of diphtheria occurred during the year 1926 from those who had received this treatment. December statistics in Ohio show a decided increase in the number of cases as well as an unusual prevalence in certain unprotected areas of the state. The Lucas County Health Department urged parents to take no chances with this dreaded disease and to have their children Schick tested now.

The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel on 6-30-1927: TUBERCULOSIS FATAL TO EARL NEWCOMB—Funeral Services For Former Railroad Man To Be Held on Saturday—Earl Newcomb, 27, former railroader, died at his home on Monroe Street at 2 a.m., the victim of tuberculosis. Mr. Newcomb is well known here and has been ill for four months. Physicians held hope for his recovery from the disease until shortly before his demise. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Newcomb, one brother, Floyd, two sisters, Miss Rowena Newcomb and Mrs. Lucy Wotring of Adrian. Funeral services will be held from the home on Saturday at 2 p.m."

The following article appeared in the 9-1-1927 issue of the Sylvania Sentinel: "OPENING OF SCHOOLS POSTPONED—Opening of the Sylvania Schools will be postponed until September 19th, the Board of Education decided at a special meeting held Thursday evening. The Board acted upon the advice of State and County Health Boards, in delaying the opening, on account of the threatening epidemic of Infantile paralysis. St. Joseph’s Parochial school will also postpone opening of school until September 19th, Rev. B.P. Crane announced Thursday."

Another article appeared in the 9-1-1927 issue of the Sylvania Sentinel as follows: INFANTILE PARALYSIS PLAGUE CAUSES ALARM With the opening of schools delayed practically all over the state, health authorities are putting forth every effort to prevent the spread of Infantile paralysis. Nearly 200 cases have been reported to the State health department since August 1 and 25 deaths have so far occurred. So far no positive cases have been found in the Toledo area, although one suspected case in Toledo is being closely watched by physicians. Health departments of both city and county are urging every precaution be taken to prevent the spread of the dread sickness. Besides the closing of the schools, it is urged that swimming pools be closed and that the utmost care be taken in permitting children in any public place. The delayed opening of schools is not because of a serious epidemic but as a precautionary measure health officers say. Adults as well as children are subject to the disease, although the chances are lessened with older persons. People are urged to keep away from large gatherings and to keep their children under close surveillance for the two weeks’ period. Early symptoms of the disease include development of a fever, ordinary symptoms of a cold, vomiting and diarrhea."

9-17-1931—Sylvania Sentinel: "HEALTH BOARD GIVES FACTS ON PARALYSIS—Adults, As Well As Children, Susceptible to So-Called Infantile Paralysis. The Lucas County Board of Health gives the following data and advice for preventing and combating Infantile Paralysis. Much has been said of this fearsome disease which can in so short a time, so completely mar a life by permanent and hopeless crippling. The name Infantile Paralysis is misleading inasmuch as adults will contract the disease and also because paralysis is not at all constant. Formerly acutely appearing paralysis was the whole expression of the disease, now thanks to the extended epidemiological and clinical studies; we have come to realize that cases with paralysis form a small percent of the total incidence. It is by no means an unusual circumstance for 70 to 80 percent, or possibly even a higher count during some epidemics, to prevent merely the aspect of an acute generalized infection, without a sign of central nervous system injury. A particularly dangerous feature is that it has no distinguishing symptoms whereby an early diagnosis may be made with certainty, as often noted the early symptoms are usually those suggesting only one of a number of acute infections and may be so mild as to be overlooked. The hypotwhesia is gaining support that adult immunity may be because most of the human race has been attacked in early youth by mild or unrecognized forms of this disease. From data and statistics compiled during the epidemic of 1930 in Ohio the following conclusions were drawn:

1) Poliomyelitis is gradually increasing in incidence.

2) Its spread in any epidemic must be attributed to contact with mild and unrecognized or abortive cases since a history of contact with a paralyzed case rarely can be obtained.

3) In every epidemic there are many transient illnesses, especially among children that apparently leave no after effects yet often-times a careful examination reveals abnormal reflexes.

4) There is the chance that any apparently mild case may suddenly develop paralysis.

5) Any suspicious signs or symptoms especially during an epidemic, should call for the administration of convalescent serum, at present conceded to be the most potent remedy that can be used to combat the disease.

Following is the past month’s report on statistics and activities:

Births, 81; deaths, 33.

Causes of death—Cerebral hemorrhage 2; pulmonary hemorrhage 1; pulmonary edema 1; fractured skull 1; suicide 2; asthma 1; congenital malformation 1; arteriosclerosis 4; cirrhosis of liver 1; premature birth 2; paraplegia (hypertension) 1; heart diseases 5; pneumonia 1; drowning 2; nephritis 3; stillborn 1; cancer 4.

Communicable diseases reported—scarlet fever 2; tuberculosis 2; typhoid fever 2; measles 1; whooping cough 10; pneumonia 3.

Activities of personnel—Visits to communicable diseases 47; visits to prenatal cases 10; visits to pre-school children 21; visits to tubercular cases 2; visits to maternity cases 7; visits to infants 14; orthopedic cases 12; cultures taken 1.

Sanitation—Nuisances reported 12; nuisances abated 4; water supply inspections 21; water specimens taken 16."

9-18-1931—The minutes of Sylvania Village Council said: The infantile paralysis epidemic was discussed and council agreed that investigations should be made to be able to act should a case be reported within our community.

The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel on 12-22-1938: The State Department of Health and the state division of conservation joined in a warning against tularemia, commonly referred to as rabbit fever, during the remainder of the current hunting season as the result of increased prevalence of the malady in several sections of the state. More cases of tularemia have been reported in north and northeastern Ohio than in other sections, but within the last few days several cases have developed in additional districts, particularly in the east central portion of the state, it was disclosed. The health department has repeatedly urged persons who dress wild game to wear rubber gloves and has cautioned against inadequate cooking. It is said that although rabbits which contract the disease usually die within a short time, it is difficult for the average hunter to determine whether a rabbit is infected.

The following article appeared in the 1-26-1939 issue of the Sylvania Sentinel: QUARANTINE ON DOGS IN COUNTY IS ORDERED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH—Emergency Measure Is Adopted To Prevent the Spread of Rabies; Dogs Must Be Confined On Premises or Vaccinated—Quarantine on all dogs in Lucas County was put in effect on Thursday by the County Board of Health as an emergency measure. Residents are notified to keep their dogs on their own premises, strictly confined, or have them vaccinated against rabies. The action was considered necessary in an effort to control the spread of rabies which has been prevalent throughout the county since last spring. A number of Sylvania residents are undergoing serum treatments for the prevention of rabies following the death by that cause of the family pet of the Ralph Ludwig family on Tuesday. The animal, a rat terrier, bit Evelyn Schuman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Schuman of Erie Street on Saturday morning and then apparently started on a tour of the countryside. Next he appeared near the home of Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Howald on Convent Boulevard, where he bit their son Reid. In both instances the bite of the dog drew blood. When information of the dog’s actions was brought to Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig, the dog was immediately taken to the office of Dr. Carl Vollmer, veterinarian, for observation. Before it died on Wednesday, three veterinarians stated that the dog was suffering from a violent case of rabies. Many persons were known to have been in contact with the dog on Friday and Saturday. Those now undergoing treatment are Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig, their children Robert and Norma Lee, Evelyn Schuman, Reid Howald, his sister Katherine Howald, Donald Page, Mr. and Mrs. Miles Comstock, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Clampitt, Jr., Joe Austin Brennan, and Mrs. Morris Wagonlander. A small terrier belonging to Paul Reeb is under observation at the veterinary hospital. This dog played with the Ludwig dog a few days ago. An epidemic of rabies, said to have started in Dundee, Mich., last March, has spread through Lucas County since, being especially severe in Toledo during the summer months.

2-23-1939—Sylvania Sentinel: "EIGHTY PUPILS ILL AT BURNHAM HIGH—Eighty Burnham High School pupils were absent on Thursday, because of influenza, according to Superintendent Ira Baumgartner. Absence of ten per cent of the enrollment in each of the schools in the system has been reported during the last few days. Schools at Archbold, German Township, Bloomville, Chesterfield and Fayette were closed because of the epidemic