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 three 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: Jun 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481765718

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 THREE:

The Fire Department from 1932 to 2013

GAYLEEN GINDY

US%26UKLogoB%26Wnew.ai

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2013 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 6/14/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-6572-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-6571-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013910984

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Photos on the front and back cover are from the scrapbooks of the Sylvania Township Fire Department

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.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Fires / Fire Department - Continued

Roster of Members of the Volunteer Program from 1931 Through 2012

Roster of Members of the Full-time/Paid Program from 1931 Through 2012

References Used for All Volumes

About the Author

Any time gone by was better.

Jorge Manrique

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

If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.

Michael Crichton

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

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.

Thomas Jefferson

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

We cannot escape history and neither can we escape a desire to understand it.

Anonymous

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

Very deep, very deep is the well of the past. Should we not call it bottomless?

Thomas Mann

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

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. This volume also gives a special thanks to Chief Jeffery Kowalski for allowing me to access all the history records of the Sylvania Township Fire Department and Jennifer Howard for helping me during my many visits to the fire station.

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, Gerald Sobb, Leonard McMahon, Clayton Fischer, Cheryl Lavimodiere, Margie Lintner, Peggy Watts, George Eichenauer, John Plock, Jeff Ballmer, Rick Barricklow, Deb Raszka, Terry Helpman, 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, Donald Covrett, Curtis Niles, Richard A. Campbell, Jeffrey Kowalski, Susan Wood, Clifford Keeler, Scott Reed, Charles Tipping, Melissa Burzynski, Richard Laux, John Grayczyk, Ralph Stallsworth, Chris Maurer, Karen Keeler, Ara Smith, Hazel Smith, Robert C. Smith, Robert A. Smith, Milton Thomas Cory, Greg Roytek, Mark Weichel, Rick Bolly. 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 Sullins, Carolyn Daler-Sullins-Micham, Allan J. Gindy, Carolyn Sberna-Gindy, Melvin Micham, Sharon Dentel-Sullins, Jeff Gindy, 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 Volume Three of the eight volume set that will be published about Sylvania’s history. All eight volumes will be titled Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio; From Footpaths to Expressways and Beyond, and each volume will have a different set of historic photos on the cover to represent the contents of that particular book volume. All books will be the same size, and each upper spine area has a letter to represent one letter in the name Sylvania. When lined up on your bookshelf the books will spell out S-Y-L-V-A-N-I-A. The volume you are holding in your hand now, has the letter L on its spine.

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.

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 Volume One 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.

Volume Two covered 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, with documents showing that 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.

This volume that you are reading is Volume Three and includes the rest of the history of the fire department from 1932 through to the current day (2013) as it developed into a full-time professional department that still handles fire calls, but their biggest business has developed into emergency rescue calls.

Volume Four then goes into the law enforcement aspect of Sylvania’s history, to include a chapter on the selling of liquor in Sylvania, early taverns, and then into the laws locally and nationally against gambling, with a few incidents that occurred in Sylvania. I have included research on the Sylvania jails throughout our history and finally the history of law enforcement in Sylvania Township from 1835 through to current. After the village of Sylvania was established in 1867 they provided their own law enforcement officers and Volume Four includes their complete history through to the current year (2012). Sylvania’s well-known Justice of the Peace, Ralph VanGlahn as researched, and then I include research information on the end of the Justice of the Peace and Mayor’s court era and then into the development of the Sylvania Municipal Court after the village of Sylvania became the city of Sylvania.

Future volumes then review the history of zoning in Sylvania and the years of our 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 in the upcoming volumes 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 of 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 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 will be a complete history of the Sylvania schools.

Fires / Fire Department - Continued

HISTORY OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM 1932 THROUGH CURRENT (2013)

Volume Three continues the history of the fire department in the Sylvania communities from 1932 until 2013, and at the end includes a complete roster of all volunteers and roster of the paid fire department employees in date order. These are prepared using all available records, but as noted some records are not available. As has been explained in Volume Two the volunteer fire department in Sylvania handled fire calls in both the village/city and township, and was originally organized in 1930 under the name of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department.

First, because I have not explained how the fire department was funded through the years, I will explain that first. Officially the village of Sylvania, which is now the city of Sylvania, has always been part of the township of Sylvania. The laws say that even though they are a separate municipality, they are still within the boundaries of the original township that they were annexed from, and therefore are still part of the township. Explained differently, the village/city of Sylvania is the incorporated area within the unincorporated Sylvania Township. Because of this the township trustees had the ability to place tax levies on property owners in both the village/city and the township.

The village of Sylvania was established in 1867 by annexing property from the township to form a separate governmental entity. Residents of the village of Sylvania at that point elected their own village council members and clerk, but were also still able to vote for the township trustees and clerk, because they were still officially part of the township. Many people believe that residents of the village/city of Sylvania are permitted to vote for the Sylvania Township Trustees and Clerk because the township trustees operate the combined fire department in Sylvania. But the fact is that whether they operated the combined fire department or not village/city residents would still be able to vote for the township elected officials, because they are still officially part of the township. And because of this fact, not only can they vote for the township elected officials, they can also run for and be elected to these township elected positions. On the reverse side, the township is not part of the village/city, therefore township residents cannot vote for or run for the village/city elected positions.

The fire department has always been funded mostly through property taxes. Property tax rates are computed in mills. A mill is 1/1000 or .001. One mill cost a property owner $1.00 for every $1,000 of taxable value. In Ohio, millage is referred to as inside millage and outside millage. Inside millage is millage allowed by the Constitution of the State of Ohio and is levied without a vote of the people. It is called inside millage because it is inside the law. Up until 1933 inside millage, or unvoted millage, could be levied on property owners in each taxing district at a maximum of 15 mills, but the 15 mills had to be divided between the combination of the public schools, county, township and municipal entities. In 1933, during the height of the depression, the Ohio legislature reduced the maximum inside millage from 15 to 10 mills, and the maximum allowed is still 10 mills to this date (2013).

In the case of the fire department, it appears that the trustees started collecting an inside millage, or unvoted millage starting in 1928. This inside millage went into the township’s general fund, came from both the village and township property owners, and is what was used to fund the original volunteer fire department.

Sylvania Township Trustee minute books show that starting in 1928 the trustees started setting aside money to supply a building and necessary vehicles and equipment to a Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department. In 1933 when the allowable inside millage was reduced from 15 mills to 10 mills, the township continued to collect an inside millage from both the township and village residents, which still went into the general fund, but was at a reduced millage.

I have only been able to locate a couple of the tax rate schedules that show the breakdown details of how much inside millage the township was collecting from both the village and township residents, prior to 1933, when the total inside millage was reduced from 15 mills to 10 mills. The few random detailed tax schedules that have been found, that are dated prior to 1933, which reported how many inside mills were being collected into the township’s general fund by village property owners are as follows:

Since Ohio laws allowed the township trustees to collect a small amount of inside millage from the village of Sylvania property owners, into their general fund, many have suggested over the years that this inside millage collected into the township’s general fund was for fire and rescue services, or for fire dispatching services or for the township’s administrative bookkeeping to keep the accounts for the fire and rescue operations. Either way, the millage seems to have started being collected at about the time that the fire department was established and is what the township used to first fund the fire department.

I have talked to communities throughout the state of Ohio that are similar to Sylvania’s situation, in the fact that a municipal corporation was established within an original township, and although some of the townships provide absolutely no services to the residents within the municipality, the municipal property owners still pay an inside millage to the general fund of the original township that they were part of, and the residents of the municipal portion of these townships also get to vote for the township trustees and clerk, and can also be elected to those positions. Tax rate schedules provided on other county auditor websites throughout Ohio, prove this fact over and over again.

Below is a listing of the inside millage that has been collected into the township’s general fund, from all property owners in the fire district (village/city and township) starting in 1933:

As can be seen, the amount to the township’s general fund fluctuated over the years depending on what the county budget commission approved. As of 1968, and through to today (2013), it has remained the same at .50 mills.

In November of 1947, for the first time, a bond issue, outside the 10 mill limit, was requested by the Sylvania Township Trustees to help pay for a new piece of fire equipment for the volunteer department. The bond amount requested was for $15,000 and was approved by a majority of the voters in the village and township of Sylvania. This was to be collected over a period of ten years starting in 1948.

Outside millage is another type of tax and is millage outside the 10 mills that is provided by the Constitution of the State of Ohio. The first time that an outside (or voted) millage was asked to be approved by the residents of the township fire district, for fire department expenses, was in 1950 for the 1951 tax year. The millage that was approved was one mill. (Outside millage is permitted when the voters in a district agree to tax themselves more than the 10 inside mills).

At first, after an outside millage was approved by the voters, an Ohio governmental entity could collect that millage, plus collect the additional taxes as the valuation increased from reappraisals, or as new structures were built on vacant lands causing the values to increase. But then in 1976, because property values were increasing at a very rapid rate, the state legislature passed House Bill 920, which then prohibited a taxing authority from receiving more money from the outside or voted levy than it received in the first year that the levy was approved; in essence it freezes all voted real estate millage at the dollar amount collected the first year the millage went into effect. That’s when the county auditor’s office started using reduction factors in order to keep the voted levies at the rates that were originally approved by the voters. That’s when the effective rate started being provided on the Lucas County Treasurer’s notice, so that a reduction factor was subtracted from the actual tax rate each year.

The outside millage (outside the maximum 10 mills permitted) collected over the years, for the fire department, by both village/city and township property owners were as follows:

When Volume Two of this series of history books ended on 12-31-1931 Darrell Dutch Williams was serving as the fire chief of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department, and the department was being funded through the inside millage taxes collected by the Sylvania Township government, by both the property owners of the village and township of Sylvania.

The next page shows the six fire chiefs of the Sylvania Township Fire Department from 1931 through 2013.

001.jpg

The Sylvania Township Fire Department has had six fire chiefs since it was first established, as follows: Top – left to right: 1931 to 1948 – Darrell Williams; 1948 to 1976 – Elmer K. Cline; 1976 to 1997 – David A. Drake. Bottom – left to right: 1998 to 2007 - Christopher D. Maurer; 2007 to 2010 – Frederick H. Welsh; 2011 to current (2013) – Jeffery D. Kowalski. (Photos from the scrapbooks of the Sylvania Township Fire Department).

Continuing at this time with the history of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department, the following information was obtained from the various sources as documented:

According to the minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department on 1-4-1932 a motion was passed requesting the secretary to draw up a resolution to be presented to village council, embodying the necessary legislation for fire inspection and prevention measures in Sylvania.

1-18-1932 – Sylvania Village Council passed a resolution that W.W. Netz be retained as fire department maintenance man and special police for a period of one year at the same salary as for the year 1931.

1-21-1932 – The Toledo News-Bee newspaper: 50 GIRLS, NUNS FLEE EARLY MORNING FIRE – Blaze Sweeps One End of Convent Dormitory at Sylvania – Fifty girl students and nuns were forced to flee early Thursday when fire swept one end of the dormitory of the Franciscan convent at Sylvania. Damage amounted to $500. The blaze was discovered in the furnace room at 5:40 a.m. and the fact that it is the custom of those at the convent to rise at 5 a.m. probably averted a panic. Nuns in the convent were attracted by the flames and went to the aid of those in the burning building while members of the Sylvania township volunteer fire department fought the blaze. The firemen under the leadership of Chief Dutch Williams fought for more than half an hour before the blaze was under control. The fire destroyed the heating plant of the dormitory and parts of the building that were not damaged by fire were drenched with water.

1-23-1932 - The following letter was found among the old records of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department – No. 1 Station. The letterhead reads: Sisters of St. Francis – 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, Ohio, and the letter reads: My dear Mr. Williams and the Sylvania Volunteer Fire Department: This is to express to you our deep and sincere thanks. The help in distress which you volunteer to perform you performed so fully in serving us last Thursday morning that the entire household of eighty persons rings with praise and appreciation of your efforts. The enclosed check is but a small token of our expression of gratitude. The public expression of the feeling that as citizens of the town of Sylvania our lives are secure because of your prompt service is a priceless token. This token we owe you and the town of Sylvania. Sylvania may well be proud of its Volunteer Fire Department and its Chief. Once more let us repeat, our lives and our property are secure in the thought of being taken care of by the Sylvania Volunteer Fire Department under Chief Darrell Williams. We are, Very gratefully yours, Mother M. Adelaide, General Superior and our community.

2-1-1932 - The minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department written on this date said that after their meeting adjourned a basketball game was promoted, with Chief Williams as referee.

2-3-1932 - The Sylvania Township Trustees budget the following tax monies for fire department operations in 1932:

General Fund - Fire Protection - Purchase of equipment = $0.00

General Fund - Other Expenses = $2,000.00

NOTE: In 1932 the largest percent of the Township’s budget was going toward relief of the poor. This was during the Depression and the local government was responsible for relief to their unemployed residents at this time.

2-15-1932 - According to the minutes of the meeting of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department a motion was passed that the chief order the siren blown for all fire calls before any rig goes out.

2-18-1932 - The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel newspaper: EARLY MORNING FIRE ROUTS FAMILY OF FIVE - Residence of Clyde Bryan completely destroyed; Occupants Clad Only in Nightclothes Flee from Blaze - Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bryan and three children had a narrow escape when fire destroyed their one-story home on McLain Drive, near Whiteford road early Tuesday morning. Waking up to find the home a mass of flames, the family had to flee from the house in their nightclothes and had just reached the outdoors when the chimney crashed through the roof. The Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department in charge of Assistant Chief VanGlahn answered the call, but handicapped by the lack of water, confined their efforts to saving the surrounding buildings. The cottage, which was totally destroyed, was covered by insurance.

FIREMEN TO PRESENT THE GREAT SILKINI - Great Magician Will Appear at Bank Auditorium Friday Evening - March 11th - Silkini noted magician and illusionist will appear in Sylvania on the evening of March 11th at the Bank auditorium. Many tests will be presented that will completely mystify the audience, such as floating a woman around the stage, the great oriental trunk mystery, sawing a woman in two, and other acts. Silkini has just returned from a tour of the Pacific coast and has brought back with him a number of new tricks which he will demonstrate to the public here.

2-19-1932 - The mayor of the village of Sylvania reported that a meeting was held of the fire department committee and the committee outlined the duties of the (volunteer) chief and also the maintenance man, in order to eliminate some misunderstandings that had been brought to him from the fire department.

3-4-1932 – At the meeting of village council the mayor said that he had received an invitation from Chief Williams for the members of council to be present at the first annual meeting of the Sylvania Volunteer Fire Department.

3-7-1932 - According to the minutes recorded by the secretary of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department, the first annual meeting and election of officers was held on 3-7-1932. The following is what Secretary Nelson Randall recorded:

"The meeting was called to order by Chief Darrell Williams promptly at 8:00 p.m. in the Firemen’s’ Hall over the Farmers and Merchants Bank, (5604 Main Street) with every fireman except Carroll Fallis present. The reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was heard and approved. Proceeding to the regular business of the fire department, applications for membership made by George Carter and Harold Sharp were read and committees appointed to consider these candidates. Bills outstanding were ordered paid in a motion by Robert Randall, seconded by Fred Clampitt, the rest of the members concurring. Robert Randall, a committee of one, reported the purchase of a volleyball and pump as instructed, and was discharged. Chief Williams then made a brief report on the years activities, saying that he would not go too much into detail, in as much as the secretary has included in his report the fire statistics, etc., ‘As some indication of the work we have done in this first year of organization.’ Chief Williams said, ‘I will present these firemen with certificates of their ability as first class firemen, signed by E.G. Howard for the township trustees, and myself.’ He then presented first class fireman certificates to the following: Ralph VanGlahn, Clyde Weber, Nelson Randall, William Bernholtz, Alfred Carl, Arba Comstock, Fred Clampitt, Carroll Fallis (absent), Frank Fallis, Emerald Gallup, George Huffman, Edward Jacobs, Arnold Koester, Homer Roberts, Fred Root, Gordon Rower, Alton Rower, George Smith, Otto Thamletz, James Strahl, Henry Pelton, and George Wilson. As each fireman came to the front to receive his certificate, he was greeted with applause. Chief Williams himself earned and received one of these certificates, I might add. The secretary (Nelson Randall) then read his yearly report as ordered by the by-laws, which report is attached to and made a part of these minutes. A motion to accept the secretary’s reports was heard and seconded. Treasurer Ed Jacobs made his report which consisted of the balance on hand, which was $365.66. (Wild applause).

The report of the nominating committee was again read, having been accepted and the committee discharged at the previous meeting; after which the chief asked whether there were any more nominations. Accordingly, the names of Otto Thamletz for 2nd assistant chief, Curtis Niles for captain, and Alfred Carl for sergeant-at-arms, were placed in nomination and the ballots passed. Chief Williams appointed as tellers Maclyn Randall and Alton Rower, with Edward Doley as Judge.

While the ballots were being counted, the chief introduced the guests, who were seated among the firemen at the long tables. The guests were Dr. Carl Vollmer, Chief Janney and Asst. Chief Keller Nigh, of Trilby; Chief Wahl and Asst. Chief Stout of Ottawa Lake; Mayor H.C. Quinnell, Washington Thorp, representing the Sylvania Township Trustees, Fred Comstock, member of the board of control and village councilman; W.D. Hinckley, village councilman; Mr. F.P. Randall, Mr. Gust Thamletz, Mr. W.J. Mickens, Mr. Charles Carroll, Mr. C.G. Hesselbart, Mr. John Iffland, Mr. K.L. Easterbrook of the American LaFrance Company, and C.E. Vannel of the Red Cross.

Mayor Quinnell was then called upon to say a few words, and made a creditable talk eulogizing the department. He said in part: ‘I made the statement at the first meeting of the fire department that in a year we would have a good department as any in this section, and we have.’ Washington Thorp said: ‘My only worry which was whether or not we could get together a fire department after buying the engine, has been totally dispelled. I know the old department had no incentive to do the things you boys have done, but that does not detract one bit from the credit due you.’ Dr. Vollmer, president of the Trilby fire department, gave us credit for having a mighty fine department and a good gang of boys. Chief Wahl and Chief Janney congratulated the assembled firemen on the strides they have made this first year. Councilman Hinckley said that we could be assured of the continued support of the village council.

Results of the balloting were then read by the secretary, and were as follows: For Chief - Darrell Williams, 32. For 1st Asst. Chief - Ralph VanGlahn, 31. For 2nd Asst. Chief - Otto Thamletz, 17, Clyde Weber 15, Thamletz being elected. For Captain - Arnold Koester 21, Curtis Niles 15, Robert Randall 13, James Strahl 12, Fred Root 2; Koester and Niles being elected. For Secretary - Nelson Randall 32. For Treasurer - Ed Jacobs 32. For Sergeant-at-Arms - Alfred Carl 18, George Huffman 8, Emerald Gallup 6; Carl being elected.

Mr. C.E. Vannel, of the American Red Cross, was introduced and in a straight-forward speech, told the visitors the value of having a group of trained first-aiders in their midst. He then presented Red Cross cards to Clyde Weber, Nelson Randall, Arba Comstock, George Huffman, Jack Marmar, Robert Randall, Fred Root, both Rowers, (Gordon & Alton) Thamletz and Wilson. Mr. K.L. Easterbrook, of the American LaFrance Co., the principal speaker of the evening, was introduced and he too lauded the department and its chief. Mr. Easterbrook then told of some of the big fires he has worked on in his capacity of fire prevention man; urging the serious consideration of fire prevention work as part of the effectiveness of the fire department. Mr. Easterbrook told that 75% of the fires in this country were in homes, and told how to inspect and eliminate these hazards. He stated that we have every right to be cocky about our fire department.

The meeting was then adjourned for a fine lunch of baked beans, ham, cheese, rye bread, pickles, coffee and cigars, after which a large group played volleyball."

. . . . (End of Secretary’s 3-7-1932 minutes) . . . .

3-7-1932 - In a document prepared by Nelson Randall, Secretary of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department, dated 3-7-1932, the following was written: Brother Firemen: This brief resume of the year’s activities is to acquaint you with the progress we have made during the first year of our association as volunteer firemen in this community. The details of the serious side of the business you have just heard in the secretary’s report to the officials of the village and township. The social side of the game, with its attendants hustling to raise money, get the organization on an efficient basis, and have a good time all the while, is familiar in detail to all of you, but I will touch on some of the highlights and figures to refresh your memories.

The department was organized on 2-16-1931, at a meeting in the council building. Ten men who were present and signed their intention of becoming members of the department are still members; the majority of the men taken in at the next meeting are still members, although eleven who have been members have fallen by the wayside for one reason or another. Perhaps the going was too tough for some, others lost interest in running to fires, and still others did not fit. We started by raising money to buy insurance and needed equipment. This we have done, and we have increased our treasury right along through the enterprise of the whole department who have gotten out and worked every time anything was promoted. We have yet to fail on a single project. The sum of $1,487.15 has passed into the treasury. How much of it has stuck will be indicated by the treasurer’s report. You may be sure the rest of it has been expended to good advantage. The distribution of these funds may be of interest to you. We spent $282.42 for fire department equipment, badges, coats, helmets, belts, a flag, Red Cross, whistles for rigs, etc.

Insurance cost us $187.50. Association dues were $1.60. We spent $271.54 promoting various enterprises which made us money. We are up $90.92 worth, (some of it went for flowers and charity, however). It cost us to date $276.06 for the hall, including the amount paid on the lease, and from the hall we have realized to date $293.13, figuring $5 rent for all the dances we have put on and the millionaire party, and $30 for the play, besides the fun and use of the hall, we are ahead $17.67 on the venture, $71.50 of the net income was derived from renting the hall to the basketball teams. $12 is still outstanding on the hall which we will get eventually.

We sent delegates to the convention at Port Clinton, and had the honor of moving that the next convention be held with our old friends at Gibsonburg. We ought to fare pretty well down there, seeing that we entertained them and they entertained us during the year. Marmar (shortest) and Thamletz (tallest) won prizes for being tallest and shortest in the parade at Port Clinton, and neither of them saw the parade.

We had some expert instruction during the year from various fire departments, and profited by it. Just how much we have profited by the training we have received, the work we have done, the contacts and friends we have made, the services we have rendered the community, will be seen in the manner in which we carry on in years to come. NELSON H. RANDALL

. . . . (End of Secretary’s Report) . . . .

3-21-1932 - According to the minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department on this date Chief Williams instructed the firemen regarding out-of-town fires, saying that the only calls out of this township to be answered are those from Trilby made by their fire officers.

3-24-1932 - The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel newspaper: FIRE DEPARTMENT MAKES TWO RUNS - MARTIN KUNTZ HOME BURNS TO GROUND AFTER EXPLOSION OF GASOLINE STOVE IN KITCHEN - The Sylvania Township fire department answered two alarms during the past week. On Sunday night they were called to the farm of John Yunker, Sylvania Avenue and Talmadge road, where a forcing house was burning. The department under assistant chief VanGlahn, handicapped by the lack of water, confined their efforts to saving the home and several outbuildings. The forcing house was destroyed. Damage was estimated at $500 on the building and $300 on the plants in the greenhouse. On Wednesday afternoon the department was called to the home of Martin Kuntz, Convent Boulevard. A gasoline pressure stove had exploded and sprayed gasoline all over the house. Upon arrival the firemen under Chief Williams, found the house a raging furnace and three lines of hose were laid to extinguish the fire. The building was totally destroyed. Damage was estimated by the chief at $1,200 on the building and $1,000 on the contents.

3-31-1932 - Sylvania Sentinel newspaper: FIRE IN FARM HOME CAUSES $3000 DAMAGE HOME OF MRS. CHRIST HICKER, NEAR SYLVANIA COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FLAMES WEDNESDAY EVENING - Fire destroyed the farm house of Mrs. Christ Hicker, three miles northeast of Sylvania, Wednesday evening. Mrs. Hicker was in Detroit, but her daughter-in-law had been cleaning the house and discovered the fire, which was caused by an overheated stove. The Ottawa Lake fire department was called but the flames had too much of a start and the firemen confined their efforts to saving the adjoining buildings. A box, in which Mrs. Hicker had deposited $300.00, was destroyed in the flames. Damage to the building was estimated at $3000.00 by Fire Chief Wahl of the Ottawa Lake fire department.

4-25-1932 - A special meeting of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department members was held for the purpose of deciding about caps and shirts. A motion was heard that they buy the blue uniform-cloth caps from the Emerson Cap Co., and the department adopt the Pershing style cap as regulation.

4-28-1932 - Sylvania Sentinel newspaper: VOLUNTEER FIREMEN HAVE BUSY WEEK SYLVANIA FIREMAN CALLED TO AID TRILBY IN GAS STATION FIRE; CHICKEN COOP BURNED - The Sylvania Volunteer fire department was called to aid the Trilby department early Monday, when fire destroyed the gas station and general store of Lemford Slater, Clover Lane and Sylvania-Alexis Road. The Sylvania department under Chief Williams hooked up their pumper in combination with Trilby’s and was pumping water through 4100 feet of hose, and succeeded in saving adjoining buildings. The blaze, believed to be of incendiary origin, started in two places and one on the outside of the building. Damage was estimated at $4,000.00. Fire, set by a 5-year old girl playing with matches consumed a chicken coop at the home of John Beckman, King Road, Tuesday. It was thought the child was in the burning building and after firemen had extinguished the blaze a thorough search was made but no signs of the body could be found in the ruins. A group of firemen then searched the neighborhood and found the girl hiding in a nearby woods. On Thursday, the department was called to Central Avenue, near McCord Road to extinguish a grass fire which was threatening buildings. Half an hour later they were called to the same neighborhood to put out another grass fire.

5-6-1932 – The Sylvania Village Council minutes said that the mayor had reported on a meeting that he attended of the fire department board of control. At that meeting he said that the board had agreed to discontinue the services of W.W. Netz as maintenance man of the fire department and recommended the appointment of James Strahl. Council accepted the action of the board of control. Mr. Netz was present at the meeting and asked for permission to present his difficulties to council. He said that numerous misunderstandings were brought about by receiving orders from the Chief, the Township Trustees and the Mayor. After discussion, council agreed that Mr. Netz came well recommended, and that no complaints had been received, other than the board of control giving the fire chief full charge of the fire department to bring it under one manager. It seemed that Mr. Netz had too many bosses at this point.

6-6-1932 - According to the minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department a committee was formed to look into acquiring a fire department banner. The committee reported that it would cost approximately $15. It was determined that the department treasury could not afford this expense. The following was recorded in the minutes: Frank Fallis started the ball rolling by tossing in $1 toward the banner, and other firemen made up the balance of $15, along with a contribution from Mr. Nick Poulos of $3. Also at this meeting the following is stated: Chief Williams expressed his satisfaction with the fine showing the fire company made in the local Memorial Day parade. As this was the first public appearance of the lads in their new uniforms, and in any parade, the chief wanted his sentiments known.

6-16-1932 - The Sylvania Sentinel newspaper: FIRE CHIEF WILLIAMS HONORED BY FIREMEN - ELECTED PRESIDENT OF NORTHWESTERN OHIO VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION AT GIBSONBURG, WEDNESDAY - Fire Chief Darrell Dutch Williams of the Sylvania Fire department was elected president of the Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Firemen’s Association at its convention, held in Gibsonburg Wednesday. The convention was one of the most colorful in the history of the association. The Sylvania Company also captured the prize for first aid work and the $20 prize for the company which kept the best step. Two other events would have been won by the Sylvania department but for the ruling that only two events can be won by a company. Walter Doley was judged the most comical firemen in the parade, and the local boys could have won the water ball battle. Governor George White, who spoke to the convention at the morning meeting, paid tribute to the work of volunteer firemen, and recalled his boyhood days when he, too, was a volunteer fireman. The parade, which was about five miles long, was very picturesque. Fire fighting apparatus of all kinds and ages was hauled in the parade. The Adams township department had Toledo’s first fire fighter equipment mounted on a truck. Woodville won the prize for the largest band in uniform in the parade and also received the prize for the fancy drill. Hicksville received the prize for the woman’s band having the largest number of members, and Napoleon won the prize for the comic band and Delta’s fife and drum band of the American Legion won a prize. Next year’s convention will be held in Hicksville.

7-5-1932 - The minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department state that Chief Williams reported that he had caused to be placed in each gas station in our district NO SMOKING signs on the order of the fire marshal. Also at this meeting they approved the purchase of twelve bats and twelve ball caps for the firemen’s baseball team.

7-18-1932 - The minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department state that First Assistant Chief, Ralph VanGlahn, reported that the law provided that motorists must give way to the fire equipment, and that he would make arrests if necessary to enforce this law. Also at this meeting the members voted to accept the proposition of Edward Grolle, representing the Travelers Insurance Co. of Hartford, which calls for the insuring of the entire department at $3,000 and $20 weekly benefits at a cost of $195.00.

7-19-1932 – At a special meeting of the Sylvania Township Trustees, Trustees Michael Bowman, John W. Cooper and Washington C. Thorp were present as well as Clerk LaPoint. The following resolution was passed:

Be it resolved that a contract be entered into between the Trustees and the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department for the services of the fire company at a yearly compensation of $195.00, payable August 1st of each year.

This contract states that the volunteer company agrees to respond to all conflagration of buildings when called upon in Sylvania Township, and render such services as is proper in fighting and controlling such fires during the year from 8-1-1932 to 8-1-1933, and in consideration thereof, the Trustees agree to pay the volunteer fire company the sum of $195.00 per year payable 8-1-1932.

This contract shall be renewed and continued in force after the termination hereof, from year to year.

Signed by:   Michael Bowman

         Washington C. Thorp

         John W. Cooper

         Sylvania Township Trustees

Sylvania Twp. Volunteer Fire Department

By: D. Williams, Fire Chief and Acting President

. . . . (End of Trustees minutes of 7-19-1932) . . . .

7-21-1932 - The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel newspaper: "VOLUNTEER FIREMEN TO CARRY INSURANCE - SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES WILL PAY DEPARTMENT ENOUGH TO COVER THE PREMIUM ON INSURANCE POLICY - Through a special dispensation of the Assistant County Prosecutor, Harry Commager, Auditor Kraft and State Examiner Ralph Gillespie, arrangements have been made whereby the Trustees of Sylvania Township will pay to the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department a stipulated sum per year. The arrangement is in the form of a contract, the terms of which provides that the fire department agrees to respond to all conflagrations of buildings when called upon in Sylvania Township, and render such service as proper in fighting and controlling such fires during the year from 8-1-1932 to 8-1-1933, and in consideration thereof, the Board of Township Trustees agrees to pay the department the sum of $195.00 per year, payable 7-19-1932.

The contract also provides that it shall be renewed and continued in force from year to year unless notice to terminate said service is given by either party on or before the date of renewal of any year. With this pay the department will purchase insurance to cover the members in case of accident while in the line of duty."

7-22-1932 – The mayor of the village of Sylvania informed council that the fire department board of control was to meet the next day for the purpose of discontinuing the services of W.W. Netz as driver and maintenance man of the fire department. Councilman Comstock agreed to attend the meeting. The mayor reported that the township trustees had announced that they were willing to pay up to $60 per month as their share of expense in hiring a new man. After some discussion it was agreed by council that due to the lack of funds the position of maintenance man be abolished by the village and the mayor was to report that to the Sylvania Township Trustees. (This is when the township took the reins and continued the employment of a maintenance man at the fire department while the village could not afford it).

The 8-5-1932 minutes of village council said that the mayor attended the meeting of the trustees to discuss the position of the driver and maintenance man. The clerk was instructed to notify Mr. Netz that due to lack of funds the position of driver and maintenance man of the fire truck was abolished effective August 1st. Council then suggested that the small run-about fire truck should be left inside the village of Sylvania in case of fires in the village.

8-1-1932 - The minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department for this date state: Chief Williams reported the regrettable fact that the department allowed a fire to rekindle at Central Avenue and Sylvania-Holland Road. He cautioned the men about this. Also reported, the injury of fireman Frank Fallis, who fell when he stepped off the truck with the hose at a grass fire on Monroe Street on 7-23-1932.

8-4-1932 - The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel newspaper: SUNDAY NIGHT BLAZE ATTRACTS LARGE CROWD - A spectacular fire which attracted hundreds of motorists to the scene destroyed an unoccupied house on Brint road near Mitchaw, four miles west of Sylvania, Sunday night. The house located on the 44-acre farm, formerly known as the Lang farm was owned by Edward Ray, attorney, and had been unoccupied for several years. The blaze first noticed by a passing motorist who called the Sylvania fire department, which responded under Chief Darrell Williams. On account of lack of water, firemen devoted their efforts to saving the barns. The cause is unknown.

8-15-1932 - According to the minutes of the Sylvania Township Volunteer Fire Department, from 10-10-1931 to 10-10-1932 the department had a lease agreement with the Farmers & Merchants Bank at the corner of Main and Monroe to rent the auditorium or entire second floor of the Farmers and Merchants Bank building. This is where their annual meeting was held for the first year. According to the minutes of the 8-15-32 meeting of the department a motion was passed that the lease on the Farmer’s & Merchant’s Bank auditorium be allowed to lapse at the expiration and not renewed.

8-18-1932 - The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel: FIREMEN ANSWER CALL TO BRINT ROAD BLAZE - The Sylvania Township fire department was called out on Tuesday night to fight a blaze in a barn on the farm owned by Ed Ray, on Brint Road near Mitchaw. Owing to lack of water and also to the fact that the fire had gained such headway before the firemen arrived, it was impossible to save the barn. On July 31st the house on this property burned to the ground. Chief Williams estimates damage to the barn at $550.

8-19-1932 – Village council met and wanted a key to the engine house placed next to the council building, in glass, but they were not successful in making arrangements with the Sylvania Township Trustees to place one. It was also noted that the old village fire truck should be placed in the back of the council building to be available for Officer McCulley for police work when necessary.

9-3-1932 - The minutes of the Sylvania Township Trustees indicate that the Trustees paid Union Supply Company for a siren for the fire department - $52.11.

9-8-1932 - The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel: TROPHY PRESENTED TO VOLUNTEER FIREMEN - FIRE FIGHTERS ENJOY CHILE SUPPER AFTER PRESENTATION OF TROPHY BY CHIEF; BUS CARL DISCOVERS A KITTY - The trophy for the season’s indoor baseball championship was presented to the Sylvania Township Firemen at the engine house on Tuesday evening. Chief Darrell Williams made the presentation. After the presentation the Chief told the firemen to follow him and after leading them all around the town they finally took them to the home of Otto Thamletz, one of the firemen, where Otto and his wife served chili con carne supper. The highlight of the evening came when Bus Carl, returning to the party after taking George Smith to his home, drove into the yard, and saw an interesting little animal, black in color with a white stripe down its back, sitting in the driveway. Bus stuck his head from the car window to watch it for a while to further his knowledge of zoology. The little animal proved to be decidedly unfriendly and resented being stared at. Only his glasses prevented Bus from suffering complete blindness. Soap and water were lavishly applied, and Otto’s clothes substituted for his own offending garments. Bus is a brave fireman, fearless in the face of danger but that kitten had him taking to his heels without dignity or decorum. It is said Bus was a very sick man the rest of the night and even now the subject is a very delicate one with him. Those enjoying the occasion were: Chief Darrell Williams, Ralph VanGlahn, Nelson Randall, Jack Marmar, George Smith, Leroy Armstrong, Ed Doley, Ed Jacobs, William Bernholtz, Henry Pelton, Alfred Carl, Lyle Koester, Arnold Koester, Arba Comstock, George Meeks, Frank Fallis, Al Plikerd, Curtis Niles, Melvin Mickens, George Wilson, Carroll Fallis, Homer Roberts, Gordon Rower, James Strahl, Elson Rower, Fred Root, Fred Clampitt, Emerald Gallup, Clyde Weber and Otto Thamletz.

9-29-1932 - The following article appeared in the Sylvania Sentinel: "BIRD’S GROCERY STORE DAMAGED BY