The Turnbull Wagon Works, c. 1913

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column: "A Backward Glance."  The topic for Tuesday, August 27, 1963, was the Turnbull Wagon Works, a very successful early business in Defiance.

"THIS IS a picture of some of the employees of the old Turnbull Wagon Works, taken about 50 years ago.  Perhaps old timers will recognize some of the faces.

At one time, the Turnbull Wagon Company employed about 400 workers.  Native timber was used in the manufacture of wagons.  Later, with the advent of the horseless carriage, the company produced wooden spoke automobile wheels.

When the native timber was depleted, the company bought a large tract of timber in Arkansas. However, it turned out to be an inferior timber, far below standards for wagons and wheels with the wood, water soaked and impossible to kiln dry properly.

The plant was located in East Defiance at the foot of Seneca St., and stretched along the south bank of the Maumee River.  The plant had a complex of 24 buildings, two of them still in use.

The large brick building is used by the Compo Corp. for storage and another brick building is part of the Defiance Metal Products."

Dr. Merari Bunajah Stevens - G.A.R., Bishop Post - After the War

A continuation from  the Commemorative Biographies of Northwest Ohio in italics:

"After a short stay in New York, the youth proceeded to Michigan, and wisely resumed his interrupted studies.  Locating in Fenton, in that State, he attended school there two years, when he began the study of medicine in the office of Wells B. Fox, M.D., at Marshallville, and later graduated in 1869.  

Immediately after his graduation, he began the practice of his chosen profession with his former preceptor, Doctor Fox, then located at Byron, Michigan, and this partnership existed until the reopening of the university in the fall, when he again became a student there, completing the course in pharmacy the next year.


He then resumed practice at Byron, without a partner, however, remaining there until 1875, which year was made memorable by his appointment as delegate from the State Medical Society of Michigan to the meeting of the American Medical Association in Louisville, Kentucky, and by his matriculation at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, from which institution he graduated in the class of '76.  A brief stay at Byron followed; then, in December, 1876, he located in Defiance, Ohio, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession.

"In 1870, at Fenton, Michigan, Doctor Stevens was united in marriage with Miss Irene Boice, who died January 29, 1873, leaving one son, Harry B., (Harvey) born January 19, 1873, at present a student in his father's office."

Irene and Merari were married just over two years when she died soon after giving birth to their son whose name was actually Harvey.  Irene was buried in Michigan.

 "In February, 1878, the Doctor married, for his second wife, Miss Nettie Brower, and to this union a son, Harry B., was born May 22, 1879.  The mother passed away on the 25th of the same month."

Nettie's short obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on May 29, 1879, p. 3:  "On Sunday, Mrs. Nettie B. Stevens, wife of Dr. M. B. Stevens, died in this place after a short illness.  She was an estimable lady, and although a resident of Defiance for about one year, she had formed a large circle of acquaintances who were warmly attached to her.  The remains were taken to Byron, Michigan, for burial.  In his hour of sad affliction, Dr. Stevens has the sympathy of all citizens."

In the 1880 census, Dr. M. B. Stevens lived at 445 Wayne Street in Defiance, a widowed physician with his two sons, H. B., 7, and Harry B., 1.  His sister, U. M., 23, lived with them and kept house, along with Fanny Smith, 22, a servant.  The family had two boarders: Clara Adams, 22, a music teacher, and Jennie Rorabooker, 18, also a music teacher.

 "On March 21, 1883, the Doctor was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Ellen Amelia Ames, the only daughter of Rev. Lucius F. Ames ( a Baptist minister) and Amelia Bennett Ames, both of New England stock...  Mrs. Stevens has been actively engaged in church and charity work.  The chlldren of this marriage are: Gale A., born August 31, 1885; Edwin Burr, born June 24, 1889; and Frank Bennett, born July 28, 1893.  The family resides in a commodious and delightful home on the corner of Fifth and Wayne streets, while adjoining stands the doctor's office - a substantial and well-equipped building erected by himself.

Dr. M. B. Stevens, 1885

 Dr. Stevens did appear in the 1890 Veterans Census in Defiance which noted his service in both Company L, 8th Regiment, New York Infantry and Company H, 10th New York Infantry where he was promoted to Corporal.  Another source, the New York Muster Rolls, described him at the time as 5 foot, 8 inches, with grey eyes and brown hair and a light complexion.  He gave his occupation as brickmaker, perhaps working for his father in his early years.

In the 1900 census, the family lived at 602 Wayne Street, Defiance.  Ellen, 47, and Merari, 55, had four sons at home then, along with her father, Lucious, 80 and widowed.  Son Harry, 27 and single, was a rug salesman, while the younger boys - Gale A., E. Burr, and Frank B. were in school.  Naomi M. Stevens, 48, the doctor's sister and a school teacher, also lived there.

In the same home in 1910, Dr. M.B. and Ellen had just two sons left at home - Burr E., 20, a driver, and Frank B., 16, who worked in a machine shop. Sister Manora Stevens, 53, also stayed with the family now.  Three roomers filled the house: Adolphus M. Heite, 30, a traveling salesman of portraits; May F. Heite, 31, a portrait painter and an owner of her own gallery; and Herbert Fisher, 37, who also worked as a salesman for the "portrait house."

Front Row: Harvey Boice Stevens and Dr. Merari Bunajah Stevens

Back row (l to r) Burr Edwin, Frank Bennett, Gale A. and Harry Brower Stevens

Taken on Thanksgiving Day, 1915.  (Dr. Stevens would pass away the next year.)

The Commemorative Biographies continued:

"Successful from the first, during the twenty years of his residence there, the Doctor has achieved a well-merited reputation as an able general practitioner and highly skilled surgeon; indeed, he has attained a degree of eminence that places hm at the head of his profession.  He is established in an extensive practice, and by reason of his celebrity is frequently called to operate in the most difficult cases of surgery.  He held the position of United States examining surgeon for pensions for several years, and is at present a member of the Defiance County Medical Society,the Ohio State Medical Society, the Northwestern Medical Society, and the American Medical Association...

Doctor Stevens is a member of the G.A.R.; politically he affilates with the Republican party.  He has been a member of the Baptist Church for thirty nine years.  His strict integrity and honor shed a bright luster on his character and, with other noble qualities, strength of intellect, mental culture and professional ability, combine to render him a valued and highly-esteemed citizen of the community."

 Dr. M. B. Stevens died on October 18, 1916, at his residence in Defiance at the corner of Fifth Street and Wayne Avenue.  He was 71 years old.

Defiance Crescent News, October 20, 1916

 Dr. D. W. Slagle, a friend of forty years, preached at the funeral, following a Scriptural reading at the home.  Dr. Stevens' last request was that the church quartet sing "Nearer My God to Thee" at his funeral and they did.  A G.A.R ceremony preceded his interment at Riverside Cemetery.  His pall bearers were Henry Helpman, A. B. Davis, and M.A. Bell for the G.A.R., Frank Whitney and Theodore Ewing for the Baptist Church and Earl Couch, a close friend of the family. Flower bearers were A. King, John Myers, James Benner and George Solly.

 His wife, Ellen Amelia Ames Stevens, died in 1932, still a resident of Defiance.

Defiance Crescent News, April 4, 1938

Harvey Boice preceeded his stepmother in death in 1921, and her other stepson, Harry Brower Stevens, became a Baptist preacher.  Edwin Burr Stevens became a doctor and resided in Michigan.  Gale A. worked as a salesman and lived in Defiance. Frank Bennett, in 1917, worked as a civilian at the Rock Island Arsenal in Davenport, Iowa.  In that year, he was sent overseas to study the manufacturing of field artillery for the war. 

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)






 

Dr. Merari Bunajah Stevens - Bishop Post, G.A.R. -The War Years

Born in Livingston County, New York, in 1844/1845 to Harvey and Hannah Ann (nee' Gale), Merari was a good student and exceptionally bright young son, who worked his way to a medical degree.  (Merari, a Biblical name, son of Levi). His father was a teacher and his siblings also went on to higher educations.  His brother, Alviso, was a graduate in pharmacy at the University of Michigan and his sister, Naomi, taught for many years in New York.

When his mother, Hannah, died in 1863, both Merari and his father enlisted into Company L, 8th New York Heavy Artillery.  The son was 18 and the father about 49 years old.  This decision came to a tragic end.

From the New York Muster Rolls

 The Commemorative Biographical Record of Northwestern Ohio spoke to Merari's war experience in this entry on page 76:

 - this action being in the highest sense voluntary, as age in the one case and extreme youth in the other exempted them from subjection to the draft for the increase of the army, as also to other military duty.  They soon joined their regiment, which was then located at Baltimore, and while on duty there the son was afflicted with a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism.  

In the spring of 1864 (while he was suffering from it), the regiment was ordered to the front, and as he was so nearly disabled by the swellings attending his malady, his father and others advised him to go to the hospital; but the same spirit that inspired the lad to enlist now asserted itself, and impelled him forward, still persistently on to the front, although suffering excruciating pain.

Keeping up with his company and regiment, he was ready for action, and with them, took part in the battle of Spotsylvania where his regiment acted as infantry. Their next engagement was at North Anna River, and this, in turn, was followed by the desperate conflict of Cold Harbor, where, in the brief space of half an hour, nearly ten thousand Union soldiers fell dead or wounded before the Confederate intrenchment.

During a charge on the enemy's fortifications, there, his father, alas! was shot down by his side, the fatal bullet passing toward the hips and the lower part of the abdomen, and inflicting a wound from which he died twenty-eight hours later, and soon for him the scene of the battle's roar and din was transformed to a peaceful, quiet spot - his final resting place - his son paying a last sad tribute of affection by placing a handkerchief over the face of the loved one as the body was consigned to the grave.  The son secured the deadly, battered bullet, which he still keeps as a sad memento."

 A visit to www.collectmedicalantiques.com added to the story of Dr. Stevens, sharing a letter he had written back home describing the ordeal.  He revealed that his father had died in Merari's arms in the morning after Merari, himself, had removed the bullet.

Parts of Merari's letter to his friend, Ezra: 

"Dear friend Ezra,

I take pen in hand to let you know that I yet live.  We are camped near Petersburg and we are having tolerable good times now.  However, that was not the case last summer during the 'killing season.'

We left Baltimore on May 15th...then we went to Coal (sic) Harbor getting ready for the grand assault on the 3rd.  The rebs had all the advantages of position an dthey were all well protected by breastworks and rifle pits.  When the order was given, we charged across the open plain into a hailstorm of rebel balls and shells.  Men were struck down as if by a giant sythe like grass in haying time andit was here that Father was struck...The bullet exited near the right hip ...and then with my bowie knife took the ball out...Then I helped carry Father off the field and I stayed with him until he died...Father must have suffered greatly...and he was  very brave and calm.  
Father said he was prepared to die and that he had done his duty.  He bade me farewell and then died in my arms.  So much bloodshed on both sides so as to be.  He bade me farewell and then died in my arms. So much bloodshed on both sides so as to be beyond description  If we could only live in peace with our Southern brothers."
                                                  

The Commemorative Biographies continued Merari's (known as M.B.) story:

"In this fearful battle (Cold Harbor), their regiment lost six hundred and seventy-eight in killed and wounded; but, notwithstanding this depletion in numbers, on June 16 and 18, it moved to the position assigned it in the battle of Petersburg, and June 22, while it was charging the Rebel works at that place, the son (M.B.) received a severe wound over the stomach from an exploding shell, which, together with rheumatism and other chronic troubles, kept him in hospital at Washington and the Harwood Hospital at Philadelphia three months, during which time he was reduced to a mere skeleton.

At the end of that time, having recovered to some extent - though still but a mere shadow of his former self, he, with other wounded soldiers, was ordered before the board of surgeons for examination as to fitness for active duty and, wholly unfit though he was, was ordered to the front again without even the semblance of a personal examination by the board.  Obedient to the command, the youthful soldier's pride and indignation forbidding remonstrance, he rejoined his regiment, then in front of Petersburg, and October 22 took part in the fight at Hatcher's Run.

He was subsequently one of a detachment to take charge of a battery before Petersburg, where he served from December 9, 1864, to the fall of Richmond and Petersburg, first as a gunner and then as acting orderly, and later as corporal, having been thus promoted.  After taking part in the grand review in Washington that followed the final triumph, he was discharged and mustered out of the service June 30, 1865, and though physically almost a wreck, and deprived of the companionship of him by whose side he had marched against the enemy, he returned to the paths of peace with the proud satisfaction of having done his duty to his country in its time of peril, and bearing a noble heritage in the sonship of a martyred hero."

Pension card

To be continued...

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)

Mark Township School, District 2 - c. 1918

from the Hicksville News-Tribune, February 7, 1973

Orphaned Photos

Could anyone help in identifying the family in these photos?  

Mr. D. Doss, of Michigan, travels around and purchases old photos to mail back to their places of origin.  He sent these to us last year, and we, of course, are interested in giving this mother and daughters (?) names.  Beardsley Studio, then located at the corner of Clinton and Third Sts. in Defiance, took the photograph.

The above photo of a young girl was taken by D. R. Fisher whose studio was located at the corner of Clinton and Second Streets.  (Oh, my, her pantaloons are showing.)
 

Al Maag's Saloon

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column: "A Backward Glance."  On Monday, September 30, 1963, Mr. Tuttle wrote about a favorite gathering place for some in Defiance - Maag's Saloon.

"Fifty years ago, places where liquor was sold were known as saloons.  Here is a picture of the Al Maag saloon which was located in the room at 406 Clinton St.

Those were the days of the 'he-men.'  Note the cuspidors or spittoons for tobacco juice.  Many men chewed tobacco.  Note the footrail at the bar.  Men stood up and took their whiskey straight.  Al Maag is behind the bar.

Saloons had a screen in front of the bar so that all that could be seen from the outside of those standing was their feet.  There were no women in saloons except in isolated cases where entire families went in, ate dinner and had a few beers.  Saloons closed at 11 p.m. sharp.  They closed tight on Sundays.  Beer was the favorite drink in Defiance.

Al Maag's place was a great gathering place during the First World War.  Although Al was a German, he was bitter against the German government.  Many were the arguments that took place concerning the strategy of the war.

The picture was furnished by Glen Killey, 1301 Jefferson Ave.  His father, George W. Killey, an attorney and justice of the peace, had his office over the Maag place."