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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 119
I think it must have been in 1817 that Charles Lindsay removed from
Dayton to near the head of Cold Creek. He had been an official in a
wild-cat institution that Avas issuing "promises to pay" that were never
redeemed, under the name of the "Dayton Alanufacturing Company."
The word "manufacturing" Avas undoubtedly used for the same reason
that Captain Cuttle always read a large book because it looked respectable.
Lindsay suggested to some of the most influential inhabitants the
great benefits that would result to the country by establishing a bank
at Bloomingville—at that time a flourishing village. The move was
decided a popular one; it was the very thing the people wanted. The
idea that any capital was needed I don't believe was ever thought of. A
public meeting was immediately called, which met at the mouth of the
Huron, and was attended by Wright, Shirley, Young, Faley, Lindsay
and in fact by most of the inhabitants—Mr. Drake included. It was
unanimously resolved by the meeting that a bank should be established
at Bloomingville and put in running order in the shortest possible time,
with the understanding that Abner Young should be president and
Charles Lindsay, who Avas supposed to have large experience and skill
in financial matters, was to officiate as cashier. The necessary amount
was subscribed on the spot to meet the incidental expenses of establishing
the institution. Lindsay was employed to proceed forthwith to
Cincinnati to get the engraving done and the bills struck off, and likewise
to attend the next session of the Legislature to procure a charter.
It was said Lindsay had formerly been a member of the Legislature, and
no one doubted his influence over that body would be sufficient to get a
charter. Lindsay promised everything necessary to do the most extensive
kind of bogus banking except a charter.
The building of the Bloomingville Bank was begun in the spring of
1816. A large substantial brick edifice was erected opposite the Shirley
House, containing a vault. It was built by Ebenezer Hartwell, a wealthy
man for that time. He employed a skillful engraver to make money
plate before they procured a charter and before any money was put in
circulation. Judge Wright, of Huron, went to Columbus to get the
charter and was told of a statute just passed forbidding chartering any
more banks for a year. He returned home and told the directors, and
they announced that they had a charter and started to issue their money.
But the people learned the facts and would not take the money so that
the bank never did any business. It Avas the first brick or stone bank
building erected probably in the State of Ohio. The wood, addition was
added later. At that time Bloomingville Avas the largest town in Northern
Ohio, and the building became the residence of Eleutherus Cooke,
and his son, Pitt Cooke, of Sandusky, was born there. In 1837 AndreAv
AV. Prout, of Sandusky, Avas also born there.
The story of Bloomingville would not be complete without mention
of the Good Templar Lodge, AA'hich for a generation exerted its influence
over the community and is a lasting monument to the memory of