Most of these articles were published in the late 19th and early 20 century in local histories. If you run across any that are not included below, please consider typing it up and contributing it to the web site. *Note: Although a valuable source, these histories are less accurate as subjects recount more than one or two previous generations.
Reverend Isaac Van Tassel
Among the more prominent of early Christian workers in the Maumee Valley,
was Reverend Isaac Van Tassel. Born in Durham, New York, 1791, he came to Ashtabula,
Ohio, in 1821. In the Summer of 1822 he was appointed to the Maumeee Mission
by the Western Missionary Society at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was the first
of the Mission force on the ground. In September, 1822, at Ashtabula, Ohio,
Mr. Van Tassel was married with Miss Lucia Badger, daughter of Reverend Joseph
Badger. They landed at Maumee, October 27, 1822. Mr. Van Van Tassel proceeded
to the Mission house, located nine miles up the River at the mouth of Tontogany
Creek, the Island also belonging to the Mission grounds, which, beside the Island,
embraced 240 acres. The Mission building consisted of a log house, 16x60 feet.
The Mission family embraced 13 members, beside employes. The balance of the
family having meantime arrived, work with the poor Ottawas was commenced November
26, 1822.
The family consisted of Reverend Samuel Tate, wife and son ; Reverend Alvah
Coe and wife ; Reverend Isaac Van Tassel and wife; Leander Sacket (farmer) and
wife ; John McPherrin (carpenter) ; Mr. Straight (blacksmith); Miss Sabina Stevens
and Miss Hannah Riggs. The distinctive work of the Mission was the instruction
of the young of the tribe in the English language, rather than reaching adults
through their own language. The pupils for the first Winter, averaged about
30. The adults were not neglected, the Missionaries preaching to them as best
they could through interpreters. At first, they were shy and distrustful ; but
soon became more confiding. Some 30 were believed to have been converted.
The work might have been more successful, but for the opposition made to it
by neighboring Indian traders, whose traffic was most profitable when they were
left to deal with the Indians without interference such as Missionary work inevitably
caused. The Indians are spoken of as kindly in their intercourse and specially
grateful for favors shown them. Among the Mission buildings was a two-story
frame house, which yet remained in 1873, when the property belonged to George
and Thomas Yunt.
Source: History of the City of Toledo and Lucas County Ohio, Clark Waggoner,
Munsell & Co., New York, 1888.