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About this Book:
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A thorough examination of previously-unknown NARA documents shows how the persistent efforts of one particular Perrysburg citizen, Mrs. Ellen Agnes McMahan Caspers, led to the preservation of Fort Meigs and its burial grounds. Prior to Ellen’s involvement, several local historical organizations put forth efforts to purchase and preserve the Fort Meigs battlefield; however, they all resulted in failure. Ellen waged a virtual one-woman campaign to persuade high federal government officials to purchase and preserve the fort and its burial grounds.
Inexplicably, Ellen’s key efforts in the preservation campaign go unrecognized with the acclaim being given to local historical organizations and, of course, the politicians. In a 1902 letter to Secretary of War Elihu Root, she makes a prediction that “a self-appointed few” have the intention to take over her campaign for the preservation of Fort Meigs…and her prediction becomes fact. This book details the story of Ellen’s efforts, contains all pertinent correspondence, and affords the long-overdue recognition due this courageous woman.
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About the Author:
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Gary grew up in the South End of Toledo, Ohio, attending Harvard Elementary School and graduating from Libbey High School in 1962. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Toledo University in 1968. In 1972 he joined SSOE, Inc. Engineers-Architects as a Senior Project Manager and was elected a partner in the firm in 1981. He is a licensed professional engineer. Gary is the author of two other local history books: Bridges at the Foot of the Rapids and The Maumee & Western Reserve Road: Its History and a Survey of the Milestones. Gary served as a board member of Historic Perrysburg, Inc., serving six years as editor of its newsletter. He is a founding member of the Perrysburg Area Historic Museum, the Ohio Historical Society and the Museum of the Great Lakes. In Perrysburg’s Bicentennial year 2016, Gary was honored by Historic Perrysburg with the Hilda Bentley Award for his work in local history organizations.
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