1869. Mayor--Stephen Buhrer. President of the Council--Amos Townsend. Trustee--1st Ward--C. C. Rogers, Silas Merchant. 2d Ward--H. G. Cleveland, Peter Diemer. 3d Ward--Amos Townsend, Charles Coates. 4th Ward--R. R. Herrick, Proctor Thayer. 5th Ward--Nathan P. Payne, Thomas Purcell. 6th Ward--John Huntington, W. P. Horton. 7th Ward--George Angell, Horace Fuller. 8th Ward--Patrick Carr, Patrick Smith. 9th Ward--John Martin, L. L. M. Coe. 10th Ward--John J. Weideman, Wm. Wellhouse. 11th Ward--George L. Hartnell, John G. Vetter. 12th Ward--Benj. R. Beavis, Eugene C. Gaeckley. 13th Ward--Major Collins, J. H. Slosson. 14th Ward--A. E. Massey, A. A. Jewett, 15th Ward--John A. Ensign, C. W. Coates. [Illustration: With Respect, Levi Johnson] Trade and Commerce. The commercial history of the early years of Cleveland does not differ from that of most western settlements. When the white population numbered from a few dozen to a few hundred, it is difficult to define what was commerce and what mere barter for individual accommodation. Every man did a little trading on his own account. The carpenter, the tailor, the judge and the preacher were alike ready to vary their customary occupations by a dicker whenever an opportunity offered. The craftsman purchased what necessities or comforts he needed, and paid in the work of his hands. The possessor of one article of daily use traded his superfluity for another article, and for all articles furs and skins were legal tender, as they could be sent east and converted into money or merchandise. The first strictly commercial transactions were with the Indians. They needed powder and lead for hunting, blankets for their comfort, beads for the adornment of the squaws, and the two great luxuries--or necessities--of frontier life, salt and whisky. In payment for these they brought game, to supply the settlers with fresh provisions, and skins, the currency of the West. In course of time the opening up of the country beyond made a new market for the salt, whisky, and salt provisions collected at Cleveland, and with these staples went occasionally a few articles of eastern made goods for the use of the frontiermen's wives. As the country became more settled the commercial importance of Cleveland increased, until it divided with Detroit and Buffalo the honors and profits of the commerce of the lakes.