LAND March 5, 1845, the county commissioners ordered that sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30 and 31, in township two (2) south, range twelve (12) east, be attached to Dela- ware township; also that sections 25, 26, 2j, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, ^t,, 34, 35 and 36, in township one (1) north, range twelve (12) east, be attached to Biglick town- ship ; also that sections 3, 4, 5 and 6, in township one (1) south, range twelve (12) east, and sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, in township one (1) south, range eleven (11) east, be attached to Amanda township. 32 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY June 3, 1850, the county commissioners ordered that a new township be erected out of the following territory and called "Allen township," said township of Allen to be comprised of sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30. 31 and 32, of township number two (2) north, range eleven (11) east, and sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 27,, 24. 2$, 26, 35 and 36, of township number two (2) north, range ten (10) east: thus forming our county as it appears at the present day and as shown in the following cut : HANCOCK COUNTY Chapter II. THE MOUND BUILDERS. It is now generally believed that a very numerous race of people occupied a large portion of this continent, long anterior to the coming of the North American Indians, but there is no authentic history regarding them further than can be gleaned from the numerous and at the same time massive works stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. These works all bear the same general characteristics, and are either mounds, effigies, or defensive enclosures, some of which are of a very marked and extraordinary character. This long forgotten race, called Mound Builders, in lieu of a more accurate designation, evidently possessed a distinctive civilization, and from the peculiar hier- oglyphics sometimes found upon their stone implements, it has been thought prob- able they may have had a written language. But beyond their almost imperishable monuments, the archaeologist seeks in vain for a further solution of the grand problem of the coming, subsequent life and disappearance of this prehistoric race. On opening a mound he finds only mouldering skeletons, scattered remnants of earthenware, rude weapons of warfare, axes of stone, flint drills, spearheads, badges, and many other specimens of stone ornaments, cut and polished from material rarely indigenous to the place where found, showing their owners to have been a migratory people or a conquering nation. Whence came these people ; who and what were they, and whither did they go? Some writers have discovered evidences, convincing, apparently, to them- selves, that this prehistoric race came from the other side of the globe, and that their advent was made at different times and from different points of a general hive in the supposed cradle of humanity — central Asia. Regardless, however, of the origin, progress and destiny of this curious people, the fact of their having been here is certain ; therefore the best that can be done by the archaeologist is to examine their works and draw from them the conclusion that seems the most probable. All of the tumuli in this part of the state were each about five feet high and thirty feet in diameter, and on being opened exhibited the same evidences of con- struction as previously mentioned. Three of these mounds were located northeast of Cannonsburg, in Union township ; two on section II, and one on section 13, Orange township; one on section 21. Liberty township, and one on section n, Delaware township. This list has been heretofore published in papers and his- tories, but in addition to this list, there is a very distinct mound still in existence on section 18, Allen township; and taking the Archaeological Society as authority (v °l- 5> P- 2 7 2 )> there are two mounds in Blanchard township and one in Pleasant. 34 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. Those in Orange and Union townships were opened by William M. McKinley and Favette Ballard, who found human remains in each mound, also flint arrow heads and other implements of stone, some of which are still in possession of the Mc- Kinleys. No doubt many more small mounds once existed in other townships of Hancock county, which the plow has long since obliterated. Numerous evidences of this strange people cannot be looked for here, but that they once inhabited the valley of the Blanchard is beyond all reasonable doubt. There is no reason to believe that the fate of the Indians h^s in any way compared with the fate of the Mound Builders. Judging from the warfare waged bv the Indians with the white race, it is to be presumed that if there was any hesitancy of the Mound Builders for the purpose of protecting and holding his own, he was most forcibly assisted in passing. If the cruelties practiced centuries later were not the barbarities of a degenerate race, the Mound Builders probably knew what it was to stick out the tongue, have it clutched with a piece of flannel and cut off, and to be further tortured with all the cruelties which a revengeful and barbarous nature was capable of inventing. It was probable, too, the fate of an inoffensive people and just as probable, too, the deserts of a people which went down before a superior nation. It is not beyond belief that the site of the pleasant, peaceful farms of Hancock county may have been a battle ground for the conflict of the two races, although the mounds here have not the characteristics of those erected for defense. In the swales which abounded they found the highlands, and in turn gave them up to their conquerors. It is all speculation, but an interesting situation to develop. Chapter III. THE INDIANS IN HANCOCK COUNTY. The earliest date of any authenticity of the Indians in this section is 1650, when the Eries held full sway of the northern portion of what is now Ohio. They lived along the southern border of the lake which bears their name, but when they were invaded by the Iroquois five years later, most of them fell before the over- powering foe, while the remainder became incorporated with other tribes, and drifted farther southward. In the early part of the seventeenth century the Shawnees were living along the Ohio valley, but they were dispersed by the Iroquois, and dispossessed of their happy hunting grounds. For years before and after the year 1700 this entire wilderness was inhabited by the remnants of defeated tribes, who were permitted to remain through the leniency of their conquerors. In 1750, however, we find something like permanent occupation in northwestern and various other portions of what is now Ohio ; the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Miamis, Munsees, Ottawas and Mingoes. The Wyandots then inhabited the valley of the Sandusky river and its trib- utaries, and dwelt around Sandusky bay, and also streams flowing into the lake. The Delawares and Munsees occupied the Muskingum valley. The Shawnees lived along the Scioto, from the Ohio to the Scioto marsh, and also had a few scattering towns along the Miami and Mad rivers. The Miamis occupied the territory drained by the headwaters of the Maumee, Wabash and Great Miami rivers, from the Loramie portage across to Fort Wayne and down the Maumee valley. The Ottawas were scattered along the lower Blanchard, Auglaize and Maumee rivers, and around the western end of Lake Erie, while the Mingoes were settled in the eastern and northeastern portions of the state. By various treaties made with the Indians from 1795 on down the period of time we pass by until we reach the one in which Hancock county becomes directly interested. On the 29th of September, 181 7, a treaty was made at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, with the Wyandots, Ottawas, Shawnees, Delawares, Senecas, Pottawotomies and Chippewas, and all lands in this state then remaining in possession of the Indians were ceded to the United States. Certain reservations were set aside by this treaty for the uses of the several Indian tribes, to which large additions were made by a treaty concluded at St. Mary's Ohio, with the Wyandots, Senecas, Shawnees and Ottawas, September 17, 1818. The Wyandot reservations embraced a tract of twelve miles square around Upper Sandusky, Ohio ; one mile square on Broken Sword creek ; 55,680 acres lying on the north and east of the Upper Sandusky Reserve, and 16,000 acres 36 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. surrounding the big spring at the end of the marsh (in what is now the south- west corner of Seneca county and the line into Biglick township, Hancock county), (see last map of Hancock county), the last mentioned tract being "for the use of the Wyandots residing at Solomon's Town and on the Blanchards Fork." In 183 1 the reservations located in Logan. Auglaize, Seneca, Hancock and Sandusky counties were purchased from the Indians. In March, 1842, the Wyandots ceded their lands to the government. The territory embraced in Han- cock county lay between the Indian towns in what is now Wyandot and Seneca counties, and those located on the Blanchard, Auglaize and Maumee rivers. It was a portion of the hunting grounds of the Wyandots and Ottawas, who within the period of American history roamed at will through its unbroken forests. The Wyandots had a small village on the site of Findlay, and cultivated corn along the river within the present limits of the city. Howe, in his "Historical Collec- tions," speaking of the settlement of Wilson Vance at Fort Findlay, in 1821, says: "There were then some ten or fifteen Wyandot families in the place, who had made improvements. They were a temperate, fine-looking people, and friendly to the first settlers." However, some histories and authorities have since refuted this state- ment, I will not on my own responsibility but from the testimony of numerous citizens who, as late as 1840, have at various times seen Indians in this county. It is true that as a tribe they were all practically gone in 1818, but for years after, scattering remnants were still located in Hancock county. I further and with more forcible endeavor confirm this statement by the fol- lowing extract from the "Ohio Hunter," who w r as none other than Samuel Edwards, an old settler, pioneer and hunter of this county : "By the help of some friends in loaning me money, I hired a yoke of cattle and one horse, and commenced hauling flour and meal from Urbana, to supply the people with bread, and prevent their starving. Most of the way the road at that time consisted simply of a track cut through the woods, and most of the time this was so wet and muddy as to be hardly traversable. Not unfrequently would my team become stalled Jn the mud, and the entire load have to be removed, item by item and carried for some distance on my shoulder, and the team with the empty wagon helped out of some mire hole. At such times, I was often obliged to wade to my waist in mud and water. There were very few houses along the entire road. I would some- times travel a whole day without seeing the habitation of human beings. There was no friendly inn along that dreary road, where the weary traveler might find rest, and comfortable stalls inviting his jaded team to pleasant repose; but instead of this, the pioneer of the Maumee valley reposed upon the bosom of the earth, and turned loose his way-worn team to feed on herbage and flowers, while he himself dressed some unfortunate deer that had been so unwise as to cross his pathway, and made his supper on corn bread and broiled venison, and then lay down by his watch fire and slept in quietude. "In this manner, I performed seven trips during the summer, and saved many an unhappy family from starvation. THE INDIANS IN HANCOCK COUNTY. 37 "When making my third trip, I was attacked by a band of Indians. A severe contest ensued. In going up the Blanchard river, through what was then called the twelve-mile woods, there was a deer lick where I always watered my team. While there, I saw four Indians come out of the thicket. One of them, leading a horse, approached the spot where I was standing. I soon discovered that thev were in a state of intoxication, and my fears were accordingly increased, for to meet so many Indians alone in the woods, and particularly at that time, when the white man's encroachments were looked upon by no means favorably, was not very desirable ; and liquor does not affect the Indian much more favorably than the white man. They wanted to know how I would trade horses. The reader, will, perhaps, remember there was a law against trading with the Indians, and I accordingly told them I did not wish to trade. This did not satisfy them, and they still insisted that I should make them an offer. But having watered my team, I mounted the wagon to proceed on my journey. This they would not permit; but detained me by catching the bridle rein of my horse, and still bantering for a trade. I at last told them I would trade for ten dollars. This so enraged the Indians that one of them drew a club and struck me upon the nose, making it bleed badly. Before this, I had been very much frightened, but now all fear forsook me and I replied to his civility with a blow from my fist just over his eve. which laid him senseless at my feet. Another came furiously toward me and attempted to catch my legs. I caught him by the neck, and giving him an under- hand lick, soon silenced him. There is a rule among the Indians, when a number of them wish to take a spree, that one of the number must keep sober. I noticed that there was one of them that did not appear intoxicated, and I looked to him for protection. But an Indian will always resent an injury done to a comrade. So when they saw the other two lying senseless before them, they were so en- raged, one grabbed a club and the other drew a butcher knife from under his 'wamus.' When I saw the knife, I gave him the length of a club that happened to be near, against the side of the head, and brought him to the ground. The knife flew out of his hand, and I ran for it, but the other Indian reached it first, and upon gaining the valuable weapon, he ran again into the thicket. On finding myself alone, I sprung for the team and started. I heard one of them say he would go for his gun and shoot me. They started for their wigwams, which were about twenty rods distant. When they reached the wigwams, I heard them quarreling among themselves. Their squaws would not let them have their guns, because they were drunk. So I went on as fast as possible, hoping soon to be out of their reach." The story goes on to say that he met two white men with their teams and he related his experience, when they all decided to return and kill all the Indians. They armed themselves with clubs and approached near the wigwams, but the Indians saw them and hid in the thicket. So the travelers returned and continued on their journey. This was in the summer of 1838, and the incident occurred in the vicinitv of Mt. Blanchard, this county. 38 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. The tales of early settlers establish the fact that there were two Indian villages in this county, and that both were located on the banks of the Blanchard. Mrs. Elizabeth Eberly, of Portage, Wood county, related the following relative to th*> early settlement of her father, Benjamin Cox, at Findlay: "When my father settled at Fort Findlay, in 1815, there were eight or ten families of friendly Wyandots living around and in the blockhouses of the fort. Thev tilled two fields, one above and the other below Fort Findlay, on the south bank of the Blanchard. Kuqua was the chief, and one of his sons, Tree-top-in-the- Water, died in a cabin west of the fort before the Indians removed to the Big Spring reservation. New Bearskin, another of Kuqua's sons, lived in one of the blockhouses, the old chief also occupied one of the same buildings. Six or seven miles down the river, the Wyandots had another village, which my father some- times visited." This place last referred to was "Indian Green." Indian Green was a clearing about twelve acres square, which had apparently been under cultivation, since an orchard of plum trees was found near the part of the clearing occupied by the gravevard. It has been claimed that earthworks ran along the brow of the hill overlooking the river, but recent investigation does not fully bear out this state- ment. A man by the name of Ellison settled on the clearing and was found to have robbed the dead braves of their jewels, which were to have given them the means of purchasing a clear title to their share of plunder in the happy hunting grounds. The Indians, who kept a close watch on the dead, soon discovered his meddling and made it expedient for the man to leave the county immediately. The land is located in the southwestern portion of section 7, Liberty township, and situated on the north bank of the Blanchard river, and is now owned by Scioto, Isabella and John McKinnis and R. B. Worden. From all indications, and stories of early settlers, there was an Indian village at this place, and from various relics which have been discovered at this place, there may have been a battle of some sort at "Indian Green." In fact, some his- torians have gone so far as to assert that Anthony Wayne, or "Mad Anthony," gave the Indians at this place a startling surprise on his sortie through this country on his way to or from the "Battle of the Maumee." However, this is in very much doubt, as Wayne left Greenville and started north, where he estab- lished Fort Recovery; from thence he went to the junction of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers and established Fort Defiance ; thence down the Maumee to the rapids, where he defeated the Indians with terrible loss to the enemy. Afterwards he spent a successful ninety-day campaign against the Indians and returned to Greenville. This was in the summer of 1794. History does not reveal his route back to Greenville, but says he had a successful campaign. It is probable that either Wayne's entire army or some portion of it came far enough east on their march back from the "Battle of the Maumee" to reach "Indian Green" and here engaged the red men for a few demonstrations of their rude manner of conducting: a battle. THE INDIANS IN HANCOCK COUNTY. 39 There have been statements made to the effect that an Indian village was located on the present site of Mt. Blanchard, which for the present we will con- sider as probably true, as there were Indians in the vicinity of Mt. Blanchard as late as 1838. These were probably the remnants of some of the tribes who at different times and in different localities held sway over this vast wilderness which is now marked by all forms of civilization. But as time rolled on in its march of civilization, farther away and fewer in number became the red men in this section of the country, until at present there is no remaining vestige to mark their happy hunting grounds ; except as some weapon of defense or ornament of rank has uncovered its form from a dark and lonely bed in mother earth, and fallen into the hands of the relic hunter of to-day. 40 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY, N.tpt ■/i/JV+/&+ { /Vjbt '■/!/£*■ A/E* A/.VV&- /{>0#c : C&?/ft/ /V z /V£ 4 J3W0c p%?3»S' 5 ^ *£'*»- /00c urtas* £ 5£**5£*S£* |\ A/JI/-+ C lAl4 A/tVSJV* /Zf A/£* //£*■ 40 S* /V* S£- 20/?c JJY*S#*s.W3£"'S#» <4 S* Sf 36>/7c Chapter IV. HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812. More than four score years have passed since the arrogance of the English tyrannical government brought on the war of 1812, and although it ended more than five years before the erection of this county, the territory embraced within its limits was very closely allied with the earliest stages of that struggle for the pres- ervation of the national rights and human liberty. On the 4th of June, 1812, a resolution was passed by congress declaring war against England ; on the 17th of the same month the bill passed the senate, and two days afterwards President Madison sent forth the edict. Ohio had been preparing for the conflict, and prior to the declaration of war, troops began assembling at Dayton, Springfield, Urbana and other points, in obedience to the call of Gov- ernor Meigs, and General William Hull was appointed to the chief command of the state troops. On the 16th of June the army left Urbana on its march toward the Maumee Rapids, and Colonel Duncan McArthur was ordered in advance to open a road through the forest from the Greenville treaty line to the Scioto river. Here they erected a fort, comprised of two blockhouses, and named it Fort Mc- Arthur, in honor of the officer whose regiment had opened the road. On the 19th of June the whole army arrived at the fort, and on the 21st Colonel James Findlay was ordered to open the road as far as Blanchard's Fork. Having proceeded on his mission, he arrived at a point just north of what is now the county line between Hancock and Hardin counties. Here he was compelled, on account of rain and mud, to discontinue his march and erect a blockhouse, which was called Fort Necessity, probably named owing to the fact that through necessity the army was compelled to encamp. This fort was constructed on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section thirty-six (36), township two (2) south, range ten (10) east (Madison town- ship), now owned by Fannie Isenberger. Previous articles written on this subject stated that this fort was erected about one-half mile west of the Perrysburg and Bellefountaine state road ; how- ever, the government survey of 1819 (the record of which is on file in the county surveyor's office), locates the site of the fort within five chains (twenty rods) of the southwest corner of section 36, which is seven-eighths of a mile west of the above mentioned road. From this point Colonel Findlay moved to the Blanchard's Fork, and here erected a fort, which was named in honor of that officer. Here the army en- camped for some time, while Colonel Findlay proceeded in advance and opened the road as far as the Maumee river. 42 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. It is surely appropriate at this time to give a somewhat brief description of what is commonly known as "Hull's Trail," as far as relates to this county. (For exact route, see map, page 32.) From Fort Necessity the trail followed the west bank of the east branch of Eagle creek to near its junction with the west branch, crossing the latter and continuing down the west side of Eagle creek to Fort Findlay. Here it crossed the river, and thence ran northward, a short distance east of the Perrysburg and Bellefontaine state road, till reaching the highlands south of the middle branch of the Portage river ; thence following the course of that stream northward, into what is now Wood county, and thence to the Maumee Rapids. There was, however, some doubt expressed by the early pioneers, as to the fact that Fort Necessity was formed by erecting a blockhouse, and claimed they never heard it mentioned as other than a mud fort. But taking quotations from "American State Papers'" as authority, there evidently was a blockhouse of some sort erected at that place. When General Hull left Fort Findlay, destined for the camp of the enemy farther to the north, he caused to remain a small garrison under Captain Arthur Thomas, to complete and guard the fort. Though no attack was ever made on Fort Findlay, it was well calculated to successfully resist any ordinary force which might be brought against it. The fort stood on the south bank of the Blanchard river in Findlay, at the northwest corner of what is now known as Main and Front streets, the southeast blockhouse being located on the site of the present Cusac Block. The fort consisted of a stockade about ten feet in height, with a two story block house, built of round logs, at each corner. The enclosure was fifty yards square, the entrance or gate being on the east side. A ditch surrounded the stockade, the earth from the excavation having been thrown up against the pickets to give them added strength. The outer walls of the block houses pro- jected a short distance beyond the stockade, and the upper story of each extended a few feet over the lower one, thus commanding the approaches from every direc- tion. Each block house was thoroughly loop-holed and furnished with one piece of artillery. Within the enclosure a number of cabins for the use of the soldiers were erected along the stockade, the open space in the center being utilized as a parade ground. To guard against surprise from attacks of the enemy, the forest was cleared off for a considerable distance on the south, east and west of the fort, while the river on the north afforded a clear view. HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR OF l8l2- 43 The testimony of several early pioneers, as has frequently been published, relates some differences of opinions regarding the number of blockhouses which Fort Findlay originally contained. The earliest settlers, however, testify to hav- ing seen three block houses in a fair state of preservation, and the one at the northwest corner partly destroyed. Others coming later observed only the one standing at the southeast corner of the fort, which was used for some time by Wilson Vance as a stable. Testimonials show that when Mr. Benjamin Cox came to Fort Findlay three of the block houses were still standing and were occupied by Wyandot Indian families. The probabilities are that the portions of the stock- ades and block houses which were not in existence when some of the later settlers arrived had been torn down and utilized for firewood and in erecting out- buildings. The passing years have removed and utterly obliterated all traces of Fort Findlay, due no doubt to the rapid progress of civilization. But, how sad, to think that where once stood one of the earliest structures which marked the first noble and daring stride toward civil liberty and Christian civilization, not even a wooden headboard is now visible to mark the solemn and sacred ground where died the noblest relic which ever graced the soil of our fair city, not so much on account of any great achievement that had ever been obtained, but from the mo- tive which prompted its erection. The following incident is so closely allied with the history of the war of 1812 as relates to Fort Findlay that it is worthy of a place in this chapter. In July, 1812, General Edward W. Tupper, of Gallia county, raised a force of one thousand men for six months' service, principally from Gallia, Lawrence and Jackson counties, who, under the orders of General Winchester, rendezvoused at Urbana. From that village General Tupper followed Hull's trail to Fort Mc Arthur, where he established his base of supplies, and then marched north- ward to Fort Findlay. After a much-needed rest, his command pushed on to the foot of the Maumee Rapids. The Indians appeared in force, on the opposite bank of the Maumee. Tupper attempted to cross the river and attack the enemy, but the rapidity of the current and the feeble, half-starved condition of his men and horses rendered the attempt a failure. The enemy soon after took the offen- sive, and. crossing the Maumee, attacked the American camp, but were defeated and driven back with considerable loss. This defeat caused them to retreat hastily to Detroit, and Tupper subsequently marched back to Fort Findlay, and thence to Fort McArthur, where his supplies were stored. The following anecdote, "Howe's Historical Collection," is so closely asso- ciated with Fort Findlay, as to be worthy of mention : "About nine o'clock one dark and windy night in the late war, Catpain William Oliver, in company with a Kentuckian, left Fort Meigs for Fort Findlay on an errand of importance, the distance being about thirty-three miles. They had scarcely started on their dreary and peril- ous journey when they unexpectedly came upon an Indian camp, around 44 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. the fires of which the Indians were busy cooking their supper. Disturbed by the noise of their approach, the savages sprang up and ran toward them. At this they reined their horses into the branches of a fallen tree. Fortunately the horses, as if conscious of the danger, stood perfectly still and the Indians passed around the tree without making any discovery in the thick darkness. At this juncture Oliver and his companion put spurs to their horses and dashed for- ward into the woods, through which they passed all the way to their point of destination. They arrived safely, but with their clothes completely torn off by the brambles and bushes, and their bodies bruised all over by coming in contact with the trees. They had scarcely arrived at the fort when the Indians in pur- suit made their appearance, but too late, for their prey had escaped." Fort Findlay was garrisoned until the spring of 1815, and a man named Thorp kept a small sutler store immediately east of the fort during the period of its occupation. Soon after the war closed the fort was abandoned, and its garrison returned to peaceful avocations. Below we give a picture and biography of one of the soldiers who was stationed at Fort Findlay, and took an active part George Brehm. in the war of 181 2. We furnish this, not because he was a resident of this county at that time, for none but Indians resided here, but because some of our most distinguished citizens are his descendants. GEORGE BREHM. George Brehm was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1773. He was the son of Philip and Catharine Brehm, and was the grandson of George Christopher and Anna Margaret Brehm. George Christopher Brehm landed at Philadelphia from Bremen, Germany, in the ship Edinburg and qualified under the laws of the Colony of Pennsylvania, September 16, 175 t. HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR OF l8l2. 45 George Brehm was a man of education, belonged to the Lutheran church, was a Democrat in politics, was strong willed and had an iron constitution. He was a weaver by trade, and of stature was tall and spare. He was married to Margaret Meyer, December 28, 1795, at Manheim, Pennsylvania. She was born March 22, 1772, at Manheim, Pennsylvania. They moved to Perry county, Ohio, in 1809 and purchased a half section of land in Reading township. His grand- sons, George and Joel Brehm, still live at the old homestead. In the war of 1 81 2 he enlisted in Captain John Lidey's company of Ohio militia which was recruited in Fairfield county, Ohio, of which Perry county was then a part. This company started for Detroit and for a time occupied Fort Findlay. Hull surrendered while they were floundering through the Black swamp, so they escaped the disgrace of surrendering, and returned to Fort Find- lay, and thence to his home. But he being impressed with the wilds of this vicin- ity, returned and on October 30, 1834, entered the east half of the southeast quar- ter of section twenty-eight (28), Union township, Hancock county, Ohio. For his services in the war of 1812 he was granted a land warrant, number 41,687, under the act of congress of September 28, 1850. He was the grand- father of Jacob F. Burket, the present chief justice of the Ohio supreme court, who was born in the old homestead in Perry county in 1837. George Brehm died January 11, 1857, aged 83 years, 11 months and 28 days. He is buried in the family burying ground on his old farm in Reading township, Perry county, Ohio. The picture as shown above was taken when he was eighty years old. 46 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. View of Main Street, Findlay, Looking North from Crawford Street. Chapter V. HANCOCK COUNTY PIONEERS. Every country has its great warriors ; its skilled scientists ; its great states- men ; its modern inventors, but there is but one generation of pioneers. The his- tory of that generation possesses a value which to future generations cannot be measured by the standard of money, time or even by imagination. Although we can imagine, or more specifically, try to stretch our imagination so that we can see the pioneer with all his earthly possessions, including family, if he had one, struggling along through miles of unbroken forests, following, not a paved street, but an Indian trail, marked only by the scarcity of timber, and the monotony now and then broken by the wierd cry of some wild animal, or the war whoop of some Indian on the warpath, or, more proper, on a drunken spree. Day after day they travel toward their destination ; at night their only shelter is the dense forest. They push forward with untiring efforts, and at last arrive at the chosen spot, where together they enter the trials and dangers so common in a wild and unbroken forest. They encamp, begin to survey the surroundings, and then conclude that they see no mansion to enter, no field to cultivate, no mills to grind their corn and wheat, if they had it. What do they? They apply their sturdy energy to the destruction of the towering timber and impenetrable thickets of brush. The timber is soon carved into a log cabin ; the brush and the bark of the trees form the roof. The chimney constructed of brushes or small logs laid up so as to form a hollow structure against the outside of the cabin. A hole cut through the cabin at this point served as a fire-place. The sticks composing the chimney were cemented together with mortar to prevent them from catching fire. An opening was chopped in one side of the cabin for a doorway, and any old thing was constructed for a door. A small opening in the end of the cabin formed the window, sometimes without sash or glass. The floor was made of pieces of timber split from trees about eighteen inches in diameter and hewed smooth with the broad-ax. The beds were constructed by erecting a forked stick set in the floor and supporting two poles, the other ends of which rested on the logs at the end and side of the cabin. Stools, tables, shelves and all household furniture were constructed on the same plan. Next, a small patch must be cleared to raise some corn. In those days corn bread was the main food in the bread line. Wheat bread would have been considered a luxury. The brush for a considerable distance, owing to the size of field intended, would be cut down and piled, the trees girdled, and the surface swept by fire. In this way ten or fifteen acres could be cleared in a short 48 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. time. Probably now and then the monotony of this tiresome work would be broken by a deer or bear crossing in its usual path to some unknown destination, and it in return would have its monotonous trip disturbed by a leaden ball from the gun of the new trespasser, which resulted in a fine boiled venison or bear meat supper for the weary workers. Thus on and on in this manner the strug- gles and dangers which the early pioneer had undergone still continued until the gradual approach of higher civilization ; the broad extensions of cleared fields ; the on-coming of more farmers ; the starting of small settlements ; the encourage- ment of manufacturers, merchants and all classes of business operations, which has caused the pioneer life of that day to pass into a phase of life that has now departed from this state forever. Ninety years ago there was not a single white family living in Hancock county. Could those who have seen this county as it now is only borrow the eves of the early pioneer, who helped to make the transformation, in place of smiling fields, comfortable homes and pleasant driveways, naught but a vast wilderness, filled with savage beasts and occasionally a savage red man would greet their sight. The present generation can form no just conception of the trials, endless privations and innumerable sacrifices to which the early settlers heroically submitted. They were not seeking fortunes or fame ; the one prevail- ing intention was to make a home for their loving wife and innocent children, and from that one motive in view we now behold the splendid structure of that civilization we see all around us. The pioneers of Hancock county, with few exceptions, have all passed to that beyond, where trials, persecutions and privations are unknown, and it re- mains for their descendants and future generations to keep ever before them the recollections of such names and events as have come down to them from their early ancestors, for the remembrance of their deeds deserves to be "written in characters of living light upon the firmament, there to endure as radiant as if every letter was traced in shining stars." The first settlers of Hancock county came not to enjoy a life of idleness and ease. They doubtless admired the unveiled scene that met their gaze, the vernal green forest and the unlimited works of nature ; they could look forward with happy anticipation to the lives they were to lead in the midst of all this beauty, and to the rich reward that would be theirs from the cultivation of the fertile soil. The dangers to which they were exposed were somewhat serious. The Indians could not be trusted out of sight, and the many stories of their depredations in the earlier eastern settlements made the pioneers of Hancock county apprehensive of trouble. The wild animals were a cause of dread and a source of annoyance. In fact, among the lovely surroundings of those early days there was a sense of loneliness that could not be dispelled. The constant feeling of isolation caused many stout hearts to turn back to the old stamping ground from which they came, where existed the comforts of life, the companionship of friends and the sociability of neighbors. But to those HANCOCK COUNTY PIONEERS. 49 who held out in the struggle for existence in this newly settled country the sense of loneliness and isolation was dispelled as the settlements increased ; social gath- erings became more numerous and undoubtedly more enjoyable, and, step by step, life in all its numerous phases took on a new and more glorious appearance, until today we are at the very height of civilization, in all its numerous classes, and the present generation becomes the possessor of all the advancements pro- duced through the privations and enduring sacrifices of our earlv pioneers. They suffered for our sake, just as our Christ suffered the pangs of death on the cross that we mioht live. 50 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY New City Hall, Findlay. Chapter VI. SURFACE, SOIL, DRAINAGE. The surface of Hancock county is somewhat varied. Some portions are rolling, others flat and marshy — some portions were covered with dense forests and thickets, while others bore no forests. In the northern part of this county there was a strip of forest known as "The Wild Cat Thicket," which was from one to two miles in width, and had its beginning in the western portion of Portage township, extending across Allen and Cass townships, and terminating in the western part of Washington town- ship. From its appearance the early settlers concluded the forest had been blown down years before by a raging storm from the west, as the trees were blown toward the east. Overgrown with small timber and forest vegetation it formed a dense thicket where wild game found a safe retreat from the vigilant hunter. It is supposed that numerous wild cats inhabited this locality in an early day, and the place finally became known as "Wild Cat Thicket." From the east part of Marion township a flat marsh extends in a southeast- erly direction across Biglick township and into Seneca county. It covered about 2,000 acres, and from the fact that it bore no forest it became known as "The Prairie." In the southwestern part of Union township, and the northwestern part of Orange township is a narrow strip of land, originally low and wet. A small portion of this tract was prairie, but the balance was covered with a dense growth of swamp willow which made it almost impenetrable. This entire tract was known as "Cranberry Marsh." "The Swamp" and the "Fallen Timbers," in Amanda township, were once covered by forest timbers, but probably from some great fire destroying the dense growth of vegetation the roots were so burned as to destroy the trees and caused them to fall, thus blocking the drainage and making it have the appearance of a "swamp." A narrow sand ridge, upon which the Benton Ridge road is located, runs southwest from Findlay through the village of Benton Ridge to the Putnam county line. Two sand ridges enter the northeast corner of the county and pass- ing westward unite as one ridge on Section 5, Washington township, thence runs in a southwesterly direction across Cass, Allen, Portage and Pleasant town- ships, where it is known as Sugar Ridge, because of the large number of sugai trees that once grew upon it. Fostoria, Van Buren and McComb are located on this ridge. Another of these narrow belts enters the northeast corner of Portage township from Wood 52 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. county and runs southwest, parallel with and about two miles north of Sugar Ridge. In the geological reports of the state these ridges are called "the ancient beaches of Lake Erie." "Limestone Ridge" is an elevated belt of sand and clay underlaid with lime- stone, lving south of the prairie in Biglick township. It was so named on ac- count of the numerous flakes of limestone found scattered over its surface, prob- ably the result of a great natural upheaval during the first stages of the earth's formation. Good limestone is quarried in abundance along the streams, and in several other parts of the county away from the water courses. It is used prin- cipally in the manufacture of lime, foundations for buildings and the construc- tion of macadamized streets and roads. The drainage of Hancock is not unlike the drainage of any other part of the country. The Blanchard river is the great vein carrying the powerful liquid from the smaller tributaries in the southern and middle portion of our county into the large* body, the Auglaize, and from thence into the Maumee, where it is emptied into Lake Erie. The Blanchard river, according to Colonel Johnston's story, was called by the Wyandots "Quegh-tu-wa," or "Clans-in-the water," while the Shawnees named it "Sha-po-qua-te sepi," or "Tailor's river." His story was that one Blanchard, a French tailor, settled among the Shawnees, married a squaw, reared a family of seven children, and lived and died upon this stream long prior to the cession of the territory, which it drains, to the United States. The early sur- veyors of Ohio named the stream Blanchard's fork of the Auglaize, and thus per- petuates the memory of Blanchard. Others have spoken of Jean Jacques Blanchard as French by nationality, tailor by trade, adventurer by disposition and non-communicative about himself from choice. It is certain that he died in 1802, while evidence points to the belief that he died on the site of old Fort Findlay. He spoke Parisian French, is said to have had an intimate acquaintance with Greek and Latin, and had a liberal education. He was a man with all a Frenchman's culture and refinement and the wonder is what he was doing out in the forsaken wilds of the Northwest Territory, married to a Shawnee squaw, devoted to twelve little half-breed sons and daughters and plying his trade up and down the banks of the little river which soon became known as his especial property. He came from Louisiana in 1770. Seven years before that is a blank. He never gave any account of his wanderings during this time so the historians have accredited him to a Spanish pirate ship which he is supposed to have tired of. No one seems to know how he got to the point east of Dayton, where he first joined the Shawnees in 1770. It is known, too, that he emigrated to Louisiana in 1760, and was there two years, but the seven years intervening is food for the building of historic theories. One theory is that he fled from his home in France for some offense which should not have been committed and in his wanderings landed in this, the new world. It is claimed that he was well skilled in carving- SURFACE, SOIL, DRAINAGE. 53 and making various ornaments, and with his curiously wrought tools amused the Indians by his work in this art. He lived thirty years with his Shawnee wife, and when the Indians emigrated seven of his children were still living. In 1857 part of the tribe with which he identified himself moved to Iowa, Blanchard's son being chief of the division, and to this day there are Indians who trace their geneology back to the point where Blanchard appeared on the stage of Indian life. The Blanchard rises near Kenton, the county seat of Hardin county, on the north slope of the dividing ridge betwen the Ohio river and Lake Erie. Flowing northward it enters Hancock county and passing onward through the townships of Delaware, Jackson and Amanda, to the northeast corner of Section 23, Marion township, turns abruptly westward and with a slight northerly bearing reaches Findlay ; thence meandering in the same general direction across Findlay, Libert} and Blanchard townships into Putnam county forms a junction with the Auglaize river in the western part of the last mentioned county. The banks of the Blanchard, though in places somewhat hilly and broken, generally stretch away into level bottoms, which are subject to overflows during the spring freshets. The stream has furnished water power in the past for various grist mills and numer- ous sawmills in this county, and has been of great benefit to the country through which it flows. Its principal tributaries are, from the south, Eagle, Tawa, Riley and Lye creeks and from the north Howard Run and various other moderate streams, better know as ditches. The north part of the county is drained northward by several branches of the Portage river and Beaver creek, and taken altogether the water privilege and natural drainage facilities of the county are ample and sufficient. Every sort of crop indigenous to this part of Ohio is successfully cultivated in Hancock county. Wheat is perhaps the greatest crop raised here. Corn and oats are raised in large quantities, while barley, rye, buckwheat, flax, hay and clover are also cultivated to a considerable extent. Potatoes yield large crops and of recent years strawberries, onions, celery, and indeed, all sorts of fruits and vegetables grown in this latitude are raised in Hancock county. The apple, the pear, the peach, the plum and the cherry, together with the quince have their places in nearly all the orchards of any size in the county. 54 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. View ot Central Part of Findlay 1846. Chapter VII. HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR. The disputed territory lying between the Nurces and Rio Grande rivers was the direct cause of the Mexican war. Texas, which, having already won its inde- pendence, and was afterwards admitted into the union, claimed the Rio Grande as the boundary line, while the Mexican authorities disputed this claim, asserting that it was the Nurces river. The United States government proposed to settle the controversy by peaceful negotiations, but Mexico scornfully refused, and made threats of occupying the territory in dispute. The Americans in the meantime had been preparing for war, which from the actions of the Mexican authorities, seemed inevitable. In March, 1846, General Taylor was ordered to advance to the Rio Grande with a few thousand men, which he had organized at Corpus Christi, near the motif h of the River Nurces. He erected Fort Brown, opposite Matamoras, which was accepted by Mexico as a declaration of war, and on the 26th of April, 1846, General Arista, the Mexi- can commander on the Rio Grande, notified General Taylor that hostilities had begun. On the same day a small force of American cavalry was attacked by the Mexicans on the east side of the Rio Grande, and here occurred the first blood- shed of the war. Hancock county was then very thinly settled, and when the call for troops reached this portion of Ohio the quota of the state was full. A company, however, was recruited from Hancock and Putnam counties and offered to the governor, who replied that their services were not needed. However, a dozen or more from this county went to the war, but the greater part of them en- listed in other outside companies and there being no enumeration returns to show just who went from this county, I am unable to give the list of names of parties from this county in full, but by diligent search and inquiry I determined the following named parties who, when they enlisted, were residents of this county : Allen Royce, Jeremiah Yates, Loami Farmer, and Dr. Wm. D. Carlin. Mr. Carlin was commissioned as assistant surgeon in the Fifteenth United States Regulars April 9, 1847, ^ut the surgeon having other duties which required the most of his time, Mr. Carlin, though not in name, but by active service, filled the position of surgeon. His commission was signed by James K. Polk, then presi- dent of the United States. The news was soon spread abroad that the victorious American army had reached the City of Mexico, which was hailed with patriotic enthusiasm all over the countrv. 56 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. Some of the Whig leaders saw or pretended to see a scheme for the ex- tension of slavery from the outcome of this conflict and bitterly denounced the war, but the patriotism of the nation was aroused to its full extent, and the gov- ernment of the people was nobly sustained by the people in its triumphant appeal to arms. irl#Wl Orphans Home. Chapter VIII. RAILROADS. Railroads being one of the important features toward internal improvements, I deem it proper to give a brief outline of the facts connected with the establish ment of such roads through this county. In March, 1839, the general assembly passed an act "to authorize the commissioners of Wood and Hancock counties to subscribe to the capital stock of the Bellefontaine and Perrysburg Railroad com- pany and to borrow money." In accordance with this act the commissioners of Hancock county held a meeting April 26, 1839, and decided to subscribe 1,000 shares, amounting to $100,000, to the capital stock of said company, and chose Parlee Carlin as a special agent to negotiate a loan. Tbe loan was never negoti- ated as the project went glimmering and vanished out of sight On February 19, 1845, the legislature came to the rescue of another antici- pated project and passed "An act to authorize the commissioners of Hancock county to subscribe to the capital stock of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad company the sum of $60,000, or such sums as shall be sufficient to construct a railway, or branch, from the main track of said railroad to the town of Findlay." The question was submitted to the voters of Hancock county at the following April election and carried by a vote of 1,055 to 764. On April 11, 1845, the board subscribed $60,000 to the capital stock of said railroad, and on April 22, $30,000 in county bonds were issued. Wilson Vance, William Taylor, John Pat- terson and William L. Henderson were appointed agents to represent the county interests in this project. In June, 1845. the commissioners added John Ewing and Jacob Barnd to the list of agents. September 11, 1845, the commis- sioners appointed Squire Carlin in place of Jacob Barnd (who died soon after his appointment), and the commissioners increased the subscription $15,000, making a total of $75,000. On August 19, 1846, the railroad company met at Kenton and agreed to ac- cept the subscription, and to construct the road. On September 22, 1846, the commissioners appointed John Patterson, John Ewing and Hiram Smith railroad agents, to transact all business in the building and completion of said proposed railroad. They were authorized to borrow money, obtain right-of way, put the work under contract and carry out all other business relative to the completion of the road. In March, 1847, Hiram Smith resigned, and Charles W. O'Neal and William L. Henderson were appointed, and. with Messrs. Patterson and Ewing, served till March, 1851, when the office was terminated by order of the commissioners. 58 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. The road was completed in November, 1849 an( l trains began running before the close of that month. The railing was strips of strap iron five-eighths of an inch in thickness : the bed was made of sleepers laid lengthwise of the track, and resting upon these were the ties laid crosswise ; immediately over the sleepers were two strips of timber, to which were fastened the strap-iron rails. When all was finished the county had expended only $45,500, leaving $29,500 of the sub- scription yet unissued. In 1852-3 the subject of T-railway was much talked of, but nothing was done until October, 1868, when the attention of the commis- sioners was called to the unexpended balance, and they gladly issued the $12,000 in bonds, the amount needed for T-railing. The work of T-railing was com- menced in the spring of 1869 and was completed October 21, 1869. This road still remains as one of the landmarks, and although the name has at divers times been changed the road still continues to do a vast amount of business, and is the onlv entrance of the Big Four system into Findlay. Although this road was built and paid for by Hancock county, the road has probably many times paid for itself in accommodation to the early settlers and the helping hand it gave to as- sist in the development of the county. Thus was built the first railroad in the county. The Lake Erie & Western was the second railroad built through this county. It was started, in the minds of a few of the early advocates, in 1853. In April, 1853, the voters of Hancock county voted to subscribe $100,000 to the capital stock of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad company. In August, 1853, one hundred bonds of $1,000 each were signed and deliv- ered by the commissioners. The transfer was bitterly opposed and through a bitter fight, which resulted in the company returning $91,000 of the amount, and the county being sued and paying the remaining $9,000 the project fell flat. How- ever, in 1857, the proposed improvement gained headway by popular subscription and by January, 1859, the road was completed from Fremont to Fostoria. In March, i860, trains were running to the Findlay depot on West Main Cross street. November 21, 1872, the last rail connecting Lima with Findlay was laid. Step by step, and consolidation after consolidation eventually ended in a through line from Sandusky, Ohio, to Bloomington, Illinois. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad was built through the northeast corner of Hancock county in 1873 and opened for business January 1, 1874. Although a very small portion of this road lies in Hancock county it is worthy of mention as it is one of the greatest trunk lines of the United States. For want of time and space I will only make mention of the other railroads through this county. The McComb, Deshler & Toledo Railroad company was incorporated June 2, 1879, by a number of McComb citizens, and on November 24, 1880, the first train came into McComb. Later, the branch was extended to Findlay and is now known as the C, H. & D. branch. The New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad company was incorporated in 1880 to construct a line from New York to Chicago. Findlay made an effort RAILROADS. 59 to secure this road, but it was finally located over the old Continental bed in this county, from Arcadia westward, but runninng northeast from Arcadia to Fos- toria parallel with the L. E. & W. R. R. The road through this county was be- gun in the spring of 1881 and trains running by July, 1881. The Cleveland, Delphos & St. Louis railroad was chartered March 9, 1881, and during the summer work was commenced. The road from Bluffton to Arlington was completed early in the fall of 1882, and in December the con- struction train reached Mt. Blanchard. Early in the spring of 1883 it run its trains to Carey. It is now known as the Northern Ohio. The Toledo, Columbus & Southern railroad was chartered in May, 1881, and in the winter of 188 1-2 the right-of-way was obtained between Toledo and Find- lay. Work was commenced in the summer of 1882. The first rail was laid De- cember 15, and the first locomotive ran into Bowling Green from Toledo on Christmas day. January 30, 1883, the connecting rail was laid some fifteen miles north of Findlay in Wood county, which connected Findlay with Toledo. The first through train came over the road from Toledo to Findlay February 7, 1883. The road was established through the southern part of the county in 1886. This road at present extends from Toledo to Columbus and is one of the busiest roads through this county. The road is now known as the Toledo & Ohio Cen- tral railroad. The American Midland railroad was commenced and constructed through the western part of this county in 1888. Its eastern terminus is Findlay, O., and the western terminus Fort Wayne, Ind. The road has recently passed under the control of the C, H. & D. Railroad company. This comprises all the steam rail- roads now operating in this county, and the distribution of the same make the transportation and railroad communication in all this county about equally dis- tributed, and needless to say is one of the greatest assistants known to the civilized world in developing and revolutionizing trade industry. Chapter IX. THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. In 1854. or about seven years prior to the breaking out of the civil war, run- away negroes were harbored and taken care of by organizations, who furnished financial assistance to aid in the escapade of these runaway slaves to Canada. A line of stations existed at intervals of ten to thirty miles, and the travel over the line was entirely at night. "Conductors" were engaged to pilot the runaways in safety, while agents and sympathizers through the south enticed negroes from their masters, and furnished them with means to escape to the north, where they would be cared for and sent on into Canada. The method, organization, manner of concealment, etc., can best be related by the following article written by Mr. C. A. Croninger. of this city, who was one of the contributors to this institution and who has kindly furnished me with the following at my request : "Dear Sir and Friend : "At your request I take pleasure in giving you a few items relating to what I know of what was termed the 'Grapevine Telegraph and Underground railway' through Hancock county. In May, 1854, as memory serves me, I arrived in Findlay, Ohio, and became actively engaged in the mercantile business on the corner of Main and Main Cross streets in this city, in the wooden block known as Headquarters. I soon made the acquaintance of many of the farmers of the county and quite a number who hailed from Richland and Ashland counties, some of whom I had met in those counties. Among others was our respected and worthy citizen. Uncle John King, who lived and owned the farm three and one- half miles north of town on the Perrysburg road (East Side). Our old acquaint- ance being renewed he sounded my sentiments on the slavery question. I frankly told him that I was somewhat pro-slavery in sentiment, yet I had a horror of many of the doings in southern slave-holding states, and while I had no intention nor a disposition to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it existed by law. vet I would not aid a slave owner in capturing a runaway. This was just what my friend wished to know and in the course of several talks with him and his reliance on my sentiments expressed, told me of an organization that was in existence styled the 'underground railroad' to aid refugees who were fleeing from slavery to Canada and freedom, and asked me to contribute what aid I felt like doing to keep up 'steam' and pay the 'engineer.' 'fireman' and "conductor' 'on the popular line, which I gladly assented to do. One regular station of some importance was near Williamstown, better known as 'Bill Town." and a flag station a mile or two this side of Arlington. The refugees usually 62 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY came in squads of three, four, five or six. The agents at such stations would secrete the 'passengers' during the day and a train get away after dusk, 'pas- sengers' carefully secreted under cover of a good bunch of loose hay, and from the 'Bill Town Station' to North Findlay, where they changed 'cars and con- ductors" to the next station in Wood county known as 'Slocums.' The North Findlay 'station agent' was the 'operator' of the 'Grapevine Telegraph Line,' and usually delivered the message verbally, about thus : 'Travel somewhat heavy this week, 6 and 4' — which meant 50 cents — or 'is somewhat light, 5' — which meant 25 cents from me. A nearby neighbor of mine, a very strong anti-slaverv man (A. Bushon) also contributed his mite to the general expenses of the railroad. "I called, on several occasions, at the station and on two occasions had inter- views with some of the passengers, many of whom were rather bright to be profitable slaves, and this station was on the edge of the highway and a good op- portunity for passengers to see the passer-by. On one occasion while two south- ern slave hunters stopped at the Reed house (now Phoenix Inn) in Findlay, on the track of fugitives, they were directed to the station where they were supposed to be and a telegraph by the 'grapevine' line (none other at this time than W. C. Cox and his spirited steed) was dispatched to the station in time so the passen- gers were secreted in a smoke house, the door locked, and key mislaid, and the owners were disappointed in catching any travelers they were after. The evening following, the train left the station, taking a roundabout route and succeeded in evading these southerners. As the train was well guarded and conductor and trainmen as well as the passengers were well armed, there would have been trou- ble had the train been held up ; but fortunately they arrived near Perrvsburg safely, while their pursuers were ahead of the line and having a good time in Toledo. "The funds raised went to pay the expenses as before mentioned, at the rate of 100 to 200 (cents) for a team and driver that conveyed four passengers twelve to sixteen miles ; and occasionally a team would drive twenty-four miles and at other times thirty-four miles, returning home with a number of empty sacks lying loose in the bed of the wagon, so that inquisitors could see that the party had been to market and had made sale of their load. "I was told that two slave-hunters from Kentucky followed some fugitives on the route so closely that the sheriff of Hancock county, Ohio, was called to their aid to help capture four passengers supposed to be in the station and be- fore the sheriff and his posse were ready to carry out the program became pretty well filled up with good spirits and having a good time, as the 'grapevine line' was ahead and the inmates of the station were in the wooded district, safely se- creted, and the officer and posse returned without the capture of the runaways. The passengers tarried a day or more to aid the station agent to cut and harvest a field of grain on the farm. "The aid rendered the refugees was not a lucrative business to those engaged in it by any means, as it required time, patience and money to carry it on: also it THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 63 was well known that an attorney at (Portland) Sandusky Cit\ had been fined by court under the federal laws of the United States $1,000 for aiding runaway slaves, and that the law would await any others that were caught aiding or abetting these poor runaways. "The station agent near 'Bill Town,' whose name is not remembered, was said to have been an indefatigable worker in this line, as was our friend King. The latter was up in years, so that he could not well spend the hours of night away from home, but had on hand or secured those that were quite as efficient as he would have been in his stead. I remember of being told that no less than twenty fugitives in one week went through Findlay, and often ten to twelve. The heavy runs were in 1856 to i860, but the organization and route had been doing business years before." John A. Woods. It was later learned that the station agent at "Bill Town" was none other than John A. Woods, who lived one mile north of "Bill Town," and his son. James P. Woods, of this city, present sidewalk inspector, when but seventeen years of age was one of the parties who helped to convey the runaway slaves from the "Bill Town" station to Uncle John King's north of Findlay. Mr. J. P. Woods related to the writer that at one time just prior to the breaking out of the ciyil war in 1861 he conveyed a man, wife and child on horseback to the North Find- lay station, the husband riding one horse and carrying the child, while the mother rode behind him (Mr. Woods) on the other horse. On his way back he spent the balance of the night in Mr. Ballentine's stable on West Crawford street, and after himself and horses were fed started on a roundabout way home until he reached Chamberlin's hill, south of town. Here he was met by a partv who in quired his business at Findlay at so early an hour. Mr. Woods replied: "It i^ none of your business," to which the inquisitor answered he would make it his 64 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY business. Mr. Woods replied that he was on the public highway, and had no right to be disturbed, and backed up his reply by presenting a well-loaded re- volver as convincing evidence. The party strode on to Findlay and among others inquired of Mr. Ballentine, who kept a hotel, who the party of a certain de- scription was, and Mr. Ballentine said he did not know unless it was someone who had brought parties to the train to go away on the Carey branch. Thus one of the investigators was misled. Story after story of this character could be told of the workings of the underground railroad. Parties were even taken from Dela- ware as far north as John King's and passed through Findlay in broad daylight. Mr. Woods stated that as many as thirty- one runaway slaves were in hiding among the hay at their barn at one time. The party who run the flag station, two miles north and one and a half miles west of Arlington, was Francis Bartley. Chapter X. HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. War! War!! War!!! Since the days of the Revolution were the people of this county, this state, this nation so thoroughly aroused as when the news flashed over the wires and also from tongue to ear that Fort Sumter had fallen. From all sections of the free states, regardless of political affiliation, voices went up with fierce determination to sustain the government and punish the traitors. History furnishes few examples of such patriotic devotion and such unanimity of sentiment and feeling. Volunteer companies sprang into existence as if by magic, and large amounts were contributed by state legislatures, private corporations and individuals to defray the expenses of the coming struggle for national unity. Hancock county was in harmony with the patriotic sentiments of the nation, and enthusiastic expressions of loyalty to our time-honored flag fell from the lips of old and young. Findlay being the county seat, was the prinicpal point where public senti- ment found outward expression and the action taken here will serve to illustrate the patriotism of the people throughout the county. Early on the morning of April 17, 1861, a few national flags were thrown to the breeze, the sight of which seemed to kindle a patriotic fire in every heart. Presently a large American banner was suspended across Main street from the court house to Reed's hotel. The town soon began to present a lively appearance, and when the band headed by the Stars and Stripes commenced promenading Main street the mar- tial spirit in many loyal hearts broke forth in cheers. About 10 o'clock a. m. a cannon, owned by the local Democratic organization, was brought forth and ac- companied by several hundred citizens on foot and horseback was taken across the river and a salute of thirty-four shots fired in honor of the union. Enthusiasm was abundant, and party lines were entirely forgotten. Towards noon another large banner was suspended across Main street, and flags of every size were float- ing from nearly every business block and numerous private residences. Two lib- erty poles were raised in the afternoon on the opposite corners of Main and Main Cross streets, and the American flag run up on each. Afterwards other poles were raised from fifty to eighty feet in height and mounted with the Stars and Stripes, all of which taken together made the appearance of a vast military camp. Pursuant to a call issued April 17. 1861, a large and enthusiastic assemblage of citizens convened at the court house on the following afternoon. Edson Goit was made chairman and Philip Ford and S. T. Mills appointed secretaries. Mr. 66 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. Goit on taking the chair delivered a patriotic speech, which was frequently in terrupted by outbursts of applause. He said the government should be sus- tained at all hazards and the man who in this emergency opposed the execution of the laws be denounced as a traitor. On motion of J. M. Palmer, a committee consisting of Messrs. Aaron Black- ford, J. M. Palmer, A. P. Byal, W. W Siddall and Israel Green was- appointed to draft resolutions expressing the sentiment of the meeting During the absence of the committee the enthusiasm was kept at fever heat by patriotic, soul-stirring and at the same time appropriate music and speeches. The band played "Hail. Columbia," and the "Star-Spangled Banner" was called for and sung by Messrs. N. Y. Mift'ord, Dwella M. Stoughton and William Mungeh, the vast audience rising and joining in" the chorus. At the close of each verse cheer after cheer was given by the assembled multitude till the very building seemed to join in the enthusiastic patriotism of the people and echo back their sentiments. James A. Bope made a brief speech denouncing treason ami secession, and calling upon all to rally around the flag. Amidst frequent applause William Mungen declared himself "in favor of our country, right or wrong." The time, he said, was now past for party questions, and as a Democrat of the strictest school, he asserted that in the present alarming condition of the country, political questions should be forgotten. William Gribben was the next speaker. He said that armed traitors had conspired together for the destruction of our govern- ment, that our national flag had been insulted and trampled upon by the enemies of our country, and declared the honor of the glorious old banner should be up- held. At this point the committee on resolutions presented the following report, which was, amid vociferous applause, adopted : "Whereas, A band of armed traitors to the government of the United States have leagued together for the avowed purpose of overthrowing the constitution and laws of our beloved country, and to insult and strike clown the ensign of our nation, which has given to the American citizen ample protection at home ami abroad, and to our country consideration and dignity wherever its stars and stripes have been seen and known ; and "Whereas, In pursuance of such treasonable intent, those traitors have once struck down that glorious flag, and now threaten with a myridian host in arms to seize our national capital, to trail our nation's honor in the dust and transform this free government into a cruel monarchy ; therefore, "Resolved, That whatever differences of opinion have divided us in the past, today we are united and are animated by one purpose, and that is an unyielding and undying devotion to the Union, and determination to stand by the govern- ment and flag of our country. Living, we will stand shoulder to shoulder and right in their defense; dying we bequeath this purpose to our children. "Resolved, That in the present civil war so wantonly begun by traitors now in arms against our government, the only issue presented to every American citizen is : Shall our constitutional "-overnment stand against the rebel and revolutionary HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 67 force that now threatens its destruction? Or shall it yield to treason for a despotism to be erected upon its ruins? 'He that is not with us is against us.' "Resolved, That as our revolutionary fathers with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence eventually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for the purchase of those civil and religious lib- erties by them transmitted to us, and that we have so long enjoyed, we, their descendants, with a firm reliance upon the same Divine and all-protecting Power, mutually make the same sacred pledge to each other for the preservation and per- petuity of that inestimable inheritance by them bequeathed to us." Upon the adoption of the foregoing resolution, Judge Palmer addressed the meeting in an eloquent speech full of patriotic devotion. James M. Neibling was then called for and began by saying that fourteen years before, when only a boy, he shouldered his musket at the call of his countrv to assist in chastising Mexican arrogance, and he was ready to go again if his country's cause demanded his services. This declaration was received with un- bounded applause. After some further remarks upon the necessity of union and immediate action he presented the roll of enlistment for volunteers, under the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men, issued three days before. In a very short time seventy-two names were down upon the roll, and the meeting then adjourned with cheers and expressions of loyalty to the flag. The volunteers were formed into line by Colonel Neibling and escorted by the band, marched down Main street and disbanded to meet for another rally on Tuesday, April 23, which had been previously announced. The news went abroad for a grand rally at Findlay on that day, and prob- ably never before were so many people seen in the town. They came from every part of the county, all seeming to be moved by the one prevailing senti- ment of loyalty. Nothing was talked of but the defense and preservation of the Union. And in this great cause none were more deeply interested than the old gray-headed veterans who had so long enjoyed its blessings. Scores of pioneers publicly declared their readiness to shoulder a musket and march to the defense of their countrv. All seemed to be imbued with that same spirit of patriotic de- votion and sacrifice which nerved the revolutionary fathers to win that glorious boon of liberty we now enjoy. Party prejudice was set aside, and all labored together, hand in hand in that noble work of preserving the national honor. By this time three companies of volunteers had been raised in Hancock- county, which were afterwards mustered into the Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, as companies A, F and G, the officers of which you will find together with the privates in another part of this book. In the afternoon companies A and F were each presented by the ladies of Findlay with a handsome flag. The presentation took place in front of the court house, in the presence of the large assemblage which had come together on that day to attest their unswerving loyalty. Mrs. James M. Neibling made the presentation speech, and the flags were respectively received by Captain Wil- son and Walker on behalf of their companies. 68 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. The volunteers rendezvoused at the fair grounds, then located in East Find- lay, on the Mt. Blanchard road, which was dedicated as "Camp Neibling," in hon- or of the gallant Colonel James M. Neibling. who was ever foremost in promoting the good cause, and who afterward commanded the Twenty-first regiment on many a bloody field. On the 25th of April, Mrs. Mary Mungen, on behalf of the ladies of Findlay, presented a flag to company G ; before the following day a delegation of ladies from McComb put in an appearance at Camp Neibling and presented another flag to the same company, most of which command were from the northwest part of the county. Miss Addie M. Price presented the beautiful banner, and Captain Lovell received it and responded in appropriate terms. On Saturday, April 27, a mass meeting was held at the court house for the purpose of arranging for a more thorough military organization of the county. James. M. Neibling was elected chairman, and D. B. Beardsley secretary. Speeches were made by Messrs. James M. Neibling, Aaron Blackford and Abel F. Parker, advocating the proposed measure ; and committees were appointed in each township to carry the project into effect. Meetings were soon afterward held in nearly every township, military companies organized, and the patriotic ardor of the people was unabated. Several companies of home guards were also formed, consisting of men over forty-five years of age*; but these organizations subsequentlv disbanded, because the term "Home Guard" soon became one of reproach, and was flippantly used to designate stay-at-homes or a class who were afraid to go into the army. Our space is too much limited to give a full description of the principal events relative to preparations and active service in this great struggle for freedom, as a complete list of soldiers, etc., is elsewhere found in this volume, so we must content our readers with a very limited description. We cannot, how- ever, pass by the fact that a vast amount of credit is due the various societies organized at divers times during the rebellion towards providing for the fam- ilies of those who were willing to give their service and, if need be, their lives for the cause of freedom. And especially is this true of the ladies of these so- cieties, who did a great amount of good in gathering and forwarding sanitary supplies to hospital camps. In fact, the patriotic women of the county did their full share toward crushing the mightiest rebellion in the history of the world, not only in actions and deeds naturally performed which relieved the soldiers in the field, but in enduring the heart-aches, and responsibility of both parents' fondness and care over their children, where at such ages as they at that time had obtained, their future was being molded and shaped. But all these heart-aches and thoughts of bloody war were somewhat soothed when the news that Richmond was captured had spread over the country ; it created the most intense excitement, but it was one of joy. Bell-ringing, hand- shaking and congratulations were the order of the day. The citizens turned out en masse ; bonfires were lighted in every town and village, and an undercurrent of deep thankfulness pervaded the entire communi- ty. All hailed the good news as a harbinger of peace and happiness. With the HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 69 fall of the rebel capital the war was comparatively at an end; and though Lee struggled bravely to save his army from the iron grasp of Grant, its fate was sealed. On the 9th of April, 1865. he surrendered to Grant at Appomattox court house, and nine days afterward Johnston gave up his army to Sherman. Throughout the north the news of these glorious successes of the Union arms was received with unbounded enthusiasm, and heartfelt prayers were of- fered to the God of battles, who in His infinite mercy had vouchsafed such a brilliant ending to the long turmoil of civil strife. After four years of bloody war — after the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of gallant men and millions of treasure, the great rebellion was at an end, the government preserved, and freedom perpetuated. According to previous announcement, a grand celebration was held at Find- lay, April 14, 1865, to rejoice over the dawn of a glorious peace. The day was bright and cheerful, and nature seemed to smile on the exalted happiness of the people. The exercises commenced at six o'clock in the morning with the ringing of bells, and the firing of a salute of thirty-six guns. As the day wore on ,crowds of people came pouring into Findlay. At ten o'clock services were held in sev- eral of the churches, and shortly after noon a large audience gathered at the court house, where appropriate addresses were delivered by Revs. Rose and Wykes. In the evening there was a fine display of fireworks, and every busi- ness house, as well as many of the private dwellings, were brilliantly illuminated. This joy, however, was short lived, and suddenly changed to deep mourning. About ten o'clock the news of President Lincoln's assassination reached Findlay. and fell like a pall on the hearts of her citizens. Everyone was horror-stricken at the awful deed, and never was there so much feeling manifested by the true and loyal hearts of Hancock county. In a short time all of the business houses were closed and draped in mourning, and the flags dressed in crepe and raised at half-mast. In the afternoon a public meeting was held at the court house to express the sentiments of the people on the assassination of the president, and deep gloom filled every honest heart. Soon after the war ended, the Union armies were discharged, and the sol- diers still remaining, returned to their homes, and once more joy reigned su- preme around hundreds of firesides in Hancock county. To the survivors and their children has been vouchsafed the blessing to witness the grand results of all their sacrifices, in a reunited country pursuing a common destiny, while the name and fame of those who fell, either on the battlefield or in the line of duty, has been commemorated through the pages of history and on the beautiful mon- uments of marble and bronze prominent in city, town and village all over this fair land of ours. They all went out with one common aim in view — to lay down their life, if necessary, to aid in the cause of freedom. They went cheerfully wherever duty called them. They never shirked duty and never flinched under fire. They never retreated unless ordered so to do. They endured all the hard- ships of marching, fighting, and of prisons, and more than five hundred of them 70 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. laid down their lives without a mnrmer, that the nohle cause, for which they fought, might be sustained for the benefit of future generations. They left father, mother, brother, sister, wife, children, all that was near and dear to them in this life, well knowing that for the last time they might look at their families' loving faces, and into their aching hearts ; and for four long and weary years, both those at home and those engaged in the fight for freedom, endured the hardships of one of the most bloody and cruel wars on record. But space is somewhat limited, else one could write a volume on this on«' subject, but enough has been said to lead the reader into a sort of meditating mood, where he can think and imagine for him or herself. List of soldiers found elsewhere in this volume. Chapter XI. THE BAR OF HANCOCK COUNTY. There is. perhaps, no subject in pioneer history of more general interest than that of law. The majority of men have at one time or another been brought in close contact with it in some way, and this condition will continue as long as men exist. The early struggles of the average lawyer in any community were something that the young beginner of today knows nothing of. His trials and tribulations are as nothing compared to the continued battles for existence of his pioneer predecessors. The pioneer bar of Hancock county had some giant intellects as well as a few of the pettifogging order, and all were alike obliged to bide their time in the days when 'coon skins and any old thing was legal tender, and when cases of litigation were few and far between. And beyond doubt these men hewed their way through the legal wilderness just as truly as did the farmer through the material forest that in early days covered the entire land. EDSOX GOIT. Edson Goit was the first resident lawyer of Findlay. He was a native of < )swego county, Xew York, and was born October 18, 1808. When he was quite small his father died, but, through improving every opportunity during his boyhood vears he managed to obtain a fair education and taught school ere reaching his majority. In 1827 he left his early home and traveled across Ohio, until arriving at the village of Fremont. Here he halted, and subsequently taught school in Fremont and Tiffin. During this period Mr. Goit read law under Rudolphus Dickinson, of Fremont, and Abel Rawson, of Tiffin, and July 12, 1832, was admitted to practice. Learning that Findlay, the then new county seat of Hancock county, had no lawyer, he at once concluded to come here and cast his fortunes with the then hamlet. Traveling on foot from Tiffin, he reached Findlay on the third day of his journey, and went to reside in the home of Dr. Rawson, a practicing physician of the village. This was in August, 1832, and in September he was appointed prosecuting attorney, which position he held un- til June, 1836. The office of prosecutor, however, paid a very small salary dur- ing this period of the county's history, ami for several months after settling in Findlay, Mr. Goit patiently waited for clients that never came. Discouraged at the poor outlook, he at last made up his mind to leave the town, but ere car- rying out his intention, the tide turned, he was engaged to teach a school, and was thus guaranteed sufficient to pay his board. Clients soon began to consult him, hope took the place of despondency, and he gave up the idea of leaving 72 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. Findlay. While boarding at the tavern of William Taylor, in 1835, ' ie married Miss Jane Patterson, a sister of Mrs. Taylor, with whom she was living. In May, 1836, Mr. Goit was appointed auditor, vice John C. Shannon, deceased, and served till March, 1837. In April. 1837, he was again appointed prosecuting attorney, but resigned the office in October, 1838. The same month he was elected treasurer, and filled that office two successive terms. He was now on the highway to prosperity, and besides attending to the duties of his profession, launched out boldly into other pursuits. He accumulated a large amount of land and engaged extensively in mercantile business in Hancock. Allen and Put- nam counties. He, however, got "too many irons in the fire ;" his business was two complex for judicious management, and his large land interests finally be- came an incumbrance and proved his financial downfall. From January, 1858. to January, T862, he again filled the office of prosecuting attorney, and this finished his official career. Mr. Goit possessed unbounded energy, and though a fair lawyer, did not devote sufficient attention to his profession to keep up with the times. He was a man of fine personal appearance and dignified carriage, and was regarded as a very strong jury lawyer. Though he lost the fruits of a lifetime of persevering industry, he did not, however, "fail," as that term is commonly understood, but paid his creditors to the last penny, no man losing a cent by him and his every promise being faithfully redeemed. Such was his sterling honesty, that his principal solace at the hour of his death was the fact that he owed no man a dollar. His first wife died in the spring of 1863, leaving a family of three sons and one daughter. One of the sons was subsequently killed in the war of the rebellion. Mr. Goit was afterward married to Mrs. Sarah A. McConnell, of Van Buren, and in the fall of 1867 removed to Bowling Green, where he died May 29, 1880. Two daughters were born of the second marriage, both of whom are dead. Xo man has ever lived in Findlay who is more kindly remembered than Edson Goit. He was charitable to a fault, and every worthy public enterprise found in him a warm friend and generous sup- porter. Mr. Goit built while living in Findlay what was then the largest block in Findlay. The Karg Bros.' meat market block is a portion of the building he erected, although the entire structure was remodeled during the boom. ARNOLD F. MERRIAM. Arnold F. Merriam was the second lawyer to locate in Findlay. He was born in Brandon, Vermont, December 17, t8ii, and was there educated and began the study of law. In early manhood he removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he completed his law studies and was admitted to practice. He soon after- ward started for Vinton county, where he intended to locate, but during his journey met Wilson Vance, who induced him to change his mind and come to Findlay. He arrived here in the spring of 1835, and entered into partnership with Edson Goit. In June, 1836. he was appointed prosecuting attorney, which office he filled till April, 1837, when he resigned. On the 27th of May, 1837, he married Miss Sarah A. Baldwin, sister of Dr. William Baldwin, who bore him THE BAR OF HANCOCK COUNTY. 73 one son and two daughters. In January, 1838, Mr. Merriam started the Han- cock Republican, the first Whig paper published in the county, which he pub- lished about a year. He then removed to Mansfield, Ohio, sold the press and subsequently went to Kentucky, where he died in July, 1844. His widow re- turned with her family to Findlay, and afterward married Judge Robert Strother. The lady is now living here, the venerable Mrs. S. A. Strother, whom everybody loves and reveres. Though Mr. Merriam followed his profession about four years in this county, he left Findlay at such an early date that little is remembered of him by the older citizens still living. JOHN H. MORRISOX. John H. Morrison was the third lawyer who came to Findlay, and was one of the best known members of the pioneer bar. P. B. Morrison and the Misses Morrison, of this city, one of whom is now dead, were son and daughters of the once celebrated lawyer. He was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1802, but removed when quite young to Perry county, Ohio, where at the age of fifteen he lost his right arm by accident. Young Morrison received a good common school education, read law in the office of Philemon Beecher, of Lancaster, Ohio, began practice in Bucyrus, and afterwards filled the office of prosecuting at- tornev and treasurer of Crawford county. In the fall of 1836 he located in Findlay ,and soon became well known throughout northwestern Ohio. Mr. Morrison was talented, blunt and fearless to a remarkable degree, possessed of untiring energy, and was an indefatigable worker in the interests of his clients. Mr. Morrison was married in Perry county/ Ohio, to a Miss Henthorn, who died at Bucyrus, without issue. He afterwards married Miss Nancy Williams, who reared a family of five children, two of whom still reside in this city. He died April 19, 1854, but he is as vividly remembered by the older members of the bar as if he had only passed away a year ago. JACOB BARND. Jacob Barnd was a bright promising, young lawyer, who died in 1845. He was a native of Perry county, Ohio, and a son of Christian Barnd, a pioneer of 1831, in which year he removed with his parents to this county. In 1832 the family moved from the farm into Findlay, where Jacob afterward studied law under Edson Goit. He was admitted to the bar in 1837. and in October, 1838, was appointed prosecuting attorney, but served only until the end of the term of court, which was October 9, 1838. He filled the recorder's office two terms, from October, 1838, to October, 1844, and it is probable that he did not practice much during that period. He left two sons at his death. JUDE HALL. Jude Hall came to Findlay about 1836, where he followed the carpenter trade, and sometimes preached the gospel. He was a queer specimen of the genus homo and quite an eccentric character. He read law with Edson Goit and soon 74 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY after admission, in 1838, he was elected prosecuting attorney and re-flected in 1840. In 1843 ne removed to Defiance, and thence to Upper Sandusky, where further trace of him was lost in the fading twilight of tradition. HON. CHARLES W. O'NEAL. Honorable Charles W. O'Neal comes next in the order of time. He was born in Middletown, Frederick county, Maryland, January 18, 181 1, and in 1833 removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where the following year he was married to Miss Amy J. Baldwin. In July, 1835, he came to Findlay and began the study of law in the office of Goit and Merriam and in August, 1838, was admitted to practice. Mr. O'Neal was a practical surveyor and did a great deal of surveying in this county. He was also one of the pioneer school teachers of Findlay. In 1836 he was elected auditor, serving one term, and he also represented this district in the state senate from 1844 to 1846. He practiced his profession in Hancock county nearly forty years, retiring from active practice a few years prior to his death, and removing to Indiana, whence he returned and died in Find- lav, December 20, 1879. Mr. O'Neal, though a safe counsellor, was not an advo- cate and rarely appeared in that capacity in any important case. He was very methodical and dignified in his practice, terse and forcible in argument, and al- ways courteous to the opposing counsel. He was close and economical in his business habits, and very successful in the accumulation of wealth, leaving to his descendants a handsome fortune. ABEL F. PARKER. Abel F. Parker was born in Cavendish. Windsor county, Vermont, May 11. 1800, and died in Findlay May 31, 1881, in his eighty-second year. In early manhood he settled in Genesse county. New York, where he removed with his family to Blanchard township, this county, and two years later located in Find- lay. He read law under Edson Goit, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. The same year he was elected prosecuting attorney and served one term. In 184*) he was again elected prosecutor and re-elected in 1848, but resigned the office in 1849. Mr. Parker also filled the office of postmaster of Findlay. His first wife died in 1848, leaving a family of one son and two daughters. In 1852 Mr. Parker married Sarah A. Robinson, who bore him two sons and one daughter. His two daughters. Misses Julia and Dora, still reside in this city, and a son, Judge Robert Parker, resides at Bowling Green. Though Mr. Parker lived to the ripe old age of more than four score years, he nevertheless continued in practice up to within a short period of his decease. He loved his profession and was highly respected by his associates of the bar. EZRA BROWN. Ezra Brown was born in Lown, Canada. August 4, 1814, and when about three years old removed with his parents to what is now the town of Albion. Or- leans county, Xew York, where he resided till October, 1839, when he came to THE BAR OF HANCOCK COUNTY 75 Findlay. He entered the law office of John H. Morrison and was admitted to practice in July, 1842. He formed a partnership with his preceptor and con- tinned in practice until February, 1847, tnen removed to a farm in Wood county, near Fostoria. In the spring of 1852, Mr. Brown returned to Findlay and re- sumed the practice of his profession. He remained in practice till the fall of 1880, and then retired from the active duties thereof. In the spring of 1885 Mr. Brown was elected justice of the peace, which office he held until his death, some- time later. He was mayor of Findlay and a member of the council. On the nth of November, 1845, ne married Miss Jane E. Bigelow, who died February 4, 1873, leaving a family of two daughters. Miss Metta, who is a teacher in the schools in Portland, Oregon, and Mrs. S. P. DeWolf, wife of the ex-county auditor and present manager of the Findlay Morning Republican. A son died at Memphis, Tennessee, in 1863, while serving in the Union army. ELIJAH WILLIAMS. Elijah Williams was also a student in the office of Mr. Morrison, and was admitted with Ezra Brown in July, 1842. He practiced in Findlay about eight years, when he removed to Portland, Oregon, where he died a few years ago. He is remembered as a sharp, shrewd but diffident lawyer. M. C. WHITELEY. Honorable Machias C. Whiteley was born May 24, 1822, and died several years since. He came of Scotch-Irish parentage and was born at East New Market. Dorchester county, Maryland, on the eastern shore of that state. His paternal grandfather was a patriot of the Revolution, and his father served in the war of 1812 against the British. In 1832 his parents, Willis and Elizabeth Whiteley, removed with their family to Baltimore, Fairfield county, where the subject of this sketch worked on a farm and attended the common schools of the neighborhood. He subsequently learned the harness and saddler trade, which he followed until coming to Findlay in 1840. For two years he worked in the clerk's office, devoting his spare time to reading law with Goit & O'Neal, and then returned to Fairfield county, where he continued his law studies with Medill & Whitman, of Lancaster. On the 4th of July, 1843, he was admitted to the bar at Tiffin, and immediately opened a law office in Findlay, where he gradually attained a lucrative practice. In 1847 Mr. Whiteley was married to Miss Sarah A. Henderson, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and daughter of W'illiam L. Henderson, a leading pioneer surveyor of Hancock county, and one of its earliest settlers. Nine children were born to this union, of which Fred P. Wdiiteley, of this city, is one of the survivors. In 1848 Mr. Whiteley was elected to the leg- islature, and re-elected in 1849. While in the legislature he took part in the elec- tion of Salmon P. Chase to the United States senate, and secured the charter of the Pittsburg. Ft. Wayne & Chicago railroad. In 1856 he was a delegate to the Democratic national convention, which nominated Buchanan and Brecken- ridge for president and vice-president of the United States. 7fi HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. The same fall he was elected judge of the court of common pleas for the third subdivision of the Ninth judicial district, and re-elected in 1861, serving on the bench ten years. In 1864 Judge Whiteley was nominated on the Demo- cratic ticket for supreme judge, but with the balance of the ticket was defeated, the state going largely Republican that year. Upon retiring from the bench in 1867, Tudge Whiteley resumed practice in Findlay and continued in active practice almost up to the time of his death. He was one of the most prominent attorneys of Northwestern Ohio, and a Democrat of Democrats, but absolutely refused to vote when the registration law went into effect. WILLIAM M. PATTERSON. William M. Patterson was admitted to the bar at Tiffin July 4, 1843, on the same day as Mr .Whiteley. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 24, 1812, and in the spring of 1834 came to Findlay with his parents. Major John and Elizabeth Patterson. He read law with Charles W. O'Neal, and upon his admission began practice in Findlay. In 1844 he was elected prosecuting attorney and served one term. He was married in 1834 to Susan Amspoker, and resided in Findlay till 1854, when, with his wife and four children, he removed to Kan- sas and died in the spring of 1858 from the effects of an accident caused by a boiler explosion in the fall of 1855 in a saw mill which he was then operating. HON. JAMES M. COFFINBERRY. Honorable James M. Coffinberry became a member of the Findlay bar in the fall of 1845. He was born in Mansfield, Ohio, May 16, 1818, whence, in 1836. his father, Andrew Coffinberry, removed to Perrysburg, Wood county. Here James M. read law in his father's office, and in 1840 was admitted to the bar. His father, widely known as "Count" Coffinberry, was one of the leading attorneys of Northwestern Ohio, and practiced in this portion of the state throughout the earlier years of its history. Soon after admission to the bar James M. opened a law office in Manmee city, and subsequently served as prosecuting attorney of Lucas county. Late in the fall of 1845 he settled in Findlay, where he purchased an interest and took editorial charge of the Findlay Herald, the local organ of the Whig party. In the spring of 1846 he became sole owner of the Herald, which he published about three years, then sold out to Dr. David Patton. From the date of his coming to Findlay, Judge Coffinberry took and retained a leading position at the Hancock county bar and in 1852 was a prime mover in the estab- lishment of the Findlay bank, the first financial institution established in the county. Feeling the need of a large field for the full exercise of his maturer powers he concluded in 1855 to remove to Cleveland, Ohio, where he held a high rank among the eminent lawyers of that city. In 1861 he was elected on the Union ticket judge of the common pleas court, and served five years on the bench. L T pon the expiration of his judicial term, he resumed his professional duties, and con- tinued in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice till 1875, when he retired. He was one of the ereatest lawvers Findlav ever had. THE BAR OF HANCOCK COUNTY. 77 CHARLES S. COFFINBERRY. Charles S. Coffinberry, a younger brother of the judge, practiced law in Findlay about three years. He was a native of Mansfield, Ohio, born February i, 1824; read law with his father at Perry sburg and came to Findlay in the spring of 1846, where he formed a partnership with John H. Morrison. In 1849, in company with others from this portion of Ohio, he went to California, and was afterward appointed by President Filmore to take the first census of that state. In the discharge of this laborious undertaking he was ably assisted by his father, who had followed him to the new Eldorado. He finally returned to Ohio, and for a few months was associated with his brother in the practice of the law in Cleveland; but failing health compelled him to again relinquish his pro- fessional labors, and he went to Oregon and New Mexico, where he spent the latter years of his life dying of consumption about thirty miles south of Pueblo^ December 17. 1873. AARON H. BIGELOW. Aaron H. Bigelow was a native of Vermont, and a graduate of Middlebury college. He there read law and was admitted to practice. In July, 1841, he lo- cated in Findlay, and for a few years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He then began the practice of law, which he followed until 1856, when he gave up the profession, and subsequently removed to Indiana, where he died. Mr. Bige- low possessed a good education and was a fair speaker, but never acquired much practice. JOHN E. ROSETTE. John E. Rosette, first located in Mt. Blanchard, where he was married. In 1848 he removed to Findlay, and in April, 1849, was appointed prosecuting at- torney, vice Abel F. Parker, resigned. He was twice elected to the same posi- tion, serving until January, 1854. He was a modest, quiet man, of studious habits, possessed good legal judgment but diffident and lacking self-reliance. Soon after the expiration of his last term as prosecutor he removed to Spring- field, Illinois, where he rapidly secured recognition as a sound, reliable lawyer. He was appointed by President Johnson United States district attorney for the southern district of Illinois. For some years before his death he enjoyed a wide reputation as a criminal lawyer, and commanded the confidence of a bar embrac- ing many distinguished men. HENRY BROWN. Henry Brown was one of the oldest and best known members of the bar. He was born in Albion, Orleans county, New York, November 25, 1826, and received a good literary and classical education at the Albion academy. In May. 1844, he came to Ohio and engaged in school teaching near Fostoria, which vo- cation he followed three years. During this period he commenced the study of law under Honorable Warren P. Noble, of Tiffin, and in the fall of 1848 was admitted to practice. In January, 1842, he located in Findlay as a member of the law firm of Goit, Bigelow & Brown. In January, 1851, Mr. Brown became 78 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. one of the editors and proprietors of the Hancock Courier, which he continued to publish until January, 1854, when he sold his interest to his partner, Aaron Black- ford, who had also been his law partner for the last two years. In January, 1855, he assumed entire editorial control of the Courier, and carried on that paper un- til December 20, 1856. He was elected auditor in October, 1854, and served till March, 1857. Mr. Brown was then compelled by ill health to retire from active business. After a period of needed recuperation he resumed the practice of his profession, and in November, 1862. was appointed prosecuting attorney to serve the unexpired term of James A. Bope, resigned ; was elected as his own suc- cessor, and re-elected to the same position. In 1868 he was the Democratic senatorial candidate for election in this district, and made a splendid race, reduc- ing the previous Republican majority 1.973 votes, being defeated bv only 227. Mr. Brown was again elected prosecutor in 1875, and re elected in 1877. In 1884 he was once more chosen to fill the same office, and in 1887 was elected to the lower house of the legislature, succeeding himself in 1889. He died May II, 1893. regretted by all who knew him. WILLIAM GRIBBEN. William Gribben was one of the brightest and brainiest members of the Find- lay bar and might have risen very high if he had devoted his talents to his pro- fession. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, March 11, 1825, and the following autumn his parents removed to what is now Ashland county, Ohio, where Mr. Gribben grew to maturity and received a common school education. He read law with Johnson and Sloan of Ashland and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1850. The same autumn he located in Findlay and formed a part- nership with John H. Morrison, and subsequently with Judge Whiteley. In 1853 lie was elected prosecuting attorney and re-elected in 1855. He served in the legislature from 1862 to 1864, and received the certificate of re-election, but lost the seat on contest. This was during the most exciting period in the political his- tory of the state, when Democrats were publicly branded as rebels, and political passion ran high. Mr. Gribben followed his profession until his death, which oc- curred November 28, 1887. AARON BLACKFORD. Aaron Blackford is one of the oldest and most prominent members of the Hancock county bar, to which he has belonged nearly fifty years. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio. February 8, 1827, and removed to Findlay with his parents. Price and Abigail Blackford, in ( )ctober, 1834. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of Findlay and at Delaware college, Delaware, Ohio. He read law with Henry Brown, of Findlay, attended the Cincinnati law school, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1852. In January, 185 1, he became asso- ciated with Henry Brown, in the publication of the Hancock Courier, which they jointly edited until January, 1854, when Mr. Blackford became sole editor. He conducted the paper about one year, and then disposed of his interest to his former THE BAR OF HANCOCK COUNTY. 79 partner. During this period Mr. Blackford also practiced law, and with the passing' years, has attained more than a state prominence in his profession. Mr. Blackford is the Nestor of the Findlay har and has accumulated great wealth. but works as hard as ever. He has four sons, two of whom are now practicing attorneys in this city — Rollin dying a few years ago, the two still practicing here being Frank P. and Charles A. Blackford. WILLIAM MUNGEN. Honorable William Mungen was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born May 12, 1821, and died September 9, 1887. He removed with his family to Car- rqll county, Ohio, in 1830, where he received a common school education, and William Mungen. subsequently studied Latin, German and the physical sciences. He came to Find- lay in October. 1842; in February, 1845, ne took possession of the old Hancock Farmer and changed the name to the Hancock Democrat, and on the first of Jul}-, 1845, became the editor and proprietor of the Hancock Courier, consoli- dating the two papers. Excepting one year that the office was rented to William M. Case, and a short period to B. F. Rosenberg, Mr. Mungen published the Courier until January, 185 1, when he sold the establishment to Henry Brown and Aaron Blackford, two leading members of the bar. In 1846 Mr. Mungen was elected auditor of Hancock county and re elected in 1848. In 1851 he was chosen to represent this district in the state senate, and declined a renomination, which was then equal to election. In the meantime he had been reading law during his spare moments, and in 1852 was admitted to the bar and began practice. When 80 HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. the Rebellion broke out in 1861, Mr. Mungen was foremost in recruiting the Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and was commissioned colonel of that gal- lant regiment, which he commanded until April, 1863, when he resigned his commission. Colonel Mungen served as a Democrat two terms in congress from 1867 to 1871. He is the only congressman Hancock county ever had. Mrs. Jacob H. Boger and Miss Effie Mungen. of this city, are his daughters. Mr. Mungen was a true patriot, a noble citizen, a great lawyer and a brave soldier, serving in any capacity in '"hich his country's cause was the prime motive. ANDREW "COUNT" COFFINBERRY. Andrew Coffinberry was conspicuous among the old-time lawyers of the Maumee Valley, and though not a resident of Findlay until a few years prior to his death, he practiced at this bar before the county possessed a single attorney. He was born at Martinsburg, Berkeley county, Virginia, August 20, 1788. In the spring of 1836 he removed with his family to Perry sburg, Wood county, where he resided until 1849-50. From Perry sburg he removed to Sidney, Shelby county ; there he left his family and went to California. Upon the death of his wife, which occurred during his absence, his son, James M., brought the family to Findlay, where their father joined them on his return from California. Here he continued in practice until his death, May 11, 1856. Count Coffinberry was not only a lawyer of ability, but possessed considerable literary talent, and gave some attention to the muses. "The Forest Rangers," a descriptive poem, was one of his productions. His sobriquet of Count was first playfully given him by his professional associates from some real or supposed resemblance to the illustrious German jurist and publicist, Count Puffendorf. The title was rec- ognized as being so appropriate to the man that it stuck to him through life, and thousands of those who knew him long and well never learned that it was not his real name. JOHN F. CAPLES. John F. Caples came to Findlay from Fostoria in the fall of 1854, and practiced law here till the spring of 1858, when he removed to Warsaw. Indiana. He subsequently went to Portland, Oregon, and entered into the practice of his profession. "John F. Caples," said Judge Coffinberry, "is one of the best law- yers of his adopted state." During his life in Findlay he was recognized as a good speaker and a promising young lawyer. DANIEL B. BEARDSLEY. Daniel B. Beardsley, one of the pioneers of Hancock county, and a lawyer for many years in Findlay, was born in Licking county, Ohio, May 12, 1832, and was brought by his parents to Hancock county in 1834. where he resided un- til his death, September 29, 1894. Mr. Beardsley was educated in the public schools of this county and taught school for a number of years. He read law with Walker & West, of Bellefontaine, and was there admitted to the bar in ' —5™ 1