VERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 07156 24

Entered according lo Act of Congress, In the Year 1880,
BY WILLIAM LANG,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washingtbn, D; C.

ledicatiott:

TO THE YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN OF SENECA COUNTY,
CHILDREN AND GRAND-CHILDREN
OF THE PIONEER FATHERS AND MOTHERS,
This Book is Kindly Ascribed,
with the hope that the perusal of its pages
may tend to inspire new love and veneration
for that noble old band of men and women,
now rapidly passing away,
and to appreciate properly the rich legacy
their valor has bequeathed. By the Author.

P DEFACE

SOME fifteen years ago I cherished a desire to write a history of
Seneca county. Want of confidence in my ability to do justice to
the subject, conflicted with this desire for many years, until finally, about
one year ago, at the solicitation of friends, I commenced the work in
earnest and prosecuted it with such ability and industry as I had, at
my command.
I had collected material for this purpose many years, without regard
to order. My task required close application and patient labor, but I
found consolation in the thought that I was engaged in a work of
gratitude and paying a debt of friendship I owed to the memories of
the generous and noble men and women who, nearly fifty years ago,
stretched the hand of welcome to an exiled boy in a strange land and
among strangers. Thus my work became a source of pleasure, and
now, that I am about presenting it to the public, I wish to add that
nothing,has been set down in malice. • Truth requires that the shady
side shall accompany the light, else the picture be deficient.
I have faithfully endeavored to avoid errors, but have no doubt some
may be found, therefore claim no perfection for the work.
Having lived in Seneca county from my boyhood, and taken an
active part in public life, I became identified with many affairs in the
progress of events; and since I found it necessary to connect my own
name with some of the scenes I describe, the reader will please excuse
the liberty I took, for if I know my own nature, there is very little
egotism in its make-up.
I wrote in a conversational way, and with the same freedom with
which I would talk to a friend.
My intention was to pass before the mind's eye of the reader, a true .
and faithful panorama of Seneca county, from the time she broke her
bands of "forestwild" to July, 1880; and to do justice to the memory
of the men and women who figured upon the stage of her progress
during that time. This was the. height of my ambition, and the reader
is left to himself to judge whether I have succeeded. He will, I am
sure, give me credit at least, for presenting to»him a variety of subjects
in a plain, comprehensible way, without resorting to etherial flights
and stretching after high-sounding terms to express a generous thought.

6 PREFACE.
Many biographical sketches are scattered through the work — pen
pictures of men and women, as they appeared to rqe. These may also
not be perfect, but some of them will seem natural to the reader that
knew the persons.
It is a source of regret to me that some people in Seneca county,
who had it in their power to furnish material for this enterprise, took
no interest in it, and in consequence, many valuable points may have
been overlooked; but I take great pleasure in expressing gratitude to
all who were so friendly as to aid me in my researches.
My especial thanks are hereby tendered to Dr. C. G. Comegys, of
Cincinnati, a son-in-law, and to Miss Diathea Madison Tiffin, of
Chillicofhe, a daughter, of Governor Tiffin, for valuable material found
in the life of the illustrious Governor; and to the gentlemanly editors
of the newspapers of Tiffin; to the several county officers, who have
so willingly and courteously assisted me in searching records.
To Mrs. Sally Ingham, to the Rev. Joseph Bever, Mr. Charles W.
Foster, Elder Lewis Seitz, Dr. B. Williams, Esquire Kelley, Dr. J. W.
Crawford, Dr. J. C. Myers, Hon. ' James Purdy, of Mansfield, Mr.
Luther A. Hall, Mr. N. L. Brewer, Mr. D. V. Flummerfelt, Mr. Mark A.
Harris, Judge Hugh'Welsh, Mrs. T. Stanley, Mrs. R. R. McMeens, J.
H. Pittenger, Esq., Father Evrard, Father Healey, Rev. J. H. Good,
D. D., Mrs. Geo. Strausbaugh, Dr. A. A. Rawson, of Iowa, Judge
Pillars, Governor Charles Foster, and to many others, I tender my
sincere thanks.
Proper credit has been given to the authorities I consulted, but if
any omissions have occurred, I desire to make the proper apology here.
Conscious of having pursued and prosecuted this labor with none
other than the best of motives, to preserve from the tooth of time, for
a while, scenes and events that helped to make up the history of this
good old county of ours; , regretting that some abler pen did not take
up the task; knowing full well also that my shortcomings will pass
through the usual ordeal of criticism, I can only fall back upon my
old motto that has guided my life, and I fear, may at times, have given
unintentional offence: ¦"Purity of motive and nobilily of mind
Shall rarely condescend
To prove its rights and prate of wrongs to others :
And it shall be small care
To the high and happy conscience
What jealous friends, and envious foes.
Or common-lools may judge."
Tiffin, O,, July 1, 1880. W. LANG.

^NCON T E N TS.*^4-

CHAPTER I.
BATTLE OF FORT STEPHENSON HARRISON AND CROGHAN-FORT SENECA—
WIPINGSTICK- PERRY'S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE— BATTLE OF THE THAMES
—DEATH OF TECUMSEH.

CHAPTER II.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION QN PUT-IN-BAY^ MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE — SPEECHES OF EL. COOK AND DR.
PARSONS.

CHAPTER III.
PEACE— TREATIES— RESERVATIONS- CESSIONS- EMIGRANTS ARRIVING- WARS
BETWEEN THE WYANDOTS AND SENECAS- SPEECH OF LOGAN AND HIS
DEATH.

CHAPTER IV.
HARRISON IN COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS — CROGHAN'S DEFENSE OF
HARRISON-BLUE JACKET AND BEAVER- BLUE JACKET'S DEATH-ARMY
ROADS- THOMAS CORWIN- JAMES MONTGOMERY-JAMES T. WORTHINGTON.

CHAPTER V.
SPEECH OF ISAAC I. DUMOND— SAMUEL CROWELL'S CONTRIBUTION- THE
DOG-DANCE-SOW-DOWS-KY.

CHAPTER VI.
EARLY SETTLERS-THE HARRIS FAMILY-ROBBERY OF SPICER— THE BRUSH-
DAM— PETER.PORK— JACOB KNISELY AND CROW— GOING TO MILL— KILLING
WITCHES— THE FIRST HORSE-RACE.

CHAPTER VII.
THE SENECA CHIEF PRESENTS THE GOVERNOR OF CANADA WITH 954 AMER-
/ ICAN SCALPS-TALL CHIEF— THE TUQUANIAS— KILLING THE SQUAW OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON— JUDGE HULBURT— CALEB RICE— BENJ. CULVER—
REV. JAMES FINLAY— CAPT. JOSEPH- MRS. INGHAM.

CHAPTER VIII.
DEATH OF COMSTOCK- SENECA STEEL— EXECUTION OF SENECA JOHN— TRIAL
AND DISCHARGE OF COONSTICK —JUDGE HIGGIN'S DECISION —JUDGE
BIRCHARD'S STATEMENT— BENJAMIN F. WARNER— HARD HICKORY AND
HIS DEATH- IMMIGRATION OF THE SENECAS TO THE NEOSHA AND COW-
SKIN RIVERS-CHARLIEU— THE GIRTYS— THE DEATH OF DRAKE.

8 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
ROCKY CREEK— FORT BALL— COL. BALL ATTACKED BY INDIANS-ERASTUS
BOWE— OAKLEY— NEW FORT BALL— FIRST POST OFFICE — MILLS-ARM
STRONG AND McCULLOCH SECTIONS— EARLY SETTLERS IN FORT BALL-
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT— HUNTER'S MILL-EARLY SETTLERS IN
THOMPSON, ON HONEY CREEK AND ROCKY CREEK— MELMORE— COL. KIL-
BOURNE— HARRY BLACKMAN'S CORNERS— ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS— COL.
RICHARD JACQUA;

CHAPTER X.
FIRST MERIDIAN-BASE LINE — TOWNSHIPS — RANGES— SECTIONS— GENERAL
SURVEY-ORGANIZATION OF SENECA COUNTY— THE OLD COURT HOUSE-
FIRST COURT — FIRST ELECTION— FIRST MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS— APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS— BUILDING THE
FIRST JAIL- RUDOLPHUS DICKINSON-SALE OF THE RESERVATIONS.

CHAPTER XI.
JESSE SPENCER— COUNTY ROAD FROM FORT BALL TO TIFFIN— WOLF SCALPS
. —ORGANIZING TOWNSHIPS IN CRAWFORD COUNTY— BUILDING THE FIRST
BRIDGE— FIRST KILN OF BRICKS— DAVID BISHOP— ORGANIZING ALL THE
TOWNSHIPS— HISTORY OF THE BUILDING, THE BURNING AND THE RE
BUILDING OF THE COURT HOUSE— BUILDING THE STONE JAIL— THE NEW
JAIL.

CHAPTER XII.
THE WOOD-CHOPPER— HOW TO BUILD A CABIN— THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THE SETTLERS — THEIR BENEVOLENCE AND HOSPITALITY — PIONEER
GIRLS — RUSTIC FURNITURE — THE HOMINY BLOCK — THE HANDMILL-
GOING TO MEETING -INDIAN VISITORS— NATURAL FANNING MILL-"THE
LIFE IN THE WOODS FOR ME"— HOME-MADE CLOTH— YOUNG AMERICA.

CHAPTER XIII.
GOVERNOR EDWARD TIFFIN— A BIOGRAPHY.

CHAPTER XIV.
SPENCER vs. HEDGES— THE BRUSH-DAM CASE— THE FIRST JURY TRIAL—
BROUSE— THE SUGAR CAMP- INDIAN WAY OF COOKING COON -FOREST
CULTURE— SCARCITY OF MONEY -WORK ON THE CANAL-J'IGGERS AND
CHICHA-THE MIAMI, DAYTON AND MICHIGAN CANAL-CANAL TAX OF
SENECA COUNTY.

CHAPTER XV.
SANDUSKY RIVER AND THE CREEKS IN SENECA COUNTY— TOPOGRAPHY AND
GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVI.
JOSIAH HEDGES-CHANGE-FIRST PLAT OF TIFFIN- THE SAW-MILL-MIASMA
-FIRST FRAME HOUSES-FIRST STORES - FIRST BRICK HOUSES -THE
DUG-OUT-FIRST HOTELS-BLACK-STRAP-HENRY GROSS, Sr.-BREDOON'S
DEATH-CREEPER FAMILY-THE FAMILIES OF HENRY* CRONISE HENRY
LANG AND DR. BOYER. ' " •

CONTENTS. 9
CHAPTER XVII.
ADDITIONS TO TIFFIN -THE BRIDGES— THE BURNING OF THE FREE BRIDGE
-CHOLERA-MR. HOFFMAN— LITTLE CHARLOTTE -JONNY DALRYMPLE—
RAILROADS— FIRST TRAIN TO TIFFIN-HEIDELBERG COLLEGE— LIVES OF
REV. J. H. GOOD, D. D., REV. C. V. GERHART, D. D., AND REV. GEO. W.
WILLARD? D. D.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE CHURCHES.

' CHAPTER XIX.
BIOGRAPHIES OF ]OHN GOODIN, MRS. ANN SENEY, R. W. SHAWHAN,, C.
 SNYDER, GEO. RUMMELL, DAVID E. OWEN, JUDGES LUGENBEEL AND
PITTENGER, JOHN PITTINGER, JOHN AND LOUISA FIEGE, C. MUELLER—
WYANDOT CHIEFS— MARK, 6TH CHAP., 2D VERSE, IN MOHAWK.

CHAPTER XX.
SURPLUS REVENUE— POLITICS— FIRST POLITICAL JOLLIFICATION— TIFFIN
IN THE WOODS -TIFFIN INCORPORATED -FIRST TOWN ELECTION OF
TIFFIN — INCORPORATION AND ONLY ELECTION OF FORT BALL -
INCORPORATION OF THE CITY— FIRST CITY OFFICERS— PLANK ROADS-
PIKES— TELEGRAPHS— THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN.

CHAPTER XXI.
THE BANKS OF TIFFIN— INSURANCE COMPANIES— SECRET AND BENEV
OLENT SOCIETIES.

CHAPTER XXII.
THE BENCH AND BAR.

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE BENCH AND BAR CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XXIV.
DRS. DREISBACH, KUHN, FISHER, HOVEY, AND OTHERS-TIFFIN MEDICAL
SOCIETY— THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY— THE PRESS: MESSRS. LOOMIS,
NAYLOR, GROSS— THE COUNTY INFIRMARY— AGRICULTURAL WORKS—
THE GAS LIGHT COMPANY— THE PIONEER ASSOCIATION— DER BRUDER-
BUND— THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY— MRS. HARRIET CRAWFORD-DR.
JOHN D. O'CONNOR.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE TOLEDO WAR.

CHAPTER XXVI.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY— SENECA COUNTY ON THE
TAX DUPLICATE-SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR— SOLDIERS
OF THE WAR OF 1812— SOLDIERS IN THE WAR WITH MEXICO -INDE
PENDENT COMPANIES— OHIO MILITIA. /

10 CONTENTS.
v CHAPTER XXVII.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
DR. ROBERT R. McMEENS.

CHAPTER XXIX.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXX.
BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXI.
BLOOM TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXII.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
EllEN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
LIBERTY TpWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
LOUDON TOWNSHJP.'

CHAPTER XXXVIIL
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXIX.
REED TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XL.
SCIPIO TOWNSHIP.

• CHAPTER XLI.
SENECA TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XLII.
THOMPSON TOWNSHIP.

APPENDIX.

THE EARTHQUAKE -THE GREAT HURRICANE— THE JERKS— THE MORMONS-
SALUTATORY OF THE VAN BURENITE— THE OLD STATE HOUSE AND"
. DIRGE OF THE STATE HOUSE BELL— THE TIFFIN PAPERS.
CENTENNIAL ORATION. JULY 4, 1876, AND CELEBRATION IN TIFFIN.

INTRODUCTORY.

THE great and bloody struggle of the Colonies, through a long seven
years' war, being over, the British Lion retreated growling to his den
and, following the Bevolutionary War at the Treaty of Paris in 1783, peace
was made with England, in which the Independence of these Colonies was
recognized. For the first time in the history of the human race, the intelligent world.
saw a young government start on its career with the conscious knowledge
and proud proclamation of man's capacity for self-government.
Then the genius of Freedom
Her banner unfurled,
And inspired with hope
The whole civilized world.
But as the waves of, the ocean continue to lash the shore long after the
storm has ceased, so the agitation of the frontier, between the settlers and
the Indians, continued for many years.
The intense passions and mutual hatred engendered by the conflict were
not allayed by the Treaty of Paris. When the British forces withdrew to
the Canadas or across the Atlantic, the Indians, who, long before and during
the Bevolutionary struggle, were a source of constant annoyance to the
frontier settlers, still remained.
While the settlers were determined to get possession of the l&nds of the
Indians, the Indians were equally determined not to relinquish their
ancient hunting grounds. The life and property of the frontiersman were
constantly in danger, and often at the mercy of the savages— the general
government having neither the means nor military to afford protection; thus
the frontier settler was left to his fate as before. Since then a. century has .
rolled off into the ocean of time, and while still "Westward the course of
Empire takes its' way," the Indian atrocities upon the frontier settlements
continue as of yore, and the question calls into requisition the wisest of
statesmanship and the best and most vigorous policy of the government to ¦
meet it. The indications now are that the Indians must either give up their
nationality and savage life, and become citizens of the United States, or be,,
exterminated. . .
During the Revolutionary War and for some time thereafter, the military
, post of the British at Detroit supplied the savages, throughout the Northwest,
with munitions of war, and encouraged and supported them ini their
villainous depredations upon the frontier. t
The hot-bed of the councils of the savages was the Wyandot towns along

INTRODUCTION. 13
the banks of the Sandusky river, of which Upper Sandusky was the leading
one. There was a constant intercommunication- kept up between these
Indian towns and Detroit. This state of things continued for a long time
after the Treaty of Paris, and until the British evacuated Detroit, when the
Indians were finally thrown upon their own resources and compelled to
come to terms.
Even in the late war with Great Britain, after Hull's surrender and with
the British in possession of Detroit, the same policy was inaugurated under
General Bartoe, and the Indians were again made the allies of the British,
as we shall hereafter see.
Expeditions were set on foot against the British at Detroit and the Indians
on the Sarjdusky , during the war, by the Continental Congress and afterwards
by the government of the States. Fort Pitt was a small garrison in the
charge Of General Irvine. Here all the early expeditions were organized.
Congress being fully aware of the fact that all the terrible atrocities along
the frontier were directed and supported from Detroit, and in order to bring
peace to the border, ordered General Laughlin Mcintosh, from the regular
army "to move upon Detroit. He descended the Ohio river with a force of
regulars and militia to the mouth of Beaver river in October, 1778, where
he established the first military post of the United States beyond the frontier
settlements. Congress, however, reluctantly suspended the expedition
against Detroit for want of means to prosecute ! it, and ordered General
Mcintosh to proceed upon and, destroy the Indian towns in the vicinity that,
. in his opinion, would most effectually tend to chastise the savages. He
thereupon undertook to move upon Sandusky and destroy the Wyandot
towns. He' started with one thousand men, and on reaching the Muskingum
in the present county of Tuscarawas, he built a fprt and called it Fort
Lawrence, in honor of the President of Congress. Leaving Colonel John
Gibson in charge of this post with fifty men, he returned with the rest of
his army to Fort Pitt. Fort Lawrence was the first military post established
on Ohio soil. In August following, Fort Lawrence was evacuated. This
ended the first expedition. Fort Mcintosh was also abandoned.
An expedition for the same purpose, under Col. Broadhead, was also a
failure. Another expedition was organized under the command of Col. Crawford.
CRAWFORD'S EXPEDITION.
The lamentable expedition of Col. Crawford falling into this period and
being a part of the Revolutionary struggle, occurring before the Treaty of
' Paris, and the sad, terrible conclusion Of which took place so near the border
of Seneca county, an abstract relation of the same will not be out of place
in these pages.
The British had succeeded in enlisting into their service all the savage
element northwest of the Ohio river, and provided them with all the
requisite munitions of war.
Deserters from the army under Washington, runaway tories and desperadoes
from the Colonies, united with the savages to make their continued attacks
upon the frontier as expressed in the language of Lord Chatham : "Letting
loose the horrible hell-hounds of savage war."

14 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The British directed the operations against the frontier from their military
post at Detroit, where Henry Hamilton, a vulgar ruffian, was in command.
The Wyandots, Senecas and Shawnees were the' principal tribes enlisted
in this murderous warfare. Neftrly all the smaller tribes were made allies
of these. The Delaavares were the peaceable nation amongst them that had
not joined in the war upon the frontier, and even these' eventually became
enemies. These elements, thus combined— British, savages, tories and desperadoes, :
were turned 4oose upon peaceable settlers, upon unarmed men, upon helpless
women and children. They extended their atrocities all along the western
frontier of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The effect upon the frontier people can better be imagined than "described.
Their patient endurance became exhausted. It became now a war to the
knife. To kill an Indian was a source of pleasure, and at the same time a
signal for attack upon the settlement.
In a letter from General Washington to General Irvine at Fort pitt,
instructions were given to the latter in these words: "Still continue to keep
yourself informed as to the situation at Detroit, and the strength of the
enemy at that place." The subject of another expedition against Sandusky
became quite popular, but Irvine hesitated, and at first rather opposed the
project, but finally yielded to the popular demand,' and even assisted in the
enterprise. The people became so clamorous hvurging on the organization as to demand
of General Irvine that he should himself lead.
This he declined to do for want of authority to leave his post. ¦
The expedition was thoroughly considered, and supported by the best of
men along the frontier. No one doubted its propriety. Everybody saw the
necessity. Sandusky was the infernal den from whence came all their
trouble. Volunteers flocked in from every side. Then the place for
rendezvous was fixed at Logan-town-at-Mingo, (Mingo. Bottom,) now in
Steubenville township, Jefferson county, Ohio. On the 24th of May, 1782,
they met. There were four hundred and eighty in all. William Crawford
was elected Colonel, and David Williamson, David Gaddis, John McClelland
and one Brinton were elected Field-Marshals.
Early in the inorping of the 25th day of May, the army, under Crawford,
began its march from Mingq Bottom, in four columns. It was to lead in the
straightest direction through the woods to Sandusky, a distance of one
hundred and fifty miles. The route lay through what now constitutes the
counties of Jefferson, Harrison, Tuscarawas, Ashland, Holmes, Richland,
Crawford and near to the center of Wyandot. The whole distance was
through a dense, unbroken forest, except where they reached the plains. )
Nothing of any particular interest occurred except that on the second day
out two Indians were discovered. They were shot at, but being missed,
escaped. Fearing that they were scouts, Crawford pressed forward with
greater speed.
On the 2d of June they reached the Sandusky river at a point immediately
East of where Leesville, in Crawford county, now stands, and near the
mouth of a small creek called "Allen's run."
The Sandusky river rises in Springfield township, Richland county, at the

INTRODUCTION. 15
"Palmer .Spring," so-called. Taking a southwesterly course, and receiving
several small tributaries, it enters Wyandot county about tvo miles north of
the southeast corner, and pursues that course generally through Wyandot,
Seneca and Sandusky to the bay, a distance of eighty miles from its source,
along the stream. Its principal tributaries from the right bank are the
Broken Sword and Sycamore, and from the l^ft the Little Sandusky and
Tymochtee, in Crawford and Wyandot counties.
The army was now approaching the enemy's headquarters. Slover, the
guide, who had been amongst the Wyandots, said to Crawford that they
were near the plains. These they reached on the next day, near the mouth
of a small stream entering the Olentangy, or Whetstone.
To most of the volunteers the sight of the prairie, or plains, was a novelty.
The islands of timber, the tall, coarse grass, prairie hens, wild geese, ducks,
prairie owls, etc., attracted their attention. Little they thought and less
they knew of the sad fate that awaited them.
How happily has a kind Providence drawn a curtain between man and his
future! The Olentangy is on the eastern boundary of Wyandot county. The
Tymochtee is on the west. On the south these prairies form the north
part of Marion county. Their extreme length, east and west, is forty
miles; their extreme breadth, twenty miles; the average elevation above
lake Erie, three hundred feet.
These were the favored hunting grounds of the savages, and to which
they clung with a tenacity that bordered on desperation. The army camped
about ten miles from their place of destination.
The next morning, the 4th of June, they started on their march, with
great precaution, in a northwesterly direction, and reached the mouth of
the Little Sandusky, where they found Indian trails leading in every direction.
They crossed the river and followed a trail, but discovered no Indians.
Slover, the guide, told Crawford that a Wyandot town was close by. A little
further on they came upon the town but found it deserted. Crawford ordered
• a halt for consultation. The soldiers dismounted and refreshed themselves
and their horses at the spring.
This forsaken town was on the east bank of the Sandusky, and about
three miles south of the present town of Upper Sandusky.
The Sandusky of the Wyandots, as known to Slover and Zane, the guides,
was eight miles below, where the Kilbourn road crosses the river. Here was.
the residence of Pomoacan— Half -King — as he was called.
Of all the Indian allies of Great Britain, the Wj/andots were the most,
powerful, because they were the most intelligent, caused by their association
with the French and British. In their treatment of prisoners they seldom,
if ever, resorted to torture, which was common with the other tribes.
Arentz De Peyster, the commander at Detroit, had sent Butler's rangers
to assist the Indians. The night preceding the battle, these camped in the
limits of Seneca county, near the river in Pleasant township. They were
mounted troops, and had two field-pieces and a mortar.
The Indians who had watched the progress of Crawford from Mingo
Bottom to the Sandusky, had marshaled their host andwer* ready for action.
Their combined forces greatly outnumbered those of Crawford.

1 6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV.
The squaws and children had been sent to a ravine on the Tymochtee.
Simon Girty was with the Wyandots. He was an Irish tory and an adopted
son of the Senecas, who had captured him when young, and is described as
a fierce, cruel and beastly creature. His Indian name was Katepbcomen,
which, if it means anything, ought to mean devil. He had been liberated,
and having returned to the settlements became the friend of Crawford,
aspired to office in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, failed, voluntarily
returned to savage life and became the most savage of the savages. His
name was a terror along the Ohio river and throughout the northwest. Yet
when Simon Kenton was brought to Mac-a-chack town as a captive, under
sentence of death, Girty got him released, and Kenton being taken to Detroit
as a prisoner made his escape. But to return. It was now one o'clock in
the afternoon. ' Crawford determined to pursue the trail to the other town,
where he expected to find the enemy. At a point about one mile' south of
the present Upper Sandusky, Crawford called a council of war. .Rose, the
SuTgeon, whom General Irvine had sent along with the expedition, and
Zane, advised and urged an immediate return, because they feared that the
Indians had too many warriors for them. • Crawford then acquiesced, but
they finally determined to pursue their march that afternoon only and then
return. Immediately scouts came hurrying up announcing the discovery of
the enemy. This news was received with- evident satisfaction, and rapidly
everything was put in readiness, and an advance ordered to meet the enemy.
The Indians came on a run to meet the troops. The Americans drove the
savages from a grove they had in possession, and from that sheltered position
fired upon them until night-fall. This grove is known, by the name of
"Battle Island," situated three miles north and one-half mile east of the
court house in Upper ySandusky. When, in the Summer of 1834, 1 visited
the battle ground, the oak trees were still bearing the marks of the bullets
and of the tomahawks the Indians had used to cut out the balls.
When night set in the army built their camp fires and collected as best
they could their dead and wounded. There were five killed and nineteen
wounded. On the morning of the fifth the battle was renewed at long range and with
but little effect. The Americans still occupied the island of timber. During
this day the Americans lost but four wounded. Plans were now discussed
as to the manner of attack on the next day, when suddenly the scene
changed. The appearance of Butler's rangers in the rear of the Wyandots
struck dismay into the hearts of the army. Crawford abandoned all ideas
of, an attack and prepared for defense, when about two hundred Shawnees'
were discovered supporting the Delawares on the south. "They kept pouring
in from all sides" are the words of Rose. At nine o'clock that night a
retreat was resolved upon. The killed were buried and fires burnt over their
graves to prevent discovery. Stretchers were made to carry the wounded.
Just as the army was about to start, an attack was made on the troops;
which threw them into great confusion, and two wounded fell into the
hands of the enemy. They did not pursue the troops very far, however, not
knowing that a retreat had been resolved upon. McClelland was reported
killed. Williamson took command. Crawford, his son and son-in-law
Harris were amongst the missing. The retreating army was compelled to

INTRODUCTION. 1 7
cut its way through mounted Indians and British cavalry, but reached the
edge of the prairie, at two o'clock of the afternoon on the second day, south
of Bucyrus. They were brought to a stand near Olentangy creek, called
uKeen-hong-she-con-se-pung" by the Delawares.
Here a vast number of the enemy overtook the retreating army, but after
a short engagement they were repulsed.
A rain storm now swept the plains in great fury. The men were drenched
to the skin. ¦ The air became chilly. The march was continued while the
enemy, following, kept up a constant fire upon them. By night-fall the
army reached Leesville, forty miles from the battle ground on Battle Island,
where they encamped, leaving the enemy a mile in the rear. The army
reached Mingo Bottom on the 13th of June, and were discharged on the next
day. The total number of killed and missing did not exceed seventy.
We will now return to follow up the fate of poor Crawford and his fellow
sufferers. It is undoubtedly true, that in the night after the last days battle near
the" grove, Crawford was amongst those whose horses got fast in the muck,
and while trying to save them, were left behind by the retreating army. He
was heard to call for his son John, and for his son-in-law Harris, in the
darkness of the night. He also called for Major Rose, and his nephew,
William Crawford, but nobody could come to help him. Dr. Knight, who
now came up to Crawford, told him that he believed the others were all
ahead of them; but Crawford thought otherwise, and begged of the doctor
not to leave him. His horse was useless, and he complained of the troops
for thus leaving him. At this time an old man and a boy came up to
Crawford, and the doctor and all started on a southwesterly course, and
arrived near the cranberry marsh where some of the volunteers were also
struggling to get their swamped horses out of the oozy soil. Now Crawford
and his party took a northerly course, and reaching a point about two miles
north from the battle ground, they started on a course due east, guided by the
North Star. At midnight they reached the Sandusky river near the mouth
of Negro Run. The old man falling behind, several times called for the
others to wait. An Indian was heard to halloo, and nothing further was
seen of the old man. The party' passed on. At two o'clock next afternoon
Capt. Biggs overtook the party. After an hour's travel— some on horseback
and others on foot, Lieutenant Ashley being wounded, and a drenching rain
overtaking them, which made their progress very slow, they camped two
miles north of Bucyrus^ The next morning they started on a southeasterly
course, and found a deer that had recently been killed, and a tomahawk
lying close by it. They sliced the flesh from the bones, and wrapping the
venison in the skin, took it along. A mile further on they saw a fire, and
left the wounded officer in charge of the boy, with orders to remain behind.
Upon examination they came to the conclusion that the fir&had been made
by their own men the previous day. A most fatal conclusion! They roasted
their venison and were about to start on, when a volunteer came up to them
and told them that he had killed the deer, and abandoned it when he heard
them coming, fearing they were Indians. Now all passed on and soon
readied the trail of the retreating army. Knight and Biggs proposed to
leave the trail. Crawford opposed the plan. Crawford and Knight were

l8 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
afoot; the rest on horseback. When the party were just east of Leesville,
three Indians jumped up, and. Dr. Knight took aim at one, but Crawford
called to him not to fire. One of the Indians ran up to Crawford and took ,
him by the hand. The other walked up to Knight and called him doctor,
took him by the hand and said he had seen hirn before. The party had fallen
into an ambuscade of Delawares, whose chief was,Wingenund, (pronounced
Win-ge-nobnd) at camp only half-mile away. Capt. Biggs fired, but hit no
one. An Indian told Knight to call his people up or they would all be killed,
but the other four got away for that time. Crawford and Knight were
captives. The warriors returned to camp with their prisoners and captured
horses. There was great joy upon their coming into camp among the
savages. The Delawares lived among the Wyandots by mere permission. The
burning of prisoners was kept up among the Delawares when the Wyandots
had abandoned it. Their chiefs, "The Pipe" and "Wingenund," therefore
were under the necessity, of obtaining the consent of the Wyandot chief
before they could burn a captive. This consent was secured by a stratagem.
It was now three o'clock Friday afternoon, June seventh. On Sunday
following the savages brought in the scalps and hot ses of Ashley and Biggs.
The others again escaped. The Delawares had nine other prisoners, besides
Crawford and Knight. Some of the converted Delawares, who had gone
back to heathenism, also brought in scalps of borderers. The chiefs soon
knew that Crawford was the "Big Captain." Several of the savages were
known to both Crawford and Knight.
On Monday, the 10th of June, the prisoners were ordered to march to
Sandusky, the "Half King's" town, thirty-three miles away. Crawford
hoped for help by Girty. Meeting him at Sandusky, he offered him one
thousand dollars if he would save his life. Girty promised, but without any
intention to keep his word. Crawford saw that "The Pipe" was very much
enraged against the prisoners.
On Tuesday, June 11, "The Pipe" painted all the faces of the prisoners
black, and told Knight to go to the Shawnees town and see his friends.
This chief knew Crawford before his tribe joined the enemy, and told him
that he would have him shaved, i. e., adopted, but at the same time painted
him black also. Then the whole party started for the Wyandot town, eight
miles below. A short distance on their way they saw four of their comrades
lying near the trail, scalped. At the spring where Upper Sandusky now
stands, to their dismay, another trail was taken northwestward to the
Delaware town on the Tymochtee .
All ideas of hope for life had now vanished. When they reached Little
Tymochtee creek, in what is now Salem township, in Wyandot county, the
Indians made the prisoners sit down. Knight was put in the charge qf an
Indian, to be taken to the Shawnees town.
The squaws and boys now tomahawked the other five prisoners. An old
squaw cut off the head of McKinley and' kicked it about on the ground.
The young Indians then dashed the bloody scalps into the faces' of Crawford
and Knight several times.
Again they started, and Were soon met by Simon Girty and red savages on
horseback, who had come to enjoy the scene of torture.

INTRODUCTION. 19
Wingenuhcl and The Pipe were the prime movers in alienating the
Delawares from their frontier friends and in making them enemies. They
were so bitter in their hatred of the Americans that their cruelties knew no
bounds. Having now full authority over their prisoners, the only ground
for hesitation to commence the process of torture seemed to be to resolve
upon how to perform it in the most hellish manner. As the party moved
along towards Tymochtee, every Indian they met struck the prisoners.
Girty said : "Is that doctor Knight ?" Knight said yes, and offered Girty
his hand, which he refused, and said : "Begone; you are a damned rascal !"
They now reached Tymochtee creek, and were about three-quarters of a
mile from the village, which was further down the creek.
I am now about to record the manner of Crawford's death. The scenes
the poor captives had to pass through so far, are of themselves sickening,
and calculated to rouse the sympathies of a heart of stone. The task creates
a chill, and the pen moves reluctantly to describe an act so fiendish, brutal
and repulsive.
"Man's inhumanity to man," it should be remembered, is not an attribute '
that characterizes exclusively the North American savage. Has not Europe,
has not Asia, has not America equal cause to blush when tracing histories
of white races? Thousands upon thousands fell beneath the sword of
Mohammed for refusing to take the Koran. Europe, dressed in Christian
attire, with her churches, her domes, her institutions of learning and
refinement, burnt her martyrs at the stake. Her inquisitions, her "bridges
of sighs," her blocks and guillotines glotted the pages of her history with the
blood of her religious and political victims, while our own dear America
burnt, her witches and hung Quakers on Boston Common. Is the difference
amongst savages found only in color or race?
About four o'clock in the afternoon on the eleventh day of June, the
savages planted a stake in the ground near the right bank of Tymochtee
creek, to which Crawford was tied. The Indian men then shot powder into
Crawford's naked body, from his heels to his head until he was black all
over. Not less than seventy shots were fired upon him. They cut off both
of his ears, and when occasionally the throng around Crawford would allow
Dr. Knight to get sight of him, the blood was running down both sides of
his head. They built a ring of fire around the stake and within six or seven
yards of it. It was made of small hickory poles and when burnt quite
through in the middle, leaving the ends about five feet long, three or four
Indians at a time would each take one of these burning sticks and hold the
burning part to the naked body of Crawford, already black with powder.
They placed themselves on each side of him so that whichever way he would
run around the post, they met him with these burning fagots. Some of the
squaws took broad pieces of chips and bark, with which they threw
quantities of hot coals and embers on him, so that in a short time he had to
walk over a bed of coals and hot ashes.
In the midst of these extreme tortures Crawford called to Girty and
begged of him to shoot him. Receiving no answer, he called again, when
Girty tauntingly replied that he had no gun, and turning around to the
Indians behind him laughed heartily and seemed delighted at the horrid
scene.

20 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. -
Girty walked up to Dr. Knight and told him to prepare for death also;
that he was not to die at that place, but was to be burnt at a Shawnees town.
With a most fearful oath he added that he (the doctor) need not expect to
escape death, but that he would suffer it in all its extremities.
He asked Knight whether he had any hopes of escaping it, but the doctor
was too much absorbed with the terrible agonies Colonel Crawford was
undergoing before his eyes and his own immediate fate harrowing up his
soul, that he made Girty no answer.
Crawford bore his torments with the most manly fortitude. Several times .
he was heard to call on the Almighty to have mercy on his soul. Thus he
continued in all these extremities of pain for more than two hours, as near
as Knight could judge, when he laid down on his stomach. The savages,
then scalped him and repeatedly threw the bloody scalp into poor Knight's,
face, telling him that was the "Big Captain." ¦>
An old squaw, who to Knight looked more like Satan than a human being,
took a board and shoveled coals and ashes on Crawford's back and scalped
head. The wretched man then raised himself on his feet again and began
to walk around the post.
They next held burning sticks to his body as before, and Knight was taken
away from the scene.
The Indians had a tradition amongst them that Crawford breathed his last
as the sun was going down.
On the next morning when Knight was started off for the Shawnees town
and while he was passing the fire place, he saw the remains of Crawford
almost burnt to ashes. Then the Indians told Knight that was his fate and
gave the "scalp halloo."
The tradition runs— that after Crawford died, the fagots were heaped
together, his body placed upon them and that- the savages danced around the
remains for several hours longer.
The Shawnees had great rejoicing when the news reached them -and the
poor frontier settlers were filled with gloom and dismay. Crawford was
mourned by all who knew him. We will throw the mantle of forgetfulness
over the lonely cabin that contained the'widow of the Colonel when the sad
news reached her ear.
The language used by General Washington on this occasion, shows the
deep feeling of his noble heart.
"Itis.with the greatest sorrow and concern thatlhave learned the melancholy tidings of
Col. Crawford's death. He was known to me as an officer of much care and prudence; brave,
experienced and active. The manner of his death was shocking to me, and I have this day
communicated to Congress such papers as I have regarding it."
On the 6th of August he writes to General Irvine, thus : "I lament the
failure of the expedition against Sandusky and am particularly affected
with the disastrous death of Colonel Crawford."
The various narratives of the place of execution and burning of Colonel
Crawford were so conflicting, for a time after the white .man began his
settlements along the Tymochtee, that the best light tradition could throw
on the subject fixed the place where now a monument is erected to the
memory of Crawford and his sad fate.

INTRODUCTION.

The monumsnt stands on the farm once owned by Daniel Hodge in^
Crawford township, Wyandot county, near Crawfordsville, and a short
CofonTwT °aney T ?' Cincinnati' ^ndusky & Cleveland railroad.
Colone William Crawford was born in the year 1732, in Orange county
Virginia, of Scotch-Irish parents. 8 ^unry,
When General Washington was employed by Lord Fairfax to survey the
laige tracts of lands he had in the west of Virginia, the young surveyor
often stopped at the house of Crawford's parents, when he made the
acquaintance of William Crawford.
They bscarns warm friends and their attachment lasted through life -
They were both about the same age.
C/awDfor(* learned fr0m Washi"gton the art of surveying. Both served
under Braddock at Fort Dli Quesne. They were then in the prime of IS
and vigor. Crawford was with Washington at the crossing of the D3la ware
at Trenton, and Princeton in 1777. He was sent by Washington to take
charge of Fort Pitt under instructions from Congress. From thence
forward his services were devoted to the frontier, where he displayed the
highest qualities of military genius. The expedition against Sandusky was
a favorite scheme with him, and was to have been the crowning achievement
of his life, after having served in the war of the revolution six full years
We will close this part of our work by simply relating, in a short way the
wonderful escape of Slover, the guide, and of doctor Knight.
DOCTOR KNIGHT.
On the morning of the 12th of June, the dostor was ¦ again painted black
and put m the charge of a Delaware sivags, a rough-looking cuss by the'
name of Tutelu. Then they started for the Shawnees town, some forty
miles away, Tutelu on horseback driving the doctor before him The doctor
tried to make the Indian believe that he felt cheerful, .and spoke of livinsr
with him m the same house, etc., which seemed to please the savage Thev
traveled about twenty-five miles that day and camped. In the morninc-
Tutelu fixed up the fire. The doctor asked Tutelu to fix up a fire behind
him to keep the mosquitos away. When the savage turned his back the
doctor struck him with a stick on the head and the Indian fell forward with
both hands into the fire. He soon recovered and ran off howling Knieht
seized the Indian's gun, but pulling back the cock, broke- the mainspriL
This occurred near the Scioto in Hardin county, a short distance down the
river from Kenton. Knight then took the Indian's blanket, a pair of new
moccasins, powder horn and gun, and started in a northeasterly direction
Shortly before sundown he reached the plains. Here he hid himself until
night-fall, when he proceeded on and reached the woods on the other side bv
daylight. He avoided the track taken by the army outward as much as
r possible. On the second day of his escape he reached a point in Richland
county, where "Spring Mills" are situate, about noon. In the evening he
began to be very faint. During the six days of his imprisonment he was
nearly starved. He had thrown away the gun as useless, and was now
compelled to live on green gooseberries and herbs; The blow he had
received with the back of a tomahawk still hurt him very much > He crossed
the Muskingum near the mouth of the Conotten,-an eastern affluent in ,

2 2 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Tuscarawas county. He reached fort Pitt on the morning of the fourth
day of July in safety. He afterwards became the surgeon of the Seventh
Virginia regiment. He was married on the 14th day of October, 1784, and
died on the 12th day of March, 1838, the father of ten children. Dr. Knight
is entitled to the credit of furnishing to history the most truthful relation
of this sad expedition. . SLOVER.
Slover and his two fellow captives were taken to a Shawnees town. The
inhabitants came out and beat and abused the prisoners greatly. They
seized the oldest one of Slover's companions, stripped him naked, arid-
painted him black with coal and water.
They sent a messenger to Wapatomiea to get ready for the frolic, as they
were coming, and when they approached the town the savages came out
with clubs, guns and tomahawks. They told the prisoners they must run
to the Council House, about three hundred yards away. The man painted
black was the principal object of their sport. They struck him and shot
powder into his fleshy women and children all engaged in the frolic,
shouting and beating their drums. Arriving at the door the man was cut
very badly and the blood was streaming from the wounds inflicted by the
tomahawks and rifle wads. He laid hold of the door, but was pulled back'.
Slover saw him carried away, and the Indians slowly killing him. He saw
his dead body near the Council House, cruelly mangled. Then they cut off
the head and limbs and stuck them on poles outside of town. The same
evening he saw the , bodies of three others' mangled to about the same
condition. One of these was William Harrison, the son-in-law; and the
other William Crawford, the nephew, of the Colonel. The Indians also
had their horses.
On the next day a large council was held. Slover was examined as to his
knowledge of the frontier. He could speak the language of the Miamis,
' Delawares and Shawnees. Captain Elliott and James Girty also came and
assured the savages that Slover had lied, that Cornwallis was not taken, etc.
Hitherto Slover had been treated kindly. Now they began to abuse him
also. This council lasted fifteen days. About one hundred warriors were
present. See the humanity of the British commander at Detroit, De Reyster ! At
the close of this council a dispatch was brought in from that dignitary by a
warrior wh6 had just arrived. It was in these words :
"My children, provisions are scarce. When prisoners are brought in we are obliged to
maintain them, and some of them run away and carry tidings of our affairs. When any of
your people fall into the hands of the rebels, they show no mercy; why, then, should you
take prisoners? Take no more prisoners, my children, of any sort— man, woman, or child."
The Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyandots, Mingoes, Delawares, Shawnees,
Monseys and Cherokees participated in this council. They laid plans for
Louisville and Wheeling. All prisoners thereafter were to be put to death.
They put a rope around Slover, stripped him" naked and blacked him, took
him five miles away, tied him to a tree near a hut and beat him. They then
took him about two miles further to Mac-a-chack, near West Liberty, in
Logan county. Slover was tied with a rope around his neck to a post and a

INTRODUCTION. 23
fire built around him. A rain coming up put out the fire, and the burning
was postponed until next day. Theydanced around him until late into the
night, striking and wounding him. They then took him to a block house
and tied him. Three Indians watched him. Near rdorning the Indians
were all asleep, and Slover, succeeding in untying his rope, ran away into a
corn field. ' He found a horse close by, used his rope for a halter and put off.
On the third day out the horse gave out and was abandoned. Slover
traveled on foot and in his naked condition reached the Ohio near Wheeling.
He returned to Fort Pitt on the 11th of July. The last straggler had returned.
THE ORDINANCE OF 1788— SETTLEMENTS OF OHIO— PIANKESHAW'S SPEECH
—TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION— CLARK'SjCAMPAIGN.
Although the treaty of Paris was signed in September, 1783, the news did
not reach the United States for more than one month later, and it was nearly
two months later before it reached the western frontier. Meanwhile the
conflict in the west was kept up with all its terror. Settlements were
attacked along the Ohio river and abandoned. Expeditions were organized,
prosecuted and abandoned, often in disaster. The struggle to conquer the
Indians and possess the west seemed almost hopeless.
Now came the^tidings of peace and a new life seemed to spread over the
land like the dawn of day following a night of storm.
A Mr. Dalton was government agent on the Wabash. He' called a council
of the chiefs and announced to them the fact that peace was declared in the
following words :
"My children ! What I have often told you has now come to pass. This day I received
news from my great chief at the falls of Ohio. Peace is made with the enemies of America.
The tomahawk is buried. The Shawnees, the Delawares, the Chieasaws, and the" Cherokees
have taken the Long Knife by the hand. They have given up the captives they had taken.
isiy children of the Wabash, open your ears, and let what I tell you sink deep into your
, hearts. You know me. Near twenty years I have been among you. The Long, Knife is my
nation ; I know their hearts. Peace they carry in one hand and war in the other. Consider
¦now which you will choose. We never beg peace of our enemies. If you love your women
and children, receive the belt of wampum I present you. Return to me the captives you have
in your villages, and the horses you stole from my people in Kentucky. Your corn fields were
never disturbed by the Long Knife while your warriors were robbing my peopled'
Mr. Dalton presented the chief with a belt of blue and white wampum.
There were several tribes represented on the occasion, but Piankeshaw was
recognized as the head chief of the most powerful tribe. He accepted the
emblem of peace, and then with much dignity of manner, replied :
"My Great Father, the Long Knife: You have been many years amongst us; you have
suffered by us. We still hope you will have pity and compassion upon us, on our women and
children ; the sun shines on us, and the good news of peace appears in our faces. This is the
day of joy to the Wabash Indians. With one tongue we now speak. We acceptyour peace belt.
We received the tomahawk from the English. Poverty forced us to it We were followed by
other tribes. We are sorry for It. To-day we collect the scattered bones of our friends and
' bury them in one grave. Here is the pipe that gives us joy; smoke of It. We have buried the
tomahawk; have formed friendships never to be broken, and now we smoke out of your pipe.
We know that the Great Spirit was angry with us for stealing your horses and attacking your

24 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
people. He has sent us so much snow and cold weather as to kill your horses with our own.
We are a poor people. We hope that God will, help, us, and that the Long Knife will have
campassion on our women and children! Your people who are with us are well. We shall
collect them when they come in from hunting. We love , them, and so do our young women.
Some of your people mend our guns. Others tell us they can make rum out of corn. They
are now the same as we. * In one moon after this we will take them back to their friends in
. Kentucky. My Father ! This being the day of joy to the Wabash Indians, we beg a little drop of your
milk (rum to let our warriors see that it came from your breast. We were born and raised in
the woods. tWe could never learn to make rum. God has made the white man master of the
world." Having finished.his speech, T'ianksshaw presented Mr. Dalton with three
strings of wampum as a pledge of peace. Every reader must be impressed
with the tone of despondency that pervades this address and the melancholy
spirit that asks for rum.
In all the various treaties and intercourses for peace with the Indians, the
reader is frequently met by the term "Loiig Knife." By this expression, of
course, is meant the--"white man," or the "general government." The way
the term came to be used, is said to have occurred in this wise: A Colonel
Gibson, while stationed at Fort Pitt, in a certain attack with his troops upon
a company of Indians, and getting into a hand to hand fight, cut Off the
head of an Indian with his sword, in one stroke. This struck terror into
the hearts of the other Indians, who fled, and reported to their chiefs that a
pale face had cut off the head of an Indian with a "Long Knife."
The British traders in Canada kept up their business with the Indians as
before, and, in direct violation of the treaty, replenished the fuel that was'
still burning in the hearts of the savages throughout the northwest against
the white people.
The vast territory lying north of the Ohio river and extending far west
to the Mississippi, was claimed, by charters from the King of England,
by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Virginia. Each of these states now
consented to relinquish its claim to the general government with the
exception of reservations by Connecticut and Virginia. These two states,
embarrassed by the war, retained each a portion of the territory for the
purpose of paying its debt to the revolutionary soldiers.
The region thus ceded to Connecticut, lying north of the 41st degree
north latitude, and extending from the west line of Pennsylvania to the
west line of what is now Huron county, was called the "Western Reserve?'
— "Firelands." It extends from the lake, south, to what is now known as
the'"base line," fifty miles wide and one hundred and twenty miles long
from east to west.
Virginia retained the lands lying between the Scioto and the Little Miami,
which was called the "Virginia Military District."
By these cessions the- general government became possessed of the vast
region of uninhabited territory extending to the lakes of the north and
west to the Mississippi river, now forming the states of Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. By the celebrated ordinance of 1787, no
less than three nor more than five states were to be organized in this vast

INTRODUCTION. 25
realm as soon as the number of white inhabitants would warrant. The
Federal Government now established a territorial government over the
same. Let us not forget before leaving this part of our subject one beautiful
feature in that great ordinance, engrafted upon it by slave owners, and
which teaches a lesson for meditation, when the passions of party strife
will admit of sober reflection, and give the better part of our nature nobler
impulses' and a larger field :
"No man -shall be arrested for his mode of worship or his religious
sentiments. The utmost good faith shall be observed toward the Indians;
that their lands shall never be taken from them without their consent,
unless in just and lawful war.
"There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territory,
otherwise than in the punishment of crime whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted," etc.
Now companies began to be organized in the Atlantic states for the
purpose of establishing colonies in this territory. The Ohio Company,
formed of, officers of the army and soldiers of the revolution, locate^
between the Muskingum and the Hockhocking rivers. The government
owed many of these large sums of money and had nothing to pay them with
but land. They took their lands at one dollar per acre, and paid for it in
scrip or other evidences of debt for revolutionary services. The purchase
included about one and a half millions of acres.
John Cleves Symmes, of New Jersey, purchased 54,000 acres between the
Little Miami and the Great Miami for sixty cents an acre.
General Rufus Putnam, with his party, settled near the mouth of the
Muskingum on the 7th day of April, 178S. One remarkable feature in all
these early settlements is the fact that the colonists were generally men of
culture, refinement and high moral worth. They framed simple codes of
laws and published them by nailing them against trees.
The ordinance which organized the government was placed ih the hands
of a governor and three judges. General Arthur St. Clair was appointed
governor, and immediately proceeded to organize his council. The whole
country north of the Ohio river, between the Muskingum and Hockhocking,
was designated as the county of Washington, with Marietta, of course, as
the county seat. Marietta was named in honor of Marie Antoinette, the
unhappy queen of Louis XVT., and in token of gratitude for the aid
furnished by France in the revolution. Here the first civil court was held
for the northwestern territory, on the 2d day of September, 1788.
Mathias Denman, of New Jersey, purchased a section of land and a
fraction, for which he paid five shillings per acre. He laid out a town and
called it Losanteville, which was afterwards changed into Cincinnati. How
the price of land has increased in that section!
HER COMMERCE.
The commerce of Cincinnati for the year ending January 1 , 1879, amounted,
in value of goods imported and exported, to $409,446,803. For the present
year, with the renewed activity in business of all kinds; the great production
in agricultural and mining districts, the increase in manufactures and the
higher values, it is easy to see that they will aggregate fully $500,000,000. Of

26 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the sum for last year, $185,000,000 were for exports, and $223,000,000 imports;
Among the former may be mentioned pork and hog products at a value of
over $10,000,000; groceries, $5,000,000; cotton $10,000,000; whisky, $18,000,000;
malt liquors, $2,000,000; 'boots and shoes, $5,500,000; butter, $1,250,000; coffee,
$5,000,000; furniture, $5,000,000; hardware, $5,000,000; oil, $3,000,000; tobacco,
$15,000,000. In imports there were cattle valued at $8,000,000; coal, $3,000,-
000; coffee, $5,500,000; cotton, $10,000,000; flour', $3,000,000; boots and shoes,
$3,500,000; hardware, $5,500,000; hogs valued at $12,000,000; sugar, $6,500,000;
tobacco, $10,000,000; whisky, $7,000,000; wheat $4,000,000^
Vincennes, near the western line of Indiana, was also made the county
seat of another county, bounded on the south by the Ohio river, on the east
by the Great Miami, and on the west' by the Wabash, larger than several
states of the Union. St. Clair proceeded to the Mississippi where a few
huts on the left bank formed another settlement. Here he established the
county of St. Clair, embracing nearly the whole of Illinois.
It would be a source of great pleasure to record here some of the
very many^ncidents, of a most thrilling nature, connected with the early
settlements along the Ohio river and along the mouths of the Miami and
Muskingum. But, admonished by the fact that too many of our pages are being taken.
possession of by these reminiscences, I will only describe a few of the
expeditions that were organized from fame to time to subdue the savages,
because all or nearly all of these had a tendency to rescue the valley of the
Sandusky and northwestern Ohio frpm the owners, who by force of
circumstances and without paper title, were the monarchs of the soil.
These expeditions are given in the abstract without regard to chronological
nicety. For detail, the kind reader will of course peruse more general and
extended history.
General Clark was a military leader of Kentucky, stationed at the falls.
He was a man of great force of character and considerable military ability.
When he heard of -the disastrous battle at Blue Licks, he resolved to
pursue and punish the Indians. He formed a junction with Colonels Floyd
and Logan, which gave him a force of about one thousand men. Colonel
Boon joined the army as a volunteer. They, crossed the Ohio on the 30th of
September, 1782, and commenced their march up the Little Miami. They
reached the old town of Chillicothe, where they ; chastised the Indians
terribly and destroyed their town, their goods and their crops, and returned
victoriously. Again, in the fall of 1786, General Logan, organized another great
campaign against the savages in Ohio, in which many prominent men
from Kentucky took part. It was the intention of the General to make
this expedition the finishing stroke in the war against the savages. Colonel
Floyd and General Logan, with their troops again marched on the Indian
villages on the Scioto, and laid them waste, killing many savages. Simon
Kenton accompanied this expedition. All the villages were burnt, and
nearly all the inhabitants were slain or taken captives. A region of forty
miles wide and one hundred miles in length, was laid utterly desolate. The
company, under the command of Simon Kenton, took no prisoners. It was

INTRODUCTION. 27
their object to wreak such terrible vengeance upon the savages that they
would never again make raids upon the settlements.
The party with General Clark was less successful. His provisions became
exhausted and a large number of his men deserted him to keep from
starvation. Without accomplishing anything, he with his half-starved
men, returned to the falls of Ohio, covered with shame and confusion at
the unmerited disgrace of their arms, The unfortunate General never
recovered from the blow. He sunk into profound melancholy, in which at
length he died, aged.and poor. The failure of Clark excited the vindictive
Shawnees on the Wabash, and urged them on to further outrages. The
winter following, the depredations of the savages were extended all along
the f f ontier pf Pennsylvania and Virginia, a distance of over three hundred
miles. It is estimated that between 1783 and 1790, the Indians killed, wounded and
took captive, fifteen hundred men, women and children, and destroyed
property worth fifty thousand dollars, which sum at that time was considered
immense. There were no millionaires in those days. Fortunes were not
made and lost in one stroke. Men were not made rich or ruined by the sale
or purchase of railroad stocks, and there were no "bulls" nor "bears" in
Wall street; hence there was no Black Friday in that struggle for life.
Fortunes made and lost in a day, speculations in railroad,' steamboat and
mining stocks, Black Fridays in gold, and the making of millionaires in a
day, are the things of a faster age. For better or for worse?
GENERAL HARMAR'S EXPEDITION.
, In the fall of 1790, Gen. Harmary at the head of three hundred regular
troops, and about one thousand militia, was ordered to march upon the
Indian towns along the lake and chastise them to such a degree as to arrest,
all future depredations.
On the 21st of September this expedition rendezvoused at Fort Washington,
and on the following day commenced their march upon the Miami villages.
It toolt them seventeen days' hard marching over a rough and swampy
country before they came into the vicinity of the enemy. Meantime,
provisions became scarce. The General found himself under the necessity
of sweeping the forest With numerous small detachments, and as the woods
swarmed with Indians, most of these parties were cut off.
At length the expedition, thus greatly reduced, came within a few miles
of an Indian town.' Here Captain Armstrong was ordered, at the head of
thirty regulars, and Col. Hardin, of Kentucky, With one Hundred and fifty
militia, to advance and reconnoitre. In the execution of this order they
suddenly found themselves in an ambuscade by a large body of Indians, who
immediately opened fire upon them.
The militia gave way, and the regulars attempted a more orderly retreat.
The Indians, with tomahawks held high in the air, rushed upon and com
pletely surrounded the troops. The regulars attempted to open a passage
¦ with" their .bayonets, but they were all destroyed except their captain and
one lieutenant, who made their escape. The loss of the militia was very
trifling. Notwithstanding this heavy blow, Gen.- Harmar advanced upon the

28 HISTORY' OF SENECA COUNTY.
villages, which he found deserted and in flames, the Indians themselves
having fired their houses. He also found here several hundred acres of
com, which he destroyed. Marching on to the other villages he found them
destroyed in the same manner, and he also destroyed the corn near there.
Then the army commenced its retreat from the Indian country, supposing
the Indians to be sufficiently punished.
After, a march of about ten miles on the homeward route, the General
received news which led him to suppose that the Indians had returned to
their burning villages, and he immediately detached eighty regular troops,
with nearly all of the militia, the former under the command of Major
Wyllys; and the latter under Col. Hardin, with orders ,to return to the
villages and destroy, such of the enemy as presented themselves. The
detachment countermarched with all possible speed to the appointed spot,
fearful only that the enemy might have noticed their return and escaped
again before-, they could reach them. The militia, in loose order, took the
advance. The regulars brought up the rear. Just as the troops were
nearing the town, a number of Indians were observed, and a sharp action
immediately ensued. Shortly the savages fled and were hotly pursued by the
militia, who in the ardor of the chase were drawn into the woods, quite a
distance from the regulars. , ,
Suddenly several, hundred Indians appeared from the opposite quarter,
rushing with loud yells upon the regulars, thus unsupported by the militia.
Major Wyllys, a brave and. experienced officer, formed his men into a square
and endeavored to gain a more favorable spot, but was prevented "by the
impetuous attack of the Indians. In spite of the heavy fire poured in upon
them, they rushed upon the bayonets and hurled their tomahawks with fatal
accuracy. Putting the bayonets aside with their hands, or clogging them
with their bodies, they were quickly mingled with the troops, where they
used their knives with such terrible effect, that in two minutes the bloody
struggle was over. Major Wyllys fell, one lieutenant and seventy-three
privates. One captain, one ensign and seven privates, three of whom were
wounded, were the sole survivors of this short but desperate encounter.
The loss of the Indians was about equal. The attack was as finely conceived
as it was boldly executed. When the militia returned from the pursuit of
the flying party it was too late for help. They soon effected their retreat to"
the main body, with a loss of one hundred and eight killed and twenty-eight
wounded. This dreadful slaughter so reduced Gen. Harmar's army, that he
was happy to return to Fort Washington with the fraction he had left;
having utterly failed in his mission.'
This disaster was followed by a loud demand for a greater force to f orni a
new expedition, which was also accomplished, as we shall presently see.
ST. CLAIR'S EXPEDITION.
By an act of Congress of 1781 , Arthur St.- Clair, Governor of the north west
ern territory, was also appointed Major-General and Commander-in-Chief
of the military forces.
An army of two thousand men assembled at Fort Washington. An
expedition was organized against the Indians on the Maumee. A blockhouse
was erected twenty miles north of Cincinnati, and called Fort Hamilton.

INTRODUCTION. .29
Twenty miles further north they erected and garrisoned another fort and
called it St. Clair. Still another further on was called Fort Jefferson. Five
or six weeks were employed at these works. Provisions became scarce, and
at a point about ninety miles from Fort Washington, sixty Kentuckians,
disgusted with the proceedings, shouldered their muskets, and in defiance of
all authority, commenced their march' homeward. Gen. St. Clair was daily
expecting fresh supplies, and fearing that the deserters might secure them,
sent quite a force to protect the provisions. This left him only about 1,400
men. November had come with its storms and rains. They were compelled
to cut their way through a dense forest, over wet soil, and the movement of
their artillery was attended with great difficulty.
Gen. St. Clair was aged, infirm, and suffering greatly with gout. Some
body was certainly to blame for undertaking a campaign at this season under
these circumstances, and the sequel will show that they were out-generaled
by the Indian chiefs. On the third of November they reached a point one
hundred and twenty-five miles north of Fort Washington, and still fifty
miles south of the Indian towns on the Maumee, which they were on the
march to destroy. It was a dismal day; the ground was covered with snow,
and the feet of the soldiers were soaked with water. Cutting their way
through the pathless forest they reached a creek, a confluent of the Wabash.
Here they camped for the night. • The militia were sent across the creek,
and bivouacked in two parallel lines, with a space of about tWo hundred feet
between them. Soon they had. a roaring fire in this intermediate space,
illuminating the forest far and wide. No scouts were sent out, for all were
nearly perishing with cold and fatigue, and there were no signs of any foe.
But the shrewd savages were watching every movement, and, having assem
bled around the camp in great numbers, each selected his position behind
some tree where he could be protected and remain unseen. St. Clair's men
were huddled closely together, without any protection, hovering around
their fire. On the other sidcof the creek the regulars were stationed around
their fires, also, fully revealed to the savages. The troops could not well
. have been put into a more exposed position. The night passed away quietly.
Meanwhile, the savages were preparing for the slaughter.. The day had
dawned, and the militia were preparing their breakfast in thoughtless
confusion, when the yell of a thousand savages and the discharge of mus
ketry fell upon their ears. Every Indian had a soldier for a target; scarcely
one missed his aim. The slaughter was terrible. The militia became panic
stricken, and fled with utmost haste, many of them without their guns.
They plunged pell-m^ll through the creek and through the first lines of the
regulars, and stopped a tumultuous, helpless mass at the second.
All this was the work of fifteen minutes.
Now the little army of less than a thousand men were huddled together
in terror-stricken confusion, and exposed to a deadly fire from every direc
tion. No foe to be seen, except when a savage would make an exchange of
trees. There was no room for bravery, except to meet death without a
tremor. There was no room for heroism, because the enemy was invisible.
Col. Drake was ip command of the second line of regulars, and stopped
the flight of the militia. He formed his line and cliarged into the forest.
The wary Indians retired before him, while the bullets from all around were

30 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV.
rapidly striking down his men. As Drake drew back his position, the
Indians closed in like the waves of the sea. It seems that a large body of
sharp-shpoters had been detailed especially to attack the artillerymen. In a
short time every man at the guns was shot down. Within one hour from
the commencement of the attack, one-half of St. Clair's men were either
killed or wounded, and nearly every horse was shot. The Indians killed over
nine hundred of St. Clair's army, took seven field-pieces, two hundred oxen,
a great many horses, but no prisoners. The wounded were tomahawked
and scalped on the spot. The Indians lost but sixty-six warriors. For the
Governor's official account of this disaster, see Abb. History'of Ohio, page
324. The Governor was himself not wanting of bravery. He did all, he could
under the circumstances. Eight bullets passed through his clothes and hat.
He had three horses killed under him. The men who tried to bring up the
fourth horse fell dead with the animal, and the invalid Governor was corn-
belled to retreat on foot, which he, did with wonderful alacrity.
An old, worn-out horse was overtaken and the Governor put upon that,
and but for that timely aid he would have been left upon the field to fall
into the hands of the savages. Greatly would they have rejoiced at the
opportunity,to apply the torture of Crawford to another "Big Captain."
We are compelled, for want of space, to omit recording any of the very
many thrilling scenes connected with this sad page of frontier history, and
will only mention the remarkable fact that amongst the camp followers there
were no less than two hundred and fifty women— they, with a great many of
the men in the ranks, taking it for granted that there would be no fighting;
that the Indians would sue for peace; that garrisons would be established,
under whose protection they and their husbands might find new homes.
Fifty-six of these were killed, and tortured even more brutally than the
men. Spme accounts state that even two hundred of these women fell
victims to savage barbarity. Some time after this disaster an old squaw was
heard to say that "her arm got very tired that day scalping white men."
The troops never stopped in their retreat until Fort Jefferson was reached,
thirty miles away.
On reaching the fort and finding the provisions exhausted there, it was
thought best to proceed on and meet the wagons loaded with provisions that
were expected every day, and could not be more than one or two days'
marches away. So the army, exhausted and terrified as it was, pressed on
at ten o'clock that night and met the wagons the next morning. A part of.
the flour was immediately distributed, and the balance sent on to the fori.
The main body now proceeded to Cincinnati and reported at Fort Wash-
. ington. Three distinguished Indian chiefs led the battle— Blue Jacket, Buckon'ga-
helas and Little Turtle. These were men of remarkable ability. Little
Turtle, especially, took great interest in bringing his tribe to adopt civiliza
tion. He inquired of Gen. Harrison respecting the organization of the
national government. He met Kosciusko in Philadelphia, in 1812, and
quite a warm friendship sprung up between them. Little Turtle lived
several years after the late war, and was esteemed'for his wisdom, courage
and humanity. His grave is near Fort Wayne.

INTRODUCTION.

31

The most simple explanation of the defeat of St. Clair is, that he was
dut-generaled by chiefs Who were his superiors in Indian warfare.
And shall we ask the question why such humane, chiefs would allow these
horrible atrocities to be perpetrated before their own eyes?
Let us take the Yankee way by asking a question to answer another.
Were not the inquisitions, the crusades, the burnings at stake carried on
.under the preaching of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, pleading for love
to God and your fellow-man, scenes of atrocity equal to these in all their
horror? GENERAL WAYNE'S CAMPAIGN.
St. Clair's defeat raised a fearful storm of > indignation against him. ~ He
was a man greatly esteemed for many manly traits of character. He was
sincerely devoted to the public welfare. He was born in 1734. He received
a liberal education, studied medicine, joined the army and was with Gen.
Wolf at the storming of Quebec, in 1763. In the revolutionary war he was
appointed Major-General . and stationed at Ticonderoga. Before he was
appointed Governor of the northwestern territory, he was a member of the
Continental Congress, and succeeded Hancock as chairman. He continued
in office as Governor until he was removed in 1802, by Thomas Jefferson.
He died on the 31st day of August, 1818, poor in means, at the age of
eighty-four. The sad fate of St. Clair's army spread grief and mourning amongst the
frontier settlements.
Those in the Miami countrywere abandoned. Many of the pioneers went
with the army across the Ohio river. The Indians crowded their ravages
upon the settlements, and became so bold as to appear in the streets of
Cincinnati to spy out a plan for an attack upon Fort Washington.
It was nearly a year before Congress took any action in the matter. Dep
redations on the frontier were constantly going on.
Gen. Scott, soon after the St. Clair disaster, achieved a complete victory
over the Indians, near the river, but statistics of the same are hot very <
accessible, and particulars are, wanting.
New troops were gathered at the falls of the Ohio for another expedition,
under the leadership of Anthony Wayne, whose impetuosity gave him the
name- of "Mad Anthony."
Wayne was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, on the 18th day of January,
1745. He was a surveyor at eighteen years of age. In 1775, he raised a
regiment of volunteers, and became its Colonel. He became a Brigadier-
General, and was at Brandywine. He led the capture of Stony Point. In
1792 Gen. Washington appointed him successor of St. Clair in command
over the army of the northwest.
In September, of 1793, Gen. Wayne had so far organized his army as to be
ready to move into the Indian country. He reached Fort Jefferson by rapid
marches. This fort was situate about twenty-five miles southwest of Sidney,
the county seat of Shelby county. He fortified the camp well, and called it
Greenville, now the seat of justice of -Darke county. Here he made winter
quarters. Commissioners had been sent to the Indians, who failed to
, conclude a peace, inasmuch as the Indians demanded that all the white
settlements should be removed across the Ohio river, and the northwest

32 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
belong exclusively to the Indians. This meant resistance. Both sides
prepared for war. On the 17th day of October, 1793, Lieutenant Lowry and
ensign Boyd, with ninety men, while escorting to camp Greenville a train of
twenty wagons loaded with grain and stores, were' attacked by the Indians,
under the leadership of Little Turtle. The Americans were totally routed,
losing both officers, fifteen men, seventy horses and all their wagons.
On the 24th day of August, the Governor of Kentucky -had furnished
Wayne with sixteen hundred mounted volunteers, under the command of
Gen. Scott. In December, Wayne moved upon the place where St. Clair
was routed, built a fort and called it Fort Recovery. The place is now in
Mercer county, and within one mile of the Indiana state line. It was on
Christmas day when they pitched their tents on the old battle ground.
Before the men could make their beds they had to carry away the bones,
which they buried the next day. Amongst these were six hundred skulls.
In many cases the sinews still held the bones together. Here one company
of artillery and one of riflemen were left. The rest returned to Fort
Greenville. General Wayne then advanced up the Auglaize to the Maumee. Here in
the very heart of the enemy's country, he constructed a fort and called it
" Fort Defiance," a very appropriate name. He put up two block houses
directly between the junction of the two great streams. Stout palisades
enclosed nearly two acres of ground. A wall of earth outside of the pickets
was faced with logs. Beyond that a ditch was dug fifteen feet wide, eight
feet deep, filled by water from the Auglaize.
The Indians in this region were far advanced in civilization, by their
intercourse with the French, and the country around was well cultivated.
More than a thousand acres were in corn. Apple and peach orchards had
been started. General Wayne returned to Greenville, leaving the fort
garrisoned. The troops under his command now numbered about three
thousand. As far as could well be ascertained, the Indians numbered
about two thousand. Many British officers and Canadian»troops were
associated with them, still encouraging the savages to resistance.
General Wayne was under full instructions from General Washington as
to the manner of procedure.
The Indians watched all these 'works closely and resolved to make a
desperate effort to capture the forts. On the 30th of June, 1794, some fifteen
hundred Indians with several companies of Canadians, with faces blackened
.and in Indian costumes, led by British officers in full uniform, made a furious
attack on Fort Recovery. Major McMahon was encamped just outside of
the works with one hundred and fifty troops. The enemy rushed upon the
detachment and assailed the fort from every side, but were repulsed and
compelled to abandon the field, where on the 4th day of November, 1791,
they had gained so great a victory. Major McMahon, lieutenant Drake and
twenty other officers were killed and thirty wounded. The loss of the
enemy was very heavy ; the exact number was never ascertained until it
was disclosed at the treaty of Greenville.
Gen. Wayne obeyed very closely the instructions of General Washington
even to the minute rules of laying off a camp. Fort Defiance was one
hundred and three miles from Greenville. Now Wayne pressed forward

INTRODUCTION. 33
and down the Maumee to the rapids, some forty-five miles, and within seven
miles of the old English Fort Miami, erected Fort Deposit. The army that
assembled here numbered two thousand regulars and eleven hundred riflemen ,
commanded by Gen. Scott. Scouts now ranged through the forest, one of
whom, William Wells, was captured, and who had been raised by the Indians
and deserted them, joining his own people. He was the adopted son of
Little Turtle.
On the 13th day of August, Gen. Wayne issued a very interesting procla
mation to the Indian chiefs, requesting them to meet him in general council,
for the purpose of agreeing upon terms of peace. His proposition was
rejected in substance. They sent back to Wayne a message, saying: "If
Gen. Wayne will remain where he is for ten days, and then send Miller to
us, we will treat with him; but if he advances we will give him battle."
Gen. Wayne had already sent his army on the march and met the messen
gers on their return, near Fort Meigs. They stated that the Indians were
dressed and painted for war.
At 6 o'clock of the morning of the 20th day of August, Wayne advanced
from Fort Deposit and took position at Presque Isle. Here they met and
routed the savages and British forces from Detroit. The victory was
complete, and amongst the dead enemies were many whites, armed with
British muskets and bayonets. The Americans encamped for three days
within sight of the British fort. Messages were passed between Gen. Wayne
and the commander of the fort, as to the right of the British to its occupa
tion. Major Campbell refusefl to give up the fort, whereupon Gen. Wayne
carefully inspected the works. The British had four hundred and fifty men
and ten pieces of artillery. It was decided not to attack the fort. Gen.
Harrison, afterwards President of the United States, was aid. to Gen. Wayne
in this campaign. Now Gen. Wayne sent out his cavalry, which laid waste
the whole valley of the Maumee for fifty miles. Winter approached, and
the Indians were destitute of homes and provisions. In September another
fort, forty-sev*n miles from Fort Defiance, was erected, and named after
. the General, Fort Wayne. Leaving a garrison here, Gen. Wayne returned
to Greenville on the 20th day of November.
The Indians, thus left in utter destitution, were also anxious for peace.
Accordingly, in July following, a general council was called to meet near
Greenville, represented on the part of the Indians by the chiefs east of the
Mississippi river. Negotiations continued for six weeks. On the 3d day of
August the treaty was signed. Gen. Wayne signed in behalf of the United
States. The following tribes were represented: Wyandots, Delawares,
Shawnees, Ottawas, Chippewas,' Potawatomies, Miamis, Eel Rivers, Weas,
Kickapoos, Piankeshas and Kaskaskias.
The treaty of Greenville ended fOr a, time the war with the savages east
of the Mississippi. This was in reality the end of the war of the revolution.
Gen. Wayne never received the honors that were due him- from his country
for- the great services lie had rendered. At the close of the year 1796, •
returning' from. Detroit to the eastern states, he was taken sick in a log
cabin at Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania, which at that time was a
small hamlet in the wilderness. After a short illness he died, and at his
request was buried under the flag of the fort.
3

34 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
According to the Treaty of Paris, in 1783, the British rpilitary post at
Detroit, and all the other forts within the recognized boundaries of the
United States, were to have been withdrawn "as soon as convenient." Yet
for more than ten years they not only retained these posts, but supplied the
savages with munitions of war, and urged them to, and helped them on, iii
their atrocities against the frontier settlers. John Jay was sent over to
England, as a special minister, to urge the amicable evacuation of these
forts, (Fort Meigs was one of them), and with much difficulty succeeded in
obtaining a promise that his request should be complied with before the 1st
day of June, 1796. The posts at Detroit and Maumee were accordingly
delivered over to Gen. Wayne.
Thereupon the whole of the northwestern territory was organized into
five counties. Washington county embraced all the territory between the
Muskingum and the Little Miami, extending from the Ohio river forty miles
north, with Marietta the seat of justice. All that portion between the Little
and Great Miami, within forty miles of the Ohio river, was called Hamilton
county, Cincinnati the county seat. Knox county embraced the land between
the Great Miami and the Wabash, also bordering on the Ohio river, with
Vincennes its county seat, and where Gen. Harrison, while Governor of the
territory, built a two-story brick house for a residence,1 (which the writer,'
saw in August, 1876, while stumping Indiana for Tilden). The county* of
St. Clair included the settlements on the Illinois and Kaskaskia rivers, as
welf as those on the upper Mississippi, with Kaskaskia for its seat of justice.
Wayne county embraced all the Maumee, Raisin and Detroit rivers, with
Detroit for its county seat, taking in the whole of Michigan and a part of
Indiana. This~vast region, then embracing but very few and very small settlements
of white people, reaching from Fort Pitt to the Mississippi river, over
howling forests and oceans of prairies, is now teeming with millions of
happy, prosperous and intelligent people. Where once the birch canoe was
the only mode of travel over the still waters of the Ohio and Mississippi,
the stately steamboat, with its .comforts and luxuries, is "queen of all she
surveys," while railroads and telegraph lines cut the country in every direc
tion, furnishing means to interchange both thought and traffic.
We will not undertake a more extended description of the various settle
ments made in Ohio after the treaty of Greenville, and refer the kind reader
to the more elaborate history of Ohio, confining ourselves more closely
hereafter to events particularly tending to affect the subject of our task.
Early in the year 1796, arrangements were made to establish a colony in
that part of Ohio known as the Western Reserve. A surveying party was
sent out, which, coasting along the shores of Lake Erie, landed on the 4th
of July at the mquth of a little stream called Conneaut. Here they celebrated
their landing day and the anniversary of the birth-day of the republic at the
same time. This company consisted of fifty-two persons, only two of whom
were females, Mrs. Stiles and Mrs. Gunn. There was one child. The next,
morning they commenced the building of a large blockhouse, which wastobe
their dwelling place and store house at the same time, and called it "Stow
Castle." This little colony suffered very much from exposure, want of food,

INTRODUCTION. 35
the inclemency of the following winter, and disease— incidents to frontier
life. Emigrants began to flock into the Reserve in considerable numbers, and
commenced settlements in various places — some of these fifteen or twenty
miles away from the nearest white neighbor. The hardships encountered
by these isolated settlers are easier imagined than described. It required a
full day's journey to find a neighbor to assist in sickness, or any other
emergency. As" early as 1755 there was a French trading post on the banks of the
Cuyahoga river, near the mouth of Which the beautiful city of Cleveland
now stands. Ten years after the landing of the pioneers at Conneaut, a
Moravian missionary, Zeisberger by name, with several Indian converts,
left Detroit in a vessel called the Mackinaw, and cast anchor at the mouth
of the Cuyahoga. They then ascended the stream ten miles to the deserted
village of the Ottawas, where they settled, and called the place "Pilgrim's
Rest." In the fall of 1796, the surveyors, who landed at Conneaut, advanced
to the mouth of the Cuyahoga and laid out the plan of a city which they
named Cleveland, in honor of Gen. Moses Cleveland, the agent of the land
company. He was a lawyer of Canterbury, Connecticut, a man of note and
wealth. During the year 1790, the Connecticut Land Company constructed the first
road on the Reserve. It ran from the Pennsylvania line to Cleveland. From
1799 to 1800 there was but one white family in Cleveland— that of Major
Carter. Emigrants soon flocked in and made quite a little eolony in 1801.
The Indians soon commenced coming to Cleveland to do their trading.
They spent the winter in hunting, and in the spring flocked to Cleveland,
traded off their furs, and returned to their homes on the Sandusky and
Maumee. Other companies of emigrants followed from time to time.
The emigrants to Ohio from New England and the middle states usually
traveled in wagons until they struck the Ohio, at Wheeling. They then
took boats and floated down the river several hundred miles, locating here
and there, wherever friends had advised, them to go, or interest led. In the
year 1796, the whole white population of the northwestern territory was
estimated at 5,000 souls. They were generally scattered along the banjjs of
the Muskingum, Scioto and Miami, and their affluents, to within fifty miles
of the Ohio river. I
Cincinnati then contained one hundred log cabins, about one dozen frame
houses, and six hundred inhabitants.
Col. Massie, a Virginian, in 1795, having secured large bodies of excellent
land west of the Scioto, upon the branches of Paint creek, erected a station
near the mouth of the creek, and soon after laid out a town three miles
above. This town the Indians called Chillicothe, which means town. The
town increased very rapidly in proportions. Emigrants were constantly
arriving. It was the first town west of the mountains which was built in
peace and quietude, undisturbed by Indian atrocities. Other emigrants
ascended the Muskingum to Zanesville.
The settlements on the Detroit and Maumee rivers were annexed to the
county of Wayne. Detroit was the seat of justice. Two full regiments
garrisoned. these forts in 17>)S. Five counties comprised the whole north.-

36 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
western territory. Forty miles above Chillicothe there were three or four
cabins near the right bank of the Scioto, at Franklinton, now incorporated
within the pity of Columbus. A few vagabond whites, who had given up
civilization for barbarism, were scattered amongst the Indians, and as the
settlements of the pioneers were extended along the trails , of the Indians,
the savages, both white and red, retreated further into the interior. New
counties began to be organized in proportion as new settlements sprang up
in every direction.
For eight years Cincinnati had been the centre of military preparations,
and the sounds' of the bugle, the fife and drum reverberated through her
streets and along the hills that fringed the beautiful stream.
Now all was peace and order, and the hum of busy life took the place of
war and preparations for war. Cincinnati started on her great mission of.
commercial greatness.
The strongest tide of emigration flowed into the valley of the Scioto,' so
famous for its fertility, its level plains and rich bottom lands. The Governor
organized a new county, called Ross, of which Chillicothe was the seat of "
justice. There were then but three cabins between this town and the Hock- '
hocking river. The country about Lancaster belonged to the Wyandots,
where they had a town of bark huts, containing a population of about five
hundred, who gradually withdrew to their brethren at Upper Sandusky.
This year (1798), as shown by the census taken at this time, the population
of the territory amounted to five thousand free white males. The people
were therefore entitled, by the ordinance of 1787, to what was called a second
grade of territorial government. Gov. St. Clair accordingly issued a "procla
mation ordering an election to be held in the seyeral counties on the third
Monday of December, following, to elect twenty representatives to serve
as a Lower House of the Territorial Legislature.
The men elected were gentlemen of the first order of intelligence and
patriotism, and were unsurpassed- by any legislative body that has met in
Ohio at any time hitherto. They met at Cincinnati on the first' Monday in
February, 1799. Edward Tiffin was one of them. He was afterwards elected
Governor, as we shall presently see. This Territorial Legislature nominated
ten men to. the President of the United States to serve as a Legislative
Council. The first regular session of the Legislature was to be held at Cincinnati
on the 16th, but did not organize until the 20th of September, and'continued
for nearly three months. It is said that the address of the Governor was
remarkable for its polished diction. Capt. William H. Harrison, subse
quently President of the United States, was elected first delegate to Congress.
Congress, in order to prevent large bodies of land from falling into 'the
-hands of speculators who would check emigration by greatly advancing'
the price, devised a mode of survey and sale, by which the public lands
should be laid off into small tracts and held open for sale to any individual.
In 1800 Trumbull county was organized in the Western Reserve, and an
immense population flowed in from Pennsylvania. In 1801 the state of
Connecticut relinquished her claim of jurisdiction of the Western Reserve,
;.nd received a title in fee simple of the soil from the United States.
fn the session of 1800, Congress divided the northwestern territory into

INTRODUCTION. 37
two parts. The eastern portion, which contained 80,000 square miles,
embraced the regions of Ohio and Michigan. This was still called the
northwestern territory. The balance, called the Indian territory, comprised
all the country from the Great Miami to the Mississippi, and from the Ohio
river on the south to Lake Superior, and the sources of the Mississippi on
the north, containing 180,000 square miles, now embraced in the states of
Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
ORGANIZATION OF OHIO AS A STATE GOVERNMENT.
In consequence of his awful defeat, Gov. St. Clair became very unpopular,
as shown by the first election of Governor. The census of 1800 showed a
population over which he presided of 42,000,' a number large enough to
entitle the territory to admission into the Union as a state. Petitions were
presented to congress for that purpose.
On the 30th day of April, 1802, an act was passed by Congress, authorizing
the call of a convention to form a state constitution for a state to be called
the State of Ohio.
The convention assembled at Chillicothe on the 1st day of November, and
on the 20th of the same month a constitution was ratified and signed by the
members. It became the fundamental law of the state without being left
to a vote by the people, and remained such for nearly fifty years thereafter.
The constitution created three departments of government— executive,
legislative and judicial. The legislature was composed of a senate and^
house of representatives. The judiciary department was vested in the
supreme court, circuit courts, and justices of the peace. The judges were
elected by joint ballot of both houses of the legislature, for a period of
seven years. The justices of'the peace were elected by the people of each
township for three years, as now. St. Clair, as a candidate for Governor,
received but few votes. Edward Tiffin was almost the unanimous choice.
The boundaries of the state were fixed as they now are .
By act of congress the sixteenth section in each township was set apart
for the use of schools. The salt springs were reserved to the state, and three
per cent, of the proceeds of the sale of the public lands was to be used for
the construction of roads.
The first legislature organized seven new counties. There were now
fifteen. The whole northwestern part, being more than one-half of the
state, was in the possession of Indians.
, The first eourt in Greene county was held in a log cabin. Gen. Benjamin
Whitman was the presiding judge. He had a friend by the name of Davis
who had a mill near by. While the court was in session, Davis and another
man, whom Davis had accused of stealing his hog, had a fight, and Davis
whipped him. With his hair and clothes badly disheveled and bruises on
his face, he came into court, and approaching the table where the judge sat,
addressed his neighbor thus : "Ben., I have whipped that cussed hog thief.
What's the damage ? What's to pay ? There's my purse. Take what's
right." He put down his purse and shaking his clenched fist at the judge,
continued : "Ben., if you'd steal my hog I'll be hanged if I wouldn't whip
you too." Eight dollars paid fine and costs.
There is also a good story told that occurred some time afterwards while

38 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Judge Tappan was on the bench in some county in the Miami valley. The
court was held in a log cabin and a stable close by was used as a jail. A
trial had just been closed and the judge was charging the jury. The
defendant in the case was a man who had an enemy in the crowd. This
man spoke out occasionally and approvingly of what the judge said.
He was an old friend of Judge Tappan and felt perfectly at liberty in
speaking to the judge at any time, as he pleased.' Judge Tappan was
near-sighted, and when this man in the crowd would repeat his interruptions
by saying, "That's right ! give it to him judge," "Give it to him old gimlet
eye," etc., the judge stopped in his charge to the jury, and asked : " Who is
that man making this disturbance?" The man spoke up and said: ,'Tt's
this old horse, judge!" Judge Tappan then spoke up quickly and said:
"Sheriff! take that old horse to the stable and feed him on bread and water
twenty-four hours!" The order was promptly executed and the court
proceeded. There was neither a pleasure carriage, nor a bridge in the state at this
time. Men wore homespun and buckskin clothes. Women wore linsey
woplsey; and flax, hemp and wool were all the materials from which
clothing was constructed for Sunday wear, spun by the family and woven
by the family or at the loom of some neighbor. Settlers were compelled to
keep dogs for the protection of their calves, sheep, hogs and poultry. '
As a general rule the rifle was used to keep the family in meat from the
game in the forest.
Ohio was now a state and a member of the Federal Union, starting on her
proud career.
The first legislature met at Chillicothe on the first day of March, 1803.
The territorial laws were, so far as was thought practicable, embraced in
the new state laws. Judges were elected, courts organized, the practice
regulated and provisions made for the election of justices of the peace. A
secretary, an auditor and a treasurer of state were appointed and their
duties prescribed.. Laws were passed for leasing school lands and salt
reservations. Senators were elected to Congress and laws passed for the
election of members to the House of Representatives.
While this legislature was in session the treaty for the purchase- of
Louisiana was concluded with France under President Jefferson.
The second General Assembly met in Chillicothe in December, 1803. At this
¦session laws were passed enabling aliens to hold title to lands ; to make
appropriations of the three per cent, fund for roads, to improve the revenue
system, to regulate the duties of justices and constables, to regulate the
common law and chancery practice of the state. (In 1809-10 the laws were
revised.) Gen. Lewis Cass was the first, person admitted to practice law in
the northwestern territory.
About this time the Indians, who had behaved well from the time of the
treaty of Greenville, began to resist the tide of emigration setting in
westward. The celebrated Tecumseh, aided and encouraged by British
influence and supported by his brother, "The Prophet," soon made it evident
that the west was again about to experience a repetition of savage warfare.
In 1811 Gen. Harrison, Governor of the Indian Territory, residing at
Vincennes, marched against the town of "The Prophet," upon the Wabash,

INTRODUCTION. , 39
and arrived at Tippecanoe on the 6th of November. This was their principal
town. Here 'he was met by Indian messengers with whom an agreement
was made that hostilities should not take place before the next morning and
that then an amicable conference should be held. Just before day-break,
however, the savages, in violation of their engagement, made a sudden and
furious attack upon the troops in their encampment. Nothing but the
precaution of sleeping in order of battle, on their arms, saved the troops
from a total defeat. Nineteen-twentieths of Gen. Harrison's men had never
been in any battle, but they behaved in excellent manner, like veterans.
Gen. Harrison had only about seven hundred men. The Indians were
nearly a thousand strong. The Americans lost thirty-seven killed and one
hundred and fifty wounded. The Indians lost forty killed. The number of
wounded was unknown. The little town of The Prophet was laid in ashes.
The Indians were left very much enraged against the government. Harrison
returned to Vincennes.
An incident must be recorded here that occurred in, that year which, in its
bearing on the future of America, was worth more than a thousand battles.
"A steamboat started from Pittsburgh down the Ohio River bound for New
Orleans." The Indian name of Tecumseh means"Crouching Panther." The name
of "The Prophet" was "Olliuachica." They were twin brothers of the
Shawnees tribe. "The Prophet" was an orator of great renown and a
religious teacher. Tecumseh, from his abilities as a warrior and statesman,
would have attained eminence in any nation of the globe. They were born
near Chillicothe.
The result of the battle of Tippecanoe, no doubt, drove thousands of the
Indians into the service of the British in the late war with the United States,
the elements for which were then already gathering proportions.
In 1812 the second war with Great Britain commenced. A council of
Indians and British met at Maiden in Canada. A Wyandot Chief, Walk-in- .
the- Water, a great warrior and orator, was present. Round Head, another
Wyandot Chief from Canada, and two other Wyandot Chiefs, together with
Tecumseh and his brother, pledged their support to the British.
Black Hoof, another Wyandot Chief, was friendly to the Americans. He
is spoken of as a noble, generous man, and a great orator. So was also
Between-the-logs, another Wyandot Chief whom the author once saw at
Tymochtee. INCIDENTS IN THE WAR OF 1812— FOKT MEIGS, FORT STEVENSON.
Return J. Meigs was Governor of Ohio. William Hull was Governor of
the Territory of Michigan. Hull was ordered to raise troops and take charge
of the post at Detroit. Ohio raised three regiments of volunteers for three
months. They rendezvoused at Dayton and, when joined by a regiment of
regulars, numbered 2,500 men. They reached the Maumee at Perrysburgh
on the 30th of June, 15 days after leaving Dayton, with 160 wagons. The
road had to be cut for nearly the whole distance, 120 miles, through swamps
and dense forests. They crossed the Maumee in boats and reached Detroit
on the 5th of July. The British erected a fort on the opposite side of the
river, and on the 15th of August, * Gen. Brock, the British commander,

4° HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
summoned Hull to surrender. This being refused, they commenced to
bombard and storm the fort. The British force consisted of seven hundred
regulars and six hundred savages.
The Americans, except their commander, were anxious and ready for
battle. Their numbers exceeded that of the enemy by two to one. When
every soldier in the fort was waiting for the order to fire, they were ordered
to lay down their arms, which they reluctantly obeyed and a white flag was
raised on the fort.
"Without shedding a drop of blood," says Atwater, without firing a single
gun, the fort with all its cannons, taken with Burgoin at Saratoga from the
British, with a vast amount of powder, lead, cannon balls and all munitions
of war, all, all were unconditionally surrendered to the enemy. Let us see:
2,500 men with all their arms ; 25 pieces of iron cannon, and 8 brass ones;
40 barrels of powder — all were surrendered to about 1,000 militia and a few
Indians. Cass and Mc Arthur were amongst the prisoners.
The whole of Michigan fell into the hands of the British.
Two years thereafter Gen. Hull was tried before a court martial and
sentenced to be shot for cowardice, but President Madison 'remitted the
se'ntence. After the disaster of Gen. Winchester, Gen. Harrison withdrew his forces
from the Maumee to the Sandusky. Early in February he returned to the
Maumee, however, and established his extreme advance post at the left
bank and built Fort Meigs.
He had a force of 2,000 men. \ In early spring Proctor moved upon this
fort with 3,200 men, 1,800 of whom were Indians'mnder Tecumseh. Proctor
was certain of success and promised Tecumseh to deliver Gen. Harrison
over to him as a captive. After four days' firing from his batteries, Proctor
demanded the surrender of the fort. This was refused. Harrison having
anticipated the attack had sent messengers to the Governors of Ohio and
Kentucky for aid. The call was promptly responded to, and troops were
sent forward immediately. By this time the Indians had. completely
invested the fort. Twelve hundred Kentuckians were now nearkig the fort
and received orders from Gen. Harrison to land on' the opposite side of the
river, and spike the guns of the British battery. Gen. Clay landed his
Kentuckians as ordered. Col. Dudley led the attack on the batteries and
drove the British from the guns and spiked them. Had Gen. Harrison's
orders been promptly obeyed and had the Kentuckians returned to the fort
as they were ordered, all would have been well ; but the trbops 'were so
determined to finish the work, that instead of returning, they disobeyed and
followed a band of Indians who led them into an ambush. Gen. Harrison '
and his officers shouted to them from the fort, to return, but they persisted
in their pusuit when, on a sudden, twice their number of Indians rose up and
cut off their retreat. They opened a severe fire upon the troops and those
that were not slaughtered were taken captives, and made to run the gauntlet.
As soon as Tecumseh heard of this butchery, he ran up and stopped the
carnage. In the night following, the savages were cooking their meal in a large
kettle over the fire, close by their camp. They had strings tied to each
ration. On some of these strings was the flesh of Americans they had slain.

INTRODUCTION. 4 1
Gen. Harrison kept up the fire from the fort for some time into the night.
Before morning Proctor raised the seige and left.
. From the command under Col. Dudley of eight hundred men, only one
hundred and fifty escaped. All the rest were either killed or taken prisoners.
Thp loss of the garrison during the seige was one hundred and eighty-nine.
Harrison repaired to the southern part of the state for re-enforcements,
leaving Gen. Green Clay in command of the fort. On the 20th of July,
stouts reported that Proctor was again ascending the river, with a force of
5,000 men, including Indians under the command of Tecumseh. The Indians
alorie numbered 4,000. There were but a few hundred men defending the
fort and the situation looked hopeless. Tecumseh instituted a sham fight
near the fort to draw the garrison out,, and many of the men were of the
opinion that the fight was between the Indians and the arriving troops from
southern Ohio. It was almost impossible to restrain the men in the fort
from making an attack upon the Indians. They were on the verge of a
mutiny, and it required all the cool resolution that Gen. Clay was possessed.
of to keep order. ,
Proctor again raised the seige and withdrew to the mouth of the Sandusky.
A Vigorous attack upon the fort and in the absence of help from the outside,
the surrender of it would by all human probability have been a question of
a few hours. The ignorance of Proctor as to the condition of the fort, was
the bliss of Gen. Clay.
The 6losing scenes of the late war in the west, and especially the battle
of Fort Stevenson and Perry's victory on Lake Erie, being in the valley of
the Sandusky river and near the mouth of the bay, seem to make a very-,
proper commencement of the history of Seneca county, and at the same
time close the Introduction, which gave the reader a bird's-eye view ,and a
short history of the north-western territory.

CHAPTER 1.

BATTLE OF FORT STEVENSON- HARRISON AND CROGHAN— FORT SENECA-
DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH — WIPINGSTICK — PERRY'S VICTORY ON LAKE
ERIE— BATTLE OF THE THAMES-DEATH OF TECUMSEH.

WHERE the beautiful little city of Fremont now stands, there
was once a small Indian town, composed of wigwams on <
the high banks of the river, and some near the shore. This town was
inhabited by Wyandots, who had several other towns along the banks
of the Sandusky river. They distinguished between these Sandusky
towns by calling one the "Little Sandusky," the other. "Upper
Sandusky" and this lower one "Lower Sandusky.'' The whites
afterwards added another Sandusky at the mouth of the river and
called it Sandusky City, which still bears that name.
A,t this Lower Sandusky, which retained that name for a long time,
General Harrison had 'a fort erected and pickets put up enclosing
about one acre of land, and called it Fort Stevenson. The pickets
around the fort had old bayonets put into them near the top, to prevent
scaling them with ease. It was both a garrison and a trading house.
The works were not sufficient to hold more than two hundred men.
The defense of .this fort was entrusted to a heroic young man by the
name of George Croghan, who was then major, and but twenty-one
years old: The only piece of artillery in the fort was one iron six
pounder, which, at this writing, is still mounted on its carriage, standing
on the ground where the fort used to be, and is familiarly known
amongst the people of Fremont by the name of "Old Betsy."
About twelve miles up the river, On the left bank, was another
stockade called Fort Seneca, with one hundred and forty men, where
Gen. Harrison had taken position to rendezvous his troops, and from
which he could protect the large amount of property which was
collected along the valley of the fiver. Gen. Harrison was informed
of the approach of the British and the Indians, and sent Mr. Connor
and two Indians (Seiiecas) to Major Croghan, with instructions to
abandon the fort, burn it and all the stores he could not take away

44 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
and report to Fort Seneca. But the messengers got lost in the -woods,
and did not reach Fort Stevenson until 1 1 o'clock next day,
Major Croghan, being of opinion that he could not retreat, sent
back the following answer:
"Sir— I have just received yours of yesterday, 10 o'clock p. m.,
ordering me to destroy this place and make good my retreat. It came
too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain
this place, and, by Heavens, we can!"
Gen. Harrison immediately sent Colonels Wells and Ball, supported
by a corps of dragoons, with a very severe reprimand to Major Croghan,
and relieving him of duty, putting Col. Wells in command. Major
Croghan returned to Fort Seneca with the dragoons as a prisoner".
Gen. Harrison was fully satisfied with the major's explanation and .
immediately restored him to his command, with instructions. Soon
the scouts reported the advance of the British,, while the Indians began
to show themselves on the opposite side of the river. The British
gunboats came in sight and landed troops one mile below the fort.'
The Indians, four thousand strong, displayed themselves iri all directions.
The British placed in position a five and a half-inch howitzer to open
fire upon the fort. Gen. Proctor sent Major Chambers with a flag to
summon a surrender. Major Croghan dispatched ensign Shipp out of
the gates to meet him. After the usual cererribnies, Major Chambers
said :
"General Proctor demands the surrender of the fort, as he is anxious
to spare the effusidn of blood," etc.
To this, ensign Shipp replied that the commander would defend the
fort to the last extremity, etc., 'and that if the fort, should be taken'
there would be none left to massacre.
The enemy then opened fire with their six-pounders from the boats,
and the howitzer on shore, which was continued tlirough the night
with very little effect. Maj. Croghan reserved his fire. He, however,
occasionally fired his gun from different" points to make it appear as if
he had several pieces, at his command.
The fort was surrounded by a dry ditch, nine feet wide* and six feet
deep. On the middle of the north line of the fort there was a block
house from which this ditch could be raked in either direction, by
artillery. Here the piece was placed, loaded with slugs and grape
shot. Now, the artillery of the British was placed on the shore about
two hundred and fifty yards from the fort.

BATTLE OF FORT STEVENSON. 45
From this battery and the howitzer they poured an intense fire upon
the northwest corner of the fort. Late in the night Genr Proctor
ordered an assault. They came within twenty paces of the fort before
they could be discovered. Then a galling fire was poured upon them
from the fort; but the British pressed forward and leaped into the
ditch, led by Col. Short.
The masked port hole" was then quickly opened, and the six-pounder
spit grape and slugs through the crashing bones and quivering nerves
of more than three hundred men, at the very mouth of the gun. The
carnage was terrible. Fifty fell at the first discharge. A tumultuous,
retreat ensued. Two other assaults were easily repelled by the riflernen.
Col. Short had just ordered his men to leap the ditch, cut down the
pickets and give the Americans no quarter, when he fell into the ditch,
mortally wounded. He hoisted his white handkerchief on the end of
his sword and begged for that mercy, which, a moment before, he had
ordered to be denied to his enemy. The assault lasted about one-half
hour. The loss of the enemy was not less than one hundred and fifty.
' The garrison reported one killed and seven slightly wounded.
In the gloom of the night the British hastened away with their boats,
leaving, in their haste, one boat loaded with clothing and military stores.
On the next morning seventy stand of arms and some pistols were
, picked up around the fort.
So far, general history. In connection with this, one of the most
brilliant military achievements in the late war with Great Britain, we
will relate an incident that, as far as my knowledge and research'
extends, has never been published.
The Reverend James Montgomery, who was appointed agent for. the
Seneca Indians under President Monroe, a sketch of whose life is
found elsewhere in these pages, took charge of his agency in 1819. He
here became intimately acquainted with all the chiefs of the Senecas.
Amongst , these was a man known by the name of Wipingstick. He
was a very intelligent and trustworthy Indian, highly honorable ¦ and
reliable. He often related to Mr. Montgomery the following narrative
concerning the part he was ordered to take in the affair at Fort
Stevenson. I am indebted to Mrs. Sally Ingham, the only surviving
child^of Mr.' Montgomery, a sketch of whose life will also be given
herein, for the narrative. She, too, ,often heard Wipingstick relate
the affair to her father:
Gen. Harrison had learned enough of • Wipingstick to trust him. On
the day before the battle at Fort -Stevenson, Gen. Harrison sent
Wipingstick with a letter to Major Croghan, with instructions and a

46 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
signal. When the Indian arrived near the fort, and-to make himself
agreeable to the British- and the Indians, he cursed the Americans in
. the most approved style.
When he saw that the coast was clear and- that he was himself
unobserved, he approached the fort, peeped through the pickets,
wrapped the paper, with his handkerchief, into a ball and threw it over
the pickets into the yard. Lounging around under the bushes a little
while, he observed his handkerchief, in the same form, fly over the
pickets again, falling outside. It contained an answer from Major
Croghan to Gen. Harrison. With this Wipingstick made his way
through the forest to Fort Seneca, and reported to Gen. Harrison the
same night. This was the evening before the battle, which was fought
on the 2d day of August, 1813.
Wipingstick was a Seneca chiefs then about thirty years old, and had
a wife and one child. He was a man possessed of many noble traits of
character, truthful, hospitable, friendly and honorable. He was five
feet four inches high, squarely and compactly built, very muscular and
active. He had a pleasant, open face, pleasing voice and was very
talkative. At the war-dances he was the leader, and carried a war-club
about eighteen inches long, with a ball at the end of the handle. and a
swell at the other end. ' This club was cut full of hieroglyphics and
was painted red. He danced with the club in his hands, swinging it,
yelling and whooping, which he kept up for a long time, and , until the
sweat would drop from his face.
He attended Mr. Montgomery's funeral, and seemed very much
affected by the loss of his old friend. The families of Montgomery
and. Wipingstick were very intimate.
On the next day, after the battle of Fort Stevenson, Gen. Harrison
came down, but the Indians had fled across the country in the direction
of Fort Meigs, and the British down the river.

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE— BATTLE OF THE THAMES— DEATH OF TECUMSEH.
Now both parties made vigorous preparations for a naval battle,
to decide as to who should be master of the lake and its shores.
Detroit was still in the hands of the British. In a few months the
government had nine vessels ready for service, carrying fifty-four guns,
and manned by about six hundred sailors and marines. The fleet
anchored just off the mouth of Sandusky bay, and sailed from there to
Put-in-Bay, a harbor on one of the islands of the lake,- and about

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 47
thirty miles from Maiden, where the British fleet was riding at anchor.
Commodore Barclay had six vessels, carrying sixty-four guns, manned
by about eight hundred men.
On the morning of the ioth of September, 1813, at sunrise, the
British fleet was discovered, in full sail, in the distant west. Commo
dore Perry immediately got under way and formed in line of battle,
bearing down upon the enemy. He hoisted his flag with the motto:
"Don't give up the ship!" which was greeted by the cheers.of the crew.
For two hours the hostile fleets approached each other with that dead
silence that always characterizes the immediate attack at sea. Every
thing on the American fleet was order and discipline; no noise, no
bustle. The- men stood at their guns with lighted matches, watching
the enemy, waiting for orders and occasionally glancing at the coun
tenance of their young commander.
At fifteen minutes after eleven a bugle was sounded on the Detroit,
the advance ship of the enemy. Loud cheers burst from all their crew,
and a tremendous fire was opened upon the Commodore's flag-ship,
the Lawrence, which she was compelled to sustain for forty minutes,
on account of the shortness of her guns, without firing a shot. Now
all the other vessels of the enemy were drawn around the Lawrence,
with the determination to destroy her first. Perry's other vessels could
not come to her aid for want of wind. For two hours the doomed
vessel withstood this terrible bombardment, while but two of her guns
could be used in her defense. Through all this, perfect discipline was
observed among Perry's men. The Lawrence was reduced, to a wreck.
Mangled bodies were scattered all around. All the crew, except three
or four, had been either killed or wounded. The last gun, fit for
service, was worked by the Commodore himself, and his officers.
It was now 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Capt. Elliot, of the Niagara,
brought his vessel into close action. Commodore Perry left the Law
rence in charge of Lieutenant Yarnell, and, taking a boat, went over to
the Niagara, where again he hoisted his flag with the dying words of
Lawrence. He brought all his vessels within pistol-shot of the boats
of the enemy, and opened a murderous fire from all his boats, which
was kept up until every ship of the enemy struck its colors.
The engagement lasted three hours. Never was a victory more
decisive and complete. The American squadron took more prisoners
than they themselves had men on board. The principal loss of the'
Americans was on the Lawrence, where, of her crew, twenty-two were
'killed and sixty wounded. The loss of all the other vessels was but
five killed and thirty-six wounded. The British loss was more severe.

48 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Commodore Barclay, who had lost an arm at Trafalgar, now lost the
other also, and received a severe wound in the hip beside. The loss
on the American ships in all, killed and wounded, was one hundred and
twenty-four. The loss of the British was over two hundred, killed
and wounded, and six hundred were taken prisoners. Every British
vessel was taken. Commodore Perry sent word to Gen. Harrison, at
Fort Meigs, saying: "We have met the enemy and they are ours."
The next day the funeral obsequies of the fallen officers, on both sides,
took place near the margin of the bay, m an appropriate manner. The
crews from both fleets united in the ceremony. What a lesson! Yes- '
terday both parties were engaged in deadly strife; to-day they join
their sympathies, associate as brothers' to pay the last tribute of respect
to their fallen companions.
On the 29th of September Gen. Harrison took possession of Detroit,
there being no force there to resist him, and again the whole peninsula
was thus restored to the United States.
Gen. Proctor, with his army and disheartened Indians, was on a rapid
retreat into the heart 'of .Canada. The river Thames, which empties
into lake St. Clair, then ran through a wild, unbroken forest. Proctor
was pressing his retreat along its valley.
Gen. Harrison left Detroit on the 2d day of October, to pursue the
foe, with a force of over 3,000 men. The mounted infantry were c'om-'
manded by Col. Johnson, of Kentucky. Proctor was overtaken on the
5th, at a point where the Thames protected one flank of his army, and~
a great marsh the other. The Indians were stationed in the forest
beyond the swamp. This spot was about eighty miles northeast of
the mouth of the river. Proctor had under his command one thousand'
British regulars and eighteen hundred Indians, under the. command of
Tecumseh. The British were routed and ran away. Gen. Harrison then turned
upon the Indians, routing and killing them. Proctor's loss was sixty-
nine, killed and wounded, and six hundred prisoners. The Indians
left one hundred and fifty dead upon the battle-field, Tecumseh
amongst them.
This Col. Johnson here mentioned was Col. Richard M. Johnson, of
Kentucky, who afterwards, in 1836, was elected Vice-President of the
United States. The reader, who remembers the wonderful presidential
campaign of 1840, will also remember how hard the Democrats tried;
to prove that Col. Johnson himself killed TecUmseh, and how equally
hard the Whigs tried to prove that it was not true. TlTe question is
still an unsettled one. Mr. Abbott, in his history of Ohio, proves the

WHO KILLED TECUMSEH ? 49
utter. falsity of the assertion that Johnson killed Tecumseh, while Mr.
Knapp, in his history of the Maumee valley, is so well convinced of
the fact that he proves it, even by affidavits, beyond all question of
doubt. 4

CHAPER II.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION ON PUT-IN-BAY— ORGANIZATION OF A MON
UMENTAL ASSOCIATION — CELEBRATION OF PERRY'S VICTORY - LAYING
OF THE CORNER-STONE — SPEECH OF ELUTHERUS COOK — SPEECH OF
DR. PARSONS AND THE OTHER THREE SURVIVORS OF PERRY'S FLEET.
RECURRING again to the incidents of the battle of lake Erie,
the author hopes that a description of subsequent events, inaug
urated to erect a suitable monument to the memory of Commodore
Perry and his braves, on Put-in-Bay, may not be considered out of
place here. Fearing that the occurrences I am about t0 describe may
become lost to history, and conscious of the fact that the reader will
find, in the addresses of the Hon. Elutherus Cook and Dr. Parsons,
the best description of that eventful scene, I have no apology for, giving
them a place in these pages, arid especially because certain citizens
from Seneca county took a very active part in{the movement.
An effort was put on foot amongst very ,many distinguished and
patriotic men, in a. number of counties bordering on lake Erie, to erect
a monument on Gibraltar rock, Put-in-Bay, to the memory' of Commo
dore Perry.
In the year 1852, five companies of the Ohio volunteer militia
decided to celebrate the anniversary of American Independence by
holding a' three days' encampment on the renowned and beautiful'
island of Put-in-Bay.
The following finely equipped and disciplined companies assembled'
on the island on the evening of July 3, 1852:
Bay City Guards, Capt.R. R. McMeens, of Sandusky,1
Sandusky Yaegers, Capt. Louis Traub, of Sandusky.
Sandusky Artillery, Capt. L. A. Silva, of Sandusky.
Washington Guards, Capt. William Lang, of Tiffin.
Tiffin Artillery, Capt. T. H. Bagley, of Tiffin.
Capt. McMeens was chosen 'commander for the occasion., The,
weather was delightful. The green and rocky fringe around the bay;
the broad, blue lake; the presence of a host of happy men, women
and children; the imposing martial appearance and strict discipline of
the military; "the army" passing in grand review before Gen. Isaac A.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION QN PUT-IN-BAY. 5 1
Mills, and his aid, Col. A. A. Camp, and the eloquent sermon delivered-
by the Rev. E. R. Jewett made that Fourth of July Sunday on Put-in-
Bay a fixture in the memory of all who were there.
This was the first military celebration ever held on the island. In
the evening of the third day, when the camp was about to break up,
the tents being struck and everything packed to get on board, the
artillery under Capt Bagley, were firing their farewell gun. As1 the
last shot was being fired, and Frederick Roller was "sending home"
the last cartridge, it exploded and threw Mr. Roller a great distance.
He 'fell near the edge of the water, bSing badly burnt in the face, losing
one eye and having a crippled hand for life. He, hoVever, gradually
recovered, and is still amongst the living. This sad occurrence was
the only circumstance that marred the pleasures of that ever-memorable
Fourth of July celebration.
During the first trip of the_ steamer Arrow from Sandusky to the
island, a preliminary meeting was held on board for the purpose of
organizing a monumental association, and with a view of erecting, at
some suitable place on the island, a monument to the memory of Com
modore Perry.
The Rev.' Dr. Bronson was chosen chairman, and Mr. Henry D.
Cooke secretary. On motion of Pitt Cooke a committee of five was
appointed to draft 'resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting
in reference to the erection of a "monument on Gibraltar rock, Put
in-Bay, commemorative of Perry's victory on lake Erie, and in honor
of the dead who fell in that memorable engagement.''
Messrs. J. A. Camp, W. F. Stone, Wm. S. Mills, H. D. Cooke and
Rev. W. Pitkin, were appointed such committee. Mr. Stone was
appointed to lay the proceedings of the meeting and the resolutions
before the assembled crowd at Pu,t-in-Bay.
When, on Monday afternoon, the masses assembled, the proceedings
and resolutions of the preliminary meeting were approved, and "a. com
mittee appointed to draft a constitution for the organization, Rev.
Jewett in the chair. The committee 'having withdrawn, returned and
reported a short constitution. It provided that any person paying one
dollar to the treasurer should thereby become a member. A board of
managers was appointed, and an executive committee.
.Gen. Lewis Cass was chosen President.
Col. J. J. Abert, U. S. Topographical Engineer, Washington City;
Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, Commodore R. F. Stockton, Gen. Cadwalader,
/Philadelphia; Hon. Reuben Wood, Ohio; Mayor J dim G. Camp, San
dusky; Capt. Stephen Chamberlain, Buffalo; J. A. Harris, Cleveland,.

52 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
and Judge Burnett, of Cincinnati, were appointed vice-presidents. My
lamented friend Dr. R. R. McMeens was secretary, and took a very
active part in the movement. Some funds were collected, and so the
matter rested until 1858, when the executive committee, consisting of
E. Cook, Wm. S. Pierson; F. S. Thorpe, J. A. Camp and R. R. McMeens
issued a card dated Sandusky, Ohio, September 1, 1858, calling a mass
meeting for the 10th of September, 1858, to renew the proceedings
instituted on the 4th of July, 1852. "This was the most glorious and
thrilling spectacle witnessed on lake Erie since the day of Perry's
victory. The cities and towns akmg the shores of the lake poured out
large delegations of people. The bay itself .presented a rnost grand
and glorious pageant, crowded with a fleet of magnificent steamers,
sail vessels and yachts, all decorated with gaily colored banners,
streamers and pendants, while a battery of fourteen brass cannon
waked the echoes of old' Erie with a welcome that made the old rocks
of Gibraltar tremble with their reverberation," says Dr. McMeens.
Some of Terry's old veterans were there, old men who had heard
the firing during the battle, statesmen, soldiers, women, children — all
animated and inspired with the soul-stirring' scene.
Ten steamers, three yachts, and twenty other sailing vessels anchored
in the bay.
Eight thousand people gathered in groups about the shore.
Governor Chase was chosen president of the day. A number of
vice-presidents and secretaries were appointed; also, a committee on
exercises. Gen. J. W. Fitch, of Cleveland, (now Lieutenant-Governor)
was marshal of the day. Mr. Elutherus Cooke, of Sandusky, delivered
the oration.
Four of the survivors of the battle were present: Captain Stephen'
Champlin, who fired the first and last gun in the~conflict; William Blair,
of Lexington, Richland county, Ohio; Thomas Brownell, of Newport,'
Rhode. Island, who was second in command of the schooner Ariel, and
Dr. Usher Parsons, of Providence, R. I., the surgeon of the flag-ship^
Lawrence at the time of the battle, were introduced to the vast assem
blage in the order named, and were greeted with wild applause. They
cach made short speeches, expressing their gratitude for their kind
reception, and Dr. Parsons gave a highly interesting description of the
battle, the treatment of the wounded, and incidents of the surrender
-of the enemy. It is a rjfty that the odes, poems and songs that were
read and sung can not find room here: One— only one of these gems '
-must not be overlooked, however. It is the production of my old,
lamented friend, Dr. R. R. McMeens, the secretary of the monumental.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION — POEM. 53
association, whose friendship is cherished still, though he has lbng since
passed away. A short sketch of the life of the doctor will be found in
Chap. XXVIII.
THE ISLANDS OF ERIE.

By R. R, McMeens, M. D.

The Islands of Erie arrayed in full dress,
Enrobe the lake scene with strange loveliness,
As gorgeously decked in bright verdure they lie,
In the soft mellow haze of the still autumn sky,
No more brilliant gems, though lauded they be,
Ever gleamed 'mid the groups of the old Grecian sea.
They circle the storm-brewing gates of the west
To soothe the "mad spirit" of Erie to rest,
And lend their slight forms to the rage of the sea
To shelter the storm-tossed in succoring lee ;
Or, like sentinels, seem to be pointing the way
To, the harboring arms of bold "Put-in-Bay."
When the winds breathless sleep in their caverns of peace,
How sylph-like they sit on the lake's lucent face,
Or mirrored in beauty on crimson dyed wave
When the sun silent sinks in her gold-tinted grave,
And the purple horizon depends as a shroud,
Of a tapestried mantle, in folds of rich cloud,
Then deep'ning so gently upon the pale glow,
So sombre and sad, scarcely seeming to know
When the last flitting ray of fading twilight
Merges in darkness' and death gloom of night.
Oh! Islands of Erie, how many a scene
Of shipwreck and battle around you have been !
How many a gallant young hero went down
When Perry and sailors won glorious renown !
You stand as proud monuments over the dead,
Who sleep at your feet in their coffinless bed,
While the winds shriek or whisper a requiem sigh,
And the waves join in murmuring a fond lullaby,
And the mariner, gliding along by your side,
Recounts all their deeds with emotions of pride.
Oh ! Islands of beauty, on Erie's broad breast ¦
That smile in the sunshine like havens of rest ;
Or when the storm-god in his wrath wildly raves,
Like "sisters" of mercy, hang over the waves, .
E'er bloom in your freshness as lovely as now,
To enrapture the eye and make the heart glow.

54 . HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
, Governor Chase, the chairman, opened the meeting with, a few brief
remarks of welcome. Thereupon, Mr. W. S. Pierson, chairman of the
committee, reported the following list of permanent officers of the
association, viz:
President— Hon. Lewis Cass, of Michigan. •
Vice-Presidents — Hon. Isaac Toucey, of Connecticut; Dr. Usher
Parsons, of Rhode Island; Sidney Brooks, of Rhode Island; Thomas '
Brownell, U. S. N.; Gov. Elisha Dyer, Rhode Island; Wm. Wetmore,
Esq., Rhode Island: Hon. Edward Everett, Massachusetts; Hon. W.
H. Seward, New York; August Belmont, Esq., New York; Hon. Millard
Fillmore, New York; Capt. Stephen Champlin, New York; Gov. W. F.
Packer, Pennsylvania; Wm. G. Moorehead, Esq., Pennsylvania; Gov.
,S. P. Chase, Ohio; S. Starkweather, Cleveland, Ohio; Elutherus Cook, '
Sandusky, Ohio; L. Collins, Toledo, Ohio; Ross Wilkins, Detroit,
Michigan; John Owen, Detroit, Michigan; Col. Todd, Kentucky; Col.
John O'Fallon, St. Louis, Mo.; J. Y. Scammer, Esq., Chicago, Illinois;
Hon. John Wentworth, Chicago, Illinois; Capt. J. P. McKinstry, U. S. '
N."; Commodore Jos. Lanman-, U. S. N.; Lieut. -Gen. Winfield Scott,
U. S. ,A-
On motion, Wm. S. Pierson, of Sandusky, was chosen treasurer, and
Dr. R. R. McMeens, of Sandusky, corresponding secretary.
A committee of management was then also Appointed. The following
letters were then read by Mr. Pierson: Washington City, Sept. 6, 1858.
Dear Sik:— Your invitation to me, to form one of the numerous assem
blage which will meet at Put-in-Bay on the 10th inst., has just been received,
and, while I thank you for remembering me in connection with that
interesting occasion, I regret that it will be out of my power to avail myself
of vour kindness, as I shall be necessarily detained here by my public duties.
But though absent, I shall not the less participate in thef eelings of gratitude
and exultation which the event, you propose to commemorate, is so well
calculated to inspire in every American breast. The victory of Perry upon
Lake Erie, not far from the place of your convocation, on the 10th of
September, 1813, was one of the most glorious, as well as one of the most
important achievements recorded in our military annals.
I was with the army, then encamped in your region of country during
that hard7fought battle, where we were all awaiting, with anxious solicitude,
the operations of the fleets, as the command of the lake was essential to our
movements, and now, after the elapse of almost half a century, it would
rejoice me to hear my fellow Citizens to recall and recount the glories of that
memorable day, 'mid the scenes where they were gained, and which they
will ever illustrate. It is good for the American people to assemble together
in the time of their strength to commemorate the deeds of patriotism and
valor which, in the time of their weakness, enabled our country to pass

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION  LETTERS READ. 55
safely through the trials to which she was exposed. Such a tribute of
departed worth is the object of the proposed convocation, and I beg leave
to express my deep sympathy with the feelings which have prompted it.
With much regard I am, dear sir, Yours truly, LEWIS CASS.
Dr. R. R. McMeens.

, Navy Department, Sept. ,6, 1858.
Dear Sir:— I have the honor to acknowledge the invitation through you,
of the executive committee, to be present on the 10th inst. , at the inauguration
of laying of the corner stone of a monument to be erected on Gibraltar
Rock, Put-in-Bay Island, in commemoration of Perry's Victory.
I regret to state that my engagements will deprive me of the pleasure of
participating with you on the interesting occasion.
I am with much respect Your obedient servant,
ISAAC TOUCEY.
R. R. McMeens, M. D.

Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 3, 1858.
My Dear Sir:— I have received your esteemed favor of the 27th ult.,
requesting my presence and participation in the ceremonies at the contem
plated inauguration of the monument on Gibraltar Rock, in commemoration
of our glorious naval triumph under the gallant Perry on the 10th September,
1813. As one of the five surviving officers whose fortune it was, together with
our brave tars, to be present on that glorious occasion, I thank you for your
kind remembrance of me.
, I regret that present indisposition precludes the pleasure of being with
you, to join you in doing honor to whom honor is due— the brave dead— and
renders imprudent at this time an absence from home.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
H. N. PAGE,
R. R. McMeens, M. D. Captain IT. S. Navy.

, Cincinnati, O., Sept. 9, 1858,
Usher Parsons, M. D.: ,
My Dear Doctor:— Yours of the 1st inst. arrived before my return from
the "Yellow Springs," which afforded me no little pleasure to hear you
intend to be at the glorious celebration at Put-in-Bay. I am denied the
pleasure of participating with you in consequence of sickness. I confidently
flattered myself, twelve days ago, I would be enabled to be present and unite
with the few survivors in celebrating the most brilliant achievement of the
memorable battle of Lake Erie, on the 10th of September, 1813, in which
battle I was. Shortly after COl. Croghan's victory where I was on the
morning after the British made good their retreat, I volunteered at Camp
Seneca, and was lead by Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison to Perry's fleet.
I pray the good people who have been instrumental in promoting the
celebration may continue it annually for_all time to come.

56 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
May the blessing of Heaven guide and preserve all who attend the celebra
tion, truly and sincerely is my prayer.
Most sincerely your friend,
W. T. TALIOFERRO.

New York, August .28, 1858. ;
Mr. F. T. Barney, Sandusky City, O.: '
My Dear Sir:— In answer to your favor of the 21st ult., on the subject of
the erection of a monument on the little Island of Gibraltar, I have to say:
That if said monument be to the memory of Commodore Perry, as I suppose
it is, I will be too happy to contribute to it, not only by the free gift of the
land requisite, but by procuring subscriptions in New York and one or two
other places, which I think I can do. I accordingly hereby confer urion.you
and my friend, Simon Fox, power to grant a, sufficient part of said Island of
Gibraltar, in perpetuity, for the erection of said monument, with such
reservation as you may deem necessary to prevent any sort of injury to* my
property in the group of islands. It would please me if I and my successors
after me were appointed keepers of the ground ceded, and of the monument.'
Respectfully yours", RIVERA ST. J AGO.
After the reading of these letters, Gov. Chase introduced Hon. E.
Cooke, of Sandusky, who spoke as follows:
Ladies, Gentlemen, Fellow-Counirymen:
I rise as the organ of the executive committee to bid you welcome to these
classic shores, immortalized by American valor and rich in the associations
of a nation's glory. But how can I find language suitably to express my.
congratulations of the assembled thousands who surround me, and whose
presence this day gives the lie to the reproach that "Republics know not
how to be grateful?" If I could hope to be heard by an audience so
immense, I would thank you in the name of our common country for having
come up in such vast numbers from the beautiful cities of the lake and the
interior, to this patriotic consecration. But with a voice impaired hy the
wasting power of many years, I hope to say but little else than to offer up
my fervent thanksgiving to Almighty God for those evidences of enthusi
astic gratitude and patriotic devotion which the occasion has inspired, and
which your presence this day proclaims.
, We have met to commemorate one of those rare and signal events, which,
considering the vast interest it involved, the glory it achieved and the ,
benefits conferred, has few parallels in history. We shall find it difficult,
however, justly to appreciate the importance of Perry's victory, without
calling to mind, for a mom'ent, the peculiar condition of our country which
preceded and followed its achievements. A sanguinary war had for more
than a year been raging between Great Britain and the United States. How
it was sustained on the land and on the ocean, history has recorded. It
must be admitted, however, that its commencement on the Niagara and in
the north-west was characterized by defeat, disaster and disgrace. Whether
the inglorious surrender of the fortress of Detroit and the consequent
uncontrolled possession of the vast north-western territory by the enemy,,
were chargeable to treachery or cowardice, it is not now necessary to inquire'

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION— SPEECH OF HON-. E. COOKE. 57
The event smote the heart of the nation with dismay and covered the whole
land with conscious humiliation. Our whole vast frontier, from Buffalo to
Arkansas, was at once thrown open to the stroke of the tomahawk, and
exposed bare and defenseless to the merciless incursions of the savage foe.
The authority and protection of the United States had ceased within its
borders. The course of the enemy, leagued with their savage ally, was
everywhere marked with rapine, massacre and devastation. The heart
rending and bloody tragedy of the river Rasin, and other doomed localities,
followed in succession. Consternation and alarm everywhere prevailed.
Thousands "without distinction of age or sex" were expelled from their
peaceful abodes by the invading foe, and the face of Heaven was insulted
by the murder of men, women and children, and by the wanton conflagration
of defenceless cabins and villages. The flower and Chivalry of the land were
cut off intheir glory, and their bones whitened the face of the wilderness.
Deeds of cruelty and unutterable horror were enacted, which filled the whole
land with lamentation and wrung drops of agony from the heart of the
nation. A dark cloud hung over our devoted country, throwing down from
its frowning armory the paleness of death upon her cheek, and its coldness
upon her bosom. True the assaults upon the defences of Harrison and
Croghan on the Maumee and Sandusky had been gallantly and gloriously
expelled, but these exploits, brilliant as they were, availed little to the relief
of the frontiers, while the entire possession of the lake,J»y a well-manned
fleet of Veterans, remained in the undisputed control of the foe, with power
to descend at any moment with their combined forces upon any portion of
our exposed frontier. The crisis demanded action, vigorous action, com
bined with valor and talent to direct it. The command of the lake had
become to us indispensable. In view of this, the creation of an American
fleet, the timber for which was then growing in the wilderness, was ordered
byour government, as well for the purposes of protection as invasion.^ In
March, 1813, the charge of its construction and command was assigned to
Oliver H. Perry, of Rhode Island, who, in spite of almost superhuman
obstacles and difficulties, in less than three months completed his work and
launched his vessels at the harbor of Erie. But although he frequently
sought to engage the enemy he was unable to bring them into action until
the ever-memorable and ever-glorious day we meet to commemorate.
Of the battle and its thrilling incidents I have no time to speak. I am
not here with a tongue of fire to relight and emblazon the splendors of the
achievement. That office must be left for a more elaborate address, and to
others better fitted for the task. And I rejoice to say that some of its
touching details will be given you to-day, in burning words^ from a living
and honored actor in the scene. On this point, therefore, I need only add.
that although between single ships' on the ocean, the trial had been before
signally glorious to our flag, yet this was the first American squadron that
ever made battle with an enemy, and this "was the first English fleet, since
England had a navy, that ever had been captured." And if any thing
further were wanting to heighten the brilliancy and achievement, it may be
found in the fact that our fleet was inadequately and unequally provided
with men and cannon — manned mostly by raw recruits uninured to battle,
and commanded by young men without experience in naval warfare. While

58 HISTORY OF S-ENECA COUNTY.
on the other hand, that of the British was fully armed—furnished with men
who had encountered many conflicts on the ocean," and commanded by the
experienced and veteran Commander Barclay, who had won rich laurels
under Nelson, at the immortal battle of Trafalgar.
Such was the tremendous contrast between the opposing forces. Shut
now the volume that records the event, and tell me, thou man of naval and
military science, upon what principle of human probability can the triumph
of our arms, in a conflict so unequal, be predicted?
The contrast was great, but to the dauntless Perry by no means appalling.
After the line of battle had been set and all was made ready, an hour— a
silent hour— was occupied in advancing to the conflict; an hour in which
the lives of the squadron, the fate of the north-west arid the honor of the
nation were suspended upon the talents and collected valor of one man.
How appalling the responsibility! How terrible the probation! How vast
the interest involved! How intense the gaze of millions upon the. issup!
At such a moment, men of the present generation, picture to yourselves the
solemn spectacle, the sublime pageantry of two hostile-armies watching the
movements from the opposite shores of the lake; of defenceless thousands
throughout the unprotected region of the north-west, whose lives and homes
were at stake; yea, of millions of two great nations, whose final triumph .
hung upon the issue— all, all awaiting with breathless anxiety, the result of
the conflict, and tell me if it was not an hour in which the stoutest heart of
the hero, charged with such a battle, might have justly trembled. Yet the
heroic Perry remained unagitated, unshaken and invincible. He had no
fear but for the safety and honor of his country; no ambition but to conquer
or die in her defence.
A quarter before 12 o'clock the solemn suspense was broken and the
conflict began. At 3 o'clock the battle ended. Its thunders were hushed.
Their echoes had died away upon the distant shore of the lake, and the deep
"silence of nature" succeeded, broken only by the cries of the wounded and
the dying. As the smoke of battle rolled away, it revealed a victory, which
shed undying glory upon the Republic, and gave immortal renown to the
victors; a victory which wiped from- our escutcheon the disgrace of Hull's
surrender, avenged the insulted honor of our flag, and dissolved forever the
spell of boasted British maratine invincibility. THE pupil of Nelson
had struck to the youthful Perry, and the country rang with acclamations
of joy.
In estimating the immediate and momentous results of this victory, it
should not bei forgotten that it at once opened a pathway for Gen. Harrison;
to the subjugation of Maiden, to the re-conquest of Detroit, to the restoration
of peace and safety of our whole extended frontier, and to the crowning
glory of his campaign, by the capture of the entire British army, at the
battle of the Thames. It changed at once the entire theatre of the war in
this region, and transferred it, with all its dread pageantry of death and
.devastation, from our own soil to that of the bewildered, astonished and
, panic-stricken foe. And, it is no exaggeration to assert, that from the
moment of this victory, the ambitious schemes of the enemy upon our
western borders were forever blasted, and that the last vestige of British

FOURTH .OF JULY CELEBRATION — SPEECH OF HON. ,E. COOKE. 59
domination in the north-west practically expired with the last expiring notes
of the last cannon, whose thunder closed the battle of Lake Erie.
In view of these grand and glorious results— connected with the direct
influence they exerted to revive the public spirit; to restore fresh vigor to
the American1 arms; to awaken the national confidence; to sustain the
national credit and to strengthen the arm of the government, at that gloomy
period of the war, it is no wonder that the news of the victory flew on the
wings of the wind, electrifying the whole nation with joy, and filling the
heart of every patriot with gratitude and exultation. No wonder that the
bells of every church throughout the Republic rang out their merry peals as
the news traVersed the interior, and that every city and hamlet in the land
blazed forth with bonfires and illuminations and other manifestations of the
high-wrought public rejoicings.
And shall we, who are now in the peaceful enjoyment of the full fruition
of these results; shall we, standing here in sight of the spot where the great
battle which secured them was fought and won; shall we, who have fixed
our homes and set up our household gods in the midst of the territory thus
rescued and defended, remain indifferent to an event which conferred such
priceless blessings, which cost so much blood and peril to achieve it, which
added so much wealth to the fame of the nation, and which still commands
the applause and admiration of the world? No, never, never.
To these scenes, then, let us with each returning anniversary come up for
our instruction. Let us here re-kindle the beacon-fires of patriotism, which
Perry left, on yonder cliff, with a fervent prayer that they burn forever. Let
us bring honors this day for the noble dead who perished in the fight; and
let the laurel and the cypress be kept forever fresh and green upon the lonely
graves where their ashes are enshrined. In a word, let us seek our great
practical lesson of public duty and patriotic daring in the contemplation of
the exploits and sacrifices of that dauntless band, who near this spot, periled
their lives for their country. But above all, let us this day signalize our-
grateful appreciation of their glorious deeds by efficient measures for the
erection of a monument on yonder "Gibraltar Rock," to the memory of , Perry
and his noble companious— there to stand forever, a perpetual memorial of
our convictions of the unmeasured benefits conferred upon the western
states by their patriotic and heroic valor.
At no distant day upon that consecrated spot, where sleep the ashes of the
brave who fell in the conflict, "with solemnities suited to the occasion, with
prayer to Almighty God for His blessing," and in the midst of a cloud of '
witnesses like these which surround me, let the corner stone of that monu
ment be laid. There let it rise. There let it stand as long as the blue waters
of Erie shall continue to dash against its rock-bound base, to mark the spot
which must be forever dear to us, to our children and to our children's
. children, down to the last syllable of recorded time.
The lapse of forty-five years has laid down in the dust most of the brave
men who participated in the victory. The illustrious chief himself, who on
that proud day, amid the roar and smoke and storm of battle, inscribed his
name upon the shield of immortality, has been compelled to yield to the
only foe he could not conquer; but all, thank Heaven, are not yet gone. A
little remnant of that immortal band still linger among the living, to reap

60 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the rich reward of their labor and perils, in the affections and benedictions
of their countrymen; and four of these have kindly, yielded^ 'to the earnest
invitation of the committee, and are now present, to receive an expression
of the gratitude of the country, for which they put their lives at hazard, and
to which they devoted the flower of their youth.
Fortunate should we esteem ourselves that we have been permitted to
behold this spectacle;- a spectacle, the like of which in thrilling interest and
imposing grandeur, was never before vouchsafed to the present generation.
Happy indeed that God has granted us the sight of these veteran surviVofs
under circumstances so novel and affecting. Soon, alas; too soon, shall we
seek in vain for one survivor, and the last of the heroic band will be seen
on earth no more forever. Let us then bring fresh honors, this day.lto those
who still remain to link the living with the dead, 'ere the grave shall have
closed upon them forever.
Gallant and venerable men! with grateful hearts, we bid you welcome,
thrice welcome to these island shores, and to these bright scenes of your
early glory. We thank the God of mercy for having prolonged your lives
that we might thus greet you, and that you might behold this deeply earnest
demonstration of your grateful countrymen.
On revisiting the memorable spot where you linked forever your own
fame with the glory of your country, after the absence of nearly half a
century, it is not strange that the stirring incidents of the victory in which
you so honorably shared, should come down upon your memory like an
avalanche from the past, and agitate you with conflicting emotions.
How changed the scene since last your eyes beheld these lovely shores !
True, the same lake which you then saw wreathed in smoke of battle and
encrimsoned with the blood of your companions, still continues its ceaseless
funeral wail over the slumbers of the buried brave, or chants its loud
anthems to the praise of your gallant deeds. The same sun, which then
looked down from its mid-day throne and fired your young hearts to deeds
of glorious daring, still smiles upon your return to this renowned theater of
your youthful courage and patriotism. But in other respects how great the
change! The haughty foe is gone— the din of war is hushed, and instead of
the thunders of hostile cannon, and the shrieks of your dying comrades,
you have heardi to-day the shouts of a new generation, who have come out
from all the borders of the lovely land you defended, to greet you with the
loud acclaim of an overflowing and universal gratitude.
Forever, hereafter, the 10th of September, 1813, shall be sacred .to our
hearts, as it has long been glorious to our country. It was your good fortune.
most honorably, to participate in the dangers of that day. Imminent were
the perils you encountered; glorious the deeds you performed, and great the
sacrifices you made for your country. I will not attempt their eulogy. They
have already found their place with those of your departed compatriots.
among the solemn archives of our country, where they can never die; and
the history which records them is but an imperishable transcript of your
claims upon our gratitude.
You have come to most of the thousands before you as from a distant
age, to revive recollections and recount incidents around which the mists of
tradition have begun to cluster, and you find yourselves to-day in the midst

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION — SPEECH OF. HON. E. COOKE. 6 1
of a generation now in the full vigor and meridian strength of manhood,
who had not seen the light of heaven when you had nObly bared your breasts
to the shafts of death ip defense of the rights and honor of your country.
You are now where you stood forty-five years ago, with trailed banners,
at the funeral of your valiant dead. Like myself, you belong to a former
generation. You look around you in yain for your youthful companions-in
arms and brothers in peril. They have been gathered to their fathers. But
you look around you not in vain for the evidences of your country's happi
ness, and for the rich rewards of your patriotic sacrifices and toils; you look
aroundiyou not in vain for the joy and gratitude of the living thousands
who surround you, and who have been made happy— most happy— to bid you
welcome, thrice welcome, on this consecrated day.
We forbear further to betray our emotions, for eulogy belongs less to the'
living than to the dead, and there is not a heart throughout this vast assem
bly that does not frequently pray that we may long be spared the duty of
granting to you our last and highest honors. Distant, far distant, be the
day which shall mark your setting sun. May the same God who shielded
you in battle, andguided and preserved you in after-life, still smile upon
your declining years, and cover them with his richest and choicest blessings." i
Thereupon Mr. Cooke introduced Capt. Stephen Champlin to the
crowd. He was the last surviving commander of the Perry squadron,
who led the Scorpion in the front line of battle, and who fired the first
and last gun in the conflict. He was received with tremendous cheers.
Thereupon Gov. Chase read the Captain's speech, as follows:
"Mb. President:— Unaccustomed to speak in public, and having no
confidence in my voice, I ask the favor of you to read the following reply to
the flattering sentiments just offered:
Fellow-Citizens: — I cordially thank you for the distinguished honor paid to
the memory of my old commander, Commodore O. H. Berry, and the gallant
officers and men under his command in the battle on this lake, and also the
flattering notice of my services on that occasion. You have amply rewarded
me for the toil and exposure of life on that eventful day. Next to a con
sciousness that I performed my duty faithfully, is the approbation of so vast
a multitude of my fellow-citizens. I renewedly thank you, and beg leave to
offer the following sentiment: 'The thirty-six volunteers of Gen. Harrison's
army, who came to us in our greatest need, to whom we were much indebted
for their valuable services,' "
Six rousing-cheers were given for Capt. Champlin.
Mr. Cooke next introduced the venerable William *Blair, of Lexing
ton, Richland county, Ohio, as one of the thirty-six. volunteers of
Gen. Harrison's army, just referred to, and exhibited to the audience,
from the neck of the old veteran, a rich and massive silver medal,
bearing the impress' of Perry, with appropriate inscription, which had
been voted to him, with the thanks of the commonwealth, by the state
of Pennsylvania, of which he was then a citizen, in testimony of his

6z HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
patriotism and bravery at the battle of lake Erie., The old hero was
too much affected to say one word, but amidst a storm of applause
acknowledged the kindness shown him by a modest bow and a flow of
tears. ,
Thdmas Brownell, of Newport, R. ,L, was then next introduced. He
commanded the schooner Ariel in. the battle. He was greeted with
rousing cheers, and responded by thanking the crowd for the flattering •
and cordial expression of feeling, and assured them that it was all'
gratefully appreciated by him.
Df. Usher Parsons, of Providence, R. L, the surgeon of the flag-ship
Lawrence at the time of the battle, was then introduced, and gave a ,,
detailed and thrilling account of the engagement. His address was'
listened to with the most intense interest; and was frequently interrupted
with cheers that made the welkin ring. Dr. Parsons said:
Mr. President, and Citizens- of the Lake Shore:
The survivors of the battle of Lake Erie here present have listened with
intense- interest to the eloquent address just delivered, and thank you most
sincerely for the cordial reception you have given to its friendly and compli
mentary allusion to our services on the day we are now assembled to
commemorate. Forty-five years ago we were here as spectators and participants in the
battle, and now, in advanced years, are invited to join a vast number of
patriotic citizens, gathered from the beautiful and flourishing cities bordering
this lake, to celebrate the victory then gained by our squadron.
We have come hither, my friends, to'honor the memory of those who fell
in that glorious conflict, and are sleeping under the soil near where we are
now gathered. We have come, also, to pay a grateful tribute of respect to
the memory of Commodore Perry, and his associates in the battle, who have
since passed away in the ordinary course of human life. And you, citizens
of the lake shore, have sought out and invited here a little remnant of
survivors to bless our eyes with evidences of your prosperity and happiness,
and to warm our hearts with tokens Of assurance that our toil and peril of
life on that eventful day are not forgotten. Would to Go'd that more had
been spared to participate with us in these generous demonstrations of
gratitude and respect. But they have passed away, "and in a very brief
period of time no spectator will be left to tell the storyof "Perry's Victory."
That victory derives a general interest from the fact that it was the first
encounter of our infant navy, in fleet or squadron. In contests with single
ships we had humbled the pride of Great Britain. The Guerrier, Java
and Macedonia had surrendered to our stars and stripes. But here, on yonder
waves, that nation was taught the unexpected lesson that we could conquer
them in squadron. But this battle derives a particular interest from its
bearing on the war of 1812, and from the relief it brougjit to your shores— in
wrenching the tomahawk and scalping knife from savage hands; shielding
a frontier of three hundred miles from the assaults and conflagrations of a
combined British and savage foe; opening the gates of Maiden to Gen.

fourth of July celebration — speech of dr. parsons. 63
Harrison's army, that enabled it to pursue and capture the only army that
was captured during the svar, and in restoring to us Detroit and the free
navigation of the upper lakes.
My friends, you have read, and your fathers have told you, the story of
this victory. Yet from the interest you still manifest by coming here in
thronging multitudes, as well as by the expressed will of some present, and
of the press, it is apparent that you wish the story to be repeated, probably
with the desire that you may hereafter . relate it to your children as coming
from a spectator of the scene. I will therefore give a brief sketch of the
battle. I shall not detain you with a description of the construction and equip
ment, but commence with our arrival here, twenty-five days before the
action, and our cruising in that time between Maiden and Sandusky, and
receiving near the latter place a visit from Gen. Harrison and suite, prepar-
tory to an attack on Maiden.
Early in the morning of the 10th of September, 1813, while we lay at
anchor in the bay, a cry came from the mast-head— "sail, ho!" All hands
leaped from their berths, and in a few minutes the cry was repeated, until
six sails were announced. Signal was made to the squadron: "Enemy in
sight; get under way." And soon the hoarse sound of trumpets and shrill
pipe of the boatswain resounded throughout our squadron, with "all hands
up anchor, ahoy!"
In passing out1 of this, bay it was desirable to go to the left of yonder islet,
but on being notified by sailing-master Taylor that adverse winds would
prevent, the Commodore replied: "Go, then, sir, to the right; for this day I
am determined to meet and fight the enemy."
There were nine American vessels, carrying 54 guns and 400 men, and six
British vessels, carrying 63 guns and 511 men.
At the head of our line were the, Scorpion, Capt. Champlin, and Ariel,
.Lieut.' Packet; next, the flag-ship Lawrence, of 20 guns, to engage trie flag
ship Detroit, the Caledonia to fight the Hunter; the Niagara, of 20 guns, to
engage the Queen Charlotte; and lastly, three small vessels to fight the Lady
Provost, of 13 guns, and Little Belt, of 3 guns. Our fleet now moved ion to
attack the enemy, distant, at 10 o'clock, about five miles.
The Commodore now produced the burgee, or fighting flag, hitherto con
cealed in the ship. Tt was inscribed with large white letters, on a blue
ground, legible throughout the squadron: "Don't Give up the Ship,"—
the last words of the expiring Lawrence, and now to be hoisted at the mast
head of the vessel bearing his name.
A spirited appeal was made to the crew, and up went the flag to the fore-
royal, amid hearty cheers throughout the squadron, and tiie drums and fifes
struck up the thrilling sound, "all hands to quarters."
The hatches, or passage-ways to the decks, were now closed, excepting a
small aperture ten inches square, through which light was admitted to the
surgeon's room, for receiving the wounded, the floor of which was on a level
with the surface of the lake, and exposing them to cannon ball as much as if
they were on deck.
Every preparation being made, and every man at his station, a profound
silence reigned for more than an hour— the most trying part of the scene.

<J4 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
It was like the stillness that precedes the hurricane. The, fleet moved on
steadily till a quarter before twelve o'clock, when the awful suspense was
relieved by a shot aimed at us from the Detroit, about one mile distant.
Perry made more sail, and coming within canister distance, opened a rapid
and destructive fire on the Detroit. The Caledonia, Capt. Turner, followed
the Lawrence in gallant, style; and the Ariel, Lieut. Packet,' and the Scor
pion, Capt* Champlin, fought nobly and effectively.
The Niagara failing to grapple with the Queen, the latter vessel shot ahead
to fire upon the Lawrence, and with the Detroit aimed their broadsides
exclusively upon her, hoping and intending to sink her. At last they made
her a complete wreck; but, fortunately, the Commodore escaped without
injury, and stepping into a boat with his fighting flag thrown over his
shoulders, he pushed off for the Niagara amid a shower of cannon and
musket balls, and reached that vessel unscathed.
He found her a fresh vessel, with only two, or at most three, persons
injured, and immediately sent her commander to hasten up the" small vessels.
Perry boarded the Niagara when she was abreast of the Lawrence, and
further from her than the Detroit was on her right. The Lawrence now
dropped astern and hauled down- her flag. Perry turned the Niagara's
course towards the enemy, and crossing the bow of the Lawrence bore down
headforemost upon the enemy's line, determined to break through it and
take a raking position. The Detroit attempted to turn, so as to keep her
broadside to the Niagara, and avoid being raked; but ip doing this, she fell
against the Queen, and got entangled in her rigging, which left the enemy
no alternative but to strike both ships. Perry now shot further ahead, near
the Lady Provost, which, from being "crippled in her rudder, had drifted out
out of her place to leeward, and was pressing forward towards the head of
the British line to support the two ships. One broadside from the Niagara
silenced her battery. The Hunter next struck, and the two smaller vessels,
in atte'mpting to escape, were overhauled by the Scorpion, Capt. Champlin,'
and the Trip, Mr. Holdup; and thus ended the action, after 3 o'clock.
Let us now advert for a moment to the scenes exhibited in the flag-ship
Lawrence, of which I can speak as an eye-witness. The wounded began to
come down befpre she opened her battery, and for one, I felt impatient of
the delay. In proper time, however, as it proved, the dogs of war were let
loose from their leash, and it seemed as though heaven and earth were at
loggerheads. For more than two hours little could be heard but the deaf
ening thunder of our broadsides, the crash of the balls dashing through our
timbers, and the shrieks of the wounded. These were brought down faster
than I could attend to them, farther than to stay the bleeding, or support a
shattered limb witfti splints, and pass them forward upon the berth-deck.
When the battle had raged an hour and a half, I heard a call for me at the
small sky-light, and stepping towards it, I saw the Commodore, whose
countenance was as calm and placid as if on ordinary duty. "Doctor," said
he, "send me one of your men," meaning one of the six stationed with me
to assist in moving the wounded. In five minutes the call was repeated and
obeyed, and at the seventh call I told him he had all my men. He asked if
there were any sick or wounded who could pull a rope, when two or three
crawled up on deck to lend a helping, but feeble, hand in pulling at the last

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION — SPEECH OF DR. PARSONS. 65
guns. The hard fighting terminated about three o'clock. As the smoke
cleared away, the two fleets werfe found mingled together, the small vessels
having come up to the others. The shattered Lawrence, lying to the wind
ward, was once more able to hoist her flag, which was cheered by a few
feeble voices on board, making a melancholy sound compared with the
boisterous cheers that preceded the battle. ,
The proud, though painful, duty of taking possession of the* conquered
ships was now performed. The Detroit was nearly dismantled, and the
destruction and carnage had been dreadful. The Queen was, in condition,
a little better. "Every Commander, and second in command," says Barclay,
in his official,. report, "was either killed or wounded." The whole number
killed in the British fleet was forty-one, and of wounded ninety-four. In
the American fleet, twenty-seven were killed and ninety-six wounded. Of
the twenty-seven killed, twenty-two were on board the Lawrence; and of the
ninety-six wounded, sixty-one were on board this same ship— making eighty-
three killed and wounded out of 101 reported fit for duty on the Lawrence
on the morning of the battle. On board the Niagara were two killed and
twenty-three wounded— making twenty-five; and of these, twenty-two were
killed or wounded after Perry took command of her.
About 4 o'clock a boat -was discovered approaching the Lawrence. Soon
the Commodore was recognized in her, who was returning to resume com
mand of his tattered ship, determined that the remnant of her crew should
have the privilege of witnessing the formal' surrender of the British officers.
It was a time of conflicting emotions when he stepped upon the deck. The
battle was- won, and he was safe; but the deck was slippery with blood, and
strewed with the bedies of twenty officers and men, some of whom sat at
•table with us at our last meal, and the ship resounded with the groans of
the wounded. Those of us who were spared, and able to walk, met him at
the gangway to welcome him on board, but the salutation was a silent one
on both sides— not a word could, find utterance. And now the British
officers arrived— one from each vessel— to tender their submission, and with
it their swords. When they approached, picking their way among the
wreck and carnage of the deck, with their swprd^hilts towards Perry, they
tendered them to his acceptance. With a dignified and solemn air, and with
a low tone of voice, he requested them to retain their side arms; inquired
with deep concern for Commodore Barclay and the wounded officers,
tendering to them every comfort his ship afforded, and expressing his regret
that he had not a spare medical officer to send them; that he had only one
on duty for the fleet, and that one had his hands full.
Among the ninety-six wounded, there occurred three deaths. A result so
favorable was attributable to the plentiful supply of fresh provisions sent
off to us from the Ohio shore; to fresh air— the wounded being ranged under
an awning on the deck until we arrived at Erie, ten days after the action;
and, also, to the devoted attention of Commodore Perry to every want.
Those who were killed in the battle were that evening committed to the
deep, and over them was read the impressive Episcopal service.
On the following morning the two fleets sailed into this bay, where the
slain officers of both were buried in an appropriate and affecting manner.
They consisted of three Americans— Lieutenant Brooks, and midshipmen
5

66

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY,

n

Lynch and Clark; and three British officers-Captain Finis, and Lieutenant
Stokes, of the Queen, and Lieutenant Garland, of the Detroit.. Equal
respect was- shown to the slain of both nations, and the crews of both fleets
united in the ceremony. The procession of boats, with two bands of music;
the slow and regular motion of the oars, striking in exact time with the
solemn notes of the dirge; tlie mournful waving of' flags, and sound of
minute guns from the ships, presented a striking contrast to the scenes of
two days before, when both the living and the dead, now forming this
solemn and fraternal train, were engaged in fierce and bloody strife, hurling
at each other the thunderbolts of war. v
On the eighth day after the action, the Lawrence, was dispatched to Erie
with the wounded, where we receiveda cordial welcome and kind hospitality.
The remainder of the vessels conveyed Harrison's army to Maiden, where
they found'the public stores in flames, and Proctor, with his army, in hasty
retreat. Perry joined Harrison as a volunteer aid, who, with our troops,
chiefly from Ohio and Kentucky, overtook and captured the army. Perry
then accompanied Harrison and Commodore Barclay to Erie, Where they
landed amid peals of cannon and shouts of the multitude, and from thence
proceeded to Rhode Island. ,
Commodore Perry served two years as commander of the Java, taking
with him most of the survivors of the Lawrence. He after this commanded
a squadron in the West Indies, where he died, in 1819.
Possessed of high-toned morals, he was above the low dissipation and
sensuality too prevalent with some officers of this day, and in his domestic
character was a model of every domestic virtue and grace. His literary
acquirements were respectable, and his taste refined. He united the graces^
of a manly beauty to a lion heart, a sound mind, a safe judgment, and a'
firmness, of purpose which nothing could shake.
But this intelligent audience already know and appreciate his noble
virtues and honor his glorious achievements. The maps-of your shores and
inland towns and counties are inscribed with his name; and the noble- State
of Ohio, and the United States are about to decorate the walls of their
respective capitols with splendid representations of the battle we are this
day commemorating.
My friends, in the name and -behalf of the citizens of Rhode Island, I
tender you their grateful acknowledgements for the 'honor done that little
State on this interesting occasion. She sent hither the commander of the
squadron, and a majority of the officers and men. She glories in the victory
gained, and regards the name and fame of her gallant son as one of her
choicest jewels, and will ever cherish grateful sentiments towards those
who respect and honor his memory. You have come hither, my friends, for
this holy purpose from all the cities of the lake shore, and are about to lay
the corner stone of a monument to perpetuate his memory and fame.
Though his name will outlive structures of marble, or of bronze, yet rest
assured that the citizens of Rhode Island will hail with delight the report
of this day's transactions, and in their future western pilgrimages will linger
about this spot and invoke Heaven's choicest, blessings on you in return for
your generous magnanimity.
Old companions in the conflict, I rejoice to see you arid once more take

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION — CONCLUSION. 67
you by the hand, and a more fitting occasion than the present could hardly
occur or be conceived of. In the days of our youth we came to the rescue
of this lake, and to assist in restoring peace to the frontier. A kind
Providence has lengthened out our days beyond man's allotted period of
existence, and now, after a lapse of nearly half a century, permits us to
revisit the .place where important scenes transpired in our early years, and
to unite in celebrating the victory achieved by our much-loved commander.
We joyfully survey the wonderful changes and improvements that have
occurred since the war of 1812. Buffalo was then a populous village, but
soon after a heap of ashes; Erie contained but a score of dwellings; Cleve
land was a cluster of log cabins; Sandusky, the same; Toledo was nowhere,
and Detroit in possession of the enemy, and not a single American vessel
was left on the lakes on which to hoist our stars and stripes.
And what do we now behold ? A population increased an hundred fold;
magnificent and prosperous cities; lofty spires and domes on temples of
worship; colleges and seminaries of learning; extensive commerce; railroads
diverging and intersecting in all directions; the white, outspread wings of
commerce gliding to and fro, and freighted with the exhaustless products of
the north and northwest — aye, and ploughing yon crystal waves, once
shrouded in the smoke of our cannon, and crimsoned with the blood of our
companions. Old friends, we part to-day, probably to meet no more. Our memories of
the past, and the happy experiences of this celebration, fill our hearts with
grateful and tender emotions, and will serve to gild the evening twilight of
our days. I bid you an affectionate farewell.
Mayor Starkweather, of Cleveland, then made a short speech." He
was followed by Joshua R. Giddings. D. Bethune Duffield, Esq., of
Detroit, delivered .a poem of rare beauty, describing the battle. Judge
Mason, of Toledo, also spoke.
ON BOARD THE STEAMER QUEEN CITY.
Dr. Usher Parsons pointed out from the steamer Queen City, on her
trip homeward, with three other survivors on board, the locality where
the fleet had come to anchor a few days before the engagement, and
fired three guns, a signal previously agreed upon between Commodore
Perry and Gen. Harrison. "The next day" (said the doctor) "Gen.
Harrison, and his suite, among whom were the celebrated Governor
McArthur and Hon. Lewis Cass, with a number of Indian chiefs, came
on board, drenched with rain. Here we received the volunteer rein
forcement from the army. A day or two after the reception of Gen.
Harrison and suite, they were saluted with the usual riumber of guns.
They stood, during the time, on the quarter-deck of the Lawrence, in
full-dress uniform. I have never since looked upon a nobler and a
more martial staff of officers. When the firing began the "Indian
braves" dodged below in double-quick time, and remained in the cabin

68 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
until it ceased. Their ears were not used to that kind of thunder."
The author took a very active part in this celebration, and must be
excused for referring to it here, because it always seemed to him very
wrong that the plan of the association was not carried out. After all
these patriotic effusions of eloquence in prose and song, and these
thousands of people, with one voice, agreeing to erect the monument
on Gibraltar rock, as then and theretofore contemplated^thalt all this
should be set at defiance, and the plan frustrated by a few selfish men,
can not be successfully apologized for. There is certainly no more
appropriate spot on earth for a monument to Perry and his braves than
right at the spot where the corner stone was laid at Gibraltar rock in
1858. If the present generation should fail to carry out the plan then*
inaugurated in such glorious style, and with such high hopes of success,
may not a Mr. Jay Cooke, with his acknowledged patriotism and his
wonderful recuperative powers, yet erect such a monument upon that
corner stone that shall be worthy of the day and deed? While in the
zenith of his fame Mr. Cooke built & palatial mansion near the corner
stone, where it was laid more than 2 1 years ago. In this mansion many
ministers of the gospel throughout the land, for several years, found and
enjoyed Mr. Cooke's hospitality, and made the acquaintance of the
superintendent, Mrs. McMeens, the distinguished Tiffinite, the widow
of my late and lamented friend, Dr. McMeens, the efficient secretary
^of that "monumental association," and who preserved the proceedings
of the 10th day of September, 1858.
Whatever became of the funds, I dp not know, and would not have
anybody believe that improper use was ever made of them; but one
thing I do know: That soon after that glorious inauguration, efforts
were made to build a monument to Perry in the public square at
Cleveland; that succeeded. I can never look at it, or think about it,
but feelings of sadness pervade my whole being. If there is, in fact,
no- wrong connected with it, it is certainly away from home. Why did
not the people of Sandusky, and of the islands, protest against the
robbery? Why did Toledo and Detroit stand by and see this, thing
done? Such is life!

CHAPTER III:

PEACE-TREATIES— RESERVATIONS— CESSIONS— EMIGRANTS ARRIVING— WARS
BETWEEN THE WYANDOTS AND SENECAS— SPEECH OF LOGAN— LOGAN'S
DEATH. 4

PEACE.
And now smiling peace with her blessings and treasures
Did visit the plains of Columbia again.
THE annihilation of the British fleet on Lake Erie, the re-conquest
of Detroit, and the utter overthrow and dispersion of the British
army at the battle of the Thames, brought peace to the northwestern
frontier. The' population of Ohio was now three hundred thousand.
At the conclusion of Wayne's expedition, only eighteen years previous,
it was but five thousand. The battle of the Thames took place October
5, 1813. Peace was made at Ghent, in Switzerland, between the
United States and Great Britain, December 24, 1814.
After the fall of Tecumseh the Indians abandoned all hopes of
arresting the advance of civilization, and tribe after tribe exchanged
its hunting grounds for rich annuities from the United States, ancT
retired beyond the Mississippi.
There was no permanent state capital in Ohio before 1812. Chilli
cothe continued to be the capital pro tern, until 1810. Then the state
legislature met at Zanesville., In 181 2 the high bank on the Scioto,
just opposite Franklinton, was selected by a committee of the legislature
as a site for the future capital. This region was then an unbroken
wilderness. In December, 18 16, the legislature met there for the first
time. The site is on the same parallel with Philadelphia, four hundred
and fifty miles distant, and on the same longitude with Detroit, from
which it is one hundred and seventy miles south. On the same day,
when the first sale of town lots in Columbus took place, war was
declared with Great Britain, June 18, 1812.
Great efforts were now made to extinguish the Indian titles in Ohio.
Generals Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur met a large delegation of
Indian chief's, warriors and sachems at the' foot of the rapids of the
Maumee on the 29th day September, 1817. Gens. Cass and McArthur
were the commissioners representing the United States. The Wyandots,

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Senecas, Delawares, Shawnees, Potawatomies/Ottawas and Chippewas
were represented in behalf of all the northwestern Indians. A treaty
was then and there concluded by which all the lands of the Indians
within the State of Ohio were ceded to the United States forever. At
that time no white man had settled in Seneca county.
At this treaty the' United States granted to the Senecas a tract of
land containing thirty thousand acres, lying upon the east side of, and
Adjoining, the Sandusky river, mostly within the boundaries of what
now constitutes Seneca county. The chiefs of the Senecas, to whom
this cession was made, were Takawmadoaw, Captain Harris, Isahow-
masaw, Joseph, Tawgyou, Captain Smith, Coffeehouse, Running-about
and Wipingstick.
At another treaty, held about one year thereafter by the same
commissioners in behalf of the United States and these Indians, at
the same place, ten thousand acres more were added to the Seneca
reservation, adjoining the. other tract on the south, thus making the .
whole reserve to contain forty thousand acres.
To the Wyandots was ceded a tract twelve miles square, now in
Wyandot county, and the southwest corner of Big Spring township, in
Seneca county, about twelve square miles.
For further information concerning this Indian reservation on Big
Spring, see the documents:
DEPARTMENT. OF THE INTERIOR,
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
Washington, May 11, 1880.
W. Lang, Esq., Tiffin, Ohio— Sir:— I am in receipt, by reference from
the Commissioner of the General Land Office, of your letter, dated 7th of
January, last, in which you state that you have been informed that there
was an Indian reservation of about twelve square miles in the southwest
corner of Seneca county, Ohio; and, as you are writing a history of said
county, you desire to be informed as to whom it was made. You expressed
the opinion that it belonged to the Delawares.
In reply, I have to state that the second clause of the second article of the
Wyandot treaty of September 17, 1818, (7 stat., p. 179), contains the following
stipulation, tb-wit:
"That there shall be reserved for the use of the Wyandots residing at
Solomons-town, and on Blanchard's fork, in addition to the reservation
before made, sixteen thousand acres of land, tobe laid off in a square form
on the head of Blanchard's fork, the center of which shall be at the Big
Spring, on the trace leading from Upper Sandusky to Fort Findlay."
This reservation was known as the Big Spring Indian reservation, and
was located in township 1 N. and 1 S., range 12; and 1 N. and 1 S., range 13*
in Ohio.

INDIAN RESERVATIONS. 71
It appears from an examination of a map 'that about two-thirds of this
reservation was situated in the southwest corner of Seneca county, and the
remainder south and west thereof. '
By the provisions of the first article of the Wyandot treaty of January 19,
1832, (7 stat., p. 364), the reservation was ceded to the United States.
Very respectfully, R. E. TROWBRIDGE^ Commissioner.
Upon the receipt of the foregoing letter, the writer hunted up the
law eeding this Big Spring reservation to the United States, and it is
added here as a sort _ of relic. My old friend, Dr. G. W. Sampson;
who is still living, was one of the witnesses.
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT AND CONVENTION
Made and concluded at McCutchenville, Crawford county, Ohio, oA the
nineteenth day of January, i8j2, by and between James B. Gardiner,
specially appointed Commissioner on the part of the United States,
and the- Chiefs, Headmen and Warriors of the. band of Wyandots,
residing at the Big Spring, in said county of Crawford, and owning a
reservation of x6,ooo acres at that place:
Whereas, The said band of Wyandots have become fully convinced
that whilst they remain in their present situation in the state of Ohio,
in the vicinity of a white population, which is continually increasing
and crowding around them, they can not prosper and be happy, and
the morals of many of their people will be daily becoming more and
more vitiated; and understanding that the government of the United
States is willing to pprchase the reservation of land on which they
reside, and for that purpose have deputed the said James B. Gardiner
as special commissioner to treat for the cession of the same;
Therefore, To effect the aforesaid objects, the said Chiefs, .Headmen
and Warriors, and the said James B. Gardiner, have this day entered
into and' agreed upon the following articles of convention:
Article I. The band of Wyandots residing at the Big Spring, in
the county of Crawford, and State Of Ohio, do hereby forever cede
and relinquish to the United States the reservation of 16,000 acres of
land granted to them by the second article of the treaty made at St.
Mary's on the 17th of September, 1818, which grant is in the following
words, to-wit: "There shall be reserved for the use of the Wyandots
residing at Solomon's-town, on Blanchard's fork, sixteen thousand acres
of land, to be laid off in a square form, on the head of Blanchard's
fork, the center of which shall be at the Big Spring, on the road lead
ing from Upper Sandusky to Fort Findlay."

72 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Article II. The United States stipulate with the said band of
Wyandots, that as soon as practicable after the ratification of this
treaty, the aforesaid tract of 16,000 acres shall be surveyed into sections
and put into market and sold in the, ordinary manner of selling the
public lands of the United States; and when the same shall be' sold, or
as soon as any part thereof shall be disposed of, (be the price received
therefor, more or less,) there shall be paid to the chiefs, headmen and
' warriors, signing this treaty, for the benefit of all the said band of
Wyandots, the sum of one dollar and twenty-fiye cents per acre for
each and every acre so sold, or for sale. The said price shall be paid
in silver, and in current coin of the United.States.
Article III. For the improvements now made upon said reservation,
the United States agree to pay a fair valuation in money, according to
the appraisement of Joseph McCutcheon, Esq., (or such person as the
Secretary of War may depute for that purpose,) and an appraiser to
be chosen by the band of Wyandots. And in case the said appraisers
shall not be able to agree upon any of their valuations, they shall call
to their assistance some competent citizen of the county of Crawford.
Article IV. There shall be reserved for Roe-nu-nas, one of the
oldest chiefs of said band, one-half-section, to contain 320 acres, and
to include the improvements where he now lives.
Article V. It is expressly understood between the present contracts
ing parties, that the. said band of Wyandots may, as they think proper,
remove to Canada, or to the river Huron, in Michigan, where they
own a reservation of land, or to any place they may obtain a right or
privilege from other Indians to go.
Article VI. It was expressly agreed. before the sitting of this treaty -
that' that -part of the fifth article relating to the granting to the said
band of Wyandots' lands west of the Mississippi, and every other
article in relation thereto is wholly null and void, and of no effect.
Article VII. Inasmuch as the band of Wyandots herein treating
have separated themselves from the Wyandots at Upper Sandusky and
on the Sandusky plains, they ask qf the general government that there
may be'a special sub-agent and protector appointed for them while
they remain in the State of Ohio, and they respectfully recommend
Joseph McCutcheon, Esq., of the county of Crawford, as a fit and
proper person to act in such capacity; and that he may have the power
to employ such interpreter as he may think proper, in his intercourse
with said band.
The aforesaid articles of agreement shall be mutually binding upon

INDIAN RESERVATIONS. 73
the present contracting parties, when ratified by the President of the
United States, by and with the consent of the Senate thereof.
J. B. GARDINER.
Roe-nu-nas, Matthew Greyeyes,
Bear-Skin, Isaac Driver,
( She-a-wah, or John D". Brown,
{ John Solomon,* Alexander Clarke,
John McLean.
Done in the presence of C. Clarke, secretary of the Commission;
Joseph McCutcheon, J. P. in the county of Crawford, Ohio; John C.
Dewitt, Richard Reynolds, G. W. Sampson.'
(To the Indian names are subjoined marks).
EXPLANA TION.
, In the first draft of this treaty provision was made for the removal
of the band west of the Mississippi, but they refused to accept of a
grant of land, or to remove there, and the articles having relation
thereto were accordingly omitted. It was therefore necessary to omit
the sixth article; and circumstances did not admit of time to remodel
and copy the whole, treaty. J. B, GARDINER,
Special Commissioner.
The facts are that the Indians got drunk, and it was dangerous to
remain any longer amongst them.
"The Wyandots," says Abbott, "were considered the bravest of all
the Indian tribes." -Several of their chiefs were men of high moral
and religious character. In the early occupation of Canada by the
French, the Catholics, with a spirit of devotion and self-sacrifice which
has never been surpassed, established a mission there. The first
Protestant who preached to them was John Stewart, a mulatto^ of the
Methodist church. The Rev. James B. Finley, one of nature's noblemen,
established a Methodist mission here and organized a school. Between-
the-logs, a Wyandot chief, became quite a celebrated preacher. They
built a large mission house a short distance northeast of Upper
Sandusky. It was of stone, and a very substantial structure. Pity the
*This John Solomon afterwards attached himself to the main tribe of
Wyandots at Upper Sandusky, and moved to the west with them. He
returned with his squaw to Wyandot a few years after, and remained there
to the time of his death, which occurred in 1878. He was present at a
.pioneers' pic-nic in Shoch's woods, on Honey creek, in Eden township, on
the first day of iSeptember, 1877, and being called upon for a speech, stepped
onto the stand and related, in very broken English, an account of a bear
hunt. He was a tall and noble looking man. ' His squaw is still living.

-4 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
people of Upper Sandusky have not kept it in repair as a land-mark of
the historic past ! The roof has fallen in, and there is nothing left of
i t but the stone walls. r ,
Sum-mun-de-wat, another christian chief, was brutally murdered by
some miscreant white men, who enjoyed his hospitality. I speak of
him, especially, because this chief was very well known and respected
by the early settlers of, Seneca county. He was a special friend of
our lamented townsman, Dr. Kuhn.
At a treaty held at Washington City, on the 29th day of February,
1831, the United States were irepresented by Mr. James B. Gardiner,
and the Senecas by Coonstick, Seneca Steel, Captain Good-hunter,
Hard-hickory and Small-cloud-Spicer, their chiefs. - .George Herrin.
acted as interpreter. Gen. Henry C. Bresh was sub-agent. At this
treaty the Senecas sold their whole reservation to the United States,
with full authority to sell the same. The .proceeds were to be placed
in funded stock at five per cent, interest, which was to be paid to the
Senecas as an annuity, after deducting the cost of building for the
latter a saw mill and a grist mill near Green Springs. They were to
have, also, 70,000 acres northwest of the State of Arkansas, on the
Neosho and Cowskin rivers, and ninety miles from Fort Gibson.
The Wyandots ceded their reservation to the United States in 1842.
At this cession the last foot of soil in Ohio passed away from the red
man to the race that conquers the world — the Caucasian.
Emigrants who crossed the mountains and descended and settled in
the Ohio valley, usually brought with them their household goods, and
their flocks of sheep, their horses and cattle. They crossed the moun- '
tains in large wagons, and drove their. flocks before them. On reaching
the Ohio river they put all on board of flat-boats and descended the
river to their places of destination. But when emigration began to
set in for northwestern Ohio, the emigrants had to find their way
through a dense forest, as best they could. There were no roads open,
and no bridges across any of the numerous ' creeks- and rivers with
which this northwestern part of Ohio abounds. There were immense
swamps on both sides of the Sandusky, and along all its tributaries.
Farther west and north the country was almost one continuous,
immense swamp as far north as the Maumee, and west to Indiana,- and
far into that state. The soil was very rich, it must be admitted, and-
the farmer well knew that as soon as the water and the forest were
conquered, the soil would eventually reward him for his toil. But to'
subdue these and become master of the situation required almost
super-human power, the most patient fortitude, heroic courage, untiring

EMIGRATION. 75
perseverance, great self-denial and hard labor, without reward, or hope
of reward, for a long time to come.
The British and Indian foes were subdued and conquered, but now
there were other foes to conquer; not only the forests and the swamps
and other tasks inevitable, but diseases incident to frontier life, and
especially those that attended the life in the woods. Many of the
settlers of, and emigrants to, the valley of the Sandusky, who came
from the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and
Virginia; and, also, some from Ireland, France and Germany, were in
comfortable circumstances, and after having paid for their land, mostly
entered, or bought at government prices, had some money left, ind
were somewhat prepared for emergencies; but by far the largest number
of them expended their last dollar to pay for their land, and then
trusted to Providence, their iron will and strong arms, for success.
Those that came by the way of Lake Erie had to encounter the forest
as soon as they touched the shore. Those that came over the moun
tains by way of Pittsburg, had to make their way through the forest
almost from the time they crossed the Ohio river. It was the same
way with those who came from the south. Nothing but forest as soon
as they left the settlements on the Scioto, the Muskingum, or the Great
Miami, except the Sandusky plains. The way through the woods was
marked by cutting a. piece of baik from a tree as big as a man's hand*
about five or six feet from the ground, and on both sides of the tree.
Then, by cutting away the underbrush and removing fallen timber, a
wagon track was opened by winding around between the trees. One
or two men, with their axes, would walk ahead of the team, blaze the
trees and remove obstructions.
In the absence of a compass, on a cloudy day, the course east and
west, as well as north and south, was found by observing the moss on
.the trees, which always grows most profusely on the north side. When
the team came to a stream it was often very troublesome to cross.
Fallen trees, brush and drift-wood had set the water back and dammed
the stream. Then a crossing had to be found by driving up or down
the stream, and cutting a road, as it became necessary. Finally, the
land, or tract of land, that had been bought, or was soon to be pur
chased, was found, and a halt ordered. Those that were fortunate enough
to have their own teams were rich; but emigrants from Europe, who had
hired teams at Cleveland, Sandusky, Dayton or Pittsburg to bring them
here, were left in the woods and the teams started back. Here was
the emigrant, with his wife and children, with their clothing, bedding,
a few cooking utensils, very little provision, an axe or two, cross-cut

76 ,
saw, iron wedges, some carpenter tools, a gun, some ammunition, and,
best of all — a will. A few poles leaned against a large tree, and brushes
thrown upon the poles, soon made a roof and a shelter. Two forks
driven into the ground about five feet apart, and a pole laid upon the
forks, would be sufficient tb suspend a small iron kettle in which the
meal could be cooked. Life in the woods had commenced.
Veryfew people had come as far as the Sandusky river before the
land sales, as the sales of the government lands were called. The
Senecas, as has already been stated, owned 40,000 acres, mostly in the
present limits of Seneca county, and the Wyandots twelve miles square
immediately south of the Senecas, which tracts, of course, were not im
market. Some men left their families in the settlements and came to
the Sandusky valley on foot or on horseback, on a sort of an exploring
expedition, prospecting and looking up tracts that suited them, then
return and bring the family, or go to Delaware, make an . entry, and
then return and start with the family. Before the land sales, however,
and up to the year 1820, a very few families had located between these
reservations. Those who settled along the banks of the Sandusky, will
all be named, and as near as possible described in these pages.
The Wyandot Indians had a tradition as to the history of their tribe
that located their ancestors north of the St. Lawrence, where their
wigwams were spread along the Utiwas down to Coon lake, and to the
mouth of the gulf. They were then known as the Hurons, and their
country they, called Cu-none-tat-tia. The Senecas, who were also a
large tribe, occupied a large tract of country south of the St. Lawrence.
How it came that the Hurons changed their name to Wyandot is not
known — nor is it material.
Nor is it worth investigating why a' Greek name — Seneca— was ever
given to a tribe of American savages.
A legend about a war between these two tribes, preserved by tradi
tion, of course, may not be out of place here, for the dwellers of the
valley of Sandusky river occupy the last hunting grounds of these
tribes east of the Mississippi river.
A man of the Hurons— as the story goes— wanted a certain- squaw
for his wife, but she objected, and said that her wooer hadnever taken
rany scalps— that he was no warrior. To remove this cfbjection to his-
suit, he raised a small war-party, and in their hunt for scalps, fell upon
a party of Senecas and killed and scalped some of them.
This caused a war between the two tribes that lasted more than a
century, and which they supposed was fully a hundred winters before
the French came to Quebec. Both tribes were greatly wasted in the

WAR BETWEEN THE SENECAS AND WYANDOTS. 77
contest. They often made peace, but tjie first .opportunity the Sene
cas had to take advantage of the Hurons, they would destroy all they
could --men, women and children.
The Wyandots, fearing the danger of being entirely exterminated, '
concluded to leave their homes on the St. Lawrence, and go to the vast
west. They made their escape to the upper lakes in their canoes, and
settled in several villages in the vicinity of Green Bay. After a few
years the Senecas raised a war-party, followed the Wyandots to their
new homes, destroyed one of their villages, killed a number of the -
Wyandots and returned. This was some- time before the Indians had-
any knowledge of fire-arms or gun-powder. Their implements of war
consisted of bows, arrows and the war-club; also, a war-axe, which
was a stone cut to an edge on one side or end, a broad, flat ball at
the other end, and near which a groove was made around the stone to
receive the thin end of the handle, which was bent into the groove and
fastened with a string cut out of a raw-hide.
Soon after this the French laid out and built Quebec, and opened
trade with the Indians; supplied them with, and instructed them in
the use of, fire-arms and various other instruments. The Senecas,
feeling themselves proficient in the use of fire-arms, made up a war-
party against the Wyandots at the upper lakes. They came upon them
in the night, fired into their huts and terrified them exceedingly. The
Wyandots thought it was lightning and thunder, but resisted the SeneL
cas and drove them away. A few years later the Senecas made a third
attack upon the Wyandot settlements,' and took nearly all' of them;
but it so happened that at that time the young men were'all engaged
in a war with the Fox Indians along the Mississippi. The few that the
Senecas had not killed agreed to give up resistance, return with their,
conquerors and become one people. It was agreed that the Senecas
would wait two days to give the Wyandots time to get ready, collect
their goods, get into their canoes and join them on the morning of the
day at a point where the Senecas had gone to wait for them. They
had a grand dance" during the night.
Meantime, the Wyandots had sent word to other Wyandot villages, -
which the Senecas had not disturbed. ' They met, consulted together,
and agreed to go down, and as near to the Senecas as possible without
being observed, and listen to what they were doing. They equipped
themselves, went down, and found the Senecas engaged in the dance,
and feasting on two Wyandot men they had killed and roasted, as they
said-, for their beef; and as they danced, they shouted theif victory,
and spoke of how" good their Wyandot beef was. They continued

•jg . HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the dance until near the break of day, and being tired,- laid down and
soon fell asleep. Then the Wyandots fell upon their sleeping foes and
killed all of them. Not one was left to tell the tale of destruction.
This ended the war for many years.
Now the French supplied the Wyandots with guns, also. At length
another, war broke out between these tribes. . Both'parties met in their
canoes, on lake Erie, and the Senecas lost every man engaged. The
Wyandots themselves were so badly exhausted that they allowed the
canoes of the Senecas to float o'n the water, while they hastened to the
shore. Thus erided this war, and the last trouble between the two
tribes. After that the Wyandots came with their canoes to the mouth of the
Sandusky river, and took possession of its entire valley. They built
their towns along its banks and tributaries, and up into the plains.
There is neither history nor tradition of any note about them until the
outbreak of the revolutionary war, when they perpetrated their infa--
mous depredations along the back counties of Pennsylvania and
Virginia — particularly those of Washington, Yougiogheny and West
moreland. It was the depredations of the Wyandots that caused the various.
expeditions against western Indians, and especially that of Crawford.
Nearly all these failed, and the savages were never properly chastised
until Gen. Wayne came 'down upon them. From the peace at Green
ville until the war of 1812, there was no trouble with the Indians on
the frontier. During this war the Wyandots, Shawnees and Senecas
remained friendly to the United States. The deaths of Tecumseh and
his brother, The Prophet, and their defeat on the Thames destroyed
their power in the northwest forever.
Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, as commissioners of the United
States, on the one part, and the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the
Wyandots, Seneoas, Delawares, Shawnees, Potawatomies, Ottawas and
Chippewas, on the other part, held at the foot of the rapids of the
Miami, of lake Erie, on the 29th day of September, 181 7, a treaty* ;
wherein all the lands of these Indians in Ohio passed over to the
United States. At this time there was not a single white settler within
the present limits of Seneca county.
At this treaty the United States granted to Takawmadoaw, Captain
Harris, Isahowmasaw, Joseph, Tawgyou, Captain Smith, Coffeehouse,
Running-about and Wipingstick, chiefs of the Seneca tribe, 30,000
acres adjoining the Sandusky river, on the east side, mostly within- the
present limits of Seneca county. At a, subsequent treaty, viz: Sep-

LOGAN'S SPEECH. 79
tember 17, 1818, 10,000 acres were added. These 40,000 acres were
afterwards known as the Seneca Reservation. 1
Thereupon, this remhant of several tribes of Indians, and mixtures of
others, such as Cayugas, Mohawks, Onondagas, Tuscarawas, Wyandots
and Oneidas, settled upon this reservation; The'Cayugas predominated
in number. There was not one full blood Seneca amongst them. The
Mingoes were originally Cayugas, and their chief was Logan. After
the murder of Logan's family, the Mingoes scattered in bands all over
the northwest.
Their hunting grounds were along the banks of the Scioto and the
Olentangy, and some Seneca chief significantly remarked: "Their
children were raised on their backs." They had no particular home.
At the time of the treaty they had concentrated along the banks of
the Sandusky, and the testimony of a Seneca chief, who knew Logan
well, proves the fact that Logan spent his last days upon the banks of
the Sandusky river.
The place where the celebrated speech of Logan was delivered, by
an interpreter, sentence by sentence, was under a tree seven miles
south of CircleviHe. Logan had refused to join a commission of
peace. Here is the speech:
"I appeal to-any white man to say if he ever entered Logan's cabin hungry,
and he gave him not meat; if he came naked and cold, and I clothed him
not. During the last, long and bloody war Logan remained idle in his cabin,
an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my country
men, as they passed me, said: Logan is the friend of the whites. I had
thought of living among you, but for the injuries of one man. Col. Cresap,
last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of
Logan, not sparing even my women and children. There runs not one drop
of my blood in the vei'ns of any living creature. This called on me for
revenge. I have sought it; I have killed many; I- have fully glutted my
vengeance. For my country, I rejoice in the beams of peace. But do not
^harbor the thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He
will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan?"
President Jefferson has written of this powerful address of Logan:
"I may challenge the whole orations of Demosthenes and Cicero, and
of any more eminent orator, if Europe has furnished more eminent,
to produce a single passage superior to the speech of Logan."
The poet Campbell, in "Gertrude, of Wyoming," has thus beauti
fully versified its sentiments:

80 HISTORY OF, SENECA COUNTY.
"He, left, of all my tribe,
Nor man, nor child, nor thing of living birth;
No, not the dog that watched my household hearth
Escaped that night of blood upon our plains.
All perished. I alone am left on earth !
To whom nol! relative nor blood remains-
No, not a kindred drop that runs in human veins."
The fate of Logan was a very sad one. His last years were melan
choly in the extreme. Homeless, childless, friendless — he wandered
about, from tribe to tribe, with never a smile, and apparently without a
joy. His friends were all dead, his tribe dwindled away, and, in his
great dejection, he resorted to the fatal stimulus of strong drink. He
was at last murdered by an Indian. Logan was sitting by the camp
fire, silently musing, with his blanket over his head, his elbows upon
his knees and his head upon his hands. An Indian, influenced by
some unknown motive of revenge, stealthily approached him from
behind and buried his tomahawk in his brain. Thus fell this unfor
tunate chieftain — the last of his race.

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KREBS LITHOGRAPHING CO. CINCINNATI.
CHAPTER IV.

COUNCIL WITH INDIANS— HARRISON'S SPEECH- HARRISON AT FORT SENECA
—CROGHAN'S DEFENSE OF HARRISON- BLUE JACKET'S PLAN TO ASSAS
SINATE HARRISON— BLUE JACKET'S DEATH- ARMY ROADS- THOMAS COR-
WIN-ANECDOTE OF CORWIN-SKETCHES OF JAMES MONTGOMERY AND
JAMES^ T. WORTHINGTON.

ABOUT the first of July, 1813, a detachment of men, under the
command of Gen. Harrison, erected a stockade upon the west
bank of the Sandusky river, within the present limits of Pleasant
township, in this county, to which was given the name of- Camp
Seneca. It was situated upon a bank, about forty feet above the bed of the
river, close to the old army road, and contained within its enclosure
about one and one-half acres of ground. It was built nearly in the
form of a square, surrounded by pickets of oak timber a foot in thick
ness and twelve feet high. 'Between this spot and the river are several
springs of water, one of which was inside of the pickets.
On the east side were two rows of pickets, six feet apart, the space
filled with earth. On the south was a single row of pickets. A little
beyond this was a deep ravine, between which and the camp an
embankment was thrown up, traces of which are still remaining. On
the west was a single row of pickets, with a ditch .about six feet deep,
and twelve feet wide. On the north. there was also a deep ditch, with
an embankment, upon the top of which were placed the pickets.
A blockhouse was erected at the southwest corner, sixteen feet high,
and about twenty-five feet square, which has long since passed away.
It consisted of large logs, with port-hdles for cannon and small arms,
and was located in such a manner as to completely command the ditch.
There was a projection at the northeast corner, strongly picketed, used,
perhaps, as a magazine; and two small blockhouses at each of the
other corners, with port holes. The spot is one mile south of the
northern boundary of Pleasant township, the section line between
sections 8 and 9 running through it. There is a deep ravine on the
south of the spot.
Previous to the building of this camp, in June, 1813, Gen. Harrison

82 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
held a council with the chiefs of the friendly Indians, at Franklinton,
the Delawares, Wyandots, Shawnees and Senecas being represented.
He urged upon them the necessity of taking a decided stand in the
war with Great Britain, and say whether they were in favor of, or
against, the United States; that the President wished no false 'friends;
that the proposition of Proctor to exchange the Kentucky militia for
the tribes friendly with us, indicated that he had received some hint of
their willingness to take up the tomahawk against us; that to give the
United States a proof of their good disposition, they must remove
with their families into the interior, or the warriors must accompany ,
him in the ensuing campaign, and fight for the United States. To the
latter proposition the chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed, and said
they had long been anxious for an invitation to fight for the Americans;
Tarhee, the oldest Indian in the western country, who represented all
the tribes, professed in their name the most indissoluble friendship for
the United States. Gen. Harrison then told them that he would let
them know when they would be wanted in the service, and said to
them: "But you must conform to our mode of warfare. You are not
to kill defenseless prisoners, old men, women or children." He added
that by their conduct he would be able to tell whether the British
would restrain the Indians from such horrible cruelty. For, if the
Indians fighting with him would forbear such conduct, it would prove
that the British could also restrain theirs if they wished to do so. He
humorously told them that he ha'd been informed of Gen. Proctor's
promise to deliver him into the hands of Tecumseh, to be treated- as
that warrior might see fit, provided he, Proctor, succeeded at Fort
•Meigs. "Now, if I can succeed in taking Proctor, you shall have him '
for your prisoner, provided you will agree to treat him as a squaw, and
only put petticoats upon him; for he must be a coward who would kill
a defenseless prisoner."
There can be no doubt of that arrangement between Proctor and
Tecumseh, for the latter sought for revenge since the battle of . Tippe- '
canoe. ""Tecumseh insisted and Proctor agreed," says Dawson, "thatx.
Gen. Harrison and all who fought at Tippecanoe should be given up
to the Indians to be burned." Major Ball ascertained the same facts
from prisoners, deserters and Indians. And this, also, proves the other
fact: That Tecumseh had intended to violate his promise made to
Harrison at Vincennes.
In the same month, and while still at Franklinton, Gen. Harrison
was informed of the movement of Proctor upon Fort Meigs. He
started with re-enforcements, and having learned that it was a false

HARRISON AT FORT SENECA. 83
alarm, returned to Lower Sandusky, on the first of July. On the
following day he set out for Cleveland to see after public stores, and
the building of boats to transport the army across the lake. When
Gen. Harrison returned to Lower Sandusky, and being informed that a,
large body of Indians had been seen passing Fort Meigs, he concluded
that it was only a feint, and that the real object of the enemy was to
surprise Fort Stephenson or Cleveland. He immediately removed his
headquarters to Fort Seneca, mine miles above Lower Sandusky. From
this place he could fall back and protect Upper Sandusky, or pass by
a secret route to the relief of Fort Meigs, if. necessary — two points to
be defended — Lower Sandusky being of comparatively little conse
quence. Major Croghan was left, as already stated, at Fort Stephenson,
with one hundred and sixty men. There were then about six hundred
troops at Fort Seneca, a force too small to assist Fort Meigs. Gen.
Harrison's anticipations proved to be correct. The enemymoved upon-
Fort Stephenson.
Gen. Harrison, as early as the 21st of April, in a letter to the Secre
tary of War, speaking of the operations of the campaign, with his
usual and wonderful sagacity, remarked: "I shall cause the movement
of the enemy tobe narrowly watched; but in the event of their landing
at Lower Sandusky, that post can not be saved. I will direct it, in
such an event, to be evacuated. The stores there are not of much
consequence, excepting about five hundred stand of arms, which 1 shall
cause to be removed as soon as the roads are practicable; at present,
it is_ impossible.'' These arms were subsequently, and before the
battle, taken away. Gen. Harrison was fully convinced that Fort
'Stephenson could not be defended against heavy artillery, and the fort
must be abandoned and burned, provided a retreat could be effected
with safety.
The orders left for Major Croghan, stated: "Should the British
troops approach you in force, with cannon, and you can discover them
in time to effect a retreat, you will do so immediately, destroying all
the public stores. You must be aware that the attempt to retreat in
the face of an Indian force, would be vain. Against such an enemy
your garrison would be safe, however great the number."
To show that Gen. Harrison's opinion as to the safety of Fort Ste
phenson was proper, it should be remembered that at a council of war,
composed of McArthur, Cass, Ball, Paul, Wood, Hukill, Holmes and
Graham, it was the unanimous opinion that the fort could not be held
against heavy artillery; that the post was relatively unimportant; that
the garrison should not be re-eriforced, but withdrawn, and the place

84 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
destroyed. Thereupon, and immediately, the order was despatched to
Croghan to leave, as already stated. .
In addition to what has already been said of the .battle of Fort Ste
phenson, and Gen. Harrison's relation thereto, it should be remembered
that there were only about 8oov troops at Fort Seneca. One-fifth of
these were cavalry and the remainder raw militia. To have marched
upon an enemy five times their number, with these troops, would, in all
human probability, have resulted in disaster. Tnere were then, also,
one hundred and fifty-six soldiers at Fort Stephenson, and to leave
these to the mercy of the tomahawks, was a responsibility that no
military leader of the capacity of Gen. Harrison, would overlook. In
addition to all this, Gen. Harrison had every reason to believe that
Tecumseh, with his following, were making for Fort Stephenson. They ,
were then lying in the swamp between that point and Fort Meigs, 2,000
strong, ready to strike upon either camp — Upper Sandusky or Fort
Seneca— the moment it should be ascertained that Harrison had moved
to the relief of Fort Stephenson. Under all these circumstances he
was bound, by every military principle, to retain that position in which
he could, with the greatest certainty, accomplish the best result. He
therefore determined to wait for a time the progress of events, hoping' ,
that re-enforcements would arrive before the fort could be reduced.
On the night of the second of August, he was informed of the retreat
of the enemy, and re-enforcements having arrived before morning, he
set Out with 300 militia for the fort, attended by dragoons, and ordered -'
the remainder of the disposable force, under Gens. Cass and McArthur,
to follow. Upon reaching the fort, Harrison was informed that
Tecumseh was in the swamp south of Fort Meigs, ready to make for ¦
Upper Sandusky on the first opportunity. He thereupon directed
Gen. McArthur, who had not yet arrived, to return to Camp Seneca
with all possible speed.
Gen. Harrison, in his official report, said: "It will not be a'mong the
least of Gen. Proctor's mortifications to find that he has been baffled ":
by a youth who has just passed his twenty-first year. He is, however, '¦'
a hero worthy of his gallant uncle, George R. Clark." President
Madison immediately conferred the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel
on Major Croghan.
Shortly after an attack was made on Gen. Harrison in some public
prints, as to his 'conduct in the defense of Fort Stephenson, to which.';
Major Croghan promptly replied, by forwarding to a newspaper in
Cincinnati a communication dated Lower Sandusky, August 27, 1813,
in which he gives the true reasons for disobeying .Gen. Harrison's

CROGHAN'S DEFENSE OF HARRISON. 85
orders to destroy the fort, etc., and says: "I have with much regret
seen in some of the public prints such misrepresentations respecting -
my refusal to evacuate this post, as are calculated not only to injure .
me in the estimation of military men, but also to excite unfavorable
impressions as to the propriety of Gen. Harrison's conduct relative to
this affair. His character as a military man is too well established to
need my approbation or support. But his public services entitle him
at least to common justice. This affair does not furnish cause for
reproach. If public opinion has been lately misled respecting his-
conduct, it will require but a moment's cool, dispassionate reflection,
to convince them of its propriety. The measures recently adopted by
him, so far from deserving censure, are the clear proofs of his keen
pehetration and able generalship."
The letter concludes with the following paragraph, alike honorable
to the soldier and gentleman: "it would be insincere to say that I am
not flattered by the many handsome things which have been said about
the defense which was made by the troops under my command; but I
desire no plaudits which are bestowed upon me at the expense of Gen.
Harrison. I have, at' all times, enjoyed his confidence so far as my
rank in the army entitled me to it, and on proper occasions received
his marked attention. I have felt the warmest attachment for him as
a man, and my confidence in him as an able commander remains
unstfaken. I feel every assurance that he will at all times do me ample
justice; and nothing could give me more pain than to see his enemies
seize upon. this occasion to deal out their unfriendly feelings and acri
monious dislike. And as long as he continues (as in my humble
opinion he has hitherto done) to make the wisest arrangenrents, and
most judicious disposition which the forces under his command will
justify, I shall not hesitate to unite with the army in bestowing upon
him that confidence which he so richly merits, and which has on no
occasion been withheld."
Whoever now lives to remember the ever-memorable presidential
campaign of 1840, with all its attending circumstances and displays,
too tedious to enumerate, will also remember the heat of passion and
excesses of party strife exhibited on both sides. Something of it may
be recorded in other pages. I desire here only to express my great
regret to know that in American politics the personal character of the
opposing candidate, and his' personal feelings, and his pride, seem to
have nothing in them that his political enemies should regard as sacred.
The candidate on the other side, for any office, high or low, is regarded
as public property, and every political eneniy has full license to assail

86 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
him at his pleasure. For a proud and intelligent people, in the choice
of men for officers, to resort to all manner of personal vituperation and
abuse of opposing candidates, and to assail, blacken, traducef and -ruin,
if possible, by all manner of means, characters that may be as 'fair and
honorable as those of the best of men, and simply to win at the polls,
is a crime against good breeding, against common justice, against good
morals, and against ordinary decency.
The ladies of Chillicothe had a right to present Col. Croghan with
a splendid sword if they saw fit so to do, and to make him a nice
speech — certainly they had. But to have it said that they presented
Gen. Harrison with a petticoat, and have that paraphernalia painted
on transparencies and carried through the streets in democratic
processions to turn to ridicule the valuable services of an able, high-
minded and patriotic citizen and soldier like Gen. Harrison, seemed
Very wrong ^o me then, young as I was, and the impression sticks to
me still. It seemed equally wicked to paint Martin VanBuren on
transparencies with the sword in one hand and the purse in the other,
to make people believe that the Little Fox of Lindenwald would usurp
and destroy free government. And to cap the climax of this manner
of political warfare, after a candidate has been abused and vilified to
the hearts' content of his opponents, and is elected withal, nevertheless, .
then not only quietly submit to the administration of the duties of his
office, but to shake hands with him and congratulate him uport his
success ! Such things can be done only in America.
While Gen. Harrison was at Camp Seneca'he narrowly escaped being
murdered by an Indian. The reader will remember that the Delawares,
Shawnees, Wyandots and Senecas had been invited to join the army
under Harrison against the British and their Indian allies. Quite a
number of them had accepted the invitation, and h,ad reached Fort
Seneca before the arrival of the Kentucky troops.. Before the departure
of these friendly Indians from their respective towns, an unfriendly
Indian had insinuated himself into' the good graces of the chiefs under
pretense of friendship for the Americans, but with the intention, of
killing the commanding general. He was a Shawnees, and was known
by the name of Blue Jacket, but was not the celebrated Blue Jacket',
who signed the treaty of Greenville with General Wayne. He had'
formerly lived at the Indian town of Wapakoneta. He had been absent
from his tribe some' time, and had returned but a few days before the
warriors of that town had set out to 'join the American army.
He informed the chiefs that he had been hunting on the Wabash,
and at his own request was permitted to join the party that was now

BLUE JACKET AND BEAVER. 87
getting ready to march to Fort Seneca. Upon their arrival at McAr
thur' s blockhouse, they halted and encamped for the purpose of
receiving provisions from the de'puty Indian agent, Col. McPherson,
who resided there.
Before their arrival at that place, Blue Jacket had communicated to
a friend of his, a Shawnees warrior, his intention to kill the American
general, and requested his assistance. This his friend declined, and
endeavored to dissuade him from attempting it, assuring him that it
could not be done without the c'ertain loss of his own life, as he had
been at the American camp, and knew that there was always a guard
around the General's quarters, who were on duty day and night.
Blue Jacket replied that he was determined to execute his intention
at any risk, and said: "I will kill the General, even if I was sure that
the guard will cut me into pieces no bigger than my thumb-nail."
No people on earth are more faithful in keeping a secret than the
Indians, but each warrior, has a friend from whom he will conceal
nothing. It was the good fortune of Gen. Harrison that the friend and
confidant of Blue Jacket was a young Delaware chief by the name of
Beaver, who was also bound to the General by ties of friendship. He
was the son of a Delaware war-chief of the -same name, who had, with
others, been put to death by his own tribe, on the charge of practicing
sorcery. Gen. Harrison had been on terms of friendship with his father, and
had -patronized his orphan boy, at that time some ten or twelve years
of age. He had now arrived at manhood, and was considered among
the most promising warriors of his tribe. To this young chief the
friend of Blue Jacket revealed the fatal secret. The Beaver was placed,
by this communication, in an embarrassing situation; for, should he
disclose what he had heard and been entrusted with, he betrayed his
friend, than which nothing could be more repugnant to the principles
of an Indian warrior. Should he not disclose it, consequences equal,
or even more to be deprecated, were likely to ensue. The assassination
of a friend — his father's friend — whose life he was bound to save and
defend, or whose death to avenge, by the same principle of.. fidelity and
honor which forbid the disclosure.
While in this state of meditation and hesitation, the young Delaware
being undecided as to which of these conflicting duties was the
strongest, Blue Jacket came up to the Delaware camp somewhat intox
icated, vociferating vengeance upon Col. McPherson, who had just
turned him out of his house, and whom he declared he would kill for
this insult. The sight of the traitor raised the indignation and resent-

gg HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ment of the Beaver to the highest pitch. He seized" his tomahawk,
and advancing towards the villain, said to him: "You must be a great
warrior; you will not only kill this white man for treating you as you
deserve, but you will also murder our father, the American chief, and
bring disgrace and mischief upon us all. But you shall do neither; I
will serve you as I would a mad dog."
\ furious blow from the tomahawk of the Beaver stretched ' the-
unfortunate Blue Jacket at his feet, and a second- finished him.
"There " said Beaver, to some Shawnees, who were present, "take
him to the camp of his tribe and tell them, who has done the deed."
The Shawnees approved of the act, and were pleased to have escaped
the ignominy which the villainy of Blue Jacket would have brought
upon them.
It is impossible to say what was the motive of Blue Jacket to attempt
the life of Gen. Harrison. He was not one of the Tippecanoe Shaw
nees and therefore could have no personal resentment, or cause for
malice, against the General. There is but little doubt that Blue Jacket
came from Maiden, under British influence, when he arrived at Wapa-
koneta, and that he came for the express purpose to assassinate Gen.
Harrison; but whether he was instigated or hired by any person, or
conceived the idea himself, has never been ascertained.
The country west of: the Sandusky river was not only a dense forest,
but also a vast swamp, in which the Indians themselves found no spots
suitable to build their wigwams. This great swamp was the country of
the Wolfcreeks — sluggish streams that come together near the mouth.
where Wolfcreek proper enters the Sandusky river in Ballville town
ship, Sandusky county. There were no Indian trails through this
swale. These followed the banks of the river on both sides, from the
headwaters of the Sandusky to the mouth. Along these trails they
built their towns, and the army road, made and opened in the late war,
under the direction of Gen. Harrison, following the left bank of the
river on high ground wherever practicable, and without any line of
survey. There was another army road from Delaware to Fort Seneca,
on the east side of the river. Along this road Fort Seneca and Fort
Stephenson were supplied with provisions. And right here, before
proceeding any further in this narrative, it may be asked:.
"What in this world can possibly be said of the history of a'part of
our county that was once a dense forest and a dead swamp? "What
historic events can be connected with the hard work requisite to reduce
both forest and swale, and enable the pioneer farmer to raise his bread,
and support his family?"

THOMAS CORWIN. 89
This -question arises very naturally, and it must be admitted that,
while no great battles were fought within the boundaries of Seneca;
while it can not boast of a Lexington, a Bunker Hill or a Yorktown;
while it was not the birth-place of any person whose name has adorned
general history, yet it will be admitted that men of not only state, but
of national notoriety, and whose names have adorned not only the
history of our state, but also that of the general government, were
identified with events that transpired within her borders, and a" history
of Seneca county without a relation, of the movements of Gen.
Harrison along this valley would be nothing but a fraction of what it
should be. There was also another character identified with Fort
Seneca. It was "Tom, the wagon-boy," as he was then familiarly
called. Let us see who he was. Mathias Corwin, in 1798, settled in
what is now Warren county, and which was then as complete a wilder
ness as Seneca in 1820; and the school houses and opportunities for
education were also 6f a like character. He had a son by the name
of Thomas, who, in 1812, when the war broke out, was about fifteen
years of age. Our unnatural enemies were stimulating the savages, all
along our northern frontier to kill, burn and destroy. Gen. Hull had
made his disastrous .surrender at Detroit. All plans of the War
Department in the northwest were thus deranged. Our soldiers,
unsupplied with food, were in danger of starvation.
In this emergency, Judgfe Corwin determined to send a- team to the
extreme frontier, loaded with supplies for the suffering troops. His
son Thomas drove the team. He came by the Delaware army road to
Fort Seneca, with the load, while Gen. Harrison was there. This trip
attached to him the name of "Tom, the wagon-boy," for life. He.
became -highly popular With the people of * Ohio in after years, and won
honors at the bar, in .the legislature of the state, in the council of the
general government as Senator from Ohio. He was Governor of Ohio,
and Secretary of the Treasury under the administration of Mr. Fillmore.
in 1861, President Lincoln appointed Mr. Corwin Minister to Mexico.
He died in the City of Washington, on the, 1 8th day of December, 1865.
Mr. Corwin was a fine specimen of a self-made man. He was
recognized by friend and foe as a man of strict notions of honor, an
able lawyer, a great statesman, and an orator of the first order. He
could hold a crowd as by magic, and his anecdotes, accompanied with
his unsurpassable grimaces and applications, were irresistible in their
effect. Mr. Corwin was a man about five feet nine inches high, very com
pactly built, muscular and fleshy, with strong features, dark eyes, high

g0 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
forehead, black hair, short neck and of very dark complexion.. He
was gentle, social, kind.
The writer was present one time when a company of gentlemen met
at the old American house, in Columbus, and heard Gov. Wood tell a
good joke on Mr. Corwin in his presence. Gov. Wood said: "A few
years ago, in the winter, while Mr. Corwin was in Columbus attending
to business in the United States District Court, the mulattoes in
Columbus had a dance, and had given notice that none but pure
mulattoes would be admitted., One of Mr. Corwin's friends offered a
small bet that he (Mr. Corwin) could not get in to see the dance
because he was too dark for a mulatto. Mr. Corwin accepted the bet,
and, dressing himself in the best manner he could to deceive the door
keeper, put a bat with a very wide rim on his head, and the party
started for the ball. Mr. Corwin presented his ticket, and the mulatto
door keeper lifted up the rim of Mr. Corwin's hat, and said* 'Can't get
in heah, Massa— one shade too dark;' and Mr. Corwin lost the bet."
The Senecas took possession of their lands soon after ^he treaty, and
began to build cabins and open little clearings , around them. By
virtue of the treaty, the United States were obliged to establish an
agency near the reservation, to provide for their wants, and in every
way to assist in carrying into effect the conditions of the treafy. The
Rev. James Montgomery was appointed agent for the Senecas. On
the 19th day of November, i8i9,he moved with his family into the old
blockhouse of the fort, and immediately took charge of his office.
Mr. Montgomery was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
November 20, 1776. He finished his education in Pittsburgh, and
when he was seventeen years old, moved with his widowed mother to
the state of Kentucky. His ' father, died in the revolutionary war in
Johnstown, New Jersey, of camp fever. The widow and her children
settled on one of those celebrated "tomahawk claims" in Kentucky,
and which, as a matter of course, became involved in litigation, which
was usual, and lost. Mr. Montgomery married a Miss Kaziah Rouse,
and in 1806 moved into, Champaign county, Ohio, and located eight
miles east Of Urbana. He preached through that county as a minister
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the year 18 12, he moved with
his* family to Springfield, Ohio, and while there he was appointed by
Gov. 'Meigs commissary for the army. After the war he moved .back
to 'Champaign county, and while there, received his appointment fiom
the president as agent for the Seneca Indians. The family lived in the
old blockhouse seven years, when he built a large cabin close by, where
he afterwards lived with his family to the time of his death, which

JAMES MONTGOMERY — JAMES T. WORTHINGTON. 91
occurred on the 1st day of June, 1830. During, his residence here,
whenever the duties of his office as Indian agent would admit of it, he
attended to his ministerial duties, and became generally respected and
beloved by all who had an opportunity to enjoy his acquaintance. He
was possessed of a noble, manly character, kind, generous and hospit
able. His house became the headquarters for traders. The latch
string of his door was always out. Ministers, lawyers, surveyors,
-Indians and whites made Mr. Montgomery's house a stopping place.
The Indians called him Kuckoo-wassa — new acorn. He was but fifty-
four years old when he died. The Rev. Ezechiel Cooper, a Methodist
Episcopal preacher, preached his funeral serm'on from the text: —
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." All the chiefs and braves
of the Senecas attended his funeral. He was buried in the old cemetery
near the fort. He had eleven children — two sons and nine daughters.
Mr. William Montgomery, who was afterwards extensively engaged in
the mercantile business in Tiffin, was his oldest son. Mrs. Sally Ingham,
who now resides in the city of Tiffin, is the only surviving member of
that large family.
Mr. Montgomery was about five feet six inches high, strong and
compactly built, without being corpulent. His carriage was straight
and erect. He had black hair and eyebrows, dark eyes, prominent
nose, smooth forehead, rather heavy lower jaw, clenched lips, a frank
and open countenance, which, together, would mark him, not only as
a man of great decision, but also as a leader in any capacity. He had
a clear, strong voice, fine control of language, and was altogether
practical in his orthodoxy. His conversation was cheerful,, humorous
and instructive. He was the kind neighbor, affectionate husband and
father, an honest officer, and a blessing to all around him. Shortly
before his removal to Fort Seneca, he was ordained by Bishop Asbury,
in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, in 1819.
Among the many visitors at the old blockhouse was Mr. James T.
Worthington, who was employed by the government to survey several
of the townships in Seneca county into sections and quarter-sections.
Mr. Worthington often stopped at Montgomery's for meals. He was
then a young man, about twenty-three years old, about five feet eight
inches high, slender built, with light brown hair, brushed back and over
the left side, of fair complexion, grey eyes, expressive, intellectual
countenance, pleasing in conversation, gentlemanly in his bearing, and
very good looking. His grey linsey-woolsey Indian hunting shirt, with
cape and fringe, became him very much. He was a son of Governor
Worthington, of Ohio.

HISTORY 'OF SENECA COUNTY.

92 The early emigrants to the valley of the Sandusky were compelled
to make their way through forest and swamp as best they could. They-
had to follow old army roads, or- Indian trails,- fording streams, and
winding through the woods for hours and days by blazed trees. There
was no bridge across any stream in the whole valley of the river— nor
could a house or cabin be found to stop at. They had to camp out,
and sleep in the wagon, or on the ground, with no roof but the trees,
or the broad canopy of heaven. When Mr. Montgomery moved into
the old fort, there was no bridge between Urbana and Lower Sandusky.
When the writer came to Seneca, in 1833, there was no bridge in the
county. Neighbors "on opposite sides of streams, made a way to get
across by falling a tree across and walking over the log.
In the years 18 19 and 1820, there were but five families of white
people living between Fort Seneca and Fort Ball. These were the
Dumonds, William Harris, Abner Pike, (who had a cabin near the
place where Ezra Baker afterwards built a frame house near the mill,)
an old man by the name of McNutt, and widow Shippy. Benjamin
Barney, Anson Gray and Joel Chapin also arrived about that time.
Anson Gray afterwards married one of the Harris girls — Jane. The .
farm, about one mile south of the present town of Fort Seneca, which
was afterwards owned by the Rev. J. J. Beilhars, of the German
Lutheran church, and where he died, was bought at fhe land sales, by
Anson Gray. in. after years Gray moved with his family to Illinois.
In 1820, old Mr. McNutt lived in a log cabin at a place that afterwards
became familiarly known as the "Wright farm."' Here McNutt cleared
some land. The cabin was built for a school house, and was the first
school house built in the Sandusky valley:
"The Barney Boys," as they were familiarly called, afterwkrds lived
with Joel Chapin, in the same house. Afterwards, Lorenzo Abbott
and Joel Chapin and their families lived in the same house. They had
rented the place, and had about thirty-five acres cleared and under
fence. 1
The widow Shippy also lived on the Wright farm, in a cabin near the
school house.
Three brothers: Willard, Francis and Ezra Sprague, lived in a. cabin
on the farm that is now known as the Gahgwer place. Ezra afterwards,
lived with a family by the name of Downing. Most all of these first
cabins were built in the woods, without regard to section lines, roads,
or anything else, except to get to some neighbor, if possible, and with
a view of buying the lands at the sales, or entering them at the land
office after the sales. Several of these cabins were built by the Indians

EARLY SETTLERS. 93
before they moved together on tp their reservation to the east of the
river. Other settlers that came on afterwards occupied the cabins on
the west side of the river that the Senecas had abandoned, in these
cabins the early settlers made themselves as comfortable as they could
while they waited for the time of the land sales. There were no cabins
any distance west and from the river, and but two more between the
fort and Lower Sandusky.
A Mr: Wilson lived in a cabin at a place that afterwards became
known as the Frank Abbott farm. Caleb Rice lived in a cabin on the
farm now owned by Mr. William Montgomery. Daniel Rice, who
married Ann Barney, was the first justice of the peace in that neigh
borhood. He was a brother of Caleb Rice, and his widow is still
living with her son, north of Clyde, in Sandusky county.

CHAPTER V.

SPEECH OF ISAAC I. DUMOND BEFORE THE SENECA PIONEER ASSOCIATION
-SAMUEL CROWELL'S CONTRIBUTION-THE DOG-DANCE-SOW-DOWS-KY.

ON THE 22d day of February, 1869, being the anniversary of the,
birth of George Washington, in conformity to a call previously
issued, a large number of the pioneers of Seneca county met at the
court house in Tiffin, to . organize a"" Pioneer Association. At one of
the subsequent meetings, February 22, 1871, Mr. Isaac I. Dumond, one
of the first settlers near the west bank of the river, in Pleasant town
ship, read a paper before the Association, which is given below in full.
The further proceedings of the Association, of gemeral interest, will be
referred to hereafter. Mr. Dumond said: '
Ladies and Gentlemen:— My father moved with his family to what
was then called "The New Purchase," on the Sandusky river, in 1821, at
which time I was in my twentieth year.
We found the entire country a wilderness, with no other than the rude
improvements made by the Indians.
There was but one public road known as a highway in all the region of
the country designated as the new purchase, which was opened in the fall
of 1820, and ran on the east side of the Sandusky river, north and south,
then known and still continuing as the Marion State Road.
My father settled in what is now Pleasant township, in this county, where,
for a time, we had to encounter many difficulties. During a part of the
year the roads were almost impassable, by reason of the mud mixed with
the branch roots. During the summer', mosquitoes and house-flies gave us
a degree of trouble that none can realize, except from experience. The
flies would gather on a horse in such quantities that a single grab would fill
a man's hand. The Massasaugar, or prairie rattle-snake, was another
unpleasant enemy, which appeared in great numbers.' I killed five in cutting
a small piece of oats; but to my knowledge, no one ever suffered from them.
At that time there were ' few families living along the entire route from ,
Tymochtee (which name means, in the Indian language, "the stream around
the piains") to Lower Sandusky.
We had few mechanics; but the one most needful was a blacksmith, which
we found ili'Leroy Cresey, at Fort Ball.
Dr. Brainard was the only physician in the neighborhood, and his practice
extended from Lower Sandusky, his place of residence, to Tymochtee.
Throughout the entire settlement there was not a lawyer to be found.

SPEECH OF ISAAC I. DUMOND. 95
The only minister we had was the Rev. James Montgomery, of the M. E.
church. Jesse and George Omsted had our only store between Delaware and
Lower Sandusky.
There was considerable travel during the spring and early summer of
1821, by men in search of land, till August, when the land sale occurred.
Our greatest privation was want of mills. Our nearest mill was at Cold
creek, about twenty-four miles distant, and without a direct road leading to
it. The difficulties in some cases were very trying. For example: Mr.
Barney and Daniel Rice arranged for a trip to mill, each with a team of
oxen and wagon. As they had to cross the river, the grain was hauled there,
unloaded and ferried across; then the wagon ferried over, and afterwards
the team swam over, when they could reload, hitch and proceed. This was
in April, 1821. After having their grain ground, and on their homeward
route, they were overtaken by a snow storm. The snow was damp, and fell
to the depth of a foot, rendering the road almost impassable, and so weighed
the bushes down over them, that they were compelled to abandon their
wagons, apd with much difficulty succeeded in reaching home with their
oxen. Although the year 1821 was a trying one, it had secured to many a sufficient
amount of land to afford a home for the future, and to encourage us. We
had an abundant crop.
Many of the people had acted as squatters. The Indians, who had form
erly lived on the west side of the river, had removed to their reservation on
the east side, and abandoned their old homes and houses, which were
appropriated by the white settlers, and held until they wished to go, or were
displaced by a deed from Uncle Sam, conveying the same to somebody else.
The settlement was weak in 1821, and to raise a log-cabin, the neighbors
were often summoned from places five or six miles distant.
Of those who came previous to the land sales, some suffered from sickness,
and, becoming discouraged, left, and others died; but immediately after the
land sales the population steadily increased, and in 1823, Mr. Rumley built a
mill on Green creek, and soon after, Mr. Moore built a mill on the Sandusky
river, in order to supply the increased demand, which greatly diminished
the inconvenience we had all experienced.
The early settlers were in the majority; rough, but generous, whole-souled
and kind towards one another, and ever ready to lend a helping hand to the
needy. The use of intoxicating drinks was our greatest evil. Some would get on
sprees, and after taking much whisky, would form a ring, and with bells,
horns, tin pans, log chains, or any noisy instrument, engage in a hideous
dance, sing, and give Indian war-whoops. Such a state of society was not
the rule entirely, however, and was wholly displaced in a short time by
the ingress of more refined people, who controlled the moral standard of
the neighborhood. That enemy of civilization— Whisky— was hard to subdue,
however. This is always the case. I remember when farmers Would trade
a bushel of corn for five quarts of whisky, and this was as necessary for
harvest as provisions.
In the fall of 1824, the first general muster of the militia took place at

96' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Fort Seneca. The regiment numbered about 400 men, under Gen. Rumley
and Col. J. B. Cooley, who gathered from over the country between Cold
ei'eek and Tymochtee, manyliaving to camp put in order to reach the fort in
time. A considerable trade was carried on between the southern portion of the
state, after the close of the war of 1812, and Lower Sandusky arid Sandusky
City. Teams came loaded with flour, bacon and whisky, and returned with
fish or merchant goods, which were sold at Urbana, Springfield and Dayton.
The Indian tribes here at the time of the first settlement by the whites,
were the Senecas, Cayugas, Mohawks and Oneidas. The Senecas— the most
numerous— and, Cayugas occupied the lower part, and the Oneidas and
Mohawks the upper part of the reservation, which was nine miles north and
south, and six miles east and west, on the east side of the Sandusky river.
The land was held in joint stock, eind each had the privilege of making -
improvements, as he wished.
They numbered several hundred, and were not bad in general character,
but friendly and kind when well treated and not maddened hy whisky, for
which they had a strong passion. I have known them to offer two Or three
dollars' worth of goods for a quart of whisky; and, when intoxicated, would
give anything they possessed for it. i
They depended largely ,upon hunting for subsistence, in which, when
children, they commenced by shooting fish and small game with the bow.
Most of the Indians and squaws cultivated each a small piece of land,
varying from a half to two acres, which they formerly did with a hoe; but
seeing us use the plow, and the amount of labor saved thereby, they con
cluded to abandon the custom of their fathers. Seeing two Indians plowing
on the opposite side of the river one day, I crossed over and discovered them '
going the wrong way over the land, throwing the furrows in, and next time
running inside of it, and then another, which they thought very well, until
I turned them the other way, and gave a little instruction, which they
thankfully received. They raised a soft corn, . which they pounded into
meal and used to thicken soup.
They had much idle time, which they all liked— the children spending it
in shooting, the old people smoking from the pipes made in the heads of the
tomahawks, with an adjustable handle for a stem. They smoked the sum'ac
leaves, dried and pounded, which gave a pleasant odor.
The young Indians had a love for sports, Their chief summer game was
ball— a game in which ten or twelve to a side engaged, the ground being
marked off in a space of about sixty rods, the center of which was the
starting point. Each player had a staff some five feet lon8i with a D0W
made of raw hide on one end, with which to handle the' ball, as no one was
allowed to touch it with his hands. At the commencement, the ball was
taken to the center and placed between two of the staffs, each pulling
toward his outpost. Then the strife began to get the ball beyond the
outpost by every one, the success in which counted one for the victor, when
the ball was taken to the center again and a new contest began. The squaws '
and older Indians constituted the witnesses to these sports, and added zest
by their cheers.
The favorite winter sport was running upon skates. They would spread

SPEECH OF ISAAC I. DUMOND. 97
a blanket on the ice and. jump over it with skates oil, trying to excel in the
distance made beyonl.
Another favorite sport was to throw upon the snow, to run the greatest
distance, snow snakes made of hickory wood, about five feet long, one and
one-half inches wide, one inch thick, turned up at the point like a snake's
head, and painted black.
The Mohawks and Oneidas had some very well educated people, and most
of their tribes could read and write. They liad religious services every
Sabbath in the form of the Church of England, held by a minister of their
own tribe. They were excellent singers, and often attracted the whites to
their religious exercises, which pleased them very highly.
The Senecas and Cayugas were more inclined to adhere to the custom of
their forefathers. They held in reverence many gatherings. The green
corn dance was prominent, among them, but that most worthy of note was
the dog dance. This was the great dance, which took place about mid
winter, and lasted three days, at the close of which they burnt their dogs.
Great preparations were made for this festival.' Provisions in great
abundance were collected to constitute a common store, from which all were
fed. The two dogs were selected, often, months in advance, well fed and
made fat. They were as near alike as possible, and white, with yellow spots.
When the time for the festival arrived, the dogs were killed— but in what
way I never learned— washed clean as possible, trimmed with pink ribbons
about the neck, each leg and foot, and about the tail. After the hairs over
the entire body were carefully smoothed down, they were hung up by the
neck to the arm of a post, similar to a sign post, where they remained
through the services.
The dance was held at the council-house, which was built of logs, about
twenty feet wide and seventy-five feet long, with three holes in the roof to
allow the smoke to escape. At these places fires were kept burning during
the season, over which were suspended brass kettles containing provisions.
At this time, strong as was their appetite for whisky, none was allowed on
the premises, and any intoxicated person appearing was sent off at once.
All things being ready, their war dance began, which was participated in
by none but those fit for the service of the warriors. Blue Jacket led the
band. Each dancer carried a war-club in his right hand, and had tied to
each leg a string of deer hoofs, which rattled at every step. The object was
to assist in keeping time to the music, which consisted of an Indian sing
song, and the beating with a stick on a dry. skin stretched over a hominy
block. When the music commenced, Blue Jacket would step out and walk around
the fire, exerting himself to 'display some warriors' exploits. About the
second round, others would fall in, and continue until the ring around the
Are was full, all moving with their faces toward the fire, until they came to
some change in the music, when they would turn their faces outward, and
at another change trail in single 'file, all the while keeping time to the music.
' While the Indians were thus engaged, the squaws formed another ring
around another fire, but moved very slow. They would tip on their heels
and toes, alternately, and endeavored to move with the music.
At meal time all were seated with wooden bowls and ladles, when they
7

98 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
were served by those appointed, until all were satisfied. Then all were'
quietly awaiting the next scene. Soon a rumbling noise was heard at the
door in one end of the house. This startled, the squaws and children, who-
then ran to the other end of the house Then the door flew open, and an
Indian came in, dressed in bear skin, and skins of some other animals. He
wore a false face, and carrying a dry turtle shell filled with stones, he would
throw that about. This, added to his low, growling voice, and menacing
ways with his head, made a frightful object. Almost immediately thereafter
the door at the other end of the house would open and a similar character
enter, and soon another drop from the roof, who, striking his hands, pro
ceeded to throw live coals and embers in every direction among the rushing
crowd. After this performance these demons, as they were represented to.
be, contested in a foot race. At the end of the third day they burnt the
dogs.
' Although much mirth was indulged in, there was a sort of solemnity
maintained throughout the entire services.
So far, Mr. Dumond. * Although Mr. Dumond had not the advantages.
of an education, having spent his boyhood days on a farm, and in the
forest, it must be admitted that his recollections' of early days are set
forth in a clear and interesting style.
The people of Seneca county will, in all human probability, never
have an opportunity to witness scenes 'of a like character, and the
county being named after these savages, a further relation of incidents
connected with their stay on the reservation will not be deemed out of
place here. The following is taken from Butterfield's history, who
copied from the Sidney Aurora:
More than half of the present township of Adams, and so much of
Pleasant township as lies east of the Sandusky river, together with a portion
of Clinton and Scipio townships, formerly belonged to the Seneca Indians.
But as we have given a geographical description of most of what was their
grant of land, we proceed to a more minute account of that nation, and we
can not better introduce this subject than by giving the following, from the
scrap-book of Samuel Crowell, of Lower Sandusky, which was published in
the Sidney Aurora, in 1844, as it relates some interesting facts relative^to.
this nation, but particularly, 'as it describes their famous chief, "Hard
Hickory." Says the writer:
The Senecas who roamed these wilds
In ages long by gone,
Are now rejoicing in the chase,
Towards the setting sun.
Their sacrifices offered up,
And Deity appeased,
Their Fatherland they left in peace,
With their exchange well pleased.

SAMUEL CROWELL'S CONTRIBUTION. 99
On the first day of February, some fourteen years ago, I witnessed an
interesting, and to me, a novel, religious ceremony of the Seneca tribes of
Indians, then occupying the portion of territory now comprising a part of
Seneca and Sandusky counties, Ohio, familiarly known to the inhabitants of
this region as the Seneca Reservation.
The fact that this nation had recently ceded this reserve to the United
States, and were about to commemorate, for the last time in this country,
this annual festival, previous to their emigration to the Rocky mountains, ,
contributed not a little to add to it an unusual degree of interest.
To those acquainted with the characteristics of the red men, it is unneces
sary to remark that there is a reservedness attached to them, peculiarly their
own; but especially, when about to celebrate this annual festival, they seem,
so far, at least, as the pale-faces are concerned, to shroud their design in
impenetrable secrecy.
And the festival of which I now speak might have been, as many others
of a similar character were, observed by themselves with due solemnity, and
withont the knowledge or interference of their white neighbors, but that
the general poverty and reckless improvidence of the Senecas were proverbial,
and those were the causes which awakened the suspicions of the inquisitive
Yankees. In order, therefore, that the approaching festival, as it was intended to be
the last of those observances here, should not lack in anything necessary to
make it imposing, and impress a permanent recollection of Sandusky on the
minds of their rising race, no effort was spared, and no fatigue regarded,
that would tend to promote this object. Thus, for some time previous to
the period of which I am now speaking, by the unerring aim of the Seneca
rifle, the antlers, with the body of many a tall and stately buck, fell prostrate.
And in crowds the Indians now came into Lower Sandusky, with their
vehison and their skins; and the squaws, with their painted baskets and
moccasins, not, as heretofore, to barter for necessaries, but chiefly for
ornaments. The principal headmen, or chiefs, were Good Hunter, Hard Hickory and
Tall Chief. There were also some "sub," or half-chiefs; among those of
the latter rank, Benjamin F. Warner, a white, or half-breed, had considerable
influence. This Warner was a white man, and had previously been a fireman on a
steamboat that plied between Buffalo and Green Bay. On one of the down
ward trips he persuaded an Indian woman Who was traveling to New York
to elope with him. They came to the Seneca nation and were adopted by
them. In this, as in other nations, civilized as well as savage, though there may
be several men of apparent equai rank, yet there is usually one, who, either
by artificial or universally acknowledged talent, directs, in a great measure,
the destinies of the nation, and such, among the Senecas, was Hard Hickory.
[And yet they killed him for robbing them, as we shall hereafter see. —
Author.] And, as in the mind of man there is something intuitive, better known

I00 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
than defined, by which instinctively, as it were, we find in the bosom of
another a response to our own feelings. So, in the present case, this noble
Indian soon discovered in the late Obed Dickinson, a merchant of Lower
Sandusky, a generous, confiding and elevated mind, whose honorable vibra
tions beat in unison with his own.
[This Mr. Dickinson was the brother of the Hon. Rudolphus Dickinson,.-
and 'uncle of the present Judge Dickinson, of Fremont.]
To Mr. Dickinson, therefore,lie made known the time when they would
celebrate their festival, by sacrificing their dogs, etc., and cordially invited
him to attend as a guest, and, if so disposed, to bring a friend with him.
Correctly supposing that I never had an opportunity of witnessing this
religious rite, Mr. D. kindly requested me to accompany him to their council
house, on Green creek,. in that part of this county included.in the present
township of Green Creek-. On giving me the .invitation, Mr. D. remarked
that by taking a present in our hand, we should probably be made the more
welcome; in accordance, therefore,' with this suggestion, we took With us a
quantity of loaf sugar and tobacco.
It was some time in the afternoon when we arrived,- and immediately
thereafter we were ushered into the council hpuse, with demonstrations of
public joy and marked respect.
As soon as seated, we gave our presents to Hard Hickory, who, rising,
held one of them up, and pointing to.Mr. D., addressed the Indians in an
audible voice, in their own tongue; then holding up the other, he pointed to
me, repeating to them what he had before said. This done, he turned to us
and said: "You stay here as long as you want; nobody hurt you." Confiding-
in the assurance of this chief, I hung up my valise, in which were some
important papers, for I was then on my way further east, attending to my
official duties as Sheriff of this county, and felt perfectly at home.
To the inhabitants of this section of Ohio a minute description of the
council house would be deemed unnecessary. Suffice it to say,, that its
' dimensions were perhaps sixty by twenty-five feet; a fire-place in the center,
and corresponding therewith, an aperture was left in the roof for the smoke
to ascend.
Contiguous to the fire-place were two upright posts, to which a board
fourteen or fifteen inches broad was firmly fastened, and over this board the
skin of a deer was stretched very tight. On a seat near by this board sat a
blind Indian with a gourd in his hand, in which were beans or corn.'' With
this he beat time for the dancers. Such was the musician, and such the
music. The dancing had commenced previous, to our arrival, and was continued, l
-with little intermission, for several supcessive days and nights. An effort
by me to describe their manner of dancing would be fruitless. I have
witnessed dancing assemblies in populous cities of the east, among the
refined classes of society, but having seen nothing like this, I must therefore
pronounce it sui generis. I was strongly solicited by some of the chiefs to
unite with them in the dance; I, however, declined the intended honor, but
gave to one of them my cane, as a proxy, with which he seemed much
delighted. Several of their white neighbors, both male and female, entered
the ring.

SAMUEL CROWELL'S CONTRIBUTION. 101
There was, on this occasion, a splendid display ,of ornament. Those who
have seen the members of a certain society, in their most prosperous days,
march in procession in honor of their patron saint, decorated with the badges
and insignia of their order, may have some conception of the dress and
ornamental decoration of those head men while engaged in the dance.
I will select "Unum.E Pluribus." Their doctor, as he was called, wore
very long hair, and from the nape of his neck to the termination of his queue,
there was a continuous line of pieces of silver — the upper one being larger
than a dollar, and the lower one less than a half-dime.
Some of the more inferior Indians were stuck over with baubles and hung
round with strings. Many of them wore small bells tied around their
ankles; and those who could not.aff ord bells had deer-hoofs in place thereof.
These made a jingling sound, as they put down their feet in the dance.
The squaws, also, exhibited themselves to the best advantage. Several of
them were splendidly attired and decorated. Their dresses were chiefly of
silk, of various colors, and some were of good, old-fashioned queens-gray.
These dresses were not "cut," as our fair belles would say, a la mode, but
they were cut and marie after their own fashion; that is, not so long as to
conceal the scarlet hose, their ankles, their small feet, or their moccasins,
which were so ingeniously beaded and manufactured by their own olive
hands. Nor must I omit saying that the propriety and correct demeanor of the
Indians, and the modest deportment of the squaws, merited the highest
commendation. At the commencement of each dance, or, to borrow our own phraseology,
each "set-dance," a chief first rose arid began to sing the word "Yah-Ho-
. Wah!" with slow, sonorous and strong syllabic emphasis, keeping time with
his feet, and advancing round the house; directly arose another, and then, in
regular succession, one after another, rising and singing the same word, and
falling in the rear, until all the Indians had joined in the dance. Next, the
squaws, at a respectful distance in the rear, in the same manner, by seniority,
rose and united in' the song and dance.
Now the step was quicker and the pronunciation more rapid— all singing
and all dancing, while Jim, the blind musician, struck harder and faster
with his gourd oh the undressed deer-skin; thus they. continued, the same,
for more than an hour, without cessation.
The Indian boys who did not join in the dance, amused themselves the
meanwhile, discharging heavily loaded muskets through the aperture in the
roof, the reverbetions of which were almost deafening. Taken together, to
the eye and ear of a stranger, it seemed like a frantic festivity.
Tall Chief, who was confined to his bed by indisposition, felt it so much
his duty to join in the dance with his people, that he actually left his bed,
notwithstanding it was mid-winter, came to the council house, and took
part in the dance as long as he was able to stand.
About the "noon of night," Hard Hickory invited Mr. D. to accept of a
bed at his residence. To this, proposition we readily assented. Here we
were hospitably provided for, and entertained in a style which we little
anticipated. Even among many of our white inhabitants, at this early day,
a- curtained bed was a luxury not often enjoyed. Such was the bed we

102 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
occupied. Shortly after our arrival at the house of this chief, Mr.D. retired.
Not so with our friendly host and myself. While sitting near a clean brick
hearth, before a cheerful fire, Hard Hickory unbosomed himself to me
unreservedly. Mr, D. was asleep, and the chief and I were then the only
persons in the house.
Hard Hickory, among other things, told me it was owing chiefly to him
that this feast was now celebrated; that it was in part to appease the anger
of the Good Spirit, in consequence of a dream he lately had, and as an
explanation, he gave me the following narration:
"He dreamed he was fleeing from an enemy; it was, he supposed, some
thing supernatural— perhaps an evil spirit; that after it had pursued him a
long time, and for a great distance, and every effort to escape from it seemed
impossible, as it was now at his heels, and he almost exhausted. At this
perilous time he saw a large water, to which he made with all his remaining
strength, and at the very instant, when he expected every bound to be his
last, he beheld, to his joy, a canoe near the shore; this appeared as his last .
hope; breathless, and faint, he threw himself into it, and that moment, of
its own accord, quick as an arrow from the bow, it shot from the shore,
leaving his pursuer behind."
While relating this circumstance to me, which he did with earnestness",
trepidation and alarm strongly expressed in his countenance, betook from
his bosom something neatly and carefully enclosed in several distinct folds
of buckskin. This he began to unroll, laying each piece by itself, and on
opening the last there was enclosed therein a miniature canoe.
On handing it to me to look at, he remarked that no other person, save <
myself and he, had ever seen it, and that as a memento, he would wear it in
his bosom as long as he lived.
It was a piece of light wood, resembling cork, about six inches long; and,
, as it was intended, so it was, a perfect model of a canoe.
The night now being far advanced, he pointed to the bed and told me to
sleep there— but that he must go to the council house to the dance, fof his
people would not like it if he would stay away— and wishing me good-night,
he withdrew.
So far, Mr. Crowell. Another, eye-witness of this last sacred ritual
proceeds to relate the remainder of that night's proceedings at the
council house, as follows:
The first object which arrested our attention was a pair of dogs, male and
female, suspended on a cross— one on each side. These animals had been
strangled— not a bone was broken— nor could a disarranged hair be Seen.
They were of a beautiful cream color, except a few dark spots on one—
naturally— which same spots were put on the other, artificially, by the dev
otees. The Indians are very partial in the selection of dogs entirely white
for this occasion, and for which they will give almost any price.
Now for part of the decorations, and a description of one will do for both-
First, a scarlet ribbon was tastefully tied just above the nose, and near the
eyes, another; next, around the neck was a white ribbon, to which were
attached some bulbs, concealed in another white ribbon; this was placed

ANOTHER ACCOUNT. 103
directly under the right ear, and I suppose it was intended as an amulet, or
¦charm. Then ribbons were bound around the fore-legs, at the knees, and
hear the feet. These were red and white, alternately. Around the body
was a profuse decoration; then the hind-legs were decorated as the fore-legs.
Thus were the victims prepared, and thus ornamented, for the burnt-
offering. While minutely making this examination, I was almost unconscious of
the collection of a large number of Indians, who were then assembled to
offer their sacrifices. Adjacent to the cross was a large fire built on a few
logs; and, though the snow was several inches deep, they had prepared a
sufficient quantity of wood, removed the snow from the logs and placed
thereon their fire. I have often regretted that I did not see them light this
pile. My opinion is, that they did not use ordinary fire, but struck fire with
a steel, this being deemed sacred.
It was near morning, and the sun about rising, when the Indians simulta
neously formed a semi-circle, enclosing the cross, each flank resting on the
pile of logs.
Good Hunter, who officiated as high-priest, now appeared and approached
the cross. Arrayed in his pontifical robes, he looke'd quite respectable.
The Indians being all assembled— I say Indians, for now there was not a
squaw present— at a signal given by the high-priest, two young chiefs sprang
upon the cross, and each taking off one of the dogs, brought it down and
presented it on his arms to the high-priest, Who, receiving it with great
reverence,' in like manner advanced to the fire, and with a very grave and
solemn air, laid it thereon. This he also did with the other. He then
retired to.the cross.
In a devout manner, he now commenced an oration. The tone of his
voice was audible, and somewhat chanting. At every pause in his discourse
he took from a white cloth he held'in his left hand a portion of dried,
odoriferous herbs, which he threw on the fire. This was intended as
incense. In the meanwhile, his auditory, their eyes on the ground, with
grave aspect, and in solemn silence, stood motionless, listening to every
¦word he uttered. Thus he proceeded, until the dogs were entirely consumed
and the incense exhausted, when he concluded his service.
The oblation now made and the wrath of the Great Spirit, as they believed,
appeased, they again assembled for the purpose of performing a part of
their festival different from any I had yet witnessed. Each Indian, as he
entered, seated himself on the floor, thus forming a large circle, when one of
the old chiefs rose, and with that native dignity which some Indians possess
in a great degree, recounted his exploits as a warrior; told in how many
fights he had been the victor, the number of scalps he had taken from his
enemies, and what, at the head of his braves, he yet intended to do at the .
Rocky mountains, accompanying his narration with energy, warmth, and
strong gesticulation. When he ended, he received the unanimous applause
of the assembled tribe.
This meed of praise was awarded to the chief by "three times three'
articulations, which were properly neither nasal, oral, nor guttural, but
rather abdominal.
Others followed in like manner. Among these was Good Hunter; but he

I04 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
"Had laid his robes away,
His mitre and his vest."
His remarks were not filled with such bombast as some others, but brief,
modest and appropriate; in short, they were such as became a priest 'of one
of the lost ten tribes of Israel.
After all had spoken who wished to speak, the floor was cleared and the
dance renewed, in which Indian and squaw united with their wonted hilarity
and zeal. Just as the dance ended, an Indian boy ran to me, and with fear
depicted on his countenance, caught me by the arm and drew me to the
door, pointing with his" other hand towards something which he wished me
to observe.
I looked in that direction and saw the appearance of an Indian running at
full speed to the council house; in an instant he was in it and literally in
the fire, which he took in his hands and threw coals and ashes in various
directions through the house, and apparently, all over himself. At his
entrance, the young Indians, much alarmed, had all fled to the other end of
the house, where 'they remained crowded together in great dread of his
personification of the Evil Spirit. After diverting himself with the fire a
few moments at the expense of the young'ones, to their no small joy, he
disappeared. This was an Indian disguised with a hideous false-face, having horns on
his head, and his hands and feet protected from the effects of the fire; and
though not a professed "fire -king," he certainly performed his part to
admiration. During the continuance of the festival,- the hospitality of the Indians was
unb6unded. In the council house and at the residence of the Tall Chief
were a number of large, fat bucks, and fat hogs, hanging up and neatly
dressed. Bread, also, of both corn and wheat, in great abundance.
Large kettles of soup, ready prepared, in which maple sugar, profusely
added, made a prominent ingredient, thus forming a very agreeable saccha
rine coalescence. All were invited, and all were made welcome; indeed,
a refusal to partake of their bounty was deemed disrespectful, if not
unfriendly., I left them in the afternoon enjoying themselves to the fullest extent; and
so far as I could perceive, their pleasure was without alloy. They were
eating and drinking— but on this occasion no ardent spirits were permitted
—dancing and rejoicing, caring, and probably thinking not of, to-morrow.
The word Sandusky, that has given names to so many towns and
other places, and especially to this river, seems to be buried in obscurity,
as to its origin. Authors differ materially, and their researches seem
'to have led them into mists where it is easy to become associated with
error. In fact, it requires a good, strong light in every direction- of
inquiry to discriminate between truth and error. History is not exempt
from the rule. Even in the popular sciences of the day, one thinker
refutes and attacks the assertions and the theories of another; and
heretics, critics and free-thinkers seem to think that they can find

SOW-DOWS-KY. [05
errors in the preaching of the glorious gospel of our holy religion, and
the administration of the church of God on earth. So it is. Men
will differ on almost everything. To avoid being denounced as a critic,
the views of the several authors on the origin of the word Sandusky
are recorded here without comment, except' one instance, and this
only. Says Mr. Butterfield, p. 74: "As to the origin of the name of this
river, there are two opinions. By some it is belie'ved to be a word of
French extraction, given to the bay and river by the Indians, in honor
of the first French trader who visited the country. In Champaign
county, Illinois, there is now living a, man of this name, who claims
that one of his ancestors, settling at'an early period upon the Sandusky,
and becoming a great favorite among the Indians, they, as a mark of
respect, gave his name (Sow-dows-ky) to the river and bay."
Nobody will deny the fact that the Butterfields are a little prejudiced
in favor of the French, and they have a right to be; but nobody will
believe that "Sow-dows-ky" is a French name. If the origin in that
direction, had been traced to a Russian or a Pole, it would have been
more excusable. The French have no w in their alphabet, nor in their
names. Of the old Indian tradition given by the warriors to Gen. Harrison,
the following is .the origin: After the naval fight between the Wyandots
andrSenecas, lieretofore mentioned, the conquering band, having landed
at Maumee, followed the lake shore towards the east, passing and
giving names to bays, creeks and rivers, until they arrived at Cold
creek, where it enters the Sandusky bay. Being charmed with the
springs of clear, cold water in this vicinity, they pitched their tents and
engaged in hunting and fishing. By them (the Wyandots) the bay and
river were called Sandusky, meaning, in , their language, "at the cold
water." Mr. John H. James, an old veteran pioneer of Urbana, Ohio, in a
note to the American Pioneer, mentions a part of a conversation he
had with William Walker, at Columbus, in 1835-6, when he was the
principal chief of the Wyandots at Upper Sandusky, and says: "I asked
of him the meaning of the word 'Sandusky.' He said it meant 'at the
cold water,' and -said it should be pronounced 'San-doos-tee.' He
said it carried with it the force of a preposition." The Upper Cold
Water and the Lower Cold Water, then, were descriptive Indian names,
given long before the presence of the trader, Sow-dows-ky.
In the vocabulary of Wyandot words given by John Johnson, Esq.,
formerly Indian agent in Ohio, printed in Archseplogia Americana, vol.

Io6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
i, p. 295, the word "water" is given "Sa-un-dus-tee," or, "water
within water pools."
The historians of Ohio sdem to be satisfied with the meaning of the
word 'as "at the cold water;" but Mr. Butterfield,,in his Crawford) p.
147, says that Sandusky. is the old "San-dus-quet" of the old French
traders and voyagers-; "Sah-un-dus-kee," "clear water," or, "San-doos-
tee," "at the cold water." ^ * * * * Or, it may have
been derived from "Sa-un-dus-tee," "water within water pools."
They will stick in the Frenchman, any way. But no matter about
the origin. It is not very likely that any better , light will ever be
thrown upon the origin of the word.
While on this subject, it should also be remembered that the terms,
"Miami of the Lake," or "Miami of Lake Erie," Wherever they occur,
should not be confounded with the "Great" and "Little Miami,"
which are tributaries of the Ohio. The former terms simply mean and
signify the Maumee river. "Mad Spirit" is the Indian signification of
"Erie."

CHAPTER VI.

IEARLY SETTLERS- STATEMENT OF MRS. STANLEY— THE HARRIS FAMILY-
ROBBERY OF SPICER -THE BRUSH-DAM— PETER PORK— JACOB KNISELY
AND CROW— GPING TO MILL-KILLING WITCHES-WOLVES— THE FIRST
HORSE-RACE.

STATEMENT OF MRS. STANLEY.
TO Wm. Lang, Esq.— Being one of the oldest settlers of Seneca county
now living, and 'remembering a great many incidents connected with
the early settlement of the county along the Sandusky river, I will comply
with your invitation and hereby send you a short statement, which you may
use, if found appropriate, Respectfully, Tabitha Stanley.
"My grand-father came from England, a young man, and single. His name
was Samuel Harris. My grand-mother's namewas Betsey Boner, and she
was a native of Ireland. They were married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
long before the revolutionary war, and settled in Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania,
where my father, William Harris, was born in 1760.
After the war he married Mary Mead, whose father came from Wales.
My father enlisted as a soldier in the revolutionary war when he was but a
mere boy, only fourteen yearsvold, as a private, and served during the war to
the close. He never received a pensionf or his services in thewar until after
he moved to Seneca county, when Mr. Abel Rawson, one of the pioneer
lawyers of Tiffin, procured it for him.
My parents raised ten children. Betsey, my oldest sister, was married to
David Roberts ; Hetti%was married to Moses Hunt ; brother Augustus was
married to Aurelia Clark ; Nancy was married to Chambers Mead ; Polly
married James Eaton; brother Samuel died in what is now Townsend town
ship in Sandusky county, Ohio, in 1826, in the twenty-eighth year of his age,
and unmarried ; John married Betsey Hays : Minerva married Benjamin
Barney; Tabitha, (myself,) married Benjamin Culver in 1828; and Jane, the
youngest of our children, married Anson Gray. Minerva, Jane and myself
were married in this county and werjs amongst the few first white girls that
were married here at that time. Barney, Cub/er and Gray were amongst the
few first settlers that located here.
My father moved from Harrisburgh into Livingston county, in the state
•of New York, where we lived until the year 1818, and in that year we moved
back to Pennsylvania and settled near Meadville, in Crawford county. Here
my sister Nancy was married to Chambers Mead. She died at Meadville.
When we left Livmgston county, New York, to move to Pennsylvania, some
of my brothers and sisters were married, and stayed there. Father and

108 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
mother, with the rest of us children that were not married— Nancy, Samuel,
John, Minerva, Tabitha, Jane, and Marshal Harris— started together. When
we got to Olean Point my father bought a boat, called a scow. On this he
put our goods, wagop and all. John and myself took three horses and two
cows, and drove them overland for Lawrenceburgh. On the way there a
man overtook us, and at his request we let him ride one of the horses,, and
the rascal ran away with the horse. There was at that time no road down
the valley of the Allegheny. When we all met at Lawrenceburgh we left
the scow, and hitched the horses to the wagon and traveled together to
Meadville: where we settled. Here we stayed about two years ; "then my:
brother Samuel and a young man by the name of John Eaton, from the state
of New York, started for Ohio on foot, for the purpose of prospecting and
exploring the country. They came to the valley of the Sandusky, and wrote
back to us to pack up and come out here : that they had found an excellent
country, etc.
The following winter my father and brother John started for Ohio to meet
the boys here, leaving the rest of us at Meadville. My father was a gun
smith by trade, and brought his tools with him. He put up a shop on the
north east part of a piece of land that afterwards became the property of my
husband, Benjamin Culver, and known as the Culver farm, hear Fort Seneca.
In the following sjiring father and John came back to Meadville, and then
we all started for the Sandusky valley, except my sister Nancy, who was
then married. When we got here we found the country a dense wilderness.
We put up with Barney's folks, and moved into the same cabin they occu
pied, which had been built by William Spicer, who then had moved upon his
section in the Seneca reservation, east of the river. Spicer was an Indian
captive, and had a family of half Indian children. Their names were John,
James,. Small Cloud, Little Town, and one daughter, who was married to
another white captive by the name of Crow. Spicer was a great help to the
new comers, for he had cattle, horses and hogs in large numbers. He used
to let his land out on shares, and often furnished horses. and oxen to farm
with. He sold a great deal of corn to the immigrants ; also cattle and hogs,
and often let cows out for pay. He was a good neighbor, ever ready and
willing to help the needy. People often borrowed his horses and oxen to go
to the mill. We had to go to Monroeville or to ColcTCreek Mills, to get pur
grinding done— some thirty miles away, through forest and sWamps, without
any bridges across the streams, and no road or any other way to guide the
traveler but blazed trees.
The Barney family consisted of West, who was the oldest, and Benjamin,
both single, a widowed sister, Mrs. Polly Orr, who afterwards married John
Eaton, who came out here with my brother Samuel in 1819, as already stated,
and Ann, the youngest sister, who was afterwards married to David Rice.
in the fall of 1820. Benjamin Barney married my sister Minerva in the win
ter of 1820. David Smith of Fort Ball, who was then a Justice of the Peace,
solemnized the marriage, and played the violin that night at the wedding
dance. Mr. Erastus Bowe came with Mr. Smith to the wedding. Mr. Bowe
was the first settler in Fort Ball.
The wedding was a rural affair, indeed. The dancing was done on a pun
geon floor. A pungeon is a plank about six inches thick, split oiit of a solid

STATEMENT OF MRS. STANLEY. 109
log, and then hewed on one side and " spotted " on the other, so as to fit even
on the sleepers. This~ made a very solid and substantial floor to dance on.
Boards were very scarce and hard to get, on account of the great want of
saw mills. We came here in the summer of 1820. That fall we all took
sick, and became so reduced in strength that one was not able to help the
other. There was no doctor nearer than Huron county, where doctor Steph
enson lived. He came sometimes, and stayed a day or two to supply us with
medicine. We were all fortunate enough to get well.
The following year my brother Augustus came. Soon after his arrival his
wife took sick and died, leaving him with two children, both small.
We were all well and hearty the next year, except my mother, who was
then very sick, but recovered. Benjamin Barney moved to Fort Seneca,
close to the old fort built by General Harrison in 1812, and then occupied by
Mr. James Montgomery, a Methodist preacher and .agent for the Seneca
Indians. He, (Mr. Montgomery,) was also afterwards elected Justice of the
Peace, and solemnized the marriage ceremony when Mr. Culver and I were
married. Mr. Montgomery was considered a very good man, and was highly
respected. One of his sons died. I was the only white girl outside of the
family who attended the funeral.
Mr. Benjamin Barney and Mr. Anson Gray both moved with their families
to the state of Illinois, and both became wealthy. Gray and his wife are
both dead. Barney's wife is also dead, but Barney is still living and is now
about eighty-four years old. One year ago, when he was here on a visit, I
saw him at Mr. Rice's, in Townsend township, Sandusky county, when life
was very hearty and active.
Yery few white people lived here when we came. Mr. Bowe, Mr. Risdon,
Mr. David Smith and Mr. Levi Crissey lived in Fort Ball ; Abner Pike, Ezra
' Sprague, Willard Sprague, Francis Sprague, widow Shippey, Nathan Ship-
pey, Robert and Lorenzo Abbott, Dorcas and Polly Shippey, Joel' Chapin,
Mr. McNutt, who had two sons— Alexander and Daniel— Caleb Rice and
Daniel Rice, Pardon Wilson, Phineas Frary, Sidney Barney— a cousin of
Benjamin Barney— Samuel, Silas, Hiram, Asel and Phineas Pike, Louisa
Emmerson, who taught school, Eliphalet Rogers, Henry Rogers, Ebenezer
Mills, Daniel Mills, Jeremiah Chapman, Hannah Jackson, the Rollins fam
ily, and the Dumond, Duke and Montgomery families, constituted about all
the white people that lived within ten miles of the fort, except the captives
on the reservation.
They used to have their military trainings on the Culver farm, then known
as the Spicer place. At one of these trainings I first saw Mr. Hugh Welsh.
I think he was the fifer for the Company. Caleb Rice was Captain, my
brother Samuel was Lieutenant, John Eaton was Orderly, and West Barney
was Ensign. They used to meet there every year. The general muster was
held near the stockade of the fort.
The reservation extended from a point opposite Baker's mill to a point op
posite the mouth of Wolf Creek, in Sandusky county. The Mohawks lived
on the farms now owned by the Frys, Flummerfelts and Claggetts. The
Senecas lived opposite the old fort and below. Some of them lived near
Green Springs, and up to what is now Watson's Station on the C. S. & C. R.

HO HISTORY OF SENECA COUNT/.
R. . Crow lived further up, opposite my father's, joining the Spicer section
on the north. '
In 1821 a, log cabin stood at a place' near what is now Sandusky street in-
Tiffin, and where Captain Bagby built a very nice residence opposite the old
residence of Luther A. Hall, Esq. v This residence is now occupied by a
¦ family named Lewis. Into this cabin a gentleman from Auburn, New
York, moved in that year. His name was Mr. Childs. There was but him
self and his wife. They were well dressed, and both very handsome. Mr.
Childs had been in the mercantile business in the state of New York. , He
, was then about twenty-five years old, when he took sick and died in the
cabin. Soon after his death Mrs. Childs was delivered of a child, and the
neighbors took her and, the babe to Judge Ingraham's, who then lived near
neighbor to Mr. Bowe, where, after suffering about nine days, she also died.
The widow Orr, a sister of the Barneys, took the child to raise and kept it
one year, when a sister of Mrs. Childs came out here, and took it back to-
Auburn with her. Somebody had named the child Nancy. Childs and his
wife were both buried in the old grave yard, near the B. & O. depot."
So far Mrs. Stanley. This William Spicer, who played so conspic
uous a part in the history of the Seneca Indians while living in this
valley, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was captured by the Indians
when he was very young. When the white settlers first came into this
valley Spicer had been on the Sandusky forty years, and during, the
revolutionary war. There is but little known of his history.; The Wy
andots .took him to the banks of the Ohio, and used him as a decoy to
bring boatmen to the shore. They tied him to a tree near the bank of
the river and compelled him to call on the boatmen for help, and while
the savages lay in ambush any person approaching Spicer became an
easy prey. Many were thus made to suffer the cruelty of the Wyan
dots, but it is to be presumed that Spicer played his part merely by
compulsion. Mr, Mark A. Harris, whose observations were as close as his recol
lections are fresh and minute, says :
I came to Seneca county with my grandfather, William Harris, with whom
I had always lived, and up to the time when my aunt Tabitha married Mr.
Culver; then I lived with them. This was in 1828. My uncle, Benjamin
Culver, bought eight hundred and four acres of land at the sales'. His
homestead consisted of three hundred acres. The Flummerfelt and Abbott
farms are also parts of Culver's purchase. He also owned the land where
the " Cronise saw-mill" used to be, in Liberty township. These lands he
bought at the. sales, in Delaware. Horton Howard was receiver, and Piatt
Brush was register of the land office. Mr. Brush lived near and south of
, Fremont. He married for his second wife a widow Green, from Mary--
land, formerly-the mother of the Honorable Frederick W. Green, who was
Auditor of Seneca county for a long time, and afterwards represented this
congressional district in Washington. This was during the ever memorable

THE HARRIS FAMILY. Ill
trouble occasioned by the repeal of the eighth section of the " Missouri
Compromise." After serving a term in Congress, Mr. Green was appointed
Clerk of the U. S. District Court for trie , northern district of Ohio, when he
moved to Cleveland, where he lived up to the time of his death, which oc
curred in the spring of 1879.
The Barneys came here from Massachusetts in 1818, and settled near the
old fort. It seems that nearly all the settlers in that vicinity preferred to be
near the fort, so as to have the benefit of its protection in time of danger.
There were three brothers of these Barneys— West, Benjamin and Marshal:
and two sisters— Tolly Orr, whose husband and one child had died here, apd
Ann Barney, the youngest sisteri. Marshal also died here, and he, Mr. Orr
and his child were buried at the Spicer place. Ann married Daniel Rice,
who was afterwards elected justice of the peace— the first one in the town
ship. His widow is still living in Sandusky county, north of Clyde.
Benjamin Barney was a very resolute and honorable man, and a great
friend to William Spicer ; and when Spicer was robbed Benjamin took great
interest in having the robbers brought to justice, and securing the money.
This was probably the first robbery in Seneca county, and it occurred in this
wise, viz. :— Spicer was well off, and took in a great deal of money from the
sale of hogs, cattle, horses and corn. His money was all in gold and silver.
Spicer lived on the top of the hill on the west bank of the river, opposite the
north point of the island in the river, and about four miles south of the fort.
One afternoon when Spicer was alone in his cabin, a man by the name of
Rollins came in and demanded Spicer 's money and the key of his chest.
Spicer refused to deliver over, and Rollins struck him with a club on the
head, which stunned him, and he fell. While in this condition he heard
Rollins laugh, and also heard some others come in, but could not tell who
they were. When Spicer recovered his consciousness, the men and his
" money were gone.
Spicer was a small man, and had no education ; he could not count much,
and did not know exactly how much money he did have, but it was generally
believed that he had between six and seven thousand dollars.
This Rollins was a carpenter by trade, and at the time of this occurrence
was employed to help a certain Paul D. Butler in building a saw mill on thp
left bank of the river, where Lafayette ' street, in Tiffin, comes down to the
river. Some of the timbers of this mill were afterwards used by Mr. Josiah
Hedges in the building of the saw mill standing on the left bank of the
' river, opposite Reuben Kedler's mill, so-called.
As soon as the news of the. robbery became known, the neighbors turned
out to assist the constable in the chase after the thieves and the recovery
of the money. A man by the name of Downing lived on the top of the hill
back and south of Baker's mill, some three miles north of Tiffin, in a cabin
near the river. The constable, Mr. Papineau, in company with Benjamin
Barney, came to Downing's house and sat down to talk awhile, when a little
girl of the family said to these men, "My papa put something nice under
there ;" pointing to the hearth-stone. They arrested Downing, and raising
the hearth-stone, found over five hundred dollars in silver under it. After
wards some six hundred dollars more were found in the spring at the foot of
the hill close by the4 cabin. These six hundred dollars were supposed to

II2 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
have been put into the spring by this William Rollins who struck Spicer,
and who was also arrested soon after. Downing got away from the con
stable, and was never heard of afterwards. Judge Fitch, who lived near
the river, below Elder Eating's, also found some money supposed.to be
Spicer's, in a ravine that runs across the north west corner of the Culver
"place, (as then known.) This sum was also over five hundred dollars. All
this money was promptly restored to Spicer.
Butler, Case, and quite a number of others were arrested, and were all
taken to Norwalk, in Huron county, for trial. Caleb Rice also assisted in
making these arrests. Some of the prisoners escaped before trial; Case,
Butler and some others were acquitted. Rollins was the only one that was
convicted, of the robbery, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for the
term of eleven years. He was pardoned out before his term expired, Spicer
himself signing the petition.
The saw mill near the old Fort Ball I spoke of, was a very rickety affair,
and so was the dam that supplied the water. The dam was made of brush
laid across the river with the points up stream. On the top of each layer of
brush other brush were laid cross-wise, and then another layer on top of
these like the first layer, and so on. The whole string of brush.was held
down by boulders and dirt put on top of the brush. The dam reached to the
right bank of the river at a point where doctor McFarland's stable now
stands. Mr. Jesse Spencer owning the saw mill and the land on that side
of the river, and Mr. Josiah Hedges the land on this side, somehow, trouble
arose between these men about the dam. It is possible that the water in the
river was set back, and overflowed some of Mr. Hedges' land.
One night, however, Mr. Hedges procured a number of men with picks
and shovels, and had a ditch dug in a half moon shape around the east end
of the clam, and on the next morning the water of the river flowed through
the ditch, leaving dam and saw mill high and dry.
This Judge Fitch, above mentioned, was a tall, slender man, very intelli
gent and communicative, and in every way an excellent citizen. Elisha
Smith kept tavern where the Holt house, so-called, now stands on Sandusky
street in Tiffin. That tavern used to be the place for July celebrations.
On these occasions it was customary , for Judge Fitch to come up and treat
all the young men. Then he would' say to them that before long they would
have to take care of the government, etc. One time we had a Fourth of
July dance there when fifteen couples attended, which took nearly all the
people that were here.
Abner Pike lived on the Ezra Baker farm, near the old house on the hill.
He came here with his family from New Jersey. His wife was a sister to
this Butler that built Spencer's saw mill. Pike was a man of medium size,
stout and compactly built, had dark hair and dark eyes, and a dull look ; he
was not very cleanly in his person, and as lazy as he was ignorant, but other
wise a harmless sort of a man.
Mr. Erastus Bowe had a' tavern at the old Fort Ball. It was a double log
house, one story high. It was built of Tough logs, and had two rooms. Mr.
Bowe was a pleasant, sociable gentleman, and highly esteemed.
My grandfather was a gunsmith by trade, and wherever he lived, in Penn
sylvania, New York or Ohio, had Indians for customers, and in this way he

THFl HARRIS FAMILY. , I 13
became acquainted with the languages of several tribes. lie had no diffi
culty to talk the Seneca when we came here. He carried on his gun shop
until he died, in 1834.
Samuel and John Wright, in later years, became the owners of the farm
that from thence bore their name. They were from Rochester, New York.
John Wright and Daniel Bissell, also from New York, put up a distillery
near the springs on the banks of the river, on this farm. I worked in, and
conducted, the distillery for a long time. The business was done in the firm
name of " Bissell & Wright." When the farmers brought their corn to be
distilled on shares or to be exchanged, we gave them five quarts, "and when
the corn was cheap and plenty, we gave them six quarts of whisky for one
bushel of corn.
About that time two young ladies came to my aunt, Mrs. Culver, from
New York on a visit. They were sisters : Mariah Hunt, the oldest, and the
younger, Sylvia Ann Hunt, daughters of her sister. While here, the two
Mr. Wrights made their acquaintance and married them. John Wright
married Mariah, and Samuel Wright married Sylvia Ann. Samuel and his
wife did not live very happily ; some young merchant from Tiffin became
too intimate in the family, and in some way a divorce was brought about.
Wright went away. Soon after this occurrence, Mr. Rufus W. Reid, from
Tiffin, married Mrs. Wright. Reid was at that time engaged very largely in
the mercantile business and the produce trade. He built a large warehouse
near the depot of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, then in Fort Ball.
The building is now occupied- by Mr. Solomon Koup, as a door, sash and
blind factory.
Mr. Reid was the rival of Mr. R. W. Shawhan, not only in the mer
cantile business, but also in the various conflicts in the establishment
of banks in Tiffin, each striving to become master of the situation.
One succeeded, and the other went down. Reid failed in business, and
giving himself up to his appetite for strong drink, lived a very hard life
up to his -death. Mrs. Reid is still living in Cincinnati.
Those that knew Mr. Reid well must acknowledge that with all his
faults, and before he fell, he possessed business- qualities of the highest
order, combined with a wonderful degree of perseverance. He was
gentlemanly and courteous, highly intelligent and accomplished, pos
sessed of a rare memory, and as the presiding officer of a lodge of
F. & A. M. he had scarcely his superior in any quality that properly
belongs to that station^— except virtue.
How truly the words of the poet may be applied to him : —
" Pity he loved an adventurer's life's variety !
He .was so great a loss to good society."
But, to let Mr. Harris proceed.
When I was about eleven years old, I hadtfo go with my uncle, John Har
ris, to the mill at Monroeville. This was the nearest mill to our home, and
about thirty miles away. We could not get across the river with a team, so
we hauled our corii to the shore of the river, and unloaded it there. Then
8

114 ' -HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
we took our team home, and loading our corn into a dug:out— a canoe made
out of a log— we. hauled it across and unloaded it on the other shore. Then
we borrowed a yoke of oxen from Mr. Spicer,, and a cart from Crow, (we did
not say " Mister " to an Indian,) and loaded up our corn and started. The
next night we stopped with a man by the name of Nichols, near Bellevue,
and in the evening of the second day we reached Monroeville. There were ,
a great many customers ahead of us, and there was no prospect for us to get
in for about a week ; so we started for Gold Creek mills, which were eleven
miles northwest from^here. They had just commenced dressing the mill
stones when we arrived, and after waiting two days at Cold Cr,eek, we started
home with our grist. At Cold Creek we bought a bushel of peaches, -which
/were then, and especially with us in the woods, a great variety. Afterwards
they grew almost spontaneously, and produced abundantly, until within
about fifteen years ago. Now it is seldom that a crop of them can be raised
in this county. The first night on the way home we reached Dr. Stephen '
son's. The next day our provisions gave out. We. came to a fire in the
woods where a man had been chopping, and being very hungry, we looked
around amongst the logs for provisions that the wood-chopper might have
hidden somewhere, and found raw pork and bread. We divided even with
the man, and putting his half back where it was, made way with ours, and
drove onr When we got home we were gone nearly a week.
The only place where we could get fruit at that time was at Whitecker's,
below Fremont about two miles. Mrs. Whitecker was a widow and a cap
tive of the Senecas, and she received this place by the treaty. One time her
son James stalled with his wagon near our house, and he had to abandon it.
When he left he told me to tell the Senecas that the wagon belonged to him,
and then they would not touch it.
Some time after we arrived here, I went up the river with Hiram Pike,
who wanted to get a pair of shoes he had up there to get mended. We came
to a little clearing of about two acres, in the midst of which was a cabin.
Here the shoemaker lived. His name was Johnson, and his cabin the only
one on the right bank of the river from the reservation far up towards the
town of McCutchenville. It was situated where Jefferson and Perry streets
cross. The first log heap that was burnt on the Tiffin side, was where the
Commercial Bank now is, next lot north of the court. house.
^ Mr. Erastus Bowe lived near the old fort, on the west bank, and David
Smith lived in a cabin, somewhere near or at the place where the Ohio stove
works now are. Op the hill, near where McNeal's store now stands, there
was an old Indian cabin, into which Mr. Agreen Ingraham soon after moved.
Close by this cabin Mr. Milton McNeal soon after built his store, and he was
the first merchant on that side of the river.
William D. Sherwood entered six hundred and forty acres of land, includ
ing the farms afterwards owned by the Rev. John Souder and the Stoners.
Sherwood built a cabin at the Souder place. There was no other house on
the army toad between the Sherwood cabin and Fort Seneca. Sherwood's'
wife died in this cabin, and was buried in the graveyard that was situated
between the depot of the B. & O. Railroad in Tiffin, and the late residence
of Mrs. Joseph Walker on the hill, and where Mr. Francis Wagner now
lives. All traces of the graveyard are gone. Mr. Sherwood's son was here

THE HARRIS FAMILY. 115
*-
a few years ago, looking for his mother's grave, but could And no trace of it.
Phineas Frary, another old settler, married a Miss Cochran. A. M.
Courtright married a sister of Mrs. Frary, and settled up the river somewhere
south of Tiffin. Mrs. Harriet Segur was one of the Cochran girls. .She is
still living on her farm, on the reservation. The council-house used to stand
on that place. This was made of three lengths of logs, cornered as usual,
and where the logs came together at the ends, they were flattened and laid
• on top of each other. The roof' was made of bark, with a hole left in the
middle to let the smoke' out.
I knew all the Indians on the reserve, and was well acquainted' with Crow.
He was stolen by the Wyandots on the Loyal Hannah in Pennsylvania, and
given to the Senecas, who adopted him. Crow was about two or three
years old when he was taken away. The parents were away from home at
the time, and the other children out after berries. The savages got away
with the child unobserved.
When Crow's father came, to hunt him up, he stopped at Crow's and sent
for my grandfather to come and interpret the conversation. Crow could not
talk English. So I went along and heard all that was said. Mr. Jacob
Knisely came on horseback to look for his son. He stated all about the
manner of the stealing of his son. and said he had now visited all the lodges
of the other tribes without success. My grandfather had been with the Sen
ecas so much that he spoke their language quite fluently. He was one of
the few who made their escape at the massacre of Wyoming.
They talked a long time. Crow did not want to talk ; denied every recol
lection of his white ancestry, and often refused to give any answer. Finally
Mr. Knisely said to him, "If you are my son, then your name is Jacob."
With this, Crow jumped up and said, " That is my name, and I am your
son; I recollect that, but I kept it all to myself for fear that somebody would
claim me and take me away." Crow then sent up to the Wyandots and had
his foster-mother come down, who corroborated Mr. Knisely's version of the
stealing of his child. She was a very old squaw, and stayed several days,
and as long as Mr. Knisely stayed, to satisfy herself that Crow would not go
back with his father. Mr. Knisely tried every way to induce his son to go
back with him to Pennsylvania ; he said that his wife had been sick some
time ; that she had mourned for her lost child some fifty years, and would
lie willing to die if she could, only once more see her dear boy. The, scene
was very affecting ; but Crow was immovable. He said he had now a family
of his oWn to look after and could not go, but promised to visit his parents
some other time. He laughed heartily over the idea as to how he would
look dressed up like a white man. Mr. Knisely left one morning, and Crow
accompanied his father as far as Bellevue, where they stayed together all
night. Crow returned next day, and when the Indians started for their new
homes in the West he, went with them. He never went to see his parents at
all. Crow got his share in the treaties with the Wyandots, as well as with
the Senecas, and became quite well off. Crow's first wife was a full blood
Indian ; his second wife was a daughter of William Spicer. White Crow
was his oldest son, who came back here on a visit in 1852, and stayed with
me one night. He had just then been at Dayton, Ohio, where he left his
second son at school, and where his oldest son was also securing an educa-

IX6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
tion. Tears came into his eyes when he looked at the- old reservation, and
he regretted that he had ever left.
When the Senecas were paid off,. Crow received for his improvements nine
hundred and fifty dollars, and another Indian paid him fifty dollars on an
old debt. Martin Lane was an interpreter for the Senecas,-and went with
them to the west, and returned here.
It is a most remarkable fact, that while it is very hard to make a
civilized man out of a savage, the civilized man takes to savage life '
like a fish (o water.
Col. Mcllvain was the chief agent for the Senecas, and often stopped
with Lane at the Spicer place. The Senecas were very slow getting
, ready to go. Finally they got their things on the wagons and started.
Spicer was dead before they left here..
Crow died at his new home, of cholera. White Crow got rich, and
adopted the name of his grandfather Knisely.
PETER PORK.
A man by the name of Benazah Parker lived on the west side of the
street, near where Lorenzo Abbott had his store, in the village then ¦
called McNutt's Corners, afterwards Swope's Corners, and now Fort
Seneca. Parker kept a whisky shop, and often sold whisky to the In
dians in violation of law, and for which he was frequently arrested and
fined. Yet he went on in his infamous business. In the night of the
4th of October, 1829, they were having a high time at Parker's. The
whole gang was drunk, and Parker administered a mock sacrament to
his drunken crowd. Seated. about on benches, he passed corn-dodgers to
them for bread, and whisky for wine, accompanied with blasphemous
remarks. Pork was there. He was a mean, ill-tempered savage, had
committed several murders, and had no redeeming trait about him.
Pork asked for whisky, and Parker refusing, he became very angry and
ugly. Parker ordered him out, and Pork refusing to go, Parker took a
burning stick from the fireplace, and making with that towards Pork,
was stabbed by Pork in his side. Pork dropped the knife and ran.
Says Mr. Harris : —
My uncle, Anson Gray, was at Parker's at the time this occurred. He
used to drink to excess often ( at that time, but he afterwards reformed,
became highly respectable and wealthy.
Pork got out and ran home, and when he went to bed he stuck his scalping
knife into a crack in a log close by his bed, and within reaching' distance.
His squaW noticed that there was something wrong, and when Pork was
sound asleep she took the knife away and put a wooden one in its place.
The, neighbors became aroused, and getting a warrant for the arrest of
Pork, Judge Jaques Hurlbut, one of the best and most influential of men in

THE HARRIS FAMILY. I 17
that vicinity, took with him Jonathan Abbott, Anson Gray, Stephen Ross,
Jeremiah Hays, John Harris, Silas Pike and Henry Yeaky. When they got
to Pork's house he jumped out of bed, took hold of the wooden knife, kicked
out the lantern, and struck Judge Hurlbut with the wooden knife with such
force that he cut his home-made cloth overcoat to the skin. The Judge
called out, "Boys, he is stabbing me." They had a hard struggle with the
villain, but finally subdued him. They put him on a horse, and tied his feet
together under the horse, to prevent escape. On the way to Tiffin he said
to his escort, "To-morrow me die ;" thinking that he would be executed.
They put him into the old hewed log jail that stood at the south-east corner
of the court house yard in Tiffin. Pork was tried, Judge Lane presiding,
and was sent to the penitentiary for a term of three years; but when the
Senecas left he was pardoned and went with them. The sentence was made
light from the fact that Parked had often violated the law, in selling whisky
to the Indians. Abel Rawson was prosecuting attorney.
Parker lived some fifteen months after he was stabbed, and died from the
effects of the wound, as it was supposed.
Some four years after the Senecas went away, Joseph Herrin, a half blood
Mohawk, came here on a visit. While here he learned that Pork had killed,
Joseph Silas, a cousin of his. Herrin said : "This makes three cousins of
mine that Pork has killed, and when I come' home I kill Pork." He kept
his word, and when in 1852 White Crow came here, he said that " Herrin
knocked Pork down, and cut his throat clear off."
. Butterfield says that Pork had committed no less than eight murders.
He was a Cayuga, a stalwart, brutal monster, and the terror of the
neighborhood. He had killed Strong Arm — Teguama — an Indian of
his tribe, just before the fatal affray with Parker. Both had been at
Lower Sandusky, and returning home drunk, got into a fight with axes.
Tequania was badly mangled. Doctor Dresbach, of Tiffin, dressed his
wounds, but he died in nine days. Pork also killed "Thomas Brandt's
old wife," as she was called, who lived in a cabin by herself. He met
her one day, killed her, and covered her remains with brush.
Pork was sentenced for "stabbing with intent to kill," in the Parker
case, on the 28th of April, 1830.
Mr. Harris proceeds :
While Mr. Ingraham lived in the old cabin near McNeal's store, the whole
family took sick, and no one was able to help the other. Mrs. Stanley went
up and waited on them. One of the Ingraham girls married a Mr. McGee,
who afterwards carried on a drug store at Fremont. Melissa married Frank
Abbott, the youngest of the Abbott family, who is still living.
• Qld Mr. Andrew Dukes, also an old settler, had one son, John, and one
daughter, Sophia, by his first wife. He married, for his second wife, Mrs.
Gittie Swimm, who was a widow, and sister of Mr. Isaac I. Dumond. He
lived near the Dukes' burying ground. Dumond married old Mr. Dukes'
daughter, Sophia. John Dukes married another sister of Mr. Dumond. So

ir8 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
father and son married two sisters, and Mr. Dumond was both brother-in-law
and son-in-law to Mr. Dukes, and Mr. Dukes was both father-in-law and
brother-in-law to Mr. Dumond. • HARD HICKORY
Was a large, noble looking man, and nearly half white, about six feet
high, had little chin whiskers, was very straight and muscular, spoke
English well, and was highly respected. He had a large nose, and was
about fifty years old, when they left.
GOOD HUNTER
Was of medium height, had a melancholy look, most always drooped
his head, walking or sitting, but had a' sharp 'eye, and was considered
smart. He was a full-blood Seneca, a little gray, about fifty years old,
and took the place of Seneca John after he was killed.

SENECA JOHN
Was a splendid looking Indian, strictly honest, as many of the Senecas
were, was very straight, square-shouldered, and had a frank, open,
noble look. He carried a silver ring in his nose, and one in each
ear. He wore a fur hat and broadcloth- coat, cut Indian fashion, with a
belt, and a silver band three inches wide on each upper arm. He was
a stylish man, and of commanding bearing; He lived near Green
Springs when he was executed, then about thirty-eight years old.

SENECA STEEL ,
Was a small Indian, very active, but there wa's nothing otherwise un
common about him. Seneca John, Comstock and Coonstick were his
brothers.

Mr. Montgomery preached Spicer's funeral sermon. George Herri J,
a half Mohawk, was interpreter, and gave the sermon in the Indian,
sentence by sentence. (Slow preaching.)
One of Spicer's boys, Small Cloud, was a fine looking fellow, a half
blood. He married Crow's daughter by his first wife. Little Town
Spicer had three or four wives. Both these Spicer boys went west with
the Senecas.
Whenever an Indian was buried they built a pen of poles about three
feet high around the grave, and laid poles over the top. Before they
left they carried these pens away and threwthe poles over the bank.
Crow was a great deer hunter, and shot many a fine buck after night.

THE HARRIS FAMILY. I 19
He would then carry a pole seven feet long, pointed at the end, with a
fork at the upper end. A piece of bark, about fifteen inches wide and
two feet long, was fastened to the fork so as to make the bottom level
and the other end sticking up along the pole, like a letter L. A candle
Was put into the bottom part, and Crow holding this over his head, was
in the shade, but could see, objects far off. The deer would look at the
lights and not notice Crow in the dark. As soon as Crow saw a deer
he would stick the pole in the soft ground, and make sure of his game.
This was called "fire hunting," and Crow would always travel along
the edge of the fiver, where, the deer would come down to drink and
find "salt licks,"
The Indians made their wax candles by using cotton rags for wicks,
and pouring the melted wax into dry stocks of the wild parsnip, which
they used as candle-moulds. They had- another light for house use,
made of strips of fat pork, which were dried in the chimneys, fastened
to a stick so that they hung straight down. - When dry and hard, these
were stuck into a hole bored into a chip, for a candle stick, and then
lit, making as gpod a light as a candle. The name for a candle was
" gigh-di-tagua." There was a great deal of sickness amongst the Senecas in 1822, and
many died. They believed themselves bewitched, and holding a coun
cil on the subject, condemned four poor old squaws to be tomahawked
for witchcraft. Next day, these squaws went to Lower Sandusky and
bought whisky. When they came back they got drunk, and when in
that condition they said they were ready, and told the executioner to
"cut away." One Indian killed them all. His name was Jim Sky.
Says Mr. Harris : —
A few days after the execution some of the Indians brought the toma
hawk to my grandfather's shop, to haveit put into better Shape. It was a
"pipe tomahawk." Soon after a young Indian came in and saw the toma
hawk laying on the bench; when ke broke out in a horrible oath, and told
me to lay it away, for that had killed his mamma. He then cried aloud a-
long time. His name was Good Spring.
Seneca Joseph had an old squaw living with him who was suspected of
being a witch. She was very sick, and Mrs. Stanley used to go over to see
her often. One day, when she came there the old squaw was dead, and all
drawn up crooked ; so they made a crooked grave to fit her. They laid bark
on the bottom, wrapped h«r in a blanket, put hur in and covered her with
bark, and then filled up the grave with dirt.
One of the Shippey girls came to our house one day on horseback; having
heard some wolves howl, she was afraid to go home alone, and some of
our folks-had to go with her. She afterwards married John Rickets, and
Mr. Rezin Rickets, in Hopewell township, is a son of William Rickets,
brother to John.

120 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The wolves used to make a fearful howling noise, which they sometimes
kept up all night. No one can now imagine what terrible feelings the howl
ing of the wolves would create-, on a dark, wintry night, when we were in
bed : the wolves howling on the one side, and the Indians keeping up their
everlasting turn, turn, turn, on the other, dancing all night.

MOUND BUILDERS.
There were several mounds on the Culver place, and we often plowed up
bones and ancient crockery. In 1850 we opened one of these mounds, and
found a very large skeleton, with a well shaped skull, and a stone pitcher
near the head. The pitcher seemed to have been made of sand and clay.
Small vessels of the same material, filled with clam-shells, were placed inside
of the elbows.- Some of these pitchers would hold half a gallon. We gave
them to Gen. Brish. These things were as wonderful to the Indians as to us.

HORSE-RACE.
Some time after Doctor- Dresbach came to Tiffin, he and Mr. Josiah Hedges
and their riders came to the Spicer place to have a horse-race. They had a
straight track made through Spicer's corn fields. Dresbach had a small gray
mare. Hedges' horse was a bay belonging to a friend of his by the name of
Connell. McNeal's clerk rode the Dresbach mare, and Albert Hedges rode
the Connell mare. Hedges' bay won.
The same day the Connell horse ran against some body's elese horse, on
the same track. At the outcome the bay stopped short and threw Albert
Hedges clear over the fence, and he had his ankle dislocated. They came
down here to have the race, because they could find no other place so free
from stumps. The track was straight from the bank of the river to the hill
where Mr. Toomb's house now stands. This was the first horse-race in
Seneca county.

CHAPTER VII.

THE SENECA CHIEF PRESENTS. THE GOVERNOR OF CANADA WITH 954 AMER
ICAN SCALPS -TALL CHIEF— THE TUQUANIAS-KILLING THE SQUAW OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON— JUDGE HULBURT-CALEB RICE— BENJ. CULVER -
REV. JAMES B. FINLAY-CAPT. JOSEPH- MRS. INGHAM-CAPT, JOSEPH -
CAPT. SHERWOOD -SKETCH OF MRS. INGHAM— EARLY MARRIAGES.

THE Senecas were, at one time in their history, a very powerful
race, and about the time of the revolutionary war the most savage
and cruel of any of these, forest monsters. About the time they took
possession of their reservation in Seneca county, there Was scarcely
anything left of them, and those that did settle here were a mixed
rabble of several tribes, half-breeds and captives.
For more than a century this tribe had been in contact with the
white race, in peace and in war; and instead of deriving the benefit
which naturally ought to have followed, from this intimacy, they
deteriorated to more abject barbarism still, and dwindled down to a
handful of dirty, stupid, superstitious, worthless rabble. Bad not
this county once been their home,~and been named after them, nobody
would care to read or learn anything about them. As it is, the reader
would scarce be satisfied, in perusing a history of this county, without
having an opportunity to learn all there was of them, and what they
were like when they roamed over the ground that contains so many
happy homes as now enjoyed by the people here. All these sprung up
by magic, as it were, since the last satanic yell of these hell-hounds of
the woods died on the desert air.
The manner in which the British government carried on both her
wars with the United States,, by making these red fiends their allies, and
supplying them with everything needful to perpetrate their cruelties
upon the white people along the frontier, put that government in a
worse light still, looked at from every stand-point that time may justify.
For a high-toned, christian. people, claiming the mastery of the seas, and
upon whose territory the sun never ceases to shine, not only justifying
midnight butcheries of her superior enemy, by savage warfare, but
helping it along and approving these atrocities, calls aloud for universal
condemnation.

I22 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The relation of Great Britain with the western savages, and the
power this red ally exercised on- the western frontier, is clearly sho<vn
in a letter that Dr. Franklin furnished the American Remembrancer, an
authority which- nobody will dispute.
The British government had sent its agents to all the Indian tribes
to enlist ' the savages ' against the colonists. The Americans sent
Benjamin Franklin to Paris to secure, if possible, the aid of France
in favor of his countrymen. Dr. Franklin wrote an article for" the
American Remembrancer, which, in that day, exerted a very powerful ,
influence in both Europe and America. It purported to be a letter
from a British officer to the Governor of Canada, accompanying a
present of eight packages of scalps of the colonists, which he had
received from the chief of the Senecas. As a very important part of
the history of the times, the letter should be recorded. It was as follows:
"May It Please Your Excellency:
"At the request of the Seneca chief, I hereby send to your Excellency,
under the care of James Hoyt, eight packages of scalps, cured, dried, hooped, .
and painted with all the triumphal marks, of which the following is the
invoice and explanation:
"No. 1— Containing forty -three scalps of Congress soldiers, killed in
different skirmishes. These are stretched on black hoops, four inches in
diameter. The inside of the skin is painted red, with a small black spot, to
denote their being killed with bullets; the hoops painted red; the skin
painted brown and marked with a hoe; a black circle all round, to denote
their being surprised in the night; and a black hatchet in the middle,
signifying their being killed with.that weapon.
"No. 2— Containing the scalps of ninety-eight farmers, killed in their
houses; hoops red, figure of a hoe, to mark their profession; great white
circle and sun, to-show they were surprised in day time; a little red foot, to
show they stood upon their defense, and died fighting for their lives and
- families. "No. 3--Containing ninety-seven, of farmers; hoops green, to show that
they were killed in the fields; a large, white circle^ with a little round mark
on it, for a sun, to shdw it was in the day time; a black bullet mark on
some, a hatchet mark on others.
"No. 4— Containing one hundred and two, farmers; mixture of several of
-the marks above; only eighteen marked with a little yellow flame, to denote
their being of prisoners burnt alive, after being scalped; their nails pulled
out by the roots, and other torments; one of these latter being supposed to
be an American clergyman, his hand being fixed to the hook of his scalp.
Most of the farmers appear, by the hair, to have been young or middle-aged
men, there being but sixty-seven very gray heads among them all, which
makes the service more essential.
"No. 5— Containing eighty-eight scalps of women; hair long, braided in
the Indian fashion, to show they were mothers; hoops, blue; skin, yellow
ground, with little red tad-poles, to represent, by way of triumph, the tears

PRESENT OF SCALPS  MRS. SALLY INGHAM. I 23
of grief occasioned to their relatives; a. black scalping knife or hatchet at
the bottom, to mark their being killed by those instruments. Seventeen
others, being very gray; black hoops; plain brown color; no marks but the
short club or cassetete, to show they were knocked down dead, or had their
'brains beaten out.
"No. 6— Containing one hundred and ninety-three boys' scalps, of various
ages; small green hoops, with ground on the skin, with red tears in the
middle, and black marks, knifp, hatchet or club, as their death happened.
"No. 7 — Containing two hundred and eleven girls' scalps, big and little;
small yellow hoops; white ground tears, hatchet and scalping knife.
"No. 8 — This package is a mixture of all the varieties above mentioned,
to the number of one hundred and twenty-two, with a box of birch bark,
containing twenty-nine little infants' scalps, of various sizes; small white
hoops, white ground, to show that they were nipped out of their mother?'
wombs. "With these packs, the chiefs send to your Excellency the following speech ,
delivered by Conicogatchie, in council, interpreted by the elder Moore, the
trader, and taken down by me in writing:
'¦'¦Father — We send you herewith many scalps, that you may see we are not
idle friends. We wish you to send these scalps to the Great King, that he
may regard them, and be refreshed; and that he may see our faithfulness in
destroying his enemies, and be convinced that, his presents have not been
made to an ungrateful people," etc. — Abb. Hist, of Ohio, p. 189.
Is the reader at a loss to determine which is the most lovely of the
two — the American savage or the British savage — the giver or the
receiver *of these scalp's?
Mrs. Sally Ingham, in her contribution, says:
My father was the Rev. James Montgomery who was appointed the first
agent of the Seneca Indians. He took charge of his office in November,
1819, when we moved into the old blockhouse at Fort Seneca. I was then a
little girl eight years old. Louis Tuquania was then the head chief of the
tribe. Tall Chief was a tall, noble looking specimen of an Indian, sober arid
honorable. Seneca John, Steel, Coonstick and Comstock were nephews' of
Tall Chief. Comstock died very suddenly when Coonstick was out west for
some time, and when he returned an investigation was instituted to ascertain
the manner of his death. John, his brother, was found guilty of the murder
by having procured the services of a medicine woman who administered
poison to Comstock. Coonstick, Shane and Steel were his executioners. I
think the particulars given by Gen. Brish are, perhaps, the most correct
version of the whole affair.
We lived in the old blockhouse seven years. The pickets were yet there
when we came. Some of them had been broken down.
The Senecas were an exceedingly superstitious people,»and notwithstand
ing all the influences brought to bear upon them to love and embrace the
christian religion, they were very stubborn, and seemed to prefer their
untutored notions about the Deity to the beauties of divine revelation.

1-24 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The belief in witches was a part of their faith, and whenever anything
occurred that troubled them, they were sure that .some witch was at the
bottom of the mischief. Their vengeance then generally fell upon some
poor old squaw, who was then almost certain of being killed.
An old squaw, the wife of an Indian by the name of George AYashiiigtou,
an old chief during the revolutionary war, and then an old man, was charged
with being a witch, and the whole tribe was prejudiced against her. She
was soon condemned to die, and even her husband consented to her death.
The poor old squaw was at the hominy block, pounding hominy, when the
Indians came into her hut. Without any further ceremony, and without '
asking any questions, Shane struck her on the head with a tomahawk, and1
she fell. Shane then called another Indian to come and- finish her, which he
did very promptly. The husband of the squaw stood by and permitted the
outrage, without the least interference.
When my father heard of this, he sent for some of the chiefs and told them
that if another circumstance like it was ever permitted to occur again, he
Would have the matter investigated, and the murderers punished under the
laws of the yyhiter people. This, seemed to have the desired effect, and for
some time, afterwards nothing further was heard of killing witches on the
reserve. The Senecas had their annual green-corn-dance, which was a sort of
thanksgiving frolic, and differed very much from the performances of the
dog-dance, which seemed to be a proceeding and ceremony of a' more sacred
character. The dog-dance was the grand dance, and generally lasted nine
days. It always took place about the time of our Christmas. They would
then dress in their best style, and observe every rule with great punctuality.
The dance commenced by one Indian shooting off his gun through the
smoke hole in the roof. The Indians then, all armed to the teeth, would
one by one enter the dance, one chief leading, whooping and yelling, drums
beating, chains rattling, etc. They danced up and down, and the old chiefs,
in a guttural sound, which approximated a roaring, indicated the time .with
their "Yah-Ho-Wah!" The squaws never danced with the men, but formed
a ring by themselves. The squaws danced to their own music, which was a
sort of whine on a high note, and seemed to come from a great distance.
They feasted on the best that the forest and their little corn patches could
afford. At a certain part of the dance one Indian would appear, dressed in a bear
skin, and another in a deer skin, with polished brass for the eyes of the
animals, to make the figures look fearful. Thus fixed up, they ran around
the ring of dancers: This was to scare away the evil spirits. They ha'd
one dance in the afternoon, and one after supper.
My father often went over to the council house Where, apd while, the
dances were, going on, to keep the white people from selling whisky to the
Indians. Father often talked to them about their dances, to ascertain their
meaning or origin, but never succeeded in getting any intelligent explanation
from them, any further than this, viz: They said their ancestors were rich
at one time, and used to sacrifice fat cattle and sheep; now their children
were poor, and could only sacrifice the best they had, and that was their
white dogs.

MRS. SALLY INGHAM. 1 25
When the dogs were ready to be sacrificed, they held them up by the legs
and said a long ceremony over them; then they laid them , on the burning
log-heap. During this part of the performance, the Indians stood around
in perfect silence, almost motionless, and looked as solemn as the grave.
Good Hunter officiated as priest. After the dogs were laid on the fire, Good
Hunter laid a sprig of dried herbs on the dog, and then every other Indian
aptl squaw did the same, in rotation, and in perfect order, without saying a
word. Each dog was put through this ceremony separately. After that, an
Indian came runningpin and scattered fire and ashes all around the council
house and over the people.
In the burial of their dead, a hole was left in the box, near the head, to
let the spirit come through, and the corpse was supplied with cakes of sugar
and bread. After the box was let down into the grave, the Indians marched
around it, and each dropped some green sprig upon it— very much like the
burial ceremony of a member of some secret society in this respect, in these
days. When the grave -was filled ftp, the squaws pulled their blankets
forward over their heads and, as far out as their elbows would reach, and
cried with a sort of howling voice, while the men stood motionless, and
looked on without shedding a tear.
The chief, Tuquania, had a twin sister who was a medicine-woman. The
twins were born with one eye each. One time my mother was very sick,'
and for want of a better doctor, we sent for this squaw • The.snow was very
deep, and yet she went out into the woods with a hoe and got some herbs. ,
Then shexame over to our house and made tea with these herbs and cured
mother, »
We loved the old squaw very much after that, and always made her feel
welcome at our house. When father died, she attended his funeral, and
seemed to be very much affected.
This Benazah Parker, who was stabbed by Peter Pork, was a man about
five feet six inches high, of dark complexion, dark hair and eyes, and was
about thirty -seven years old. There was nothing prepossessing in his
appearance. He was1 stabbed in October, 1829, and died some time in the
month of January, 1831.
Jaques Hulburt and Shepherd Patrick bought the land, with the old fort,
at the sales. N
Father had charge of the Indians some ten years, and up to the time of
his death, when Gen. Henry C. Brish took charge of the agency, and it was
not long after that when the Indians were taken away. I think it required
only three or four wagons to take all their things.
' Mr. Hulburt was one of the first associate-judges of the court of common
pleas for Seneca county. He was about five feet eight inches high, lean of
flesh, but well proportioned; had a dark complexion, dark hair and eyes, a
high forehead, pleasant and gentlemanly in his intercourse with people. He
was a man of exemplary character, fair education and excellent judgment.
He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He taught the
first grammar school in this county. My sister Maria, Mrs. Keen and myself
attended his school. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. When
he sold his Fort Seneea farm, he bought the land where Fort Stephenson
stood, and built a house there. So he was the owner of both forts. The

-126 HISTORY OF SENECA1 COUNTY.
house he built at Fort Stephenson was a one-story frame house, with a porch
on the east side. ,
[At the first celebration of the battle of Fort Stephenson, on the 2d day of
Aughst, 1839, Mr. Elutherus Cook delivered his oration from that porch to
the assembled thousands, when Mrs. Ingham sat by a window, inside of the
house, and the writer stood near the porch, listening to the oration— more
than forty years ago. Mrs. Ingham was an old Whig, and therefore enjoyed.
the speech, which was more of a political than historic character, and there
fore out of place, while the writer did not like the very many bitter remarks
hurled at the Democratic party, which he then thought were ill-timed, and
thinks so still.]
Mr. Hulburt opened a store in Lower Sandusky. He was afterwards
elected a member of the House of Representatives, in the legislature of
Ohio, from, Sandusky county. He died of consumption, December 25, 1836.
Caleb Rice was the nearest neighbor we had. He was a millwright by
trade, an excellent mechanic, and a very intelligent man. He built the mill
for the Senecas at Green creek, about one-half mile below the springs. He
was constantly involved in law-suits, occasioned by his general disposition to
evade his, promises. He was a bad financier, and outside of his intelligence
and mechanical skill, of very little account.
Benjamin Culver, another neighbor, was a Canadian by birth, and pos
sessed of considerable wealth. He bought the best farms on the river
bottom. He was about forty-eight years old when he was married to Miss
Harris, who was then a beautiful young girl. Miss Harris was the only
white girl at my brother's funeral, who died at the fort in 1820. *Mr. Culver
was a man of excellent heart, a true friend and a good neighbor. The only
fault in his life was his love for strong drink. He died in 1840, when he was
about'sixty years old.
William Spicer was a white man, and was captured by the Indians when
quite young. He spoke the language of the Cayugas and the Senecas
fluently. He had accumulated a good deal of money at the time he was
robbed. A man by the name of Rollins was sent to the penitentiary for the
robbery, but it was generally believed that others got the money. Spicer
was very filthy in his personal appearance— perhaps never washed himself;
at least, he looked as if his face had never come in contact with the element
called water. His house was the dirtiest on the reserve. His voice was
rough and extremely offensive. He was respected by nobody.
Crow was a German boy, and was stolen by the Wyandots in Greenbriar
county, Pennsylvania, when quite young. His father, Jacob Knisely, found
him here fifty years after he was stolen. My father went with Mr. Knisely
to look him up. Crow refused to go with his father. The meeting and
parting of father and son was very affecting nn the part of Mr. Knisely. >
Crow did not seem to care much. My father often spoke about this scene,'
with much feeling.
The father of Mr. Isaac I. Dumond came here with his family shortly ,
bafor'e the land sales, and' settled near the fort. He was a man about five
feet eight inches high, compactly built, and slow of speech. He was kind
and hospitable, and a good neighbor. His family consisted of wife and
eight cliildren— four sons and four daughters. Mr. Dumond was a member

MRS. SALLY INGHAM. I 27
of the old school Baptist church. Elder Rating often preached in Mr.
Dumont's cabin. He lived here some twelve years after he came, and died
in a small frame house he had built near their cabin, and close to the road.
T heard the Reverend Robert Finley preach often, and afterwards his son,
James B. Finley, and still later the nephew of the latter. They were all
great preachers, and men of high standing in the estimation of the people.
James B. Finley was about fifty years of age when I saw him, a man of
striking personal appearance, about five feet ten inches high, heavy built,
very straight, with light complexion, light brown hair, and gray eyes ; hi's
features were regular and prominent, his countenance was expressive and
earnest, and his manners were naturally kind and winning, yet there was
great force and. decision of character about his general make-up. His ser
mons were in conformity with his appearance and temperament — forcible
and convincing. His voice was loud and clear ; he was a good singer, and a
great revival preacher. He belonged to the Urbana circuit, where his father
preached before him, but his services were extended throughout north
western Ohio.
It is scarcely necessary to add that there were neither melodeons nor or
gans to assist in the singing, and churches that cost from thirty to fifty
thousand dollars, with organs that cost one thousand dollars or more, were
not ^nought of in those days, in this region.
Seneca John used to get drunk occasionally, and it troubled my father very
much to ascertain the way John got his whisky. He finally hit upon a plan
• to catch a man by the name of Broughton, whom he had suspected for some
time. He took Mr. Isaac I. Dumond, Shane and John with him to Brough-
ton's one evening. Father had dressed himself in Indian costume, and
when the party were seated around on benches in Broughton's house, John
called for whisky, and after drinking some, handed the glass over to father,
who tasted it to be sure that it was whisky. Then father threw back his
feathers and blanket, and when Broughton recognized him he almost sank
into the ground.
After a severe reprimand from father, Broughton promised to sell no more
whisky to Indians, and he was let go without punishment for -the time
being. Steel and Gostick looked nearly alike, and both were about one quarter
white. Comstock was a full blood Cayuga, well dressed, cutting great swells,
a dashing, fine looking and sober Indian. He was not as large as the, other
chiefs, rather small on the contrary, but, squarely built. With all his gayety
he was modest and reserved, and highly esteemed by Indians and whites.
Tuquania, a half brother to head chief Tuquania, was at one time a cap
tain in the French service. He and his sister were both of French mixture.
While in the. service of the French, Tuquania had acquired many French
ways and manners. He was also converted by a French priest and had em
braced the catholic religion ; and he often said that he was sure of being a
christian, because he was baptized "Joseph. " Yet, for some reason or other,
lie would join in the dog dance. He was about sixty years of age in 1819,
and lived to go west with his tribe. He was the most iiitelligent Indian on
the reservation. He wore a red vest, buckskin leggings with a white ruffled
shirt over the leggings, and a nice shawl ovej his head on Sunday. His hair

128 'HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
was nicely braided. Very proud of his education and French training, he
often put on great airs, and said, " This is the way the French officers do."
His overbearing disposition often got him into trouble with other Indians,
all of whom he regarded as vastly his. inferiors, and very frequently father
was called upon to settle tiis troubles for him.
A man by the name of Ke61er lived near the river bank. He had a family
of six children; he came from the state of New York, and bought forty acres
of land. The family suffered greatly with sickness. ' I don't remember what
became of them. ,
Alexander McNutt and his brother, Daniel McNutt, were also here in
1819. Daniel had a family, and Alexander married a sister of Isaac I. Du
mond. My father solemnized their marriage.
William Montgomery started a store in 1833, in a log cabin, in the village
that is now Called Fort Seneca.
Eliphalet Rogers bought a farm near Wolf creek. He married Hannah
Jackson, who had lived at Mr.TSowe's a long time. Rogers was an honest,
home-spun sort of a man. His farm became afterwards known as the
Snook farm.
Almon Rollins married Mary Sherwood, and Lorenzo Abbott married her
sister Jeanette. The two couple were married at the same time.- Jeanette
was then only fourteen years old.
Old Mr. Sherwood was captain of a militia company, and very proud of
his station. He was a great talker, and somewhat boastful. He did not live
to be very old.
Mr. William Harris, the gunsmith, was a man about five feet ten inches
high, stout and well built. He was, poor, but a man of considerable refine- '.
ment, and strictly honest. He drank some, but not to excess! He came l
here with his family after the Barneys, but before the Dumonds, and was
amongst the first that settled near the fort.
The Pikes and the Chaneys lived on the. Spicer place when we came to the
fort. There were three of these Tuguanias. One was the head chief, another
was the Joseph, and the third was the Armstrong Tuguania, the son Of the
one eyed medicine woman.

MRS. SALLY INGHAM.
The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on
the 4th day of February, 1811. She is the fifth child of the Rev. James
Montgomery, and was but eight years old when the family moved into
the blockhouse at.Fort Seneca. She grew up from childhood into
a blooming maiden, on the banks of the old Sandusky, among a few
white settlers on one side, and the Senecas on the other side, of the
river. In these wild and rural scenes of her childhood, she lived under the
droppings of the sanctuary, blessed with the love of christian parents,
and a cheerful disposition, that lets the owner look upon the sunny side

MRS. SALLY INGHAM. ' 1 29
of life— a blessing that never forsook her in all her life-long path
way. For want of other schools she received her primary education in the
household, and afterwards took lessons in English grammar from Judge
Hulburt. She also attended a grammar school taught by Edson B-,
Goit, Esq., in Lower Sandusky, Ohio. With this training she was
enabled to teach school herself, and kept her first school near John
Crum's, on the state road, three miles north of Tiffin; and after the
death of her father, she taught two years longer!
When she was about getting ready to attend the- grammar school at
Fremont, she went to McNeil's store at Fort Ball, to buy a pair of
shoes. Mr. Sardis Birchard sold them to her. He was then clerk in
the store, and afterwards became familiarly known in Lower Sandusky
by the name of Judge Birchard, the uncle of President Hayes.
On the 25th day of March, 1832, Mrs. Ingham was married to Mr.
Milton Frary, a young farmer in Pleasant township, in this county, who
died in 1852. After living in widowhood seventeen years, she married
a Mr. Alexander Ingham, from Cleveland, Ohio, who also died in April,
1870. Mrs. Ingham is still in the enjoyment of good health, and the same
old happy disposition. She has a most remarkable memory of past
events. The names Of persons, places and incidents are at her tongue's
end, and her ready delineation is easily discernible by reading1 her
narrative. She has her father's temperament and appearance, strongly
marked. Her conversation is both instructive and amusing, couched
in splendid English, and sweetened by her christian training, which
unconsciously crops out on every occasion.
If she ever had an enemy, he must have died long ago. She is
beloved by all who know her, and welcome at every door.
For more than fifty-two years she has .been a faithful member of the
M. E. Chuich, in good standing; and while she enjoys her trust and
confidence in God, she is not bowed down by the weight of the cross,
but seems rather to bear her faith and increasing weight of years as an
enjoyment. She has now lived in Seneca county longer than any other person in
it, and is the last and only remaining member of a once very large
family. Mrs. Ingham had four children: James R. Frary, who was married
to Hattie F., daughter of the Rev. Andrews. He died in Tiffin, in
March, 1862, well known among the merchants and business men of
Tiffin; Emily, now the wife of Jacob Baker; Sarah,* who was married.

[30 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
to Ralph Gates, and died in 1877; Justin, who died in 1863, as a pris
oner of war in a rebel hospital in Danville, Virginia.
The writer, in gratitude for her many narratives of men and things
pertaining to early life in Seneca county, can only wish her many
more years of life in the enjoyment of her happy nature, in health,
comfort and contentment.

CHAPTER VIII.

DEATH OF COMSTOCK— SENECA STEEI  DEATH OF SENECA JOHN-COONSTIC K
—TRIAL AND DISCHARGE OF COONSTICK —JUDGE HIGGINS' DECISION-
JUDGE BIRCHARD'S STATEMENT— BENJAMIN F. WARNER— HARD HICKORY
AND HIS DEATH-IMMIGRATION OF THE SENECAS TO THE NEOSHO AND
COWSKIN RIVERS-CHARLIEU-THE GIRTYS-THE DEATH OF DRAKE.

GENERAL. Henry C. Brish', who succeeded Mr. Montgomery in
the agency of the Senecas, relates the following incident as
illustrative of the superstition of the Seneca Indians, and of the
composure with . which their warriors would meet death. The tribe
had dwindled down to about four hundred souls:
About the year 1825, three of the prominent chiefs— Coonstick, Steel and
Cracked Hoof, went on an excursion to seek a new home and fresh hunting
grounds for their people. They returned after an absence of nearly three
years. Coonstick and Steel were brothers. They had left behind them an
older brother, Comstock, who was chief of the tribe, and a younger brother,
John^Seneea John.
The two brothers who had gone west, finding on their return that their
elder brother, Comstock, was dead, and that their younger brother, John,
was chief in his stead, charged John with having caused the death of
Comstock by witchcraft. He denied the charge, and said:
' "I loved my brother Comstock more than I love the green earth I stand
upon. I would give myself up, limb by limb, piecemeal by piecemeal — I
would shed my blood, drop by drop, to restore him to life."
But all this protestation of innocence, and love for his brother, was of no
avail. His brothers told him that he must die, and that it was their duty to
be his executioners. John calmly replied: .
"Lam willing to die. I ask only that you will allow me. to live until
to-morrow morning, that I may see the sun- rise once more. I will sleep
to-night on the porch of Hard Hickory's lodge, which fronts the east. There
you will find me at sun-rise."
They acceded to his request. Coonstick and Steel, awaiting the morning,
when they were to kill their brother, passed the night in a lodge near by.
In the morning, they proceeded to the hut of Hard Hickory, (who himself
told this story to Gen. Brish). He said that just as the sun was rising, he
heard the approaching footsteps of the brothers,' and opened the door of his
hut to peep out. There he saw John asleep, wrapped in his blanket. His
brothers awoke him. He arose and took from his head a large handkerchief,
which was wound around it. His hair, which was very long, fell upon his

I32 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
shoulders The doomed chief looked calmly around for the last time upon
the landscape, and upon the rising sun, taking, evidently, a farewell view,
and then said to his brothers that he was ready to die.
The brothers had brought with them another Indian warrior by the name
of Shane. Coonstick and Shane each took John by the arm, and led him
along towards the place of his execution. Steel followed behind with. his
gleaming tomahawk in his hand. They had advanced about ten steps from
the porch when Steel struck his brother a heavy blow with his tomahawk,
upon the back of his head. He fell to the ground, as the blood gushed from
the dreadful wound. Supposing him to be dead, they dragged him beneath
a tree near by. There, perceiving signs of life, Steel drew his knife and cut
his brother's throat from ear to ear. The next day the corpse was buried
with the customary Indian ceremonies.
This horrible scene occurred in Seneca county in the year 1828.
Steel was arrested and tried in Sandusky county, and was acquitted.
So far, Abb. *
Butterfield has this in addition, viz:
Supposing this blow sufficient to kill him, they dragged him under a,
peach tree near by. In a short time, however, he revived, the blow having
been broken by the great mass of his hair. Knowing that it was Steel who
had struck the blow, John, as he lay, turned his head towards Coonstick and ..
said : "Now, brother, do you take your revenge."
This so operated upon the feelings of Coonstick, that he interfered to save
him; but it enraged Steel to such an extent, that he drew his knife and cut
John's throat from ear to ear.
Gen. Brish also said:
Three years thereafter, when I was preparing, to remove them to the west,
I saw Coonstick and Steel remove the fence and level the ground, so that no
vestige of the grave remained. John chose the place for his execution near
Hard Hickory's lodge because he did not wish tp be killed in the presence
of his wife, and because, also, he 'wanted Hard Hickory to witness that he
"died like a man."
Judge Higgins, in a communication to Knapp's History of the
Maumee Valley, says:
Upon the extinguishment of the Indian titles, there were several tribes
that continued to occupy their former homes, and retained their titles to
small reservations of land. Among these Indians was the tribe of Senecas,
who held a reserve of ten miles square, on the Sandusky river, a few, miles
above Fremont. The political relations between these Indians and the
United States government were peculiar. The United States claimed, and
exercised, an ultimate sovereignty over all Indian reserves, and they con
ceded complete personal jurisdiction and independence to the Indians with
in the boundaries of their reservations. Questions requiring decision upon
this relation were frequently occurring in the course of my judicial ex
perience. Among others, was a case occurring in the Seneca tribe, of pecu
liar interest. , ,

DEATH OF SENECA JOHN. 1 33
During the session of the Supreme Court in Fremont, in 1822, (It must
have been in 1829 or 1830. — Auth.) some person in Lower Sandusky entered
a complaint before a justice of the peace against a head chief of the Sene
cas for murder, and he was arrested and brought before the justice, accom
panied by a number of the principal men of his tribe. The incidents upon
which this proceeding was founded are very interesting, as illustrating the
Indian life and character. With this head chief— Coonstick— I was some
what acquainted. He was a noble specimen of a man; of fine form, dignified
in manner, and evincing much good sense in conversation and conduct.
The Judge then goes on to relate the killing of Seneca John, con
cerning which he differed some as to the facts, and proceeds:
»
These facts being presented to the Supreme Court, they decided that the
execution of the criminal was an act completely within the jurisdiction of
the chief, and that Coonstick was justified in the execution of a judicial
sentence, which he was the proper person to carry it into effect. The case
was dismissed, and Coonstick discharged.
Judge Sardis Birchard, of Fremont, the uncle of President Hayes,
had a store in Lower Sandusky during the time the Senecas were on
their reservation. He was called "Judge" from the fact that during
the existence of the old constitution of Ohio, it required three associate
Judges to sit with the Circuit Judge to hold what is now known as
"Common Pleas Court." Mr. Birchard was one of them.
Tall Chief, Hard Hickory, Seneca John, Curly Eye, Good Hunter
and others, traded with him. Mr. Birchard often attended their dances,
and said that Rudolphus Dickinson, Judge Justice and Mr. Fifield
often danced with the Indians. The Indians called Mr. Birchard
"Ansequago," and they told him that it meant "the man who owns
the most of the land."
Mr. Birchard, in his communication to Knapp's History, says:
I remember well the death of Seneca John. He was a tall, noble looking
man, and was said to have looked very much like Henry Clay. He was
always pleasant and cheerful. He was called the most eloquent speaker
on the reserve. He could always restore harmony in their council when
there was any ill-feeling. In the evening before the morning of his death,
he was at my store. The whole tribe seemed to be in town. Steel and
Coonstick were jealous of John, on account of his power and influence. ,
John was a great favorite among the squaws. John bade me "good-bye,"
and stood by me on the porch before the store as the other Indians rode
away. He looked at them as they moved off, with so much sadness in his
face that it attracted my attention, and I wondered at John's letting them
go off without him. John inquired the amount of his indebtedness at my
store. We then went behind the counter to the desk. The amount was
figured up and stated to John, who said something about paying it, and then
went away without relating any of his trouble.

I34 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The principal head men or chiefs of the Senecas, were Good Hunter,
Hard Hickory and Tall Chief; there were also some half- chiefs.
Among those most noted was Benjamin F. Warner, a white man, who ,
had previously been a fireman on a steamboat. He had eloped with
an Indian woman and settled down among the Senecas.
Hard Hickory was the leading mind among them. ' He was a leader
of no ordinary grade. He was possessed of polished manners, seldom
seen in an Indian. He spoke the French language fluently, and the
English intelligibly. Scrupulously adhering to the costume of his
people, and retaining many of their habits, this chief was much
endeared to them. His urbanity, Ms intelligence and ardent attach
ment to the whites, and, above all, his strict integrity in business
transactions, obtained for him — and deservedly — the respect and
confidence of all with whom he traded. The merchants of Lower
Sandusky reposed such trust in him, that when some poor Indian came
to ask for goods on credit, if Hard Hickory would say that he would
see them paid for, no more was required. Thus his word passed-.
current with, and for, the whole tribe. Mr. Obed Dickinson was a
particular friend of Hard Hickory.
Hard Hickory fell from his high station as an honest man. Tempted .
by money, he became' first a thief' and then a liar. How many of our
own people — some, even, in our own town of Tiffin — who, for a long
time in their business life, were regarded and esteemed as men of
profound integrity and honesty, who had stood aloof for a long time
from all manner of crime, and had enjoyed the confidence and esteem
of all who knew them, and while at the height of their glory, became
dizzy and weak,; and as they fell, took down with them, not only the
money of the men whose confidence they had secured, but the general
condemnation of all honest men in the community! How often we
are deceived in our fellows! We often let men of tried and acknowl
edged honesty stand aside, and take obscure men who had no record
for unflinching honor, put them in places of honor and trust, and about -
the time we begin to think they are fire-proof, they fall down deep and
take our money with them. After the fall we compromise with some
agent of the thief, and secure as much of the money that was stolen
from us as we cap, and let the gentlemanly thief go — perhaps to run
for some office. The Indians don't understand etiquette in that way,
it seems. An annuity of $ i ,600 was due from the state of New York, for a
limited number of years, to certain families^of Cayugas, of one of which
Hard Hickory was a member. This annuity was regularly paid, up to

HARD HICKORY MUST DIE. 135
their removal, at their old home on the Sandusky. By an arrangement
with the general government in their treaty at Washington, that annuity
was to be forwarded to them at their new home on the Neosho, through
the hands of the government agents. ,
In the year 1834, a draft for the sum due them from New York, was
forwarded and received by them; and in order to make a distribution
of the money among those entitled to receive it, it was necessary to
have the draft cashed, for which purpose Hard Hickory, with George
Herrin, the interpreter, were delegated to go to Fort Gibson. They
went, sold the draft, and received the money.
Hard Hickory then proposed to Herrin a trip to Washington City to
see after the business of the tribe, relative to their land sales in Ohio.
Said he: "Let us go while we have this money; it will make no difference
to our people, as our Great Father, the President, will pay us back all
the money we spend in going there and returning home, as he did
when we went tp our treaty."
So off. they started to Washington. For more than a month they
reveled in all the luxury and dissipation of the city, until they were
tired of them. Now they determined to go home, and requested the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs to reimburse them, and furnish means
to return with. This, of course, was refused.
On arriving home, their money was nearly gone. Hickory was then
called before his people to give an account of himself. He stated that
there was something wrong about the draft, and he had to go to Wash
ington to arrange it; that the President said it should all be made
right, and they would get the money soon, all in silver.
Doubting this statement, they sent a messenger to Fort Gibson to
ascertain the truth. He reported, on his return, that Hickory had
, drawn the money on the draft, and consequently the chief's statement
to the contrary was false. A solemn council was called, before which
he was summoned to appear. He appeared; he plead guilty to the
charge of falsehood, and made no attempt to palliate or justify the
offense, but threw himself upon the merpy of his people, offering, at
the same time, to surrender all his horses and other property as an
indemnity for the money spent, which would have been sufficient, or
nearly so, to have satisfied the amount. The council lasted several
days. In the debate as to the punishment of Hickory, some of the
chiefs made efforts to save his life. A majority, however, were against
him. He had betrayed his trust, and dishonored his high staticm as a
chief. At length the verdict came that Hard Hickory must die.
If Hickory had stood forth before his people and asserted at once

!g6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the truth of the matter — in other words — had not" lied about it, he
would have saved his life and honor. - "And from my knowledge of
the tribe," says Gen. Brish, "that would have been the result."*
In hopes that he would yet be spared, and that no one would attempt
to kill him in the presence of his wife, who was much respected, he
confined himself to his house, heavily armed. For several days and
,nights his house was surrounded. At length, the notorious Shane, who
helped to murder Seneca John, volunteered to kill him in his house.
Shane, having just returned from the Cherokee country, went to the
house in the night and rapped at the door. Hickory recognized his
voice, and naturally .supposed that he had at least one friend who would
try to save him. Hard Hickory was the uncle of Shane.
On being assured that Shane was alone, Hickory directed his wife to
unbar the door .and let him in, which she did. Shane wore a blanket,
and approached Hickory in the middle of the room, holding out his
left hand, while his right was under the blanket, holding the handle of
a long knife. Hickory held out his right hand to Shane, and as soon
as their hands were grasped, Shane drew his knife and stabbed Hickory
through the body, and then dragged him out of doors, where several
Indians stabbed and tomahawked him. Thus perislied the renowned
chief Hard Hickory, with the seal of falsehood stamped upon his
hitherto fair character.
This Benjamin F. Warner had become entirely Indian in his habits,
and associated with Hard Hickory and other chiefs. Those who
described him as part Indian, were simply mistaken. He was a Yankee
by birth, but became an Indian by choice. His wife's name was Kon-
, ke-pot; she was from Green Bay, and a Mohican. The Senecas
adopted the family. Warner became a sort of major-domo of the
tribe, and in. common with them, drew a portion of their annuities from
the government. He transacted a great deal of business for the
Senecas. If a. horse was missing, Warner would be sure to track and
find him. He could stock a gun or a plow, build a house, tan a skin,
and was always ready for either work or sport, but sober.
He emigrated with the/ Senecas to the west. His wife died on the
journey, soon after crossing the Mississippi, and Ben, with his child,
accompanied the tribe to the new reserve on the Neosho. WarnerTiad
a cow, which he gave to a poor family who had buried their father and
husband near the door of their cabin, near the west line of Missouri.
"Trie family were in utter destitution, and we gave them all we could
spare. On leaving them, the woman cried out: 'You have left a cow behind.'
On looking back, I sawi Warner's cow in a small picket enclosure, near the

CHARLIEU — IMMIGRATION OF THE SENECAS. 137
house, and called his attention to the fact. His reply was: T put her there
myself; guess the woman '11 Want her worse than I shall.' Benjamin
Franklin Warner proved that he carried a noble heart under a rough
exterior." There was an old Indian living on the Vanmeter tract, in this county
— a Mohawk — whose name was Charlieu, and who was famous for his
animosity to the Americans. At the age of about twenty-five, he
fought, with the rest of the Canadian Indians, under Montcalm, upon
the heights of Abraham, where the brave and generous Wolf was
killed. At that time he was married, and had one child. , He fought
during the late war on the side of the British, and had a large number
of scalps in his possession, which he had taken during the war. He
joined the Senecas, with the rest of his tribe, in 1829, and with them,
started for the distant west. At St. Louis he was taken sick, and died.
on the 26th day of April, 1832. As he wore several crosses suspended
from his Icing hair, he was claimed by the Roman Catholics, and
received a christian burial in the Catholic church-yard in that city.
He was supposed to be over one hundred years old when he died. He
spoke French fluently, and was well known to the first settlers of this
county. The removal of the Senecas to the west was agreed upon at Wash
ington City, on the 28th day of February, 183 1. This treaty was made
between James Gardiner, Commissioner on the part of the United
States, and Comstock, Seneca Steel, Captain Good Hunter, Hard
Hickory and Small-Cloud Spicer, chiefs of the Seneca tribe. George
Herrin acted as interpreter, and Gen. Henry C. Brish as sub-agent.
The proceeds of the sale of the .Seneca reservation were to be put
into funded stock at five per cent, interest, which was to be paid to the
Indians as an annuity, after deducting the cost of building for the
Senecas a blacksmith shop and grist mill. , The United States gave
them seventy-six thousand acres of land, lying along the Nedsho and
Cowskin rivers, northwest of the state of Arkansas, and ninety miles
above Fort Gibson. (See chapter 29.)
In the fall of the year 1831, the Senecas started for their home in
the west, when there were just 510 of them, all told, the most mixed-
up-mess of humanity imaginable. A portion of them traveled overland,
and after experiencing numerous hardships and nmny accidents, finally
succeeded in reaching Missouri in the following spring. The division
in charge of Gen. Brish traveled by water, encountering but little
difficulty. They reached the Ohio river at Cincinnati, where they took
a boat.

1,8 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Their new home is a beautiful country, and at this^ time probably
owned by the whites. On the 26th day of April, 'they all met above
St. Louis, and- arrived on the Neosho on the 4th day of July, following.
On the 26th day of August, 1845, they had been reduced down to the
number of one hundred and forty-three. It is to be presumed th'at
at this time there is nothing left of that once powerful tribe of savages
but their name.
So mote it be.
Simon Girty, the most infamous of all the white savages amongst the-
red skins, was adopted by the Senecas,- and became not only a great
scout, but also an expert hunter. He was from Pennsylvania, to which
state his father had emigrated from Ireland. The old man was beastly
intemperate, and whisky was his great delight. "Grog was his song,
and grog he would have." His sottishness turned his wife's affection.
Her paramour knocked the old man on the head and won the price.
This couple left four sons — Thomas, Simon, George and James.
The three latter were taken prisoners, in Braddock's war, rby the
Indians. George was adopted by the Delawares, became a ferocious
monster, and died in a drunken fit. James. was adopted by the Shaw
nees, and became as depraved as his brother. It is said that he often
visited Kentucky, at the time of its first settlement, and inflicted most
barbarous tortures upon all captive women who came within his reach.
Very many acts of cruelty are charged to him, and yet Proctor and
Elliott petted him. In Kentucky and Ohio, Simon sustained the char
acter of a most brutal barbarian; everything cruel and fiend-like was
associated with his name. Indian life and brutality suited his nature,
and with all his cruelties, that stamped him as a hyena more than any
other beast, it was said of him that he saved many prisoners from
death. His influence was great, and whenever he chose to do so could
save many poor captives.
In September, 1777, he led the attack on Fort Henry, on the site of '
Wheeling, and demanded the surrender of the fort in the name of his
Brittanic majesty. He read the proclamation of Governor Hamilton,
and promised the protection of the crown, if the garrison would lay
down their arms and swear allegiance to the king. He warned them to
submit peaceably, and said that he could not restrain his warriors, then
very much excited. •Col. Shepherd, the commander, rejected his prop
ositions, and a shot from a thoughtless youth made Girty retire. He
opened the siege, and failed. He was also repulsed from Baker's
station. In 1782 he led a powerful body of savages upon Bryant's station, in

1 THE GIRTYS. 1 39
Kentucky, about five miles from Lexington. The Kentuckians made
such a gallant resistance that the Indians were anxious to retire, when
¦Girty, thinking he could frighten the garrison into a surrender, mounted
a stump and made a speech to them. He told them who he was, made
all manner of promises of protection, etc. A young man by the name
of Reynolds, fearing the officers would belie've Girty, volunteered his
remarks, and said to Girty : "You need not be so particular to tell us
your name ; we know your name, and you too. I've had a villainous
dog. He was an untrustworthy cuss. I named him Simon Girty, in
compliment to you, he is so like you : just as ugly and just as wicked.
As to the cannon ; let them come on. The country is aroused, and
the scalps of your red cut-throats, and your own, too, will be drying on
our cabins in twenty-four hours. We've a big score of rods laid in to
scourge you out again." This response of Reynolds was effectual.
The Indians withdrew, and were pursued to the Blue-licks, where they
'lay in ambush and defeated the Kentuckians with great slaughter.
Girty also led the attack on Colerain, in St. Clair's defeat. He died
at Maiden in 1815, blind and poor,
There seems to be something in a name, after all. Whether names
give to the possessor certain traits of , character, or whether beings of
certain dispositions will naturally assume names, nobody can tell : but
while these monster brothers became the terror from the Ohio to the
lake, away out in the northwestern part of Illinois another monster by
the same name— Michael Girty — became the terror of the prairies.
For similarity of name and character, let a few words suffice, which
we take from Matson's History of Bureau County, Illinois. It may be
true that Mike was a son of Simon ; but nobody will care to know. I
extract : —
Mike is said to have been a "son of Simon Girty, a well known, notorious
outlaw, who in 1780 escaped from justice in western Pennsylvania, and
found refuge amongst the Indians of -Ohio, where he exercised great in
fluence. ,Mike Girty was born of a squaw, and spent his early life among
the Indiansof Ohio. He came to this country soon after 1821, and was em
ployed as interpreter by the fur company. Here he married a squaw and
raised a number of sons. Mike tried hard to gain the confidence of the
Indians, but they did not trust the treacherous half breed.
On the 21st of June, 1827, Gen. Cass, as Indian agent, held a council in
Bureau county, with the Indians. Girty acted as interpreter. Cass gave
him a silver medal, as a token of friendship, which he carried to the day of
his death.
After the close of the Black Hawk war, a numer of Indians returned to
Bureau county. Among them were the squaw and pappooses of Girty ; but
Girty himself was not among them. His fate at that time was unknown,

140 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
but it was generally believed that he had been killed in battle. Some time
after that, on a clear, bright day in the month of June, 1836, when the
prairies were covered with wild flowers and the farmers busy with their
work, Girty passed along the road to Princeton. Here he found a group of
buildings, where a few years before not a house could be seen. He carried
on his back all his camp equipage— blankets, gun, kettles and provisions.
His once straight, manly form was now bent, not from age, but from disease
and great fatigue. His head was without a covering, and coarse, black hair
was hanging down to his shoulders in confused masses. They said that "he
was undoubtedly the last of the Mohigans." He was not inclined to answer
any' questions, but passing up the street and looking at a painted building,
he said: "That big wigwam; great chief live there, I speck.'.' When he
was told that it was a church he passed on, not knowing what that was. He
said as he started on, "Big warrior; great brave." He directed his steps
towards Indiantown. Here he found everything had changed. At the foot
of the hill, near a spring outside of town, Girty camped for the night, being
overcome by sickness and fatigue. Here he gave himself up to feelings of
despair. The smoke of his camp fire, and his loud coughing, attracted the
attention of Dr. Langworthy, who visited the camp and offered his assist
ance ; but Girty appeared sullen, and would only shake his head. On the
third day after his arrival at Indiantown, he started west. About one week
thereafter, a man traveling on the old Sac and Fox trail, saw on the prairie
north of Barren Grove, two wolves eating a carcass. Out of curiosity, he
rode up to see what it was they were eating, and found.it to be the carcass
of an Indian partly devoured. Near the remains lay a gun, knife, toma
hawk, blankets, a copper kettle apd a pot. Around the neck was a buckskin
cord, to which was attached a silver medal with this inscription : "A Token
of Friendship. Lewis Cass. U. S. I. A." Thus ended that out-law. *
Oakley was the first post-office in Seneca, county. At the time this
was established there was but one mail route in the. county, and this
led through the county, from Lower Sandusky to Columbus. Soon
after the time the Senecas settled upon their reservation, or about that
time, the mail, was carried on horseback by a young man named Urich
Drake, who was a son of Judge Drake, of Marion county. Young
Drake was killed by an Indian, as it was supposed at that time. He
was found, torn by the wolves, and marks of a knife were, also dis
covered on his body.
In 1830 Judge Drake came to this county to find out, if possible, who
it was that murdered his son ; and if it should be ascertained that the
murderer was an Indian, then also to find the tribe he belonged to.
He called upon Mr. Brish, then agent of the Senecas, and in company
with him proceeded to the residence of "The Crow." Margin Lane
acted as interpreter. Crow said that the son of Judge Drake was killed
by an Indian whose name was "Big Kittles." and that he had fled to
Canada soon after the murder. The Judge returned home, fully satis-

THE DEATH OF DRAKE. 141
fied that his son was murdered by a Canadian Indian. But such was
not the fact. Mr. Brish, sometime subsequently, asked George Herrin
what Indian was called Big Kittles. The reply was that it was Spicer,
the white man who lived upon the bank's of the Sandusky.
It appears that the young man had passed over to the east side of
the river, and when near Spicer's house was met by him and accom
panied to the place where he was to cross back to the west side of the
river,. , Spicer mounted the horse behind Drake, and as soon as they
had reached the opposite bank he drew his knife, and reaching around
the young man, with one effort cut him nearly in twain.
He then dragged him behind a log,' near the spring just below the
dam of John Keeller on the Sandusky river, (about three miles north
of Tiffin.) As soon as this was done he went to. Crow's house, who,
observing that he (Spicer) was covered" with blood, inquired whether
he had killed a deer. Spicer replied that he had killed a white man ;
whereupon Crow ordered him to be gone,- as in all probability he would
be pursued, and if traced to his (Crow's) residence, they might suspect
him of being accessory to the murder. Spicer fled to Canada, but
after awhile returned. These particulars were kept a profound secret
until related to Mr. Brish.
The foregoing is taken from Butterfield's History of Seneca County,
and is given here for whatever it is worth. The two stories don't
agree, and the latter, upon which the greatest stress seems to be laid,
is the least likely to be true. The reader will remember that Crow's
wife was the daughter of Spicer, and that Crow and Spicer were on
intimate terms. There is no evidence that Spicer had ever left the
reserve. Herrin, the interpreter, probably lied to Mr., Brish.
This much of the story, however, is true; viz: That the young man
was killed about that time, while carrying the mail to Lower Sandusky,
and near Fort Seneca.. The writer saw and conversed with a brother
of the murdered mail-carrier on this subject, a few years ago in Marion.
The family were not satisfied as to the manner of the death. It is also
true that in front and on the east side of the residence of the Reverend
Henry Lang, in Fremont, and about three rods from his door, up on
the hill opposite and north of Fort Stephenson, an humble little slab
marks the grave of poor Drake. The- inscription, which is still legible,
is, "U. Drake. 1811."

CHAPTER IX.

ROCKY CREEK-FORT BALL— COL. BALL ATTACKED BY INDIANS -ERASTUS-
BOWE -OAKLEY— NEW FORT BALL— FIRST POST OFFICE — MILLS- ARM
STRONG AND McCULLOCH SECTIONS— EARLY SETTLERS IN FORT BALL-
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT— HUNTER'S MILL-EARLY SETTLERS IN
THOMPSON, ON HONEY CREEK AND ROCKY CREEK— MELMORE-COL. KIL-
BOURNE— HARRY BLACKMAN'S CORNERS— ANCIENT FORTIFICATIQNS-COL.
RICHARD JAQUA.

ROCKY CREEK has its source near the south line in section 33,.
Reed township. Running north about three mile's, it takes a
westerly direction through the center of Scipio township, entering
Eden near the north-east corner, and sweeping through several sections,
turns in a north-westerly direction and enters the Sandusky river at its
right bank, in the city of Tiffin.
Nearly opposite, and west of the mouth of this stream, on the left
bank of the river, where Lafayette street now strikes the same, is a large
spring of excellent, cold water. This spring attracted the attention of,
Col. Jas. V. Ball, when in 18 13 he was about to build a stockade near the
army road on the bank of the river, under instructions from1 General
Harrison. A detachment of men, under the, command of the Colonel,
built the stockade, and called it "Fort Ball."
In September, 1833, a company muster was held near the place
where the old fort used to be. There was an open space between this.
point and where the stove works now are. The trees were cut,, but
very many stumps still remaining, interfered very much with the evo
lutions of the "army." My lamented friend, Christopher Snyder, (a
sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere herein,) and myself at
tended this company muster. It was the first display of , American
military either of us ever saw. The sun shone very hot, and to get
into some kind of shade we both sat down under a small sycamore bush
that grew out from under an old log, bedded half way into the ground.
This log was a part of the old fort, and the little sycamore bush grew
up into a tree that stands close by the residence of Dr. Hovey at this
writing. This camp was built as a temporary place of security in case
of necessity, and as a magazine for supplies. It consisted of stakes a
foot in thickness fixed in the ground, with old bayonets driven through

o
dd

E

h

FORT BALL. 143
them horizontally, near the tops. Against these logs were piled upon
the outside, and over the logs dirt was thrown from a ditch, which sur
rounded the whole. There was room in the interior for five hundred ,
men. After the battle of Tippecanoe, and while General Harrison was at
Fort Seneca, he sent a detachment of men up the river to strengtheji
this camp. The soldiers were quartered here several days, during
which time they were very short of provisions, and, being compelled to
subsist on fish, a part stood guard while the rest were fishing, to protect
them, rf necessary, from the lurking savages. Before the battle of
Fort Stephenson this detachment left for the Maumee, but the post was
occupied occasionally until General Harrison left the country.
The remains of several soldiers -that had been buried near the fort
were afterwards found in digging in the vicinity. One was exhumed
last summer when laying pipes for the water works in the street, about
half way between the river and the stove works.
Col. Ball with his troops on their way to the Maumee, about a half
mile south-west of Ballville in Sandusky county, and a day or two
previous to the assault upon Fort Stephenson, had a skirmish with a
number of Indians. The squadron was moving towards the fort, when
suddenly they were fired upon by the Indians from the west side of the
road, whereupon Col. Ball ordered a charge. He, with his suit and
the right flank, came into the action immediately. The Colonel struck
the first blow. He dashed in between two savages and cut down the ,
one on the right; the other, being slightly in the rear, made a blow
with a tomahawk at his back, when a spring of his horse to one side let
the tomahawk cut deep into the cantel and pad of his saddle. Before
the savage could repeat the blow he was shot by Corporal Ryan.
Lieutenant — afterwards General James Hedges, of Mansfield, Ohio —
the surveyor of Tiffin, and brother of Mr. Josiah Hedges, the proprietor
of Tiffin, following in the rear mounted on a small horse, pursued a
large Indian, and just as he came up to him his stirrup broke and
Hedges fell from his horse, head first, knocking the Indian down. Both
sprang to their feet, when Hedges struck the Indian across the head,
and as he fell ran him through with his sword. It is said that many
years thereafter, the stirrup was found and sent to the gallant Hedges,
at Mansfield.
At this time Captain Hopkins was pursuing a powerful savage on the
left. The savage turned and struck a blow at the captain with a toma
hawk; the captain's horse sprang to one side, and the blow failed of
execution. Cornet Hays and Sergeant Anderson ran up and soon dis-

I44 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
patched the savage. The Indians were twenty in number, of whom
seventeen were left dead on the ground.
On the 18th of November, 1817, Mr. Erastus Bowe, the first settler
in Seneca county, arrived at Camp Ball, where some hired men had
erected for- him a double log house within the limits of the camp.
Many of the stakes' were then still standing. This was. the first settle
ment in the county. Here Mr. Bowe kept tavern, which was the first
in Seneca. Hotel bills must have been high in those days, because
butter cost two shillings a pound, pork six dollars per hundred, and ,
flour twelve dollars a barrel. The house of Mr. Bowe was the only one
op the left bank of the river within the present limits of "Tiffin, when
the town of Oakley was surveyed and platted. -/
In 1819 Mr. Joseph Vanse surveyed a town uponland granted to one
Robert Armstrong, known as the Armstrong section, and called it
Oakley. This was the first town surveyed and platted in the county.
Bowe's tavern was in that survey.
Mr. David Risdon, who took a very active part in opening up the
county to civilization, and who became very popularly known as a sur
veyor and citizen, was appointed the first, post-master in the county,
the office being located here at Oakley. There was then but one mail
route in or through the county, and that extended from Columbus to
Lower Sandusky, along the army road.
It was said of Mr. Risdon, that while he was post-master he used to
go fishing occasionally, and carry the mail matter with him in his hat.
People that were anxious to get their mail, and could not wait for his
return, would follow him up, along the river. Mr. Risdop would then
take the post office from his head, and look for papers and letters.
In 182 1 two brothers, Ezra and Case Brown, erected the first grist
mill in the county, upon Honey creek, near Melmore. A Mr. Free,
from Bloom township had the first grist ground there. The event was
hailed with great joy amongst the early settlers, who had hitherto been
compelled to go to Monroeville, Cold Creek, Upper Sandusky or
Mount Vernon, to get their grinding done. John Knitzer, an early
settler from the state of Pennsylvania, also erected a grist-mill a short
distance down the creek from Melmore, in 1827. Mr. Knitzer was es
teemed by those who knew him, for his intelligence and manly qualities.
In 1819 Abner Pike settled in Oakley, and. afterwards located on the
farm of the late Ezra Baker, near where the mill by that name still
stands on the Sandusky. • ,
In 1824 the town of Fort Ball was surveyed by David Risdon. This
included the whole of Oakley. Some people, who knew but little of

ARMSTRONG RESERVATION. :45
the sagacity of Josiah Hedges, were of the opinion that if the lands
on the west bank bf the river had not belonged to Robert Armstrong,
the county seat of Seneca would have been located there.
At the treaty of the Miami of lake Erie, the United States granted
this tract to Robert Armstrong. It was a section of six hundred and
forty acres, arid known as the "Armstrong reservation."
Armstrong was taken captive by the Wyandots when a child three
years old, in Pennsylvania. He married a half-blood, and was much
respected. He spoke excellent English,, and one could scarcely dis
cover that he was raised amongst the savages. This land was granted
to him by tlje United States for his services as interpreter. He died
in 1825, in tne Wyandot reserve, about two miles from Upper Sandusky.
At the same treaty the. United States also granted to the children of
William McCulloch a section of six hundred and forty acres, lying just
north of and adjoining the Armstrong reserve. McCulloch Was killed
by a cannon ball at the siege of Fort Meigs, while sitting in General
Harrison's tent, and was at that time employed by the United States
as interpreter.
Ely Dresbach, from Circleville, a graduate of the Ohio Medical Col
lege, also settled in Fort Ball, on the 17th of February, 1823.
Rodolphus Dickinson, from New York, the first lawyer in Seneca
- county, also settled in Fort Ball in 1824.
Abel Rawson, from Massachusetts, arrived on the 15th of February,
1826, and settled in Fort Ball.
A Mr. Jesse Spencer, the proprietor of Fort Ball, and. Mr. Josiah
Hedges, the proprietor of Tiffin, two towns adjoining on the river,
were each striving to secure the location of the county seat ip. their
respective towns. Other people became interested, and for a long
time there was a very bitter conflict between these rival parties for suc
cess. They sometimes came to blows about it. The brush dam was
also a bone of contention, and one Time, even after the county seat
was located in Tiffin and Mr. Hedges had the two story frame building-
put up„ (which will be further described,) for a court house, he knocked
Mr. Spencer down, for which Hedges was arrested and for a short time
imprisoned in this court house. Finally Mr. Hedges bought out
Jesse Spencer, and became the owner of Fort Ball. Thereupon Mr.
Hedges had additions surveyed and platted by James Durbin, re-num
bering the lots and extending the limits of Fort Ball, which from that
time forward was known by the name of New Fort Ball, until it was
finally merged into, and became a part of, the city of Tiffin.
The open square across the street, south of and opposite McNeal's
10

146 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
store, was the place intended for the location of the court house. New
Fort Ball was surveyed and platted in 1837. It is situated upon the
eastern portion of the Armstrong section, and contained six hundred
and twenty in-lots, together with several additions that had then al
ready been made to Tiffin, "Pan Yan" among them,-which was situated
between the iron bridge* and the tunnel. ' i
In 1821 Josiah Hedges entered the land where the old town of Tiffin
wa!s afterwards located, at the Delaware land office. The town was
surveyed and platted by the brother of the proprietor, General James
Hedges, of Mansfield. The first stick was cut upon the town plat in
March, 1822, and soon thereafter Henry Welch, of P2den township,
John Mim and two other men, Wetz and Drennon, had each a lot given
to them, with the condition that each should .build a cabin on his lot
and move into it with his family, which was done accordingly.
James Spink, of Wooster, came here in the same month, and brought
with him a stock of goods. In the following winter his store was bro
ken open and robbed of nearly all its contents. This so discouraged ;;
Mr. Spink that he left in disgust. - , f
Simeon B. Howard, from the eastern part of Ohio, also located in
Tiffin about that time.
Finally the day arrived when the great trouble about locating the
county seat was to come to an end. The legislature, during the winter
session of 1822, had appointed three commissioners to locate the county
seat for Seneca county, viz : Messrs. Herford, Miner and Cyrus Spink.
These gentlemen arrived here on the 25th of March, 1822, and located
the seat of justice for Seneca county at Tiffin, where it has ever since
remained. The ,Fort Ballites were very much chagrined and put out
about it, but finally came down.
Very soon thereafter Mr. Hedges built a mill on the right bank of
the river, immediately north of Tiffin, where the present brick mill now
stands, the dam of which is still flowing back the water of the river
- throughout the whole extent of the city along the river. The mill was
known by the name of the "Hunter mill," because Mr. Samuel Hunter,
the oldest son-in-law of Mr. Hedges, had charge of it. ' To show how
great a spite the principal inhabitants on the Fort Ball side of the river
entertained against Mr. Hedges, they influenced Mr. Spencer to bring
an action against Mr. Hedges, for flowing Spencer's land by the dam.
They also decried the mill, and said all the hard things of Mr. Hedges
and his mill they cOuld. Soon the patronage of the mill fell off, and
the enterprise seemed to fail, however necessary and scarce the mills
were: '

HEDGES MILL — TIFFIN. 147
Then Mr. Hedges resorted to a stratagem, which soon proved to
have the desired effect. Hedges sent out word to all his customers and
the people far and near, that he would likely be compelled to take his
mill away, and that if they wished their grinding done they must hurry
up, etc. This notice raised such general indignation in the country
against the enemies of Mr. Hedges that it turned the tide in his favor,
and Hunter's mill became the most popular mill on the river. Mr.
Hedges bought Spencer's Fort Ball, and peace was restored to the
border. At the time the commissioners located the county seat at
Tiffin, there were but six cabins in it. The greater number of the early
settlers were on the Fort Ball side, and the lawyers, doctors, merchants
and all, were in unison in their fight upon Mr. Hedges, but he outgen
eraled them all.
Tiffin was named after Governor Edward Tiffin, the first governor
of Ohio, who was a particular friend of Mr. Hedges. At this writing
three daughters of Governor Tiffin are still living — two in, the town
of Chillicothe, Ross county, and Mrs. Dr. Comegys, in Cincinnati —
the only surviving members of the governor's family.
The location of the county seat took place two years before Seneca
county was really organized and clothed with judicial or municipal
powers. During the latter part of the year 1819, and during 1820, the beauty
of the "oak openings" and the richness of the soil attracted quite a
. number of people to Thompson, and the Whitneys, Underhills, Purdys,
Clarksi, Demicks, Twisses and others became squatters, awaiting the
land sales.
About the same time the towering oaks, soil and scenery along the
banks of Honey creek and Rocky creek, made the immigrants say, with
the disciples of old: "It is good for us to be here; let us make here
three tabernacles : one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias." —
Here came the Welches, the Clarks, the Sponables, the Browns, the
Bakers, the Searleses, the Pratts, the Crftws, the Knapps, the Cornells,
the Houghs, the Bretses, the Downses, the Jaquas, the Gibsons, the Bun-
dages, the Kagys, the Penningtons, the Fleets, the Watsons, the Rol
lers, the Eastmans, the Omsteds, etc.
With the exception of a few early settlers in Fort Ball and near
Fort Seneca, all the early settlements were made on the east side of
the river, especially along Honey creek and Rocky creek. West of
the river was nearly all forest and water, sometimes badly mix"ed, and
there were no settlements at all.

148 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Col. Kilbourn, also a pioneer surveyor in SenCca county, took a very
active part in its organization. He surveyed the state road already
described and known by his name; also the towns of Melmore and
Caroline in this county.
Among my first acquaintances in America, was my friend James M.
Stevens, of Melmore. He and I were apprentices and learned our
trades at the same time, in the same shop,-.in Tiffin. James is a great
singer — was at that time — and among the many songs he sang was the
poem composed by Col. Kilbourn on -Melmore. James used to sing it
to the tune of "How tedious and tasteless the hours."
Friend Stevens — well, I don't like to say much of the living — but
James is a very clever man. He lost an arm in the war of the rebel
lion, and 'is now familiarly known as Colonel Stevens. The poetry on
Melmore is recorded here, not so much for its poetic excellence, but
because James used to sing it.
MELMORE.

Where honey-dews from the mild heaven,
Distil on the foliage below—
Where Honey creek's waters are given
T' enrich the sweet vales as they flow;—
Where playful the heart-cheering breeze
Sweeps o'er the sweet bosom of flowers-
There Melmore is seen through the trees,
With fragrance and health, in her bowers.
This country and village to prove,
Of pleasure and health the abode,
Kind Nature has found in her, love,
And on her good children bestowed.
The fees to her agents are small,
For titles in form which they give ;
Then come, men of enterprise— all
Accept, and in nappiness live.
Merchants and laborers come,
A fortune is offered you near ;
Here make it your permanent home,
The country will cherish you here.
Come taste the Melmorian springs,
Possess the Melmorian lands,
Wealth, honor and pleasure they'll bring,
To strengthen your hearts and your hands.

EARLY SETTLERS. 149
So healthy the country is, 'round,
That doctors have little to do ;
So moral the people are found,
They live without ministers, too ;
So honest our neighbors we call,
So peaceful and happy at home,
They've need of no lawyers at all,
And none are desired to come.
On the 5th of April, 1822, Noah Seits, from Fairfield county, settled
'upon the north-east quarter of section twenty, in what is now Bloom
township. This was the first settlement within its limits. Thomas
Boyd came with his sister, Mrs. Mary Donnel, in the spring of the same
year, and also settled here. Mr. Boyd was a native of Pennsylvania,
much esteemed among his neighbors.
In the same year, Joseph McClelland and James Boyd settled upon
Honey Creek, in Bloom, and were soon followed by Abraham Kagg,
Lowell Robinson and Nehemiah Hadley. The . following year John
Seitz, George Free and Jacob Bretz became citizens of this township.
John Seitz passed through this county during the late war, in company
with twenty others, with wagons loaded with clothing for the soldiers
at Fort Stephenson, where they arrived three weeks after the battle.
Harry Blackman, from Genesee county, New York, settled here in
Blo'om, on a farm that became afterwards very familiarly known as
"Blackman's Corners." After 'residing here sixteen years, he removed
into, Eden township, where his place was again called "Blackman's
Corners." The town that was afterwards laid out here by Dr. James
Fisher, and surveyed by James Durbin, in 1830, called Elizabethtown,
(after the name of the doctor's iwife, Elizabeth, who was a daughter of
Dr. Boyer, of Tiffin), never flourished, and at this time there 'is no
trace of it left. At one' time it had a blacksmith shop, a wagon shop,
some dwellings and a tavern.
William Anway, soon after the land sales at Delaware, in 182 1, came
from the town of Scipio, in Cayuga county, New York, and settled in
what now constitutes Scipio township. This township was so named
at the request of Mr. Anway. He was the first settler in this neighbor-
• hood. Mr. Timothy P. Roberts came in 1824, and erected the first
frame dwelling house in the county, in which he resided to the time of
his death.
William Anway built a log house at the corners where the South
Tiffin road and the Marion State road cross each other. The spot
where the house stood is now covered with a circle of evergreens that
were planted there in memory of the Anway family.

iS°

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Moses Smith put up a small frame building across the road from
Anway's house; in which he kept a store for awhile. Robert Dutton
was the first man that died in the township, and was buried on his farm,
which is now owned by Frederick Fox. William Pierce, a colored
man, put up and carried on the first blacksmith' shop in the township.
Mary, daughter of John Anway, was the first child that was born in
the township. , She is the wife Of Mr. John Wilcox, of Republic. A
Mr. Langley was also among the first settlers.
These names, with a few others, made up the white population of
Seneca county to about the time of the land sales.
This Col. Kilbourn, the surveyor above spoken of, was a man about
five feet eight inches high; he had a nose somewhat Roman shaped.
In 1843, he was bald and gray; he had blue eyes, prominent features
and expressive countenance. He was a great talker, and very inter
esting in conversation. He lived in Columbus, where he associated
with the best society, and was highly esteemed. He was a great singer,
and often produced his own poetry, adapted to some familiar tune.
The widow of one of his sons became the wife of Mr. Reber, a lawyer
in Sandusky City. This son was a phrenologist of some note, in
Columbus. Honey creek is the largest affluent of the Sandusky river at its right :
bank. It rises near New Haven, in Huron county, in the marshes, and
near the point where Richland, Huron, Crawford and . Seneca counties
corner. It enters Venice township immediately after it leaves the
marshes, and taking a northwesterly direction through Venice, it enters
Bloom near its, northeast corner. Then, taking a westerly direction ,
through Bloom, it flows into Eden township, and making a large curve
in Eden, it cuts across the southwest corner of Clinton and enters
Hopewell in section thirty-six, and there the Sandusky river at the
right bank. 1
To people who were born and raised along this stream, and to those
who have lived here a long time, the present beauty and scenery, the
splendid farms in high state of cultivation, the beautiful farm houses,
large barns, and every improvement calculated to add to the cpmfort
and enjoyment of life, may have very little attraction; but to people
from abroad, strangers that visit this valley, there is not in all this
northwestern Ohio anything equal to it.
There is an excellent spring near the left bank of Honey creek,, about
sixty rods below Koller's mill, in section nine, Bloom township-.
About one hundred and fifty yards from this spring, and in a direction
west of south, the early settlers found ruins of ancient fortifications of

RICHARD JAQUA. 151
very singular construction and workmanship. There was nothing about
the works that would indicate the Indian, and the fort must have
belonged to a people who preceded the Indians, and of whom the
Indians themselves had no knowledge. The work was constructed of
stone, some of which were dressed. The main buildings were in a
circular form, about one hundred feet in diameter. At the side towards
Honey creek there was attached to each of these circular walls a stone
appendage of about twelve feet square, with ap opening towards the
spring. There was a space of about three hundred yards between these
circular walls. Both buildings seemed to have been alike. As late as
1838, the walls were about five feet high, but crumbling down.
There was no sign of any mortar having been used in the erection
Of the buildings, and yet it seemed' that the stones had once been held
, together by some cement, from the mapner in which they rested upon
each other. The stones had fallen down on both sides of the wall, and'
the piles on- each side were as high, as the wall itself.

RICHARD JAQUA.
The father of Richard Jaqua was a citizen of the state of Connecticut.
Soon after the revolutionary war the family moved into Columbia
i county, in the sfate of New York, where, on the 9th day of April, 1787,
Richard Jaqua* was born. Some time thereafter the family moved to
Canada West, and settled near Brockville.
On the 9th day of October, Richard Jaqua was married to Elizabeth
Wilsee, a young Canadienne. When the war between England and the
United States broke out, Jaqua was the owner of two hundred acres of
land, and considerable personal property.
When he was drafted as a soldier to join the British army, his Amer
ican pride was stronger than the laws of Canada, and he at once.
determined that he would not take up arms against his native land,
and that he would make his escape to it at the first opportunity. Soon
after the draft, and on the last day of the year 18 12, he and nine others
crossed the St. Lawrence, about forty miles below Kingston.
One of these others was his friend, Ezra Brown, who, also, afterwards
became one of the first settlers of Seneca county. Jaqua carried a
small feather-bed and bed-clothes, and Brown carried the clothing for
both. When the party arrived on American soil, they traveled on foot
through the snow, and reached an American picket-fort late in the
night. The next morning the whole party of run-aways were sent,
under guard, to Ogdensburgh, in the state of New York, where Major

152

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Forsythe was in command. The Major examined each man separately,
and being fully satisfied of the truth of their statements, gave each
man a pass.
Jaqua then went over to his native county of Columbia, and on the
3d day of April, 1813, started back for Ogdensburgh. On his way he
met his* friend Brown at' Morristown, New York. They were both
experienced in the use of small boats, and intimately acquainted with
the dangerous places in the channel of the St. Lawrence. Here they
came to the conclusion that they would help other deserters to get
over to the American side, and for that purpose procured a craft, by
the means of which they helped a goodly number of the fugitives to
get across the river to the American side.
This sort of employment was exceedingly dangerous, inasmuch as
no crafts of any sort were allowed to touch the Canadian shore; yet
these friends followed up this work during all the summer and fall of
1813. The Canadian authorities became fully informed- of these
operations, and sent a squad of men to a small island opposite Gibway
Point, with instructions to capture both Jaqua and Brown as they were,
passing to and fro.
One night Jaqua, Brown, Patterson, and five others crossed over to
Gibway Point and secreted themselves until morning. Patterson
walked along the beach to attract the attention of the guard. Imme
diately three men were seen putting out from the island in a punt-boat,
and landing on Gibway Point, pulled their boat on shore, and then
made for Patterson. These men and Patterson, getting into sharp
conversation, Patterson receded from the British and the shore, and
when they were far enough away to be considered safe, Jaqua, Brown,
and the other men, who were secreted with them, jumped up, and with
cocked guns and the help of Patterson, took the men prisoners and
handed them over to a militia captain at Rawsee. This captain
detailed a guard, consisting of Sergeant Whipple, Jaqua, Brown, and
several others, to take the prisoners to Sackett's Harbor, which they did*
In the fall of the same year, 1813, the American army, under Gen.
Wilkerson, was in camp on the American side of the St. Lawrence, a
short distance below Gravelly- Point. Gen. Hamlin, with his troops,
was also stationed at a point on the same side called French Mills.
Hamlin was very anxious to have Wilkerson, with his men, join him,
but to bring this about, it would require a long and tedious march by
land, or to embark the whole force in boats and proceed down the St.
Lawrence, through the Thousand Isles, which, all knew, was a dangerous
undertaking.

RICHARD JAQUA. 153
Hamlin sent two messengers with his orders for Wilkerson, and when
these arrived at Morristown, where Jaqua and Brown then were, one
of the messengers was takep sick, and became unable to proceed
further. The other messenger employed Jaqua and Brown to take him
to Gen. Wilkerson's headquarters. They took the punt-boat, and,
traveling by night only, they reached Gen. Wilkerson's camp in two
weeks after they left Morristown. In a few days thereafter, Brown and
Jaqua were engaged by Gen. Wilkerson to pilot him and his forces
down the river to Gen. Hamlin, through the Thousand Isles. Jaqua
and Brown, with their punt-boat and a flag, took the lead, and the
fleet, with Gen. Wilkerson and his forces, passed safaly through the
Thousand Isles, and reached a point about four miles above Fort
Prescott, called Hog Point, where thfey landed. Here the army
remained a few days, and then crossed the river into Canada. For
about four weeks thereafter, Jaqua and Brown were constantly busy
piloting parties down the river. For fear of trouble from the Canadian
authorities, Mr. Jaqua kept his name, and the fact that he was drafted
in Canada, a profound secret during all the time he was associated with
the movements of the American troops along the St. Lawrence.
On the 14th day of May, 1814, Mr. Jaqua enrolled his name as a
private in a company of minute men under Capt. Ellis, at Houndsfield,
about five miles above Sackett's Harbor. During his service in that
company, one Wolsey was in charge of a fleet of small boats loaded
with stores belonging to the United States, and vessels then in process
of construction. When the company arrived at a point off Big Sandy
creek, near Sackett's Harbor, they were noticed by the British fleet,
and Wolsey, to save his fleet, ran it into the mouth of Big Sandy. The
bar at the mouth of the creek prevented the British vessels from posing
in. Thereupon the British immediately embarked in small boats, and
followed Wolsey. , The alarm was given to the minute men, who
arrived very soon at the scene, and, joining with a company already-
there on duty, gave the British battle. After a sharp fight for a short
time,, the British retreated, leaving ninety-six of their men dead on the
field. Mr. Jaqua succeeded in having his family brought across in the
fall of 1813, and^now joined them. In 1815 he was engaged in hauling
timber and lumber to Sackett's ¦ Harbor, where some seventy-four
vessels were being built.
He moved to the western part of the state of New York, where he
lived six years, and then moved to this county, in 1822, and settled in
Eden township, where he lived to the time of his death. His friend
Brown had preceded him as a pioneer to this county.

iS4

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

(Colonel Jaqua, as he. was familiarly called, received neither com
pensation nor pension from the government for all his valuable services,
-until 1872. His property in Canada was all confiscated by the'British
authorities. Upon his petition to Congress, the Hon. C. Foster
representing this district in Washington, Congress generously acknowl
edged and recognized Mr. Jaqua's merits, and granted him a pension,
by. special act, that tended very materially to gladden the few remaining
jyears of the Colonel's life.
Col. Jaqua was a little more than six feet high, and well proportioned.
He was blessed with an iron, constitution, and great force of character.
In his boyhoodV days his chances for . education were not very good;
¦but whatever he lacked in book-learning, he made up by his sound
sense and clear judgment. In stature and persona] appearance, in
his movements and tone of voice, he resembled Josiah Hedges, the
proprietor of Tiffin, very much. He had a noble bearing, an open,
frank, but sincere countenance; heavy lower jaw, clenched lips, dark
eyes, nose not very large and a little of the Roman shape, and a fine
forehead. His very looks would say: "I'll do as I agree, sir." He
took a very active part in public affairs in Seneca couhty, and contrib
uted largely to the, development of her resources, having lived here
more than half a century. He was social in his nature, hospitable,
generous, kind. He was a good neighbor, a good citizen, a gpod;
husband and father, and, above all, an honest man. He died, without
a struggle, in peace with God and mankind, on the 26th of September,
1878, aged ninety-one years, five months, and seventeen days. His
Wife had preceded him to the other world on the 7th of May, 1877,
aged eighty-six years, seven months and four days. This venerable
•coupL; lived in happy wedlock, nearly seventy years — more than two
.generations of time. ' The Colonel was buried with the plain, but,
impressive ritual of Masonry, having been an honored member of the
•order during the greater part of his life. Requiesce in pace.

CHAPTER X.

FIRST MERIDIAN— BASE LINE — TOWNSHIPS — RANGES— SECTIONS— QUARTER
SECTIONS-GENERAL SURVEY — ORGANIZATION OF SENECA COUNTY— THE
OLD COURT HOUSE-HOLDING THE FIRST COURT— FIRST ELECTION— FIRST
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS— APPOINTMENT
OF FIRST TREASURER— COLLECTOR OF TAXES-SURVEYOR— PROSECUTING
ATTORNEY — ORGANIZATION OF BLOOM, SCIPIO, CLINTON, HOPEWELL,
SENECA AND ADAMS TOWNSHIPS— BUILDING THE FIRST JAIL-RUDOLPHUS
DICKINSON-REED TOWNSHIP— S.ALE OF THE RESERVATIONS.

HITHERTO, the cabins of the early settlers were near the forts
of Seneca and Ball, with a few scattered along Rocky creek,
Honey creek, Silver creek and in Thompson. The "Black Swamp"
commenced immediately west of the river ; in fact, the Sandusky river
,was the eastern boundary of the Black Swamp.
These settlers were mere squatters. They could buy no land, be
cause there was none in market. Outside of the Indian reservation,
the title to all the territory was in the United States ; and this new
purchase could not be offered for sale until after a survey thereof was
made and reported, in order to enable the government to make proper
descriptions of tracts, designating each in such manner and with such
certainty as to avoid, if possible, all controversy as to boundary lines,
etc. During all this time the squatters explored and prospected, making
selections of localities at or near which they intended to buy, as soon ,
as the lands were offered for sale. They built their huts wherever they
pleased; fished and hunted. Some made small openings to raise vege
tables, taking their chances for the improvements falling into the hands
of somebody else ; others that lived near any of these reservations,
farmed the lands of some of the Indians on shares. Thus the squatters
were employed making themselves comfortable, raising stock and get
ting ready to open farms for themselves.
Let us now give some atte#ion to the manner in which this new
purchase was brought into market.
The survey of the Western Reserve was started at a point on the west
line of Pennsylvania, where the forty-first degree of north latitude
crosses the same. The surveyor then followed this parallel due west,

156 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
measuring ranges of five miles each. At the end of the twenty-fourth
range he reached the southwest corner of the Connecticut reserve/
which is now also the southwest corner of Huron county. From this
point a line was drawn north to the lake, and parallel with the West line
bf Pennsylvania, which formed the western boundary of the Western
Reserve. So that alLthe territory north of this parallel to the lake,
and all east of this north line to the state of Pennsylvania, constitutes
the Western Reserve; sometimes called the "Connecticut Reserve," and
sometimes "the Fire Lands." These lands were reserved by Connecti
cut for the purpose of paying with them debts the colony owed to
revolutionary soldiers, to people who had their property burnt or
otherwise destrbyed by the British army, etc., war debts generally.
Let us remember now, that this parallel of forty-one degress north
latitude is the southern boundary, and the base line of the Western
Reserve ; that the ranges on that line are five miles ; that there are
twenty-four ranges in all ; and that the townships on the Western Re
serve are five miles square.
Soon after the treaty of the Miami of the Lake, already mentioned,
the general government ordered all the lands thereby secured to be
surveyed. This was then "the new purchase."
Mr. Sylvanus Bourne, under instructions from the general land office
of the United States, started a survey from the east line of the state of
Indiana on the 'forty-first parallel N. L. This state line, which of
course is also the west line of Ohio, he called the first meridian.
Running his line on this parallel east, he planted a stake where the end
of the sixth mile was reached. This made one range, and the first
range in his survey. The end of the seventeenth range brought him
within fifty-<two chains and seven links of the southwest corner of the
Western Reserve. A line drawn due north, by his compass, cut the
west line of the Western Reserve exactly at the northeast corner of
Seneca county. There is therefore a strip of land lying all along and
east of the seventeenth range, that is not in any range, 52.07 long on
the south end, running to a point just eighteen miles north. This tract
is called "the gore." The ranges in the new purchase are six miles
wide — 17x6 — 102. The ranges on the Western Reserve being five miles
wide — 24x5 — 120; 102 plus 120 — 222. Therefore the distance from
the state line of Pennsylvania to the st^e line of Indiana is two hund
red and twenty-two miles and this gore 52.07.
From these six mile posts, lines were drawn due north to the north line
of Ohio and to, Lake Erie, and south to the Virginia military land dis
tricts. This line thus drawn along the forty-first parallel northlatitude,

EARLY SURVEYS. 157
being the base of operation for all future surveys, is called the base
line. The territory between these six-mile posts is called a range, and
runs north and south from the base line, as above indicated.
Parallel with this base line, and six miles distant therefrom, other
lines were surveyed, starting from this meridian north and south of the
base line, and running east until other surveys were met. The north
and south lines, or range lines, thus cut at right angles by the east and
west lines, or township lines, formed tracts of territory, each six 'miles
square, called townships. Each additional east and west, six mile line,
from the base line, adds another township to the number. The town
ships, therefore, are numbered from the base line north and south; and
townships one north or south means all the townships along the entire
length of the base line, having the base line for the .northern or south
ern boundary. The next townships north or south are numbered two,
and so on, until Michigan or lake Erie on the north, or some other
survey on the south is reached.
In describing a piece of land, therefore, we say, for example, "Town
ship two (2) north, range fifteen (J5) east"; because, this is the second
township north of the base line, lying north and in range fifteen, count
ing the ranges from the meridian as above.
, A Mr. Holmes assisted Mr. Bourne in the survey of the range and
"township lines.
Four gentlemen were appointed by the Commissioner of the general
land office, to survey and sub-divide Seneca county into sections, quar
ter and half quarter sections. They were J. Glasgow, Price F. Kellogg,
James T. Worthington and Sylvanus Bourne.
.Seneca county has five ranges, from the thirteenth to the seventeenth,
both inclusive, and three townships north— one, two and three. There
are therefore fifteen townships in the county, the, Sandusky river cutting
it from the south to the north into two parts nearly equal; and the
county seat being near the center of the county, makes Seneca county
almost unequalled in shape and beauty by any other county in the
state. Mr. Glasgow surveyed the townships north of range thirteen — Big
Spring, Loudon and Jackson.
Mr. Worthington surveyed the townships north of range fourteen,
viz: Seneca, Hopewell and Liberty; also, those north of range fifteen,
viz: Eden, Clinton and Pleasant. Mr. Bourne surveyed those north of
range sixteen, viz: Bloom, Scipio and Adams. Mr. Kellogg surveyed
those north of range seventeen, viz: Venice, Reed and Thompson, and
the gore. It is to be understood here, that the townships as here

158 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
named are the same as they are now known, arid not as established
from time to time by county commissioners. The geographical lines
of the townships were established by these surveys. It is also to be
understpod that the Indian reservations were not included in these
surveys. Each township being six miles square, makes just thirty-six sections,
each one mile square, and containing six hundred and forty acres
each. The sections £re numbered by commencing at the northeast
corner of the township; running west, brings section six into the north
west corner; the next section south of this is section seven, and running
east, brings section twelve immediately south of section one; then
calling the section south of twelve number thirteen, running west and
so on, brings section thirty-one into the southwest corner, and section
thirty-six into the southeast corner df the township.
The sections were again sub-divided into quarters and half quarters,
with lines at right angles, making it very easy to describe the quarter
of a quarter.
It is scarcely possible to conceive of a plan for the description of
land for the purposes of purchase, sale or taxation, more beautiful,
geographically, or for business more convenient.
In the survey of the entire nortliwest, this order was strictly adhered
to. .
We must also remember that in all these surveys, the Sandusky river
having been, by act of Congress, declared a navigable stream, is not
included. The surveys run only to low water mark of the stream, and
therefore necessarily and unavoidably create many fractional sections.
These surveyors finished their work in 1820.
There were then, also, several other Indian reservations, aside from
the Seneca reservation, viz: The Armstrong reservation; the McCul
loch reservation; the Van Meter reservation; the Walker reservations,
and a reservation of about twelve square miles occupying the southwest
corner of the county, , belonging to the Wyandots. These reserves
were not surveyed, and not offered for sale until after the last Indian
had gone, when, in 1832, a Mr. J. W! Christmas surveyed them all.
Thereupon these reserve lands were brought into market also.
The field notes in the General Land Office at Washington show the
time when these surveys were made and the persons who made them,
as above given. How Mr. Butterfield, in his history of Seneca, can
lay the time in 1819, and say that Alex. Holmes ran off the sections,
etc., is not very clear.
This new purchase thereupon was laid off and divided into two land

EARLY SURVEYS.. 1 59.
districts— the. Delaware and (the Piqua land districts, by a line drawn
north and south through and near the center of the new purchase..
This placed Seneca county in the Delaware land district.
On the 3d day of August, 182 1, the lands in the Delaware land
district north of.the base line, were first offered for sale at Delaware at
a minimum price of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. Large
quantities of land in this county were purchased at these first sales,.
but very little of it above the minimum price.
Before the subject is dismissed, it may be well to state another fact
in connection with these surveys, that -should be generally understood:.
"The boundaries of the general surveys can not be changed."
Congress, as early as the year 1805, laid down certain general prin
ciples in regard to the unchangeableness of the lines and corners-
established by government surveyors, which have been continued
operative down to the present time, and are still in full force. These-
principles are contained in the second section of an act entitled "An.
act concerning the mode of surveying the public lands of the United
States," approved February 11, 1805, and are as follows, to-wit:
1st. All the corners marked in the surveys returned by Surveyor-Generals,,
shall be established as the proper corners of sections or sub-divisions of
sections which they were intended to designate ; and the corners of half
and quarter sections, not marKed on said surveys, shall be placed as nearly
as possible, equally distant from those two corners which stand on the same
line. The Boundary Lines actually run and marked in the surveys returned by
the Surveyor-General, shall be established as the proper boundary lines of
the sections or sub-divisions for which they were intended ; and the length
of such lines as returned by the Surveyor-General aforesaid, shall be held
and considered as the true length thereof.
Experience has demonstrated the wisdom of this enactment. No-
law ever passed by Congress has contributed so much to prevent
disputes in regard to boundaries.of the public lands. Considering the
extent of the territory over which the public surveys have been
extended, embracing whole states, now thickly settled with people, and
affecting interests involving many thousands of dollars, cases of litigation
growing out of disputed boundaries, are surprisingly rare. "System of
Rectangular Surveying," by J. H. Haws, p. 119.
Although this law may in some instances work a hardship to individ
uals, giving to one party more land than to another, yet it is one of
' the conditions under which the land was acquired, and the evil in these
cases is measurably small compared with the great benefit derived from
these fixed and unchangeable lines and corners of the public lands.

l6o HISTORY. OF SENECA COUNTY.
Whenever, therefore, questions should iaris.e as to the correct corners
and lines of lands, with this knowledge of the law before us, and proper
examination of the field notes, where the same are established, great
annoyance, heartaches and money may be saved.
If any of the old land-marks of early life in Seneca county shall be
omitted or overlooked in this book, it will not be because the writer
has not been sufficiently industrious in his efforts to look them up for
record. Indeed, sometimes I fear that my persistent inquiries about
affairs of former days among my old pioneer friends, have been bur
densome to many of them', and I have no other apology to offer but
my earnest purpose to preserve, for the use of their children, a full
and faithful record of Senepa county's past.
Very many people in Seneca county perhaps never knew, and others
have forgotten, the fact that there was an Indian reservation, containing ¦
about twelve square miles, belonging to the Wyandots, in the southwest
corner, of Big Spring township. This reservation, and another piece
of the same lying south of the same and adjoining it, was procured by
the United States and brought'into market with the Seneca reservation,
long before the Wyandots sold their large reservation to the general
government. (See chap. III.)
To preserve the time of the sales of these reservations in Seneca
county, the proclamation of Gen. JacksOn, then President of the
United States, is here added, because the fact itself, as weir as the time,
are both important and historic. And' it is also to be remembered,
that these sales took place some ten years after the land sales spoken
of in a former chapter.
Mr. George W. Gist, a very able surveyor, had located in Tiffin a
short time before these Indian lands came into market, and to enable
the purchasers of these lands to make the proper selections, published
a notice in the Seneca Patriot, the only newspaper then published in
the county, (and of which further notice will be taken hereafter) in
these words:
LAND PURCHASERS, LOOK HERE !

The subscriber has on hand a quantity of plats, and descriptions of the
sections and lines of the Seneca and Big Spring reservations. Persons
going on either of the ' said reserves, will find them of much advantage.
They are made from the original field notes of C. W. Christmas, Esq.,
District Surveyor. Geo. W. Gist, Surveyor.
The President's proclamation ordering these sales, is in the words
following, viz:

PRESIDENT JACKSON'S PROCLAMATION — LAND SALES. l6l
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
In pursuance of law, I Andrew Jackson, President of the United States
of America, do hereby declare and make known, that public sales will be
held at the Land Office of Piqua and Bucyrus, in the State of Ohio, at the
period herein designated, for the disposal of certain lands heretofore reserved
for the benefit of certain tribes of Indians in said State, and which have
been by them relinquished and surrendered unto the United States, to-wit :
At the Land Office at Piqua, on the fourth Monday in December next, for
the sale of the late Shawnee reservation on Hog Creek, situate in townships
three and four, south of range six, east, containing twenty-five square miles ;
also for the sale of the late Shawnee reservation at Wapochkonuetta, situate
in townships four, five and six, south of ranges five, six and seven, east,
containing one hundred and twenty square miles ; also for the sale of the
late Seneca and Shawnee reservation a.t Lewistown, situate in townships six
and seven, south of range seven and eight, east, and in township seven,
south, range nine, east, containing sixty-two square miles.
At the Land Office in Bucyrus, on the second Monday in December next,
for the sale of the late Wyandot reservation at the Big Spring, situate in
townships one, north, and one, south, of ranges twelve and thirteen, east,
containing twenty-five square miles; also for the sale of the late Seneca
reservation on the Sandusky River, situate in townships two, three and four,
north of ranges fifteen and sixteen, containing forty thousand acres.
The lands reserved by law for the use of schools, or for other purposes,
will be excluded from sale.
The sales will be kept open for a period not exceeding two weeks, and no
longer than necessary to offer the whole of the lands.
Given under my hand at the City of Washington this thirteenth day of
November, A. D. 1832.
ANDREW JACKSON.
By the President. Elijah Haywakd, Commissioner of the General Land Office.
These sales took place eight years and nine months after the organi
zation of Seneca county.
A. M. Stewart, who published the atlas of Seneca county some six
years ago, took Mr. Butterfield's history for data; and speaking of*
early roads, copies the story of the Bell road. They say that "Gen,
Bell, from Wooster, surveyed a road in 1812, which took his name."
There is no trace of any survey of Bell's road to be found anywhere,
and all there was of it, is this: 1
Gen. Bell was ordered by Gen. Harrison to pick out — not survey— a
suitable track for a road on the west bank of the Sandusky river, to
Lower Sandusky from Upper Sandusky, over which military stores,
troops and provisions could be , carried. Gen. Bell and his men
followed along the left bank of the river on the highest ground, without
paying any attention to courses or distances; and this Mr. Meeker they
speak of, with his men, cut and carried to one side, underbrush and
11 ,,

162 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
was other obstructions,' and blazed the trees as they worked along. This
the surveying they did on this road. A similar rOad was opened along
and near the right bank of the river, leading from Delaware to Lower
Sandusky. These army roads answered all practical purposes for
several years; first for military movements, and then for emigrants and
settlers. Nor is it true that Mr. Risdon afterwards surveyed these
army roads into state roads; but Mr. Risdon did survey a state road
from Upper Sandusky to Lower Sandusky, in 182 1, without paying any
attention to any army road. His survey ran as nearly straight as
possible, and scarcely ever touched the army road.
In 1820, Israel Harrington surveyed the Morrison state road, still
known by that name, leading from Croghansville (Fremont) to Delaware.
This was the first road surveyed and opened in Seneca county, east of
the river, while the road surveyed by Risdon was 'the first one west of
the river — both state roads. The Morrison road was named after one
of the commissioners, who located the road.
Colonel James Kilbourn, a pioneer surveyor, already introduced,
surveyed a road leading from Portland, (now Sandusky City) to Upper
Sandusky, to which he gave his own name, in 1822. It is said that
Thomas Baker and Ezra Brown, two distinguished pioneers, both from
the state of New York, were the first settlers in Seneca county who
came on that road.
A history of the surveying and opening of the principal roads of
the county might be made interesting enough to some people, but would
riot warrant the space it would necessarily require.
The legislature divided this new purchase into fourteen counties, by
an act passed on the 12th day of February, 1820. Of these, Seneca
county was the ninth in the order named in the act. It was to consist
of townships, one, two and three, north of ranges thirteen to seventeen,
both inclusive, and to remain a part of Sandusky county, until organized
into a county with municipal powers, by a future act of the legislature.
The commissioners of Sandusky county organized, four townships in
this county, from time to time, outside of the reservations, as follows:
. Thompson was organized on the, 25th day of April, 1820, with the
following boundaries, viz:
Beginning at the northeast corner of the, Seneca reservation, in
Sandusky county, running thence north to the (then) present trailed
road from Croghansville to Strong's settlement, (not very definite);
thence east until it shall intersect the fire-lands; thence south with said
line to the base line; thence west along said line until a line due north
will strike the place of beginning. This territory comprised the

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS. 163
present townships of Thompson, Reed, Venice, and two arid one-half
sections along the east sides of Bloom, Scipio and Adams, and a part
of Sandusky county.
On the 8th day of May, 1820, the said commissioners organized
Seneca township, which was the second township in the county, and
included all the balance of the county not embraced in the boundaries
of Thompson; so that two townships contained the whole county.
On the first Monday in June, 1820, the said commissioners organized
Clinton township, fixing the boundaries as now established, except that
part west of the river, viz:
Commencing where the township line, between two and three, strikes
the river on the east bank thereof; running thence with said line to
the northeast corner of township two, in range fifteen; thence south
with the range line between ranges fifteen and sixteen, to the southeast
corner of the aforesaid township; thence west to the township line
between townships one and two; thence northerly with the meanders
of the river to the place of beginning.
It was named after DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York.
Eden, the last towriship organized by the commissioners of Sandusky
county, was fixed. with its present boundaries in 1821, viz: T. 1., N. R.
15, E.
This still left Seneca township embracing all west of the river to the
west line of the county.
To preserve a record of what part of the Seneca reservation was
within Seneca county, let lis commence, for a starting point, on the
right bank of the Sandusky river, about one-quarter of a mile south of
the south line of section seven, in Clinton township, running due east
on a line parallel with the south section lines of sections seven to
thirteen, inclusive, in Clinton, and extending the same line to a point a
short distance south of the center of section ten, in Scipio; thence
running due north through Adams to the north line of Seneca county;
thence west on said north line to the right bank of the Sandusky river;
thence south along the meanderings of said right bank to the place of
beginning. Under the organization of these townships, elections were held as
follows: In Thompson, at the house of Joseph Parm enter, on the 6th
day of May, 1820; in Seneca, on the 1st day of June, 1820; in Clinton,
on the 15th day of June, 1822, and in Eden, on the 4th day of June,
1820, at the house of John Searles, who lived near Rocky creek, and a
short distance south of the Rocky creek meeting house. The successful
ticket at this election in Eden, was: David Clark, township clerk; John

164 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. '
Welch, James Mathers and Henry Craw, trustees; Ira Holmes and John
Searles, fence-viewers;, John Searles, treasurer; Hugh Welch and Ira
Holmes, appraisers; Samuel Knapp and John Welch, supervisors;
Thomas Welch, constable.
Seneca township, at its first election, elected the following ticket,
viz: West Barney, John Lay, David Risdon, trustees; John Keller and
David Rice, overseers of the poor; James Montgomery, Erastus Bowe
and Joel Chapin, supervisbrs; P. Wilson, lister; Asa Pike, appraiser;
Thomas Nicholson and Abner Pike, -fence-viewers; John Boughton and
Joel Lee, constables.
A lister was an officer whose duty it was to report to the trustees,
and afterwards to the county auditor, a list of the able-bodied white
male inhabitants liable to perform military duty. For this work he
was by law entitled to seventy-five cents per day.'
At the state election in this year, the whole county polled twenty-six
votes, all told.
It will be noticed that in these elections no justice of- the peace was
elected. Sandusky cqunty exercised judicial power over the whole of
Seneca county, until Seneca became established as a county by law.
ORGANIZATION OF SENECA COUNTY.
On the 22d day of January, A. D. 1824, the legislature of Ohio
passed the following act for the organization of Seneca county, in the
words and figures following, viz:
AN ACT
To Organize the County of Seneca.
Section 1. Be it enacted by tlve General Assembly of the State of Ohio,
That the county of Seneca be and the same is hereby organized into a
separate and distinct county.
Sec. 2. That all justices of the peace, and other officers residing in the
. cqunty of Seneca, shall continue to discharge the duties of 'their respective
offices until their successors are chosen and qualified according to law.
Sec. 3. That. the. qualified electors residing in the county of Seneca,
shall meet in their respective townships on the first Monday of April next,
and elect their several county officers, who shall hold their respective offices
until the next annual election, and until others are chosen and qualified
according to law.
Sec. 4. That all suits and actions, .whether of civil or criminal nature,
which shall have been commenced, shall be prosecuted to final judgment
and execution, and all taxes, fines and penalties, which shall have become
due, shall be collected in the same manner as if this act had not been passed.
This act to' take effect and be in force from and after the first day of April
next. JOSEPH RICHARDSON,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
ALLEN TRIMBLE, Speaker of the Senate.
January 22, 1821.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 1 65
In conformity with the foregoing act, notice in writing was posted up
in the several (four) townships in the county, for the holding of the
election. The only officers to be chosen at this election were a sheriff,
three commissioners and a coroner. For sheriff, Agreen Ingraham
received one hundred and ninety votes; and for coroner, Leverett
Bradley, received two hundred and six votes. Both were elected.
At the same time the following named persons were also elected as
county commissioners, to serve until the next annual election in
October, viz: William Clark, Jesse S. Olmstead, Benjamin Wetmore.
On the 7th day of June, 1824, the board of commissioners organized
and held their first session. The first business in order was the hearing
of a petition presented by Rollin Moller, praying for the location of a
road. The petitions for four other roads were heard at the same
session. The petition of Thomas Boyd and others, viz: the qualified voters
of Eden township, "predicated upon the following reasonable ground"
— the petition says — to-wit: "laboring under great inconvenience, from
the distance, of attending public elections, and having a sufficient
number of qualified electors in the township, we pray your honorable
board to set off said townships, Nos. 1 and 2, in range 16, and constitute
them a legal township, to be known by the name of Bloom."
The board granted the petition, and ordered that townships 1 and 2
in range 16, (Bloom and Scipio) which were organized with Eden town
ship, and townships 1 and 2, in the 17th range, (Venice and Reed) and
fractional townships Nos. 1 and 2, in range 18, be set off and declared
by the board of commissioners a legal township, to be known by the
name of Bloom.
On the same day, June 7th, 1824, the board of commissioners also
appointed Milton McNeal treasurer, and David Risdon collector of
taxes for Seneca county.
Nathan Whitney was allowed two dollars and twenty-five cents for
three days' services in listing Thompson township; Joseph Osbof n was
allowed three dollars and seventy-five cents for listing Eden; George
Park was allowed one dollar and eighty-seven and a half cents for list
ing Clinton; and Joseph Keeler was allowed two dollars and twenty-
five cents for listing Ft. Seneca township.
David Smith, for his services as clerk for the commissioners, was
allowed three dollars for three days. '
At the next session of the board of county commissioners, (who
were elected in October previous) on the 7th day of December, 1824,
the petition of William Anway was presented to the board for the or-

r66 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
i
ganization of Scipio township. The reason for such organization
claimed in the petition is the fact that there were sixteen legal voters
residing in the territory composed of Scipio and Reed, and the board
granted the petition accordingly.
At the same session, Neal McGaffey presented a petition for the
opening of a county road from the public square in Fort Ball to the
public square in Tiffin, across the river by the most suitable ground. On
the same day the township of Hopewell was organized, including Lou
don, and an election ordered to be held. The trustees to be elected
were authorized to take charge of the school lands. Seneca township
was then reduced to what now constitutes Seneca and Big Spring.
On the 8th day of December, 1824, the county commissioners cast
lots to ascertain how long each was to serve; whereupon it was found
that Thomas Boyd was to serve for one year, Benj. Whitmore for two
years and Doctor Dunn for three years. Ever since that time Seneca
county has elected but one commissioner each year, except when by
death or resignation the election of another became a necessity.
The same day the board rented from George Park his north chamber
for a county clerk and auditor's office, and agreed' to pay him one
dollar per month for the use of the same. The chamber was a part of
Eli Norris' old tavern. The ground where it stood is now covered by
the National Hall block. ,At the same time Clinton was fixed to its
present status, and an election ordered.
William Cornell was appointed keeper of the standard measure, the
device of the seal to be a circle with the letters therein, "sen. co., ohio."
On the sixth day of June, 1825, commissioners were appointed to
locate a road in Crawford township, T. 1, S. R. 13 E., and for that pur
pose met at the house of Jas. Whiticker, on the 6th day of July following.
Wm. Harpster was allowed two dollars for listing Sycamore township;
Jesse Gale the same amount for listing Crawfordt township. It would
therefore appear from this, that the commissioners of Seneca county
exercised jurisdiction over Crawford county until it was organized.
At the same session the commissioners settled with the auditor and
treasurer, and found a balance in favor of the latter of $13.46.
Mr. Hedges had built a two story frame house on the lot immediately
north of the court house square, on the place now occupied by the east
end of the Commercial bank and the office of the Seneca Advertiser.
The second story was used as a court room and the lower three rooms
for offices. The first court in Seneca county was held in this frame
house, and that was the court house of Seneca county until the bjick
court house was built in 1 836.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 167
Judge Ebenezer Lane, of Norwalk, who was the circuit judge of the
judicial district of which Seneca county formed a part, held the first
court in Seneca county, on the 12th day of April, 1824. Under the old
constitution of Ohio, the circuit judges were appointed by the Legis
lature for the term of seven years. There were also appointed by the
Legislature three associate judges in each county for the term of seven
years. These associate judges were not lawyers, but were selected
from the business men of the county, generally from the party that had
a majority in the Legislature for the time' being. These associate
judges, with the presiding or circuit judge, formed the court, a majority
of whom was necessary for the transaction of business.
The first associate judges appointed for this county were William
Cornell, Jaques Hulburd and Matthew Clark. This court, at its first
session, appointed for the clerk of the court, pro tern, Neal McGaffey,
and for county surveyor David Risdon.
The court lasted about thirty minutes, and then adjourned for want
of other business.
On the 1 2th day of October, in the same year, the first annual elec
tion was held in the county, when the following officers were elected,
viz : sheriff, Agreen- Ingraham ; coroner, Christopher Stone ; auditor,
David Smith; commissioners, Benjamin Whitmore, Thomas Boyd and
Doctor Dunn.
The court in this year appointed Rudolphus Dickinson prosecuting
attorney, and the county commissioners appointed Milton McNeal
county treasurer. v x
, With this small commencement old Seneca started on her proud
career to future greatness. '
Mr. Dickinson, being the first lawyer who settled in Seneca county,
and who took a very active part in the organization of the county and
public affairs generally, was appointed by the court the first prosecuting
attorney of the county.
He was born at Whateley, Massachusetts, on the 28th day of Decem
ber, 1797, and was a. graduate of Williams College in that state. Im- .
mediately after he left college he came to Columbus, Ohio, where he
taught school and read law in the office of Gustavus Swan, in that city.
After his admission to the bar he located in Tiffin, Ohio, in the year
1824, on the Fort Ball side, where he joined the opposition of the few
settlers against Mr. Hedges in his efforts to build up Tiffin. Mr. Dick
inson was appointed by the court the first prosecuting attorney of the
county. His name is identified with the first cases tried in the early
sessions of the courts of Seneca county. He was the attorney for Jesse

r68 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Spencer in the suit against Mr. Hedges about the brush dam, the
most celebrated among the early cases tried in the County. In May,
1826, Mr- Dickinson resigned his office of prosecuting attorney, and
Abel Rawson was appointed his successor. In the same month Mr.
Dickinson removed to Lower Sandusky, and in 1827 he married the
daughter of John Beaugrand, one of the oldest settlers of Lower San- '
dusky and who at an early day was a partner of General John E. Hunt,
of Maumee City. Mr. D. took great interest in schemes for starting
the public works of the state, in which he occupied a high prominence
among his cotemporaries. Among these public enterprises were the
Wabash and Erie Canal and the Western Reserve and Maumee Road. ,
He was a member of the Board of Public Works from 1836 to 1845.
During this period the state of Ohio suffered great financial embarrass
ment, and her credit ran down to fifty per cent, below par, her bonds
selling for fifty cents on the dollar. Mr. Dickinson's influence with the
leading men of the state and the Legislature, contributed largely in
saving the credit of the state and preventing the entire suspension of
public improvements.
Mr. Dickinson was elected to Congress in 1846, and re-elected in
1848. He died soon after the commencement of the second term of
his service at the city of Washington in 1849, on the 20th day of March,
at the age of fifty-one years, two months and twenty-two days.
On the fourth day of July, 1825, the commissioners of Seneca county
held an extra session of the board to receive proposals and bids for the
building of a jail in Tiffin. Benjamin Whitmore- and Doctor Dunn
were present. The bids were opened and the contract awarded to Eli
jah Fargurson, he being the lowest bidder, for the sum of four hundred
and fifty dollars, payable when the work was completed. Josiah Hedges
was surety on the bond of Mr. Fargurson for the promp compliance
with his agreement to perform the same.
The early settlers will remember this, the first public building put up
iri Seneca county. It stood at the southeast corner of the present court
Jiouse squire, and was made of hewed logs fitted tightly on the top of
each other, with hewed logs for the ceiling and heavy oak plank for
the floor. The doors were made of double planks with wagon tires
bolted across them for hinges, and a large padlock on the door. There
were two rooms in this log jail — one on the east side and the other on
the west side. The windows were cross barred with heavy tire iron.
To the south end of the jail was attached a frame building as wide as
the jail, (about twenty feet), with a narrow stairway to the garret, and
two small rooms below. This frame part was intended as a residence

OLD LOG JAIL. 169
for the sheriff, but was never occupied for that purpose. The jailor
lived there occasionally; aind finally, and until the old log jail was torn
down in 1840-41, my old friend, John Fiege occupied this frame part
of the jail for a cabinet shop, and Marquis Y. Groff lived immediately
across the street from the same, oh the south side of Market street.
In the December session of the county commissioners, Christopher
Stone was allowed one dollar as appraiser of Clinton towwhship.
At the same time, December 5th, 1825, and upon the application of
Agreen Ingraham, the commissioners passed an order by which all that
part of Clinton township lying west of the river was attached. to Hope
well, for the reason, undoubtedly, that there were no bridges over the
river and it was therefore more convenient for the people on the west
side to get together and hold their elections, etc.
The log jail being finished and the work done to the satisfaction of
the county commissioners, it was accepted on the 31st day of March,
1826. John Mim presented his account for rent of room for the use of
the county clerk and auditor for nine months, at fifty cents a month,
$4.50, which was allowed on the 5th day of June, 1826. On the same
day Josiah Hedges was paid $25.85, expenses incurred by him in the
location of the county seat.
Milton McNeal was re-appointed county treasurer, and William
Patterson collector of taxes for the -ensuing year.
Adams township was organized on the 5th day of December, i825i
but it consisted only of the sections not included in the reserve. The
electors were ordered to meet at the house of Samuel Whiteman to
hold the election, on the 25th day of December, 1826. To make the
township of any reasonable size the commissioners attached to Adams
a tier of sections from and along the west side of Thompson.
On the fifth -day of December, 1825, Reed township was also organ
ized with its present boundary, and the electors ordered to meet at the
house of Seth Reed on the first day of January, 1827, to hold their
election. Dec. 5, 1826, the commissioners ordered the auditor "to
cut a diamond in the jail door five inches square."

CHAPTER XI.
JESSE SPENCER— COUNTY ROAD FROM FORT BALL TO TIFFIN— WOLF SCALPS
—ORGANIZING TOWNSHIPS IN CRAWFORD COUNTY— BUILDING THE FIRST
BRIDGE— FIRST KILN OF BRICKS— DAVID BISHOP— FINAL ORGANIZATION
OF ALL THE TOWNSHIPS-HISTORY OF THE BUILDING, THE BURNING
AND THE RE-BUILDING OF THE COURT HOUSE— BUILDING THE STONE
JAIL— THE NEW JAIL.
IN A former chapter it was said that the Indian reservations were
not surveyed into sections until after the Senecas had left the
country ; but this statement should be qualified so as to except the
Armstrong, the McCulloch and VanMeter sections.
Robert Armstrong and the heirs of McCulloch had full power to dis
pose of their respective reservations in any manner they saw fit, after
the patent from the United States had been issued to them. The transJ
fer required only the approval of the President of the United States
endorsed thereon.
The patent from the United States to Robert Armstrong was issued
under the treaty aleady mentioned, and bears date of October 12, 1823.
On the 29th day of the same month Armstrong sold and deeded four
hundred and four acres of his reservation to Jesse Spencer, for three
thousand dollars. The deed from Armstrong to Spencer was approved
by President Monroe, and signed by him in his own hand writing. The
part of the Armstrong reserve sold to Spencer extended from the San
dusky river westwardly. Mr. Spencer laid out and platted the village
Of Oakley, including the old stockade, (Fort Ball,) and extending down
the river to the railroad bridges, and west to somewhere near the B. &
O. depot. It was not much of a town, even on paper. No trace of it
can anywhere be found, and Mr. Spencer never caused any record to
be made of this, his first town in Seneca county. The only buildings
the town of Oakley ever contained were the log cabin hotel of Mr.
Bowe and the cabin of Mr. David Smith, near where the stove works
now are. The cabin of Mr. Agreen Ingraham was up on the hill where
the aristocracy afterwards settled, around about McNeal's store, after
Mr. Spencer laid out Fort Ball.
Mr. Gilford Bowe says his father's hotel stood near the bank of the

JESSE SPENCER. 171
river, and right in Washington street, close by the north end of the iron
bridge. The old army road passed close by it. The hotel was pulled
down when Spencer opened a street that way in his Fort Ball.
In less than two years from the time Mr. Spencer bought the part of
the Armstrong section, as above stated, he laid out Oakley, then Fort
Ball, built the brush dam and the saw mill, became involved in about
two dozen law suits, had a half dozen knock-downs, sold his town,
brush dam and saw mill to Mr. Hedges, and quit. The deed from
Spencer to Hedges for Fort Ball is dated June 16, 1825. Jn this deed
Spencer reserved to himself some in-lots and out-lots of his town of
Fort Ball.
Mr. Spencer came here from Perry county, Ohio, where he formerly
lived. It seems that the locality and the people here failed to meet
the approbation of Mr. Spencer, and he withdrew his company and his
interest from the county soon after his sale to Mr. Hedges.
The viewers appointed on the county road petitioned for leading
from the public square of Fort Ball to the public square in Tiffin, and
those on another petition for a county road leading from the public
square in Tiffin to the public square in Fort Ball — two distinct sets of
viewers, and two distinct lines of roads — reported unfavorably on both. '
Mr. Neal McGaffey thereupon, on the 8th day of June, 1825, gave
notice of his intention to appeal the case to the Court of Common
Pleas. There is no record to show the fate of the roads in the court.
The streets of Fort Ball, as laid out by Spencer, seem to have supplied
the great want of a county road running from McNeal's store to the
court house square in Tiffin, and the appeal was never prosecute'd.
On the 19th day of March, 1827, the commissioners passed a reso
lution authorizing the auditor to draw an order oil the treasurer for
the sum of two dollars extra, and in addition to the sum of four dollars
paid by the state, for the scalp of every wolf killed in Seneca courity.
These beasts were very numerous here at that time, and a very great
annoyance to the pioneers. It was almost impossible to keep any
poultry, hogs or sheep. They would even attack and kill young calves.
One would naturally suppose that the wolves would flee from the
approach of the settlers, but wild and shy as they naturally are, and
however hard as it may be to get a shot at one in day-time, yet they
made themselves sociable about the cabins at night. Their howling at
night, hideous as it sounds by itself, seemed to echo through the forest
in long vibrations, especially in a, dark, cold night of winter.
When the cold lasted any length of time, it was dangerous to be out

!72 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
after night without a torch, and domestic animals, unprotected, were
sure to. be killed. Wolves are afraid of fire.
They seemed to be more numerous in Seneca than in any adjoining
courity, and were found most plenty along the Sandusky river, and
along the several branches of Wolf creek, which was very appropriately
named after them.
By the law of the state, four dollars were paid for wolf-scalps, and
. every county was authorized to add such additional sum to the four
dollars as the commissioners would order. The counties adjoining
Seneca refused to add any further sum to the state premium on scalps,
and the two dollars added in Seneca became a great inducement to kill
wolves in Seneca county. Money was exceedingly scarce in those
days, and hard to get. The idea of raising six dollars in money for
one wolf's-scalp, excited the skill and avarice of manv a pioneer.
Men would work on farms, at trades, at anything, a whole month for
that much money and board — yes, and then very often take their pay
¦in store goods, or other barter, at that. ,
The greater number of wolves that were killed were caught in traps
made expressly for wolves. Those that were shot were comparatively
few. The ingenious trapper was the most successful man to get the
premiums on scalps. Some of these trappers in Hancock, Wood,
Sandusky, Huron and Crawford, living near the county line — yes, and
some of those that lived a considerable distance away — when they found
a wolf in the trap, in making the morning rounds, would strike the wolf
over the head with a club and thus stun and disable, but not kill him.
Then tjiey would hitch a horse or an ox to a sled, and haul wolf and
trap into Seneca county, and there finish killing the wolf; so that the
trapper could make an affidavit that the wolf was killed in Seneca.
This county paid for many a scalp of a wolf that was caught in some
other county. There was money in it. The result was, that in the
course of a few years the wolves became very scarce. Along towards
the year 1840, scarcely any scalps were presented for premium.
After the organization of Seneca, and before Crawford county was
organized, the commissioners of Seneca county, upon petition for that
purpose, organized three townships in Crawford, as follows, viz:
On the 7th day of December, 1824, upon the petition of Joseph
Chaeffee, Crawford township was ordered to organize, and to hold an
election on the 25th day of December, 1824, at the house of said
Chaeffee, then and there to elect three trustees and a treasurer, to take
charge and dispose of the school lands belonging to said township.
On the 7th day of March, 1825, the said commissioners ordered that

FIRST BRIDGE  FIRST KILN OF BRICK. 1 73
the'original surveyed townships: No. i in the 15th range, No. 1 in the
16th range and No. 1 in the 17th range, south of the base line, be set
off and organized into one township, and to be known by the name of
Sycamore township, and that a similar election be held therein on the
25 th day of March next ensuing.
On the same day, said commissioners also ordered that the inhab
itants and qualified electors , in the original surveyed township one,
south, range thirteen, be notified to meet at the house of Jesse Gale,
on the last Saturday of March, 1825, and elect trustees, etc. This
township is now in Wyandot county,.
On the 7th day of March, 1826, said commissioners also ordered
that the original surveyed township one, south, range fourteen, be set
off from the township of Crawford and organized into a legal township,
to be known by the name of Tymochtee, and that the qualified electors
therein meet on the first Monday in April next, at the house of Joseph
Chaeffee, in Crawford township, and those in Tymochtee to meet at
the house of Jesse Gale, and then and there to elect trustees, etc.
The first effort to build a bridge in Seneca county by, the public
authorities, was made by the commissioners on the 2d day of August,
1827, when they met for the purpose of taking into consideration the
propriety of building a bridge across Rocky creek, at the east end of
Market street, in Tiffin. That was the end of this effort, and no other
step was taken to build this bridge until the 6th March, 1834, when the
board appropriated $50, and appointed Marquis Y. Graff to superintend
the work. Reuben Williams did. the work. It was made of very heavy
oak timber, and lasted until it became dangerous to cross it, when the
trustees of Clinton township erected the present sto'ne bridge in its place.
On the 5th day of June, 1827, Mr. Agreen Ingraham, having been
elected treasurer of the county, was required by the board to give bond
in the sum of $3,000.
At the December session of the same year, the commissioners allowed
Wm. Toll, who was deputy sheriff and jailor, $3.46 for boarding prisoners.
Thomas Chadwick burnt the first kiln of brick during the summer of
this year, and furnished brick to build a chimney in the jail, for which
he was allowed the sum of $22.50.
Joseph Pool was paid $14.00 for laying the floor, and William Toll
was paid $23.50 for building the chimney.
The votes cast in Seneca county for state senator were ordered to be
returned to Delaware county, which was then a part of this senatorial
district, and the county that cast the largest number of votes in the
district.

174 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
At the same session, Benjamin Pettingef was paid $9.00 for nails
used in building the jail. Nails were then a rarity, and just coming
into use. There were no nails used in building cabins, as we shall see
hereafter. If a man were to be compelled to build a house now-a-days
without nails, he would scarcely know how it could be done. It was
no trick, at all, for a pioneer.
David Bishop, who had come to Tiffin about one year before this
time, was appointed keeper of weights and measures, by the board at
this session.
Bishop was a sort of character by himself. He was a carpenter by
trade, and a rival of Reuben Williams in that line. He was a large,
powerful, muscular man. Francis Bernard was a stone and brick
m;fcson. He and Bishop had a great many fights, and when Bernard
was sober, he would almost invariably whip Bishop; and Bernard's
friends charged Bishop with cowardice, because he would- never whip
Bernard except when he (Bernard) was drunk. Bishop was the auc
tioneer for a long time, and a wonderful man to talk and boast. He
was friendly to everybody — kind and hospitable — and was afterwards
elected sheriff of the county. He was a good officer, and faithful to duty.
On the 1st day of June, 1829, Reed township was organized to its
present limits.
Dr. Williams, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere herein,
insists that the township was named for Seth Read, and by him. Read
was an early settler there, and a singular, original sort of a character.
The doctor says: "The name of the township ought to be spelled as it
.was first intended — R-e-a-d".
In 'the early records of the court of common pleas, and in the plead
ings of the lawyers, the name pf Eden township was spelled E-a-t-o-n.
Pleasant township was organized with its present boundaries, June 6,
183 1 ; Loudon township was organized with its present boundaries, but
no election was ordered until upon the application of Charles W. Foster,
Who says in his petition, that there were twenty electors in Loudon, and
asks for an order to hold the first election, to have the school lands taken
care of. So ordered on the 4th of March, 1834. At the March term,
1833, the auditor of the County for the first time became ex-officio clerk
of the board of commissioners. At this session, the bond of the county
treasurer, having theretofore been fixed at $ 1 5,000, was reduced to $8,000.
Thompson was organized within its present limits, March 5, 1833.
At the December session, 1833, on the 3d day of said month, the
following other townships were organized as now known, viz: Scipio,
Adams, Clinton, Pleasant, Loudon, Big Spring. ,

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS. 175
Liberty township was organized on the 5 th day of June 1832, within
its present limits, upon the petition of John L. Fleck, and an election
ordered. Jackson township was organized within its present limits on the 4th
day of December, 1832, and an election ordered.
Thus every township in the county was organized, the election of
township officers ordered, and the government of the county completed.
In organizing Clinton township as originally surveyed, adding to it
the portion lying west of the river, which, for the sake of convenience,
and for want of *a bridge across the Sandusky river, had for a time been
attached to Hopewell, the proposition met with a strong opposition.
Nearly everybody on the west side of the river signed a remonstrance.
The spirit of opposition to Tiffin had spread from Fort Ball clear to
and all along the east line of Hopewell, and it seemed to be a sort of
luxury when an opportunity offered itself to fight Tiffin and the east
side. But the board fixed the boundary as it now is, and the feeling of
resentment gradually abated.
For want of a court house, the several county officers furnished their
own rooms and presented their accounts for the rent to the board of
commissioners for allowance. Mr. Rawson, the county recorder, was
allowed office rent for the year ending December 6, 1832, ten dollars.
The other officers — clerk, auditor, sheriff, etc., received about the same
amount. When the old frame building above described, in which the courts
were held for awhile, became too small — for it was very inconvenient
— the county commissioners made arrangements with the officers of the
M. E. church to have the courts held in their church, for which they
paid $9 to $12 a session, as rent. The grand jufy and the petit juries
were furnished rooms in the hotels.
This Methodist church was the largest public building in town. It
stood on the lot now occupied by Joseph Harter as a marble shop, with
the gable end to the street, one story high, built of brick. The supreme
court and the circuit, courts were held there up to the time when the
new court house was finished, and after the old frame building was
abandoned. For several years the question as to the propriety of building a court
house was agitated by the people and by the board of commissioners,
and finally, on the 4th day of March, 1828, the board resolved to meet
again on the 24th day of the same month, at the present place of hold
ing the court.
March 24, 1828 — At this meeting the board ordered that notice be

176 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
given for the reception of proposals^to' build a court house<and that
the commissioners will meet for that purpose on the 14th day of April
then next following.
April 14, 1828— Board met, etc., and say in their entry,- "not sold."
Nothing further was done towards building a court house until in
the session of the commissioners on the 5th day of December, 1833,
when they appointed John Baugher and Calvin Bradley a committee
to proceed to the county seats of Loraine, Portage and Richland, and
take a correct description, together with the cost, etc., of each court
house in the said counties, and report the same to the board at their
meeting, on Friday, the 27th day of December, 1833.
This was the first step towards building a court house that looked
like business.
John Seitz, M. Y. Graff and John Crum were then the commissioners. ^
• December 27, 1833 — Board -met and adjourned to January 3, 1834,
when they again met and received the reports of Baugher and Bradley.
The expense of the trip, $93.80", was allowed. Adjourned to Friday,
January 17, 1834. At this meeting it was ordered that a court housed
be built of brick, and that notice be published for proposals, etc., ,up to
February 13* 1834. v
February 13, 1834 — -Board met and adjourned to next day.
February 14, 1834 — The , board contracted with John Baugher to
build the court house for $9,500.00.
March 4, 1834 — David Campbell was paid $2.00/ printer's account
for publishing notice for proposals.
March 5, 1834 — Calviri Bradley was paid $15.00 for draft and speci
fications. Brown & Magill's printers' account of $3.25, was also paid.
Jacob Stem was appointed as agent to negotiate a loan of $6,000.00 to
pay for the court house, and a bond was issued to him for that purpose.
March 15, 1834 — Mr. Stem reported that the amount, $6,000.00, was
deposited in the Baltimore Savings Institution, Maryland. Thereupon
the board loaned this amount to Mr. Stem until the interest should
compensate him for his trouble.
June 3, 1834 — The board allowed Mr. Stem $8.55 for postage by him
expended in procuring the loan.
June 7, 1834— The board advanced to John Baugher $250.00 on his
contract to build the court house.
On the first day of August, 1834, the Commissioners caused the
following entry to be made in their journal, viz:
The commissioners— John Seitz, John Crum and Nicholas Gcetchins-,
present— paid John Baugher two thousand dollars, and took his receipt on

COURT HOUSE COMPLETED. 1 77
his bond (being the first payment towards the court house in Tiffing Also,
received Jacob Stem's note for twenty-five dollars, being the interest on Ms-
note (which was given him by his paying the two thousand dollars which
John Baugher receipted to the commissioners.) The commissioners fixed
the spot and staked out the ground for the court house, and adjourned.
March 8, 1836 — The board of commissioners made this further entry
on their journal, viz: '
Paid John Baugher seven hundred and eighty-two dollars; also, a county
order amounting to two hundred and eighteen dollars, the whole amounting
to one thousand dollars.
August 19, 1836, the further entry was made on the commissioners'
journal, viz:
Settled with John Baugher and accepted the court house, and paid him
the balance of three thousand, two hundred and seventy-nine dollars and
seventy-six cents in orders on the county treasurer, and an order on Jacob
Stem for the balance of said Stem's note of seven hundred and sixty-eight
dollars — making the sum of $4,047.76, which, with the moneys heretofore
paid, makes the sum of $9,500.00, the full payment.
They then, also, paid Uriah P. Coonrad, for notifying James Gray,
$1.50; and James Gray $1.00 for inspecting the cOurt house.
On the same day the board made an agreement with John Baugher
to furnish the court house with benches, tables, etc.; with Frederick
Kridler to furnish chairs and settees, and with Luther A. Hall to furnish
the stoves.
On the same day David E. Owen resigned his office of county
auditor, and the commissioners appointed Levi Davis to fill the
vacancy, who entered into bond, and took the oath of office.
The history of the building of the first court house in Tiffin is
recorded here for the benefit of those who may be interested in, or desire '
to know, the steps that were taken from time to time, from the begin
ning to its completion, and the names of the persons that figured in
the work. Of all the men that were engaged in the work, from the
commissioners down to the hod-carriers, there are only three still
living, viz: Mr. Adam Wilhelm, now living in Seneca township; Mr.
Peter Simonis, now living in Carey, Wyandot* county, Ohio; and Mr.
Engelman, a carpenter, living in Findlay, Ohio. The others have all
gone to their long homes. ' '
On the nth day of January, 1836, the following entry was made on
the journal of the commissioners, viz:
The board proceeded to fill a vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the
term for which Abel Rawson was appointed recorder for Seneca county,
to-wit: On the 10th day of January, 1829, by the court of common pleas, for
12

,•78 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
seven" years thence next following, which time having expired, the board
appoints the said Abel Rawson recorder, as aforesaid, and until the next
annual October election. JOHN SEITZ,
LORENZO ABBOTT, Commissioners.
The county recorder was first elected by the people in October, A.
D., 1836.
A very curious entry was made on the journal of the commissioners '
on the 6th day of December, 1838, in the following words and figures,
to-wit. Josiah Hedges' presented a petition from sundry inhabitants of Adams
and Pleasant townships, praying for a new township to be made out of the-
above named townships, to be called "Sulphur Springs." After taking said
petition into consideration, they protest the same, and petitioners go hence
from whence they came.
The first step taken for the purchase Of a farm, and the erection of
a county infirmary for §eneca county, was the entry on the journal of
the county commissioners, on the 7th day of June, 1841, upon the
petition presented by Jacob W, Miller and others, on the 3d day of
March, 1841. The petition was read at this session, and postponed for
further consideration.
While writing on the subject of this court house, it may be well to
state here, in connection with the subject, the circumstances of the
burning of the court house, and the rebuilding of the same.
The reader must not look for any chronological arrangement in this
work, as there is no effort made towards order in time in the relation
of subjects. This is not intended as a reference book. Its object is to
preserve descriptions of early times and scenes; the memories of men
and women who first built homes in this forest, then called Seneca
county; recollections of their manner of living; their trials and hard
ships; their pleasures and their griefs; their virtues and their vices; to
please, and, if possible, to instruct. The data were so carefully
collected that they may be r.elied "upon with confidence.
The spring term of the court of common pleas was appointed to
commence its session on the morning of Tuesday, the 24th day of
May, 1841. The sheriff, on the Saturday previous, the 22d, cleaned
out the court room, and, dusting off the seats, left the windows open to
let the dust escape. They were found in that condition when the
people came together after the alarm of fire. The window in the little
room of the northeast corner, up stairs, however, was shut. The men
who bursted in the door to this room were repulsed by the fire and

BURNING OF THE. COURT HOUSE. 1 79
smoke, and could save nothing of its contents. The Tiffin Gazette,
of May 29, 1841, says in its editorial on that subject:
Our village, which has hitherto been exempt from calamity by fire, has at
last been robbed of its most splendid ornament by this destructive agent.
Our late beautiful court house is now a heap of ruins. It was discovered
to be on Are between two and three o'clock, Sunday morning last, by which
time the flames had made such progress that it was impossible to arrest them
by any means the citizens had at command. The result was the total
destruction of the building. Total, we say, for, although a large portion of
the walls are yet standing, it will not, we think, be found expedient to allow
them to remain as part of the new edifice. The court house contained "the
offices of the recorder, treasurer, auditor, sheriff, clerk of court, apd grand
jury room, which was occupied by Messrs. Cowdery and Wilson.
The recorder's office was then in the southwest corner, and the
records were easily secured, being the farthest away from the fire.
The greater part of, and all the important records in, the cleark's office,
were saved. Very little injury was done to the books in the auditor's
office. The sheriff, also, saved most of his important papers; but all
the papers in the treasurer's office were destroyed. -A strong current
of wind carried the flames in that direction, and drove the people
away. Richard Williams had his law office in the treasurer's room,
and lost his entire library.
Cowdery and Wilson got out of their office everything of value, as
they thought; but when the back stair-case and wooden partition wall
attached thereto, took fire and threw a brilliant light into their room,
which was also on the ground floor, Mr. Cowdery came to the writer,
while I was helping to save the records in the clerk's office, and said:
"William, there is a case of pigeon holes containing valuable papers in
our office, yet. I wish you would jump in and save them for us; you
are single, and if you get killed, there is neither wife nor child to cry
after you." I thought the proposition a very reasonable one, and
jumped through the window and saved the papers. The pigeon hole
case was just commencing to blaze.
The court house was considered fire-proof. Oak logs, hewed one
foot square, were laid close together over the whole lower story. These
were covered with sand eighteen inches deep. The idea was this:
That if the upper story should ever burn, the sand on these logs would
arrest the further progress of the fire, and save the records and papers
below. It seemed, however, that when the back stairway caught fire, it com
municated with the logs very rapidly. A slight current of wind carried
the flames all along the ceiling of the offices; and the office of Cowdery

180 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
and Wilson, being close to the stair case, had the logs burnt nearly
through at this time, and the sand had commenced pouring down. One
jump brought me into the south window of the office, when three logs,
with about twenty loads of sand on top, fell down into the office.
Another jump out, landed me on my hands and feet on the ground, with
the cheers of the crowd on that side; but before I could get up, the
whole cornice on the south side fell and nearly covered me; but, as ,
good fortune would have it, a piece of the cornice that fell close by,
end-ways, operated as a prop to the balance, and I was pulled from
under the rubbish without injury.
After the first alarm of fire, a few bucketfuls of water would have
been sufficient to put it out. It was then just breaking through the
cornice and roof, at the northeast corner of the house. There was no
way to reach the fire. There was no fire-engine, no hooks, no ladders,
no fire company. The people were as helpless as children, and doomed
to stand by and see their new.and beautiful court house burn down.
They did all they' could do. They saved the records, some of the
furniture, and the neighboring buildings.
There was a great difference of opinion as to the cause of the fire.
Some laid it to incendiarism; others laid it to Mr. John Elder, who was
deputy clerk, for leaving his candle burning in his room in the upper
story, immediately below where the fire first broke through. John was
seen, late in the evening, coming down stairs, dressed up, and some
time after the roof was all ablaze, came back, being dressed for Sunday.
He had a bed, his clothing, books, and some furniturein the room, and
slept there. Be this as it may, Sunday morning, May 23, found the
court house in ashes within its walls. The gable ends had fallen in,
and all the chimneys but one.
On the Monday following, Mr. David Bishop, a most daring, reckless
man, in some way got up on to the north wall and walked eastward
towards the only chimney yet standing, and just as he stretched out
his hand to touch it, it fell outside to the ground. How Mr. Bishop
avoided falling after it, is simply a miracle.
The commissioners, at their June session thereafter, paid Mr. Joseph
Walker, as trustee of the Methodist Protestant church, $25 for the use
of their church in holding the May term of the court for that year.
On the 10th day of June, 1841, the county commissioners ordered
as follows:
That the auditor be required to give public notice by advertisement in the
Van Burenite and Tiffin Gazette, of Tiffin; the Ohio Statesman and Ohio
State Journal, of Columbus; the Norwalk Experiment, of Norwalk; the

REBUILDING THE COURT HOUSE. l8l
Sandusky Democrat, of Lower Sandusky; and the Findlay Courier, of
Fmdlay, until the 22d day of July next, for rebuilding and completing the
court house without delay.
On the 23d day of July, 1841, the board contracted with John
Baugher to build a new house, using the walls of the old house, which
were considered' all-sufficient, and have ever' since so proved to be —
i. <?., the carpenter and joiner work and painting, for $3,080. Jacob
Emich contracted for the brick work, furnishing all necessary material,
for $800. Allison Phillips contracted for the plastering work, with the
material, for $450.
At the January session, 1843, of the board of commissioners, the
. new court house was accepted and occupied.
In 1866, an addition was made on' the east end of the court house,
with a vault and safe for the treasurer, and vaults made to preserve the
records and papers in the other offices. The addition constitutes the
office of the recorder and treasurer, with grand and petit jury rooms
above, On the 9th day of June, 1843, the county comrnissioners contracted
with Ephraim Riker to build the jail and sheriff's residence, on Mad
ison street, for $3,487.
In 1877, the new jail on Market street was built.

CHAPTER XII.

THE WOOD,CHOPPER-HOW TO BUILD A CABIN— THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THE SETTLERS — THEIR BENEVOLENCE AND HOSPITALITY — PIONEER
GIRLS — RUSTIC FURNITURE— THE HOMINY BLOCK — THE HANDMILL—
GOING TO MEETING— INDIAN VISITORS— NATURAL FANNING MILL-"THE
LIFE IN THE WOODS FOR ME"— HOME-MADE CLOTH— YOUNG AMERICA.

"Some love to roam
O'er the white sea foam,
Where the wild winds whistle free;
But a chosen band
In a forest J and
And a life in the- woods for me."

THE ENEMIES of the country, red and white, had been subdued
and driven away by victories and treaties, and the frontier made
¦safe and protected against their atrocities.. Now the forest was to be
^conquered ; diseases incident to frontier life to be met and endured ;
swamps to be drained ; roads to be opened and bridges to be built ;
lands to be cleared and fenced; life to be sustained for several years
Without any income — without having anything to sell; and, first of all,
a cabin to be built — a home to be secured.
Money was very scarce. Every dollar the immigrants had was
invested in land, as a general thing. Among those who afterwards were
-considered the most wealthy were men who cleared lands for others at
fifty cents per day, boarding themselves, or for eight to ten dollars per
acre, to raise money for indispensable necessaries of life, or to pay
taxes. Many pioneers were compelled to work on the canals, to get a
little money, leaving their families alone in the woods for months at a
'time. (See chapter on "Canal System.")
The "oak openings" in Thompson township, undulating and "fair tp
look upon," covered with beautiful wild flowers from early spring to
late in the fall, attracted the attention of men from Pennsylvania, and
of some from JSfew York, who were seeking for places to build homes
.in the west.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SETTLERS. 1 83
The settlers along Silver creek, Honey creek, Rocky creek and the
river were from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Ken
tucky, and from southern Ohio; The German, Irish and French
immigrants,^, vast majority of whom located west of the river, began
the life in the woods here about the year 1829, and continued their
coming until about 1850. .The larger part of them came hither between
1830 and 1840. The settlers east of the river were principally native
Americans, and familiar with the customs, habits, manner of living,
laws and language of the people — could buy and sell without an inter
preter, and transact all kinds of business in their own American way.
Not so with the emigrant from a foreign land. Everything was new
and strange to him ; the language of the people, their laws, manner of
living, even the tools they worked with — all, all was new and strange.
There never was a people in the world that could beat the Americans
in the use of the axe, and as a wood chopper the American frontiers
man never had his equal.
Perhaps it did look awkward to see a man raise his axe over his head
to chop down a tree, hacking into it all around in some fashion to get
it down. But this was no laughing matter; the thing had to be learned
by experience. The foreigner had no wood to chop in the land of his
birth. A crooked axe-handle, and such an axe, were not in use in his
country at that time. An American coming upon a German chopping
in the woods, would often stop and show him how to swing, and not
raise the axe perpendicularly, etc. The teacher was kind enough in
his gratuitous lesson, and while his talk was all " lost upon the desert
air," the foreigner saw the utility in the swing, and soon became an apt
scholar. The manner in which the tall timbers along Wolf creek
came down to let the sun shine in upon the ground, was one of the
very many testimonials that proved how rapidly the man from western
Europe became Americanized, and especially the German.
There was another distinguishing feature between the American
' and foreign frontiersman. The American, familiar with his language
and the habits of his people and having a knowledge of what he
was to meet in the west, accustomed to the use of tools, etc., had no
ocean to cross to come here. He found his neighbors ft> be his own
countrymen. He could pack his household goods, with his family, into
a wagon, drive his cattle before him, and when the spot was selected
where he would build his home it did not take him very long to make
himself and his loved ones comfortable — at least comparatively so.
The settler from a foreign land was compelled to reduce his household
goods to the smallest possible quantity, on account of the vast distance

184 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
he had to travel, from his native hills and valleys to find a place to
locate, in the the, woods of Seneca county.
And hither he came without a domestic animal, without any knowl
edge of the country. or the people here, without any preparation to
meet the task that his new life demanded of him, often without tools
and generally without the knowledge how to use them. Those of you,
American neighbors, who were at home here, and had means to help
yourselves with, may perhaps imagine, but you never could realize, the
heart- aches and hardships this difference created, and what the man who
had paid his last dollar for the piece of land upon which he now came,
with his wife arid several small children, to build a cabin— destitute of
almost everything except his iron will and industry; — had to undergo.
When he met his American neighbor he could not tell him what he
wanted. Under such circumstances, it was indeed very hard- to fight
{hei battle of life in the forest.
But in these trying times there was one great virtue almost universal
among all classes of people, withput distinction as to nativity, race or
religious affiliations — a virtue that towered above, their mighty oaks,
brighter than a beacon light, as warming in its effects as the rays of a
summer sun, cheering as a mother's smile, and soothing, like a calm
from the gardens above. It was that generous, broad, innate, heaven-
born hospitality that characterized the settler in the woods. As misery
loves company, the man who had himself realized the same scene, was
quick to furnish the necessary relief. It was not considered a hardship
at all, when several of the neighbors came with their axes, a yoke of
oxen and a log chain, cross-cut saw, froe, maul, etc., and often in one
day put up a.log cabin and covered it with clap boards before night.
Another day or two, and the owner had put up a fire-place at one end
and a door in the side. If, the new comer could re-pay by working
back, all right ; if not, it was all the same. And so with everything
else. A favor was not asked in vain ; for it was granted, if possible, as
a matter of course. The latch-string was always out, night and day.
There were neither castes nor classes in society then. Some, it is
very true, were in much better circumstances than others, even then ;
but their work, their deprivations, their hardships_, their sufferings and
mutual dependence upon each other in the hours of distress and need,
together with their social gatherings, brought all down to a common
level, or elevated all to a higher plane of neighborly love — as you
please to have it — thus forming a society that the outside world, away
from the frontier, never knew. There was no night so dark or stormy,
no swale so deep, no distance so great, but that a call in case of sick-

. KINDNESS OF SETTLERS. 185
ness, distress or death, would be promptly responded to. To feed the
hungry, to furnish relief in cases of distress and need, and to help
each other was the -mission of the society. It was only necessary to
have one's wants made, known; help came of itself. And even in after
years, if, by reason of sickness, accident or mishap of any kind, a
neighbor could not take care of his harvest or make his hay, neighbors
volunteered their services and did the work, without asking or expect
ing pay.
Viewing pioneer life from this standpoint, is it to be wondered at that
neighbors would thus share and sympathize with each other ? All this
mutual help came spontaneously, without reward or expectation- there
of. Woman then, more than ever, proved to be that sweet angel of
charity at the bed-side of the sick and dying, ministering to the suffer
ing, and smoothing the pillow of the departing.
In a case of distress it was no uncommon occurrence for a man and
his wife to get out of a warm bed in the dark hours of a cold, winter's
night, light a torch made of the bark of shell hickory, and leaving their
children alone in the cabin, wind their way through the forest, through
snow and water for miles, to tender their kind offices to a suffering
neighbor. How well the beautiful words of the poet apply to this noble pioneer
neighborhood : —
"No precious gem that crested fortune wears,
Nor priceless pearl that hangs from beauty's ears,
Shine with such lustre as the tear that breaks
For others' woes down virtue's manly cheeks."
To go three, four or five miles and help a man raise a cabin, was in
the order of things. The work had to be done, and the man could not
do it alone. That was enough; and there was no dodge or disposition
to get away from it, or make an apology. To help, was as imperative
as the laws of the Medes and Persians. If a man was notified to help
at a "raising," and did not put in an appearance, it was regarded as a
failure to perform a binding obligation, and a repetition of the same
had a tendency to injure the man's character in the esteem of his neigh
bors. To avoid this, a man would often neglect his own affairs and go,
rather than be talked about and blamed for dodging a duty. Nothing
would excuse him but sickness or accident.
If boulders or other stones could be found handy, they were rolled
together and put on top of each other, to form the back and sides of a
fire-place. A clay bank would answer as a substitute. The sides and
back of a fire-place thus made secure, the next thing was to top out

t86 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY-.
and up, a chimney. This was, done with sticks split out of an oak log,
laid over each other in a square form on the top of the back and sides
of the fire-place until a heighth of one or two feet above the comb of
the roof was reached, and then it was well plastered on both sides with
soft clay. If flag stones could be found for a hearth, rvery good; if
mot, a clay hearth answered nearly as well, and the latter was the most
fashionable hearth in all that part of the country where stones were
scarce. In building a cabin, an accomplished "corner man" could carry up
a corner in less than one-half the time it would take an ordinary chop
per. .To make the notches fit the saddles neatly, required both skill
and practice; and by looking at the corners of a cabin it was very easy
to tell whether the corner man understood his business»or not. The
porch, or "stoop," as the Yankees used to call it, was made at the side
"of the cabin where the road was expected to be made thereafter.
On the first or second logs above the door the end logs on that side
were allowed to run as far out and over the side, as the porch was7 to
be wide. Upon the ends of these projecting logs a straight log was laid
length-wise, and formed the plate of the roof. As the gable end logs
were now cut shorter to form the roof, poles were laid on these length'.
wise also, and in line with the plate. ' These were called "ribs," and
answered the purpose of rafters. The clap-boards were laid on these.
A clap-board was from six to eight inches wide; split out of a white oak
block about four feet long, from one-half to one inch in thickness,
and was laid on these ribs without being shaved. These clap-boards
were now laid down, projecting over the plate about- six inches. At
each end of the plate a wooden pin held up a long straight pole, which
was laid on the top of the clap-boards to hold them down. Then
'another layer of clap-boards was put down, and another long, straight
"pole placed on these, and so on. To prevent these poles from slipping
down, sticks, called "knees," were put from the lower pole to the next
_ one, end-wise. These long poles were very appropriately called "weight
poles," for they held the clap-boards down and kept them straight.
Thus the roof was made.
Now the logs were cut off in the side of the cabin where the doors
were wanted, down to the lower log. The doors in the sides were gen
erally put opposite each other, for several reasons, viz: for ventilation,
to get out at the back way, and very often to let the horse or the
ox, that had just hauled in a back-log, walk out at* the other door,
without being put to the necessity of turning around.
For want of a sawed plank, a straight piece of puncheon was used to

BUILDING A LOG HOUSE. 1 87
hold up the ends of the logs thus sawed off for the door, and was pinned
against these ends very firmly, forming at the same time the door jamb.
A sheet or an old quilt was made to answer for a door until some boards
could be procured for that purpose. These were hard to find. Saw
mills were scarce, and often far a way; but when the necessary boards
were procured, they were pinned to two cross pieces split out of a
straight block, the larger end of which projected about six inches, and
having an inch hole through it. This cross piece was called a batten,
and while it served that purpose it was also a hinge. The inch hole in
the projecting end of the batten fitted over a wooden pin put into the
door jamb, standing upright, and supplied the hook. Next, a wooden
latch and catch was fixed to the other edge of the door, with the string
by which the latch was raised running through a small hole and
hanging down outside, and the door was done. There was no glass to
be had for the window, and for the want of it a piece of paper pasted
over the hole let light enough through to see by, especially when the
paper was greased.
It required considerable mechanical skill to make a good puncheon
floor. The puncheons were split out of straight1 oak logs and hewed
with a broad-axe on one side, then spotted on the other to fit level on
the sleeper's below. All this required a knowledge of the use of the
broad-axe, and some help. For want of either of these, a clay floor
was made by filling up the bottom, as high as the lower log, witli_clay;
and to make a good one- the clay was mixed with water and an ox or a
horse led through it for hours at a time, to tramp the clay into a paste,
and. when thus prepared it was pounded with a piece of plank and lev
eled up to suit. The clay floor was thus even with the lower log, 'and
the door swung nicely over it, and close to it. This kind of floor kept
the wind from blowing under the cabin, added to its warmth, and was
easily repaired. For want of boards or slabs the loft was useless until
these could be procured; then a ladder, placed in a corner of the cabin,
generally near the fire-place, led "up stairs." The, spaces between the
•logs were filled up with short blocks, called "chinking," which were
wedged together in such a manner as to prevent their falling out. The
chinking was then covered with a coating of wet clay, inside and out.
Now the cabin was completed, and formed a human habitation as
good and as comfortable as surrounding circumstances would admit of.
/-There was not a nail in the whole structure. Two wooden hooks
pinned against one of the joists held the familiar rifle in its place, ready
for use at a moment's warning, and always in reach, for the ceiling of
the jcabin was never very high.

188 \ HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The furniture of the cabin was of the same rustic character. There
were no large warehouses of ready made cabinet-ware in those days.
Pieces of puncheon furnished with legs made good stools, and supplied
the want of chairs. A similar piece, only larger and with longer legs,
made a very good, substantial table. Bedsteads were often made with
but one post. "How can that be done ?" you ask. A two inch augur
hole was bored into a log as high as the bedstead was to be from the
floor, and as far from the corner as the width of the bed; then a simi
lar hole was bored in another log as far from the same corner as the
length of the bed. Poles were then driven into these holes, and at the
point where these crossed each other they were cut off, and the ends
driven into two holes, which were bored in a post at the same heighth
from the floor as the holes in the logs. The bottom of the bed was made
of basswood bark twisted and run oyer the poles and logs, the straps
crossing each other at right angles. This was not a patent spring bot
tom, but answered the same purpose. . Small pins driven into the joists:
held up -the bed curtain which had been brought from home. Thus
the -cabin, with its large fire-place and crackling fire, began to assume
an air of rural comfort and coziness that could only be realized in the
cabin age.
The table furniture was generally of tin or pewter. Queens-ware or
china-ware were not only expensive, but heavy and unsafe to take.
along on the journey. The cooking utensils were equally as simple
and practicable. A tea kettle, Dutch oven, coffee pot and skillet;
sometimes, a reflector to bake in, constituted the.most essential articles.
The handle of the skillet had to be very long to enable the cook to use
it without getting too close to the fire. Very often, the end of the
handle was held up by a string suspended from a log in the ceiling,
which was very convenient. Pins driven into the logs, with boards
laid on top, formed convenient shelves, and everything was made as'
handy and convenient as could be.
The trees near the cabin were now brought down and burnt up, to
start a clearing and open a patch for corn and vegetables'. The patch
was enclosed with a rail or brush fence, and those-who knew the useof
roasting ears, lived in clover when they were fit for use. A very excel
lent cake was made from corn that was a little too hard for roasting
ears, in about this manner: A piece of tin, perforated from one side,
made a grater. The corn in the ear was rubbed over that, and a soft,
meal secured, which, mixed with an egg and, a little salt„made a very
good cake. It was baked in a skillet, generally, but often orl the back
of a shovel, washed clean, and set up before the fire at an angle of

BUILDING — INDIAN HABITS — MILLS. 1 89
about 45 degrees. "Johnny-cake" was baked that way, and made a
very good substitute for bread. A piece of fat venison or bear's meat,
with corn cake and a glass of milk, made a feast "fit for a king to eat."
No conquests celebrated by royalty, no festive night, with royal
pomp and circumstance, furnished a meal so free from heart-ache and
wrong, so full of true happiness and real enjoyment, as that of the
pioneer frontiersman.
' Afterwards, when people could afford the expense, they built houses
of logs hewed on two sides — often one and one-half— sometimes two
stories high. When, whitewashed on the outside, they looked very
cleanly and comfortable.
It was no uncommon occurrence with people who lived near the
trails of Indians, to have a number of these red men "come into the
cabin and lay around the- fire all night. They would come in at most
any hour of the night, without making any noise, and in the morning,
when the inmates of the house awoke, they found the Indians sound
asleep on the floor, with their feet towards the fire. The cabin door
was scarcely ever locked, and the Indians never learned the custom of
knocking at a door to be allowed admittance. Parents would often
leave their cabin of evenings in the care of their children, to sit up
with a sick neighbor some miles away, when Indians would come in for
a night's lodging, stay all night, and go away without molesting or
disturbing anything.
. Flouring mills were scarce, and often far off. Gradually, some of
•these useful structures sprung into existence along the river and on
Honey creek; but even then, when a man had no team, he continued
to experience the trouble of reducing his corn into meal as theretofore.
The corn did not get as hard then as it does now. The corn patches
were in the woods, in spots here and there around the scattered cabins,
and the air was filled with moisture, which kept the corn wet and soft.
To prepare it for the hominy block, or the mill, it had to be dried
before the fire, for it would not shell without this preparation.
The hominy block was a piece of a log about two feet long, set up
on end, with a hole burnt into the upper end, forming a mortar. The
end of a hand-spike was split to receive the sharp end of an iron
.wedge, which was held to the handle by an iron ring driven down
tightly upon it. The head of the wedge crushed the corn in the
hominy block, and thus they had a mortar and pestel. The corn often
required a great deal- of pounding before it would become fine enough
for meal. The meal was then sifted, and the finer portion used for

190 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
cakes, while the coarser part was the hominy. Fanning the hominy a
little while in a tin pan, drove all the shells out of it.
A very good hominy was also made without pounding it, by soaking
the corn a day or two in strong lye made of wood ashes. This loosened
the shell, and softened the hard part of the grain. The lye being-
poured off and the corn soaked again in fresh water for awhile, would
swell very large, and lose the taste of the lye, and when boiled .soft
made very good hominy.
Some of the settlers who had ingenuity enough, and could find flag
stones that answered the purpose, constructed instruments they called.
"hand mills." Let me describe one of these, for they answered ' not
only the purpose of the family that owned one, but also that of the
neighbors roundabout, who brought their corn already shelled to grind
it. When two or three of the neighbors met at the hand mill the same
evening, one had to wait until the other was done, and it often took
steady work until away beyond midnight, to grind corn enough for
bread to last during the next day:
It was a very simple affair. Two stones, about twenty inches in
diameter, dressed round, formed the real mill. The mill was erected
near the chimney corner. The lower stone was made stationary on a
block; the upper stone, called the runner, was turned by hand in this
wise: A pole was firmly fixed into a square hole on the top, near the
edge. The upper end of the pole entered a hole in a board, .or a log,
over head, loosely. A broad hoop, made of a clap-board shaved thin,
was fixed around the stones to keep them to their places and keep in
the corn. One person would then turn the stone, while the other fed
the mill through a hole in the side called "the eye." It was hard and
slow work, and the men took "turn about." While this work would
take two men two hours to grind meal enough for the family for the
next day, yet it was an improvement on the hominy block, after all.
The old saying that "necessity is the mother of invention," never
was applied any where with greater force than in the life of the pioneer.
As soon as ground enough Was cleared, and wheat could be raised, no
time was lost to try it. It was very difficult to stir up loose ground
enough between the roots and stumps to receive the seed. Wheat
drills would have been of no value then. But small crops were raised
in the start. The threshing was done with flails or thin poles, some
times on the ground, cleared up for that purpose. Now, to get the
chaff away from the wheat was another difficulty. When' the wind
would blow, a sheet was spread on the ground, and a handful of wheat,
held high up over the sheet, was allowed to run through the hand,

INCONVENIENCES OF PIONEER LIFE. 191
while the wind blew the Chaff to one side — a natural fanning mill.
They had another way to clean wheat when the wind did not blow.
Two men took hold of the four corners of a sheet, and wafted it, with a
strong sweep, towards another man, thus creating a current of air in his
direction, which separated the chaff from the wheat as it fell from his
hands on to a second sheet provided to catch .the clean grain. This
Was cleaning wheat in a calm.
A description of the difficulties in getting grinding done at the mills,
is given in a former chapter, and it is only necessary to add here, that
that inconvenience was a very general one.
Excepting cases of sickness, the hardest part of pioneer life was the
commencement of it, and more so, especially, with those that came
here without a good preparation for the task such scenes would neces
sarily require. If a, man had money enough to go into the older
settlements and buy" for himself a yoke of oxen, he was considered a.
"made man." Those that had no team at all, were doomed to depend
upon 'those that had, to get their logging done, their milling, their
plowing, and other team work. This was attended with great delay,
frequent disappointments, and many other inconveniences, as may well
be supposed, and necessarily made progress exceedingly slow. Horses
were also a rarity. Oxen did nearly all the work a team had to do,
and were, in fact, better adapted for such use then than horses. People
that had oxen and a wagon attended church in style; others had to
walk. For want of churches, religious services took place at the cabin of
some settler, and it made very little difference what christian denom
ination fhe preacher belonged to, for the people would attend service
any way. The same mutuality of feeling was well sustained when,
afterwards, funds were raised to build churches. People would subscribe
add pay liberally with labor, material and money to the erection of
churches they did not belong to or affiliate with. It was expected of
every man that he should patronize religion, and not stand aloof when
a call was made upon him for such a purpose. A family was naturally
supposed to belong to some church. Atheists, infidels, materialists and
deists were not known, or did not care to be so designated. This-,
religious,feeling, so general, allied with the broad benevolence so usual
and common among the pioneers, had a wonderful effect upon society
at large, and directly or indirectly compelled men to be sober, honor
able, honest, industrious and fuugal, in order to be entitled to attention
or regpect from anybody. It is to be regretted that that element in.
frontier society did not live to reach this age and generation.

192 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
It should not be forgotten that there were no bridges across the
streams in those days, and people found their way out to some open
road, or to a neighbor, by following blazed trees; that it was, then
necessary to wade through swamps, climb over, or walk along on logs.
Men did not wear polished boots, and with such as they had, could
well make their way to meeting on Sunday. But ladies -without horses
.to ride, and no team of any kind, had to get to church as best they
could — for go, they would. And it was also regarded as perfectly in
order to see girls carry their shoes and stockings in their hands* wade
through the water, and after walking several miles through the woods;,:
when near the meeting house, sit down in a fence corner, or behind a
big tree, and put on their shoes and stockings.
After the meeting was over, they took them off again, and walked
home barefooted, in the way they came. Sometimes a beau was polite
enough to carry the shoes and stockings to the house, and thus embrace
the opportunity to see "the old man."
The girls were as pretty, i'n their log cabins, as ours are now iri their
drawing-rooms, and equally as virtuous, and possessed of as much true
womanhood as now, to say the least. The trails of their dresses were
not as long as they are worn now, and perhaps the texture was not so
fine, but they looked the very picture of health and- beauty in their"
linsey-woolsey, and other home-made flannels; and if you married one
of these girls, you had a wife in the fullest sense of the (term, and a
companion for life that would stand by you, come what would. It was
not necessary, then, to hire a German or Irish chamber-maid to fan
your frontier bride while she, seated in a rocking-chair, played her
guitar, or hold up her trail as she stepped into her carriage. And
there was no need of a French cook, chamber-maid, and a laundry-
girl — making three — to wait upon the bride. These hangers-on were
all dispensed with. The kitchen, the parlor, the wash-room and the
drawing-room were all in the same room, and the fire in the big fire
place warmed them all.
Courtships among young people had their inconveniences, very true,
but daughters were scarcely ever out of their mothers' sight, and' at
their social gatherings old and young commingled together.
While pioneer life had its rough sides; and ifs deprivations^ it must
not be supposed, for a moment, that it was a dark and gloomy life,
and destitute of joys and pleasures. There is a certain peculiar pleasure
attached to it that is almost indescribable. Chopping in the woods,
burning brush and log heaps, wife and children joining in the work;
the quiet ,apd solitude of the forest; fishing and hunting; the relief

"THE LIFE IN THE WOODS FOR ME!" 193
from the restraints and conventionalities of refined society; the hope
for future prosperity; of nearer neighbors; of better roads and markets;
of bridges, stock-growing, fields enlarging, sons and daughters growing
into usefulness — these and a thousand and one other incidents made
"the life in the woods" wonderfully fascinating, and created around it
a halo of most peculiar 'happiness and loveliness. Any survivor of
that- generation of men, will now exclaim, when recurring to those
days: "The life in the woods for me!"
There was no terror in the howling of the wintry blast when the little
clearing had grown large enough to prevent the trees from falling on
the cabin. The family, snugly tucked aWay in their 'warm beds, in
the little cabin, lit up from the big fire-place, were not annoyed by the
howling, whistling and whining of the Winds in the tree-tops, nor by
the crashing of breaking limbs* and the thundering of a big, falling
tree. It is very true, that some of us who had to sleep aloft, often
found our shoes, stockings, and, in fact, all our clothes, even our bed
clothes, covered by a bed of snow, when we waked up ki the morning;
for these clap-board roofs would let the snow into the cabin with
wonderful facility, especially when the wind blew with it. But it was
the work of a moment to shake the snow from our clothes, and get
down the ladder to the fire-place, where they soon dried.
These fire places were generally very spacious, occupying nearly the
whole end of the cabin,- leaving just room enough for a ladder to go
aloft on One side, and for a cupboard on the other. The back-log,
about six feet long, and two or three feet in diameter, if green, lasted'
longer than a dry stick, of course, but it always disorganized the house
to put a back-log to its place. It was handled and rolled over with
hand-spikes, and when in its place, it was an easy matter to build a
good fire in front of it, thus throwing the heat forward into the room.
For want of help _ to get the back-log to its place, it often became
necessary to hitch a horse or an ox to it, and thus "snake" it into the
house lengthwise. The log-chain was then unhitched, and the "critter"
led out of the bpposite door.
The wolves passed away gradually, and no longer did their wretched
howling, long drawn out, make the nights hideous about the lonely
cabin. Sheep could now be raised With greater safety, and wool and
mutton were both highly valued. Then came into use the large spin
ning wheel, with its "boy," and peculiar hum. Woolen socks became
a luxury. Men and women wore homespun clothing. Weaving looms
became plenty, and those who had no loom could get their cloth woven
by a neighbor, very cheap. The hemp and flax were spun on small
13

194 • HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ,
wheels. Linen warp and woolen filling made linsey-woolsey. This
made dresses for women- and children, and wampuses for the men to
work in. People now dressed more comfortably. An overcoat of
home-made cloth, with a dbuble cape, was very becoming to the back
woodsman in his wolf-skin cap. Many of the long winter evenings
were spent in spinning wool and flax, some using the reel, some" the.
swift, while the men made hickory brooms or axe-handles. Every one
was employed until bed-time. The little cabin looked like a bee-hive
on a large scale.
These pages are not intended as a criticism on anybody, or anything.
Their object is merely to preserve, from oblivion, scenes and incidents
. that accompanied the time and the circumstances in and under which
this beatiful patch of country, we love to call "Old Seneca," com
menced to be opened to civilization, and the memory of that noble,
heroic class of men and women who devoted their lives to the task,
and who are fast passing away.
It is questionable, however, whether the present generation is pos
sessed of the gratitude, love and veneration properly due. to its pioneer
friends, for what they did and endured to make Seneca county what it
is. Perhaps there is not as much of that filial love, affection, veneration
and esteem due from the child to the parent, shed abroad throughout
society as there should be. Boys talk of the .time when they shall bei
twenty-one years old and then, be their own masters — independent,
free to do for themselves, under obligation to nobody. They call the
father "the old man," the mother "the old woman."
It sounds so cold and so hard, so distant and so void of lbve, and
seems to ignore everything the honored parents did to make "Young
America" to be a man. There is no duty that love enjoins upon the
hurnan heart, more sacred, next to the love of God, than the filial love
and affection a child owes its parents.
If this is a world of cause and- effect, it can scarcely be presumed
that a violation of this law is not followed by the penalty.
A good "story is told of a man who had an old father living with him
whd was nervous, and trembling with age. His wife was a very cleanly
and tidy woman. The old father often spilled his food on the table
cloth, and they made him sit at a small table in a corner, by himself.
Even there he occasionally broke a dish, being unable to control his
nerves. One day the son took a*n axe and chopped at a block, making a little
trough. His little boy, by his side, asked him whafr he was making,
and the man told the child that he was "making a trough for grand-pap

"YOUNG AMERICA." 195
to eat out of." This answer put the little fellow into' a deep study, and
after awhile he looked up and said to his father: "Pa, when you be an
old man, I will make a trough for you, won't I?" The man dropped
' His axe, took the little fellow by the hand, and walked into the house.
When I see Young America driving his fine horses, hitched to a
splendid buggy, with silvef-plated harness, nice whip with a blue ribbon
tied half-way up, holding the lines in his kid-gloved hands, going ''two-
forty on the plank" over roads that his old father made through a dense
forest, chopping down the trees, cutting them into logs, and hauling
them away with a yoke of oxen, to enable him to drive between, the
stumps; then wait a long time before the stumps decayed, so that a furrow
could be drawn to grade the road and let the water run away, — I would
like to tell the young man to sometimes think of these things. When
I see "Young America" standing at the corners of streets, with boots
nicely polished, fine broadcloth suit, fine silk hat sitting on one ear,
walking-cane of the latest style, with a cigar stuck in his face at an
angle of forty-five degrees, — though all this may be very nice — I would
most kindly whisper into the ear of my young friend to remember, also,
his honored father, who, in his honest home-spun, with his pants in his
boots, worked- hard all his life, struggling against poverty and want,
and all other hardships that belonged to pioneerlife.
The reading of the history of one's country should tend to create
patriotic pride. Why should it not also stimulate a renewed and a
higher veneration for the fathers and mothers that made the history?'
Pioneer tales and reminiscences may have a charm in them for some,
but others do not care to read them — regard them as they would a fish
story, and remain undecided whether they shall believe them at all, or
not. Well! It is for only the better part of human nature that this book is
written, any way.
So mote it be.

CHAPTER XIII.
GOVERNOR EDWARD TIFFIN— A BIOGRAPHY.

IT IS SAID that Governor Tiffin, of Chillicothe, was a particular
friend of Mr/ Josiah Hedges, at the time the latter laid out and
platted Tiffin, and for that reason named his town after his friend.
There are so many incidents and historic events interwoven with the
life and public services of Governor Tiffin, and there is so much beauty
in his private life and character, that to withhold them from the reader
seemed wrong to the writer, especially after so much research and unex
pected success in securing the material. Some may be glad to preserve
a memoir of the distinguished and illustrious pioneer after whom the
capital of our county is nairied. v
The peculiar traits of character of Doctor Tiffin, as a leading man in
his day, associated, as he was in his 'public life, with men of strong
minds and remarkable ability, tended largely in starting our noble state
on her proud career. The old "Buckeye state" was especially favored.
in being led into the constellation of this union of states by the hands
of such distinguished patriots and statesmen as met in the territorial
legislature in Cincinnati, and in the first constitutional convention, in
Chillicothe, from 1798 to 1805', -and after. They stamped their own
individuality upon their time, directed the first, infantile steps and
determined the destiny, of the young and growing state.
There are three daughters of Governor Tiffin still living — two in
Chillicothe and one in Cincinnati, as the following documents will
show. The letters annexed prove the kindness that the family of Tiffin
seem to have inherited from their honored father, and their readiness
to assist in the work of giving to the readers of these pages a faithful
memoir of the person and character of Governor Tiffin.
Upon the suggestion of Mrs. L. R. Dresbach, of Tiffin, and being
informed that a Doctor Cpmegys, living iri* Cincinnati, was a distant
relative ,of the Governor, the writer addressed a letter to him. Upon
this, answers were received, and the material furnished from which
the sketch of Governor Tiffin is written:

F'.E.Jone^'i.C.nr-

/ c/c > a* W / fjy/?iS

BIOGRAPHY OF GOVERNOR TIFFIN. 197
Cincinnati, January 21, 1880.
My Dear Sir :•—
Yours of the 17th inst. received. I enclose a memoir of Governor Tiffin
written in 1869. The preface explains it. I had intended writing a fuller
account of his distinguished career, but seem never to find the time.
. The Governor was a man of medium stature, dark chestnut hair, deep
blue eyes, a pure type of English features and rather florid complexion, very
active in movements and quick in his mental actions.
I shall be glad to answer any further questions. I am pleased to see your
effort to do justice to the noble pioneer race. Very Respectfully,
W. Lang, Esq. C. G. COMEGYS.

Cincinnati, January 24, 1880.
Dear Sib:— (
Yours of the 22d inst. is received. Gov. Tiffin had no children by his first
wife ; by the second five— one son and four daughters. Three of the latter
are living, viz: Mrs. M. Scott Cook, (Mr. Cook is the uncle of Mrs. President
Hayes), Miss Diathea Madison Tiffin, both residing in' Chillicothe, and Mrs.
Comegys, wife of Dr. Comegys, of Cincinnati. The oldest daughter is dead.
She was the wife of Joseph Reynolds, Esq., of Urbana, Otiio. His only
son, Edward, was killed in 1853 by an accident on the Erie Railroad at Yon-
kers, N. Y. He was a young physician and returning from Paris, where he
had been residing for two years for medical observation.
I will write to Miss Tiffin, who, I hope, can furnish you with a steel en
graving of her father's face. I hope, also, that she will be able to furnish
you with a copy of General Washington's letter, introducing young Tiffin to
Governor St. Clair. Yours, Respectfully,
W. Lang, Esq. C. G. COMEGYS.
Chillicothe, Ohio, February 2, 1880.
Dear Sir:—
At the request of my brother-in-law, Dr. Comegys, of Cincinnati, I send
you a copy of General Washington's letter, to Gov. St'. Clair. Also by ex
press a copy of Johnson's engraved portrait of my father.
Yours, Respectfully,
Wm. Lang, Esq. DIATHEA M. TIFFIN.
Attached to the foregoing letter of Miss Tiffin is the letter of General
Washington, introducing young Tiffin to Governor St. Clair, who at the
time of the writing was governor of the Northwestern Territory. The
reader will notice the modesty and delicacy of General Washington,
that characterize all his writings. This letter was recently found among
old papers in the possession of Dr. St. Clair, and was never published
before: Sir:— Mr. Edward Tiffin solicits an appointment in the territory northwest of
the Ohio. The fairness of his character in private and public life, together

,gg HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
with a knowledge of law resulting from close application for a considerable
time will I hope, justify the liberty I now take, in recommending him to
your 'attention ; regarding with due attention the delicacy as well as import
ance of the character in which I act. I am sure you will do me the justice
to believe that nothing but a knowledge of the gentleman's merits, founded
npon a long acquaintance, could have induced me to trouble you on this oc
casion. With sincere wishes for your happiness and welfare,
I am, etc.,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Gov. St Clair. January 4, 1798.
There is no doubt but that a knowledge of the fundamental principles
of law was a powerful factor in placing young Tiffin among the first
statesmen of his time, and the wonderful sagacity of Gen. Washington
comprehended the man and the place where he might be utilized.

Cincinnati, February 6, 1880.
Dear Sir:— ,
>" Since I wrote you I have found a letter addressed to me by the late Col.
Allen Latham, of Chillicothe, written at a time when I thought I would
enlarge my memoir of the old Governor. I sent the Colonel a copy of my
memoir, and asked him to write me what he could of his recollections. It
hanponized with my statement, as you Will see, and you will get a better
description of his person and his gentlemanly manners. He belonged to the
old regime of highly cultured men.
I have a copy of his first message to the Legislature ; also his message in
regard to the capture of the Blennerhasset-Burr expedition, and President
Jefferson's laudation of the Governor's activity, etc., etc. If you desire to
use them in your narrative, I will send them to you.
One of the most flourishing towns in the state bears Tiffin's name, and as
you are about writing a history of the pioneer era, I feel that you can make
your work more attractive by such details, as well as honor a distinguished
man of his time. Very Respectfully,
W. Lang, Esq. C. G. COMEGYS.
.[See Appendix.]
Edward Tiffin was born in the city of Carlisle, England, June
19, 1766. His parents were in but moderate circumstances, and his
uncle, Edward Parker, after whom he was named, assumed the care of
his education. He was fitted for the study of medicine, upon which he
^entered at an early age ; but before he had completed the course he
embarked for this country with his parents and family, when barely
eighteen years of age, apd landed in New York. He proceeded to
Philadelphia, where he followed the course of medical lectures in the
University of Pennsylvania. He then rejoined his father's family, who

BIOGRAPHY OF GOVERNOR TIFFIN. 1 99
I
had settled in Charlestown, Berkely county, Virginia, and began the
practice of medicine when but twenty years of. age.
His thorough training brought him speedily into notice, and his suc
cess soon gave^him a fine reputation and a lucrative practice. He is
described by one who knew him well, as "possessed of such buoyancy
of spirit and sprightliness of temperament, pleasing manners and fine
conversational powers, as made him the favorite in the gay and fash
ionable circles of Berkely." ,
In 1789 he married Mary, daughter of Robert Worthington, and sister
of Governor Worthington. She was a woman. of fine culture, and is
described by an eminent minister as 'one of the most conscientious '
and heavenly-minded women he had ever met.' With her he lived
happily for nearly twenty years.
The manuscript minutes of Mrs. Peters, the venerable mother of the
Hon. Rufus King, of Cincinnati, throw much light on the subject of
dates concerning Gov. Tiffin's settlement in Ohio.
The issue of land warrants by the state of Virginia to her revolution
ary soldiers, to be located in Ohio, or the Northwest Territory, which
Virginia had ceded to the general government, drew largely the atten
tion of Virginians to that region. Thomas Worthington, with- other
owners of scrip and a party of surveyors, left Virginia in 1797, and
arrived at Chillicothe the same month. The town was then called
' "Massieville," having been laid out by Gen. Massie a year before. It
contained about one hundred cabins, and there were about fifty more
scattered about the surrounding country. An encampment of one
hundred Indians was near at hand. Worthington selected. lots of large
size for himself and his brother-in-law, Edward Tiffin, and after con
structing two comfortable dwellings — the first that had shingle roofs and
glass windoWs in the settlement — he returned to Virginja. Both Worth
ington and Tiffin were men of marked piety, and being in possession
of slaves, and not being able to manumit them under the laws of Vir
ginia, they determined to take them to the new free soil of Ohio and
the northwest.
In the latter part of March Tiffin, Thomas and Robert Worthing
ton, with their wives and children, and their negroes, left Berkeley
county, Virginia, for their new homes. The iadies and children- were
in carriages,1 the gentlemen on horses;' the male negroes were on foot,
and their women and children on horseback. These, with pack-horses
laden with household goods, even mirrors and domestic fowls in cages,
made a long train, exciting great local interest on their departure, and
attracting unusual attention in all the -settlements and hamlets in the

200 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
wilderness through which they moved. In about two weeks they
reached Pittsburgh, without any accident by the way. There they
embarked in "broad horns" on a full river, and floated peacefully and
swiftly on its broad bosom, swaying from shore, amidst* all the strange
ness, and granduer and deep silence of the wilderness. They landed
at the mouth of the Scioto, where Portsmouth now stands, and thence
took their slow and tedious march through the unbroken and thick
forest of the valley of the Scioto, guided only by the blazed path of
earlier pioneers.
On the 27th day of April, 1798, they at last reached their destina
tion, having been more than thirty days on -the way. The whole
community came out to welcome them, and to assist in the unloading
of their train and the care of their wonderful stores. Such a cavalcade
had never before been seen ; so much refinement, intelligence and
abundant possessions of useful and ornamental household goods had
never before been found. on the frontier. Worthington and Tiffin were
both elected to the territorial legislature that met in Cincinnati in
J799- The country was a vast forest, roamed over by savages and wild
beasts. The settlements were few but rapidly increasing.
"Upon the banks of the Scioto there was a small hamlet of log ;
houses, beautifully situated, which was called Chillicothe," says another
writer. Edward Tiffin would have made an accession of value to any settle
ment in the west. Here he selected his residence. He was a man of
well cultivated mind, gentlemanly manners, a friendly spirit, and his
conduct was guided, not only by high morality, but by true christian
principles. He immediately identified himself with his new home and
its enterprising people. He rapidly acquired a reputation, not only as
a physician, but also for his virtues as a man.
An old friend -says of him that "In his medical career he answered
day and night, to the utmost of his ability, all professional calls, often
enduring severe suffering from the inclemency of the weather, in long
and fatiguing rides over wretched roads or by blazed paths, crossing
swollen streams at dangerous' fords, and with the full knowledge, often,
that the patient was too poor to make him any remufleration."
, As a surgeon apd physician he stood in the front rank of the men of
his time, and several instances are remembered that show how ready
he was to employ the highest resources of the profession under sudden,
emergencies. On one occasion, while distant from home, a terrible ¦
accident made it necessary that ah amputation of the leg should be

BIOGRAPHY OF GOVERNOR TIFFIN. 201
made. The Doctor was without instruments, yet he quickly contrived
all that was necessary, performed the operation and saved the man's
life. Thus he was busily engaged until the fall of 1799. But it is very
evident that his active mind was taking a wide range in public affairs ;
for the people, recognizing in him abilities other than professional,
called upon him to serve them as a representative in the territorial
legislature, which started him on his career in the political world.
That body met in Cincinnati on the 18th day of September, 1799,
when that great city was but a collection of log cabins and a few small
frame houses, "basking in the sun," under the protection of the guns of
Fort Washington.
Judge Burnet, in his letters to the Ohio Historical Society, says of
the Ross county delegation, that "They were not excelled in talent and
energy by any other in the territory. She selected her strongest men ;
Worthington, Tiffin, Findley and Langham were qualified to exert an
influence in any deliberate body, and they did not fail to employ it.
They were natives of Virginia, except Tiffin, who was born in England
and, it was said, came to this country as surgeon's mate in the army of
Burgoyne." This latter statement, though generally believed, is not
true, however. Tiffin was but eleven years old when Burgoyne sur
rendered. v
The best proof of Dr. Tiffin's appreciation, is shown in the fact that
he was unanimously elected speaker of that important and august
body, and retained that position to the end of the territorial govern
ment. He frequently took part in the debates, 'and more especially encoun
tered Judge Sibley, of Detroit, whom Judge Burnet describes as a well
educated and able lawyer, and possessed of large powers of mind.
Tiffin was an impassioned debater, while Sibley was very cool and
deliberate in his arguments. Many years afterwards Mr. Sibley visited
Gov. Tiffin, and Mr. Samuel Williams, who was often present while
they talked over the exciting scenes of their legislative career, says
that Dr. Tiffin remarked at one time, "In our debates, Mr. Sibley, I
wished a thousand times that I could have the same calm, philosophic
and imperturbable spirit which you possessed; I saw and felt the
advantage it gave you in debate." "And I," laughingly replied the
Judge, "well remember, Doctor, how often I wished that -I could infuse
into my remarks the same ardor of feeling which you displayed in your
speeches." In the autumn of 1802, at the election of delegates to a convention to

202 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
form a constitution for the new state to be called Ohio, Tiffin, Worth
ington and Massie were elected from Ross county.
The convention met ip Chillicothe in November following, and
Edward Tiffin was chosen president. Here his intelligence, fairness
and readiness in decision, united to most courteous manners, elevated
him so much' in the estimation of that body of able men, that he was -
brought forward, at the conclusion of the business before the conven
tion, as the candidate for governor. He was elected in January, 1803.,
without opposition, receiving 4565 votes. In October, 1805, he was
re-elected unanimously, receiving 4783 votes. He declined to be a
candidate for a third term.
His state papers are brief, but clear in their suggestions for the
enactment of all those measures that would open roads, develop agri
cultural and mineral resources, advance education, protect the frontier
and favor, immigration. The highest proof of his qualifications and1
f executive abilities, are his repeated unanimous elections.
The most notable feature of his gubernatorial career was the arrest
of the Burr-Blennerhasset expedition. In the latter part of 1806,
Aaron Burr- collected numerous boats and quantities of stores in the
neighborhood of Blennerhasset Island, below Marietta. Governor
Tiffin, learning that the expedition was ready to sail, dispatched a
courier to the commandant at Marietta, and directed him to occupy a.
position ^below the island, where with a field battery they could com
mand the channel. Burr, seeing that his plans were discovered and
knowing the impossibility of running the blockade, abandoned the
'expedition and fled.
The press of the eastern states lauded Gov. Tiffin for his prompt
and successful destruction of the nefarious scheme, arid Pr-esident Jef
ferson, in his letter to the Ohio legislature, February 2, 1807, commends
the 'Governor for his promptness and energy in destroying the expe
dition. [See Appendix.]
At the expiration of his term of office, in 1807, Governor Tiffin was
elected United States Senator and took his seat in December, his cre
dentials being presented by John Adams.
The annals of Congress show that he was constantly in his place, and
a member of important committees; indeed, by a special vote of the
Senate he was added to the committee on fortifications and public
defences. The war feeling was rising every day, stimulated by the
aggressions of England, whose men-of-war lay in Hampton, Roads, and
in fact patrolled the lower Chesapeake, searching our merchantmen for,
their seamen.

BIOGRAPHY OF GOVERNOR TIFFIN. 203
His career as governor of Ohio was characterized by wise states
manship and great efforts in developing the vast resources of the young
state. So were his efforts in the Senate of the United', States marked
by his tireless energy and wonderful perseverance. In this enlarged
sphere of power he did very much to promote the interests of Ohio.
Public lands were surveyed, new measures for the transportation, of the
mails were organized, and: the navigation of the Ohio river was much
improved. The death of his wife, in 1808, so overwhelmed Gov. Tiffin that he
determined to abandon public life, and therefore, at the close of the
session in March, 1809, he resigned.
On his return to Ohio he settled on his farm and devoted himself to
agriculture. But he wasnot allowed by his fellow citizens to give up
his public. career entirely, for at the fall election he was elected to the
legislature; he was unanimously chosen speaker of the House, arid so
he continued to act for several sessions following. A former citizen of
Chillicothe writes of him, that he gave great satisfaction as speaker, by
his perfect familiarity with its duties, and the promptness and correct
ness of his decisions.
In the meanwhile Gov. Tiffin had resumed his practice and married
again; his second wife being Miss Mary Porter, from Delaware, whose
family had recently settled in Ross county. She was a lady of rare
personal beauty, quiet manners and exemplary piety.
During the first term of Mr. Madison's administration, Congress
passed the act creating the office of Commissioner of the General
Land Office, and Mr. Madison selected Gov. Tiffin to take charge of
this important department. The appointment was wholly unsolicited
and unexpected by him or any of his friends. The first intimation of
his appointment was the receipt by mail of his commission, with a
friendly letter from the President, and letters from Mr. Worthington
and several old colleagues, urging him to accept the position. The
gratifying manner in, which it was tendered determined him to do so,
and in a few dajjs he started on horseback for Washington, a journey
that then required two weeks.
The land affairs of the nation were in much confusion; the books,
documents, maps, etc., were scattered in various bureaus of the State
War and Treasury departments, and it required a great amount of per
plexing labor to organize, methodically, the new department. But by
the next meeting of congress all was arranged, and Commissioner
Tiffin made the first comprehensive and statistical report to congress-
on the public lands— their quantity, location, and probable future value

204 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
to the government. His labors, in part, are exhibited in the state
papers. When the British army approached Washington, in 1814, and
orders were given to hurry off the public papers, Mr*. Tiffin was the
only one who, by prompt action, carried all his department to a place
of safety. The other departments lost many valuable papers in the
conflagration ordered by the British general*
Nothing could wean Governor Tiffin from his Ohio home, and Mr.
Madison gratified the wish of his heart by ordering an exchange of
office with Josiah Meigs, who was then surveyor-general of the west,
with his office in Cincinnati. Mr. Meigs was appointed commissioner
of the general land office, and Gov. Tiffin was made surveyor-general,
with the privilege of locating the office in Chillicothe. There he
located, and continued at the head of this office of surveyor-
general, during the remainder of the term of Mr. Madison, and through
the succeeding administrations of Mr. Monroe and Mr. J. Q. Adams,
and into that of General Jackson, up to within a few weeks of his
death, when General Jackson appointed General Lytle, of Cincinnati,
to supercede him. He received his successor on his death-bed,
transferred to him his office, and died a few days thereafter.
There were several thousand dollars in his hands belonging to the
United States, which were promptly handed over; and sb were his
books and papers, in the best of condition. This office had control over
the vast realm known as the northwest, and the beautiful arrangement
of the surveys of the public lands is greatly due to the sagacity and
order that marked Gov. Tiffin's life.
,Gov. Tiffin was reared in the pale of the Church of England, and
after his removal to this country, he continued his relations to the same
organization, which still existed almost as the state church of Virginia
— for the American hierarchy had not yet been established. But the
Tory character of many ministers during the revolution, and the. almost
abandoned state of so many churches, before the establishment of the
Protestant- Episcopal church, had so alienated the people from its
communion, that a greater opportunity was offered for the propagation
of the Methodist doctrines and usages. The unusual zeal and fervid '
manner of the new preachers, excited universal attention, arid great relig
ious excitement and inquiry prevailed. The great Missionary Bishop,
Francis Asbury, traveled far and wide in the states and territories, to
the remotest settlements, preaching with great eloquence and power-
organizing societies and consecrating ministers.
Dr. Tiffin and his wife united with the society that was organized at
Charlestown, Virginia, in 1790. There the Doctor was consecrated by-

BIOGRAPHY OF GOVERNOR TIFFIN. 205
Asbury as a lay preacher, and during all his subsequent political life,
he continued, to some extent, to exercise the functions of that office.
Upon his removal to Ohio, he regularly performed ministerial duties
in the new settlements. He did this intelligently, and without ostenta
tion/and his catholic sentiments won for him the respect of all parties.
Whenever the Episcopal church in Chillicothe was, without a rectbr, he
was called to read the" service and a sermon from some established
collection. In the infancy of society, men of ability have often been called upon
to perform very varied functions in civil and moral affairs. The states
man, the warrior, the. philosopher, have all acted the part of priests to
the edifications of communities and states. In the wild state of the
frontier at the beginning of this century, the preservation of the
religious sentiments of the people was as much the duty of the leading
men of the day, as any other work they could perform, whilst laying
the foundations of the state, and this man, so distinguished in position
and place in those times, was not ashamed to celebrate high religious
services. .
The last years of the Governor's life were but little diversified by
incidents. He withdrew from the regular practice of medicine upon
his appointment as commissioner in 1812; but, after his return to
Chillicothe, in 1814, he dispensed advice and medicine from his resi
dence, gratuitously to the poor, and to many of his former patients,
who still insisted upon consulting him. But his own health began to
give way about 1820, and he suffered from a most distressing complaint.
On SaBbath evening, August 9, 1829, in his old home in Chillicothe,
he died. His faithful old friend, Williams, says that: "He had long
been sensible of his approaching end, and contemplated the solemn
event, not only with calm complacency, but with a joyful anticipation
of heavenly rest. He retained his full reason to the last, and gently
sank away."
In stature, Doctor Tiffin was about five feet six inches high. His
head was large; his face, English in type, was full and florid, with
regular, prominent features. His countenance was expressive, especially
when in animated conversation. He was particularly remarkable for
the activity and quickness oT his movements, and the prompt manner
in which he discharged his duties. Dr. Monnet used to say that what
. Dr. Tiffin could not do quickly, he could not do at all. Nothing was
put off for to-morrow that could be done to-day.
As a public officer, his accounts were always kept ready for settle
ment. Every dollar that came to his hands was promptly accounted

206 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
for. His integrity was never questioned. While he managed his own
affairs with prudence, he did not accumulate gre'at wealth, as he might
have done, but yet he never suffered any worldly embarrassment. He
lived well, and in harmony with his position in society, but always
within his income. He was hospitable, and in the days of his health,
many of the most distinguished personages of the country enjoyed the
hospitality of his board. His beautiful home was embellished by his
refined taste. His earnest piety was an important element in promoting
the best interest of his adopted town arid country.
Gov. Tiffin left his widow and children in independent circumstances.
Mrs. Tiffin died in 1827. They left; five children, already mentioned.
Politically, Governor Tiffin was of the Jeffersonian school — the old
Republican party; but for many years preceding his death, was not
conspicuous as a politician. He was an intimate friend of Mr. Madison,
and named one of his daughters after, him.
, Devoting all his time ancl his talents to the interest of the state, he
very much neglected his own private affairs. But for this/ he would
unquestionably have accumulated a large fortune. His patriotism,
hbwever, was of a kind with that of the great men and. statesmen of
his day. "Everything for country — nothing for self." What a change
has come over the mihds of the leading men of these degenerate days!
A reverse element seems to have set in upon the , ebb and flow of
American politics. "Everything for self, nothing for the country,"
seems to be the watchword of the hour. The men who pledged their
lives, their property, and their sacred honors for country and .freedom,
are dead, but their sons and grand-children are here, and have not
these inherited a part of the unselfish love of country that made their
fathers great in the eyes of the world?
Col. Allen Latham, of Ross county, an intimate friend of Gov,
Tiffin, furnished Dr. Comegys with the following items about' the
Governor, which the Doctor was so kind as to place at my disposal:
_. „ Nine Mile Farm, May 23, 1869.
Dear Sir:— '
At our last, meeting you expressed a desire that I would write out my tes
timony in regard to that good old gentleman, your wife's father.
This I have done with pleasure, but very hastily, having very few papers
to refer to and never seen any biographical notice of him.
His life is so completely identified with the early history of our state, that
by proper industry a very interesting book might be written of him. The .
old journals and newspapers of that date are very hard to obtain, and I
know of no perfect set at Columbus or elsewhere.
I have, perhaps, as many as any other individual, but they are in a great
confusion. ' . Yours, Truly, -
Dr. C. G. Comegys, Cincinnati, O. ALLEN LATHAM

BIOGRAPHY OF GOVERNOR TIFFIN. 207
Doctor Edward Tiffin was Speaker of the House of Representatives of the
first territorial Legislature- northwest of the Ohio river, in the year 1801 and
1802. Robert Oliver was President of the Council, and General Arthur St.
Clair was Governor of the Territory. Charles Willing Bird was Secretary
of State.
He was president of the state convention that formed the constitution of
the state of Ohio, which was adopted at Chillicothe Nov. 29, 1802. Thomas
Scott was secretary of the convention.
He was elected the first Governor of Ohio, after the adoption of the con
stitution, and sworn in on the 3d day of March, 1803, and continued Gover
nor until he was made Senator.
He was Senator from Ohio, in the Senate of the United States, from 1807
- to 1809.
He was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Ohio in 1809-10, and
in 1810-11. Thomas A. Hind and Ralph Osborn were Clerks.
He was appointed Commissioner of the General Land Office of the United
States about 1812.
He was appointed Surveyor General of the United States public lands
northwest of the Ohio river, when he returned to Chillicothe and held that
office until 1829, in which year the office was removed to Cincinnati and
General William Lytle was appointed by General Jackson, the Doctor being
a friend of Mr. Adams.
Samuel Williams, Esq., a native of Pennsylvania, was the Doctor's chief
clerk, and continued in that position to Robert C. Lytle and to Gen. Ezekiel
S. Haynes, who are now all dead. Mr. Williams was an able clerk and an
accomplished gentleman.
Joseph Tiffin, the Doctor's brother, Peter Patterson, Esq., Eleazer P. Ken-
drick, Esq., and W. Reynolds, the Doctor's son-in-law, were also clerks in
the Doctor's office.
Mr. Kendrick is still living in Chillicothe, aged seventy-eight years on the
17th day of September last. *
The Doctor was of medium height, say five feet eight or nine inches, rather
portly, full faced, light hair, florid complexion and mild expression of coun
tenance. His gestures were graceful, and he had a very musical voice.
; The then young ladies and gentlemen on Sundays went to hear him read
his selected sermons and the Episcopal service at the Masonic hall, after he
had become quite infirm, and all regarded him as one of the best of men.
He was one of the most accomplished gentlemen I had ever seen.
. Notwithstanding his great suffering from a local complaint, which 'finally
caused his death, he was very attentive to his public duties ; and when most
of our public men and early settlers were ruined by the revulsions conse
quent upon the war with England, he had the sagacity to convert his bank
stock into real estate, although then at the highest prices, and thus saved an
independence to his surviving family— a wife, a son and several daughters.
If he had an enemy, I never knew him. He was a man of great learning,
and an honor to his profession.

CHAPTER XIV.

SPENCER vs. HEDGES-THE BRUSH-DAM CASE— THE FIRST JURY TRIAL—
BROUSE— THE SUGAR CAMP- INDIAN WAY OF COOKING COON - FOREST
CULTURE— SCARCITY OF MONEY— WORK ON THE CANAL-JIGGERS AND
CHICHA— THE MIAMI, DAYTON AND MICHIGAN, AND WABASH AND ERIE
CANALS-CANAL TAX OF SENECA COUNTY.

SPENCER'S brush-dam, across the river, mentioned heretofore, is.
deserving of notice here for several reasons, viz: It was the first
dam ever erected by man across this river, and of course was very
crude. The water ^raised by it ran the first saw-mill on this rivey; it
was located within the limits and near the center of the present city of
Tiffin. It caused numerous contentions between Mr. Hedges and Mr.
Spencer, the two rival proprietors of the two adjoining towns, that
resulted in several knock-downs; its destruction became the cause of
action in the first law-suit and the occasion for the first jury trial in
the court of common pleas of this county, and finally it brought about
the purchase of Fort Ball by Mr. Hedges, and the' union of the two
towns, forming the present young city of Tiffin. "Great oaks from
little acorns grow."
Since the adoption of the present constitution of Ohio, and the
consequent new code of practice, nearly thirty years ago, the young
lawyers, as a general thing, have paid but little attention to the old
common law pleadings and practice in vogue in former times, and old
lawyers are gradually forgetting "the old way." The present age is the
age of the "almighty dollar," and of "the reason why;" and the bar
now seems. to care as little about the' former differences between debt,
assumpsit, detinue, case, trespass, trespass on the case, trover, replevin,
ejectment, etc., as does Young America generally about the times gone
by. Extracts from the pleadings in this "brush dam case'' are -here
added to refresh the memory of the reader concerning the mode of .
procedure at that time in like cases.
Jesse Spencer, the plaintiff, filed his praecipe for a summons to be
issued against Josiah Hedges on the 2 2d day of September A. D. 1824.

,THE BRUSH-DAM CASE. 209
The summons was served by A. Ingraham, sheriff, on the same day, by
reading. Rudolphus Dickinson, the first lawyer that settled in this
county, vand who had located in Fort Ball, was the attorney for Mr.
Spencer, and for want of any other lawyer here, Mr. Hedges was
defended by Messrs. Parish, Parker and Coffinberry. Upon this sum
mons there was a declaration filed by the plaintiff. The caption was
in the usual form, and after stating that the said Hedges had been duly
summoned to answer unto the said Jesse Spencer, in a plea of trespass,
went on to charge as follows:
That the said Hedges,,on the 1st day of May, A. D. 1823, and at divers
other days and times between that day and before the commencement of
this action, with force and arms, etc., broke and entered a certain close of
the said Jesse Spencer, situate, lying and being in the township of Seneca,
in the county of Seneca, aforesaid, and then and there pulled down, prose
cuted and destroyed a great part, to-wit: forty perches of a certain mill-dam
of the said Jesse Spencer, of great value, to-wit: of the value of two
hundred dollars; and, also, then and there, tore down and dug up great
quantities, to-wit: one thousand wagon loads of stone, from off the said
close and dam of the said Jesse Spencer, to-wit: to the further value of
three hundred dollars, and then and there took and carried away, and
converted the same to his, the said Josiah Hedges', own use.
4
The second count ran thus, and is of interest to show where the dam
was once located:
And, also, that the said Josiah Hedges, on the day and year last aforesaid,
and on divers other days and times, etc., broke and entered another close of
the said plaintiff, etc., situate and being, etc., abutting towards the west on
that part of the Armstrong Reservation, so-called, which lies between a
place forty poles north of the place called Camp Ball, and the south line' of
the said Armstrong Reservation, and abutting towards the east on the
eastern "bank of the Sandusky river, opposite the saw mill on said reserva
tion, and then and there broke down, tore up, etc.
In the fourth count, the dam is located in these words:
Abutting on the western bank of the Sandusky river that lies between the
southern section line of the said Armstrong Reservation and a place com
monly called Camp Ball, and abutting towards the east, etc.
The fifth count charges the taking away of the stones, and the con
verting of them to Hedges' own use, and concludes by saying:
And other wrongs to the said Jesse Spencer then and there done, to the
great damage of the said Jesse Spencer, and against the peace and dignity
of the state of Ohio; whereupon the said Jesse Spencer says that he is
injured, and has sustained damage to the amount of five hundred dollars,
and thereupon he brings this suit.

2IO ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. i
Mr. Hedges in his answer denied "all and singular the premises,"
and defended the "wrongs and injuries," etc., and said that he was not
guilty of the supposed trespass laid to his charge, etc., "and of this he
puts himself upon the country, and the said plaintiff doth the like;"
which means simply that he will submit this case to ,a jury. To this
answer a written notice was attached "that the close in question was
the property of the said Hedges, and that he had a legal right to do
what he did;"
The case was continued until the April term, 1825, when it was tried
to the following jury, viz: James Mathers, Jesse Gale, John C. Donnel,
William Foncannon, Smith Kentfield, Peter Yeaky, Ezekiel Sampson,
Samuel Scothorn, James Cutright, Ezra Brown, Jacob S. Jennings,
Elisha Clark, "who upon their oaths do say that the said defendant is
guilty in manner and form, etc., and we do assess the plaintiff's dam
ages by reason thereof, at $8.00. The court entered up judgment for
that sum. The costs were $26.75. This ended the first law-suit and
jury trial in Seneca common pleas.
The point upon which Mr. Hedges was found guilty, was the fact
that, at the time the dam was erected, the land along the right bank of
the river belonged to the United States; had not then been surveyed
nor offered for sale, and Mr. Hedges was not then the owner of the
same. Mr. Ingraham, who had been appointed sheriff, gave bond in the
sum of ^5,000, and Rollin Moler, Michael Schaul, Joseph Pool and"
John A Rosenberger were his sureties.
At this court, William Doyle, from Ireland, was the first person
naturalized in this county.
Mr. Spencer became so badly involved in numerous lawsuits that the
executions against him seem to have swallowed up all his means.
Whenever the weather in winter would permit of out-door work,
there was always enough of it to do. Great trouble was often expe
rienced by those that had cattle to take care of. When the winters
were open and mild, as was very usual then, the cattle could find grass
in the woods and along the banks of the streams; but in very cold
winters, with much snow, and no hay on hand, the poor animals suffered
very much, and were compelled to subsist on "browse," which was the
tender ends of tree-tops. The trees had to be cut down for that
purpose, and while this labor had to be repeated every day during the
frozen season, it was still very hard living for the cattle. Many died
from exhaustion before spring. For want of
Now was also the time to prepare for "sugar making."

SUGAR-MAKING. 211
buckets, or other vessels to catch the sugar-water, troughs were made
of various lengths and widths, from poplar, ash, sugar, elm, or other
wood, by chopping the blocks of the required length, and splitting;
them once in two. A dish was then chopped into the flat side. Some
of the largest of these trdughs would hold from one to two gallons. A
hole was bored into the sugar-tree some three feet above the ground,.
and a "spile," made of a one-year's growth from an elder bush, and
with the pith taken out, was driven into the hole, in the tree, to conduct
the sap into the trough. The sap was boiled down in big iron kettles
suspended on a pole, held up by two forks fixed in the ground at a
convenient place in the sugar-camp. The time for this work generally-
commenced in February, when the frost began to come out of the-
ground and the sap to ascend. It often lasted away towards the latter
part of March, when the ground froze hard during the night and.
thawed out the following day. This freezing and) thawing time was
considered good sugar weather. As the sap was boiling down, the-
impurities were nicely skimmed off, and when the sirup became so-
thick as to commence granulating; it was stirred with a paddle while
the fire* was allowed to go -down. Those that preferred the sugar in
cake form poured the thick sirup into- tin pans, when it became hard in-
a short time.
The first few weeks of the sugar season made the best sugar.
Towards the last of the run the sirup refused to granulate, and was.
preserved in that form and answered the purpose of molasses. It is;
decidedly the richest sweet that nature produces. Reader! Did you
ever eat corn-pone with maple molasses? If you did, there is no use
in saying anything further to you about it. Pone could only be baked
in a Dutch oven, which Was an iron kettle, flat at the bottom; with a
flat, heavy iron lid. The oven was placed on coals and the lid covered.
with coals. It was of great use, and never had an equal.
The Indians learned the art of making sugar from the white people,.
but how to be cleanly about it, they never would learn. It required a
very strong appetite to eat their sugar. . Those who never saw them
make it got along with it much easier.
Whenever their sirup was about ready to granulate they would have
a raccoon ready to cook, which they would put into the sirup, hair,.
skin, entrails and all. iThe coon would get "done" in a short time,.
when he was taken out and allowed to cool off enough to be handled..
A crust, of sugar came away with the hair and skin. The flesh seemed.
nicely done, but the sugar — well!
Settlers that had large sugar-camps built little cabins in the wood-.,

2!2 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
to put their troughs into in order to preserve them. Others set up the
troughs on end and leaned them against the tree, dish side inward.
The writer has seen good use made of some of these sugar-troughs
m seasons of the year when sugar-water did not run. They were
rbcked in the cabin of the settler with a sugar lump, in tfie shape of a
young "Buckeye," in them. The little fellow was thus not' "rocked in
the cradle of the deep," but in a substitute much safer. Many noble
'men and women, now living in Ohio, were raised and rocked in these
sugar-trough cradles; and the mother's lullaby, in the cabin, sounded
as sweet as it ever did in the -palatial mansion, with plate-glass windows
and gilded door-knobs.
It was among the "rural felicities" to see a whole family employed
in the sugar-camp on a pleasant day, some carrying sugar-water, some
skimming the sirup, others preparing wood, each employed at some
thing; and when night came on, the work was so reduced as to require
but little, if any, attention before the next morning. Some of the
neighbors would visit the camp, spend the evening and have a good
chat. Neighbors seemed to think more of each other then than they
do now; at least they visited each other oftener When the distance, the
work and the weather would permit.
The time is fast approaching when sugar-making will be considered
as a thing of the past, and the coming generation will not know what a
sugar trough looked like. Our forests are passing away rapidly, and
soon there will not be timber enough left to fence the fields or supply
fhe demand for building and manufacturing purposes. On many farms
in Seneca county, the little patches of woodland that are left, are
already more valuable than the cleared land. Nobody makes calcula
tions when there will not be wood enough in ttris county to answer the
purposes of the family for cooking and heating, to say nothing about
the timber with which to build houses and barns. Why not commence
now to start a young forest? Take, say five or ten acres at a time,
well fenced to keep out stock, on that part of a farm where the wood
lot may be wanted, and plant with acorns, beech nuts, maple seed, or
such other variety as may be desired. It will require no further care,
and in a few' years a young forest will gladden the heart of the pwner.
The one that plants the patch will not live to see large trees grow there
himself, but ere long the purchaser will p'ay moiie for a farm that has a
young wood lot growing up on it, than he will for one without it.
No attempt will be made to picture to the mind of anybody, the.
vexations and troubles inflicted upon the frontier by the then great
. .scarcity of money. There was very little to be had for any purpose.

SCARCITY OF MONEY.

2I3

Barter and trade was the order of the day, and while this exchange was
all right in some respects, it would pot answer for others. Taxes could
not be paid in that way, and the merchant, after waiting a long time,
had to have cash with which to meet his bills in New York or Philadel
phia. When some pioneer merchant brought on articles that were
indispensable for the household, or for farming purposes, there was no
money to buy them with. Often, long credits furnished no relief.
When a man had anything to sell, it found no market for money. He
could trade it away for something he wanted from his neiglibor. If a
man wanted an article from another, and had nothing to exchange for
it, he paid in work by the day, or agreed to clear so many acres .of
land for the article. Men bought their cows, their horses or hogs, in
that way. Corn and wheat were hauled by ox teams, generally to
Mansfield or Portland, now Sandusky City, to be sold for money.
Wheat raised under the difficulties described in a former chapter,
hauled to a market, from forty to sixty miles away, where it could be
sold for only thirty cents a bushel in cash, or for three shillings in trade, ¦
was not an article on which farmers became rich very fast. Portland
was the principal market for wheat, and many a load of wheat was
exchanged there, at three shillings a bushel, for salt at five dollars a
barrel, when it took about one week to make the trip.
Getting grinding done at the few mills there were then in the country,
was attended with equally great hardship. After the City Mill, now in
the first ward of Tiffin, was put up, farmers from Crawford, Hancock
and Marion counties came here to get their grists ground, and at'times,
fifteen, twenty, or more teams waited their turn and camped out a whole
week, with the family at home on small allowance, or probably with no
bread at all.
To relate all the troubles and inconveniences that pioneer life was
subject to, would require volumes, and some of them, only, are here
alluded to. The rest must be left to inference, which to most any mind
should be easy. >
The hardest of all the hardships that the frontier settler had to con
tend with, was the malarious diseases everybody was subject to. The
ground was covered with water and decaying vegetable matter; the
river and the creeks were clogged with drift-wood and fallen timbers;
.beaver dams set the water back, thereby covering large tracts of land,
while cat-swamps (as they were then called) were very numerous.
There were terrible . thickets and jungles of brush -bushes of various
- kinds growing on rich, boggy soil.
The forest held the moist air with a wonderful tenacity, and the

214 HISTORY OF SENECA. COUNTY.
miasma, produced by the heat of a summer's sun, and thus held in the
humid air and breathed constantly, tended to corrupt the blood and
derange the functions of the liver. Fever and ague, and bilious fevers
were very common, and men were often seen standing on the street on
a hot summer day, pale as death, with overcoats on, buttqned up to the
chin, their hands in their pockets and shaking so that their voices
trembled. The chill was always followed by a fever, and when that
was passed, the patient was all right again until, next day, or day after.
The chills returned, again at regular intervals, either next day, or every
¦other day. People seemed to get used to them, and some were not
reduced much by the chills, while others, and especially people from
.Europe, suffered very much more from these diseases. In general,
-those of European suffered more than those of American birth. Many
a stout, robust man was reduced to a walking skeleton in a short time.
Yet this fever and ague was not considered dangerous to life. It was
exceedingly troublesome, nevertheless, especially. when whole families
were taken with it at the same time. It was a sad scene to come, or
'.be 'called, into a house and see a, large family, young and old, in their
beds, some shaking, and others burning with fever, and not one of
' them able to help the other to a cup of water. The only case where
death ensued from these chills that ever came to the notice of the
writer, was that of an old German who lived on South Jefferson street,
in Tiffin, and who died shaking in his chair.
The in°st serious aspect of these malarious diseases, however, was
the various bilious fevers that often defied the -skill and care of the
physicians, and frequently proved fatal. The terrible heat in fever, the
parched tongue, the delirium, followed by extreme prostration; and
then the remedies, such as calomel, ipecac, jalap, Peruvian bark,
-quinine, castor oil, etc., etc., all — diseases and remedies — were simply
horrible. .Some summers were more sickly than others, but for many
•years, and until the country became partially cleared up, there was ho
summer without this terrible visitation.
Oh! how the people waited and prayed for the coming of fall, and
Tor the first sharp frost. A good black frost, that killed the leaves and
made the grass crash under your feet, generally put a stop to this mon-
-ster phantom. The air became purer and more bracing, and it was
-very encouraging to see, in' the faces of all, returning hope and cheer.
Whether the practice of medicine, as a science, has made the progress
that its devotees claim for it, will not be argued, here; but one thing
must certajnly be admitted, viz: that a great change has come over the'
.dreams of the practitioner. The poor patient is now allowed the free

THE PIONEER DOCTOR NOT FORGOTTEN. 2 15
use of water. This the practice, forty or fifty years ago, absolutely
refused. It was simply cruel to let the poor sufferer burn up with fever,
calling for water to relieve him, and have it refused because the doctor
would not allow it. It would not do; it might hurt him, might salivate.
him, and all that sort of nonsense. But they would blister, bleed and
cup him, while his physical powers gradually broke down. What a
change a few years have brought about! By the art of preserving ice
for use in summer, the article has found its way into the»sick chamber,
where it has proven both a luxury and a blessing, Patients are now
allowed all the fresh water they want, and fresh air, also, without fear
of 'being salivated.
One feature, in cases of shaking ague, which was not very common,
however, and which seems now like a strange phenomenon, should be
mentioned here. ' It was called the "hungry shakes" by some. As
soon as the chills began to creep down the back, the bones to ache' and
the shivering to commence, the patient was taken with a ravenous
appetite, and could eat with a wonderful rapacity, while he often shook
so hard that the victuals fell from his knife, fork or spoon as he tried to
pass them to his mouth. It made bad worse, however, for the'fever
that followed such a shake, aftef eating, seemed to be more severe and
the headache more distressing.
Thompson township, on account of the openings and purer atmos
phere, suffered less with this plague than any other township in the
county. In all the other portions of Seneca county the situation in
this regard was about the same.
It was in these trying times that thousands of men were compelled,
not by avarice, but by absolute, stern necessity, to find employment on
. the canals, the only public works then in the state, and the only places
where money could be had for labor. It was a sad parting, when the
father left his little ones in the care and charge of the pioneer mother;
to go sixty miles or more from home and be gone for months at a
time, to work on the canal and himself become subject to these mala
rious diseases. They were even more prevalent along the canals than
elsewhere, because they were constructed through dense forests, along
the most sluggish streams, and on the most level ground, in order to
avoid the expenditure which locks would require and the delay they
would naturally cause in the moving of traffic.
Log huts were built on the highest ground near the line of the sur
vey, which were occupied as a headquarters for lodging, cooking, etc.
They were as rough as they were temporary, and the contractor or the
sub-contractor would spend no more money for the comfort of his men

ZI6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
than was absolutely necessary. Beds and bedding were of the same
character. With a temporary change of clothing, . the men brought
their blankets with them. A woolen blanket was a better protection
against the mosquitoes at night than any other covering. These pests
in warm weather formed into a sort of a cloud around their victims,
day and night.
It is scarcely possible to find a place anywhere in the world better
fitted to produce malarious diseases, than was the country at that time
Hlong the line of the Dayton and Michigan canal, and especially along
the Auglaize, the Maumee and the Wabash in Indiana.
As the work progressed and the distance to and from the cabins
increased, they were abandoned and new ones constructed near the
works, in the same crude way. Whisky was cheap in those days, and
in very common use. They had no temperance societies then, and
every man was constituted a committee of one to mind his own busi
ness; nor had chemistry discovered the art of stretching or adulterating
the article with poisonous drugs. Men who could afford the. expense
kept whisky by the barrel in their houses, and it was simply in con
formity with the general idea of hospitality, then in vogue, to have the
bottle and glass set before one when visiting a neighbor. There were
then less drunkards, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, than
there are now, and the pimpled cheek bones and rum-blossomed nose,
so prevalent now among those who drink whisky habitually, were not
seen then.
Very often men had to work standing in water all day. There were
no rubber boots to be had then, and to avoid getting sick and to keep
away the "shakes," it was thought necessary, by both employer and .
employes, that men should drink whisky so many times a day. In
conformity with this generally conceded necessity, it was made a part
of the contract with the laborer that, in addition to his pay, he should
receive his- glass of Whisky so many times a day — three times, gener
ally. The "boss" kept a barrel of it on hand, and if a man wanted
more than his usual allowance he, could have it by paying for it — twenty
cents a gallon.
These whisky rations were called "jiggers," a° very familiar term
along the canals. I am not aware, however, that the whisky secured
the object intended; I doubt it very much, for those that drank whisky
became sick as well as those that did not. At times there were so
many of the workmen sick in their cabins that less than half of them
answered at roll-call.
It is a most wonderful fact, that at all times, among all races of men,

CHICHA — HOW MADE. 217
and in all countries^ since the time of Noah, who "planted the first
vine," people have had their beverages of some sort, liquors or other
things that stupefied or intoxicated. For want of liquors they resorted to
gums, opium or hasheesh, a gum produced from the exudations of the
leaves and stocks of hemp, the smoking of which not only creates a
deadly stupor, but fills the bewildered mind with visions of brilliant and
supernatural scenes, while it breaks down and prostrates the nervous
system of the poor victim, and gradually destroys life. [See Bayard
Taylor's Travels in India.J
Along the river systems of South America, along the Orinoco, the
Rio Negro, the Itenez, the Madeira, the Rio Beni, the Magdalena, the
, Matre de Dios and other tributaries of the Amazon; and up the moun
tains from Parma, through Ayacucho, Cazco, Cochabamba, along the
lakes Titticaca and Ohuro, throughout the districts of Yungas, Yuracares
and Magos, along the foot of the Illimani and Sorata, the Indians
inhabiting these regions, nearly all in abject poverty and ignorance,
and so degraded that their type is scarcely traceable, yet all claiming
to have been descended from the once noble Incas, make a beverage
of their own that beats them all. Of late years, the mongrel whites
— Peruvians, Brazilians, Spaniards and Portuguese — that mingled and
inter-married with them, have also adopted this revolting South Amer
ican vice.
Along these rivers and mountains, to a certain degree of altitude, is
found a bush with very thick, fleshy leaves, resembling in size and color
the laurel. These leaves are gathered when they are most juicy and
carried to the hut, where the family, young and' old, chew them fine and
spit them into some vat or vessel fixed for that purpose; when it is full
another is filled in like manner, and so on, until the crop runs out or
the requisite quantity is secured. These vats are allowed to stand
undisturbed for several weeks, for the fermentation to proceed, and
when that ceases and some of the elements have been precipitated and
others have accumulated on top, the liquor becomes clear and is then
drawn off into jugs of earthen ware. In addition to the home consump
tion of this liquor, a certain quantity is required for tithe in kind, or
for taxes from the sale of it, so that each family will know how much
to produce. This liquor is called "chicha," (pronounced "chicka,") and
the bush that furnishes the leaf is called the "chicha bush." Whether
the bush gives the name to the liquor, or the liquor to the bush, does
not appear, nor is it very material.
When chicha making is over, the Indians of certain tribes are not
allowed to touch a drop of it until the chief has his drink of it first.

2I8 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
On a certain day each family brings a certain quantity of the liquor to
the council-house, where, after a short ceremony over it, the chief takes
his fill; then the next in authority, then the next, and so on, until the
officers are all supplied. Then the common rabble fall in, and a gen
eral drunk ends, the festivities.
Of late years, since maize came into use in South America, a chicha is
made by masticating the grains in the same way as the leaf, but the liquor
made from corn is said to be inferior to that made from the chicha
bush; both, however, make people most beastly drunk. Think of it—
a lot of old squaws, with decayed teeth, chewing leaves or corn and
spitting them into a tub to make liquor of! The saliva produces the
sugar that foments into alcohol and assists the work of fermentation. -
[See Humboldt's Travels' in South ¦ America, and Herndon and Gib
bons' Explorations of the Sources of the Amazon. The writer's mind
recurred to this circumstance when he thought as to the probable
origin of the word "jiggers," and reflected whether or not the word
"chicha" might possibly have become vulgarized or Americanized into
this "jigger."]
The work on the canals commenced as early in the spring as the
weather would permit and the frost was out of the ground, and was
prosecuted with a will until along in July, when the laborers broke
down with bilious diseases, and the work had to be abandoned in con
sequence, un'til after the few first early^ frosts in the fall, when it was
again resumed and pushed forward into the winter.
During the time the father was at work on the canal and the mother'
with her little ones alone in the cabin, miles away from neighbors, no
doctor to call to assistance in case of sickness, no one to counsel or
help in time of need, the trials and incidents of such a life lead the
contemplative mind to sad and serious meditation. Let us try to
forget scenes like these, for they will never occur again,
A short history of the Ohio canal system might be made interesting
here, would space only permit; but to give the reader a bird's-eye view
-of it, its origin, rise and progress, its final triumph, the excitement it
produced in the political world, the success and defeat of men aspiring
to office depending upon the way they stood on the canal question, the
railroads finally driving the canals into the back ground, etc., would
make a small volume by itself. A short synop'sis, apd extracts from
reports and papers pertaining to the history of the Ohio canals, must
here suffice.
"In any true history of the early settlements and material progress of the
Maumee valley, the two important canals— the Wabash and Erie, and the

CANAL SYSTEM. 219
JMiami and Erie— which unite near Defiance, arid thence reach the Maumee
bay by a common trunk, must fill an important page," says Knapp. "How
ever valuable may be the railroads built long afterwards, it is still true that
the canals have prepared the way, settled the country, and laid the founda
tion of its cities, of which Toledo at the mouth, and Fort Wayne at the
source of the river, are the chief."
In 1816, Hon. Ethan Allen Brown,' of Cincinnati, had a correspond
ence with DeWitt Clinton, who was then the head of the board of canal
commissioners of the state of New York, upon the subject of the
proposed canal to connect the waters of lake Erie with those of the
Hudson river.
The legislature of Ohio, in February, 1820, passed, an act under
which three commissioners were appointed to locate a route for a nav
igable canal between lake. Erie arid "the Ohio river. The act also
proposed to ask of Congress a grant of one or two millions of acres of
land for the purpose, but nothing was accomplished under this act.
In his inaugural address, December 14, 1818, Gov. Brown says:
If we would raise the character of our state by increasing industry, and
our resources, it seems necessary to improve the internal communications
and open a cheaper way to market for the surplus produce of a large portion
•of our fertile country. (
During the next three succeeding sessions attention was called to the
subject of canals.
In 1822, Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, a representative from
Hamilton county, in his report as chairman of a committee, to whom
the matter had been referred, discussed elaborately the propriety of
connecting lake Erie, with the Ohio river. A short extract from that
report will show the condition, of the state and its industries at that
period :
It is a well established fact, that man has not yet devised a mode of
conveyance so safe,' easy and cheap, as canal navigation ; and although
the advantage of easy ahd expeditious transportation is not likely to be
perceived when prices are high and trade most profitable, yet the truth is
familiar to every person of observation, that the enormous expense of land
carriage has frequently consumed nearly, and sometimes quite, the whole
price of provisions at the place of embarkation for a distant market. This
is essentially the ease in relation to all commodities of a cheap and bulky
nature, most of which will not bear a land transportation many miles and
consequently are rendered of no value to the farmer, and are suffered to
waste on his hands. The merchant who engages in the exportation of the
produce of the country, finding it a losing commerce, abandons it or is
ruined; and crops in the finest and most productive part of the state are left
to waste on the fields that produced them, or to be distilled to poison and
brutalize society.

2 20 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
On the 31st day of January, 1822, a bill was passed appointing Benj/
Tappan, Alfred Kelley, Thomas Worthington, Jeremiah Morrow, Isaac
Miner and Ebenezer Buckingham, Jr. commissioners, " Whose duty it
shall be to cause such examinations, surveys and estimates to be made
by engineers, etc., to ascertain the practicability of connecting lake
Erie with the Ohio river, from the Ohio river to the Maumee river by
a canal through the following routes, viz : — from Sandusky bay to the
Ohio river, from the Ohio river to the Maumee river, from- the lake to
the river aforesaid by the sources of the Cuyahoga and Black rivers
and the Muskingum river, and from the lake to the sources-of Grand
and Mahoning rivers to the Ohjo river."
On the 27th day of January, 1823, a supplementary act was passed
with a view of connecting the Jake with the Ohio river, and also of
ascertaining whether a loan could be secured for that purpose, thus
making in fact the canal commissioners also the fund commissioners.
DeWitt Clinton, in a letter to Williams, says :
The state of Ohio, from the fertility of its soil, the benignity of its climate-
and its geographical position, must always contain a dense population, and
the products and consumptions of its inhabitants must forever form a
lucrative and extensive inland trade, exciting the powers of productive
industry and communicating aliment and energy to extend commerce. But
when we consider that this canal will open a way to the great rivers that
fall into the Mississippi;' that it will be felt, not only in the immense valley
of that river, but as far west as the Rocky mountains and the borders of
Mexico ; and that it will communicate with our great inland seas, and
their tributary rivers ; with the ocean in various routes ; and with the
most productive regions of America, there can be no question respecting
the blessings that it will produce, the riches it will create, arid the energies
it will call into activity.
In 1824, a survey was made for a canal from Cincinnati along the?
Miami valley to the Maumee river at Defiance, thence along the left
bank of the same to the bay, and an estimate thereof reported to the
legislature. Mr. Williams directed the survey and for ten years there
after was the leading spirit of the enterprise. Samuel Forrer was the
head of the corps of engineers. More than one-half of this route was
through a dense forest ; there was not one house between St. Marys
and the mouth of the Auglaize.
On the 28th day of May, 1828, the President df the United States
approved an act of Congress, granting to Ohio a quantity of land equal
to one-half of five sections in width on each side of the canal, from
Dayton to the Maumee river at the mouth of the Auglaize, reserving
each alternate section to the United States, and the lands thus

CANAL SYSTEM. 22 1
reserved were not to be sold for less than two dollars and fifty cents
per acre.
The summit division was put under contract in 1831-2, and a loan of
$200,000 authorized on the credit of the state. Jeremiah Sullivan,
Nicholas McCarty and William C. Linton were appointed the first
board of fund commissioners of the state.
Just in time to save the land grant from dying under the limitation
by Congress, the first ground was broken with great ceremonies on the
1st day of March, 1832, at Fort Wayne, then a little town of about /our
hundred inhabitants. At the close of that year only §4,180.00 worth/of
work had been done. The division uniting the waters of the Wabash
with those of lake Erie was completed in 1835, and on the 4th day of
July in that year the first boat passed through it. This was the begin
ning of canal navigation in all that vast region lying north of Dayton
and west of Cleveland. Its cost was §7,177 per mile.
Canals in other parts of the state were agitated and prosecuted dur
ing this time, but all these works suffered from the same two great
causes, viz: sickness and want of fuqds. The Ohio portion of the
Wabash and Erie canal was finally finished in 1843, and at the celebra
tion of the event, on the Fouth of July of that year, at Fort Wayne,
Lewis Cass delivered the oration. The Miami canal extension, now
called "Miami and Erie," was opened for business in 1845. This com
pleted the continuous line between Maumee bay and the Ohio river at
Cincinnati. For the history of other canals the curious- reader is referred to the
proceedings pertaining to the Hocking canal, the Walhonding canal,
the Muskingum improvement, the Ohio and Pennsylvania canal, the
Mohickon branch, etc.
Seneca county commenced paying taxes in 1826, and among her first
assessments was a canal tax, which was continued and increased for
many years. This chapter will close with a statement of the amount
of taxes- Seneca county paid to the treasurer of the state, as canal tax,
from 1826 to 1835, both inclusive:'
In 1826, §14.97.7; 1827, $147.49.6; 1828, §191.65.2; 1829, §310.88.1;
1830, §400.83,6; 1831, §470.92.3; 1832, §553.64.6; 1833, §466.14.0;
1834, §282.88.7;. 1835, ^167.77.8.

CHAPTER XV.

SANDUSKY RIVER— THE WOLF CREEKS— SILVER CREEK— HONEY CREEK-
ROCKY CREEK— SPICER CREEK— MORRISON CREEK-SUGAR CREEK-GEN
ERAL DRAINAGE— TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY.

A HISTORY of Seneca county would be an utter failure without a
record of the nature of its soils, its sub-stratum, its drainage, etc.
It requires a mind learned in the science of geology to enable a person
to speak intelligently on the subject. Fully conscious of his inability
in that respect, the writer has drawn largely upon the "Report of the ,
Geological Survey of Ohio," made under a law passed by the General
Assembly of Ohio, in , March, 1869, by which the Governor of Ohio>-
was authorized, by and with the advice of the Senate, to appoint a
chief geologist, and one or more assistants, not exceeding three in
number, who were to constitute a geological corps, and whose duty was
to make a complete and thorough geological, agricultural and mineral-
ogical survey of each and every county in the state. The second
section of said act defines the object of said survey, viz: To ascertain
the geological structure of the state, including the dip, magnitude,
number, order and relative position of the several strata, their richness-
in coals, clays, ores, mineral waters and manures, building stone and
other useful material. To secure accurate chemical analyses of the
soils, etc. To ascertain the local causes that produce variations of
climate in the different sections of the state. To collect specimens
of rocks, ores,, soils, fossils, organic remains, etc., and to make- report
of same, etc.
The expenses were paid by the state, and considerable sums must yet
be appropriated to finish the work, and to pay for the printing and
binding of the unfinished reports.
The survey was to commence about the first 6f June, following. J-
S. Newberry was appointed chief geologist, and E. B. Andrews, Edward
Orton, and J. H. Klippart assistant geologists. Some ten other persons
were appointed as local assistants.
These reports are, and will be, published in limited numbers only,

LATITUDE  LONGITUDE  DRAINAGE. 223.
and but few of the readers of these pages will be the owners of them..
They will be very large and bulky, and require a considerable research
to find the material desired for our purpose. The friendly reader will
long sipce have been called to his fathers, before the state of Ohio will
again appoint a corps of geological engineers to make a survey of
Ohio at an expense of hundreds of thousands of dollars. That part of
these reports referring to the agricultural department, has not been
distributed as yet.
In view of all these facts, the larger portion of this chapter is devoted
to this interesting subject. Let us look at Seneca county from this-
standpoint. It is stated in a former chapter (Chap. X.) that the base line forming.
the south line of Seneca county is the forty-first degree north latitude.
Find on the map -section thirty-one in Eden township, and run ydu'r
finger up to section nineteen in Clinton, due north, which is seven
miles from the base line, and you have the latitude of Tiffin, 40°, 7' N.
of the equator, and longitude 6°, 8' W. of Washington. Tiffin is there
fore 86 miles north of Columbus, and 34 miles southwest of Sandusky.
. There are just twelve ranges between the west line of Seneca and the
State of Indiana, being 6x12=72 miles.
Seneca county is bounded on the south by the counties of Crawford
and Wyandot; on the west by Hancock and Wood; on the north by
Sandusky, and on the east by Huron. Its length and width are
described in Chap. X. Its shape is a rectangular parallelogram, con
taining fifteen townships. NATURAL DRAINAGE.
The Sandusky river, running through the county from the south to-
the north, divides it into two nearly equal parts, and is" the principal
stream in the county. The left bank of the river, in its general bear
ing, is higher ground than, the east, or right bank, and the country west
of the river descends almost immediately as it recedes from the river,
shedding the waters from near the river bank into the east branch of
Wolf creek. The result is, that there is not a single stream or creek
that enters the left bank of the Sandusky river in Seneca county. A
little brooklet that runs a short time after a rain, called Bell's run,
enters at the Spooner farm, a short distance south of Lugenbeel's dam
(formerly so called). Tymochtee and Wolf creeks are tributaries of
the Sandusky at its left bank, but the former enters the river in Wyan
dot, and the latter in Sandusky county.
The river, in its northward course, enters section 36 in Seneca town
ship, and immediately turns into section 31 in Eden, and returns again

224 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
into Seneca, where it keeps on its course along the., eastern tier of
sections in Seneca township, and enters section 36,in Hopewell; taking
a straight northward direction, it turns northeastwardly and enters
section 1 9 in Clinton, passes through Tiffin, runs through sections 17,
9 and 5 in Clinton, enters section 32 in Pleasant, where it makes many
turns in all directions, and finally leaves the county in the northeast
corner of section 5 in Pleasant.
The various branches of Wolf creek start, near the southern line of
the county, west of the river, the eastern branch running almost par-
alel with the river throughout the county. A short distance north of
the north line of Seneca county the several branches of Wolf creek
unite, and, taking a short turn eastwardly, immediately enter the river.
There seems to be a water shed all along the east line of the county
of Seneca that sends its waters westward into the Sandusky. Honey
creek and Rocky creek both run in a westerly direction about twelve
miles, without taking into account their meanderings, when they run
southwest about six miles, then turn northwest, and in that direction
enter the river. Honey creek takes up Silver creek near the northeast
corner of section 24 in Eden, from an easterly direction, and enters the
Sandusky in section 36 in Hopewell. Rocky creek enters the river at
Tiffin in section 19, in Clinton; Willow creek and Morrison creek flow
into the Sandusky in section 17, in Clinton; Spicer creek mouths into
the Sandusky in section 28 in Pleasant, and Sugar creek in section 22
of the game township. In this township two small brooks — rain water
creeks — each about one mile long, enter the river from the left bank.'
Six creeks enter the river frOm the east, within fifteen miles from the
base line. Thus it is seen that Seneca county is well watered.
This peculiarity in the southern bends of both Honey creek and
Rocky creek is not confined to this county, and may be due to the halt
ing retreat of the glacier, when throwing down the unmodified drift
with which that portion of the country is covered. The divides
between these creeks, along their upper waters, would in that case be
the moraine accumulations, which further west and at lower levels, were
not sufficient to divert the drainage /from the general course of the
main valley. They may be compared to the extended moraine which
shut off the St. Marys and the Wabash rivers from their most direct
course to lake Erie, along their upper waters.
SURFACE FEATURES.
The county presents more diversity of surface than Sandusky. The
northwestern part, including the townships of Jackson, Liberty and

GEOLOGY — SOIL AND TIMBER. 225
Pleasant, the northern half of Hopewell, and a small part of Loudon,
present the peculiar features of the lacustrine region.
. The Niagara limestone rises, in wide undulations, above the surface
of the drift, and is as frequently supplied with sandy accumulations
and bowlders as in counties further north. The surface of these town
ships, otherwise, is very flat. The remainder of the county, west of
the Sandusky river,>as well as the townships of Clinton and Eden on
the east, is entirely without such limestone exposures, and the surface,
when not broken by drainage valleys, is-gently undulating. The eastern
part pf the county is considerably more elevated than the middle and
western, and the surface is characterized at once by longer and more
considerable undulations, which have the form,' very often, of ridges,
evenly covered by drift, running about northeast and southwest. This
greater elevation is due to the greater resistance of the Corniferous
limestone to the forces of the glacial epoch, not to upheaval, as many
fancy; while the original inequalities in the drift surface have been
increased by the erosion of streams. There are still, even in the east
ern portion of the county, flat tracts where the drainage is so slow,
that the washings from the hill sides have leveled up the lower grounds
¦ with alluvial and marshy accumulations. In such cases the elevated
drift-knolls are gravelly, and show occasional boulders; but in the level
tract which has been filled, no boulders, or even stones of any kind,
can be seen.
The streams are bounded by a flood plain and a single terrace. The
latter, in case of the smaller streams, is not well defined, especially
where the general surface is not flat. The following heights of this
terrace, above the summer stage of the river, were ascertained by
Locke's level:
Sugar creek, N. W. j^ Sec. 27, Pleasant township, 42 ft. 2 in.
Honey creek, Sec. 20, Eden township, 58 ft.
Sandusky river, Sec. 24, Seneca township, 63 ft. 3 in.
SOIL AND TIMBER.
The soil,- consisting principally of the old drift surface, is what may
be termed a gravelly clay, with various local modifications. The
principal exceptions are the alluvial flats, bordering the streams, where
the soil consists largely of sandy marl, with varying proportions of
vegetable matter, the depressions in the old drift surface, which have
been slowly filled by peaty soil, and the sandy and stony ridges, in the
townships of Jackson, Liberty and Hopewell. With the exception of
the marsh known as Big Spring Prairie, in the southwestern part of
15 '

226 . HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTS.
Big Spring township, the whole country is in a tillable condition.
Hence, it is settled with a class of intelligent and prosperous farmers,
who keep the land generally under constant cultivation. The original
' forest, which is how to a great extent removed, embraced the usual
variety of oak, hickory, beech, maple, elm, ash, poplar and walnut
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.
The rocks that underlie the county have a general dip towards the
east. Hence, the Niagara limestone, in the western portion of the
county, is succeeded by the higher formations in regular order in trav
eling east. They are the water limestone, the Oriskany sandstone,
the Lower Corniferous, the Upper Corniferous, the Hamilton shale,
and the Huron shale, or black slade. The eastern boundary of the
Niagara , enters the county a little east of Green Spring, in a south
westerly .direction, and crossing the Sandusky river, at Tiffin, it turns .
westward nearly to the center of Hopewell township, where it again
turns southwest, and leaves the county at Adrian. All west of this line
is underlain by the Niagara, which is not divided into two belts, as in
Sandusky and Ottawa counties. The strip of the waterlime which
separates it in those counties, probably just indents the northern line
of the county in Pleasant township. The out-cropping edge of the
Upper Corniferous is the only other geological boundary that can be
definitely located. Those- on either side are so obscured by. the drift,
that their located positions on the map must be regarded as conjectured.
In general, however, the waterlime underlies a strip along the eastern
side of the Niagara area, about five miles in width on the north, but
widening to nine miles on the south. The Lower Corniferous underlies
the western part of Bloom and Scipio townships, and the eastern part
of Adams. , The Upper Corniferous occupies the most of Thompson
and Reed townships, the western portion of Venice, and the eastern
portion of Bloom and Scipio. The Hamilton and the Black shale have
not been seen in out-crop in the county, but are believed to underlie a
small area in the southeastern portion of the county. The Black shale
may be seen in the valley of Slate Run, Norwich township-, in Huron
county. The Niagara shows the following exposures:
IN JACKSON 'TOWNSHIP,
S. W. % of section 36, in a little creek. No dip discoverable. In section
22, a prominent ridge is crossed, and slightly excavated by the railroad.
The ascent is so gentle the grade rises over it. N. W. % of section

GEOLOGICAL -FORMATION. 227
31, of the Guelph aspect, shows numerous fossils, used for rnaking
roads, and for lime. IN LIBERTY TOWNSHIP,
S. W. % of section 4, in west branch of Wolf creek; dip 6 or 8 degrees
west of the S. E. ^ of section 5.
Section 3, half a mile west of Bettsville; frequent exposures along
the west branch of Wolf creek. When observable, the dip is to the
.west. Section 10 — Along the east line of the section, in the form of ridges.
N. E. % of section 28, N. W. % of section 2, horizontal; in the west
branch of Wolf creek, setting back the water mearly a mile. N. W. ^
of »ection 24, considerably quarried for foundations and abutments of
bridges. S. W. % of section 30, by the roadside. N. E. ^ of section
36, in Wolf creek. S. W. % of section 34, S. W. j£ of section 31, in
thick beds, used by Mr. George King in the construction of his house;
dip 50 N. E. N. W. % section 29.
V IN PLEASANT TOWNSHIP,
Northwest quarter of section 10, in the bed of Wolf creek, dip north
east, glacial scratches, south 560 west, northwest quarter of section 20.
In the bed of the river at Fort Seneca, just below the dam, a fine
grained, bluish limestone has been a little quarried for use on roads.
But owing to its hardness and the unfavorable location, it was not
regarded suitable. It probably belongs to the Niagara, although the
opportunities for examination were too meager to determine exactly.
Center and southeast quarter of section 28, in thick beds, in Spicer,
creek. IN HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP,
Northeast quarter of section 22. Has the aspect of the Guelph on the
land of Henry W. Creeger; surface exposure, section 16, where the
road crosses Wolf creek.
In these surface exposures very little opportunity is offered for ascer
taining the lithological characters, or the rriineralogical and fossil
contents of the formation. The chief exposure of the Niagara within
the county is in the Sandusky river, between Tiffin and Fort Seneca.
From Tiffin, descending the Sandusky river, rocks show constantly
to within half a mile of the line between Clinton and Pleasant town- -
ships. Throughout'the most of this distance, the dip of the formation
(Niagara) is from five to ten degrees toward the southwest, but with
various flexures and undulations in all directions. The thickness of
bedding exposed is between fifty and sixty feet. The following minutes

228 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
on this exposure will show the undulations in the dip of the beds, and
the manner of the occurrence of the fossiliferous beds, which have by
some been regarded as a distinct member of the Upper Silurian above -
the Niagara. They make, here, a sudden appearance within the forrn-
ation, having horizontal continuity with the more usual hard, gray, and
thick-bedded Niagara, which contains fewer fossil remains.
Ascending the river from section 29, in Pleasant township, glacial
furrows, S. 440 W., the dips, of the Niagara were observed, together
with the water lime formations to some distance southwest of Tiffin,
varying from three to eighteen feet in all directions, and resulted thus:'
Total southwest dip  ¦  87 ft. 10 in.
Total northeast dip..  ¦  33 ft-
Actual southwest dip of the forfnation  54 ff. 10 in.
From this it appears that the Niagara limestone, especially the
uppermost, fifty-five feet, is, in general, a gray crystalline, rather fine
grained, compact,. or slightly visicular and unfossiliferous mass; and that
the fossiliferous parts are rough and visicular, of a light buff color, apt
to crumble under the weather, and not horizontally continuous.
The green shale, which in Sandusky county represents the Salina,
has- nowhere been seen in Seneca county. The only place within the
county where the junction of the Niagara and waterlime has been
observed, is in- the quarries at Tiffin, within the corporate limits. A
few rods above the iron bridge on Washington street, a quarry has been
opened in the left bank of the Sandusky which may be designated
as quarry No. 1. The Niagara shows in a broad surface exposure, over
which the river spreads, except in its lowest stage. The quarry has not
penetrated it, but the overlying water lime beds have been stripped off,
showing a section of 1 2 feet in their beds,, belonging to phase No. 3. -
This lies conformably on the Niagara, so far as can be seen, the sepa
rating surface presenting no unusual flexures or irregularities. The
only trace of the Salina is in the tendency of the color and texture of
the Niagara towards those of the water lime, visible through its last
three or four inches. It is bluish-drab, porous, crystalline, with some
indistinct greenish lines and spots. It contains much calcite, and some
galena. From this1 character it passes immediately into a bluish-gray
crystalline rock, in thick, firm beds, with spots of purple, heavy and
slightly porous, the cavities being nearly all filled with calcite.
The principal exposures of the waterlime are in the quarries at ,
Tiffin. Quarry No. 2 is located a quarter of a mile above the last, on the

GEOLOGIC At FORMATION. 229
right bank of the river, and is knowri as the city quarry. The dip here
is southwest, six or eight degrees. Supposing the dip is uniform
between quarries Nos. i and 2, there must be an unseen interval of
twenty-five or thirty feet of the formation separating them. Total
exposed,' 17 ft. 9 in.
The characteristic fossil, liperditia alta, may be seen in nearly all
' parts of this section, but it was especially noted in Nos. 3 and 7. This
rock is all hard and crystalline, but with a fine grain. No. 3, without
careful examination, might be taken for Niagara, if seen alone: When
broken into fragments for roads, the color of the pile, weathered a few
months, is a pleasant bluish gray. Yet on close examination, the blue
tints vanish, and the stone shows a drab, a dark or brownish drab, a'
black and a bluish gray, (the last two only on the lines of the bedding)
depending on the fracture or surface examined.
The river, just in the southern limits of the city, is flowing east. The
rock can be followed along the same bank of the river eighteen or
twenty rods from the foregoing quarry, and has an irregular surface
exposure throughout that distance, with a continuous dip southwest.
The rock then follows the bluff, which strikes across a path of river
bottom, and is not seen again until a mile further up the river. It is
here quarried and burnt into lime. The dip is in the opposite direc
tion — that is, towards the north. This is quarry No. 3. Total, 27 ft.
9 in. This rock is quite different in most of its external aspects from that
described in the last two sections, and it probably overlies them. It is
much more loose-grained and porous, and is almost 'without bituminous
films. The beds are generally six to twelve inches, but sometimes three
feet in thickness. It has more constantly the typical drab color of the
waterlime, and it shows, besides the liperditia aita, another bivalve
like atrypa sulcata, and a handsome species of orthis; arlso, a coarse
favositoid coral, all of which are often seen in the water lime.
In the S. E. }( of section 22, Hopewell township, Mr. Henry W. Cree-
ger quarries water-lime in the bed of Wolf creek; dip south six or
eight degrees.
The waterlime appears in thin, drab beds at the bridge over the San
dusky in N. E. }( of section 23, Seneca township, with undulating dip.
In S. E. }/^ of section 29, Clinton township, where the road crosses
Rocky creek, the waterlime is exposed, having the feature of No. 8, of
quarry No. 3 at Tiffin. [See Vol. I, Geology p. 618.]
The Oriskany sandstone is nowhere exposed in this county, but its

230 HISTORY OF SE«ECA COUNTY.
line of outcrop probably passes through Adams, Clinton and Eden
townships. .
The Lower Corniferous has been observed in the following places:
S. W. % of section 1, Eden township. ' Afong the bed of a little
creek, tributary to Rocky creek, a magnesian, buff, granular limestone
is exposed. It has no fossils, so far as can be seen in the meager out
crops. It is also seen in the banks along the creek, on the farm of Mr.
Ferguson. It was formerly quarried, to a limited extent, and used for
rough walls. It is rather soft at first, but is said to become harder
when the water is dried out. There is no dip discoverable.
N. W. ^ of section 20, Bloom township. In the right bank of Sil
ver creek there is an exposure of higher beds of the Lower Corniferous,
as follows, from above :
No. 1 — In beds of two to six inches; buff and dark buff, magne
sian; very slightly fossiliferous; some hard and crystalline,
some soft and spongy. These edges do not appear to
be slaty. They have been long weathered and lie loose.
This is near the junction of the Lower and Upper Cornif
erous. 10 ft.
No. 2 — Magnesian ; rather hard ; crystalline; non-fossiliferous;
buff when dry; fine grained; banded with darker buff, or
with brown when in thicker beds. Beds % inch to 2
inches. These edges appear slaty. 2 ft.

' Total  ,  12 ft.
Lying nearly horizontal five or six rods, at the east end of the bluff
the beds dip east and disappear. A little west of this exposure the
magnesian, non-fosslliferous, thick -bedded characters of the Lower Cor
niferous may be seen in the bed of the creek. Eighteen or twenty rods
to the east, the features and fossils of the Upper- Corniferous appear in '
an old quarry by the roadside, where the dip is E. N. E.
S. W. % of section 3, Scipio township. Along the channel of Sugar -
creek, on the land of Enoch Fry, a stone is exposed which appears like
Lower Corniferous. It is soft, coarse grained, and without visible fossils.
A pond located near this place, which has precipitous banks and some
times becomes dry, is probably caused by subterranean disturbances
and erosion.
The quarry of Mr. David Wyatt, N: W. }(. of section 1, Scipio town
ship, is in a thin-bedded, bluff stone, which has no tendency, to blue,
without fossils, and included within the Lower Corniferous.

GEOLOGICAL FORMATION. 23!
The Lower Corniferous is also exposed S. E. }£ of section 34, Adams
township, along the public road-
N. E. fy of section 26, Eden township. A fine-grained, argillacious,
gray rock, weathering buff, without visible fossils, appears in the
road. It seems apt to break into angular pieces, three or four inches
across. It is rather hard. It is probably included within the Lower
Corniferous. The opportunities for observing the lower portion of the Corniferous
within the county are not sufficient to warrant a general section and
description. The Upper Corniferous, owing to its greater hardness and toughness,
was not so generally destroyed by the ice and water of the glacial
epoch, and now may be more frequently seen, thinly covered with
coarse drift, occupying the highest parts of the county and forming the
main water shed. The coarseness of trie-drift on these higher tracts is
owing to the washings by rains and freshets since the close of the gla
cial epoch. It is an unassorted hardpan, and sometimes covers glacial
striae in the rock below.
This part of the Corniferous is exposed in the following places within
the county. It furnishes a very useful building stone, and is"extensively
used for all walls, foundations, and some buildings.
IN THOMPSON TOWNSHIP,
N. W. y% of section. 20. It closely underlies most of the section. The
drift being thin, the soil sometimes shows fragments. A quarry is
owned by Mr John W. Paine.
S. W. ^ of section 16. Mr. George Good's quarry; beds horizontal,
in the midst of a. field in fine cultivation, with a surface gently undu
lating; drift at the quarry eight inches, but rapidly thickening further
away. Same J^ section. Samuel Royers' quarry exposes about eight
feet perpendicular; beds about- horizontal.
S. W. ^ of section 14.' Reuben Hartman's quarry exposes about
eight feet of blue, thin beds, which seem to have been shattered, falling
towards the west, the firm beds having a slight dip towards the north
east. Large, handsome flagging is obtained at this quarry.
N. E. % of section 2; Benjamin Bunn's quarry. There are here
about three feet of drift over the rock. The beds are exposed about
six feet perpendicularly ; dip not observed, although there is a falling
away by fracture towards the west.
S. W. }( of section 1. Charles Smith's quarry faces the west; indeed,
the same is true of Hartman's and Bunn's. Mr. Royers' quarry is an,

232 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
irregular opening, facing mostly north and west. Mr. Good's faces
north and east.
S. E. ^ of section 1. In the edge of Huron county, Mr. George
Sheffield has a quarry in horizontal beds; gravelly soil eighteen inches.
S. E. % of setion 1. Quarry of William Clemens.
N. E. % of section 21. Quarry of Joseph Shirk. This consists of
a mass of shattered and dislodged beds, from which, however, good
, stope is taken. In one place, a mass showing a perpendicular thick
ness of five feet is twisted away from its original position, the planes
of jointing indicating where it ought to be. It is removed two feet
from its natural place. The projection beyond the fate of the other
beds tapers, iri the distance of about fifteen feet, to a few inches, and
is hid by debris.
" Northeast quarter of section 15, quarry of John M. Krauss.
Northeast quarter of section 29, quarry of Mrs. Joseph Hoover.
Northeast quarter of section 10, quarry of Isaac Karn.
Northwest quarter pf section n, quarry of Tunis Wygart.
Northwest quarter of section 2, quarry of Grimes heirs.
Many others also have small openings in the rocks in this township.
They are nearly all in the midst of cultivated fields, and there is a
remarkable absence of boulders, although the rock is sometimes seen
projecting above the surface. There are a few boulders, but they are
such as belong to the drift, and have been dug out, by the erosion of
streams, or by man. They are not thick about rocky outcrops, as in
the lacustrine regioh. IN BLOOM TOWNSHIP.
Northwest quarter of section n. Lewis Fisher. has an extensive
quarry in the Upper Corniferous, in trie valley of a little tributary to
Honey creek. About fifteen feet of bedding are exposed, lying nearly
horizontal. The lowest beds are about eighteen inches in thickness,
and softer, yet of a 'blue color like the rest. In working Mr. Fisher's
quarry, it has become ^ecessary to remove about ten feet of hardpan
drift. .
Northeast quarter of section' 1,0. Jacob Detwiller's quarry is also an
extensive opening, and exposes beds a few feet lower than Mr. Fisher's.
The lowest seems to be of a lighter color, and must be near the bottom
of the Upper Corniferous. A stream disappears in this quarry, in time
of freshet.
Southwest quarter of section 2. Henry Detterman's quarry is located
in the valley of Honey creek.

GEOLOGICAL FORMATION. 233
Northeast quarter of section 20. Along the banks of Silver creek
there is considerable exposure of the Upper Corniferous, and it is
extensively wrought by Abraham Kagy. The beds here have a contin
uous dip, E. S. E., affording opportunities for the following sections:
No. 1 — Fossiliferous beds with chert, which weathers white; thin-
bedded, of bluish-gray color. 7 ft.
No. 2 — Thin, flaggy, lenticular beds ; fossiliferous ; drab-buff
color ; hard, brittle, and sometimes with vermicular
impressions. 4 ft.
[Note. — No. 2 would probably be thicker-bedded if
freshly exposed.]
No. 3 — The same as No. 2, but in more even beds. 28 ft.

Upper Corniferous exposed   •¦•39 ft-
Northwest quarter of section 29. Noah Einsel has a handsome
quarry, in beds which dip E. N. E.
Northwest quarter of section 20, Reed township. The Upper Cor-
.niferous is quarried by Mr. Armstrong. THE DRIFT.
Throughout this county, this deposit lies as it was left by the gla
cier. The mass of it is an unassorted hardpan, but it shows locally the
glacial stratification incident to streams of water arising from the dis
solution of the ice. Such cases of stratification are most common in
the great valleys where the waters necessarily accumulated. They are
by no means common, nor uniform in their location in the drift verti
cally. In some cases the stratification arises nearly or quite to the
surface, or prevails to the. depth of thirty or forty feet ; in others it
embraces one or more beds of hardpan, which have irregular outlines.
In section 20, Eden township, the banks of Honey creek were particu
larly noted, and may be described as follows:
No. 1 — This is imperfectly exposed, but wherever seen is in unas
sorted hardpan with considerable gravel. It forms the -
soil of the county, and is of a brownish yellow color. 25 ft.
No. 2 — Is blue, and composed of alternating beds of compacted
hardpan, containing water-worn and scratched pebbles
of all kinds and sizes, apparently unassorted and unstrat-
ified, and beds of coarse sand, extremely fine sand and
coarse gravel. From the sand and gravel layers issue
springs of ferriferous water. The sand layers sometimes
graduate into impervioqs, clay-like beds, and can hardly

234 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
be called sand. The lowest seen in No. 2 is a layer of
eighteen inches, at least, of clear sand. 30 ft. -
No. 3 — Talus of round pebbles and stones, mostly limestone, >
and frequently stained with iron oxide. 3 ft.
* The thickness of the drift cannot be stated with certainty. At Attica,
in the township of Venice, wells penetrate it to' the depth of sixty feet
without striking the rock. This is the highest point within the county,
and the general surface is. rolling.
MATERIAL RESOURCES — BUILDING STONE.
Next to the products of the soil, the most important resources of
Seneca county consist in the products of the quarries. Throughout v
most of the county there is no difficulty in obtaining good building
stone, although the best quarries are situated a little unfavorably for
the townships of Loudon, Big Spring, Seneca, Eden, Pleasant, Venice
and Reed. The'quarries at Tiffin furnish stone throughout a radius of
many miles, while those in Bloom township supply a great tract of
country south and east. The quarries in Thompson township, although
located in the Upper Corniferous, are affording one of the best qualities
of stone in northwestern Ohio; they are favorably exposed for work-^
ing, but less developed than similar openings in Bloom township. This
is doubtless due to the superior advantages of quarries further north,
and at Bellevue, in Sandusky county, for reaching market and for ship
ment by railroad. LIME.
For lime, the Niagara and waterlime formations are chiefly used.
They are more easily quarried and more cheaply burned than the Upper
Corniferous. Both are burned at Tiffin, but the kilns are rude and the
expense of burning is greater than where the improved kilns are
employed. , CLAY.
Clay for brick and red pottery is found in suitable quantities in all
parts of the county. Many establishments for the manufacture of brick
employ the surface of the ordinary hardpan, including even the soil; .
others reject the immediate surface, which contains' roots and turf, and
burn the hardpan from the depth of a foot Or two. This material,
although liable to contain pebbles of limestone, which injure the man
ufactured article, generally has it in such small quantity and in^so
comminuted a state, as to require no other flux for the silica. The
tile, brick and pottery made in this way are suitable for all purposes

MATERIAL, RESOURCES. - ' 235
where no great degree of heat is required. Mr. J. M. Zahm, of Tiffin,
after many careful experiments, has succeeded in making a good quality
of hydraulic cement by mixing the finest of the drift clay, in proper
parts, with ordinary carbonate of lime or tufa. He has also produced
from the drift clay near Tiffin, by making proper selections, a very fine
pottery, some of which cannot be distinguished from the terra cotta
ware used for ornaments and statues. It has a very vitreous fracture,
a smooth surface, and a dark red or amber color. From the drift clay
near Tiffin, Mr. H. W. Creeger also obtained a fine material for pottery
and for glazing with salt BOG-IRON ORE.
Before the development of the lake Superior and Missouri iron
mines, one of the principal sources of iron in the northwest was the
bog ore deposits, which are scattered over much of the country. In
northwestern Ohio the numerous furnaces which were employed on
these deposits along the south shore of lake Erie, and in counties
further south arid west, rendered bog ore an important item of mineral
wealth. It produces an iron known as "cold short'" owing to the
presence of phosphorus, which cannot be used for wire or for sheet
iron, but is valuable for castings. On the contrary, iron- from the ores
which contain sulphur as an impurity, or silicon, is friable or brittle
when hot, and is distinguished as "red short." When these two
qualities occur in close proximity, or in circumstances favorable for
transportation, they may be mixed in the process of smelting, and
the resulting iron, is greatly improved. The lake Superior ores,
which are the only ones smelted in the furnaces of northwestern
Ohio, are ' quite free from sulphur, and hence at the present time
the bog ores possess but little commercial value. It will be only
in connection with the sulphur ores of the coal measures in the
southeastern part of the state* that the bog ores, can be made of any
mineral value.
In Seneca county bog ore occurs in a number of places. It is not
in sufficient quantities, usually, to invite expenditure of capital, and in
the absence of abundant fuel, it will probably never be of any eco
nomical value. It was met with oh the farm of W. B. Stanley, about
two miles southeast of Tiffin, where it underlies a peat bog, covering
irregularly perhaps fifteen or twenty acres.
It also occurs on the land of Mr. Foght, southeast quarter of sec
tion 27, Seneca township*. It has been taken out, here in large
blocks, roughly cut while wet, and set up for back walls in rude fire

236 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
places. On being exposed to the air, or especially to fire, it-becomes
cemented and very hard. There is-also a deposit in-section n, in
Clinton township, exactly on the south line of the Seneca Indian
reservation.

.'¦"¦:. -t '.ty Ja/m-Sart

*^r.

CHAPTER XV.

LIFE OF JOSIAH HEDGES— CHANGE— FIRST PLAT OF TIFFIN- THE SAW-MILL
MIASMA— FIRST FRAME HOUSES-FIRST STORES-FIRST BRICK HOUSES
—THE FERRY— THE DUG-OUT — FIRST HOTELS — BLACK-STRAP— HENRY
GROSS— MR. BREDOON'S DEATH— THE CREEGER FAMILY— HENRY LANG-
HENRY CRONISE— DR. BOYER'S FAMILY— PHILIP SEEWALD.

JOSIAH '"HEDGES.
AMONG the most remarkable, of the leading pioneers of Seneca
county, was Josiah Hedges, the founder of Tiffin. He was born
April 9, 1778, near West Liberty, Berkley county, Va., and throughout
his whole life preserved the characteristics of the^true Virginian. He left
his father's home at an early age, with a determination to carve out his
own fortune^ The first eriterprise which he undertook on his own,
account, was' a trading excursion to New Orleans, on a flatboat, laderi
with fruit, which he floated dpwn the Ohio river from Wheeling to New
Orleans. The voyage lasted?; six weeks. He finally settled in Ohio in
1 80 1 j one year before it was admitted as a state, and located in Belmont
county, where, for a number of years,; he was one of the most active
and prominent citizens. He was the, first sheriff of that county, and
for a number of years clerk of the^ court. He next engaged in the
mercantile business at St. Clairsville. His capital was limited, but was
slowly and surely iricreasing|by prudence and sagacity — firm traits in
his character that never forsook him through life.
In those days, merchants in the west were wont to purchase their
goods in PJiiladelphia, jourrieying across the Alleghany mountains on
horseback, and carrying their specie in their saddle bags. In 18 19, he
opened a branch store in Mansfield, having as a partner his brother,
Gen. James Hedges. Soon thereafter he removed from St. Clairsville
to Mansfield. In 1820, he made a journey to Fort Ball, in this county.
His natural foresight very soon suggested to him the possibility of a
speculation, and he immediately decided to enter -the land opposite to
Fort Ball, oTrtBfe^&gh^Qarifc^^ the Sandusky river. H^^-tie^^ounty
seat was located sodfcvthereafter, in,the heart of the townN^tJMjI;
Hedges caused to be piaXtecTimmecliately after his ptrrc-has.e of the land

238 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
at the Delaware land office. In 1822 the first stick- was cut on the
plat of Tiffin, at a place near the Commercial bank, in the first' ward.
In the same year Mr. Hedges built a saw mill on Rocky creek, a short
distance east of the court house, and a frame building on the lot north
of the court house, which was afterwards used for very many purposes,
— for a court house, Masonic hajl,1 offices and shops, etc. The same
building is still in existence, and stands near the mouth and on the left
bank of Rocky, creek and also on the bank of the Sandusky river, and
is now used as a paper box factory. In the same year he also built the
flouring mill on the Sandusky river, which was' afterwards known as the
"Hunter mill." By a prudent and liberal course in disposing of his
town lots, he saw the place increase steadily, and in 1828 he secured
the removal of the land office from Delaware to Tiffin, thus giving the.
town a new impetus. In 1825, and again in 1830, he was elected a
member of the House of Representatives from this - district, in which
capacity he served to the satisfaction of the people. In 1837 he dis-
posed-of his interest in trie store^o a son, and from that time to the
close ,of his life, devoted all his time to the interest of Tiffin and his
growing wealth.
In his younger days Mr. Hedges was an athletic and vigorous man,
and well up to nearly four score years he retained a large portion of
his mental and physical vigor, and was always able to attend to .his
own affairs. He was generous and just in his dealings with his fellow
men; benevolent and kind. He assisted all the christian denominations
in Tiffin, and granted lots for the erection of churches, in addition to
his liberal subscriptions. He was the originator of many, and the sup
porter of all, public improvements. He was possessed of that large
and unselfish hospitality that characterized all the early settlers. He
was generous to the poor, and' always willing to lend a helping hand.
When a man bought a lot from him on whicri to build himself a home,
\ arid could not pay as he had agreed to do, Mr. Hedges would never
trouble him, as long as the purchaser showed a desire and willingness
to pay. Yet he looked after his interest, and expected men- to come
up to their promises. While he had 'no love for drones and loafers, the
man of work and industry always "found in him a friend. Those that
sought his advice in business, never called on him in vain ; and when
he knew the man to be true and faithful, was ready to help him, if nec
essary, with material advice. He was as sincere in all his intercourse
-with his fellow men as he was just and generous; and while he was the
good neighbor and citizen, the safe counsellor and faithful friend, he
was also an indulgent and affectionate father and devoted husband.

JOSIAH HEDGES. 239
His kindred, both old and young, will ever gratefully remember him.
To him they could always go with loving confidence; his heart was
ever open to them.
Although not a member of any church, Mr. Hedges was a good and
true man; and upon his dying couch he expressed a willingness to go,
and assured his friends around him of his unfaltering trust in that
Savior "who has promised to gave all who may turn towards Him in
faith and penitence." He sank awav quietly, as if but entering upon
a sleep. Without a groan or a struggle, the good old man took his
departure, and passed away "like one that draws the drapery of his
couch around hjm and lavs down to pleasant dreams."
Mr. Hedges was first married September 2'b, 1807, to Rebecca Rus
sell, in Belmont county, Ohio. He had by this union six children, two
of whom are still living — Mrs. Clarinda Hunter, widow of William
Hunter, and Mrs. Rebecca Walker, widow of Joseph Walker. His first
wife died July 8, 1816, aged thirty-one years. After living a widower
-about one year, he was again married on the 10th day of July, 1817, to
Eliza Hammerly, of Martinsburgh, Virginia. This union was blessed
with nine children, of whom Cynthia A. wife of Luther A. Hall, Esq.,
of Tiffin, Ohio, Mary Jane, wife of A. C. Baldwin, of Tiffin,- Ohio,
Minerva, wife of Harrison Noble, Esq., the present mayor of the city.
of Tiffin, Elizabeth, wife of John Gr Gross, for many years a prominent
merchant of Tiffin, and Sarah, wife of the Hon. W. W. Armstrong, late
secretary of state, and now of the Cleveland Plaindealer, of Cleveland,
Ohio, the faithful and esteemed friend of the writer, are still living.
His second wife died on the 10th day of November, 1837. He was
married again October 29, 1844, to Harriet, daughter of Henry Snook,
of Seneca county, who is still among the living, highly respected. Mr.
Hedges died in Tiffin, on the 15th day of July, 1858, aged eighty
years, three months and six days.
While it is very true, and it might well be said, that Mr. Hedges died
greatly beloved by his large family and all his neighbors and friends,
yet he was "not without sin;" he was mortal and human. While he
was endowed with very many manly traits of character, his social
nature, and the allurements of friends, at times led hhn to excesses
that he afterwards openly regretted. While he was governed by strict
principles of honor, living faithfully up to his promises, and while he
would never .voluntarily offer an insult to, or hurt the feelings of, any
person, it was exceedingly unsafe for any man to offer an insult to him
within three feet °f his shoulders.
Up to about his seventy-fifth year his step was permanent and regu-

240 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
lar, and his carriage wonderfully straight for one of his age. From
that time onward the increasing years wrought their mark upon his
powerful frame. On a pleasant day he would walk with short steps
about town, in his double gown, with a stick in his hand, dragging his
shoes, tramped down at the heels, often with his smoking cap on and
smoking his familiar short pipe — the very picture of a comfortable
sunset after a long, summer day.
In stature Mr. Hedges was a little over six feet high, and well
proportioned. His carriage was very straight, his movements and
gestures, as well as his conversation, very decided. He had nothing
of suavity or "blarney" about him. He was very economical with his
words in business transactions, and would say no more than was neces
sary to accomplish the work in hand. His intercourse with men, while
it was pleasant enough in business, and utterly void of offense, yet bore
that peculiar, almost indescribable, natural aristocracy that so much
characterizes the true Virginia gentleman of the olden school. His
voice was clear, a little metalic, and on a rather high note for so large
a person. He had a fine forehead, a sharp, small, black eye, a promi
nent nose, not very large, clenched lips, high cheek bones, heavy lower
jaw, and in his tout ensemble was the very image of firmness and
decision.
CHANGE.

"O'er us, we scarce know whence or when
A change begins to steal,
Which teaches that we ne'er again
As once we felt, shall feel.
A curtain, slowly drawn aside,
Reveals a shadowed scene
Wherein trie future differs wide
From what the past has, been."
The law of chafige is stamped and deeply imprinted upon all earthly
things. The bud that opens its leaves into a flower, to greet the first
rays of the rising sun, gives up its glory to the gentle zephyr at noon,
and is gone. The towering oak, that defied the storms and wintry
blasts for centuries, finally yields to the demands of nature and crum
bles its substance to the earth' from whence it sprung. The rocks and
hills submit to the wear and tear of the seasons, and change form,
under the law of disintegration. Seneca county no longer wears the
beauty of her pristine grandeur. Its noble forest is broken and gone,
and with it the wild aborigines and still wilder beasts. The drift-wood

CHANGE. 241
is removed from the river and the creeks, the streams are gradually
becoming more nearly straight, and the great swales are nearly all laid
dry by judicious ditching. Rich crops reward the labors of the hus
bandman, and the shouts and songs of \ happy children have taken the
place of the hideous howling of the wolf and the roaring of the
ravenous panther. The echo of the woodman's axe has made way for
the shrill whistle of the steam-factory and the locomotive, and thou
sands of happy, prosperous and intelligent people worship God in
splendid meeting houses, erected where the blue smoke of the council
fires of the Indians rose in curling clouds over the tree tops. The trail
of the Indian is wiped away by public roads that bring market to every
door. And so has Tiffin yielded to the law of change. There is no trace
left of the few cabins that first marked the place called Tiffin. They
have passed away like the stakes the surveyor drove into the ground
among the trees to show the width of the streets and alleys that were
to be.
' Many reasons maybe assigned for the fact that Seneca county settled
up more, rapidly than any other county in northwestern Ohio;' and
among these may be enumerated the rich soil and splendid timber; its
water-privileges and water supply; its excellent drainage and accessi
bility to -market; its inexhaustible quantity of building stone, its cli
mate, etc., etc.
And shall we not give the pioneers of Seneca county great credit for
their sagacity, at least, in selecting this spot for their new homes, when,
in trie lifetime of many of us who are still here, and before our own
eyes, this county threw off its mantle of forest wild, and became the
first wheat-growing county of the great state of Ohio, both in acreage
and number of bushels produced to the acre? What a change!
In the preceding chapters, the attention of the interested reader was
directed to things of a general nature, affecting nearly all parts of the
county alike. Hereafter, local affairs will enlist the services of the old
goose-quill, and an effort will be made to describe men and things in
their individual localities.
Let us commence with Tiffin, and starting with her in the woods, on
the banks of the turbid Sandusky, trace her to the spring-time of 1880.
Then let us take up the further progress of each township, without any
particular attempt at order, locating and naming the old settlers, and
describing some of them as their neighbors-knew them — thus, if possi
ble, obtaining a bird's-eye view of Seneca county generally, with its
happy thousands and its' various industries.
16

242 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The first plat of Tiffin contained 118 lots— each block of 12 lots
facing four streets, with a cros.s alley through the center. It had three
streets running east and west, viz: Perry, Market and Madison, starting
near Rocky creek 'and ending near the river; and three streets running
north and south, viz: Jefferson, Washington and Monroe, starting near
the river, and ending at an alley 180 feet south of Madison street. The
east end of this alley is now Tiffin street, and leads from Jefferson to
the old cemetery.
This was Tiffin, with a little opening and a cabin where the gas works
now are. Another was built soon thereafter* near where the Commer
cial bank now is, and another a little south of Naylor's hardware store.
This survey was made and the town platted before Seneca county
was organized, as was before stated, and therefore the plat had to be
recorded in the recorder's office of Sandusky county, which was done
on the 28th day of November, A. D. 182 1.
No change- was made in the plat of Tiffin until 1831, on the 27th day
•of May, when Mr. Hedges had his southern addition to Tiffin surveyed
and platted. This contained in-lots from 119 to 146, both inclusive*,
and out-lots from 1 to 12, both inclusive. The public cemetery was
laid just north of out-lot No. 7. This addition was a string of lots,
one on each side of Washington street, running south to the first alley
now north of the German Catholic church and the junction of the
roads. The lots from both sides run endwise to the street. Not a
single cross street intersects them to this day. Jefferson street and
Monroe street were also extended south, the same distance through
these out-lots.-
The wonderful energy of Mr. Hedges, and his untiring ' industry,
produced a saw mill, near Rocky creek, already mentioned. It stood
near the mill race, and some thirty rods southeast of the point where
Circular street intersects East Market. The dam was close by the saw
mill — in fact, the water ran from the dam directly into the mill, without
a head-race, and, after passing through the wheel, emptied into the
creek again, so that the mill had neither head nor tail-race. A race,
however, was constructed from this dam to the City Mill, still standing:
This saw mill was built-in 1826, and was run night and day to supply
the great demand that was made upon it for lumber with which to build
frame houses, and for other purposes. It became the center of attrac
tion, and looked like a bee-hive on a large scale ' while it lasted.
Everybody was in need of boards, and had to have them.
Mr. Hedges, having so many irons in the fire, could give the saw
mill no personal attention, and rented it to one Joseph Janey, and

j THE FIRST SAW MILL. 243
afterw-ards to my dear old friends, U. P. Coonrad and Christopher Y.
Pierson. It was then a paying institution, and these two young carpen
ter partners made the saw mill count. t They published a notice in the
Seneca Patriot, in 1832, that one of the partners could be found at the
hotel of Calvin Bradley. Bradley then kept the Center House, which
will be noticed hereafter.
The saw mill burned away in the spring of 1833, and this ended the
partnership with the mill. Neither was ever rebuilt, but the dam
remained to supply the City Mill. The dam set the water back, far
up Rocky creek, to the lands of Mrs. Nolan, and in summer time the
water was covered with a green scum., The people, suffering so much
from malarious diseases, concluded that the dam injured the health of
the town, and importuned Mr. Hedges to remove it. He refused, how
ever, and finally suit was brought against him to compel him to move
the dam.
At the trial, all the physicians in the town were witnesses, and testi
fied both for and against the dam. They had some trouble to satisfy
the defendant's counsel and the court upon the material qualities of
the malarious poison. One of the doctors, (who also did a little
preaching with his' practice, at times,) seemed to be very positive in his
testimony. He said that miasma could be noticed in the air when it
was quiet, early in the morning, by sunrise, in the form of a fine, blue
streak interwoven with the fog. The writer did not know how it was,
but heard both Drs. Dresbach and Kuhn say that they did not believe
it. Mr. Hedges then put up a saw mill on the left bank of the river,
opposite Hunter's mill. This also was kept in constant operation, and
frame houses and shops sprang up in every direction, as by magic, for
awhile. >
Mr. Milton McNeal put up the first frame buildings on the Fort Ball
side, which were his store and dwelling house. Mr. Hedges built the
Masonic Hall and his frame residence.- Mr. Richard Sneath put up
his hotel on the ground now covered by the Grumund block. John
and Benjamin Pettinger had a small stock of goods in a one and one-
half story frame building that stood on the southwest corner of
Washington and Market, about twenty feet from Market, and about
sixty feet from Washington, with the gable end eastward. Judge Pettin
ger lived in the west end .with his family. Mr. Henry Cronise had a
'very handsome stock of goods in his two-story frame, hereafter
described, on lot 68, now in the fourth ward, and where he lived with
his family some time after he retired from public life, and when he
moved to his beautiful home on south Washington street, where he died.

244 HISTORY OF SENECA, COUNTY.
Brick yards were now started; one in Fort Ball, -and the other, by
John Strong, at the south side of Tiffin street, near the east end, and
which was kept in operation for many years thereafter. , ,
In 1 83 1, Patrick Kinney, Philip Hennessey and another Irishman
whose name has escaped me, entered into a contract with Mr. Strong
for the making of brick sufficient to build the first Catholic church in
Tiffin, and became personally responsible for the payment.
The church was erected in the fall of that year, near the south side
and east end of Madison street, opposite the old stone jail, and on the
present old Catholic cemetery. It stood with the gable end towards
the street, with a cupola at the north end of the roof. Its little bell
was the first church bell in the county, and while its note was on a high
key, it was pleasant to hear its cheerful echo through the woods.
The remainder of the brick from this kiln Mr. Strong sold to Mr.
John Goodin, who built with them the first brick hotel in town, on lot
No. 86, now owned by Mr. John Loesser, in the fifth ward. This hotel
was then considered a grand affair. The large fire-place in the bar
room is there yet, but closed up. ' The porch of^the second story,
which extended clear over the pavement, and had a heavy roof over it,
has passed away. The town council had it removed because it
obstructed the view of the street; but it was the most conspicuous part
of the hotel. ,,
The M. E. Church on' Market street; the store buildings of Henry
Ebert (who is now lying a corpse at this writing, and will be buried '
to-day, April 2, 1880); John Park's store; a small, one-story brick
immediately south of'Sneath's hotel, where Mr.- Andrew Glenn kept
store, and the one-story, small brick school house, nearly opposite the
old M. E. Church, were about all the brick buildings in Tiffin and Fort
Ball, excepting the dwelling house of Dr. Kuhn, and the little 12x14
yellow brick on Sandusky street, which was Mr. Rawson's law office,
and afterwards became the office of Drs. Dresbacri and Carey.
There were no fractional lots in the first platting of Tiffin, and the
spaces left between the lots and the river and Rocky creek, were laid
off afterwards in numerous additions, named and numbered.
There was no bridge across the river, and none across Rocky creek.
The streets were full of stumps and logs, and after .the erection of the
sawmills, the pavements in front of the houses were designated by
slabs laid lengthwise. These answered a good purpose enough in the'
mud, but when the weather was dry, the slabs curled up and became
£reat nuisances to fast walkers. Then would have been very appropriate
i.u- adoption of a rule that was introduced and put in force at an early

THE. FERRY — BREWERY — TANNERY. 245
day in the town of Lancaster, in Fairfield county. The town was
troubled with much drunkenness, and every effort to arrest the evil
seemed to be of no avail. Finally, an ordinance was adopted to make
every man who was found drunk in town dig a stump out of the street
in lieu of a fine. This plan worked well. It remoyed both stumps and
drunkenness. Why not meet this evil of habitual drunkenness in a
similar manner now, and make the vice a crime and punish it as such,
instead of sympathizing with the drunkard, and keep firing away all the
time at the retail dealer in liquors? Had Tiffin adopted the Lancaster
rule, her streets- would soon have made a better appearance.
The only way to get across the river at high tide, was to go down to
the river bank, where, near the place now occupied by the barn of Dr.
McFarland, there was a landing place for the ferry boat of Mr. George
Park. The boat was an original dug-out, and the fare was two cents a
trip. The Tiffin people had to go to Fort Ball to get their mail matter,
and one man would fetch all the letters and papers for a whole neigh
borhood to some store on this side. As late as- 1829, a thick woods
back of the old fort, and extending up towards McNeil's store, prevented
the view of the rival settlements from one to the other.
Mr. Park sold his ferry and the dug-out to Samuel Hoagland, who
opened a little quarry on the left bank of the river, near the spring, to
burn lime, and while he \vas thus engaged, he watched his chances for
passengers. The sale of the lime, and the ferry,, furnished him a
comfortable livelihood. 1
Down by the river bank, on the ground now covered by the foundry
buildings of Messrs. Loomis & Nyman, a Mr. Allen started a brewery,
the first enterprise of this kind in the county, and . produced a very
palatable, light beverage. His beautiful wife officiated- as clerk at the
bar table. By some mishap or other, Mr. Allen and the brewery both
vanished. A Mr. Andrew Fruitchey, had a tannery on the lot where the city
hall now stands; and Messrs. John and Benjamin Pittinger had another
where the gas works now are. Mr. Fruitchey died of cholera in 1834,
one among the first cases in town.
Mr. Jacob Stem had a small store of goods in a small frame building
near Mr. Ebert's, and soon thereafter formed a co-partnership with Mr.
A. Lugenbeel, and the new firm opened up in a one-story frame building
on the northwest corner of Washington and Market, where , Simon
Strycker's clothing store now is. Mr. R. W. Shawhan opened his first
store in Tiffin on the south side of Market, street, opposite the court
house. The Commercial Row was built in trie summer of 1835, and

246 HISTORY QF SENECA COUNTY.
the Walkers and Masons opened up in it on a large scale. John Staub
and Eli Norris were rival hotel keepers With Richard Sneath. George
Park had a round-log-cabin hotel on Perry street, the first tavern in
Tiffin. He afterwards put a two-story frame hotel on the lot now
covered by the National Hall Block. Sometimes it was kept by Staub,
and sometimes by Norris. Later on, Dr. James Fisher built the frame
house on the northwest corner of Market and Monroe, where Staub
kept tavern awhile. The building is now owned and occupied by Mr.
Upton Flenner, who is also an old pioneer here.
Mr. Calvin 'Bradley built the Central House, in which he kept tavern
himself, opposite the west part of the court house. Of all the older
hotels in Tiffin, this is the only one remaining, and is now, and for a
long time passed, has been, known as Remele's butcher shop.
This man Bradley was a wonderful man for energy and enterprise.
He engaged in very many speculations, and while" he kept hotel he also
carried on the butchering business, selling meat twice a week. In 1832
he changed the name of his hotel to that of the Washington House.
It had a high post in front, with a swinging sign on which was a golden
lamb. Edar and Bowe had a butcher shop in Fort Ball. They advertised
fresh Meat for sale every Tuesday and Saturday. The market opened
at the sound of the trumpet.
Where the Commercial House now stands, there was a two-story
frame building occupied by Mr. James Mercer with his family, and in
which he, in company with Mr. Henry Ebert, carried on the hatting ';
business, manufacturing and selling hats. My brother, Henry, the
beloved pastor of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fre
mont, learned the trade of hatter there, as the apprentice of Mr.
Mercer. Mr. Cronise's store contained a large stock of goods for that time,
and like all other stores, was composed of all varieties of goods, such
as dry goods, hardware, queensware and groceries.
One druggist advertised for sale at his stand, medicines, paints, oils,
patent medicines, cross-cut saws, mill irons and tooth-ache drops.
In 1832, Mr. Cronise advertised that he would pay sixty-eight cents
for flax-seed, in goods.
It was then, and for some time afterwards, very customary in Tiffin
to keep molasses and whisky for sale at the stores. These articles were
generally kept in the cellars. When farmers came in to trade, they
were taken by the proprietor, or some clerk, into the cellar and treated
to a glass of black-strap. This compound consisted of molasses and

HENRY GROSS. 247
whisky — "'alf '-an'-'alf," as a Yorkshire man would say. Trading then
went on as if nothing had happened. Sometimes a glassful was brought
up with which to treat the ladies.
When, about 1836, Mr. Bradley put up the Western Exchange in trie
southern addition to Tiffin, on Washington street, it was considered a
very hazardous enterprise. But he finished it, and kept hotel there.
It is now occupied by Gray and, Stevenson, as a tin-shop. Mr. Bradley
kept the stage-office there, also. Standing at the crossing of Wash
ington and Madison, you had to look through the woods to see the
hotel. There was great difficulty to get to it from the north by team,
when the roads were muddy. It was south of the deep hollow, so
called, washed out by the ravine that crosses Washington and enters
the fourth ward sewer. Many a time the stage driver, with four horses,
was compelled to stop two or three times on his way up the hill before
he reached the Exchange. Henry Gross put up a two-story hewed log
house on the north side of Perry street, where he lived with his family
and carried on the gunsmith business, together with the repairing of
clocks and watches, the first enterprise of the kind in town. Mr. Gross
was the first man the writer saw in Tiffin. Coming along Perry street
from trie east, on the 18th day of August, 1833, in the afternoon, ahead
of the wagon, I saw a man standing in front of a log house, dressed in
a long, homespun, brown cloth overcoat, buttoned up to his chin, a
cloth cap, with a ring of fur around it, on his head, and both hands in
his pockets. His hair was already turning gray. He had a prominent
nose, regular, manly features, large, blue eyes, and an expressive, but
pale countenance. The afternoon was very- hot, and this man, attired
in that way, so riveted the attention of the writer that it was hard to
turn his eyes from him. Approaching, and saluting him, (he spoke
German! the writer enjoyed the first conversation he had in Tiffin.
This was Mr. Henry Gross, the father of Samuel Gross, of Bloomville,
and Bovard and Henry Gross, of Tiffin — the latter ope- of the most
celebrated mechanical geniuses in the United States, and of whom some
notice will be taken hereafter. The old gentleman was shaking with the
ague while we talked — the first case I ever saw. The following year,
however, sad experience taught me more about ague and fever.
Mr. Gross was from Juniata county, Pennsylvania, where he was
married to Miss Jane Hunter-> on the 7th day of February, 1809. From
there he moved to Tiffin, and arrived here in 1831. He was born July
21, 1783, and died here in 1834. Mrs. Gross survived him along time.
She was born in February, 1781, and died here, January 16, 1866, aged
eighty-four years and ten months. '

248 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Jacob Plane was justice of the peace and postmaster on the Tiffin
side, and lived in a two-story frame house that stood immediately south
of where Marquart's drug store now stands.
Mr. Rawson had moved his law office to this side of the river. It
was a small frame building that stood close by or about the place where
Mr. H. Brohl now lives. Dr. Dresbach's office was a small, low brick
building triat stood on the alley immediately north of Fiege's- cabinet
warehouse. The public square was full of logs and stumps. After Mr. Plahe, Mr.
Cr^onise had the post office in his building. Levi Keller had a black
smith shop a little north of Goodin's hqjtel, where Loomis' stone front
now stands. Valentine and Philip Seewald put up a double hewed log
house, away out of town, near the southern extremity of the southern
addition to Tiffin. There Valentine carried on the gunsmithing and
lockmaking business, and Philip the watch repairing and jewelry trade.,
They lived there for a long time,' and until they bought the lot where
the Rust- block now is, and moved upon that, where they both lived
until they died.
Mr. Andrew Lugenbul lived in a small brick house now embraced in
the house of Mr. John Remele, on Madison street. Joseph Howard
lived in a large frame house on the northwest corner of Washington
and Madison. Esq. Keen lived,; in 1833, where he does now-. David
E. Owen, the auditor, lived in a part of the house with Esq. Plane.
Mr. Joshua Seney lived near neighbor to, and east of, Mr. Hedges, on
the south side of Perry, where fylr. and Mrs. Seney both died. Dr.
Kuhn lived on the lot where the new jail now stands. His old office
is still in existence, and stands close by, unoccupied.
Immediately north of Mr. Rawson's old law office, in the brick house
still standing, lived widow Creeger, who had one son and quite a num
ber of beautiful, intelligent daughters. They were from Maryland."
Theresa, the oldest daughter, was married to Judge Benjamin Pittinger,
in Maryland, and they moved to Tiffin for a wedding tour. All the
other girls were married here. Eleanor to Frederick Kridler, the chair-
maker. They lived on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Market.
Anna Margaret married J. W. Miller, the tailor. Uriah was next. The
next in age was Louisa, who married Gen. John G. Breslin, the founder
of the Seneca Advertiser. Josephine married Mr. B. Pennington, the
photograph artist, and Martha, the youngest, is the wife of Gen. Wm.
H. Gibson. Mrs. Pennington and Mrs. Gibson are all that are now
living of the Creeger family.
William Campbell had a cabinet shop on Madison street, some where

THE AUTHOR S APPRENTICESHIP. 249
near Esq. Bloom's residence. He married a Mrs. Staley, a widowed
sister of Dr. Kuhn, who had several children, of whom the late Mrs.
McFarland, formerly the wife of my venerable and distinguished friend,
Dr. McFarland, was the oldest. She was a beautiful woman, highly
accomplished, and much esteemed.
It is a most remarkable fact that Tiffin, in former days — yes, and all
along until quite recently — had more beautiful women to the number of
population, than any other town in Ohio, .and the fact was generally
conceded all over the country. The town became famous on that
account. "*
Mrs. Thomas Ourand is also a daughter of Mr. Campbell. The
family first lived in a log house on the lot where Mr. Charles Leiner,
the hatter, now lives, on Market street. There was only one more
cabinet shop in town, and that was built by Daniel H. Phillips, a brother
of Mrs. H. Ebert. They were from Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The
shop stood at the northwest corner, of Jefferson and Market, where the
Episcopal church now stands- On, the 21st day of August, 1833, three
days afte? my arrival in Tiffin, I entered that shop as an apprentice to
Mr. Phillips, and there I found and made the acquaintance bf my old
friend, Col. J. M. Stevens, of Melmore, a former apprentice. Mr.
. Phillips -lived in a log house east of the shop on the lot now owned by
the Adams' family. They had a young lady living in the family by the
name of Mary Hendel, a daughter of Michael Hendel, who lived on
Perry street. The family were Pennsylvania Germans, but Mary talked
good English, also. In my great anxiety to learn English, I sometimes
troubled people with numerous questions. Hearing the word "fact"-
used very often, and not being able to comprehend it, I asked Mary
once at the dinner table what the word meant. She looked at me for
a little while very sternly, thinking for an explanation, and then said:
"Why! a fact is a fact, du esel.'"
Mary is now, and for a long time has been, the happy wife of Mr.
Jonas Neikirk, of Republic.
Next west of Mr. Kridler, lived Jacob Huss, the saddler, and next
west to him, David Bishop. William D. Searles bought out Bishop,
and started a tin-shop at that place.
Guy Stevens carried on the mercantile business close by, and south
of Ebert's. He afterwards took, as a partner, Daniel Dildine, Esq.,
the present venerable justice of the peace, of Tiffin. They also started
the first foundry in the county. It was located at the end of Monroe
street, close by the river, and occupied the north end of the lot where
Esq. Dildine now resides.

250 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
In 1837, a man by the name of Louis Bredoon, a hotel_keeper in
McCutcrienville, had a short cannon cas^t at this foundry to be used at
the coming Fourth of July celebration. He came after it with a wagon
on the 24th day of June, and all riands concluded to try it first. They
put the piece on the running gear of a wagon and loaded it very strong.
It exploded, and played havoc all around. . A piece of the iron struck
Mr. Burdoon on the forehead and crushed in the skull from his left eye
brow up to the hair. He was picked up unconscious, and carried to
Goodin's hotel, then kept by Michael Hendel, where he soon after died.
Dildine had several ribs broken; one Watson had a leg broken; other
men were injured more or less. The wagon and the front door of the
foundry were demolished, and pieces of the cannon were found great
distances away. There has been no cannon foundry in Tiffin since.
We buy all our guns of Krupp. '
William H. Kessler carried on the tailoring trade in Fort Ball, and '
Moses D. Cadwallader and Jefferson Freese were rivals in Tiffin. Mr,
Freese married a young lady that Dr. Fisher raised and brought with
him here from Maryland. She was very pretty, and highly Esteemed.
Dr. Boyer lived in a stone house that stood where Emick's boot store
is. This and the mill house were the only stone houses in Tiffin. Both
are gone. One of Dr. Boyer's daughters married Lloyd Norris, who
became the owner of the Van Meter section, and lived there. He had
means they said, but very little polish. He was the father of the
detective, John T. Norris. Another daughter of Dr. Boyer, Elizabeth,
married Dr. James Fisher, one of Tiffin's early practitioners. Both
were very polite and accomplished people. The Doctor is still living
somewhere in Missouri. Our Richard Boyer, the broker, is the young
est of the sons, and Frances Hannah was the youngest- daughter. She
became the wife of John J. Steiner, one of the early lawyers of Tiffin.
Both are now dead.
It is impossible to remember all the old settlers liere, and the names
of those, that occur are only jotted down. Many of those on the Fort
Ball side have already been named. There, also, lived Gen. H, C.
Brish, Valentine and George Knupp, Andrew Love, William Johnson,
George Ragan, Curtis Sisty, Levi Davis and 'Nicholas Leibe. Mr.
Sting, the father of C. H. Sting, also built and carried on a little
brewery, on Sandusky street. Leibe, Coonrad and Baugher marfied
three sisters. Of these six,- Mrs. Coonrad, alone, is living. They were
the daughters of a widow lady, Mrs. Staub, and sisters of the once
popular John Staub and Dr. Staub.
Among the early settlers of Tiffin were a few families from Germany,

EARLY GERMAN SETTLERS. 25 I
and being so few, are easily described. Trie first one of these the
writer can call to mind is that of Mr. Andrew Albrecht, from Baden.
He was a stone mason and brick layer by trade; had a wife and several
children when he came here. His father-in-law, Christopher Zeis,
lived with him. Mr. Zeis was with Napoleon the First in the Spanish
-campaign, and was fond of telling his exploits. With this family, also,
came John Snyder and Christopher Snyder, shoemakers by trade, and
who were nephews by a sister of the old soldier. John married
Barbara Albert, step-daughter of a Mr. Hohmann, and carried on a
shoe-shop in Tiffin until he died. He was decidedly the best boot
maker Tiffin then had. These people came here in the fall of 1832.
In August, of 1833, the Lang and Seewald families arrived here; also,
the Vollmers, Julius Fellnagel, Joseph Ranker, Valentine and Louis
Taumpler, Jacob Ernst, Henry Brass, the Blasius family, Francis
Gilbert, Andrew Bloom, and a family by the name of Meyers, who lived
in a two-story fra'me house where Ulrich's drug store now stands, and
where Meyers tried the experiment of a brewery on a small scale.
These institutions then required but small capital.
Two brothers from Marion, by the name of Kolb, built another
brewery, up on the hill, near the crossing of Sandusky and Market.
John and Francis Souder, Jacob Ernst, Adam Schickel, the musician,
Frederick Hoffman, the Faulhaver family, and many others, then, also,
made Tiffin their home.
Henry Lang, (whose baptismal name was George Ludwig Henry,)
was the oldest son of Wilhelm, and Louisa Christina, daughter of a
rope manufacturer by the name of Matzenburg, in Kochendorf, a small
village near the city of Heilbroun, in North Wurtemburg. His father
was ah officer in the Forest Department, and was transferred to a sta
tion west of the Rhine in the Palatinate, the western province of
Bavaria. Grandfather was born in 1739, and died at his new station in
1789, when but fifty years old. This was at Neu-Hemsbach, in the
Canton of Winweiler. At the death of his father, Henry was but
19 years old, and the only help his widowed mother had; but young
as he was, the forest authorities took notice of him, and appointed him
the. successor of his father in office. His deportment towards the
people and the government, changeable as both were during the turmoil
following the French Revolution, and scenes incident to the war, was
such that he was retained in his place. Faithful and diligent in the
discharge of every duty, he became beloved by all except wood thieves
andpoachers. His srha]l salary supported him, his widowed mother,
and an invalid step-brother on his father's side — Uncle Christian.

252 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ,
We Americans understand a "forester" to be a man that lives in the
woods. The word is understood otherwise in Europe. There it means
an officer of the "forest department;" one who superintends and takes
care of the king's forest, and prosecutes offenders against the forest
laws, etc.
On the 25th day of January, 1801, father was married to Catharine,
the daughter of the school teacher Schuetz, in Vorder-Weidenthal, an
old Alsacian family. This union was blessed with nine children — seven '
daughters and two sons. Two of the girls died in childhood. Louisa,
trie oldest daughter, married Philip Seewald, the jeweler, in- Septem
ber, 1828. Elizabeth, the second daughter, married John Gross, a
cabinet-maker, in March, 1831; the other girls r were all, married here.
Philipina was married to Valentine Seewald, in Tiffin, September, 1833,
soon after we arrived here. Henrietta married Mr. J. M. Zahm, late
county treasurer, May 2, 1836, and Hannah married Michael Schoch,
who died here within a few months after their, marriage. Hannah
some time after married Mr. Edward Swander, well, known in Seneca
county as an intelligent and successful farmer. Mrs. Zahm is the only
living daughter. Both sons, the Rev. Henry Lang in Fremont, and the
writer, yet remain.
The very fact that father held his office from his nineteenth tq his
sixty-fourth year, when he resigned it to come to the United States,
proves how much he was appreciated as a man and an officer, being in
the possession of his office some forty- three years.
We came by wagon across France. There were no steamboats on
the Rhine, and no railroads' on the Continent. We left Havre de Grace,
at the mouth of the Seine, on the 24th day of April, 1833, and after
combatting many a storm on the ocean, landed at Baltimore on the
27th day of the following June. - The family was on the way from April
3d to August 18th, when we reached Tiffin, after making a journey, by
water and by land, of over 4000 miles. The name of the old three-
masted sailing vessel which 'brought us over was "Jefferson," and she
belonged to Boston. ,
The few of the early settlers yet living remember father Lang in his
dark-green, broadcloth dress, bearing the style and color of his former
office, and a cloth cap of the same color on his head. He was five
feet ten inches high, very straight, with soldier-like bearing, had large
blue eyes, an aquiline nose, a mild countenance, and was calm and self-
possessed. He was never known to swear, or express a word in anger.
He*had a masterly control of his passions and appetites. He was not
only moral, but a devoted christian. He never left his home in the

FATHER AND MOTHER. 253
/
morriing without saying his prayer, and his evening prayers were full of
warmth, and rich in poetic thought. He never used tobacco in any
way; was never seen under the ihfiuence of wine; never played at any
games; never used an unkind word towards mother or any of us chil
dren; and when he whipped us sometimes, we thought it could not be
possible, for he was not angry at all.
Mother was the very embodiment of christian graces and tender
love. It was she who caused our emigration to America, being influ
enced to that end largely on my account, for I was then just about old
enough to be drafted into the army in time of need, and she wanted to
secure me against the draft. Even when we did go, I was compelled
to remain behind, because I was then seventeen years old. They
bound me out to a relative of father's by the name of. Wittich, who
was a chair and spinning wheel manufacturer, as an apprentice, where
I was to stay until the draft of my class. This satisfied the- authorities.
The contract was written on stamped paper, with a crown in the seal,
(I have liked crowns and stamped paper ever since — but to no great
extent.) The rest of the family started, and I went to my boss, where
I was soon initiated into the arts and mysteries of splitting out sticks
for the turning lathe. On the morning of the tenth day I was found
missing; about one week afterwards I waited at the city of Metz for our
folks to come. Let me add this: I walked from home to Havre de Grace,
and from Baltimore to Tiffin. Father died here in August, 1838, in his
sixty-ninth year, and mother died in June, 1849, in her seventieth year.
Reader, will you be kind enough to excuse this reference to my own
family? It is hard to resist speaking'of things and events that lie so
near to one's heart. Let us proceed.
Mr. "FeHnagel kept a tavern in the frame building where Mr. Jacob
Boyer now lives, corner of Sandusky and Market streets. Andrew
Bloom was a traveling tailor. He came here and got married, and is
in the tailoring business still. He is familiarly known as Esq. Bloom.
Joseph Gibsop was a shoemaker by trade. He was born in Frederick
county, Maryland, in November, 181 1, and married there Elizabeth
Ott, on the 13th day of September, 1831; he located here in 1832, where
his family have lived ever since. He died in July, 1857, two years after
his return from California.
My old, esteemed friend, the Hon. Henry Cronise, was also a native
of Frederick county, Maryland, a county that contributed more largely
to the, settlement of Seneca county, and supplied it with more means,
muscle, and brains, than any other county in the world. He was born
there on the 15th day of May 1789. His youthful days were spent in

254 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Norfolk, Virginia. 'Upon his return to Maryland he engaged in the
mercantile business, which occupation he pursued as long as he. was in
active life. In 1816, he was married at Fredericktowri, Maryland, to
Susanna Fundenburg,' a young lady well known for her beauty and sweet
ness of disposition, which made her attractive and lovable through the
whole of her life, and especially in her latter days, binding to her, With
the closest ties of affection, children, grand-children and a host of
friends. With all her personal attractions and her warm nature, mother
Cronise preferred her home above all the allurements of society, where
she would have been a queen in any circle.
In 1826 Mr. Cronise came to Ohio in company with several other
gentlemen, and being very much pleased with Seneca county, located
several sections in different parts of it, and purchased a house for his
home, which remained such for nearly thirty years, during which time
it was a sort of open house for neighbors and friends at home, and dis
tinguished strangers from abroad.
After his purchase he returned to Maryland, and in the following
year sent out a number of wagons loaded with dry goods ; himself and
family, then consisting of a wife and five children, followed in a shor,t
time, coming across the country in carriages and on horseback, and
being four weeks on the road. Op reaching Tiffin, the family moved
into the house thus provided; it was located opposite Naylor's hard
ware store. Four other children were born here, making nine in all.
In 1840 Mr. Cronise established the Van Burenite, and operated it
as its editor against the election of General Harrison, with great force.
Mr. Cronise was elected to the legislature twice: once as a member of
the House, and in 1846 as a member of the Senate.
He died on the 14th day of February, 1867. Mother Cronise sur
vived her husband some years, and died in August, 1875. Thus passed
away two of Tiffin's most distinguished pioneers, who had made and
left their mark on the town. Mr. Cronise was a decided and firm
Democrat, and as such, a leader in the county from the time he came
here until he died. He was a shrewd and safe political counselor, and
possessed of great political sagacity and influence. He was a stout,
muscular man, square shouldered, well built, and of clear German type.
He had dark brown hair, |dark, hazel eyes, small, clenched lips, a fine
forehead, strong lower jaw, nose ordinary, nervous-bilious tempera
ment, which often causes the possessor trouble when unaccompanied
by refinement and an iron will. It is apt to lead to impulsiveness.
A high strung nature like, this generally acts before it thinks, but it
troubled father Cronise only at times of high political excitement. In

HENRY CRONISE — PHILIP SEEWALD. 255
his private life it was scarcely ever observable. He was much beloved
by the Democrats, and hated in the same ratio by the Whigs. He had
no charity for a political enemy; he knew he was right, and that was
enough. The Democrats in the county never had such leaders as Cronise,
Seney and Goodin, either before or since their day. Firm, sagacious,
earnest, active, untiring, unselfish — they sought the success of the party
above personal ambition.
Aside from politics, Mr. Cronise was very kind, gentlemanly and
courteous. He was like a father to the new comer and stranger, and
especially to the Germans, whose language he spoke. His intercourse
with others was very strongly marked by the peculiar genteel, polite,
hospitable, yet dignified demeanor that marked the Maryland and Vir
ginia gentleman of that day. Marquis Y Graff, Joseph Graff, Jacob
Souder, the Pittengers, Dr. Boyer, the Holtz's, Dr. Kuhn, and others
came under that rule, if rule it was. These are all dead except Mrs.
John Pittenger and Judge Benjamin Pittenger,.who are still living.
The writer always found in father Cronise a true friend, and records
these lines with mixed feelings of pleasure and sadness, as a token of
the high esteem in which his memory is cherished. Of pleasure,
because of the opportunity to register my testimony to a tried friend ;
of sadness, because those of us who enjoyed the company and counsel
of Henry Cronise are getting less very rapidly, and are already but few
in number. , PHILIP SEEWALD
Was born on the 26th day of September, 1799, in Sippersfeld, in the
Bavarian Palatinate, Germany. He was the oldest son of Ludwig and
Sophia Seewald. His father was a man who resembled Henry Clay of
Kentucky very-much. Both gentlemen happened to be in Tffiin on a
visit at. the same time, and it was a common remark how much they
resembled each other. The mother of Philip was a Corfell, and
descended from a long line of school teachers in this village. Louis
(Ludwig) Seewald was a wagon maker by trade, and Philip worked in
the shop of his father as soon as he was old enough, and learned the,
trade. He was a natural genius, and when he was drafted1 into the
Bavarian army he applied all his leisure hours to the study of the
watch and the natural sciences. When he returned from the army he
was a good watch maker, and very handy at any curious workmanship
in iron. He married the oldest daughter of Henry Lang, above named,
and a few years thereafter emigrated, with his family, to the United

256 HISTORY O'F SENECA COUNTY.
States and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he opened a
jewelry shop.^ When the Lang family came, in 1833, they stopped at
Pittsburgh until Seewald and his family united with them, and then
both families came to Tiffin together, where they arrived on the [8th
day of August, 1833.
The early settlers will reme^mber the jewelry store of Seewald,, in
the large, hewed log house, On south Washington street, in Tiffin.
The front end was devoted to jewelry, and the back part tp gun-
smithing. Here he lived until about 1843, when he bought from John
Goodin the lot where the Rust block now is, and where he lived the
rest of his days.
He never made the English language a study, and spoke it very
brokenly; but he built up a good trade with his skill and general repu
tation for honesty. By close application to his books he became well
versed in general history and the popular sciences of the day. He
was naturally a 'thinker and investigator; he took nothing for granted,
apd discarded everything that lacked a cause. He was firm in his
judgment, and able to defend any position he took. His mind natur
ally lead him to the bottom of things. While he never obtruded his
conclusions on anybody, he was strong in the defense of them when
once formed.
His wife died on the 8th day of February, 1843. Three of their
children were born in Germany, and the rest of them in this country.
They had eight in all, of whom three sons and two daughters are still
living. Louis Seewald, the jeweler, is the oldest son; William lives in
New Mexico, and JPhilip, the youngest, in Hudson, Michigan. The
boys were all jewelers. The oldest daughter is Mrs. Oster, and the
youngest Mrs. Spindler, both residing in Tiffin.
Mr. Seewald was married again to Elizabeth, Staib. This union was
blessed with but one child, Sophia, who was married in the spring of
this year to a Mr. Roll, of Cleveland, where they reside.
Philip Seewald was a short, robust, compactly built man, very strong
and muscular. He had a very large head, that became bald early; well
proportioned; large, fleshy nose; deep-set blue eyes; strong, manly
features. His head was so large .that he could find no hat large enough
in the stores, and had to send his measure to Cincinnati. He was
about five feet" six inches high, and weighed, when in his best days, near
200 pounds. As years began to make him restless, he left his business
in the hands of his son Louis, and made up a lot of instruments with
which he built tower clocks. The clock in the tower of the court
house is one of them.

I , PHILIP SEEWALD. 257
Thus he spent the afternoon and evening 'of his life, ever busy,
reading or making something useful or ingenious. He was widely
known as the principal watchmaker in Tiffin, and as.a man of strict,
unflinching integrity, highly esteemecl by everybody. He died on the
30th day of October, 1878, aged' seventy-nine years, one month and
four days.
17

CHAPTER XVII.

ADDITIONS TO TIFFIN— THE FERRY— THE BRIDGES— THE TOLL BRIDGE— THE
FREE BRIDGE— THE BURNING OF THE FREE BRIDGE— THE CHOLERA-
FREDERICK HOFFMAN— LITTLE CHARLOTTE -JOHNNY DALRYMPLE— THE
RAILROADS— FIRST TRAIN TO TIFFIN— HEIDELBERG COLLEGE-REV. E. V.
GERHART, D. D.— REV. J. H. GOOD, D. D.-REV. GEO. W. WILLARD, D. D. ,

IT WOULD require a book by itself to give a full description of the
numerous additions that were made to Tiffin and to Fort Ball, and
finally to Tiffin proper as a city of the second class, from time to time.
The reader must "be .content with a mere reference to the same. At
the commencement of this work, fear for want 'of material to write a
book was uppermost in the mind of the writer, but now, and as he is
about commencing this chapter, he is troubled to know what best to
leave out, to prevent the book from becoming too bulky.
The desire to write personal sketches of many more of the old
pioneers is very strong, and should be indulged would space only per
mit. Being conscious of the fact, that in the great stream' of time
generations after generations appear upon the stage of action, and are
swept away in their order into the vast ocean of the past; and of thjs
other fact, that we are forgotten by the few that ever knew us, to love
or to hate us, about as fast as we go — I am strongly reminded of what
my dear old friend, Frederick Fieser, Esq., the able and illustrious
editor of the Westbote, in Columbus, ohce said to me, speaking on the
subject of ambition, viz: that about all you can say of man is "he was
born, took a wife, and died."
Yet, as this narrative progresses notices will be taken of a character
here and there, that shall be deemed proper in its place.
The following are the additions made to Tiffin, from the time of the
first platting, viz: New Fort Ball; Hedges' northern and southern'
additions to Tiffin ; Nbrris and Gist's addition, June 15, 1832; Raw-
son's addition, May 30, 1833; Sneatri and Graff's, January 29, 1834;
Keller and Gist's, same date; Jennings', November 13, 1834; Williams',
April 22, 1835; Waggoner's, January 13, 1836; Sheldon's, September
n, 1838; Hedges' second addition, July 26, 1851; Davis', May 16,

ADDITIONS TO TIFFIN. 259
1854; Springdale, May, 1854; Deuzer's, November 13, 1855; Allbright's
March, 1856; Seney's, December, 1856; Avery, Butler & Cecil's, July
27,1857; Heilman's, July 14, 1858; Hedges' second southern, February
26, 1859; Sub-division of lots 1 and 2 in block D; Bunn's W. pt; lot 2;
block S; Noble's; Noble's second; Frost's; Schouhart's; Hunter's sub
division of out-lots Nos. 6 and 7 ; Jacob Heilman's; Scheiber's; Brew-
• er's; Mrs. Walker's; Mrs. Walker's second; Goodsell's; Mrs. Hunter's;
Tomb's; Gross': Souder's sub-division; Stoner's; Mrs. Allen's; Bunn's
second; J. T. Huss' ; Davis Estate's ; Gray's; Lewis'; McCollum &
Snyder's; Mechanicsburgh; Weirick's; Blair's; Remmele's; Fishbaugh's;
Gibson's; Gwinn's; Shawhan's; Hall's; Cottage Park; Bartell's; Hud
dle's; Schubert's; Kaull & Glenn's; Houck's; Myers'; Ph. Wentz's;
G. D. Looriiis'; J. Bour's; Hayward's; Huber's; Fishbaugh's second;
W. C. Hedges'; Zeigler's; Louisa Smith's; Harter & Sloman's; John
Heilman's sub-division; Maria P. Rutin's; J. Heilman's; Sullivan's sub
division ; Noble's re-sub-division. There were some seventy-two ' in
all. The lots were re-numbered in March, 1854.
These additions and the several annexations trie city council has
made from time to time, with very questionable propriety, but under
the severe law of the state that gives landed proprietors, in the territory
to be annexed, no voice in the measure, have extended the limits of the
city to embrace all of section 19, all of section 30 (except about one1
hundred and forty acres), about one hundred and forty acres in section
29, more than one-half of section 20, and about one hundred and sixty
' acres of section 18, in Clinton township— vabout 1760 acres in all.
In the fall 'of 1833 Mr. Hedges contracted with Reuben Williams, ohe
of the leading carpenters at that time, to build a wooden bridge across the
river on Washington street. Some of the work was done that fall, but
during the following spring and summer the work progressed very slowly.
It was finally completed far enough to have a few plank laid over it
lengthwise, for the accommodation of foot passengers. During the
spring and summer of 1834, another foot bridge was constructed a
little distance further down the river, by boring holes into slabs and
putting lorig sticks into them to raise the slabs above the water. Both
of these conveniences together nearly ruined Mr. Hoagland's ferry.
A big freshet, in the fall of 1834, brought immense quantities of drift
down the river— whole trees, straw stacks, fence rails, saw logs, etc., —
and made a lodgement at the bents of the bridge. Several men ven
tured to get on the top of the drift pile with their axes, and commenced
chopping the long trees into pieces, in order to start them on their
way. ' They made considerable headway; but when they saw large

260 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
pieces of the Tymochtee bridge approaching, they got away just in time
to save their lives. When these pieces of the Tymochtee bridge struck
the gathered drift the whole mass went together, taking the new bridge
along. In the summer following Mr. Hedges built a better bridge at the
same place, and .when it was done he employed a colored man to
collect toll. This was the first and only toll bridge that. Tiffin ever had-..
Early in the spring of 1836, James W. Hill published a notice to the
effect that he had rented the toll bridge from Mr. Hedges for the term
of three months, commencing on the 1st day of April, 1836, and called
upon those who had bargains with Mr. Hedges to cross the bridge, to,
call on him, in order to renew their contracts, etc.
The bridge was a great convenience, but the idea of paying toll
became anndying to farmers, as well as to the merchants in Tiffin, and-
a plan was put on foot to have a free bridge constructed over the river
at the, west end of Market, street. A subscription list was circulated,
and when the requisite amount was subscribed the contract was let. It
was a wooden, truss bridge with a roof over it. Guy Stevens, Benjamin
Biggs, John Park and Dr. James Fisher were the building committee;
Andrew Lugenbeel was treasurer.
There was great rejoicing in Tiffin when, on the 18th day of Febru
ary, 1837, it was announced that the free bridge was opened to the
public. It cost $2,200.00. Hedges' toll bridge became, a free bridge
also, as a matter of course.
This covered, free bridge was a fearfully dark place after night, and
the women on either side of the river refused to cross it without pro
tection, after dark. Some time after, lanterns were put up at each -end
during dark nights. Peter Vaness established a large, carriage shop
where Loomis & Nyman's foundry now is, near the bridge, and when
the carriage factory burned down, the bridge caught fire and burned.
The old toll bridge lasted for ten years after that, when, on New
Year's night of 1847, it was swept away by a freshet. Then the county
commissioners put up in its place one of the most wonderful contriv
ances for a bridge that was ever seen. The plan of it was simple
enough, but .the great . quantity of material used in its construction,
surprised everybody but the commissioners. The stringers that were
laid from one bent to the other, and on which the plank were laid
cross-wise, were of such ponderous size and weight that they absolutely
broke the whole fabric down, very soon after it was finished.
1 When the people saw the danger of an accident, some one nailed
boards across the ends of the bridge to keep teams from going \m it,

THE BRIDGES. 261
and in less than a week from that time, down it went. Then was con
structed the wire suspension bridge, in 1853, which answered a good
purpose for some time, and which also in its order gave way to the
present beautiful iron structure, being the fifth bridge built at that place
since 1833.
The free bridge on Market street burned away in the night following
the 26th day of January, 1854, and- was succeeded by the present
bridge, which was built by the county commissioners. The fire in
Vaness' carriage factory was discovered at two o'clock in the morning,
and the roof of the bridge took fire from it within twenty minutes
thereafter. The morning of the 24th day of April, 1833, was cool and bracing;
trie sun shone brightly while the ebb of the Atlantic ocean set into the
mouth of the Seine at Havre de Grace, France. To take advantage of
the tide, several American packets in the harbor were making ready to
leave the port. Sailors were running to and fro; some up in the rigging,
others hoisting the anchor; some speaking English, some German, some
French, some Spanish; some were singing, some swearing, and all were
busy. Passengers crowding onto the boats with their goods, had their
passes examined and their berths assigned to them. The ebb was up
to high water mark, and the time had come to "let go." The few sails
that were stretched swelled westward by trie gentle breeze; the rudder
groaned, and the old "Jefferson" began to move.
Two sailors pulled up a bunting at the foot of the rear mast, and
when it got high enough to catch the breeze, it unfolded the "Stars and
Stripes" of the United States of America for the first time to the eyes
of the writer. The emotions that filled my heart at the sight I will not
undertake to describe, for fear my kind readers might think me foolish.
But think of a boy with a warm, hopeful nature, running away from his
native land to escape its oppressions and military tyranny, leaving his
native shore for the land of his hopes and desires, for the first time in
his life standing under the "flag of the free," under which his future
destiny is to be wrought out — and you can have an idea how the writer
felt when leaving Havre de Grace.
On board of the Jefferson were one hundred and thirty-seven passen
gers, mostly from, Bavaria an(i Baden. Of these, strange as it may
seem, three families came to Tiffin without the least consort of action
or understanding. When we landed at Baltimore ev.ery family had its
own point of destination, and all scattered. The Lang family came
here that same year, in August; the Hoffman family in the fall after,
and the family of John G. Osteen came in 1840, I think.

262 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
This Hoffman family was from Meisenheim, in the Palatinate, and
consisted of Frederick Hoffman, his wife and three -children, John,
Fritz and Charlotte. Charlotte was a little blue-eyed beauty, with fair
skin, cheerful face, and flaxen locks falling upon her shoulders. ,' Her>
friendly, sweet nature, attracted the attention of the people on board,
and she became one of the pets. Charlotte was then about three years
old, and had for a playmate another 'little girl that looked very much
like her. She was the youngest daughter of a Mr. Maurer, on board,
and afterwards became the wife of the Hon. Charles Boesel, late senator
from the Auglaize district, living in New Bremen.
Frederick Hoffman was then about forty years of age. He was a
potter by trade; had traveled some; was very social and talkative—
really attractive in conversation. He was a man of striking personal
appearance. His carriage was very straight; he was about five feet
nine inches high; not fleshy, but muscular. He had very black hair,
black eyes, and very long, black eye-lashes; a large nose,- and rather
large, but well proportioned mouth; and deep, sonorous voice. His
manners were easy and gentlemanly. The writer has but faint recol
lection of Mrs. Hoffman.
When the family came here in the fall of 1833, though late, Mr.
Hoffman bought the lot now owned by the Henz family, next south" to
Dr. McFarland, and immediately erected a two-story hewed log house
thereon. As soon as the house was done; the family occupied it and
opened the first German tavern in Tiffin. The first German dance in Tif
fin was held there about Christmas that year, 1833. The oldest son, John
and the writer were comrades on board the Jefferson, and we renewed
our friendship with great pleasure after we came together again here. In
the spring of 1834 Mr. Hoffman put up a potter's-shop and an oven on
his lot, and burnt several kilns of good pottery, the first in the county.
In 1832 the Asiatic cholera broke out in Canadaj and, sweeping along
the Hudson and the St. Lawrence, visited the large cities along the sea-
coast. It raged with greater or less severity from Newfoundland to New
Orleans in. 1833. In 1834 cases occurred in many inland towns and
cities. About the fore part of August in this year, news reached Tiffin
that several cases had proved fatal in Sandusky City. People in Tiffin
began to be apprehensive and expressed much concern on the subject.
A constable, by the name of John Hubble, lived on Monroe street.
His wife died on the 19th of August. The doctors refused to say much
about the cause of her death, and it was rumored about that she had :
eaten green cucumbers that had caused her death.- On the next day a
small child of a German family that lived in the second story of Mr.

ASIATIC CHOLERA. 263
Hoffman's house, died. In the afternoon of that day the writer took
the coffin to the house and put the little corpse into it. The father was
absent from home, and the mother wished to wa.it for riis return before
she would have the child buried. Coming down stairs, I found Mr.
Hoffman at the front door, and after talking.awhile we parted. He had
just recovered from an attack of billious fever and looked very pale.
His pale face, white shirt and white pants, forming a violent contrast
with his very black eyes and hair, made his appearance more impressive
than ever. This was about four o'clock P. M. The following night
about three o'clock his son John called me opt of bed and requested
that I should come down to the house and said his father was dying.
When I reached the house, Dr. Dresbach came out antl told me Hoff
man had died of cholera. Now consternation and alarm spread like
wild-fire over the town and country, and Tiffin changed its appearance
very rapidly. Business stopped; people stood about the streets in
groups. Some, prepared to get away already. Several other cases
occurred in the next twenty -four hours, and at the end of one week
from the death of Mr. Hoffman there were only about seven families •
left in trie place. Boss Phillips, and all the shop hands, were among
the runaways, except a young man from Maryland, Mr. Wilson and
myself. Mr. Campbell's cabinet shop was also shut up. Stores and all
otrier public houses, except Sneath's hotel, were closed. Some movers,
German, Scotch and Irish families, had stopped here on their way
west. The Cronise family, the Seewalds, and the Lang families and
part of Boyers staid. Father thought it was wrong to run away from
each other in time of distress. Wilson and myself had the shop to our
selves, and made the coffins as fast as we could. Very often we made
rough boxes answer. One Sunday we made seven. The town w'as
very still and quiet during trie day. Scarcely a man could be -seen
except the doctors running hither and thither. Bqards.were nailed
across the doors of many houses. The nights were made hideous by
the bawling of the cows and the howling of the dogs that had lost their
piasters and owners. When the disease began to abate Mr. Phillips
called to see us once in a while. We made eighty-six coffins in our
shop in five weeks from the time Mr. Hoffman died. One Sunday
morning an ox-team came along Market street from the west with a
water-trough made out of a log, on the wagon, and a slab nailed over
the top, going to the cemetery. Two men with pick and shovel' fol
lowed. They buried a man that had died west of Fort Ball.
In a log .house at the southeast corner of Perry and Jefferson, lived a
Scotch family by the name of Dalrymple. They had a boy, Johnny,

264 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
about thirteen years old, who, a few days before, was a picture of health
as well as a picture of beauty. I loved him for his friendly nature.
One day the mother came to the shop and requested me to come to
the house and take his measure. He laid on his bed with a sheet over
him, but looked as beautiful as ever. I ran to Dr. Dresbach and to}d
him that I did not believe trie boy was dead. The Doctor thought
otherwise, but -gave me a bottle of brandy, with orders to make it hot
and rub it all over him with a flannel cloth. The mother assisted me,
,and in less than one half hour the poor fellow began to move and
opened his eyes. Dr. Dresbach was called in and was much rejoiced
at our success. He took him in charge and in about two weeks the
boy was on the .street again. The cases were getting less and people
began to return. The weather was growing cooler and slight frosts
were observable some mornings. Pedple began to take courage with
a hope that the cholera had left us. One morning Mrs. Dalrymple
came to the shop crying and told us that her son was dead. His was
the last case in Tiffin.
Towards the latter part of October all the stragglers had returned.
It is not true, as Mr. Butterfield would have it, that the disease was
confined to the German and Irish emigrants exclusively, 'Squire'Plane,
David Bretz, Andrew Fruitchy, Mr. Brookover, and many others that
died, were citizens here and natives.
The cholera returned again to Tiffin in 1849, in 1852, and again in
1854, with less severity, however, except for a short time in 1854, when
on one Sunday, sixteen corpses were counted'on the Fort Ball side,
where it raged with the greatest fury. On that day Dr. Hovey, with
the assistance of Joe Smith, George W. Zigler, William Holt, Thomas
W* Boyce, Mrs. Flahaff, Miss Julia Gear, laid out eleven dead at the
hospital alone. It took some moral courage to stare death in the face
in times like these, and the names of these heroes and heroines are re-
corded here as worthy to be remembered. All the doctors did- their
duty, no doubt, but Dr. Hovey was, perhaps, the^most active and indus
trious. For five weeks he was amongst his patients day and night
without changing his clothes. The Rev. Mr. Sullivan, of St. Mary's
Church, was amongst the fearless, and Dr. McCollum, until he himself
was taken down. "There were giants in those days."
Strange as it may seem, the greatest mortality was. on that side of
the river, which may be partially accounted for from the fact that the
pest-house was built there; but with all that there were fewer cases on
the Tiffin i side.
One thing more on this subject should be mentioned here. Mrs.

THE RAILROADS. 265
Hoffman died within one week after her husband, leaving the children
strangers in a strange land. The boys were more able to help them
selves. Little Charlotte found a good home in the .family of Judge
Ebert, who had no children. The good and kind Mrs. Ebert adopted
Charlotte and raised and educated her with the love and tender care Of
a good mother, A young lawyer in Tiffin succeeded in winning her
heart after she had grown up into womanhood, and little Charlotte is
the happy wife of Governor Lee, of Toledo.
THE -RAILROADS.
It is said that great events sometimes throw their shadows before.
The subject of a railroad to Tiffin from some place was talked about
nearly' ten years before a locomotive was seen in town. When the sub
ject of the Mad River and Lake Erie railroad began to be agitated,
meetings were held in Tiffin from time to time, committees appointed
to raise subscriptions,, etc. In August, 1832, the Sandusky Clarion pub
lished an editorial in which it was said that the prospects of a road
were good, and that $50,000 had already been subscribed.
In September, 1832, the following notice was published in the Seneca
Patriot: , RAILROAD NOTICE.
The undersigned, Commissioners of Seneca county, for the Mad River and
Erie R. R., will open books for subscription Of stock for said road in Tiffin,
Seneca county, on the fourth day of October, 1832, at the residence of Eli
Norris. HENRY CRONISE.
JOSIAH HEDGES.
The first sod for this road was cut at the end of Water street, San
dusky, Ohio, oq the 7th day of September, A. D., 1835, by General
Harrison, of Cincinnati, assisted by Governor Vance. The occasion
was one of rejoicing; banners were hoisted to the breeze, while music
and song filled the air.
The track was laid along Water street to the west end of the city.
James Bell was the civil engineer for its construction, and W. Durlein
his assistant. The first locomotive,, called the "Sandusky," arrived
there in 1838, and was used in the construction of the road. In the
fall of 1838, the line was completed to Bellevue, fifteen miles, and the
first train run there. Thomas Hogg, who afterwards moved to the
island, was the engineer; John Paull, now dead, was fireman, and
Charles Higgins, also dead, was conductor. The train consisted of the
locomotive " Sandusky," a small passenger car, and a still smaller
freight car, not exceeding twenty feet in length, which latter car re
mained for some time the only accommodation for carrying merchan
dise. It is said this locomotive was the first one in America that had a

266 HISTORY, OF SENECA COUNTY.
steam whistle. In 1839 work was done from Bellevue to Republic.
The first locomotive reached Tiffin In 1841. Conrad Poppenburg was
the engineer when the first passenger train ran to Tiffin; Earnest Kir-
rian was the fireman — both still living. Paul Klauer died in Urbana of
cholera. He was also a hand on the train.
Since then, another route had been opened through Clyde and the
old route entirely abandoned and taken up. The old charter bears
date January 5, 1832. The company is now known' by trie name of
Cincinnati, Sandusky and Cleveland railroad, and runs over one hun
dred and ninety miles of rails. Its main line is from Sandusky to
Springfield, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles.
The Columbus division extends.from Columbus to Springfield, forty-
five miles, and the Findlay branch extends from Carey to Findlay, a
distance of sixteen miles. This line of road is proverbial for its steady
and safe traveling facilities, and is one of the best conducted roads in
the country.
The Tiffin, Toledo and Eastern railroad. — On the first day of May,
1873, the first regular passenger train was run on this road. It traverses,
the county in a northwesterly direction. This road is now consolidated
with the Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan, and is completed
from Mansfield to Toledo, now under the control of the Pennsylvania
company. Its depot in , Tiffin is near the " tunnel," where the road
crosses Washington street. The road is doing a large business.
The Baltimore, Pittsburg and Chicago railroad was completed to
Tiffin in the early part of 1874. It is under the general management
of the Baltimore and Ohio company, and crosses Senega county nearly
east and west. The bridge of this company across the Sandusky river
is of iron, and decidedly the best railroad bridge in the county. The
company is doing a very extensive business, but their present depot in
Tiffin is a little board shanty, unworthy alike of the road and of Tiffin.
The Lake Erie and Louisville railroad runs through the northwestern
part of the county to Fostoria, and the Columbus and Toledo railroad,
running through Big Spring and Loudon townships, also touching at
Fostoria, are in full operation.
The Pomeroy road (so-called), and hereafter to be known as the
Atlantic and Lake Erie road, has been graded for some time, and is to
be put into operation during the coming summer. It runs through
Seneca and Loudon townships; also touching at Fostoria.
Thus Seneca county is cut by five railroads, in constant operation,
with another in immediate prospect, and still another east and west
road in enibryo.

HEIDELBERG COLLEGE. 267
The Tiffin and Fort Wayne road was surveyed and graded about
twenty-five years ago. It is almost forgotten, together with its own sad
history. The Clinton Line Extension, that was to run from Tiffin eastward,
and towards the construction of which Tiffin and the people along the
line contributed so largely, was another of the many gigantic frauds
and robberies that have contributed so largely to make people, who are
not in the railroad ring, and belong not to the large fish, so extremely
cautious and reluctant when they are now asked to subscribe towards
the building of another railroad. The numerous subscribers of the
Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan, who have been sued to pay^
their subscription the second time, have some experience in the
premises. HISTORY OF HEIDELBERG COLLEGE AT TIFFIN.
1
The establishment of this college grew out of the desire of the " Re
formed Church of Ohio " to found institutions (namely, a college and
a theological seminary) where its candidates for the ministry might
obtain a full and complete classical and scientific education ; and where
also all others fitting for the different professions, might have the
benefit of that educational training so necessary for success in other
ways. In the year 1850, Rev. Hiram Shaull, the pastor of the First Reformed
Church in Tiffin, by prompt and energetic action, succeeded in obtain
ing subscriptions to the amount of $11,030 from the. citizens of Tiffin
and vicinity, to be donated to the proposed college, on the condition
that it be located at Tiffin. The proposition was accepted by the
synod, at Navarre, Ohio, in September, 1850, and two professors were
at once elected to open the school. These two professors have been
in connection with these institutions from the start, a period now of
thirty years. They were Rev. J. H. Good, A. M., of Columbus, Ohio,
elected as professor of mathematics, and Rev. Reuben Good, A. M., of
Darke county, Ohio, elected as rector of the preparatory department..
These gentlemen promptly removed to Tiffin, and by November of the
same year, opened the school, in the third story of a business block
called "Commercial Row." Joel W. Wilson, Esq., and one of the
professors", canvassed the city for scholars, and on the 18th of Novem-;
ber, the college was opened with seven pupils. By the 15th of Decem
ber trie number had increased to eighty-two. During the first year one
hundred and forty-nine (of whom twenty-five were in the classical de
partment) were enrolled. The college campus, valued at $2,000, and

268 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
containing five acres, was a donation from Josiah Hedges, Esq., the
.founder of Tiffin. The college was named "Heidelberg College," after
the celebrated University of that name in Germany, and in honor of
the only symbolical book of the Reformed church, liamely, the " Heidel1
berg Catechism." The basement story of the college building was
put up in the autumn of 185 1. The corner stone (donated by Dr. Elias
Heiner, of Baltimore, Maryland,) was laid on Thursday, the 13th of
May, 1852, by Major Lewis Baltzell, President of the Board of Trus
tees; on which occasion an address "on the "Dignity of Labor " was
delivered by. General S. F. Carey, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the presence
¦of a large audience*. The campus was subsequently enlarged by the
purchase of four acres from Hon. W. W. Armstrong, of Cleveland, Ohio.
The college building was completed in the year 1852, at an expense of
$15,000, and occupied \for the first time in the autumn of that year. In
1871 a large house for the residence of the President-was erected, at
an expense of about $4,000. In 1873 a large three-story- boarding hall;
was erected at an expense of about $8,000.
The following is a list of the professors and teachers who have been
connected with the college since its establishment:
Rev. R. Good, A. M. Rev. J. H. Good, D. D.
Rev. E. V. Gerhart, D. D., Pres. Rev. H. Rust, A. M.
Rev. M. Kieffer, D. D., Pres. Rev. J. H. Rutenick, D. D.
Rev. E. E. Higbee, D. D. J. B. Kieffer, A. M.
Rev. G.W. Aughinbaugh, D. D., Pres. Rev. G. W. Willard, D, D., Pres.
'Rev. Joseph A. Keiller, A. M. Charles Hornung, A. M.
Rev. P. Greding, D. D. Rev. C. H. G. Von Lutenan.
Rev. H. Zimmerman.' C. S. A. Hursh, A. M.
Rev. A. S. Zerbee, A. M. Ph. D. Rev. C- C. Knepper, A. M.
Mrs. A. M. Lee. Miss Sarah J. Thayer.
Mrs. Elizabeth Gerhart. Miss O. U. Rutenick;
Miss M. A. Moritz. Miss Jane Hartspck. >
N. L. Brewer, Esq. Rev. J. J. Esher.
Rev. J. B. Kniest. Rev. W. H. Fumeman.
Rev. J V. Lerch, >A. M. Frederick Mayer, A. B. s
Rev. Edwin R Willard, A. M. Rev. Louis Grosenbaugh, A. M.
Rev. J. P. Moore, A M/ Wm. P. Cope, A. M.
Rev Eph. Epstein, M. D.

HEIDELBERG COLLEGE. 269.
The following table will give a list of the students, that have been in
attendance : )RY. TOTAL. 149
174
206 226 187147
160 133132
105127
215 17S
227 ,
182181182.149139
196
221 165
158 169,168
The financial agents of the College have been Rev. M. Shaull, and
Elder Henry Leonard, of Basil, Ohio. The invested funds of the Col
lege now amount to over $100,000. The total number of students
who have received their education in whole or in part in Heidelberg
College, is about 3,300. Probably a majority of the families of Seneca
county have been represented here. These students are found in all
the professions and ranks of life. Nearly two hundred ministers of the
gospel have gone forth from these institutions, and are scattered over
the northern states, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Closely connected with Heidelberg College is
HEIDELBERG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
This is strictly and exclusively a Theological school, held in the
College building, but separate and distinct as a corporation, and
having separate endowments and professors. It was commenced at

.LEGE YEAR.

IN COLLEGE.

IN PREPAI

1850-51

0

149

1851-52

26

148

1852-53

29

177

1853-54

47

175

1854-55

43

134

1855-56

22

125

1856-57

32

138

1857-58

. .29

104

1858-59

28

104

1859-60

21

84

1860-62

29

98

1862-64

23

192.

1864-67

41

137

1867-68

7i

156

1S68-69

72

IIO

1869-70

85

96

1870-71

65

117

1871-72

61

83

1872-73

61

78

1873-74

72

124

1874-75

102

106

1875-76

90

75

1876-77

88

70

1877-78

84

85

1878-79

80

88

270 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Tiffin about six months later than the College. The professors in this
Seminary have been the following, the two last being still in office:
Rev. E. V. Gerhart, D. D., Professor of Theology.
' Rev/M. Kieffer, D. D.,
Rev. H. Rust, A. M., Professor of exegetical and historical Theology.
Rev. J. H. Good, D. D., Prof, of dogmatic and practical Theology.
The invested funds of the Seminary amount to about $35,000. It
has a large library, donated by various persons. The largest donation
was made by Rev. H. Helffenstein, of Pennsylvania. The number of
students in the Seminary has been as follows, for the different years
since it has been in operation:
SEMINARY YEAR. NO. STUDENTS. SEMINARY YEAR. NO. STUDENTS'.

1851-52

2

1852

10

1853

14

1854

17

1855

18

1856-57

15

1858

13

1859

7

i860

9

1860-62

12

1862-64

13

1864-67

4

1868

9

1870

21

1872

22

1873

22

1874

21

1875

13

1876

24

1877

19

1878

II

1879

9

1880

11

Dr. Gerhart was sole professor in the Seminary (acting at the same
time as president of the College,) from 185 1 to 1855, when he resigned
to accept the presidency of Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancas
ter, Pennsylvania. From November 1st, 1855, to 1861, Dr. Kieffer was
sole professor, (also being president of the College.) From 1861 to
1869 the Seminary was conducted by two professors, Dr. Kieffer and
Professor Rust. In 1869 Dr. Kieffer resigned, and Dr. Good,, then
professor of mathematics in the College, was elected his successor.
From 1869 to t88o, the seminary has been in charge of these two pro:
fessors. REV. E. V. GERHART, D. D. — FIRST PRESIDENT OF
HEIDELBERG COLLEGE.
Emanuel Vogel Gerhart is the eldest son of the Rev. Isaac Gerhart,
inter-married with Sarah Vogel. He was born at Freeburg, (then
Warren, now) Snyder county, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1817. In his
second year his father became pastor of congregations in Lykens val
ley; his youth was passad in Millersburg, Dauphin county, where he
enjoyed the advantage of such elementary schools as were then in

REV. E. V. GERHART, D. D. 27 1
\
existence. He began Latin at the age of eleven. In May, 1831, his
father sent him to the high school organized by the Reformed Church,
at York, Pennsylvania, then under the principalship of Rev. F. A.
Rauch, Ph. D. When, in 1835, that school was removed to Mercers-
, burgri, Pennsylvania, and erected into Marshall College, he was one of'
eighteen students who went with the institution. His classical course
he completed in September, 1838, being one of six who composed the
second graduating class of Marshall College. Immediately thereafter
he became a teacher in the female seminary at Mercersburgh, con
ducted by Mrs. Sarah A. Young, and continued in that capacity for
four years.
In September, 1839, he was appointed tutor in the Academy con
nected with the College, a position which he held for three years. He
entered the Theological Seminary in September, 1838, and graduated
in 1841, his theological studies being carried forward simultaneously
with his teaching in the academy and female seminary. His theologi
cal teachers were the Rev. Louis Mayer, D. D., under whom he studied
one year, and who resigned in the fall of 1839; the Rev. F. A. Rauch,
Ph. D., for two years and a half, who died in March, 1841; and the
.Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., for one year, he having been called to
succeed Dr. Mayer in 1840.
Dr. Gerhart was licensed to\ preach the gospel by the Synod of the
Reformed Church in the United States, at Reading, Pennsylvania,
October, 1841. In May, 1842, he received and accepted a call to four
churches in Franklin county, called the "Grindstone Hill" criarge, and
was ordained , to the holy ministry by a committee of Mercersburgh
classes, in the Union church at Grindstone Hill, August, 1842. As his
engagement with the academy was still in force, during the summer of
1842 he taught at Mercersburgh during the week, and on Sunday served
his pastoral charge. During September of this year he transferred his
residence to Fayetteville. The following spring, at the instance of the
Rev. Samuel Gutelius, he received, and was induced to accept, a call
to Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania. This pastoral charge he served for
more than six years, from May, 1843, to July, 1849. Then by the
Board of Domestic Missions he was appointed missionary among the
foreign Germans at Cincinnati, Ohio. He took charge- of a small
church on Bett's street, composed entirely of poor foreign Germans,
which he served exclusively in the German language, for one year,
living in a little shanty attached to the rear of the frame structure built
in a sand bank. Here he labored for two years. During this time the
church doubled its membership, a corner lot was bought on Elm street,

272 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
and funds were subscribed and collected for the erection of the First
, Reformed Church, which still occupies the old site.
In the month of December, 1850, the Synod of Ohio and adjacent
states elected him Professor of Theology in- its Theological Seminary,
and President of Heidelberg College, institutions of the Reformed
Church, which, during the previous year, had been located at Tiffin,
Ohio. Accepting this call, he removed to Tiffin in May, 185 1. During
the summer he undertook an agency in behalf pf the seminary library,
the seminary until then, havinghad no books. He visited Philadelphia
and New York, where he collected funds and many volumes. The
books presented and purchased constitute the nucleus of the library, of
this institution. A full report of his operatioris will be found in the
minutes of the Synod of Ohio of 1852. The offices of Professor and
President he filled for the -term of four years; teaching and lecturing,
partly in the English and partly in the German language. At the same
time he served several organized churches; during the first two years,
three or four congregations in the vicinity of Tiffin. During the last
two years he was pastor of the Second Reformed church (German) in
that city. . \
The Board of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, elected him President *of that institution at its annual
meeting, held in 1854. He accepted the call and moved to Lancaster,
in April, 1855. His connection with this college continued until July,
1868, a period of thirteen years. In 1858 he received his honorary
title of Doctor of Divinity from Jefferson college. Through the death
of the Rev. Henry Harbaugh, D. D., the professorship of systematic
theology in the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg became vacant
in December, 1867. At a special meeting of trie synod of the Reformed
church, held at Harrisburg, he was chosen Dr. Harbaugh's successor.
This call he accepted and removed to Mercersburg in August, 1868.
When, in 18 7.1, the seminary was removed from Mercersburg to~ Lan
caster, he continued in the service of the institution. The chair of
Professor of Theology he has occupied up to the present time, March,
1880. In the fall of 1864, St. Stephen's church was organized in the chapel
pf F. and M. college, composed of professors, families and students.
Of this church he was made the pastor, and served as such until he
ceased to be presiderit of the college. When the Rev Dr. Nevin re
tired from the presidency, the associate pastors appointed Dr. Gerhart
presiding pastor of St. Stephen's church, and up to the present time he
has been fulfilling the duties of this office.

REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D. 273
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D., PROFESSOR OF THE THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY AT TIFFIN, OHIO.
Near the Blue Mountains, in Berks county, Pa., in the village of
Rehrersburg, Dr. Good was born on the 22d day of November, 1822.
He is the son of Philip Augustus and Elizabeth Good, At the age of
nine years (in 1831) he removed to the county seat, the city of Reading,
where he received his preparatory education in the public schools and
.the academy.. At the age of fourteen (September, 1836) he started for
college, namely, Marshall college, then located in Mercersburg, Frank
lin county, Pennsylvania. It was at this time under the presidency of
Dr. F. A. Rauch, a celebrated scholar from Germany. Spending two
years in the preparatory 'department, and four years in the college, he
graduated with the highest honors of the class on the last Wednesday
of September, 1842. The class numbered nine, of whom four have
been professors in colleges and seminaries, and one a member of Con
gress. From 1842 to 1845 he was sub-rector of the preparatory depart
ment of Marshall college, and at the same time student in the Theolog
ical Seminary under Dr. J. W. Nevin. In the autumn of 1845 he was
licensed to preach by the Mercersburg classis, and in a few weeks
thereafter followed a call to -Lancaster, Ohio. From October, 1845,
until October, 1847, he labored as pastor of the Lancaster and St.
Matthew's Reformed Congregation, being at the same time principal of
a select school. Elected by the Ohio Synod to edit its proposed
religious paper, he removed to Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1847, and
started the Western Missionary (now known as the Christian World,
and published in Dayton, Ohio). Elected by the Reformed Synod, of
Navarre, 1849, as Professor of Mathematics, in its projected college, he
removed in October, 1849, (together with his brother, Professor Reuben
Good,) to Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, and opened the new institution.
At the same time he continued to edit the Western Missionary for three
years longer, when it was removed to Dayton. From November, 1849,
until September, 1869, (a period of twenty years,) he was Professor of
Mathematics in Heidelberg College. He was then elected (by the
Synod of Shelby, in May, 1869) to the chair of Dogmatic and Practical
Theology, in the Theological Seminary at Tiffin, which situation he
has occupied for ten years.
REV. GEORGE W. WILLIARD, D. D.,
was called to the Presidency of Heidelberg College in 1866. He was
born in Frederick county, Maryland, June 10th, 181 7, and graduated at
Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1840; served several
18

274 HISTORY OF SENECA. COUNTY- - '
important pastoral charges in the Reformed Churcri, and was the editor
of the Western Missionary, the organ of the Synod of Ohio of the
Reformed Church, thirteen years. He is still presiding over the college,
which has enjoyed agood degree of prosperity under his administration.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE CHURCHES.

IT WOULD have been a pleasure to the writer to prepare a»history
of the churches in Tiffin and in Seneca county, had not- two causes
-prevented it: one the entire absence of any record of the organization,
date, officers, ministers or members in many of them; the other, the
cool indifference in regard to trie matter with which, my requests were
answered. Such historic data as could be procured, however, are
given here in detail, while those of the others, whose records are want
ing, are described from recollecticm.
The little, brick Catholic chapel on Madison street has already been
described. There are only to be added these additional facts: . That
the German and the Irisri Catholics attended worship in it together for
some time, as one congregation, and until the separation took place,
when the Irish formed a separate congregation and -built their brick
church in Fort Ball, (as trien called), and the Germans bought about
two acres of Mr. Hedges, in the woods at the south end of Tiffin:
Father Healy is the pastor of the Irish church, and Father Evrard the
pastor of the German church, now standing on' the two acres, between
Washington and Melmore. streets. [Further details will be given here
after.] It is also said that the little brick chapel was the fourth Catholic
church erected in Ohio. After the separation of the two nationalities, v
the Irish .people used the chapel as a school house, and employed one
John Crowley as teacher. Through some carelessness about the stove
the building took fire and burned down.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal Church in Tiffin has already been alluded
to, as one of the first brick buildings in Tiffin. The first church of this
denomination that was erected in the county, was built on the bank of
Honey creek, in Eden township, in 1828, and on the land now known
as the Henry Schoch farm* This structure did not compare very

276 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
favorably with the grand edifice this denomination now owns on Mad
ison street, but it wag a good, large, substantial, hewed-log building,
and answered very well for the time. Their second, church was built
in Reed, in 1829; it was also made of logs, and was located on the
Raymond farm, one mile east of the pike. Rev. James Montgomery
used to preach in these churches occasionally, and also the venerable
Thomas Thompson, still living, and who was one of the most pop
ular and most generally beloved Methodist divines among the early
ministers in 'this part of the country. The celebrated Firileys also
preached in these log churches, as well as in private houses. The
house qf John Gibson, Esqi, in Eden, was a meeting house almost every
Sunday for a long time. The first presiding elder was James Mc
Mahon, who came to Tiffin in 1823, and preached in the old brick
church. Luther A. Hall, Esq. bought the old church, when the con
gregation had put up the new one, now over the post office, used as a
club room, and made a theatre of it. The Germans in Tiffin had
organized a very good Thesbian Society about that time, and produced
good pieces 'for amateurs — "Feldkimmel," for instance. The Meth
odists finally sold their church on the corner of Monroe and Market
streets, and built a large edifice on Madison street. When finished it
will be" one of the grandest and most spacious church edifices in the
county. Services are now held in the basement. The membership is
nearly three hundred; the Sunday school numbers about two hundred
scholars. Rev. J. W. Mendenhall is the present pastor. This congre
gation was admitted" to the North Ohio Conference in August, 1848,
Rev. Thomas Barkdall, presiding elder; - and Rev. E. S. Gurley* pastor.
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
At the northwest corner of Jefferson and Market streets, is a neat,
commodious structure; has regular services now, but the membership
is not very large. The. Rev. Williams is the pastor.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
In Tiffin was organized on the 20th day of October, 1857, by the fol
lowing named .persons: Rev. Lyman J. Fisher, William J. Crawford,
Elizabeth Crawford, Harriet Crawford, William Gallup, F. Brownell and ¦
Benjamin Tomb. The first public sermon was preached by the Rev.
D. F. Carnahan. Their church was built on Perry street, and dedicated
on the 2d day of December, i860. Rev. L. J. Fisher preached the
dedicatory sermon on the 1st day of July, 1868. The church has a
membership of about one hundred and fifty. Its present pastor, is the
Rev. G. G. Harriman.

THE CHURCHES. '277
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In Tiffin is one of the largest and most important religious associations
in the city, as it is also one of the earliest. It numbers among its
members many distinguished citizens. Their splendid church, at the
southwest corner of Market apd Monroe streets, was built in 1870. Its
present membership is about one hundred and fifty; Rev. D. D. Bigger
is its pastor at this time. The following historical items are taken from
an anniversary discourse pronounced by Rev. D. D. Bigger, pastor of
the First Presbyterian Churcri:
The First Presbyterian Churcri of Tiffin, Oriio, was organized about the
first of July, A. D. 1831, and was formed by the withdrawal of members
from the Melmore churcri who lived nearer Fort Ball than Melmore. In
1834 this society in Tiffin was formally chartered by the General Assembly
of the state of Ohio, as the First Presbyterian Church of Tiffin, Ohio. The
charter members were Milton Jennings, Peter Marsh, James W. G. McCluer,
Allen Campbell, William Hunter, John Young, Ezekiel McFerren, "and
their associates." The board of trustees named in the charter, were Milton
Jennings, Peter Marsh and Allen Campbell, devout men.
In trie year 1830 Rev. John Robinson came to the wilds of Seneca county,
preaching the gospel and gathering the early settlers of Presbyterian predi
lection into local churches. In the summer of 1831,, a local church was
organized at Tiffin, the Rev. Jorin Robinson officiating as their spiritual
leader until the charter was secured, in 1834. Father Robinson is known as
a thorough pioneer preacher, and many rich incidents are related of his
pioneer experience.
The Rev. John McCutchen, the successor of the first pastor, was consid
ered a revivalist of rare tact and talent, accomplishing much good. During
the interim from 1837 to 1852 the church was supplied by the Rev. A. S.
Dunton and Rev. John Whipple, in connection with Melmore. Rev. James
Pelon occupied the pulpit from June, 1852, to March 21, 1858. The Rev.
John McLain supplied the pulpit in Tiffin, in conjunction with that of the
church at McCutchensville, from May 6, 1858, until his death, which occurred
June 6, 1862. During the Rev. McLain's ministry the church edifice at
McCutchensville was built. Rev. D. S. Logan served,the church as stated
supply for one year, from the montri of December, 1862. In the winter of
1863, the Rev. J.' E. Lapsley ministered to the churcri, resigning in the fall
of 1866. In the spring of 1867, the Rev. R. B. Moore was called to the pas
torate, and accepting, became the first installed pastor of this congregation.
Up to the pastorate of Rev. Moore, the congregation had worshipped in a
sanctuary built in 1835, on the west side. Measures were taken to build a
more commodious structure, and more centrally located. The effort* were
successful, and the present handsome edifice, at the corner of Market and
Monroe streets, was occupied for the first time in the winter of 1871. When
completed, it is estimated that the entire outlay for constructing the build
ing, purchase of lot, and furnishing, -Will not exceed $21,000, but will fully
reach that sum.

278 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Rev J. F. Pollock succeeded Rev. Moore, and was installed as pastor in
' 1873, during the month of September. After five years of faithful service,
he resigned in March, 1878, accepting an invitation to South Toledo, Ohio.
The present encumbent, the Hev. D. D. Bigger, being a duly installed pas
tor, has entered the third year of his ministry with the. church. The society
is in a most prosperous condition. The report for trie year closing July 1st
shows an addition of thirty to the membership, and over $3,000 raised for
ecclesiastical and benevolent purposes, collected from the different depart
ments of the church work. The following are the officers of the church:
SESSION. ' l
David Smythe, William Davidson,
John Kerr, . Robert Lysle, [
Francis Frederici, Nathaniel Beck, Clerk.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
David Laird, President, James T. Knott, Secretary.
Henry C. Baltzell. Treasurer. C. D. Sprague.
George H. Borney. J. S. Bott,
William H. Kempher.
This denomination has churches located in this county at Fostoria, Mel
more, Bloomville, McCutchensville and Republic. At the latter place a new
church is under process of building, and will be ready to occupy this fall.
PLACE. CHURCH. PASTOR.
Tiffin, First Presbyterian, Rev. D. D. Bigger.
Fostoria, " ( . " Rev. J. Hughes.
McCutchensville, Presbyterian, Rev. R. B. Moore.
Republic, ":
Bloomville, " Rev. J. S. Boyd.(
Melmore, " " " "
THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL ST. JOHN'S CONGREGATION.
This is the only religious organization in Tiffiri constituted after the
manner of the union of the Lutheran and Reformed churches in Ger
many, a religious event that was celebrated among the Protestants of
southern Germany pn the i8th day of November, 1818.
This congregation in Tiffin was organized under a charter passed by
the general assembly of Ohio on the 15th day of March, 1836, under
the name of "The United German Evangelical Lutheran and German
Evangelical Reformed St. John's Congregation of Tiffin, Seneca county."
Andrew Albrecht, Philip Wentz, Valentine Seewald, Francis Souder,
Andreas Bloom, Andrew Denzer, Philip Seewald, John Ditto, Jacob
Boyer and William Lang were the charter members. Of all these,
Andrew Bloom, Jacob Boyer and the writer are all that survive; The
first constitution was adopted in 1838. Rev. Adam Adolph Conrad,
one of the most pure minded of christian gentlemen, was its first

THE CHURCHES. 279
pastor, and served the congregation for five years. In addition to
this, Rev. Conrad served nine other congregations, including one in
Lower Sandusky. He was a man of brilliant intellect and splendid
oratorical powers, which, combined with his pleasing manners, won for
him hosts of friends among all people. He had a frail, body, and his
labors were too severe for his physical strength. He died, after five
years of constant service, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. His death
was lamented by all classes of people. Rey. J. J. Beilharz, irom Fay
ette, New York, took charge of the congregation in 1841. In 1849 the
constitution was revised. Fathei Beilharz served the congregation
twelve years, and was succeeded by a Mr. Wander, who had recently
emigrated here from Silesia, Germany. His sermons were character
ized by forcible, and poetic thought, and true devotion. Mr. Wander
died ten months after he preached his first sermon. Rev. J. J. Esher
thereupon served the congregation up to 1855. Rev. Ruetenick served
during an interim. Rev. J. G. Neuschmidt was the pastor from 1859
to 1870. Revs. Rein and Weisgerber served to 1873, when Rev. G. von
Luternau became the minister and served until 1875, when the Rev.
C. Zimmerman, trie present incumbent, succeeded him.
By the frequent changes of ministers, and other causes, the congre
gation suffered much, arid became much reduced in numbers; but by
the indefatigable labors and the loveable disposition of this able and
accomplished divine, the church has increased to more than one hund
red and twenty members.
The first meeting house of this congregation was a hewed log build
ing, and stood On the same spot where their beautiful, but modest brick
church now stands, on south Jefferson street. It was built in 1836,
and gave way to the present brick church in 1857. The pastor lives in
a commodious parsonage on the same lot. A ladies' mite society, con
nected with the church, numbers forty members. The interest now
awakened in the German Protestant element promises a constant in
crease of the congregation, and contributes largely to the preservation
of the German language and the German mode of worship.
So rnuch for a church that keeps a record.
THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF TIFFIN, OHIO— ORGANIZ ATION.
The members of the German Reformed Church, mostly from the
states of Pennsylvania and Maryland, living in and around Tiffin, de
sirous of worshipping God in accordance with the customs and doc
trines of their fathers, determined to organize a congregation in Tiffin,
in order that their wishes in this particular might be realized. They

280 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
invited the Rev. John L. Sanders, of Frederick county, Maryland, to
visit them, with the view of becoming their pastor. ' The invitation was
accepted by this young minister, and on the 8th day of June, 1833, he
commenced his labors among his new parishoners, Qn the 30th of the
same month, a meeting of all who were desirous of going into the new
enterprise, was called, at which time a constitution wasadopted, and all
who wished to unite with the proposed organization subscribed their
names thereto. As well as can be ascertained, they were: Thomas
Derr, Joseph Ogle, George Stoner, Jacob Kroh, Jonathan Foltz,
Frederick Cramer, Joseph Foncannon, John Kime, John Martin, Ezra
Derr, Christian Ramsburg, Frederick W. Shriver, George Schroyer,
John Leydey, William Baugher, Christian Stoner, Elizabeth Ogle,
Susanna Ramsburg, Rosanna Derr, Catharine Cramer, Susanna Foltz,
Elizabeth Baugher, Margaret Kime, Sarah Kroh, and Mary Leydey.
The next step taken was to elect a consistory,' the members of which
were to constitute the board of trustees, also. A meeting of the mem
bers was held for this purpose, on the 21st of July, 1833, when six elders
and six deacons were elected, who were ordained^and installed accord
ing td the provisions of the Reformed church, on the same day of their
election. BUILDING OF THE CHURCH.
At the meeting aforesaid, the consistory was authorized to purchase
a lot for the purpose of erecting on it a church- edifice, to be built of
'brick. The lot upon which the present building stands was purchased :
from Josiah Hedges, for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, and
-was deeded to the trustees of the congregatio'n, known then by the
name Of the German Evangelical Reformed Church, on the 16th day
¦of August, 1834; the following persons constituting the board at that
time: Jacob Kroh, Joseph Foncannon, Jonathan Foltz, Joseph Ogle,
Frederick Cramer, David Rickenbaugh, John Ditto, John Kime, Wil-,
liam Baugher, John Martin, Ezra Derr, and Peter Schlosser. Immedi
ate steps were taken to build the proposed church. For various reasons
the work progressed slowly, and the building was not ready ' for
occupancy until the summer of 1835.
PASTORS.
The Rev. J. L. Sanders, who was licensed and ordained to the gospel
ministry on the 7th of May, 1833, by the Maryland Classes of the Ger
man Reformed Church, was the first minister of the congregation. He
served it from the time of its organization until the 7th of November,
1835, making the time of his pastorate two and a half years.

THE CHURCHES. 281
His successor was the Rev. Frederick Rahauser, who preached in
both the German and English languages. He served the congregation
about four and one-half years, when he resigned, and was followed by
the Rev. Daniel Kroh, who had just been ordained to the gospel
ministry. The Rev. Kroh commenced his labors as pastor on the 18th of Sep
tember, ,1840, and was regularly installed over the congregation as such
on the 1 2th of April, 1841. The church being without pews up to this
time, the members sitting on slab benches, was furnished with pews,
which made it a more comfortable place of worship than formerly.
, The Rev. Kroh continued as pastor until the 12th of May, 1846, when
he- resigned.
The Rev. Hiram Shaull became his immediate successor. During
his pastorate the church building, which had not been plastered or
painted, was finished, and was dedicated about the 1st of January, 1847.
The Rev. Shaull, having been appointed by the boards of trustees of
the Theological Seminary and Heidelberg College, located in Tiffin, to
a joint agency for the purpose of endowing these institutions of learn
ing, and feeling it to be his duty to accept this appointment, resigned
the pastorate of the congregation, which took effect on the 1st of Jan
uary, 1852.
The Rev. George D. Wolff then served the congregation as pastor
for one year, after which he resigned. His resignation went into effect
in July, 1853.
After a vacancy of one year, the Rev. William K. Zieber became the
pastor. He commenced his labors here in trie month of August, 1854.
He labored with acceptance until the 1st of August, 1857, when he re
signed, for the purpose of entering upon the duties of the office of
general superintendent of Home Missions, under the direction of the
different boards of Home Missiofts of the Reformed Church.
A vacancy again occurred for over one year, after which the Rev. E.
E. Higbee became the pastor. He commenced his duties oq the 1st of ,
October, 1858. During his pastorate the present church edifice was
erected, the old one being unfit any longer for use. It was commenced
in the summer of i860, and was completed the following spring. The
Rev. Higbee continued to be the pastor until the 10th of March, 1861,
when his resignation, which had been previously offered, went into effect.
The congregation was then served by the Rev. M. Kieffer, D. D., as
a supply, until the 1st of July, 1863, when the Rev. L. H. Kefauver be
came its pastor, and has continued in this position to the present time.

282 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The congregation is in a prosperous Condition,' with a communicant
membership of 230, and a flourishing Sunday School of 250 scholars.
THE REFORMED CHURCHES IN SENECA COUNTY.
There are now fourteen churches in Seneca county belonging to the
denomination known as the Reformed. Church in the United States,
descended from the, Reformed Confession in Germany and Switzerland,
whose best known representatives in the reformation age were Ulric
Zwingle, John Calvin, Hemy Bullinger, Zacharias Ursinus, arid Casper
Olevianus. The settlers in Seneca county who founded these churches
were mainly of three kinds: first, those from Maryland (mostly from
Frederick and Washington counties); second, those from Pennsylvania
(Lehigh, Berks, Union, Northampton and other counties); third, those
from Germany and Switzerland (mostly from the Palatinate, or Rhenish
Bavaria, Westphalia, Nassau, Hessia, etc). The following table will
show the location, founding and strength of these churches, together
with such illustrative notes as it was in my power to gather, which,
I hope, will have a historical value:

TABLE OF

REFORMED CHURCHES IN

SENECA COUNTY.

WHERE

WHEN

NO. OF

NAME.

- LOCATED.

FOUNDED

MEMBERS.

SITTINGS,

First Church Tiffin,

Tiffin City,

1833

227

600

Zion's Church,

Thompson T'w'

p, 1830

140

500

Salem Church,

Scipo, T'w'p,

1837

80

400

St. Jacob's,

Adams T'w'p,

1834

54

200

Bloomville,

Bloomville,

1850

90

300

Bascom,

Bascom,

1852

53

150

Salem,

Seneca T'w'p,

1853

50

300

Berwick,

Berwick,

1850

25

150

Olive Chapel,

Jackson T'w'p,

1852

57

250

Ft. Seneca,

Pleasant T'w'p,

1855

80

300

Caroline,

, Venice T'w'p,

100
300
Second Tiffin,
Tiffin,
1850
240
400
Glade Union,
Pleasant T'w'p,
1875
40
250
Fostoria,
Fostoria,
1879
44
300
REMARKS AND NOTES.
1
It will be noticed that there is a Reformed Church in each of the
fifteen townships of the county, with the exception, as yet, of Liberty,
Reed, Eden and Big Spring. The following notes will rescue some
facts from oblivion:
A special history of this church will be found in another place.
The Thompson church was organized in 1830 by Rev. Stauch,
THE CHURCHES. 283
the land being donated by John Heeter. It has had three church
edifices, on the same ground; the first built in 1832, the second in 1843,
and the third, one of the finest edifices in Seneca county, of brick,
with a tall steeple, in 1873. The size is forty by fifty-five feet. The ,
names of the ministers, in succession, are as follows:
1. Rev. Marchup. 6. Rev. Eli Keller.
2. " Frederick Rahauser. 7. " Joseph A. Keller.
3. " Frederick Wahl. 8. " Wm. H. Sandel.
4. " J. C. Klar. 9. " Wm. J. Peters.
5. " David Kelley. ,
The principal 'families at the start Were: John Royer, Sr., John
Wollenslagel, Adam Good, Jacob Bunn, Sr., John Bunn, Jr., John
Bunn, Sr., Isa4c Lewis, Henry Bowman, Rudolph Bowman, Henry
Stetter, and Henry Bunn. Other families since, represented by Isaac
Royer, Samuel Royer, John Royer, Manam Royer, Jared Royer,
Emanuel Good, George Good, Adam Good, Jr., George Wollenslagel,
Cbnrad Wollenslagel, John Wollenslagel, Jr., Christian Wollenslagel,
Wm. Good, Wm. Bennehoff, John Matz, Neri Matz, Samuel Maury,
Gottlieb Maury, Malachi Loeseber, Fred. Bowman, and Augustus
Steinmetz. The value of the present church .property is about $6,000.
Salem Reformed church was first organized in Adams township
(a union church, Reformed and Lutheran) by Rev. F. Rahauser. The
original land in Adams township was donated by John German. The
land on which the criurcri now stands was purchased from David
Wyant. There have been four church edifices, the first built in 1837.
The present neat brick church was erected in 1868. The following
have been the ministers:
1. Re,v. F. Rahauser. 5. Rev. Eli Keller.
2. " Fred. Wahl. 6. " Joseph A. Keller.
3. " D. W. Kelley. 7. " W. B. Sandel,
4. " J. C. Klahr. 8. " W. J-. Peters. .
The original families" were represented by John Hen singer, Andrew
Mitower, Eli Karshner, Eli Dou'ght, Joseph Kunes, and Jacob Britten;
to which we may add as later ones: George Schoch, Ephraim Close,
Anthony Harpster, Henry Bacher, Stephen Strauss, Adam Harkey,
Monroe Kistler, C. Hensinger, John Hensinger, Jr., and Robert Close.
The church has a parsonage, and a church property worth about $4,000.
The St. Jacob's church, in Adams township, was originally gath
ered by Rev. Conrad, arid organized as a Lutheran and Reformed
phurch. It was served for many years by Rev. J. J. Beilharz. In the
year 185 1, Rev. Prof. J. H. Good laid the basis, and subsequently or-

284 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ganized the Reformed congregation of that name, and has been pastor
until the present time. The church is built on land donated by Jacob
Gruber. The following are the representative heads of the principal
families: Herman Detterman, Jacob Gruber, Joseph Hilsinger, Paul '
Hobbes, George Detterman, Samuel Detterman, Henry Cook, Daniel.
Reiter, Daniel Gruber, Henry Detterman, H. Brinkman, F. Berlekamp,
R. Berlekamp, Thomas Mohr, and others.
The original name of the Bloomville church was Mt. Pisgah;
organized the 25th of August, 1850, by Rev. H. K. Baines, with' George
Swigart and Philip Heilman as elders, and Adam Baker and F. Zim:
merman as deacons. The church is built on an acre of land donated :
by Simon Koler. The property is worth-about $2,500. The ministers , ,
and supplies have been:

I.

Rev

H. K. Baines.

7-

Rev. Joseph A. Keller.

2.

a

J. C. Klahr,

8.

" L. Grosenbaugh.

3-

it

David Kelley.

9-

" J. /i. Steplar. ,

4-

a

M. Keiffer, D. D.

10.

" J, D. Gehring.

5-

it

J. H. Good.

11.

" Samuel Shaw, since Aug.,

6.

it

W. W. James.

[1876.

The principal families .are the Heilmans, Krilleys, Kolbers, Bakers',
Geigers, Klahrs, Samsels, Frarikenfields; etc.
The Bascom church was originally gathered by Rev. J. J. Beil
harz, as a Lutheran and Reformed church, and a neat little church
erected in the village of Bascom. On the 1st of January, 1852, it was
organized by Rev. Prof. E. V. Ge-rhart as a German Reformeid church.
The first officers were,- Benjamin Fried, elder, and Christian Deubel,
deacon. The heads of the principal families have been: Dr. Henry
Werz, John George Werz, Michael Walter, Michael Strong, Jacob
Scrimid, Nicholas Dewald, Peter* Dewald, Philip Dewald, Jacob Kissa-
beth, Philip Kissabeth, Jacob Brendle, John Nau, George Shattner,
John Kinkerter, Ph'ilip Stucky, Jacob Sherer, Conrad Bohn, Jacob
Heisserman. The ministers have been:

1.

Rev. E. V. Gerhart.

7-

'Rev. Jacob Kuhn.

2.

" M. Mueller.

8.

" W. H. Fenneman.

3-

" H. J. Rutenick.

9-

" L. Richter.

4-

" J. J. Escher.

10.

" C. F. Krithe.

5-

" J. Matzipger.

n.

" J. H. Good.

6.

" F. Strassner.

Salem church, in Seneca township, was' organized by Rev., Prof.
E. V. Gerhart, on November 12th, 1853. The male members present
at the organization were: Casper Bachman, Isaac Miller, Ludwig

, THE CHURCHES. 285
Emich, Lambert Martin, John Hoiick,' Jacob Schaub, Andrew Burg-
doerffer, Frederick Baker and William Rex. Most of these had pre
viously belonged to' a Lutheran and Reformed congregation, originally
organized by. Rev. Conrad, in the year 1834. The first church was
built in 1837, about one and one-half miles east of the present village
of New Riegel, of hewn logs, fitted with split and hewn plank for its
floor and seats. The building was eighteen by twenty-two, and about
eleven feet high The Salem church, after its organization, built a
neat and handsome frame church, still standing, on land purchased
from Philip Nibergal. The rie.ads of the principal families, in addition
to those previously named, have been, John Miller, J. J. Buser, Jacob
Shubach, N. Feindel, Wm. Wenner, Robert Burne, Esq., Fred. Shamacher,
N. Enrich, W. .Deis, Silas Hoffert, T. Wagner, J. Scherer, George Robb,
John Rothfuchs, and others. The successive ministers have been:
1. Rev. E. V. Gerhart. 5. Rev. Jacob Kuhn
2. '" , M. Mueller. 6. " W. H. Fenneman.
3. " J. J. Escher. 7. " L. Richter.
4. " F. Strassner. 8. " J. H.. Good.
The Berwick congregation was first gathered, so far as I can
learn, by Rev. Frederick Wahl. The principal families were trie
Schumachers, Blooms, Millers, Longs, Spraus and others Ithasgen-
enerally been supplied by the same pastors as have preached at Salem,
which is only two miles distant. For a number of years now services
-have been suspended at this place, the members attending regularly at
Salem. ,The congregation at Olive Chapel, in Jackson township, was
organized by Rev. Prof. R. Good, of Tiffin. The church was built in
1862, on land donated by Jacob Stahl. The successive ministers have
been: Rev. R. Good. 7- Rev. D. Kroh.
" M. Mueller; 8. " H. Daniels.
" ,S. Shaw. 9. " T. J. Baeber.
" H,*Baer. 10. " L. Richter.
" T. F. Staufer. 11. " A. Casselman.
" George Rettig.
The original families were those of George and Jacob Stahl, F.
Febles, C. Myers and some others. The value of the church property
is about $1,000.
The Second Reformed Church, of Tiffin, grew from small be
ginnings, and was first organized by Rev. Frederick Wahl. Its minis
ters since have been, Rev. E. V. Gerhart, Rev. J. H. Good, and Rev: H.

286 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ..
i
Rust. The principal families, at its organization, consisted of the
Swknders, Reifs, Emichs, Fieges, Blooms, Bachers, Seipels, Von Blons,
Honsbergers, Knauses, Sohns, Kremers, Schneiders and many others.
It possesses a property worth about $5,000. The " Frauenverein "
numbers sixty members.
The Reformed Church, of Fostoria, was. organize by Rev. A. Cassel-
man, on the 23d of March, 1879, with twenty-five members, and, incor
porated on the 20th of April of the same year. The lot on which' the
church is built was purchased Of James Fritcher for $300. The corner
stone was laid on the 20th of May, and the building dedicated Septem
ber'- 28th, 1879. The value of the church property is about $2,100.
The Officers of the church at its organization were:
Elders— Rev. M. Mueller and H, W. Kunkle.
Deacons — Samuel Stewart and Jacob Hofmaster.
The Fort Seneca congregation of the Reformed church was organized
about the year 1857, by the Rev. M. Kieffer, D. D. who served it about
four years. The following were the first officers elected:
Elders — Simon Shuman, Jacob Hale, Barney Zimmerman.
Deacons — Felix Beck,, Henry Stoner, Daniel C. Richard.
Trustees — Barney Zimmerman, Henry Stoner, John Zeigier.
Trie church was erected shortly after the organization, at a cost, of
about $1,200, the. lot- having been donated by John Zeigier. Rev. S.
Shaw, 1 ttudent of the Theological Seminary at Tiffin, succeeded Dr.
Kieffer in the pastorate in April, 1861, and was succeeded by Revs. H-
Bair, W. James and G. Ficks, each of them serving only a. short time.
In the year 1866 Rev. G.W. Williard, D. D., President of Heidelberg
College, took charge of the congregation, at which time it numbered
only about thirty members. Things .soon began to assume a more
hopeful aspect, and encouraging accessions were made from time to
time, until the congregation now, (April, 1880,) has a membership of
eighty-five active communicants. The church building has been re
paired several times, and is now in good condition. The congregation
has a good Sunday school, with an average attendance of about sixty,
and property worth about $2,000. The officers of the congregation
now are:
Pastor— Rev. G. W. Williard.
Elders— Ph. Frey, Samuel Bair, Henry Stoner.
Deacons— Ch. Gangwer, Fred. Hade, Charles Zeis.
The Glade Union Reformed congregation was organized by Rev.
Geo. W. Williard, D. D., December 17th, 187 1. The following persons
united in the organization: William Steckel, Clara Steckel, Francisca

THE CHURCHES. 287
Steckel, Jacob Bowersox, Susan Bowersox, Jacob Lowrie, Sarah Lowrie,
William Shriver, Ann Marie Shriver, Elizabeth Shriver, Sophia McMeen,
Leicester M. Koons, Susan Smith, A. L. Shaffer, Rachael Sriaffer, and
Oliver Watson. William Steckel and Jacob Bowersox were elected
elders; A. L. Shaffer and Oliver Watson deacons. Their church was
built in 1871, and dedicated July 2d, '1871. It was erected at an ex
pense of about $1,000. Rev. George W. Williard, D. D., Jacob Bower- ,
sox and William Shriver. were the building committee. Jacob Bower
sox donated the lot.
Dr. Williard has served the congregation to trie present time (1880)
as its pastor, preaching every two weeks. The congregation 'has grad
ually increased andynow numbers thirty-six members. The church
will seat 200 persons., The property is worth about $1,500; much of
the- work in its erection was done gratuitously.
CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
Through the kindness of the Rev. Joseph Beaver, the following facts
have been secured, viz.:
The first organization was effected in the year 1831, at the house of
Philip Bretz, one half mile east of Melmore. There are now sixteen
church houses of this denomination in Seneca county.
THE ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
In the absence of a record showing the organization of the first
English Lutheran church in Tiffin, the writer is indebted to the kind
ness of Dr. J. Crouse, and the Rev. J. Liyengood, of Butler, Illinois, who
speak from memory only. -
The first meeting was held in the brick school house on West Market
street, in Tiffin, in the summer of 1843, where a congregation was
organized by Mr. Lioengood. Afterwards they held their meetings in
the German Reformed church, for a short time. This- seemed to prove
unpleasant on both sides) and an effort was made to build a small
church. A part of a lot was purchased on the east side of Jefferson
street, where the present church now stands, and a contract let to build
a plain frame house thirty by forty feet. This was in the spring of
1844. The house was dedicated jn the same year, Rev. J. Crouse, D.
D. preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Wittenberg Synod held its
next session in this church. Among the first members were David
Rickenbaugh, Samuel Rule, Jacob Bowser, John Bowser, John Sechrist,
George Ritsman, Simon Snyder, Mr. Rosenberg and the wives of these
gentlemen. The whole number was about twenty-five. At the first

288 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
organization Mr. Rickenbaugh , and Mr. Bowser were elected elders,
and Mr. Ritsman and Mr.' Sechrist, deacons.
In 1865 the old frame church was moved away, and the present beau
tiful, brick edifice erected in its place. Dr. Crouse is now serving as
pastor of the congregation in his fourth year. There are two hundred
members enrolled, and two hundred scholars in the Sunday school.
REV. JOSHUA CROUSE, D. D
There are self-made men in the pulpit, as well as in other walks of
life, and the subject of this sketch is one of these. This sketch is in
its proper place here, because Dr. Crouse dedicated the first English
Lutheran Church here (the frame bpilding,) afterwards the present
brick edifice, and is now serving the congregation in the fourth year of
his pastorate.
He is the son of Jacob and Eliza Crouse, (the maiden name of the
latter being Wildisin,) and was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on
trie 29th day of August, 1812. His parents came to Columbiana county
in 1805, from Emmittsburg, Maryland. Young Crouse's education was
the best the common schools in that country afforded at that time.
He married when only twenty-two years of age, and taught school
several terms for a livelihood, both English and German at the same
time. When he arrived at man's estate, and during the time and after he
taught school, lie felt very keenly the want of a thorough education,
and applied himself to books with the iron will and persevering indus
try that always lead to success, in every walk of life.
From his boyhood up, he cherished a desire to become a preacher
of the gospel, and when the time arrived for the choice of a life-work,
no one employment suited his nature so well as that of the ministry of
the gospel Many circumstances combined to prevent his engagement
in the work, among which was his diffidence and fear of personal unfit
ness for the calling.
After he had passed his thirtieth year, a providential way seemed to
¦ open to him for the work. He still had his troubles, and doubts pf
being able to enter upon it; and there was a struggle between a keen
sense of duty to preach and want of confidence in himself toxmeet the
duty, which made him mentally wretched for some time. After passing
months in this unhappy state of mind, he finally threw himself into the
hands of God, leaving results to Him.
With that confiding trust, he preached about two years, by the comT
mon consent of trie neighboring ministers, delivering his first sermon in

I ' ,THE CHURCHES,. 289
February, 1842. - In September, 1844, he was examined by a comrnit-
tee of the- Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and adjacent states, and
was licensed at the same time. Preaching about three years longer,
he was ordained in 1847. He has been in the service now a little over
triirty-eight years; seven years of this time he was the financial secre
tary of Wittenberg College,. at Springfield, Ohio.,
Dr. Crouse is a fine specimen of a christian teacher; mild and
friendly in his intercourse with others, broad and liberal in his views, a
thorough theologian, a forcible and eloquent pulpit orator. His labors
in trie vineyard of the Lord during so mAny years have given ample
proof that his conception of the mission of his life was well grounded.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
Soon after the secession in the old M. E. Church, a society of sixteen
members was organized in March, 1829, under the conventional articles,
by Rev. James Montgomery,' at Fort Seneca. Mr. Montgomery was
entirely alone as a reformer, there' being no society nearer than one
hundred miles; but he was " all in all " to his little flock up to his death. '
The little society was then left without a shepherd, but they resolved to
stand fast. John Souder, then a layman, was elected class-leader.
They kept up their meetings, and in 1832 Adget McGuire made them a
missionary visits of four or five Sabbaths, during which he organized two
other small classes. Daniel Gibbons, a young man, was then sent to
them, who, in the next conference, reported one hundred and thirty-five
members. After him, David Howell was appointed, who also made
progress. Brother Souder, the veteran pioneer, long since known as a
local minister, has lived to see the little flock grow into large pro
portions. The congregation that was organized in Tiffin put up a brick church
on Monroe street, which was dedicated on the 8th and 9th days of
July, 1837.
John Souder, William Campbell, Joseph Walker and Daniel H.
Phillips were the building committee. Here the congregation attended
worship until their present large and beautiful church, on Market street,
was built in 1872. Rev. Chandler is the minister.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The little brick chapel, near East Madison street, has already been
described. It was not dedicated until the 7th day of January, 1837.
Services were held in it, however, from the time it was finished. The
bishops have made it a rule not to dedicate a church while it is in debt;
a very good rule. It makes delinquent subscribers pay up.
19

290 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The organization of the congregation dates back to September, 1829,
when Bishop Fenwick, of Cincinnati; bought of Josiah Hedges the site.
The building was postponed for want of means, and until Mr. Kinney
and others contracted for the brick as before stated. Father Edmund
Quinn took charge of the congregation in 1833. He was a venerable
and noble looking priest, highly esteemed by all our citizens. He had
his mother here with him. This brick church was finished in the spring
of.1833. Father Quinn remained in charge of it until his death here,
in the fall of 1835. Thereupon Bishop Purcell appointed ,the Rev.
Father Schoenhenz, who continued to officiate until the fall of 1839,
and was succeeded by Father McNamee and the Rev. J. P. Machebeouf,
at preseiit bishop of Colorado and New Mexico. Father Machebeouf,
in 1842, went to Sandusky City, and Father McNamee remained until
1847, late in the fall, when Bishop, Rappe appointed the Rev. Father
M. Howard, who remained until April, 1850, in September, when the
Rev. M. Molon succeeded him, and remained until 1852. He was
succeeded by the Rev. M. O'Sullivan, who, in the summer of 1856, built
the present St. Mary's church, and remained in charge until February,
1859, when its present pastor, the Rev. Father M. Healy, took charge
of the church, and who has officiated now twentyTone years. There are
950 members belonging to this church. Father Healy organized three
schools, in 1864, numbering now 160 scholars, and in 1870 built the
present parsonage. Their present cemetery was purchased in 1878,
containing five acres, east of the city, ori the North Greenfield road,
and was blessed by Father Healy, assisted by Fathers FCvrard and
Ahern, October 13, 1878.
SALEM CHURCH. EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
About the year 1848, Jacob Snyder came to Tiffin with his family,
and in the years 1854-55 the families of the Rev. J. G. Zinser^ Ludwig*.
Schubert, William C. Negile and M. Huber settled in the city ; these,
organized a class and were served by the regular circuit preachers, in
the following order, viz: Revs. F. Freeh, John Erb, R. J. J. Kanaga and
J. G. Theurer. Their services, both preaching and prayer meetings,
were hbld in the houses of these families.
At the annual conference of 1856 this society was constituted a mis
sion station, with fifty members. The Rev. L. F. Sheurerman became
its first missionary, in 1857, and served until the spring of 1859, and
since that time the church ha's been served by the following pastors,
viz: — J. G. Theurer, up to i860; J. G. Zinser, to 1861; C. Gramer, to
1863; G. Harenpflug, to 1865; J. Frankhauser, to 1867; E. B. Crouse,

THE CHURCHES. 291
]
to 1868; F. Freeh, to 1869; J. G. Theurer, to 1871; C. F. Negile, to
1874; E. B. Crouse, to 1876; C. G.Koch, to 1879; and N. Schupp
since spring, 1879.
In 1858 the church and parsonage were erected, at a cost of $2,500
under the pastorate of L. F. Scheurerman and J. G. Zinser, John Loos
and Jacob Snyder serving as trustees and building committee. Both
church and parsonage have undergone repairs, at an expense of about
$1,000. On the 21st day of April, 1858, the first Sunday school was
organized, with thirty scholars, and has increased to eighty scholars, the
present number. William C. Negile has been the superintendent from
the organization to the present time — twenty-two years.
The Ohio annual conference held two of its sessions in this church,
in 1865 and 1875. In 1871 the society became self supporting, and
was changed from a mission to a station. In 1873, by an act °f the
society the Sunday evening preaching services were held in the English
language, and shortly after an English class was formed, which was the
origin of the EbeneZer church, now worshipping in their new edifice
on North Washington street.. However, the German and English
classes worshipped together until 1876, when they became two separate
organizations by' common consent. Rev. J. Lerch served the English
congregation, and C. H. Koch the German. This society enjoyed a
special revival under the present pastorate, with a net increase, and it
now numbers one hundred and twenty- five members.
EBENEZER CHURCH.
In the spring of 1876, the Ohio conference of the Evangelical
Association established an English mission in Tiffin, called "Tiffin
Washington street mission." The steps that led to this result were the
following: An English class was formed in the German (Salem) church
in 1873, for the benefit of the English speaking people. The pastor,
the Rev. C. F. Ingle, of the Salem church, began English preaching
service on Sabbath evenings.
Rev. Jesse Lerch was appointed the first missionary, the mission
then numbering forty members. During the first year the church on
North Washington street was built, at an expense, including the lot, of
#7,100. Mr. Lerch served for three years, and in the spring of 1879
he was supported by the Rev. J. A. Hensel.
The mission at present numbers eighty-five members, and is in a
flourishing condition, both financially and spiritually. It's Sunday
school numbers eighty scholars; Mr. ,E. Nicolai is the superintendent

292 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
In 1845 the German Catholics of Tiffin, who for a number of years
had been members of. St. Mary's English church, solicited and obtained
from the Right Rev. J. B. Purcell, Bishop of Cincinnati, the permission
to organize a separate congregation. They numbered at that time
from thirty to forty families. They went to work with energy and lib
erality, and selected near the city a beautiful site of two acres.
From 1845 until January, 1852, the new German organization was
attended by priests of the Sanguinnist congregation, who came from
Thompson or New Riegel (then called Wolf Crefek), the Revs. F. Sale-
sius Brunner, John Wittmer, J. B. Jacomet, Yacob Ringeli, M. Anton
Meyer, P. Anton Capeder, F. X. Obermiller, Maximilliari Hamburger,
John Von den Broeck and Mathias Kreusch. The last named resided
for a few months in the city, with a catholic family. In January, 1852,
Rev L. Molon, pastor of St. MaryJs church, was also appointed pastor
of the German congregation, arid had a separate service in each church
every Sunday until September of the same year, when Rev. J. B. Uhl-
mann arrived from Germany and was >appointed pastor of the young
and flourishing congregation. The present parsonage was then-built.
Rev. Uhhriann remained in Tiffin until May, 1856, when he was sent to
Cantop, Stark county, Ohio.
His successor was the Rev. Joseph L. Bihn, who was removed in
September, 1873, at his own request, after a pastoral ministration of
more than seventeen years. In August, 1870, Rev. N. Schnitz became
his assistant, and remained until August, 1872. In September, 1872,
Rev. A. M. Meile was appointed assistant, and remained until July,
1873. Another assistant, Rev. J. A. Michenfelder, was appointed, but
remained only eighteen days and was removed after the resignation of
the pastor.
In punishment of the disorders which had compelled Rev. J. L. Bihir
to give up his charge, the congregation was left without a pastor and
the church closed for more than two months, after which time the
Right Rev. Bishop, moved by the repeated petitions of the people,
appointed the present pastor, Rev. Charles Evrard, under whose
administration peace was at once restored and has since remained
undisturbed. In August, 1877, the Rev. J. B. Heiland became his
assistant, but was compelled by his failing health to leave Tiffin, in
March, 1878.
At the time of the organization of the new congregation the leading
men were Joseph Kuebler, Dr. Joseph Boehler, Michael Kirchner, Frank

THE CHURCHES. 293
Greulich, Joseph Vollmer, Michael Theissen, John Houck and John
Bormuth. The present church building was commenced in i860, and 'consecra
ted September 14, 1862, by the Right Rev. J. M. Young, Bishop of
Erie, in the presence and with the assistance of Right Rev. A. Rappe,
Bishop of the diocese. The beautiful gothic edifice, under the able
management of Rev. J. L. Bihn, did not cost more than $25,000, and
is a standing monument of the zeal of the pastor and the liberality of
the people.
When the congregation was organized, in 1845, a plain, brick church,
40x90 feet, was at once built for their use, on the lot where the' present
churcri now stands; but the continual increase of families, from forty
to nearly three hundred, made the building of a new and larger church
absolutely necessary. The old church was torn down in 1861, and the
new one built on the same spot. A temporary building was erected to
be used for divine service until the completion of the new church.
The records do not mention the existence of any parochial school
before the appointment of Rev. J. B. Uhlmann, in 1852. A school
was established by him in the spring of 1853, and was maintained and
enlarged by his successor. A new school house was built by Rev. J. L.
Bihn in 1858, which contained two large rooms. In 1862, after the
completion of the new church, the temporary building used for divine
service was divided for school purposes; it received a second story, and
four large rooms' were again furnished for the increlasing youth of the
congregation. In 1875 another room became necessary, and a build
ing was erected in the rear of the old school house. The congregation
has now seven classses of children, taught by one male teacher and six
Ursaline sisters. ,
In connection with the history of St. Joseph's congregation must be
mentioned the establishhment of two religious communities -in Tiffin.
In 1865 the Ursaline sisters came from Cleveland to Tiffin. They
formed a new convent, established an academy for young ladies, and
took charge of the parochial schools of both congregations in the city.
In order to secure their services, St. Mary's congregation paid $1,000,
ahd St. Joseph's paid $2,000, for, the purchase of the lots upon which
the Ursaline convent and the academy were afterwards built.
In 1868, Rev. J. L. Bihn established another community near the
limits of the city, under the name of "Citizens' Hospital and Orphan
Asylum." It is under the care of the Franciscan Sisters of the Third
Order, and has increased admirably since its creation. A new and
large chapel was erected in 1878. "The institution contains at present

294 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
thirty-four sisters and, novices^ eighteen aged persons, and severity-five
orphans. Rev. J. L. Bihn, founder and superior of this community,
resides there, and manages all the affairs of the Home with prudence
and success. CHURCH DIRECTORY OF TIFFIN FOR 1880.
Methodist Episcopal.— Madison street, west of Washington. Services
morning and evening. Rev. J. W. Mendenhall, minister.
First Methodist.— Market street, east of- Washington street. Services
morning and evening. Rev. Chandler, minister.
Presbyterian.— Corner of Market and Monroe streets. Services morning
and evening. D. D. Bigger, pastor.
Baptist.— Perry street,- east of Washington. Services morning and even-
• ing. Rev. Rupe, minister.
Catholic (German)— Head of Washington street. Mass at 8 and 10 A. M.
Vespers, 3 P. M. Rev. Father Evrard, pastor; Rev. Father Heiland,
assistant. -> '
Catholic (English)— Corner of Miami and Franklin streets. Mass at 8 and
10 A. M. Vespers, 3 P. M. Rev. Father Healey, pastor.
Lutheran (English) — Corner of Jefferson and Madison streets. Services
morning and evening. Rev. Crouse, minister.
Lutheran (German).— Jefferson street, opposite Main. Services morning
and evening. Rev, Zimmerman, minister.
Reformed (German).— Jefferson street, south of Madison. Services morn
ing and evening. Rev. Rust, minister.
First Reformed.— Corner Monroe and Madison streets. Services morning
and evening. Rev. Kefauver, minister.
Evangelical (English).— North Washington street. Services morning and
evening. Rev. J. A. Hensel, minister. •
Evangelical (German).— Sandusky street, north of Perry street. Services
morning and evening. Rev. Schupp, minis' ter:
Episcopal.— Comer Market and Jefferson streets. Services morning and
evening. Rev. Williams, minister.
In the above the services are all understood for Sunday.

CHAPTER XIX.

JOHN GOODIN-MRS. ANN SENEY— REZIN W. SHAWHAN— CHRISTOPHER
SNYDER— GEORGE RUMMELL -DAVID E. OWEN-WYANDOT CHIEFS AND
FAMILIES-MARK, CHAPTER VI., II VERSE IN MOHAWK— ANDREW LUGEN-
BEEL— IUDGE PITTENGER-JOHN AND LOUISE F1EGE— CHRISTIAN MUEL
LER—THE GREAT FIRE OF APRIL, 1872.

JOHN GOODIN.
AMONG the many distinguished pioneers of Seneca county was
John Goodin, beloved and esteemed alike for his honorable
course in life, and for his intelligence and friendly nature. He was
born in November, 1800, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and when
about six years old moved with his father and the family to Perry
county, Ohio, near Somerset, where he was raised to manhood. When
about twenty-two years of age he married Elizabeth Kishler, and six
years thereafter, in 1828, they moved to Tiffin. There were six children
born to them, four daughters and two sons, who are all married and
living in the western country. Joel K. Goodin is the oldest son, and a
lawyer of eminence in Kansas', and John R. Goodin was judge of the
court in Kansas, a member of the legislature in Kansas, and a member
of congress from that state, and lately also the Democratic candidate
for governor. Joel was also a member of the, legislature of Kansas.
In Tiffin John Goodin took a very active part in the development of
the town and county. iHe built the brick hotel on Washington street,
already mentioned, and kept it ¦ for awhile, when he rented it to T. J.
McCleary, and moved to the lot now covered by the Rust block-,
There he lived until he sold the lot, with the frame house thereon, to
the Seewalds, shortly before he moved to Kenton.
In 1840 he was elected to the senate of Ohio from the district com
posed of the counties of Seneca, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky and Hancock,
for two years. He was treasurer of Seneca county from 1835 t0 I&39
inclusive. In 1843 he moved to Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, where
he entered into the mercantile business with his brother, and engaged
extensively in buying and selling real estate. His wife died in 1857.

2^6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
On the 13th of January, 1859, he married again. By this union he had
three children. In 1850, and shortly before the adoption of the new
constitution of Ohio, he was appointed one of the associate judges of"
the county of Hardin. He then retired from public life and lived
quietly and happily on his farm, close by Kenton. Three years before
his death he had an attack of paralysis. He died on the 20'th of
February, 1876, seventy-five years of age. Mr. Goodin was a tall,
slender man, of a well proportioned physique; very active and sociable.
He had a kind word for every one, and was personally very popular.
He was a very active and shrewd politician; a man of strict morality
and honesty, faithful to. his word and duty. He was highly esteemed
wherever he was known. MRS. ANN SENEY.
William Wood came from Holland to Philadelphia with a stock of
goods, and took into his employ a young man from Maryland, by the
name of George Ebert, who some time after married Mr. Wood's
daughter. The young people moved to Uniontown, Pennsylvania,
where Mr. Ebert became a prominent citizen and was greatly respected.
He was there engaged in mercantile life for forty years. They had a '
numerous family, and their youngest daughter, Ann, was a beautiful
girl, and received a very liberal education at the Brownsville female
seminary. Albert Gallatin, the illustrious secretary of the treasury of the United
States, under Jefferson, and some other distinguished gentlemen from
Washington, paid a visit to Uniontown. Mr. Joshua Seney was then
the private secretary to Mr. Gallatin. The people of Uniontown pre
pared and had a very brilliant ball in honor of their distinguished
guests. At this ball Mr. Seney and Miss Ebert met for the first time.
This short acquaintance ripened into a love affair between these young
people, which culminated in their marriage. They lived in Uniontown
ten years after that time, and then moved to Tiffin, in company with
Judge Ebert, in the summer of 1831. They had three children -when
they came to Tiffin, and there were five, more born to them here, mak
ing eight in all, five daughters and three sons, who are all still living,
but two.
Mrs. Seney became a member of the M. E. Church when eighteen
years of age, and up to her death continued to be a faithful,- devoted
and highly esteemed member thereof. She was one of the mothers in
Israel, and will be remembered for her christian virtues and her gentle
nature as long as one person may live that ever knew her.

RE£IN W SHAWHAN. 297
During the sickly- seasons, and whenever Mrs. Seney could leave her
own family, she would go from house to house among the sick, assist in
caring for them, fetch them, some palatable nourishment, cheer up the
distressed with her always pleasant smile and christian consolation.
She was born on the 13th of September, 1803, and died on the 5th of
May, 1879. She was beloved by all who knew her. The entire com
munity mourned her loss when she died.
MERCANTILE LIFE.
Among the many thousands of ttien who engage in mercantile pur
suits there is but a very small per cent, that make a success of it. The
vast majority of them die poor. According to the commercial reports
for many years, only about five per cent, have made money and become
rich, and of this small number those that are still in business, and are
considered rich, take their chances in the ups and downs of life. There
is a certain fascination in mercantile life that induces men to invest
their, all, and young men without means are anxious to become clerks
in stores, where they often remain, working for their employers until
they grow gray with age.
The substantial mechanics and, above all, the farmers are far more
happy. Of all human pursuits there is no situation in life so well cal
culated to fill the measure of our joy and contentment as that of a
farmer. The American farmer out of debt occupies the top round in
the ladder of human happiness. Those farmers who, by long, hard
work and economy, accumulated- a little fortune, then sold out, took
the money and put it into a store, made clerks of their sons, who ought
to have been left on the farms, and after trying the experiment for a
year or two, failed, are generally the most pitiable subjects in the com
mercial world. These will appreciate what has been said above.
REZIN W. SHAWHAN.
, The father of the subject of this sketch was Frederick Shawhan, a
¦native of Kent county, Maryland, but had settled in Virginia after the
revolutionary war, in which he was an active participant, having en-
, listed when but seventeen years of age. He served under Generals
Wayne, Green, Lafayette and Washington. He was at the capture of
Stoney Point by Wayne, at the battle of Monmouth, at the crossing of
the Delaware, and at the subsequent capture of the Hessians, at Trenton.
In 1812 he moved to Ohio, and first located in Fairfield county. Ill
1820 he removed to Wayne county, and afterwards settled in Seneca
county, and died near Tiffin, August 26, 1840, in the eightieth year of
his age.

298 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. '
Rezin W.(was born October 19th, 181 1, in Berkely county, Virginia,
He worked on a farm until he was about fifteen years old. His chances
for education wer-e very limited, comprising only a common district
school education of eight months. In the year 1826, he entered the
store of William McComb, in Wooster, Ohio, as clerk. When eighteen-
years of age he was employed as clerk in the store of Zopher T. Moore,
with whom he remained about three years. In 1833 he visited Seneea
county, where his father had settled, and in the fall of the same year
accompanied his employer, Mr. Moore, to New York, where Mr. Shaw-
han purchased a stock of goods,, getting credit on Mr. Moore's recom
mendation. With this stock' he opened .a store in Tiffin, which was
then a very new town, with a population of about five hundred. His
capital, to begin with, was small, but in spite of his limited school
privileges, it seemed he had a wonderful facility in working addition
and multiplication, which, together \yith his industry, close application
to business, his npflinching fidelity to every promise, his sagacity,
frugality and good management, tended to make his business increase
very rapidly, and in the race for success he distanced every rival. He
continued in the mercantile business for eighteen years, buying and
, selling goods, grain and provisions of all kinds. Up to 1840 the only
way to obtain goods or ship produce was by wagon to and from San
dusky City. In 1840, Tiffin became the terminus of the Mad River
and Lake Erie railroad, and so remained for several years. This im
proved trade in Tiffin very much.
In 1 85 1, feeling the need of relaxation, he closed up his business in
Tiffin and transferred the stock to a branch house he had at Carey. He
devoted the three years then next following to the study of geography,
history and the natural sciences. His love for books soon procured
for him an excellent library, and he pursued his studies with the same
zeal, close application and perseverance that characterized him as a
merchant. He now added the benefit of travel to, his scientific attain
ments. He visited the western states, where he purchased large tracts
of land. In December, in company with his wife,; he visited Cuba,
where 'he passed the winter following, returning by way of New Orleans.
In 1858 he attended the sales of the .public lands in Omaha, Nebraska,
and Leavenworth, Kansas, where he purchased some thirty thousand
acres. In the same year, in company with A. G. Sneatri, he started a
bank in Tiffin, which, after the war, was merged into the National Ex
change Bank of Tiffin, and in which he has ever 'since been a large
stockholder. Ip 1866 he built the Empire block in Tiffin, and, in
company with others, was again largely engaged in the mercantile

CHRISTOPHER. SNYDER. 299
business. In 187 1 Mr. Shawhan took a trip to London, and passed
two months in England. He is still in the full vigor of his health and
manages his immense, estate with the same tact and attention as in
times of yore he controlled a small stock of goods on Market street.'
In 1839, on the first day of April, he was married to Elvira Tuller, of
Washington, Ohio, who is also still living.* Mr. Shawhan still enjoys
excellent health, and, were it not for his white hair and beard, would
promise fair to outlive many a young man not half his age. While the
- great number of buildings Mr. Shawhan has erected in Tiffin have ,
undoubtedly added largely to his wealth, they have also, at the same
time, added greatly to the wealth and improvement of the city and
courity, and with his various other operations in this county, for nearly
fifty years, he has in a large measure contributed to the development of
, the resources of the cougity. Of the fourteen children which his father
had, he and his brother Josiah, at Cary, and Mrs. Anderson, at Fostoria,
are the only survivors. CHRISTOPHER SNYDER.
A duty I owe to the memory of a dear old friend prompts the writer
to record a short personal sketch of one of Tiffin's early merchants,
whose name, for more than twenty years, was associated with mer
cantile life in Tiffin, and whose," German store " was a regular bee-hive
" of a place.
Christopher Snyder was born in the city of Eppingen, Grand Duchy
of Baden, Germany, March 22d, 1810. He learned the trade of a shoe
maker in his native town when a boy, and irt the spring of 1832, he,
together with his brother John, several years his senior, left their home
for the United States. They came directly to Tiffin, with the family of
Andrew Albright, already mentioned, when Christopher soon found
employment in trie family of Henry Cronise, whose hospitality and
kindness'to strangers were equal to the popularity of his name.
Richard Sneath kept the principal hotel in Tiffin, being located op
posite the court house, on Washington street. Here Snyder found
employment as clerk and steward, and soon had charge of the whole
establishment. Mr. Sneath was an enterprising man, and in 1835 he
built a store (one story frame, immediately south of Cranise's^) with a
Ijttle porch in front, painted green. Mr. Sneath bought a very good
stock of goods, and a short time after he had opened up he took Mr.
Snyder as a partner. This was in 1836. All the capital the young
"Since the foregoing was written, Mrs. Shawhan and Josiah Shawhan have both died ;
the former on the 20th of May, 1880, and Josiah at Upper Sandusky the day following.

300 HISTORY. OF SENECA COUNTY.
German had was his honesty and his business qualifications. The Ger
man store soon became popular under the management of Christopher,
who soon made hosts of friends by his straightforward, honest dealing,
and his polished, polite behavior towards everybody. Meantime, Mr.
George Rummell (hereafter mentioned) married Jane, the beautiful
daughter of Mr. Sneath; and soon after Mr. Sneath sold his interest in
the store to this new son-in-law, and to his old clerk, Christopher. The
new firm started April ist, 1837, and conducted the business at the -
same place, under the name \of the "German store," for seventeen
years, when, on account of ill-health, Mr. Rummell withdrew from the
firm. From this time forward Mr. Snyder cohducted the business
alone, as he did up to the time of his death. In April, 1847, Mr. Sny
der was married to Philipena, daughter of Philip J. Augspurger, of the
.village of Albig in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, who arrived with her
sister, Miss Eva, in Tiffin, in the year 1844. Miss Eva is a twin sister
of Mrs. Snyder, and was clerk in Mr. Snyder's store during the last few
years of his life, where she acquired a general knowledge of rnercantile
business. Naturally talented, gifted with a lively, pleasant nature and
good health, she has herself been in the mercantile business for more
than twenty years, and built up a nice trade in the line of woolen yarns,
zephyrs, general needle-work and fancy articles. - At present she is in
company with her widowed sister, Mrs. Snyder, in their store on
Market street.
On the 22d of March, 1857, Mr. Snyder died, after a short illness,
leaving his widow and three small children in good circumstances.
Mrs. Snyder raised her children well, and gave them a good education.
There were two daughters and one son: O. P. Snyder, well and favor
ably known among the business men of Tiffin; Augusta, who was
married to Mr. Alf. D. Flen, and who died inTJavenport, Iowa, about
one year ago, and Philipena, the wife of Mr. Russel Knapp, of the Tiffin
Tribune. Christopher Snyder's short life was a most excellent specimen of
'¦ manhood turned -to utility"; ever ready for business, open hearted,
and strictly honest, friendly, yet dignified, he was one of the most pop
ular merchants of Tiffin.
The family occupies a respectable position amongst the best families
of the city.
Christopher and the writer became friends when first we met in Tiffin,
in August, 1833. Our friendship grew stronger as years rolled on.
Many a Sunday afternoon we spent in pleasant conversation under the
old sycamore tree on the bank of the Sandusky river, talking about

GEORGE RUMMELL. 3fOI
our native hills and our future prospects in this '¦ Yankee Land." In
the year 1850 it became the duty of the writer to prepare a bill, for the
incorporation of. the town of Tiffin with Fort Ball, into a city of the
second class, and'in drawing the boundiry of the young city, I did not
neglect the old sycamore tree, which now forms a point in the act of
the legislature incorporating the city. Snyder and- the old tree have -
passed away, and the writer is left in the evening of his life to record
their memory. (See act incorporating the city of Tiffin.)
1 GEORGE RUMMELL.
The subject of this- sketch was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on
the 12th day of March, A. D., 1804. His parents were from Pennsyl
vania. The ancestors came from Germany. George was born and
raised on a farm, and received only a- common school education, and
before he arrived at manhood he learned the trade of a bricklayer. He
came to Tiffin in the fall of 1834, and worked at his trade for about two
years, and boarded at Sneath's hotel. Here he made the acquaintance
of Jane, the beautiful daughter of Mr. Sneath, and married her. on the
8th of November, 1835. Mrs. Rummell died March 27th, 1839. On
the first day of April, 1837, Mr. Rummell and Mr. Snyder formed a
copartnership in the mercantile business in Tiffin, and opened, and for
seventeen years, conducted the well-known store on Washington street
known as the " German store."
On the 1st of December, 1840, Mr. Rummell married Mrs. Mary
Ann Lookingland, eldest daughter of Jacob Copenhaver. Of this union
two sons and two daughters are still living. Towards the year 1850 the
health of Mr. Rummell failed, and he was scarcely ever about the store.
The whole responsibility rested upon Snyder, who was equal to the,
demand of the labor and responsibility the situation required. In the
spring of 1854, Mr. Rummell sold his- interest in the store to Mr. Sny
der, and moved with his family onto a little twenty-acre lot just east of
Tiffin, where his health improved very materially. He bought more
land and became quite a farmer; began to look robust, attended mar
ket in Tiffin, and for many years looked like a new man. When the
firm of Rummell and Snyder started their store in Tiffin, they had not
five hundred dollars between them. In taking the store they also took
Sneath's debts belonging to the store. One time the sheriff came with
an execution, and gave the new firm notice that if the amount of the
execution was not raised by ten o'clock next morning, the store would
have to be closed. This was agreed to, and things looked blue for the
young merchants. Next morning they met at the store and determined

302

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

to deliver over to the sheriff not only the goods,. but also the accounts,
notes and cash on hand. Each partner was to take only stuff for one
pair of pantaloons, and let the sheriff see it when he came for the key.
About nine o'clock, just one hour before the time fixed for the sheriff
to come, Judge Lugenbeel came into the store, white all over with flour
and mill dust. He had just come from his mill and had in his .hand a
shot-bag full of gold and silver. , The judge was a great friend of the
young merchants, and walking up to. them, said; "Boys, I have some
$1,700 in specie here, and have no use for it. If you will take it you
can use it as long as you please." They then told the judge the strait
they were in. Judge Lugenbeel hunted up Levi Keller, the sheriff, paid
him the amount of the execution, and all went merry as a marriage bell.
Their paper never went to protest. No one ever obtained a judgment
against them. Their credit was as good in New York as anybody's.
They made no large fortunes, but when they separated were worth
about $10,000 each and out of debt. Mr. Rummell retired to his farm,
and Mr. Snyder continued in business; both self-made men who left
behind them a clear record; and having been amongst the early mer
chants in Tiffin, and amongst the few that made no failure of the
business, their record is certainly not out of place here.
Ahout trie year 1871 Mr. Rummell's old troubles returned, and his
health failed very rapidly. He died at one o'clock on the night fol
lowing Thursday, December 12th, 1872, esteemed and beloved by all
who knew him. The Rev. Mr. Collier, in preaching his funeral sermon,
commended his many manly traits of character. For thirty-eight long
years the writer enjoyed the friendship of Mr. Rummell, which was
never disturbed, for a single moment, through -all the chequered scenes
of busy turmoil.
There are many merchants in Tiffin now doing flourishing busiriess,
controlling a great deal of property, ind the writer hopes they may
each and all form exceptions to the general rule — grow rich and die
happy. DAVID EVAN OWEN v
Was not only an early settler and pioneer, but also a man of considera
ble notoriety and moral and public, worth. He was the oldest son of
Evan Owen, who came to Philadelphia from Wales. They were
Quakers and very wealthy. The old gentleman owned a great /deal of
land near the town, which is now covered by the city of Philadelphia.
The writer has in his possession the commission issued by Governor
Thomas Mifflin to Evan Owen, appointing him justice of the peace for

}3-0USTOt (O, $US&^0

DAVID EVAN OWEN. 3 03
Fishing Creek township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, dated
September ist, A. D., 1791, to hold the same from that date until (it
goes on to say) " so long as you shall Vhave yourself well." ;
David Evan Owen, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 8th
day of May, A. D., 1775, and was raised in the lap of wealth and luxury.
He was. sent to the college in Philadelphia, and received a very liberal
education. He had grown to man's estate before his father failed, when
young Owen was compelled to seek some livelihood for himself. He
learned the trade of a house carpenter, and worked at this occupation
several years.
On the 26th day of October, 1805, he was married in. Berwick,
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, to Jerusha Smith, of that place, and
some time thereafter became the owner and editor of the Berwick
American, a Democratic weekly newspaper. On the 20th day of No
vember, 1820, he was appointed by President James Monroe, postmaster
at Berwick; the commission is signed by Return J. Meigs, Jr., who was
then postmaster general.
In 1813, September 7th, Simon Snyder, governor of Pennsylvania,
appointed him justice of the peace for the townships of Bloom and
Briar Creek, in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, " so long as you shall
behave yourself well."
; Mr. Owen published the first paper, in the English language, in
Allento.wn, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, called the Allentown Star.
This paper was not a success, and he moved to North Whitehall, in the
same county, where he taught school for a time. Before he moved to
Allentown he was elected to the senate of Pennsylvania from the
Columbia district, where he served two terms, and during which time
James Buchanan was also a member. There was an air of aristocracy
about Mr. Buchanan that Mr. Owen never admired.
Early in the spring of 1829 he moved, with his family, to Seneca
county, where he arrived and settled on Rocky creek, on what is now
called the " Huber, farm," on the 9th day of May, that year. He put
up a little cabin and cleared a few acres for corn, in that spring. Here
Mr. Owen lived with his family in the dense forest in a most obscure
way, known only by a few of his Pennsylvania relatives and neighbors.
The Whigs had the .county and everything their own way. In the fall
of 183 r, a few Democrats in town consulted together upon the propriety
of putting a Democratic county ticket in the field. They having no
suitable candidate for auditor, Mr. Daniel Dildine, Sr., said there was
a man living up Rocky creek who would make a good candidate, whose
name was D. E. Owen, and that he was a smart man add a great Dem-

304 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ocrat. They nominated him and elected him; the first Democrat
elected to any office in Seneca county. He was the second auditor of
the county. In 1833 he was re-elected, and while he served in this
Capacity, on the 27th day of August, 1833, Robert Lucas appointed him
receiver of the "Ohio Canal Land office, at Tiffin, Ohio." Moses H.
Kirby, the present senator from the district composed of the counties of
Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot, was the secretary of state and signed
Mr/Owen's commission.
In 1836 Mr. Owen was elected to the senate of Ohio from the sena
torial district composed of the counties of Huron, Sandusky and
Seneca. Joseph Howard was the Whig candidate, and one of the most
popular men in that party.
On the 27th day of June, 1838, President Van Buren appointed Mr.
Owen "Receiver of the public money for the district of lands subject
to sale by the treaty with the Wyandot Indians dated April 26, 1836, to
serve for four years, from June 25, 1838." Levi Woodbury was then
Secretary of the Treasury. Land sales in Crawford county were
ordered to take place,- under trie proclamation of trie President, on
Monday, the 6th day of August, 1838. On the 28th day of November,
1838, the President ordered another land sale, to take place at Marion,
on the 28th day of January following. This last sale was for only two
sections, both south of the base line — section 35, cranberry swamp on
Broken Sword creek, T. 1, S. R. 1, and N. E. % of sections, T. 2, S.
R. 2. v,
In conformity with the treaty, a certain per cent, of the proceeds of
these sales was to be paid to the Wyandots, and the receipts for these
dividends, in my possession, have the. names of the following chiefs
attached :
Ron-toh-dee or Warpole; Dou-wan-tout; Tay-on-dot-to-hach, Punch;
Hon-don-yon-wan or Mathias; Day-on-quot or Half King; Manoncue
or Thomas ; Tay-arron-tooye,a, or Between the Logs ; Widow Harra-
haat; Widow Big Sinew; Tay-qua-way; Hays; Black Sheep; Charloe;
Summondewat; Tsooshia; Droosrousch; Coon Hawk; Gray Eyes; Bear- .
skin; Touromee; Squeendehtee; Monture: Old Shawnee; Big Spoon;
Cross the Lake; Ronuneay; Big River; Ground Squirrel; Young Cher
okee; Tahautohs; Septemess; Gayamee; . Little Chief; Fighter; Tall
Charles; Solomon; Taress; Big Arms; Nooshutoomohs; Shreaeohhs:
Tauranyehtee ; Peacock; Curreesaquoh ; Porcupine; Bob Cherokee;
Satrahass; Kay-roo-hoo; White Wing; Half John; St. Peter; Ree-wan-
dee-nun-toohk; Hisson; Snakehead; Split-the-logs; Daenundee; John
Hicks; Mudeatoe; Soocuhquess; Wasp; Tondee; Yandeenoo; Summen-

DAVID EVAN OWEN. } 305
turoo; John Baptiste; Soorontooroo; Racer; Big Kittle Child; White
Crow, and many others.
One pay roll shows paid to these and others $22,212.
At the first land sales in Marion $57,106.50 were received.
When Mr. Owen resigned the United States Land Office, J. R. Poin
sett, Secretary' of War, under date of May 16, 1840, ordered Mr. Owen
to deliver over his books, papers and moneys to John Goodin, who was
. appointed his successor as receiver, and who receipted in full.
The following table will show the amounts paid into the treasury of
the United States from the sale of lands for seven years, viz:

yEAR.

AMOUNT.

1832

$ 2,623,781

1833

$ 3.967,781

1834

9 4,857,600

1835

$14-757.600

YEAR.

AMOUNT.

1836

$34,877,179

1837 -

$ 6,776,236

1838

$ 3.081,939

After Mr. Owen resigned his office as receiver of the Land Office, he
kept a provision store in Tiffin, and was elected justice of the peace
several times, which office he held as long as he was able to do public
business, and until old age disqualified him for public life. He was a
thorough politician, and perfectly at home in an office. He held office
nearly all his life, and discharged every duty and trust with marked
ability and fidelity; but he had tery little idea of practical life- outside
of an office, and, like most politicians that do not know how to steal,
died poor. He knew simply nothing about speculations, or, the value
of money. He provided and lived well while he had plenty, and when
his money was gone he economized from the force of circumstances.
He was a popular officer, a generous, liberal man; was strictly moral
and scrupulously honest in all his intercourse with his fellow men, and
was highly respected.. Mrs. Owen died in Tiffin January 7, 1849, aged
sixty-two years, nine months and sixteen days. Mr. Owen died Sep
tember 9, 1857, aged eighty-two years, four months and one day. One
son and three daughters are still living.
When Mr. Owen resigned the office of receiver of the canal lands
Governor Ldcas appointed Mr. Timothy Griffith, of Columbus, his
successor. Mr. Owen was a short man, being only about five feet and two inches
high; he had a heavy head of dark brown hair, strongly marked fea
tures, light blue eyes; was stoutly built, fleshy, and withall active. He
was a great reader, and very interesting in political conversations. He
was well acquainted with nearly all the leading politicians of his time.
While Mr. Owen held the office of receiver of the canal lands, at
20

306- HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Tiffin, great quantities of land were sold, and the money paid wasall
gold and silver. The state had furnished Mr. Owen an iron chest to
put his money into; it looked like a block of iron two, feet square.
When it was full he hired a team to haul it to Columbus.
One time Daniel Dildine, Sr., with his team, and Mr. Owen, on their
way to Columbus with the chest, stopped at a hotel in Marion for the
night. The hotel was crowded with all sorts of customers, and there
was a great deal of carousal going on. What to do with the iron chest
they did not know, but were of the opinion that it would not do to take
it into the tavern, for it took four men to put it into the wagon Finally ,
they concluded to leave it in the open yard in the open wagon, simply
covering it with a little straw. The next morning everything was found
all right. Nobody suspected that the two old farmers had $80,000 in
gold in that old wagon. I ' .
For those who have a curiosity to read the Mohawk Indian, and fur
ther, to preserve a specimen of it from utter oblivion, there is attached
hereto the 2d verse of the 6th chapter of St. Mark, followed by a trans
lation of the same into Mohawk :
" And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the syna
gogue ; and many hearing him were astonished, saying : From whence hath
this man these things']' and what wisdom is this which is given unto him,
that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?"
TRANSLATION.
' ' Neoni ne onea Wa-aweandadogeagridanfe , tahriadaghsawer waghsakorih-
honnyea et-hone synagogue; neoni yawetowanea yakott, hoende na-ah,
wa-akorighcoaneghragoh, wairough: Kah oughdenoe tahhawe nekea— ea
Tnnikarihhodease? neoni oghna Kamtkougrirodea ougrite ne roewawyh, ne
kinongkeari n'agwagh Kayodeaghferas-hatsde yoyo'dch ne Rasno'nke?
ANDREW LUGENBEEL
Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 18*06. On the nth of
September, 1832, he was married to Elizabeth Baltzell, of that county,
who was a sister of Thomas Baltzell, formerly living in Seneca town
ship, and of Dr. Kuhn's first-wife. Soon after his marriage Mr. Lugen
beel moved to Seneca county, where he resided up to the time of his
death. When the writer first got acquainted with Mr. Lugenbeel he
was a partner in the mercantile business with Jacob Stern, in Tiffin.
About 1834 he bought the land of Joseph Janay, where, in 1836, he
built a grist mill on the riyer bank, a short distance south of town, that
has ever since, and until very recently, been known by the familiar
name of "Lugenbeel's mill." Mr. Lugenbeel took charge of the mill
himself, and soon made it the most popular mill on the river.

ANDREW LUGENBEEL. ' 307
After his appointment as one of the associate judges of the Seneca
common pleas, he was familiarly called " Judge Lugenbeel," which
title he retained to the time of his death. He took a very active part
in public affairs, and was very successful in all his undertakings. He
' became one of the most popular, as he was certainly one of the most
eminent, men in Seneca county. He was a man of clear views,
naturally philosophic in his thoughts, of strong, clear, sound judgment,
of polished manners without the least ostentation; a safe counselor, a
true friend, kind, benevolent; a man of enlarged views, broad-gauged
and generous. He was beloved by his intimate friends and esteemed
by all. He was one of the originators of the Seneca county infirmary,
and. one of its first directors. He held a number of township offices
also, and filled the bill wherever he was placed. The writer heard
Judge Bowen say, at one time, that amongst all the associate judges in
his very large circuit, there was not one the equal of Judge Lugenbeel
for sound judgment and capacity.
About 1843 Mrs. Lugenbeel died, and the judge ¦ married Miss
Jemimah Souder, December 11,1845. The judge died December 10,
1863, in the fifty-eighth year of his age, without a child, leaving his
estate, which was regarded as one of the best accumulations in the
county, to riis widow, who still survives him, but who seems to be either
very indifferent or else knows but little about the judge, or both.
Judge Lugenbeel was about five feet nine" inches high; had a fair
complexion, very florid face, high forehead, blue, deep-set eyes,
clenched lips; his face was always shaved smooth, and he never wore a
beard. He was slow and dignified in his conversation, but whatever he
said was solid. He never indulged in frivolous talk, and enjoyed con
versation that required deep, ' sound thinking. He died while the
country was in her throes of war, and his memory is fast becoming
obliterated; but while he lived he was a true man and a most excellent
citizen. JOHN PITTENGER •
Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the 16th day of January,
1778; was the oldest son among twelve children, two sisters being
older. He was married to Julia Ann Gibson, at Graceham, in the same
county, June 22d, 1817. Mrs. Pittenger was born April 12th, 1801, and
is still living, now residing with her eldest living daughter, Mrs. R. R.
McMeens, at Sandusky City, Ohio. There were nine children as the
fruit of this marriage, five sons and four daughters, five of whom are
still living, viz: Mrs. R. R. McMeens, at Sandusky City; J. H. Pitten-

308 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY,
ger, attomey-at-law, at Tiffin, Ohio; Mrs.- M. E. Stem, at SaJndusky
City; Mrs. H. S. Kendig, at Tiffin, Ohio, and Charles W. Pittenger,. at
West Liberty, Ohio.
John Pittenger worked on his father's farm, where he was born, until
he was over thirty years of age, and when losing his health he moved
to Graceham, a small Moravian village, in Frederick county, where he
entered into the mercantile business, and which he continued until he
removed to Tiffin with his family, in 1829
He came to Ohio first in 1823 or 1824, passed down to Cincinnati.
Sitting on his horse on a hill overlooking the embryo city, he came to
the conclusion that there was nothing there to make a city, and rode
on down to North Bend, where he thought the prospect was better:
From there he passed north through Indiana, crossed the Black Swamp
into Seneca county. Here he was pleased with trie fine timber and the
streams, and concluded to locate here. In the fall of 1825, he sent a
stock of goods by wagons from Baltimore, Maryland, and opened the
same in the name of J. and B. Pittenger. Benjamin Pittenger is a
younger brother, still living, and familiarly known by the name of
Judge Pittenger. Leaving his brother Benjamin in charge of the store,
he returned to Maryland. The store and building have already been
described. The business was thus carried on until 1834. In 1837 Mr:
John Pettinger carried on the business in his own name, until 1844 or
1845. In 183 1 the two brothers started the tannery on_Perry street,
already mentioned, and conducted the same until they sold it to Flem
ing and Schock, about the year 1839. Mr: Pittenger was an active and
industrious man. He carried on a farm on lands he entered in this
county. He was constantly employed at something, and when he quit
public life he started a nursery on the sbuth side of Market street, on
the lot now occupied by the "Turners' Hall" and Mr. John Nuser's
residence. Here he busied himself with budding and grafting trees for a
number of years.
He became a member of the Methodist church at an early
age, and remained a consistent member all his life. His home in
Graceham was a general stopping place for ministers of all denomina
tions. Father Purcell, now arch-bishop of Cincinnati, frequently ac
cepted his hospitality when he "was at Emmitsburgh. Even after he
moved to Tiffin he often entertained Methodist ministers at his house.
He crossed the mountains on horseback nine times, between Frederick
county, Maryland, and Seneca county, Ohio, upon the same horse— old
Major— averaging fifty miles per day. The old horse, which lived till
its twenty-sixth year, was a fine racker, but refused to work in harness.

JOHN PITTENGER. 309
While Mr. Pittenger was a man full of energy and business, he was
quiet and unobtrusive. He was not very talkative; there was no flat
tery or blarney about him. He was sincere and earnest in his dealings
with men. He was a large, muscular and bony man, not fleshy, but
well built. He had a large head, clear blue eyes, an expressive face,
and as the weight of years made their mark upon him his head became
bald, his hair and beard white, and his once powerful frame broken
down, so that towards the evening of his life he was quite stoop shoul
dered. He was a decided Whig, but never a leader in politics. He
died on the 20th day of October, 1857, at the ripe age of seventy-nine
years, nine months and four days.
BENJAMIN PITTENGER
Was a younger brother of John Pittenger. He was born in Frederick
county, Maryland, on the 29th day of January, 1798, on a farm, where
he was raised. On the 9th day of September, 1825, he was married to
Theresa Creeger (already mentioned), and located in Tiffin in Decem
ber oi' the same year. His wife died here December 8, 1847, at the
age of forty-two years, leaving five children. Mr. Pittenger was mar
ried again on the 13th day of December, 1849, to Miss Mary Ann
Hunter, who also died August 15, 1877.
Mr. Pittenger was one of the first associate judges, of Seneca county,
holding that position two terms (fourteen years), and was therefore
familiarly known by the name of Judge Pittenger. He never was very
fond of work, and therefore unlike his brother John, who was always
busy. The judge was one of the early leaders of the Whig party in
the county, and continued thus until that party fought its last battle
under General Scott, in 1852; and when, in 1856, the Republican party
was organized and John C. Fremont nominated for President, he
attached himself to that party, and has voted with it ever since. ' The
judge and his brother John were in partnership in Tiffin, in the mer-,
cantile trade, and in the tannery already described. They sold the
tannery to Fleming and Schoch, in 1839.
Some twenty years ago trie judge moved to his farm, about two miles
from the city onitrie -Melmore road, where he, still resides. He has two
sons, both married, and three daughters — Mrs. J. M. Naylot, Mrs. Ed.
Naylor and Mrs. Al Buskirk. I
Judge Pittenger, in the full vigor of his life, had a very straight car
riage, was about sis feet two inches high, had a full head of hair, bushy
eye-brows, a long face and rather large nose He resembled General
Jackson very much. But the eighty-two years of life that have passed

310 HISTORY OF SENECA, COUNTY.
over his head, have left it very white, and broken down his physical
powers very materially. „
The judge wa's not a man of great force of character, butvlionorable,
dignified, kind and sociable. JOHN AND LOUISA FIEGE.
There were also many mechanics in Tiffin who failed to make a
success. This-' is a world of cause and effect, and, to a great extent,
just as we make it. John Fiege came to Tiffin from Germany in 1834, a
cabinet maker by trade. He was a good mechanic, a kind, clever
man, and strictly honest in his dealings. He built up a large trade,
and accumulated property rapidly. In 1836 he was married to Mary
Louisa, oldest daughter of Philip von Blou, who located in Tiffin about
that time and soon moved onto a farm in Eden township, where he
lived a long time.
Mrs. Fiege was born in Waldmohr in the Bavarian Palatinate, on the
8th day of December, 1813. John Fiege was born in Oedelsheim, in
the Electorate of Hesse, July. 3, 1811. They had ten children in all,
of whom three sons are still living, now familiarly and favorably known
as the "Fiege Brothers," carrying on the most extensive furniture and
'undertaking business in the city. John Fiege was drowned in a mill-
race March 31st, 1869. Mrs. Fiege died December 29th, 1874. Both
were among the most highly esteemed people in Tiffin. -
CHRISTIAN MUELLER AND VALENTINE SCHMIDT
Were brewers and coopers by trade. They came to Tiffin in 1847, from
Bavaria. They produced lager beer in 1848, which is thought to have
been the first in Ohio. In 1854 they erected a new brewery on River
street, and conducted trie business together until i860, when Mr.
Mueller bought Mr. Schmidt's interest, and carried on a very extensive
business. He turned Schmidt's brewery into a malt house in 1872.
Mueller's beer is celebrated all over Ohio and the west.
Mr. Mueller had promised to write out a little history of the brew
eries in Tiffin, but, like so many of Our good intentions, it was left
undone. |[ "Christ. Mueller," as he is familiarly called, is a very clever and
congenial gentlemai., of excellent social nature, and a fine conver
sationalist. He is a great lover of music, and was one of the most
active among the founders of the "Bruderbund," a German singing %
association that was organized in 1854, and is still in existence. He
h--. a large family, and with the great industry and energy necessary to

THE GREAT FIRE. 311
conduct his very extensive operations, he still preserves his youthful
appearance; nor has he lost any of his innate jocular and friendly dis
position. Valentine Schmidt died some fifteen years ago.
THE GREAT FIRE OF 1872.
The greatest losses by fire that Tiffin ever suffered, at any one time,
occurred on the 13th of April, 1872. A very full description of it is
found in the Tiffin Tribune of the 18th of April, 1872, from which I
copy :
TERRIBLE" FIRE!
TWO SQUARES BURNED OVER!
70 BUILDINGS DESTROYED !
« $90,000 IN PROPERTY BURNT UP!
FIRE AN UNRELENTING. MASTER!
FULL DETAILS OF THE FIRE OF SATURDAY.
Saturday, April 13, 1872, marks an epoch in the fire history of Tiffin that
will never be forgotten by those who witnessed the terrible conflagration.
About two o'clock and forty minutes, the alarm of fire was given in'the sec- '
ond ward, and in a moment trie fire bells of the city were ringing out the
loud clamor of danger. During the day the wind had been blowirig a gale,
from a northwesterly direction, and when the alarm was given it was seem
ingly at its heigrit. The different fire companies hastened to the second
.ward, together with the citizens generally; nearly everybody started imme
diately in the direction where the fire was supposed to be, with a seeming
intuition that there was work to be done that would require trie assistance
of all.
Upon reaching the ground it was discovered that fire was burning on the
roof of Mrs. A. Rawson's house, on Miami street, and the roof of the store
occupied by A. McNeal, on Sandusky street, all connected witri eacri other.
The engines were immediately put to work, one at a cistern near the
engine house, and the other nearly opposite McNeal's store. In a few min
utes the engine in front of the store had to move from the cistern, after
working hard, as the heat was unendurable. The other engine got to work
immediately, and was doing good execution, when the water in the cistern
gave out. This necessitated a change in triese two engines, with their hose,
and gave the fire a free field, with but one engine to work on it. The wind
seemed to gain in fierceness, and the building was one mass of flames. In
trie meantime, a large number of citizens had been carrying out and saving
all that was possible of the furniture in the house, and goods from the
store.

312 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
On the opposite side of Sandusky street, right 4ireetly in trie face of the
wind arid fire, the hook and ladder companies and citizens were on the roof
of Ogle's store and the dwellings in the rear, busy with buckets, of water to
save them. The fire raged higher and fiercer, and these buildings had to he
deserted, as the heat was too intense to be endured.
Jusfrat this time, about fifteen minutes after the fire was discovered, the
word went around like magic that four barns were in flames, and a few rods
in the rear and a little north of Ogle's store; so intently was the attention of
every one directed to the first building on fire\ and saving those near, that
these barns were not discovered until every part of them was on fire and the
flames were shooting up nearly one hundred feet. This changed the whole
face of everything. It was found that the buildings first on fire and those
near had to be left to their fate, and attention turned to the saving of prop
erty ahead of the fire. All became dire confusion among those most likely
to suffer immediately from the flames. "Attempts were made to save the
buildings with buckets of water, and removal of furniture began. Women
and children were crying with f rights and the owners of property, with pale
faces and compressed lips, saw trie impossibility of saving their houses.
Scarcely had the fire in the barns above mentioned been discovered, when
flames were seen leaping up from Le Baron's stave factory', sixty rods or
more distant. This burned fiercely, and the wind from a gale became almost
a hurricane. Burning shingles, boards, coals and sparks flew in every direc
tion, and ignited everything they touched. Fires were kindled in every
direction; at this time, twenty-five minutes after the first alarm, upwards of
fifty buildings were blazing furiously. The flames leaped from building to
building; dense volumes of smoke covered the doomed ground, and it seemed
that nothing but an interposition of Providence could stay the destruction.
In thirty-eigrit minutes after trie Are started, the roof of the riouse of Mr.
Singer, on the east side of Washington street, was nearly burnt off, while
everything inflammable between that and McNeal's corner was in flames.
It was impossible to keep track of the buildings as they caught fire, for the
fire seemed to start in every direction, with the regularity of the ticking
of the clock.
Earnest, terrible fighting was done, but trie heat was intense and showers
of fire so great that the people were helpless in what is now called "the
burnt district." A DESPERATE FIGHT.
We arrived at Sneath's warehouse, Kaup's planing factory and depot..
Here the desperate fight of the day was made. The fire was making fearful
ravages and rapidly approaching these buildings whicri are divided from the
burnt district by the railroad. Had the fire got into these large buildings,
the Ohio Stove works, over forty residences, and Cunningham's mill would
have been burnt, and the fire would have crossed the river arid the business
portion of the town would have been doomed. "The two steamers were put
to work at this point, and a large number of citizens took hold and worked
with the firemen. Bepner's house and barn and Bartell's saloon, directly
opposite Sneath's warehouse, were burning fiercely. The water house and
sheds of the railroad, with large piles of wood opposite the planing factory
and the depot, were burning terribly.

THE GREAT FIRE. 313
In the warehouse, Smoyer & Bro. had 50,000 bushels of wheat, and 20,000
bushels of oats. The oats were in the upper story under the roof, and the
precaution of bringing in pails there, had been taken. Six men were on the
oats to watch trie sparks wriicri were blown under the shingles. As these
sparks fell, they would throw water on them and extinguish them.
On the outside, men were on the roof with pails, and the fire company
threw water onto the front, together with fighting the Benner and Bartell
fire. The same work was done on the planing factory and depot, both of
which were on fire inside and out several times. At one time the depot was
in flames, and it was thought that it was doomed ; the freight was partially
removed. However, hose was got onto- the roof, and the building was
deluged and saved.
No conception of this can be pictured on paper. It was a dead fight
between seething flames on one side and desperate men intent on saving
hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property on the other. The latter
prevailed. Another very important key to the safety of the city was the saving of the
house of Mrs. Glick, at the corner of Miami and Monroe. That, with the
Holt house, was the only property saved on that square. A number of young
men took hold there, and, with buckets of water, kept the fire away from it,
or rather extinguished it whenever it burst out. > The heat was so intense
that those working had to cover their faces with wet cloths. It was saved
after a determined fight, and after it was on fire several times!
We say this was another key to the safety of other property from the fact
that directly opposite was an old dwelling that would have gone ; next to
that a frame, and so on, building after building, until the Cunningham
warehouse was reached ; all of which would have burnt, and the end would
have been the destruction of all the factories and business portion of Tiffin.
It was a fearful time, and one we do not wish to witness but once in a life
time. * , * * * * *
The fire companies, as companies, and individually, did all it was possible
for them to do. They were promptly on hand, and when the labor of the
citizens was done, they kept at work, worn out as they were, till late on
Sunday. They riupg to their work faithfully and well.
About forty-five minutes after the fire started the entire property destroyed
was in flames. The fire from Singer's house passed intervening buildings
¦ and ignited the pump-shop of Fishbingh and two houses, all of which were
burnt. In the meantime fighting fire was done on all the buildings in that
section. The fire crossed the riverand started Smith's brewery to burning, and the
woods, trees and fences beyond for one and one-half miles from the starting
place of the conflagration, but no damage was done.
On the square first burnt, the furniture, bedding, etc., in many cases were
removed to streets adjoining and left, as was supposed, in safety, but .when
looked for were found burnt up or on fire. * * *
The city council telegraphed to Sandusky for help, but receiving no
answer, did so again, and finally informed Sandusky that the fire was
approaching the railroad bridge. Then the track was cleared by telegraph,
and the engine reached Tiffin in forty minutes from the time she started, and

,I4 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ,
threw water in less than one hour from, the time she left Sandusky.'- After
working one half hour srie collapsed a flue. Srie was well handled up to that
time, and Sandusky deserved Tiffin's compliments.
THE SUFFERERS AND THEIR LOSSES.
The larger portion of these losses are sustained by men in moderate cir
cumstances, who cannot well bear the blow. Some are laboring men who
have secured a home by hard knocks, and were thus left homeless.
Sandusky street— West side:
McNeal., goods in store  $ 2,000
Mrs. Rawson's buildings  ¦ ¦  3,500
Sandusky street— East side:
, A. & F. Ogle, two-story brick building, and dwelling adjoining, one
and one-half story, and two one-story frames  9,000
T. Qollins, loss on goods  1,900
' D. C. Baughman, two-story, brick and fraine barn, etc:  2,000
A. Meehan, two-story frame  ;  2,000
Miami street— North side:
A. & F. Ogle, two frames, one brick and two barns  3,000
A. McNeal, two-story frame house, barn and wood  3,000
Mrs. Glicte, frame barn and" smoke-house  500
Franklin street— West side:
John Knott, house and barn  600
W. Shugan, two-story frame riouse  ,  1,500
P. Hartner, frame barn  .. . . .  200
Adams street— South side:
P. Hartner, double house and two-story brick  ' 3,800
N. Nubel, large barn  „  — ,  500
Franklin street— East side: .
Mrs. Bresnin, frame house  800
Adams street— South side:
D. Arndt, brick house and barn  4,000
D. Bartell's brick, etc.  4,000
George Benner's house and barn  1,000
Adams street— North side:
Jacob Kuhn's frarne house  - 1,000
B. Troxell's house and barn  1,800
Railroad company, two-story frame, etc  2,000
Railroad company, loss on freight removed and whisky destroyed  500
Franklin street— East side: , .
M. Kuhn, two dwellings and one barn  2,500
Mr. Quinn, dwelling house  600
L. A. Baron, stave factory  15,000
T., T.. & E. railroad company, ties burnt  500
' Washington street— West side:
E. Umsted, house and barn  2,500
F. J. Wagner, house and barn  3,000
H. L. Kendall, brick house and barn   3,500
A. Brandebury, brick house   -  3,000

THE GREAT FIRE.

3*5

Washington street— East side:
Samuel Shade, barn, etc  , .. i  1,000
P. Singer, brick house and barn  3,200
Minerva street:
George Fishbaugh, pump factory and barn, etc  1,500
Paul Miller, house and barn  1,500
L. Bang, house!  1,000
There were also a number of smaller losses, amounting to several thousand
in the aggregate. The total loss reached $95,000.

CHAPTER XX.

SURPLUS REVENUE-POLITICS-FIRST POLITICAL JOLLIFICATION-TIFFIN IN
THE WOODS— TIFFIN INCORPORATED— FIRST ELECTION— INCORPORATION
OF FORT BALL— ITS FIRST ELECTION— INCORPORATION OF THE CITY-
FIRST CORPS OF CITY OFFICERS— HARRISON NOBLE- PLANK. ROADS-
PIKES— TELEGRAPHS— THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN.

WHEN the revolutionary war ended the general government
and the colonies were badly in debt ; the former was com
pelled to repudiate, and those of the colonies that were lucky enough
to have surplus lands under their old charters, were enabled to pay, a
large part of their debts by land scrips. Virginia and Connecticut,
owning the entire northwestern territory, paid nearly all their colonial
debts by these scrips, which secured the first titles to land northwest
of the Ohio river. The » general government struggled along with an
empty treasury for many years, until finally the duties on imports and
the proceeds from the sale of the public lands made her exchequer
flush, and the statesmen of those days were troubled with the surplus
revenue. There was no national debt, and the money accumulated in
the United States treasury until it became a burden. The recom
mendation of General Jackson, to distribute it among the states, was
approved by some and opposed by others. Some of the eastern states
had no particular use for their shares, but it was a God-send to some
of the states in the west, where the people suffered greatly for want of
money, which was especially true of Ohio. , The gross amount to be
distributed was $20,000,000. The portion to Ohio was $1,423,000; and
the amount that'came to Seneca, county was $31,756.73.03. The act
passed congress and was approved by the President on the 26th day of
March, 1837.
By an act of the general assembly of the state of Ohio, trie county
commissioners of each county were made fund commissioners of this
surplus revenue for their respective counties. On the 2d day of May,
1837, these commissioners distributed the sum of $15,877.62.5, being
the remainder of the amount coming to this county, to sone hundred

POLITICS. 3X7
and fifty-eight persons^ in sums of $100.00 each, secured by bond and
mortgage on unencumbered real estate.
This was a great relief to Seneca county, as well as to Ohio gener
ally. Mr. Read, the editor of the Tiffin Gazette, in concluding an
editorial on this subject, May 13, 1837, said:
The amount thus loaned we hope may relieve, to some extent, the pressure
felt in our commimity, and enable many to meet their little responsibilities
und'ter which they have been laboring. The loan has had a salutary influ
ence in establishing confidence in our institutions and relieving the pressure,
which, though perhaps not as bad as it might be, is sufficiently disastrous.
This testimony is here added to show the great want of money
spoken of heretofore, when writing on the Ohio canals.
The general government is not troubled with a surplus of revenues
in her treasury now. - The interest on the national debt runs high up
into the millions. Generations unborn will come and pass away, and
this humble little book will be lost and forgotten, before the treasurer
of the United States shall again be put to the inconvenience of dis
tributing, amojig the states, moneys that liave accumulated, and for
which the general government has no use.
, POLITICS.
' A historian has no right to be partial, either in religion or in politics.
When he has stated facts and events truthfully and hbnestly, as they
occurred, he is done, and should leave others to form conclusions for
themselves. Conscious of this rule, men -and parties are spoken of,
and the histories of churches given without favoritism or prejudice.
Tolerant in all things, it is a very easy matter for a man to concede to
another his right to judge for himself what is best for him in both poli
tics and religion. Men often differ, and very honestly too, on alrAost
every subject.
Few and scattered as the settlers were in Seneca county in the fallpf
1828, and removed far away from the real theatre of action, one would
scarcely have supposed that then and here, under the then surround
ings, party spirit would run up to fever-heat; but it did. It took a
newspaper two and three weeks to reach Tiffin from the Atlantic coast.
-But when they came and developed new steps taken by the parties, they
were discussed, and1 sides taken by our people, with as much vehemence
as anywhere, and the Adams men, the Clay men, the Jackson men and
the Crawford men, in 1828, were no more decided in their respective
choice of candidates and their attachment to party, in New York or
Baltimore, than they were in Seneca county. Jackson was elected

318 " HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTYy
president, and the fight on the United States bank culminated in trie
removal pf deposits, the vetoes of the re-charters, which agitated the
whole country. Party spirit ran high in 1832, when Jacksop was the
Democratic candidate for re-election. Clay was the candidate and the
embodiment of the Whig party. Clay and Jackson were both Masons.
Great prejudices were entertained against both, and the Morgan affair
was in everybody's mouth. The Masons were very much abused, and
a new party was called into existence, called " anti-Mason," under the
leadership of William Wirt, of Maryland, who was the candidate for
president, and Amos Ellmaker, , of Pennsylvania, for vice-president.
The ides of November came on and Jackson was re-elected. Now the
Democrats hadjto have a jubilee, and the first political jollification in
Seneca county came off at the house of Colonel John Goodin, in Tiffin,
on Thursday, the 6th day of December, 1832,, Hon. David E. Owen
was appointed president, and Andrew Lugenbeel vice-president.
In writing up the proceedings of this meeting, Mr. E. Brown, the
editor of the Patriot, the pioneer newspaper of the county, and whose
columns were open to the three parties alike (for he published " Clav
politics," " Jackson politics," and " Wirt politics,") said:
Although -many of our friends were unavoidably absent, viewing the lands
in the " Seneca Reservation," previous to the sale of them, Which commences
on Monday next, yet the concourse was unusually large.
Thirteen regular toasts (one for each of the original states,) were
offered, besides a number of volunteer toasts — some witty, some less so.
Amongst those who participated were Henry Cronise, George Flack,
Nathan L. Wright, Joseph Graff, Colonel R. Jaqua, Uriah P. Coonrad,
Gabriel J. Keen, E. Brown, Jacob Kroh, Colonel John Goodin, A.
Eaton, Samuel S. Martin, J. H. Brown, E. Locke, Frederick Kishler, P,
J. Price, William Anderson, John Campbell, William H. Kessler, Joshua
Seney, Andrew Mainz.
The Seneca Patriot will be noticed in the chapter on the "Press."
The following will show how Seneca county voted, for fourteen
years of its early history:
In 1828— Adams, (Whig,) received one hundred and eleven majority.
In 1830— Lucas, (Democrat,) received three majority.
In 1832— Clay, (Whig,) received twenty-nine majority.
In 1834— Lucad, (Democrat,) received five majority.
In 1836— Van Buren, (Democrat,) received one hundred and eighty-one
majority. In 1838— Shannon, (Democrat,) received one hundred and thirteen majority.
In 1840— Shannon, (Democrat,) received one hundred and sixty-one ma
jority.

TIFFIN AND FORT BALL.

3*9

In 1842— Shannon, (Democrat,) received five hundred and sixty-three ma
jority. '
As a general tiling the county remained Democratic ever since, with
the success of an occasional opposition candidate, except in 1854 and
1855, when the Know. Nothings swept trie county in a storm, electing
their candidates by majorities over 1,400.
The following table shows the vote of Ohio, from trie years of 1828
to 1842, both inclusive:

1828— Jackson,

67,597

Adams,

63,396

Maj.

for Jackson, 4,201

1830— Lucas,

49,186

McArthur.

49,668

u

" McArthur, 482

1832— Jackson,

81,246

Clay,

77,539

u

" Jackson, 4,70T

1834^Lucas,

70,738

Fandley,

67,414

u

" Lucas, 3,324

1836— Van Buren,

96,948

Harrison,

105,405

u

" Harrison, 8,457

m&i-Shannon,

107,884

Vance,

102,156

u

" Shannon, 5,738

1840— Shannon,

129,312

Corwin,

145,442

"•

" Corwin, 16,13ft

1842— Shannon,

129,064

Corwin,

125,621

u

" Shannon, 3,443,

TIFFIN AND FORT BALL.
•There is very little about Tiffin that attracted the attention of people
and answered as an inducement for new-comers to settle down here.
There was nothing inviting to the immigrant. Mr. Hedges offered his
lots, very cheap, indeed; caused the county seat to be located here, se
cured the removal of the land offices here, invested money to improve
the town, built houses and mills and bridges, assisted in securing the
post-office on this side, and all that, but the thing dragged and exhib
ited very little vitality for a long time. Simeon B. Howard bought in--
lots, numbers 19, 20 and 21, for $60 on credit. Lots could be bought
on almost any terms.
After the few first cabins were put up in the woods, and a few trees
, cut away to let the sun shine, down upon them, the principal streets
were opened, and thus the little settlement lingered along for many,
years, struggling against numerous adversities. The locality was
sickly. Mechanics found no employment. The few settlers already
here had no money to build with; Those that brought money with
them preferred to invest in land, and there was no chance for specula
tion with a view of immediate profit. Fort Ball seemed to have the
best of it for a great while. The elite and the rich gathered there and
looked down upon a Tiffinite in contempt. They had the best store
over there and the post-office, and McNeil's corner was the hub' of
civilization. It seemed as if they would never forgive Mr. Hedges and those that
acted with him, for the location of the county seat on this side. They
called the commissioners, that located the county seat, very hard

320 i HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
names; charged them with having been bribed, ahd predicted that all
sorts of evils would follow. Even the purchase of Fort Ball by Mr.
Hedges, failed, for a time, to allay this bitter feeling: It grew into
fever-heat when the post-office was removed from Fort Ball to Tiffin,
and Jacob Plane was appointed postmaster on this side, in the spring
of 1829, under Jackson. Even Mr. Hoagland, the ferryman, became
so incensed against Mr. Hedges that at every session of trie court he
would come into the court house on the second or third day of the
term, take off his big stove-pipe hat at the door, walk up to the judges'
desk with measured step, in his long brown overcoat reaching -down to
his. shoes, holding in his hand a large role of manuscript, which he
would lay before one of the judges, turn round and walk out again with
an air of triumph, snapping one eye at the bystanders. In this manu
script he complained of Mr. Hedges for refusing to let Hoagland take
stones o7ut of trie river,- and many other things.
But the little town, thus languishing, did live (as the lawyers say);-
slowly and gradually increasing in numbers, until about the year 1833
it numbered probably 400, souls. For fourteen years, from the time of
its platting, it was under the government of Clinton township, having
no government of its own until the 7th day of March, 1835, trie legisla
ture of Ohio passed an act incorporating the town of Tiffin. The act
contained twenty-one long sections. It provided, amongst other things,
for the limit of taxation; for the use by the town of the county jail; for
the election and appointment of officers; for building of sidewalks and
improving the streets; for providing fire apparatus; for punishing the.
sale of intoxicating liquors, etc. The town embraced the first plat and
first southern addition.
There was no election held under the law in April, 1835, nor in
April, 1836. Nobody seemed to care for a town government, but in
June, 1836, the following notice was published in trie Tiffin Gazette, viz:
CORPORATION ELECTION.
Notice is hereby given that an election will be held at the house of Eli
Norris, on Wednesday, the 29th inst., for the purpose of electing officers in
conformity to the provisions of the act incorporating the town of Tiffin.
GEORGE W. GIST. GEORGE PARK.
NICHOLAS GEOTHIUS. M. D. CADWALLADER.
M. M. MASON. JOEL STONE.
CHARLES LEWIS. J. W. MILLER.
JOHN BAUGHER. DAVID BECK.
June 18, 1836.
At this election Dr. H. Kuhn was elected the first mayor of the town.

¦ . 'J: TIFFIN AND FORT BALL. 32 1
, The population of Tiffin proper, in 1840, was 728; 1850, 2,718; i860,
3,992; 18^70, 5,648, and'in 1880, 7,882.
Tiffin outstripped Fort Ball in population and improvements.
Business clustered around the public square and along Washington
street, where it is yet holding sway with a most wonderful tenacity.
Tiffin is unlike many other towns in the west in this respect, where
business extends into various streets; but here it must be confined in a
square or two and stick there. , ¦
No reason can be given for this singular freak, because there is no
1 reason nor sense in it.
Fort Ball had no organization a!s a municipal corporation until the
legislature, on the 13th day of March, 1849, passed an act authorizing
an election for town officers to be held, fixing the boundary, giving cor
porate powers to the new town, etc.
Jacob Flaugher was elected the first mayor, James P. Pillars recorder,
and J. H. Kisinger was appointed the first marshal. It was a shbrt-
lived affair, and no -other election was ever held under the charter, for
the organization of Tiffin, as a city of the second class, embraced both
towns and allayed the' old rival jealousy that had annoyed both sides so
many years, and both had a right to say with Shakespeare:
" Now shall the winter of
our discontent
Become glorious summer, etc."
The act, incorporating the city of Tiffin as a city of the second class
was passed March 23d, 1850. It took effect from and after its passage.
The first section provides for the boundary line of the new city, em
bracing both towns — Tiffin and Fort Ball — and additional territory. In
the description of this boundary line is that "big sycamore tree" (men
tioned before) and the little brook — both now passed away.
Section two provides for the election of not less than three nor more
than five councilmen, from each ward, who, together with the mayor,
constituted the "city council."
Section three provides for the division of the city into two wards; all
east of the river to be the first ward, and all west to be the second
ward. Section four fixes the term of the officers to be one year, etc.
Section twenty-four provides for an election to be held in the month
of April, 1850, and the place of voting to be designated by the mayors
and council of Fort Ball and Tiffin jointly, and the returns to be ,
delivered to the mayor of Tiffin.
21

322 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Section twenty-five repeals the acts of incorporation /of Tiffih, and
Fort Ball.
The act contains twenty-six sections; was prepared by thewriter at
the request of the councils of both towns, and was passed by the legis
lature without any change.
The first election was held on trie 20th of April, 1850, arid the fol
lowing named persons were elected, viz: ,
Mayor — William Lang.
Treasurer — Robert Crum.
Marshal — Samuel H. Kisinger.
Councilmen, First Ward — William ' H. Gibson, William H! Keilhotz,
Andrew Denzer.
Councilmen, Second Ward— Jacob Flaugher, W^ M. Johrison, George
C. Small.
J. W. Patterson, the last mayor of the town of Tiffin, certified the
election returns.
On the 16th day of January, 1871, trie city council, by ordinance, di-1
vided trie city into five wards, as now. They areas follows:
First ward is all north, of Market street, to the river; extending from
Market street east to Circular; thence south to Rebecca; thence east
along Rebecca to an alleylying east of lot 647^ thence south along said
alley to Main; thence east to the corporation line.
Second ward — All north of Miami to corporation line, on the left
bank of the river.
Third ward — All south of Miami to corporation line, on the left bank
of the river.
Fourth ward — All south of Market and west of Washington, and west
of Melmore streets to the corporation line.
Fifth ward — All east of Washington and Melmore, and south of Mar
ket and the south and west line of the first ward.
The valuation of the taxable property in the city proper for 1879 was
$2,403,593. The city tax for the same year was $83,087.83. • For a
number of years past the annual tax of the city has averaged three per
cent, on the dollar valuation.
, The following is a list of the
OFFICERS OF THE , CITY
at this time (1880):
Mayor — Harrison Noble.
President of Council — Dr. J. F. E. Fanning.
Vice-President of Council — Dr. J. P. Kinnaman.
Clerk— C. J. M. Sullivan.

cA^^6~

HARRISON NOBLE. 323
The treasurer of Seneca county is the treasurer of the city ex officio.
City Solicitor — Perry M. Adams.
Marshal — James F. George.
Street Commissioner — Scudder Chamberlain.
COUNCILMEN.
First ward — James Love, J. P. Kinnaman.
Second ward — John Marsony, Josiah P. Baker.
Third ward— J. F. E. Fanning, Charles Sting.
Fourth ward — John B. Ehrenfried, Ronaldo A. Gray.
Fifth ward — Peter Grammes, Benjamin Shinners*
' HARRISON NOBLE.
The subject of this- sketch was born in Salt Creek township, Wayne
county, Ohio, where his father's family lived on a farm, on the 28th day
of January, 1826. When the family moved to Seneca county he was
about ten years old. He attended the first school at a log school
house that his father and the neighbors put up on the northeast corner
of section 19, in Jackson township. It was a school house of the kind
they had in those days; a clap-board roof, pungeon floor, pungeon seats
and pungeon desks. Bass-wood logs were split and hewed as smooth
as possible, holes bored into the logs in the sides of the house, sticks
driven .tightly into the holes and the hewed pungeon, laid on the sticks,
made a writing desk. Holes bored into another piece of pungeon and
legs, about eighteen inches long, driven into them, made benches. An
older brother of Harrison, Washington Noble, the oldest son of the
family, taught the first school here. He had forty scholars the first
winter. The house was warmed from a large fire-place put into one
end of the school house that took a four foot back log. The end of
the cabin was cut out and a sort of pen built on the outside. On the
inside of this pen, having three sides, stones and clay were put up some
five feet high for the back and sides of the' fire-place. Upon this bank
the chimney was raised with sticks and clay mortar. The wet clay
was mixed with straw to keep it in its place and hold it together.
Some of the children had to come three miles to school through the
woods by paths and trails. It was a great hardship, for some of the
smaller ones when the snow was deep and the underbrush full of
icicles. Water under the snpw was often knee-deep. This may well
be called getting an education under difficulties. Children attending
the beautiful school houses in Seneca county now, can scarcely appre
ciate the condition of the first schools here. The large airy rooms in

324 , ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
your high schools uow-a-days,' heated by hot-air furnaces, and supplied ¦
with beautiful and convenient patent desks, were not to bethought of
then. ' ;
When Harrison grew up to be* large enough to work, he helped his.
father clear land, and in a few years seventy acres were cleared on the,' ,
homestead farm. The boys had their sports also in those days. It was
not always hard work and no play.
He was a very good coon hunter, and kept a couple of blooded coon
dogs with which he would scour the country around for coon; the
Crossley boys, the young Bostons, and Hollopeters, often joining him.
One night Harrison got out his Indian pony, took his dogs with him
and went to Mud creek, where he caught seven coons. Boys often got.
their " spending money " in that way.
The wolves were still very troublesome then, and people that kept
" sheep or pigs had to stable them for protection.
The squirrels, chip-monks and crows were so numerous and trouble
some that the people were compelled to make war upon them. Harri
son often collected a lot of boys with guns and ammunition for a squirrel
hunt. They appointed two captains, who picked their men one at a
time, " turn about;" then they started in all directions. They were to
meet at a certain place, and the party that had the least number of
squirrel-tails, lost the price, which was two bushels of corn which 'the
losing party had to furnish. The plumes of the left wings of crows,
hawks or buzzards were' also counted for so many squirrel-tails.
The boys also organized debating societies and spelling schools,
which were held often at private houses, and which were a source of
pleasure and mutual improvement.
The winters of 1844-5 young Noble spent at the college in Oberlin,
and in 1846 he attended the Seneca county academy in Republic. In
the winter of 1846-7 he taught a school in Tiffin, occupying one of the
upper rooms in the two-story brick school house, still standing, on the
north side of Market street, near the corner of Monroe and Market,
Mrs. Gibbs, a Mr. Collins, and the writer were all the other teacher.s
then employed in Tiffin. Collins was a tall, slender man, had a wife
and child, was a preacher, and made terrible war on the Masons and
Odd Fellows. He was going to break down their lodges and build
the church of God upon their ruins. Pie returned to Wooster, where
he formerly lived and did not behave very well 'after his return. He-
left no ruins but his "own. »
In the following year Noble entered the office of his brother, Warrer.
P., to read law. During his studios he lau-'ht a hchuol in Liberty

HARRISON NOBLE. 325
township four months, and boarded' at trie house of Mr. Eden Leases
who was then sheriff of Seneca county. Mr. Lease very often had more
writs to serve than he could well attend -to alone, and employed Mr.
Noble to assist him. By these services and faking his wages as school
teacher, he succeeded in paying his boarding until 1849, when he was
admitted to practice law. He then immediately became a partner of
his brother, Warren P., in the practice, under the firm name of W. P.
and H. Noble.
This firm continued in business until the istofMay, 1874, when
Harrison Noble formed a new firm with Mr. Nelson B. Lutes, in the
practice of law. This association continued until the 1st of May, 1880,
six years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent.
In 1853 Mr. Noble was elected city solicitor of Tiffin, and served
two terms, receiving $50 per year as his salary. In 1859 he was
elected a member of the city council, and served twelve years, his term
expiring about the time of the great fire, April 13th, 1872.
In 1863, while the militiatof Ohio was being re-organized and regi
ments formed, Seneca county had two regiments. Mr. Noble wa3
elected colonel of the Second Regiment.
In 1864, Mr. George S. Christlip was nominated by the Democratic
county convention as their candidate for director of the Seneca
county infirmary, and a few days before the election, his health failing
him very rapidly, Mr- Christlip informed the Democratic central com
mittee that he would not live to serve, and declined to have his name
put upon the ticket. The committee, without the knowledge of Mr.
Noble, had his name printed upon the tickets,in place of Mr. Christlip's.
He was thereupon elected to that office, and served until 1870. It was
customary with the directors of the infirmary to keep their own treasury,
receive and pay out money, keeping their own accounts. Upon the
urgent request of Mr. Noble, it was made a^-ule of the board to pay all
the moneys received by the board into the treasury of the county, tobe
drawn out upon the order of the county auditor, after having been
passed upon by the board. The rule is in vogue still, and works very well.
Mr. Noble is the present mayor of Tiffin, to which office. he was
elected in 18-79 (-'n tne 3°^ day of June, 1858, he, was married to Mrs.
Minerva, the sixth d-ughter of Josiah Hedges, and two sons are all the
children of this unioii. ' Harry H., the oldest, is now a student at Notre
Dame University, at South Bend, Indiana, and girdie M. is attending
the union schools of Tiffin. Mr. Noble has an extensive practice, and
takes a lively interest in the growth, the progress and the development
of the material .resources of the city and county.

326 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ,i
Soon after their marriage the young couple commenced housekeep
ing in their pleasant home on the corner of Jefferson and Market,
where they still reside. PLANK ROADS.
In this year (1849), on the 22d day of March, the general assembly
of Ohio also passed an act incorporating the Lower Sandusky, Tiffin
and Fort .Ball plank road company. Ralph P. Buckland, John R.
Peas, John L. Green, James Justice, and John Bell, of Sandusky county;
Lorenzo Abbott, Calvin Clark, Benjamin Tomb, Cyrus Pool, Vincent
Bell, John W. Patterson, Warren P. Noble, and Rezin W. Shawhan, of
Seneca county; Chester R. Mott, Joseph McCutchen, Robert McKelley,
and Andrew McElvain, of Wyandot county, and all others associated
with them, by subscribing stock, , were made a body corporate and
politic. Another company, called the Tiffin and Osceola plank road company,
was also chartered, and both roads put in operation A branch road
from Fostoria to intersect the former, north of the mouth of Wolf
creek, was also laid. Toll-gates were erected and tolls collected.
These answered the purpose for awhile, and were very popular until
they began to give way by the rotting of the plank. The tolls collected
proved insufficient to keep up the necessary repairs and other expenses.
Subscribers were assessed to pay a second time, a work that always has
a tendency to injure the popularity of any joint stock company. Mean
while the roads became worthless and were abandoned; toll-gates broke
down, and the supervisors of common highways removed the plank by
putting them on , piles and burning them up. The stockholders lost
every dollar they invested; never realized anything, and thus ended
another wild, impracticable, foolish experiment.
- For many years past, some of our citizens agitkted the propriety of
building pikes in Seneca county. The great inexhaustible quantity of
stone in the county suitable' for that purpose, the bad condition of the
roads every winter and spring, together with the landed wealth and
general enterprise of our citizens, seemed to warrant such a measure as
wise and necessary. During the past winter (1879-80), meetings were
held in several townships, and in Tiffin, in which the subject was dis
cussed, and finally th,e county commissioners were prevailed upon to
publish a notice in the Tiffin papers, calling upon the voters at the
election on the first Monday in April, 1880, to vote on the subject, yes
or no. If a majority of the votes cast had been in favor of pikes, the
cofhmissioners would have commenced the work under the law. The
subject is still very fresh in the minds of all, and no attempt will be

' THE TELEGRAPH. 327
made to give the various reasons assigned by those opposed, why the
measure should be defeated, and so large a portion of our people voted
against pikps. Suffice it to say, that when the votes were counted, it
was found that only 1,578 voted for pikes, while 5,156 votes were cast
against the proposition. , It is to be regretted, that an improvement so
highly needed in our county, should find so few friends. Tiffin alone
gave a majority in favor, some 500. All other election precincts in
the county gave large majorities against the measure. In Big Spring,
a township that needs good roads as badly as any other locality in the
county, in a vote of 521, there was only one vote in favor of pikes.
The far or the near future must solve this question. The present
generation prefers to stick in the mud.
THE TELEGRAPH.
About 1849, the first line of telegraph was constructed through Tif
fin, along the Mad River, and Lake Erie (now C. S. & C.) Railroad. A
joke in connection with this enterprise is almost too good to be lost.
Mr. Christopher Snyder, the merchant, was a good deal of a wag, and
whenever he had a chance to get a "rig" on anyone, would spare
neither friend nor foe.
Mr. Balthasar Ries was a German barber, and lived on East Market
street. For many years he was in the habit of calling upon his cus
tomers at their houses, stores or shops, to shave them or cut their
hair. He had a'frame with two hooks to hang over the back of a
chair, with a perpendicular piece that slid up and down and having a
cushion on top tp lay the head upon. He would carry this frame with
•him on his left arm, on which were also suspended a few clean towels.
He was also supplied, with a large tin cup, full of hot water, some soap,
a brush, a few razors and a pair of scissors. , Thus fitted out, he started
on his beat — a traveling barber shop. , '
Mr. Ries was a small man, very active and nervous, with black hair
and black eyes, pale face, polite and cleanly in his habits, but very
credulous; Anything Mr. Snyder said was as good ~as gospel to him.
One time, while he had Snyder down in a chair in his store, with lather
all over his face, Reis wanted Snyder to tell him what those high poles
along the railroad on the other side of the river were for. He said he
had seen men climb up on them "and fasten a wire from one to another,
etc. Snyder was in a hurry to get done, and was not inclined to talk
much; but Reis insisted on knowing all about it, and kept on quizzing
and asking questions; Finally Snyder told Reis that that was a new
way to go to California. (The gold fever was then at high tide). This

328 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
rernark made bad worse with Mr. Rnes, and he was bound to have a
full description of the thing. Finally Snyder told him . that travel by.
steamer around Cape Hornwas very expensive and dangerous, and to
avoid both, this plan had been adopted; that when the work was com
pleted clear to San Francisco an iron saddle would-be placed across
the wires to hold the traveler and his baggage, and when all was ready
the thing would be touched off behind him, and that would send him
across the country to San Francisco, where he would be received on a
pile of straw, and from whence, he could go to the mines when he was
ready. All this seemed very reasonable to Ries, but he said we lived in a
most wonderful age, when improvements were made in all departments
of life; and finishing dressing Snyder's hair, he went away. He was
gone about an hour, when he returned "very much excited, , and setting
his tin cup on the counter with such violence that the water flew in
all directions, and shaking his fist at Snyder, threatened that he would v
never again believe anything he said: that people down street had
laughed at him when he told them of the new way of going to Califor
nia, etc. Snyder said that Joe Rauker had told him the same story, and
he did not know any better himself, etc. ; but Ries went away in a very
nervous, angry mood.

Among the early pioneers in Fort Ball was also Andrew Love, who
lived on the bluff on the McCutchenville road, where the river comes
up close to the road.
Another pioneer, on the Tiffin side, was Alexander Mason. He built
and opened the "Eagle Hotel," on the corner of Washington and
Perry streets. It was a two story brick building, and received a third
story when Mr. R. W. Shawhan became the owner, who fitted up and
enlarged the hotel, when itwas christened the "Shawhan House," J. W.
Patterson, proprietor. Masoii kept there in 1834 and 1835; Patterson
opened the Shawhan House in 1850. The hotel has' retained its name
ever since, under several proprietors, among whom P. P. Myers, who
really built up the reputation of the house and kept it the longest; was
the most popular. THE TIFFIN SCHOOLS.
There were but few children among the early settlers in Tiffin, and
yet to secure a site and build a school house was one of trie first public
cares and enlisted the support of everybody. Application was made
to Mr. Hedges for a lot to build a school house upon, and on the first
day of February, 1828, Mr. Hedges executed a deed to George Don-

THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN. 329
aldson, Jacob Plane, and Richard Sneath, school directors of school
district .number four, Clinton township, for . in-lot numbered forty-two
-(42). It is situate on the north side of Market street, next west of the
northwest corner of Market and Monroe. , The deed has a whereas to
it and commences in triese words: "Whereas, heretofore Josiah Hedges
has laid out and established a town by the name of the tow;, of ^Tiffin,
situate upon fractional section 19, T. 2 R. 15, and whereas a,-patent
has been issued to said Hedges^ etc. Now, therefore," etc.
A little one-story brick school house was built by these directors
upon this lot close by the pavement, lengthwise with the street. It had
room for about 60 scholars. The door was near its south east corner.
There was one window at the east end, back of the teacher's desk, and
two windows in each of the other sides. Here the various denomina
tions held their meetings until they had churches of their own. The
Protestant Methodists especially occupied the school house very often
on Sunday and- held their quarterly meetings there when the little school
house was crowded to overflowing.
', After the school house was finished and a new set of directors had
been elected a notice was published in the Seneca Patriot for a teacher
in the following form:
A TEACHER WANTED.
A gentleman who -is well versed in arithmetic, English grammar and
geography, and can give satisfactory reference for good moral conduct and

t

that application should be made before trie first of November next, as the
school will be vacant. HENRY CRONISE, } cnV,™, ™ Q f
MILTON JENNINGS, \ Scll°o1 Directors.
September 28, 1832.
Under this notice Mr. Benjamin Crockett made application and was
employed, and he, continued to teach here for several years thereafter.
The writer made his acquaintance in the winter following the fall of
1833. By my contract to learn the trade of a cabinet maker with
Boss Phillips, I was entitled* to four months' night school at the boss'
expense. Apprentices were compelled to work every night at the
¦bench until 9 o'clock, except on Saturday night, so that the loss of .
time and the payment of the teacher were to be taken in consideration.
For want of a_ teacher of a night school, I traded my four months"
night school for 30 days' day school in the fore part of the summer of
1834 and to go to Mr. Crockett.. His school this summer was attended
by a few flaxen-headed children and the writer was on ¦ of a few larger
boys that attended^ All the time, Mr. Crockett and the writer could
spend, together was equally divided between us. While Mr. C. would

330 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
take much pains to instruct me in English grammar and pronouncing
words correctly in reading the history of the United States, he took the
other half of my time to receive instructions in mathematics and in the
geography' of Europe. Thus my thirty days passed away and I became
a graduate of Mr. Crockett's first school in Tiffin. This constituted
the sum total of my schooling in America, an'd it was not long after,
that the school examiners of Tiffin, Joshua Seney, Oliver Cowdry
and Frederick Singer, gave me a certificate of qualification to teach
school, when I became one of the first teachers in the two-story brick,
still standing on the same lot, now occupied for a shop.
The little old, one-story school house was torn away in about 1844
and the two-story brick put up a little further from the street, with four
rooms. Here all the schools in Tiffin were accommodated until the' young
city organized under the union school system and preparations were
made to build the beautiful school house on South Monroe street, now
known as the high school building.
Simultaneously with the organization of the city of Tiffin, the ques
tion of inaugurating the union school system under the law, agitated the
minds of some of our people also. Opinions as to its propriety dif
fered very widely. The proud position that Ohio occupies in her
educational department, when she taxes her wealth' to educate her
ydutri — in other words— when she makes the owners of property pay
taxes to educate the children of those who do not pay taxes for want
of property — was not appreciated by all our citizens. The friends of
the measure were the taxpayers, the wealthy men of the city, one of the
most active of whom was Mr. R. W. Shawan, who had no child to edu
cate and paid the largest amount of taxes of any man in the county.
To his honor be it said — the success of the measure depended largely
on the part he took in its favor. Remarkable as it may seem, the
enemies of the proposition were the poorer classes, who generally have
the most children to educate; Nineteen of these, who worked hard,
electioneering for votes against the measure all day, were the heads of
families averaging five children to each, and whose taxes on the dupli
cate added together for all Tju^poses did not reach trie sum of thirty
dollars. The vote was taken in September, 1850, and a handsome majority
secured in its favor. In October following, at the election for mem
bers of the school board, the following were elected, viz. :
William Lang, William D. Searles, George Knupp, A. C. Baldwin, W-.
H. Keilholts, W. H. Gibson.

THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN. 33 1
At the first meeting of the board, held on the first day of November,
1850, William Lang was elected president, W. H. Gibson, secretary,
and A. C. Baldwin treasurer. The board then also appointed Messrs.
j. H. Pittenger, R. G. Pennington and R. R. Bement as a board of
examiners. Thus the new system was set on foot, and thousands of
children have enjoyed the benefit of these union schools during these
thirty years last past.
The following is a list of the first corps of teacriers employed by the
board, viz.:
Miss E. Augspurger — German school — she furnishing her own
room, $20 per month; Mrs. Sarah Sands, also furnishing her own
room, $20 per month; Miss Elizabeth Cronise and Miss C. Coffin, each
$15 per month; William Fitzgeralds, $24 per month;' Samuel, Nolan,
$22 per month; Miss Maria Andrew, $15 per month; Thomas J.
Cronise, $24 per month.
The small amount of the school fund was equally divided among the
- three terms, and for want of sufficient means to pay the teachers, a tax
of from one cent to one and one-half cents a day (according to class)
was assessed ori each scholar in attendance for that term. This mode
of taxation lasted only one year and was dropped.
Rev. R. R. Bement was employed to superintend the schools during
this winter only, for which the board paid him $12, on the 1st of May,
1851. On the same day the board offered Mr. S. S. Rickley, of Colum
bus, $400 salary as superintendent of the union schools, with the
privilege of allowing him time also to teach a class in Heidelberg Col
lege. The offer was accepted, and Mr. Rickley was the first superin
tendent of the Tiffin union schools.
In 1852 the board purchased in-lots numbers 279 and 280, in the
(then) second ward, where they erected the first union school house in
the city, the same year, at an expense (including $900 paid for the lots) of
$6,000. This is the school house immediately west of St. Mary's church,
In 1854 the board bought of Mr. Hedges the large lot u'pon which
the present high school building now stands, and on the 28th of March,
,1855, they resolved that when they should build a school house there,
it should be put away; from the street 125 feet.
On the nth of April, 1855, a meeting of the voters in the city was
held, in compliance with notice, and a resolution was unanimously
adopted to build another school house in the city, and the, board were
authorized to levy a tax of two mills on the dollar of all the taxable
property in the city for the year 1855, and three mills for 1856, 1857,
1858, and 1859, for that purpose.

332 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
On the 22d day of November, 1855, at. a public meeting,' the board '
was authorized to borrow -a sum of money not to exceed the sum of
$6,000, to be used in the building of the new school house, arid interest
not to exceed ten -per cent.
.On the 10th of June, 1856, the board passed a resolution to lay. the
corner-stone of the new school house with appropriate ceremonies, and
to invite the Rev. L. Andrew to deliver the address.
On the 20th of January, 1857, another public meeting, held at the
mayor's office, resolved to instruct the school board to proceed and
finish the new school building, and to levy additional taxes on all the
taxable property in Tiffin, for that purpose, as follows :
For the year 1857, one and one-half mills, additional; for the year
> 1858, one and one-half mills additional; /or the year 1859, one and
one-half mills additional; for the year i860, three and seven-tenths
mills on the dollar; for the year 1861, three and seven-tenths mills on
the dollar; for the year 1862, three and six-tenths mills-on the dollar';
for the year 1863, three and seven- tenths mills on the dollar, and to
borrow another sum of money for that purpose, not exceeding $8,000;
to issue bonds, etc.
In 1859 the third story was finished inside, and the first high school
organized that fall.
' The building, with the site, cost at least $45,000.
By a special vote of the citizens, January 30, 1871, the board was
authorized to build two additional school houses; one in the first ward
(college hill), and one in the second ward (as now). On the 17th of
February, 1871, the board contracted for both of these structures, and
had them put up at an expense of $7,500 each, sites included.
In 1878 the board built the large school house in the (now) third
ward, in Fishbaugri's addition, at a cost, including "site, of_$5,8oo, mak
ing a total of about $72,000 invested in school houses and lots
There are at this time about 2,700 youths in Tiffin entitled to public
instruction. The school fund for the year 1879 was ^'n>315'34-
The board employs one superintendent and twenty-nine teachers, of
whom the following is a list, including their respective salaries :
J. W. Knott, sup't  $1,200 Hallie Leavift. . . ; . . ,  $37S
, B. F. Myers, principal 2d dis. 800 Celesta Stoner  -^  S£0,
Susie R. Piatt, prin. highftonof-l 700 Amelia Sauer  ,  3o<»
Lis3ette Herbig, prin. Ger. 600 Venie Metz  ! 350
Mrs. Mary Zartmaii.. .... . 475 Lenora Mitchell  375
Mattie McLain  ¦   475 Jessie Poorman. . :  350
Samuel McKitrick  450 ' Emma Merkelbach  300
Celia Williams  400 Laura Freyman  300

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KtlEBS LrTKO.CO. CIKCIHMTJ

THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN. 333
Minnie Holt...........'  |400 Mary Ilartman  $300
KatoSughro.,  375 Warren E. Brinkerhoof."  300
Frankie Van Pelt  ; . . . 375 Romanus R. Bour  , . 300
Cora Pew  375 Martha Gw-ynn  250
Victoria Sawyer  375 Belle Byrne  250
Rosa Myers  375 Flora Barnes  250
Flora Poorman  375
There are three German schools.
The following named gentlemen constitute' the present board of edu
cation of Tiffin, viz:
President— Dr. E."B. Hubbard.
Secretary — Henry, Brohl.
- Treasurer — Warren P. Noble.
Prof. C. O. Knepper, Jacob F. Bunn, William Lang,
DR. E. B. HUBBARD
Was born December 28, 1840, at Chester, Hamden county, Massachu
setts, where his father was a prominent business man. He graduated '
at Hinsdale academy, Massachusetts, and prepared to enter Williams
college, but his father failing in heavy western land speculations, pre
vented it. In 1857 he came west with his brother, D wight, and stopped
at Bellevue, Ohio, where both engaged in teaching, Dwight being
appointed superintendent of the schools there. Dr. Hubbard remained
here three years, and is mentioned ill the history of Huron and Erie
counties as having been a very successful teacher. In i860 he, was
called east to become supervisor of the state primary schools at Mon-
son, Massachusetts, where he remained two 'years and pursued his
medical studies in the large "hospital connected with that institution;
being, however, more interested in the preparation of drugs and medi
cines than in the medical practice, he chose that branch of the pro
fession, On severing his connection with this, one of Massachusetts'
noblest state institutions, he entered the pharmacy of Dr. Hutchins, in
Springfield, Massachusetts, and applied himself to the thorough mastery
of every detail of the drug business. He" began, business life as a
junior partner in the drug store of Barrows and Hubbard, at Amherst,
, Massachusetts. His partner was a physician widely known, a disciple
of the old school, devoting his time to his extensive practice, leaving
Dr. Hubbard in the entire control of the store. ' With an intention of
locating in Chicago, he sold out his business at Amherst, and came as
.far west as Bellevue, Ohio, where he stopped to visit old friends, -and
was persuaded to buy an interest in a drug store there. The firm was
known by the name of Goodsonand Hubbard. In January, 1874, he

334

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

came to Tiffin and entered into partnership with Dr. H. K. Hershiser,.
in the well known corner drug store on Market and Washington. At
the close of the first year he bought his partner's interest, and has re
mained in successful business there ever since. Ever since his location
here Dr. Hubbard has taken a very lively interest in every measure
calculated to promote the growth and welfare of Tiffin, his adopted
city, especially in her educational interests. He has been twice elected
a member of the school board; first in 1877, and again in r88o, and
has been president of the board since 1878. He was married to Miss
Helen M., daughter of Judge Sawyer, of Nashua, New Hampshire, on
the 27th day of August, 1873, and Clara S. and Sheldon B. Hubbard
help to make the household lively. c. o. KNEPPER
was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of October,
1836, the oldest son of Jonathan and Margaret Knepper. . He gradu
ated from Heidelberg college in the class of 1862, and from the semi
nary in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1864. He was superintendent'. :
of the schools of Waterloo, Iowa, and of Waverly, in the same state.
On the 24th day of June, 1868, he was married to S. Grace Dunnell,
daughter of David Dunnell, of Massachusetts, the bride then living in
Waterloo. This union was blessed with three children, one son and
two daughters. In 187 1 he was elected profess'or of the Alumni of
Heidelberg and took charge of his position in 1872. In the spring of
1879 ne *as elected a member of the school board of Tiffin.
HENRY BROHL
was born in the city of Bonn, on the Rhine, on the 10th day of Novem
ber, 1831. He attended the academy and university at Bonn, and
before he had time to graduate he left his native city and country; he
came to America and settled in Sandusky City in the spring of 1851.
Mr. Brohl had. also applied himself to the mercantile business while he
lived in his native city, and when he removed from Sandusky City to
Tiffin in 1855 he entered into copartnership with E. T- Abbott in the
business of wholesale grocers. He continued in this firm until in 1857
he entered into partnership with Robert Crum in Tiffin in the sale of
groceries and liquors. The business was conducted by this firm until
1865, when Mr. Brohl opened a saloon, which he has conducted suc
cessfully ever since. In 1856 Mr. Brohl was married to Miss
Catharine Krautz, of Sandusky City. This union was blessed with
seven children, who arefall living'. He was elected to the school
board in 1877.

THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN. 335
Trie reader who desires to see short biographical sketches of the
Other present living members of the school board of Tiffin, will find
triem in chapter 23, under the heads of Warren P. Noble, Jacob Bunn,
and William Lang.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE BANKS OF TIFFIN— INSURANCE COMPANIES— SECRET AND BENEV
OLENT SOCIETIES.

IN the spring of 1847 tae question of establishing a bank in Tiffin was
agitated by some*ofthe moniedmenin the place, and it became appar- ;
ent very soon that rival interests were growing into conflicting propor
tions. One wing followed the leadership of R. W. Shawhan, and the
other, that of Rufus W. Reid, the leading rival merchants of Tiffin at
that time. To the outside world it seemed at times that one party
would succeed, and then the other, but finally Mr. Reid, who never
was very scrupulous in any thing, succeeded in securing a charter.
On trie 12th day of July, 1847, Benjamin Tomb, William H. Gibson,*
Samuel Waggoner, R. G. Pennington, Alfred Johnson, R. W.'Reid, .'.
Daniel Smith, William Fleet, William M. Buel, and Daniel Brown, made
the proper application for the organization of an independent bank.
'' Pending the granting of the application, theybecarie convinced that
the amount already subscribed was insufficient," (says Stewart, but they
really became alarmed at the rival element showing greater force,) so
they, in conjunction with others, enlarged the capital stock to one
hundred thousand dollars. On'the 2d of August, of th.e same year, they
filed their amended application, which was speedily acted upon by the
board of commissioners, and a charter for an independent bank, to be
located in Tiffin, with a capital stock of $100,000, was granted them on
the 9th of the same month.
Perhaps it would have been better for all parties concerned, as well
as the community % at large, if the other faction had succeeded. Who
can tell?
The bank was' organized by the election of Benjamin Tomb presi
dent, and Waggoner, Buel, Reid and-Pennington, directors. Mr. Tomb
resigned his position as president in 1848, and Abel Rawson was ap- .
pointed in his place. Mr. Pennington was appointed cashier pro tern.,
and afterwards William E. Chittenden, the regular cashier. ..They com-

THE BANKS OF TIFFIN. 337
menced business on the 13th of November, 1847. It was called
the " Sen?ca County Bank." It flourished for a season, but
the young craft carried too much Reid on board, and ran
ashore. After the bank had suspended awhile, Charles L. Johnson, who
was before that time a popular young merchant in Tiffin, bought the
charter of the collapsed institution, kindled up its dying embers for a
short season, and started afresh, in 185 1. The old creditors crowded
their claims without rest or mercy, and somebody obtained a judgment
on cognovit in the court of common pleas of Franklin county, in Col
umbus, Ohio. A. P. Stone was treasurer of state. James T. Claypoole
who was his particular friend, made application to be appointed re
ceiver of the bank, assisted by some of trie creditors, and finally suc
ceeded, but at that time, as the agent of a creditor, he procured an
execution on the judgment and came to Tiffin with it, where he placed
the execution in the hands of sheriff Weirick, and hurried him down to
the bank as quick as possible. Mr. Johnson, when he found that he
had a bigger load than he could carry, and as troubles began to thicken
around him very rapidly, peipetrated the same folly that so many men
, are guilty of, by resorting to strong drink to drown his troubles. What
a weakness !" Just at a time when a man should bring all the powers of
his manhood into requisition to bear him up under mental pressure, he
drowns the man in the cup and retains the debauched substitute.
Weirick, the sheriff, and Mr. Claypoole hurried down to the bank be
fore time of closing; They found Charley alone, holding on to a chair.
The vault was open and a few old books scattered over the counter;
everything seemed demoralized. They stated . their business tb Mr.'
Johnson, who said: " All r-r-right genl'men, c'm-n take all th'r-is.''
The sheriff could find nothing that Mr. Claypoole would have him
make a levy upon. Mr. Claypoole said some unpleasant things, but
Charley laughed, and asked Claypoole whether he would take something.
, They gave it up, and Mr. Claypoole, somewhat out of humor and very
, much excited,- walked up to the telegraph office and hastily sent the
• following dispatch to treasurer Stone, at Columbus:
" Seneca county bank gone to hell ; will be there to-night.
JAMES T. CLAYPOOLE."
This was on the 25th of April, 1857.
There were at that time some $63,000 of the Seneca county bank
bills in circulation. Mr. Claypoole was appointed receiver, and pro
ceeded to collect the bills, issuing his" certificates in their stead.
On the 19th of February, 1861, Claypoole reported his proceedings
to the legislature, and said, amongst other things, that the bank had
22

338 HISTORY, OF SENECA COUNTY.
bonds deposited with the treasurer of state for the security of the hold
ers of its notes in the sum of $ 209,648; that all said bonds had been
abstracted or paid out in violation of law, and that the holders pf $5 7,000 of
outstanding circulation were deprived of their pro rata share of said bank. ,
He claimed that the state held securities for this circulation, in the
sum of $50,000, an4 asked that the same be used for the redemption of
the bills. 1
Nothing was done upon this report. War broke out and the Seneca
county bank was lost sight of. The bills were hawked about the coun
try, and sold for whatever they would fetch. In the session of the gen
eral assembly of 1864, the writer introduced a bill directing the treas- .
urer of state to redeem the certificates so issued by the receiver, and
the outstanding bills of said bank, which passed both houses and became
a law on the 31st of March, 1864. The state lost nothing by the act.
On the contrary, there were less bills and certificates outstanding than
the securities in the hands of the treasurer of state, leaving a respectable
balance in favor of the state. This balance was made up undoubtedly
by bills that were lost or destroyed, and having. never been presented,
the state had the benefit of the loss.
Inif.852, Arnold and Tomb (Sylvanus Arnold and Benjamin Tomb),
established a private banking house, which lasted two years, when it
changed into the name of Tomb, Huss & Co. The business
was conducted in this name until 1865, when the company organized as
the " First National Bank of Tiffin," with BenjamiriTomb for president,
and John T. Huss cashier. For eleven years this bank did an im
mense business, but during the last year some people, who had a chance
to know, questioned its soundness, and looked upon the institution with
misgivings. Mr. Huss, the cashier, was a native of Tiffin, and a young
man of excellent business qualifications. He was highly esteemed, and
enjoyed the general confidence for honor and integrity. Nobody was
willing to believe him guilty of any wrong. The state election of 1875
was over, and both parties quieted down to business.
It was the afternoon of the 15th of October, 1875. Several depositors '
from the city withdrew their deposits. The money in the bank had run
down to a few thousand dollars. The clerks in the bank felt gloomy.
Some of the directors consulted together as to the propriety of borrow
ing some money for a few days. Huss was at his house, where he had
been for several days, feeling unwell, as he said. A gentleman from
Cincinnati came that afternoon and stopped at the Shawhan house, with
a view of seeing Mr. Huss the next morning about a large draft that
was not just as it should have been. It was half-past four o'clock in

THE BANKS OF TIFFIN. 339
the afternoon." The bank had closed, and for the last time. Mr. Huss
was in bed. The family had gone into the dining-room to supper. A
light shot was heard in the direction of Mr. Huss' room. A ball had
passed through his heart from a revolver Mr. Huss had still in his hand.
He was dead.
It will benefit nobody to describe the condition of things that was
soon made manifest, and it had better not be recorded here Suffice
it to say, that Warren P. Noble, Esq., was appointed receiver and paid
the creditors sixty per cent, on, their claims.
THE NATIONAL EXCHANGE BANK OF TIFFIN
' Was organized in 1865. The following named gentlemen were the in
corporators, viz: John D. Loomis, R. W. Shawhan, A. G. Sneath, J. M.
' Naylor, S. B. Sneath, W. W. Naylor, H. A. Buskirk, S. M. Ogden, Abel
-Rawson, A. B. Hovey, J. H.' Good, Levi Davis, John Swigart, J. H.
Pittenger, Robert Smith, E. T. Stickney, and J. A. McFarland. The
capital stock was then $125,000, which has been greatly augmented since.
The bank enjoys the general confidence of the community, and the
only severe misfortune that befel the institution was the robbery of the
bank by its former cashier, O. C. Zeller, who left the bank for Canada
one night in the spring of 1878, and on the next morning the bank' was
short some $50,000.
The business of the bank proceeded right on as if nothing had hap
pened, and while the community were shocked over the act, the confi
dence the people had placed in the institution was not shaken in the
least. The present officers of the bank are: J. D. Loomis,. president; J. W.
Chamberlain, cashier. Mr. Loomis has been its president all the time.
THE TIFFIN SAVINGS BANK
Was incorporated March 3d, 1873, under an act entitled " An act to
incorporate savings and loan associations," passed- February 26th, 1873.
John G. Gross was the 'president, D. D. Dildine cashier. The institu
tion was kept up about four years, and after the death of Mr. Huss it
closed its business, and a majority of the stockholders joined in the
COMMERCIAL BANK,
Which purchased the First National bank building, and opened for
business on the 23d day of June, 1876. The bank organized under
their charter of May 18th, 18J6, with a capital of $100,000. It has a
constant surplus of over $7,000. W. P. Noble, president; J. A. McFar
land, vice-president; S. B. Sneath, cashier; J. A. Blair, assistant cashier.

340

HISTORY OF, SENECA COUNTY.

THE BANK OF TIFFIN -
Was organized in the fall of 1858, by i>an Dorsey and' A. G. Sneath.
In the fall of 1859, R. W. Shawhan bought the interest of Mr. Dorsey,
and the bank was continued by the same name until it merged into the
organization of the National Exchange bank in 1865. The Bank of
Tiffin was kept during its whole existence in the room now occupied by
John Neligh as a clothing store. Mr. Shawhan was then, as now, the
owner of the building.
Mr. A. G. Sneath was cashier of the old Bank of Tiffin during the
whole time of its existence, and of the National Exchange bank for
about three years from the time of its organization.
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
The Seneca County Mutual Fire Insurance company was organized
under a charter by the legislature of Ohio, passed March 19th, 1850.
The first meeting of the incorporators was held in the sheriff's office
in Tiffin, in pursuance of notices published in the Seneca Advertiser and
the Seneca Whig, when the Hon. A. Lugenbeel was appointed chairman
and Hon. J. W. Wilson secretary.
On motion 'of Eden Lease, the by-laws of the Stark County Mutual
Insurance company were adopted for the by-laws of this company.
William Lang was elected president for the ensuing year, J. W. Wil
son secretary, and George Knupp treasurer. The secretary was
authorized to act as general agent of the company; and thus the com
pany started on its career with a good board of directors and officers,
and with one of the most favorable charters for a mutual fire insurance
company ever passed by an Ohio legislature.
On the 29th day of October, 1850, the first policy was issued and
the last one on the 31st day of July, i860, being number 1,502.
Immediately upon the organization of the company Mr. Wilson t°°k
charge of all its business and appointed very many agents in various
counties in northern Ohio, the larger number of whom had no experi
ence in insurance matters, and whatever they lacked in knowledge they
made up in impudence and avarice. ,'
They recommended all manner of risks, and would have insured
powder mills if they had found any. In addition to all this, many of
the applicants were worthless and irresponsible, and when assessments
were made upon them, they could not be collected. The premium note
was a lien upon the real estate of the insured, but very often prior en
cumbrances swallowed up the whole value. The agents themselves

THE BANKS OF TIFFIN. 341
gave no bonds or other security for moneys that came into their hands,
and when assessments were collected but small returns were made,
for want of means to pay the losses, the officers borrowed money upon
their own credit, as individual citizens, from the banks in Tiffin for that
purpose, with a hope of being re-embursed from future collections.
The assessments were made very light to make a good showing, but
were insufficient to pay losses and expenses. For several years the larger-
amounts' of the losses were paid by money thus furnished, and when,
later on, assessments were made larger, to cover back indebtedness,
members complained and many surrendered their policies.
In this condition of things the directors found the affairs of the com
pany when, in the fall of 1856, Mr. Wilson died, and William Lang was
appointed secretary in his stead.
The company had then already run into evil report. Some of the
agents were dismissed, and all brought to an account, but there was
not vitality enough in the concern to recuperate. It dragged along
with all its old troubles on hand, and new ones accumulating, until it
was compelled to wind up. Mr. John McCauley was appointed the
attorney of the company to collect the assessments and pay the liabili
ties. Many members had to be sued, but finally enough was collected
to pay all, or nearly all, the indebtedness of the company.
The mutual plan is undoubtedly the best and mOst equitable system
of insurance, but the officers and agents must be the owners of two great
and indispensable requisites, viz: business qualifications and integrity.
THE FARMERS' MUTUAL RELIEF INSURANCE COMPANY OF SENECA COUNTY
Is not a Tiffin institution, but it holds its' meetings here. It was organ
ized in 1858 and reorganized and incorporated April 12, 18,78. It has
insured farm property to the amount of $2,500,000, paid all its losses,
and is out of debt, with funds on hand. 1
The present officers are:
President— R. R. Titus. 1
Vice-President; — J. W. Lawhead.
' Secretary— D. M. Neikirk. ,
Treasurer— Peter Hoefling.
All of whom are also Trustees, together with the following, viz.:
Ed. H. Swander, Clinton, Benoni Rohrer, Hopewell,
D. J. Neikirk, Venice, Levi Keiller, Jr., Reed,
James Lott, Liberty, Joseph Rhodes, Eden,
Madison Finch, Bloom, Thomas J. Whalen, London,
John Neikirk, Adams, Amos Decker, Thompson.
Its operations are confined to Seneca county alone.

342 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
TIFFIN MUTUAL AID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Was organized on the 23d of January, 1878.
President— W. P. Noble.
Vice-President— John Houck.
Treasurer— Ed. Jones.
Secretary and General Manager— A. L. Flack. .
Counselor— Andrew J. Brickner.
. Medical Examiner— Dr. E. J. McCollum.
The association has issued over one thousand policies, is in a flourish
ing condition and is very carefully conducted.
, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Seneca lodge No. 35 was instituted under its charter February 20th,
1845, by District Deputy Grand Master Joel Searles, of Columbus lodge
No. 9, assisted by S. H. Bradley, P. G., of Morning Star lodge No. 26,
Medina, Ohio. Applicants for the charter present were: H. G. W.
Cronise, R. R. McMeens, James Sivils, B. D. Chapman, T. H. Sheldon,
J. Oyler, who proceeded to elect the following officers, viz:
N. G.— T. H. Sheldon.
V. G.— B. D. Chapman.
Secretary— H. G. W. Cronise.
Treasurer— James Sivils.
Thereupon the officers were installed, and the following named per
sons were initiated, viz: John E. McCormack, N. Redd, W. P. Noble,
Rolla Johnson. Two hundred and eighty-nine persons have been
initiated in this lodge. '
Its present officers are:
. N, G.— H. J. Weller.
V. G.— P. G. Greis.
P. Secretary— Sharon C. Lamberson.
Treasurer— Samuel Strieker.
Trustees— Levi Weirick, D. C. Tunison, Sharon C. Lamberson.
Meets Monday nights. OAKLEY LODGE NUMBER 3 1 7.
Date of its charter, June 10, 1857.
The following were the charter members: F. Don Benham, John T.
Huss, J. W. Miller, L. M. Loomis, T. H. Bagley, T. W. Ourand, B.
Pennington, E. G. Bowe, John Poorman, John E. McCormack.
The first officers of the lodge were:
N. G.-J. T. Huss.
, V. G.-J. W. Miller.
Secretary— B. Pennington.
Treasurer— T. H. Bagley.

THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN. 343
The present officers are:
N. G.-S. A. Fast.
V. G.— Charles Ernst.
Secretary— B. Pennington.
Treasurer— S. Chamberlain.
Present number of members, ninety-eight; number of dormants,
seventy-eight. Messrs. E. G. Bowe, B. Pennington, and S. Chamberlain have been
•delegates to the grand lodge.
One remarkable circumstance connected with this lodge is the fact
that, Mr. B. Pennington has been its secretary from the beginning
now nearly twenty-three years.
Meets on Saturday evening.
HOBAH ENCAMPMENT NUMBER 19
Was instituted by Mark Taylor, Grand Patriarch, November 18, 1846.
The charter members were: H. G. W. Cronise, George Knupp, F. Don
Benham, L. M. Loomis, W. P. Noble, Richard Williams, Rolla John
son, John G. Breslin.
The first officers elected and installed the same evening were:
Chief Patriarch— H. G. W. Cronise.
.High Priest— F. Don Benham.
Senior Warden— George Knupp.
Junior Warden— John G. Breslin.
Scribe— Richard Williams.
Treasurer— Rolla Jorinson.
The present officers are:
Grand Rep.— Scudder Chamberlain.
District Deputy Grand Patriarch— J. W. Love.
Chief Patriarch— John Ernst.
High Priest— S. Chamberlain.
Senior Warden — Samuel Strieker.
Junior Warden— P. H. Greis.
Scribe— J. W., Love.
Treasurer— H. C. Spindler.
First Watch— Joseph Seechrist.
Second Watch— W. Cupp.
Third Watch— J. W. Gordon.
Fourth Watch— H. Guggenheim.
O. S:— H. J. Stolzenbach.
I. S.— William Fleming.
First G. of. T.— B. Zuit.
.Second G. of. T.— Aaron Kreader.
Present number of contributing members, forty-eight.
Meets- Friday night.

344 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Tiffin lodge No. 80, was organized January 12th, 1874, when the fol
lowing officers were installed by Mr. James A. Swpope, Grand Chan
cellor, viz:
Past Chancellor— C. J. Yingling.
Chancellor Commander— H. L. Steckel.
Vice Chancellor-^ jdmes Smith.
Prelate— A. M. Campbell.
Master of Exchequer— Ph. Emich.
Master of Finance— Harry Lutz.
Keeper of Record and Seal— C- J. Yingling.
Master of Arms— John Sohn.
Inner Guard— J. A. Flack.
Outer Guard — J. W. Love.
The lodge, numbers now sixty active members, and is in a flourishing
condition. The present officers are:
•Past Chancellor— O. P. Snyder.'
Chancellor Commander— E. W. Stevenson.
Vice Chancellor— U. Clary.
Prelate— A. M. Hart.
Master of Exchequer — O. P. Frees.
Master of Finance— James W. Love.
Master of Arms— W. S. Wineland.
Inner Guard — Ed. Fry.
Outer Guard— Oscar Fraley.
Meetings Tuesday night.
Grand lodge Knights of Pythias meets at Dayton May 24th, 25th and
:6th, 1880. KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Tiffin lodge No. 82 was chartered February 15th, 1875.
Its first officers were: , ¦
Dictator— Charles Martin.
Vice Dictator— Fred. K. Halderman.
Assistant Dictator— B. G. Atkins.
Reporter— G. K. Brown.
Treasurer— P. Scheib.
Chaplain  '¦  .
Guide— D. Y. Chapman.
Guardian  ¦ — .
Sentinel— C. C. Parks.
Present officers for 1880.
Dictator— J. A. Hall.
Vice Dictator— P. J. Wilson

THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN. , 345
Assistant Dictator— Fred. Nicolai.
Reporter— J. W. Chamberlain.
Treasurer— C. C. Parks.
Chaplain— J. W. Mendenhall.
Guide— B. G. Atkins.
Guardian— P. Scrieib..
Sentinel— Thomas Grandon.
Numbsr of members, twenty-five; number of past dictators, five, viz:
J. W. Chamberlain, Charles Martin, Fred. K. Holderman, B. G. Atkins,
W. H. Hall.
Meets at Druid Hall first and third Monday nights in each month.
ST. PATRICK'S TOTAL ABSTINENCE AND BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION
Was organized February ist, 1874, by Fr. Angelo, of the Passionist
Order of Missionaries, and has eighty-four members. ,
Its first officers were:
Spiritual Director— Rev. M. Healy.
President— C. J. M. Sullivan.
Vice-President— Ph. B. King.
Recording Secretary— J. A, Coonrod.
Corresponding Secretary— J. M. Arndt.
Treasurer— T. F. Walsh.
Marshal— William King.
The present officers are:
Spiritual Director— Rev. M. Healy.
President— J. A. Coonrod.
Vice-President— Thomas Fitz Morris.
Recording Secretary— F. F. Keller.
Corresponding Secretary— C. J. M. Sullivan.
Treasurer— T. F. Walsh. » .
Marshal— John T. King.
The state convention was held in Tiffin July 19, 1879, when some
thirty societies were represented. The national union, including the
abovp, numbers six hundred societies, with twenty thousand members.
Meets at Riverside hall first and third Sundays in each month.
F. AND A. MASONS— SANDUSKY LODGE NUMBER 77
Was organized at Tiffin October 19, 1842, with the following charter
members, viz: Rufus W. Reid, Charles F. Dresbach, Uriah P. Coon
rad, Joseph Walker, E. Dresbach, Robert Crum, Agreen Ingraham,
Israel Bentley, Samuel Mitchell, John Baugher, Henry Kuhn, Evan
Dorsey, Thadeus Wilson, Vincent Bell.
TIFFIN LODGE NUMBER 320
Was organized April 5 th, 1858, with the following charter members,
viz: F. Don Benham, William Gallup, James Pelan, John G. Kennedy,

346 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
E. B. Searles, Robert Crum, H. C. Spindler, W. P. Noble, L. A. Hall,
E. W. Reeme, Leander Stern, and continued to exist as Tiffin lodge
until October 16th, 1866, when the two lodges were consolidated. under
the name of Tiffin lodge No. 77.
The following brethren served as officers in Sandusky lodge No. 77
from the date of its charter until the present writing (April 20, 1880),
as follows:
W. M.:
R. W. Reid, from 1842 to 1849 inclusive.
Robert Crum, from 1850 to 1853 inclusive.
J. E. McCormack, from 1858 to 1861 inclusive.
Henry Kuhn, from 1862 to 1863 inclusive.
C, C. Park, from 1864 to 1868 inclusive.
A. H. Byers, from 1869 to 1871 inclusive.
G. K. Brown, from 1872 to 1873 inclusive.
J. P. Kuniaman, from 1874 to 1876 inclusive.
J. W. Chamberlain, from 1877 to 1878 inclusive.
D. Y. Chapman, from 1879 to 1880 inclusive.
Secretaries:
Joseph Walker, 1842.
F. W. Green, from 1843 to 1847 inclusive.
G. J. Keen, 1848.
H. W. Owen, 1849.
J. P. Pillars, 1850.
T. C. Tunison, 1851.
R. Williams, 1852.
G. E. Seney, 1853.
James Pelan, 1854.
J. G. Kennedy, 1855.
George H. Heming, 1856.
J. M. Stevens, 1857.
M. H. Church, 1858.
J. D, Arndt, 1859.
L. M. Loomis, from 1860 to 1863 inclusive.
J. G. Gross, from 1864 to 1867 inclusive.
Charles Martin, from 1868 to 1870 inclusive.
J. H. Frost, 1869.
B. G. Atkins, from 1871 to 1875 inclusive, and 1878.
N. N. Speilman, from 1876 to 1877 inclusive.
J. E. McCormack, from 1879 to 1880 inclusive.
TIFFIN LODGE NUMBER 3 20.
W. M.:
Robert Crum, from 1858 to 1860 inclusive.
D. F. DeWolf, from 1861 to 1863 inclusive.
A. T. Barnes, from 1864 to 1865 inclusive.
F. E. Franklin, 1866.

THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN. 347
Secretaries:
F. D. Benham, 1858.
J. G. Kennedy, 1859.
E. W. Reeme, 1860.
L. Adams, 1861.
A. T. Barnes, 1862.
C. Cronise, 1865.
R. Lysle, 1864 and 1865.
' G. F. Hertzer, 1866.
SENECA CHAPTER ''NUMBER 42, R. A.. M.,
Was organized February 7th, 1849, by Jacob Groff, M. E. G. H. P.,
with the following charter members, viz: John J. Steiner, R. W. Reid,
Alexander Smith, Joseph McCutchen, Agreen Ingraham, Abner Root,
Henry Kuhn, Robert Crum, Peter Vannest.
High Priests:
R. W. Reid, 1849.
F. W. Green, 1850 and 1851.
C. K. Watson, from 1852 to 1854, and from 1866 to 1869 inclusive.
H. Kuhn, 1855, 1857, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1863.
Robert Crum, 1856.
J. E. McCormack, 1859.
G. W. Sampson, 1865.
C. C. Park, 1870, 1871, and 1872.
J. W. Chamberlain, 1873, 1874, and 1875.
C. D. Davis, 1876 and 1877.
J. P. Kinnaman, 1878 and 1879.
Charles Martin, 1880.
Secretaries:
J. S. Barber, 1850.
H. D. Crum, 1851.
H. W. Owen, 1852.
T. W. Boyee, 1853 and 1854.
N. R. Kuntz, 1855., '
H. Noble, 1856.
J. E. McCormack, 1860.
G. W. Sampson, 1862 and 1863.
J. G. Gross, 1865, 1866, and 1867.
.Charles Martin, 1868, 1869, and 1870.
J. H. Frost, 1871 and 1872.
J. M. Stevens, 1873, 1874, and 1875.
James Smith, 1876, 1877, 1878, and 1879.
R. Lysle, 1880.
CLINTON COUNCIL NUMBER 47, ROYAL AND SELECT MASONS,
Was organized April 9th, 1867, with the following charter members, viz:
C. K. Watson, C. C. Park, G. K. Brown, Charles Martin, J. F.

348 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Marquardt, A. H. Byers, J. G. Gross, Jonathan Smith, Peter Vannest,
Evan Dorsey, H. H. Souder.
T. I. Masons:
C. K. Watson, 1867 and 1868.
C. C. Park, 1869 and 1880.
A. H. Byers, 1870 and 1871.
Charles Martin, from 1872 to 1879 inclusive.
Recorders :
G. K. Brown, from 1867 to 1872, and from 1875 to 1876 inclusive.
J. M. Stevens, 1873 and 1874.
J. W. Chamberlain, 1877, 1878,, 1779, and 1880.
DE MOLAY COMMANDERY NUMBER 9, KNIGHTS TEMPLARS,
Was organized at Republic August ioth, 1848, with the following char
ter members, viz: Josiah Roop, John P. Worstell, H. Benton, Ptatt
Benedict, Daniel Watersons, Daniel Brown, Hiram Humphrey, M. V.
Bogart, Edward Winthrop, H.- L. Harris.
It remained at Republic until February 24th, 1869, when the first
meeting was held at Tiffin, where it has remained ever since.
Eminent Commanders:
Edward Winthrop, from 1848 to 1851 inclusive.
Piatt Benedict, from 1853 to 1857 inclusive.
M. V. Bogart, from 1858 to 1864 inclusive.
H. Bromley, from 1865 to 1870 inclusive.
J. W. Chamberlain, 1871, 1872, 1876, 1877, 1878, and 1880.
, C. C. Park, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1879.
Recorders:
H. P. Benton, 1848 and 1849.
E. T. Stickney, from 1850 to 1854, and from 1866 to 1867.
J. S. Smith, 1855.
H. Bromley, from 1856 to 1864 inclusive.
D. M. Neikirk, from 1868 to 1872 inclusive.
J. M.. Stevens, from 1873 to 1875. '
R. Lysle, 1879 and 1880.
.All these Masonic bodies meet at Masonic hall, in the third story, of
Gross's block, corner Perry and Washington.
Stated meetings are held as follows:
Tiffin LodgeNo. 77 — First and third Tuesday evenings of each month.
Seneca Chapter No. 42 — First Friday of each month.
Clinton Council No. 47 — Second Monday evening of each month.
De Molay Commandery No. 9 — Fourth Wednesday evening of each
month. i
ST. JOHN'S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
Was organized March 28th, 1868, by Michael Kirchner, John Houck

THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN. 349
4
and Paul Vallmer, who called the first meeting. The first officers were:
President (from 1868 to 1878)— M. Kirchner.
Vice-President— A. J. Brickner.
Secretary — George Spies.
Treasurer — Anton Knebler.
The present officers are:
President— Francis Wagner.
Vice-President— John Ehrenfried.
Corresponding Secretary— W. Steltzer.
Financial Secretary— Philbert Houck.
Treasurer— Louis Ulrich.
Directors— A. J. Brickner, John Ewald, Peter Bonnuth.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, NUMBER I.
Organized June ioth, 1876, with the following named gentlemen, who
were the first officers, viz:
County Delegate— John K. Bresnin. .
President^John Lyons.
Vice-President— T. T. Collins.
Recording Secretary— William Burke.
Financial Secretary— James Blake.
Treasurer — William Colthurst.
Present officers:
County Delegate— James Blake.
President^T. T. Collins.
Vice-President— James Whalen.
Recording Secretary— William Burke.
Financial Secretary— John Dore.
Treasurer— Michael Coughlin.
UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.
This is a German institution exclusively. It was organized on the
29th of April, 1859. The charter members were: .Jacob Zimmer,
Leopold Rose, J. C. Spindler, William Wolf, Philip Scheib, G. A. Lau-
, termilch, Guenther Herzer, Benjamin Schimmes.
These eight men met with much difficulty in getting a lodge on foot,
and conquering the prejudices so common against secret benevolent
societies. Soon after the organization Jacob Zimmer, one of the best
members, died, and the institution decreased to but five members, and
seemed to approach dissolution. But by perseverance and patient en
durance, the order here increased to sixty members. Of this number
some have died and others moved away, so that there are now but forty
active members left. Much has been done, however, during the twenty-
one years last past to dry human tears and afford relief in time of need.

., 35° HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The present officers are:
Grand Officers— George A. Lautermilch, D. D. G. A.
Representative— Joseph Meyer.
Officers of Humbolt Grove No. 15, U. A. O. D.:
N. A.— Christ. Trothe.
W. A. — Frederick Schrikel.
Secretary— Charles Yung.
Treasurer— J. U. Mceshinger.
Inner Guard— August Dressel.
Outer Guard— Mathias Pfeifer.
Trustees— Balthasar Waelfling, Henry Lemp, John Reif .

CHAPTER XXII.
THE BENCH AND BAR.

WHEN the Hon. Ebenezer Lane was president judge and lived
in Norwalk, his circuit embraced the entire northwestern
portion of Ohio, including Huron, which extended north to Lake Erie,
The first court was held in Tiffin, on the 12th day of April, 1824.
Present: E. Lane, President Judge; William Cornell, Jacques Hul
burt, Matthew Clark, Associate Judges; Neal McGaffey, Clerk; Agreen
Ingraham, Sheriff.
Under the old constitution of Ohio clerks of the supreme and circuit
court were appointed by the judges thereof. The judges themselves
were elected by the legislature for seven years.
The first lawyer who settled in Fort Ball was Mr. R. Dickinson, a
sketch of whose life appears elsewhere. Mr. A. Rawson was the second
lawyer who made his home here. Mr. Dickinson remained but a short
time in Tiffin, from whence he moved to Lower Sandusky. Mr. Raw-
son remained here the rest of his life.
The first session of the supreme court began here on the 28th day of
July, 1826, before Jacob Burnett and Charles R. Sherman, supreme
judges. The next term was held by Judges Calvin Pease and Charles
R. Sherman.
The judges holding these courts generally traveled their circuits on
horseback, and the pioneer lawyers traveled with them in the same
manner; all with large saddle-bags on their saddles, with law-books
and briefs, etc., in one end and refreshments in the other. Among the
foreign lawyers who attended court here at that time were many dis
tinguished gentlemen of marked character. Andrew Coffinberry, John
C. Spink, John M. May, O. Parish, Frank Parish, James. Purdy, were
all able and distinguished lawyers. There was also Charles Olcott, and
later came Charles, L. Bolt, Ezra Stone, Mr. Beecher and others. My
venerable old friend, Mr. James Purdy, of Mansfield, is the only sur
vivor of all, these foreign lawyers. He has promised to send a sketch

352

HISTORY Ot SENECA COUNTY.

of his early recollections of frontier practice, but said in a note of the
10th of February, 1880, to the writer: "At the age of 87 my memory
is not retentive, but I will comply with your request as best I can in
due time; at present my whole time is occupied with business.
J. PURDY."
The record of the lives of .these gentlemen, their practice, and inci
dents connected therewith, the scenes they , participated in, and the
events that transpired in their time would make a highly interesting
book, and the writer had intended to write out sketches of some of
them, but to keep this book within the limits marked out for it, he
must abstain. I will say, however, that Mr. Coffinberry (Count .Coffin-
berry as he was familiarly called) was the most remarkable figure of
them all. In appearance he was the very image of Oliver Goldsmith.
He had large features and a very striking appearance; he shaved
smooth and his face carried a smile mixed with' sarcasm. He was
learned and witty, a good historian and exceedingly entertaining n
conversation. He was a natural poet and published one of his poems
called " The Forest Ranger " in book form. Selah Cha!pin settled here
in the law practice at an early day; also Mr. Curtis Bates and Mr.
Joshua Seney, Sidney Smith, William W. Culver, John J. Steiner and
others. John K. Gibson, a promising young man, and older brother
o General Gibson, was the first law student in Mr. Rawson's office in
Tiffin. He died before he was admitted to practice.
The writer became associated with the profession when he com-
menced reading law in Tiffin, in 1840, and having, for forty years, been
in daily intercourse with legal gentlemen, and amongst whom he counts
his warmest and best friends, it would be a very great pleasure to re
member them all and make a pen-picture of eacri one; but for the ,
reasons already assigned a few only are sketched to any length.
During a number of years, when Judge Lane and Judge Reuben
Wood were on the supreme bench together, they took for. their part of
th e work the northwestern part of Ohio. They formed a wonderful
c ontrast on the bench. Judge Lane was a very short, compactly built
man; was near-sighted, had small black eyes, wore spectacles, had
black hair, which he brushed straight down over his 'forehead, and
when he read he held the book or paper close to his nose. He was a
rapid talker and exceedingly active. Judge Wood was a, six footer;
v ery straight; had large forehead, light brown hair, brushed over to
the right side; had large blue eyes, a large fleshy nose, clenched lips,
. deep and sonorous voice; spoke slowly and very impressively; thus they
formed a striking contrast in their personal appearance on the bench.

THE BENCH AND BAR. 353,
They were both on trie bench in Lower Sandusky, on the 25th of July,.
1842, when Judge Lane administered the oath to the writer, admitting
him to practice law. These two judges seemed to have their work
divided by the decisions they delivered. Judge Wood decided all or
nearly all the criminal matters, while Judge Lane decided chancery
cases, as a general thing. There was a certain degree of awe, import
ance and dignity attached to the bench in those days, that has van
ished, to a very great extent, since the judges are elected by the people,,
and the office "has become, at least, quasi-political.
The Hon. David Higgins succeeded Judge Lane on the common pleas:
bench and his jurisdiction at first extended all over the northwest of
Ohio. He was succeeded by the Hon. Ozias Bowen, of Marion, who.
held his first court in Tiffin, on the 2d of April, 1838. His judicial'
district was then composed of the counties of Marion, Crawford, Huron,,
$eneca, Sandusky, Erie, and later, Wyandot.
Judge Bowen's time expired with the old constitution.
The first legislature under the new and present constitution, whicri
divided the state into judicial districts, fixed upon nine as the number
and .designated them. These were then divided into five judicial cir
cuits, the following counties constituting the first circuit, viz: Butler,.
Preble, Darke, Montgomery, Miami, Champaign, Warren, Clinton,,
Greene, Clark, Shelby, Auglaize, Allen, Hardin, Logan, Union, Marion,,,
Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam, Paulding, Defiance, Williams, Henry,.
Fulton, Wood, Seneca, Hancock, Wyandot and Crawford. • The five,
circuits made one for each supreme judge. Some fourteen years there
after the supreme judges were by law excused from attending upon the
circuits. In 1853 the nine judicial districts were again, changed and Seneca,
was put into the third subdivision, of the third judicial district. This
third sub-division was composed of the- counties of Wood, ' Seneca,.
Hancock, Wyandot and Crawford. L. W. Hall was the first judge
elected under the new constitution in this sub-division. The regular
succession of judges hitherto is as follows: Hall, Whitely, Mott, Jack
son, Beer. The following are the additional judges elected in the
following order, viz: Plants, Seney, Pillars, Dodge, McCauley. The
legislature changed the sub-district and the succession of the judges as
follows: On the 17th day of April, 1857, an act was passed providing for an
election of an additional judge for the third sub-division of the third
judicial district, composed of the counties of Seneca, Crawford, Wyan
dot, Hancock and Wood, and in the fall of the same year George E.
23

354 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Seney was elected judge,' and about the time his term expired, the
legislature changed the district.
On the 8th of April, 1858, an act was passed creating trie tenth judi
cial district and changing the sub-division,- of which Seneca was a part.
By this act the tenth judicial district was composed of the counties of
Lucas, Wood, Seneca, Crawford, Hancock, Wyandot and Putnam.
The counties of Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot were* made the third
division. Four days thereafter another act was passed attaching Lucas
to the fourth district and making Seneca county the first sub-division
of the tenth district, Wyandot and Crawford the second and Hancock,
Wood and Putnam the third sub-division, leaving Judge Seney in this
county, Seneca being then a sub-division.
Judge Whitely's time expired in 1861 and he was re-elected in the
then third sub-division. Josiah S. Plants was elected in the second
sub-division in the fall of 1858. In the fall of 1863, Judge Plants, while
out in Indiana hunting prairie chickens, was mortally wounded by the
accidental discharge of a gun. He was brought home to die; and
Ohio lost one of her brightest, best and most promising young men.
. Judge Plant's term had nearly expired when he died. Nobody was
appointed to fill his place.
In the fall of 1862, and shortly before the expiration of his term of
, office, Judge Seney went to war with the 101st regiment O. V. I. as its ^
quartermaster. On the ist day of May, 1862, another act was passed abolishing the
tenth distriat and re-organizing the third district thus, viz: first sub
division, Logan, Union, Marion; second sub-division, Auglaize, Allen,
Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam; third sub-division, Paulding, Defiance,
Williams, Fulton, Henry and Wood; fourth sub-division, Seneca, Han
cock, Wyandot, Crawford.
Under this act Whitely remained in this fourth sub-division, and
Plants also, up to his death; so that now, and under this act, Whitely,
Metcalf, Latta,' Lawrence and Plants were the judges in 1863,- Whitely
serving in the second term.
This last named act provides for an election to be' held in this
fourth sub-division for a judge in 1866. At this time Judge Whitely's
term expired, and Chester R. Mott was elected. He was succeeded by
A. M. Jackson, who resigned his office, and Thomas Beer was appoint
ed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term of Jackson, and at the
expiration of that time (1876) was elected and is on the bench now.
So far we have traced the time of the election of the judges in regular
succession.

^ * by Geo.E Fen** &*

Let us always aeek and abide flie right, leaving
consequences to the dispensations of Providence"

^7~*^-£^_

Gt^e^/-#~-rx^

THE BENCH AND BAR'. 355
On the 21st of February, 1868, another act was passed adding the
county of Marion to this fourth sub-division and authorizing the elec
tion, of an additional judge therein at the April election, 1868. James
Pillars was elected judge under this act; re-elected in 1873, and was
succeeded by Judge H. H. Dodge in 1877.
To recapitulate in short: Hall was elected in 185 1, Whitely in 1856
re-elected in 1861; Seney in 1857 and Plants in 1858; Mott in 1866
Jackson in 1871; Beer in 1876; Pillars in 1868, re-elected in 1873
Dodge in 1877; McCauley in 1879.
' On the 7th day of June, 1879, the "combined wisdom of Ohio" passed
an act establishing a new district, number tep, again, and to be com
posed of trie counties of Wood, Hancock, Seneca and Hardin, to be
the first sub-division; Crawford, Marion and Wyandot to be the second
sub-division, and Union and Logan to be the third sub-division of the
tenth district. The act authorized an election of a judge in the first
sub-division, and in October, 1879, John McCauley, of Tiffin, was
elected under this act the first judge of $ie new sub-division.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
An individual of low extraction, without notable excellence or ances
tral distinction,: may, by rashness ,or the caprice of fortune, ga^n mag
nificent achievements and temporarily acquire ari eminent position in
society. His success, like the transit of a comet, may dazzle the vision
by the'rapidity and intensity of its brilliancy; and yet, leave little or
no durable impress for the gratification of his descendants or the social
advancement of mankind. Such history is generally exceptional, and
constitutes' no reliable basis for progressive imitation. But when an
individual of humble origin, and perhaps the subject of some perma
nent bodily infirmity, without the prestige of wealth or influential rela
tives, by patient toil against long continued adversity, secures the
esteem and confidence of the community around him, it is quite
natural to seek the co-operatives whjch have produced these auspicious
results. In whatever sphere*1 he^ may have moved or whatever may
have been his vocation, whether elevated or fowly and unpretentious,
it will generally appear ihaf 'he^'has" beeri true-to' its requirements. At
all evepts, the examplejvillbe impressjve -and .instructive.
Again, where under the| influence-, of free institutions, like those of
the United States, inducements for "success and social progress are
open to all, the hopeful expectation of future respectability, if not of
eminence, will naturally invite every considerate, ambitious young man
to prepare himself for and seek some honorable occupation and com-

356 HISTORY OF- SENECA COUNTY.
mendable position in society and the attainment of moral, intellectual;
and religious habits. He-early appreciates the necessity of self-reli
ance and self-exertion, assured that a praiseworthy notoriety and an
' approving conscience can be acquired and perpetuated only by secur
ing the respect and confidence of the good. Therefore, stimulated by
a laudablcambition, and hopeful of success, he cheerfully . combats
adversity, and ultimately acquires and retains the good opinion of the
community, the basis of his usefulness and goal of his ambition.
Influenced by the tenacity of his purposes and stimulated by his
example, others, and especially his descendants, will be naturally, and
yet, perhaps, unconsciously, induced to eschew the illusions of evil on
the one hand, and cultivate, on the other, with patient assiduity, the
love and practice of virtue as the only thornless pathway to happiness,
distinction and success. LIFE OF ABEL RAWSON.
[Abridged from notes written by himself.]
Abel Rawson was born at Warwick, Massachusetts, May 11, 1798: the'
third son of Lemuel Rawson and Sarah Barrus, who were married Septem
ber 8, 1791. Abel was a lineal descendant of the sixth generation from
Edward Rawson, who emigrated from England as early as 1637, and acted
as secretary of the colony of Massachusetts Bay from May, 1650 to 1686.
When less trian four years old he was seized with fever followed by disease
of the tibia of the left leg, which, after years of intense suffering, resulted in
the loss of the bone and deformity of the ankle and foot which ever after-?
wards remained.
At the age of sixteen, the crippled son was advised to secure sufficient
education to prepare himself for a teacher. The parents could give their
children a common school education, but, as Abel inclined to the legal pro
fession, they agreed to furnish him With such clothing as could be manu
factured in the family, while he must earn trie expense required for tuition
and board at the academy or at college and to obtain his profession,'
The offer made by his parents was accepted by Abel, and he resumed his
place in New Salem Academy, and during two or more ensuing years taught
school in the winters for educational support.
Thereupon he was admitted to the Dartmouth University, at Hanover,
New Hampshire, and rernained until the middle of his junior year, when
the decision of the " Dartmouth College case, "by the United States supreme
court, in February, 1819, closed the institution.
In view of these adverse circumstances, Mr. Rawson decided to enter upon
his legal studies, and during two years remained with Messrs. Gregg and
Smith, at New Salem, Massachusetts, but completed his course with S. C.
Allen and John Nevers, of Northfield, in 1822. He was examined in May?
1823, and admitted to the bar at the term of court in August following, and
during trie fall and winter of 1823-4 opened an office at New Salem.
March 24, 1824, Mr. Rawson took the stage eoach for Albany and thence
to Buffalo, New York, being six days and nights on the road. He came to

THE BENCH AND BAR. 357
Newberry, Geauga county, Ohio, and soon after went to Steubeiiville, but-
met with disappointment and returned to Newberry. He taught school for
several months in Dover, Wayne county, Ohio, and in November, 1824,
rempved to Norwalk, in Huron county, where he taught school during the
ensuing winter, and in March, 1825, obtained employment in the clerk's office.
At the August term of the supreme court, in 1825, he was admitted to the
bar, the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey being chairman of the examining com-.
mittee. In June, 1825, Mr. Rawson visited Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, for the first
time. He passed through Bellevue, where stood but a single cabin, and thence
through a dense forest toffiffln. The ¦ territory was then occupied by trie
Seneca tribe of Indians.
Tiffin consisted of about a dozen families dwelling in rude cabins. The
timber had been mostly removed on Washington street, south from the
Sandusky river to Market street. There was no hotel in Tiffin, so Mr. Raw-
son forded the river and stopped at a tavern kept by one Elisha Smith, at
Fort Ball, where he remained over one day.
Seneca county could give then but 300 votes. Tiffin had abundant water
power, unimproved except by a primitive grist and saw mill, erected by
Josiah Hedges, and everything appeared prospective and disheartening fo
aspirations for even the current expenses of Mr. Rawson.
He returned to Norwalk unassured, and finally went to a brother in Rich
field, now in Summit county, in September, 1825.
After a crisis of mental anxiety, he started again for Seneca county, in
February, 1826, and on the 15th he arrived in Fort Ball with less than ten
dollars in money and a law library of the first volume of Swift's Digest and
of Chitty's Pleading.
He opened an office in a small brick building, 14x16 feet and one story
high, and still (1880) standing on the west side of Sandusky street, in the -
second ward of Tiffin, being the first brick building erected in the county,
and also occupied by Dr. Eli Dresbach.
At the May term of the court of common pleas, May 5th, 1826, Mr. Rawson
was appointed prosecuting attorney, to succeed Rodolphus Dickinson, in
which position he was retained until October, 1833. During eight or ten
years after Mr. Rawson opened his office, the president judge and members
of the bar were entertained at Port Ball for want of accommodations at
Tiffin, and twenty-four to twenty-five attorneys from Columbus, Marion,
Delaware, Mansfield, Norwalk, Sandusky City and Lower Sandusky (now
Fremont) made frequent excursions in attendance upon court at Tiffin,
attended by privation and exposure which, now appears incredible.
About this time Port Ball and Tiffin were bitterly contesting the question
of the county seat, and many law suits were brought against Josiah Hedges,
the proprietor of Tiffin, in regard to the extent of his right to the bed of the
Sandusky river. Mr. Rawson was urged to take part in this litigation but
declined, and finally the suits died away.
During 1828 Mr. Hedges retained Mr. Rawson to manage his legal business,
which agreement continued nearly twenty years.
In March, 1828, Mr. Rawson was appointed by Piatt Brush his deputy to

358 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
take charge of the United States land office for the Delaware district about to
be removed to Tifiin. There was no bridge across the Sandusky river, and
in April, 1828, Mr. Rawson left Port Ball and opened his law office in Tiffin.
Mr. Rawson was then postmaster at Port Ball, and Milton McNeal his
deputy. During a temporary absence of Mr. Rawson, one Neal McGaffey
made an attempt to have him removedTor the reason that Mr. Rawson's
office was in Tiffin, which place was supplied from Port Ball, and the high
way and mail route from Columbus to Lower -Sandusky (Fremont) was on
the west side of the river. After, many shameless expedients , made by
McGaffey, John McLean, then postmaster-general, informed Mr. Rawson
tbat lie should be no more annoyed. Soon after McGaffey was dismissed
from the offices of clerk and of recorder by the court of common pleas, and
Joseph Howard .was appointed their clerk, and Mr. Rawson recorder.
September 28, 1828, Mr. Rawson was married to Miss Sarah Ann Clark,
at Royalton, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and they returned to Tiffin about the
middle of October following. Miss Clark was born February 14, 1806, at
Hancock, in Addison county, Vermont. She riad been well educated, but
was mainly dependent upon tier own exertions for support. This union
contributed largely to the assistance and happiness of Mr. Rawson.
• Governor McArthur issued his commission to Mr. Rawson, dated June
12, 1832, as notary public for three years, but he declined to qualify. At that
period he rose at or before 5 o'clock in the morning, chopped his own wood
before breakfast, which was at 6 o'clock, and also prepared fuel for his office.
Amid other cares, Mr. Rawson acted as school examiner for more than ten
years, without compensation.
In the spring of 1834 Joseph Howard resigned his offices of clerk of the
supreme court and court of common pleas, and a certificate for those offices
was issued to Mr. Rawson from Judges Wright, Lane and Collett, of the
supreme court, dated April 24th, 1834, with that of trie court of common
pleas, but he declined, and in union with others recommended Luther' A.
Hall, a young man well qualified, who succeeded to the office and held it
with credit during trie ensuing seven years.
March 4th, 1828, congress granted 500,000 acres of land in Ohio to aid in
the construction of her canals. February 12th, 1829, one land office .was lo
cated at Tiffin, and on December 19th, 1830, Mr. Rawson was- appointed reg
ister by joint resolution of the legislature, which position he retained more
than six years.
The office was removed to Maumee City in the spring of 1837, and John
Brough (since governor) was elected receiver. Mr. Rawson was reappointed
register by Governor Vance, and commissioned April 15th, 1837, but de
clined. January 5th, 1832, the Mad River and Lake Erie railroad company was in
corporated by the legislature of Ohio, and in the following spring the com
pany was organized and Josiah Hedges elected one of its directors. The
road was constructed to Bellevue prior to 1836, but then suspended until
1839. Meantime the depot was established in Fort Ball, which aroused
severe vituperation against Mr. Hedges, a director, and Mr. Rawson, the
attorney for the road, and led to several suits at law before the excitement
abated.

I THE BENCH AND BAR. 359
January 11th, 1836, Mr. Rawson was re-appointed recorder until the next
annual election. Contrary to his wishes, he permitted the announcement of
his name as an independent candidate for recorder, but which he had cause
to regret, since it was the means adopted by Joseph Howard for his own
election to the state senate. The election was held October 11th, 1836,
wherein Mr. Howard was defeated; Mr. Rawson received 684 votes; Marcus
Y.'Groff, the Whig nominee, received 236 votes; Daniel Dildine, Jr., the
Democratic nominee, received 592 votes, and Gabriel Keen, a Democrat, but
independent candidate, received 150 votes, leaving Mr. Rawson elected by a
plurality of ninety-two votes.
In the spring of 1834, Mr. Rawson purchased the Seneca Patriot, an old
printing establishment, in aid of his brother Alonzo, who, for the ensuing
two years, published the Independent Chronicle, of which the first number
was issued April 26th, 1834. l
The autumn of 1836 and the year 1837 witnessed an unprecedented
monetary pressure and crisis which prevailed through several years. The
reputation of Mr. Rawson insured him an immense amount of business,
which extended to almost every Atlantic city from Bangor to New Orleans,
and convinced him of trie necessity of a partner. Early in 1838 he took
Manly Chapin into partnership, which lasted two years. Robert G. Penn
ington succeeded Mr. Chapin, and continued as partner until Mr. Rawson
retired from business.
Prior to 1842- several young men had studied law under the tuition of Mr.
Rawson; John P. Connell, R. G. Pennington, W. H. Gibson, Warren P.
Noble, and afterwards, Edson Goit, Frederick Lord, Luther A. Hall, John
K. Gibson with others.
In the spring of 1844 Mr. Rawson felt the necessity of relaxation, and, at
trie Whig convention held at Baltimore May 4th, 1844, which nominated
Henry Clay and Mr. Frelinghuysen, was delegate from the 9th district of
Ohio; and in the same year was nominated for congress, but after an excited
contest was defeated.
April 19th, 1847, Samuel Waggoner, Alfred Johnson, Benjamin Tomb,
R. G. Pennington, with others, prepared their certificate for trie Seneca
county branch of the State Bank of Ohio, to be located at Tiffin, with a cap
ital of $100,000, and recorded May 4th, 1847, in Seneca county records.
June 26th, 1847, Rezin W. Shawhan, A. Tuller, W. N. Montgomery, Jesse
Stern, R. M. Shoemaker, and others, prepared their certificate for the Bank
of Tiffin as a branch of the State Bank of Oriio, and recorded June 28tri, 1847.
These proceedings led to an unenvious strife, in which Mr. Rawson was un
wittingly implicated.
July 12th, 1847, the application for the Sene.ca county branch was with
drawn, and a certificate recorded July 15th, 1847, for the Seneca County Bank
of Tiffin, witri a capital of $50,000, as an independent bank.
This was followed July 20th, 1847, by similar action on the part of the
Bank of Tiffin, as an independent bank, with a capital of $100,000.
August 2d, 1847, the stock of trie Seneca County Bank of Tiffin was in
creased to $100,000, which was followed August 7th by an increase in the
stock of the Bank of Tiffin to $120,000.
Mr. Rawson was substituted for Hon. E. Lane as bank examiner, July

360 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
16th, 1847, without his knowledge, which led to violent opposition and an
attempt was made to impeach, his report by the Bank of Tiffin.
The final result fully sustained Mr. Rawsori, and the Seneca County Bank
of Tiffin was chartered August 9th, 1847.
1 February 8th, 1848, B. Tomb resigned as president and Mr. Rawson was
appointed to fill the vacancy, but on May25th, 1848, he also resigned.
The death of an only daughter, Aurima' H., February 10th, 1848, was a
severe blow to an invalid mother, and on June 6th, 1849, Mrs. Rawson sud
denly expired-
Thereupon Mr. Rawson abandoned his profession, and for several years
devoted himself to out-door pursuits and the improvement of real estate.
In 1850 Mr. Rawson consented to become a candidate as a member for
Seneca county of the convention to revise the state constitution, the election
being on the first day of April. Excepting a printed address, Mr. Rawson
took little interest in the canvass, and was defeated by E. T. Stickney with
a majority of eighty-two votes.
In October, 1851, his name was used in the canvass for state senate during
his absence in Iowa, of which, with his defeat, he was ignorant until his re
turn; and also, in 1858, he was urged to accept the nomination for judge of
common pleas, and in 1860 that for state senate, both of which he declined.
During this period Mr. Rawson devoted much of his time to closing pro
fessional business, and also to the education of his two sons, Allen A. and
Homer C. Rawson, both of whom graduated at Rush Medical College, in
Chicago, Illinois, in the spring of 1855, . and in' the following autumn and
spring, settled in Adams county, Iowa, where they still reside (1880).
September 25th, 1856, Mr. Rawson married Mrs. Maria McNeal, widow of
Milton McNeal, who had died in September, 1834, with whom he afterwards
enjoyed domestic quiet in declining years.
Especially during trie last triree or four years of riis life did Mr. Rawson
feel that his physical nature was yielding to the infirmities of age. This did
not interfere with his cheerful recollections of the past^ and regard for the
friendly ties of the present, nOr with his bright view of futurity. Conscious
of a life of integrity and of honor, he said: " Let us always seek and abide
the right, leaving consequences to the dispensations of Providence."
As the evening of Thursday, August 24th, 1871, was drawing a life of sev-
'enty-three years to a close, peacefully and gently the soul of Abel Rawson
departed to the endless visions of eternity.
JOSHUA SENEY.
James Nicholson was a commodore of the United States navy in 1775,
when he had command of the Trumbull, a frigate of thrity guns, and
fought in her an action with the British man-of-war Wyatt, which, next
to that of Paul Jones, with the Serapis, was the most desperate of the
war. Eighteen members of the Nicholson family served in the navy
of the United States. Commodore Nicholson had four daughters, who
were all famous for their beauty and their accomplishments in both
Washington and New York societies. Mr. Albert Gallatin, while a

THE BENCH AND BAR. 361
member of congress, married one of the girls; the second daughter be
came the wife of Colonel Few, the first senator from Georgia; the
third married John Montgomery, a member of Congress from Maryland
ahd mayor of Baltimore. Frances married Joshua Seney, a member of
congress from Maryland also. This Seney family had two sons: Joshua
was born November 20, 1793, in New York city, where he was raised
and educated. He was a graduate of Columbia College and the Uni
versity Law Scjiool. Before he entered upon the practice of law he
was the private secretary of his uncle, Albert Gallatin- (who in his day
filled so conspicuous a place in the public esteem), for more than one
year in Washington, where he mingled with the, first men of the coun
try who frequented the house of his -uncle, and ( grandfather,
Nicholson. At a visit to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he made the acquaintance of
his wife, as noticed in a sketch of her life. He then practiced law in
Uniontown ten years, when in 1831 he moved with his family to Tiffin,
where he spent the rest of his days, and raised a large and highly re
spectable family.
Mr. Seney was one of the pioneer lawyers of Tiffin, and if his indus
try had been equal to his capacity, he would have been very successful
as a practitioner. He had a natural aversion to anything that looked
like labor. He was all politician, however, and. a more shrewd, more
calculating and far-seeing politician than Mr. Seney, Seneca county
never had in any party. He was not selfish, nor sought office for him
self. Wheq, ne liked a person that aspired to office, he would do all in
his power to aid him. He was severe on a political opponent. He
enjoyed political agitations. Raised in the lap of wealth and luxury, he
knew nothing about labor nor the value of money. He had very little
taste for or appreciation of the practical part of life. His language was
chaste and' polished; but his manners were peculiarly his own. He
often would pass his best friends on the street without noticing them;
when at other times he was affable and friendly to everybody. He was
perfectly at home in an office, 'however, and discharged every trust with
ability and fidelity. He was clerk of the supreme court and treasurer
of Seneca county. In 1840 he was one of the electors on the Demo
cratic ticket of Ohio.
He wrote the finest hand of any lawyer that ever lived in Tiffin, and
his records shame every clerk that has succeeded him. Mr. Seney was
of medium height, but somewhat corpulent and compactly built. He
had a large, well developed head, an ,expressive countenance, a pierc
ing black eye, and a pleasant voice. He had the smallest hand of any

362 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
man of his size that ever was known, and it was noticed by everybody
that saw him. i
During the last few years of his life he had several attacks of heart
disease thaf troubled him for a short time. One night he got out of
bed, walked to the window and opened it, to le*t. fresh air into the room,
and, returning towards the bed, fell dead on the floor.
This was on the night following the 10th day of February, 1854. Mr.
Seney was fifty-nine years, two months and ten days old when he died.
His three sons are lawyers of note: George E. Seney and Joshua
Seney, the former in Tiffin and the other in Toledo, and both common
pleas judges, and Henry Seney is in the practice at Kenton, Ohio, and
when Judge McCauley was nominated for judge, Henry Seney gave him
a very close chase for trie nomination. LUTHER A. HALL
Was born August 30th, 1813, in the township of Spafford, in Onondaga
county, state of New York. He is the son of Luther Hall,_who was a
farmer by occupation, a native of Berkshire county, state of tVIassachu-
setts, and who died in 1849, at Freeport, Illinois. (
Luther A. Hall was raised on a farm, working during the summer and
attending district. school during the winter until he was fourteen years
old, when he became a pupil in a select school kept by Mr. Thomas
W. Allis, at Skaneateles, where he remained two years. He then en
gaged as a clerk in a store and served in that capacity some three
years. In the spring of 1833 he started on a trip to Ohio with a small
stock of goods in a one horse wagon, from the sale of which he paidiiis
expenses as he went along. He arrived in Tiffin on the 5th day of
May, in the same year, and was first employed as clerk in the recorder's
office at fifty cents per day, boarding himself. Soon after he' entered
the store of John Park as clerk, where he received ten dollars per month
and boarding. The old settlers will remember the two-story brick
building, fronting west, that stood on the corner of Washington and
Market streets, where the National Exchange bank now stands; that
was Park's store. During the time Mr. Hall was clerk for Mr. Park, he
was appointed clerk of the supreme court of Seneca county and of the
court of common pleas pro tem., to which position he was appointed
first as deputy in 1833, and permanently in 1834, May 5th. In i835.he,
in company with Josiah Hedges, engaged in the mercantile business,
which was carried on until 1837, when the financial storm induced them
to discontinue the business. The stock was closed out, the good debts
collected, and liabilities paid. There were many losses from bad debts,

fss-w'-^Wi .^jr . -- ¦ .- '•iwysfjf' ¦- ;- w*

THE BENCH AND BAR. 363
but something was left when the final settlement was made. While Mr.
Hall was clerk of the courts he read law with Mr. Rawson, when in the
fall of 1840 he entered the Cincinnati Law college and graduated in
1841. In the same year he resigned trie office of clerk of the courts,
and entered upon the practice of his profession, and in which he is still
engaged. In 1856 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Seneca coun
ty. In 1858, at the expiration of his office, he- formed. a copartnership
with Mr. John H. Pittenger, of Tiffin. The firm of Hall and Pittenger
is still doing business, and is the oldest law firm in the county.
In 1862 Mr. Hall was appointed assessor of the revenues, by Mr.
Lincoln, for the ninth district of Ohio. This office he held until he
was removed by President Johnson -in 1865. ' In 1868 he was the presi
dential elector for the ninth district of Ohio, and cast his^vote in the
electoral college for Grant and Colfax. In 1867 he was one of the in
corporators of the Toledo, Tiffin and Eastern railroad, and was elected
president of the company, and served in that capacity until the road
was completed, contributing largely to the success of the enterprise.
Mr. Hall was married to Miss Cynthia A., daughter of Josiah Hedges,
on the 7th day of April, 1835. He is the father of four sons, who are
all still living.'
Mr. Hall is a little below medium size in stature, weighs about 135
pounds; he has a heavy head of sandy hair and sandy beard, now be
ginning to show the effects of many frosts; prominent nose, large blue
eye, regular features, and a clear melodious voice. He is a careful '
pleader and a close reasoner. A lawyer of tjie old school, and loves the
code, because — because it is the code.
[Note. — June 16, 1880 — Mr. Hall died this afternoon at two o'clock,
aged sixty-six years, ten months and sixteen days.
When the foregoing sketch of his life was written, Mr. Hall was in
the full enjoyment of his health, as, usual. He was .never a very stout,
robust man, but always was well enough to be about his business. During
the last winter and spring especially, he seemed to enjoy better. health
than for many years. He attended court, which is now in session, every
day, until last .Saturday, and but very few fnertibers of the bar knew that
he was complaining. When the news of his death reached the court
room, there was a silence in court, a sadness imprinted on every coun
tenance, a scene the like of which the writer had never experienced in
the court room, where for forty years he attended every session.
Friend Hall took great interest in the production of this book, and
assisted me very much with his clear recollection of past events, and his

364 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. > ' ; ' .'
fluent and/orcible way of relating them. He is gone, and another tie
of friendship that has lasted forty-seven years is- broken; an old heart
left to mourn. J OLIVER COWDERY.
Near the end of the Mormon Bible is added the testimony of Oliver
Cowdery as to the " Golden Plates."
He was one of the brightest minds amongst the leaders of the Mor
mons, and the history of the order would have been a better one had
his counsel and advice prevailed.
Mr. Cowdery was born in the state of Vermont, on the 3d day of
October, 1804. After he had acquired a good common school educa
tion, he applied himself with great industry to trie study of the dead
languages and became very proficient in the Greek and Chaldee. He
came to Ohio when he was a young man and entered the law office of
Judge Bissel, a very distinguished lawyer in Painesville, Lake county,
as, a student, and was admitted to practice after having- read the requi
site length of time and passed an 'examination. His unfortunate asso
ciation with the Mormons blasted the high hopes and bright prospects
of an otherwise promising career, and planted a thousand thorns along
the wayside of a life that was as pure and undefiled as that of trie best
Of men. Cowdery had more to do with the production of the Mormon
Bible than its history had ever given him credit for. He was the best
scholar among the leaders. While others advocated the doctrine of
polygamy, Cowdery opposed it, not only on moral grounds, but also,
and principally because it was contrary to the great principles of
Christianity, and above all, because it was- opposed not only to the
great demands of civilization but to the spirit of the free institutions of
, our country- This opposition to polygamy brought Cowdery into con
flict with the other leaders, and especially with Joe Smith; and while
Cowdery gathered around himself the better and most intellectual, ele
ment among the Mormons, Joe Smith became the leader of the coarser
forces, with whom his great force , of character soon made him very
popular. The conflict came apd Cowdery had to flee for his life, leaving
his wife and two children behind him. Mrs. Cowdery's maiden name
was Whitmer, and a sister of one of the Whitmer's who figured as a
leader. She was a beautiful woman, whose quiet nature, sweet temper
and kind disposition won her friends wherever she was known.
Mr. Cowdery came back to Kirtland. In the spring of 1840, on the
12th day of May, he addressed a large Democratic gathering in the
street, between the German' Reformed church of Tiffin and the present

THE BENCH AND BAR. 365
residence of Hez. Graff. He was then on a tour of exploration for
a location to pursue his profession as a lawyer, having entirely aban
doned and broken away from all his connections with the Mormons.
In the fall of the same year he moved with his family to Tiffin and
opened a law office on Market street.
Mr. Cowdery was an able lawyer and a great advocate. His manners
were easy and gentlemanly; he was polite, dignified, yet courteous.
He had an open countenance, high forehead, dark brown eye, Roman
nose, clenched lips and prominent lower jaw. He shaved smooth and
was neat and cleanly in his person. He was of light stature, about
five feet, five inches high, and had a loose, easy walk. With all his
kind and friendly disposition, there was a certain degree of sadness
that seemed to pervade his whole being. His association with others
was marked by the great amount of information his conversation con
veyed and the beauty of his musical voice. His addresses to the court
and jury were characterized by a high order of oratory, with brilliant
and forensic force. He was modest and reserved, never spoke ill of
any one, never complained.
He left Tiffin with his family for Elkhorn, in Wisconsin, in 1847,,
where he remained but a short time', and then moved to Missouri,
where he died in 1848.
The writer read law with Mr. Cowdery in Tiffin, and was intimately
acquainted with him, from the time he came here until he left, which
afforded me every opportunity to study and love his noble and true
manhood. . ¦

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE BENCH AND BAR CONTINUED.

SIDNEY SEA.
THE subject of this sketch was the most remarkable character that
was ever associated with the Tiffin bar. He was unlike other *>
lawyers in almost every thing, and seemed to avoid assimilation on
purpose. In 1833 he had his office in the frame building on the south
side of Market street, on in-lot No. 71, now occupied as a saloon.
When the writer became acquainted with him he was known by the
name of Sidney Smith. It is said that he was a graduate of the New
Haven Law school, and that formerly he was a shoemaker by trade.
He wa§ married when he moved from' Portage county to Tiffin, in 1832,
and very soon secured a very good practice. He bought a farm in
jscipio township, and laid out the larger portion of Republic. In June, '
1836, he, published a notice in the Tiffin Gazette, that, he would sell his
, lots in Republic, a valuable farm close by, another farm six miles from
Tiffin, and one and one-half lots between the court house and the free
bridge, because he wanted to go to some southern latitude.
Two years thereafter he gave notice that he had left his property in
-the hands of Mr. Chapin to sell for him, and moved to Cincinnati,
where he opened a law office. It is said that he there wore his pants in
his boots. The boots had large red- tops, on which were painted in gilt
letters, " Sidney Smith, attorney-at-law."
About the latter part of 1840 he came back to Republic and opened
a law office again in the name of Smith. He took a very active part in
the presidential campaign, and made the first speech when trie Whigs
raised their log cabin on the lot where the Commercial bank now
stands. In his political harangue on that day he was exceedingly per
sonal and bitter. This was on the 3d day of June, 1840. He made
many more speeches throughout Seneca county that summer and fall,
but became so boisterous and abusive that the Whig central committee
finally refused to make any further appointments for fiim.

THE BENCH AND BAR. 367
The Whigs carried the day, as is well known, and whatever may have
been the moving cause, other than that expressed in the petition itself,
when the legislature met in Columbus, the following December, Mr
Smith sent a petition to that body, praying for .the passage of a law to
change his name from Sidney Smith to Sidney Sea. The petition was
all poetry, of his own manufacture, and being so utterly void of all rea
son, it was defeated in the senate, and on the 15th of January, 1841, on
motion of Senator Hasletine, it was reconsidered, laid on trie table, and
finally passed on the 16th day of March, 1841.
The reason assigned in this poetic petition by Mr. Smith was: "That
when Adam stood up in Paradise in obedience with the command of
the Creator, to name all things, and all the living things had passed be
fore Him receiving names in order, it got to be late in the afternoon^
and poor Adam's vocabulary failed to hold out. Then Adam held his
hands up to shade his eyes, and saw in a corner of the garden an in
famously looking mbb of humanity. He called them up, looked at
them awhile, and being half angry and half provoked, called them all
Smith." He wanted to get away from that crowd, he said, and the
general assembly let him out.
About two years thereafter he was made brigadier general of this
brigade, and when in uniform and on a fine horse, he was in his true
element. The writer has seen large portions of the army of Bavaria
and Prance, and many soldiers in this country, but never a man. that'
looked more furious and brave on a horse than General Sea (as we
shall now call him). He was indeed variant as long as he was not op
posed by anybody, but "caved in" when confronted; his acts often
bordering on cowardice.
About this time an independent company, called Osceolas, had been
organized in Tiffin, and by the kindness of General Nighswander, O. M.
General of Ohio, had procured flint-lock rifles, with, which they ap
peared on parade from time to time. It seems that General Sea and
others had made efforts to procure arms for the several militia compa
nies in this county and failed. Now to see these Osceolas parade the
streets in Tiffin with their clean guns, and General Sea's men attend
muster without arms, was too much for the General, and his poetic
genius again took possession of him. One morning a lot of posters
were stuck up all over Tiffin and copies sent all over the county calling
a meeting of the " Grand Militaire " of the county at Tiffin, as follows:

368 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
, ATTENTION
MILITARY MEN OF SENECA .COUNTY-!
INJUSTICE IN THE CAMP !
EVERY MAN TO HIS POST!
Blow ye the trumpet, blow, and sound the drum,
Send round the hand-bills, let the freemen come;
For equal rights the standard let us raise,
And let the Tiffin Junto foam and gaze.
Eight companies have we, old, faithful and true,
Whose rights are trampled on to bless the new.
Your old and patient prayers thrown in your face,
And Oceolas born to partial grace.
The quartermaster deals you pelting storms,
But takes the Oceolas to his arms;
He gives them guns, the brightest and trie best,
Let's your old beards petition and be cursed.
Here, you can see, the Tiffin Junto reigns,
While you submit to penalties and pains.
Shall Oceolas flaunt their glittering steel,
And can the older brothers fail to feel?
Behold their sheen displaying to the sun,
And trudge your sober face and wooden gun.
Hear ye, brave spirits of our fathers gone,
And let your children put their reason on.
High soars the eagle out of mortal sight,
But why should justice tower a greater height?
The eagle sometimes stoops to mortal kin,
Then why not justice sometimes dwell with man.
, If you arise and meet in Tiffin, on Saturday, the 14th inst., at 10 o'clock
precisely, and peaceably, with united voice, proclaim your wrongs to the
legislature, I think you may procure your rights, and arms enough of differ
ent description to make our brigade respectable, and I promise my , feeble
'aid on the side of impartial justice. Why should a miserable faction rule
the whole county? I hope and trust that our well-beloved brethren, the
Oceolas, when they find that their older brothers are men, too, will be more
anxious to give justice than to take wrong.
You've set me as a watchman on the wall. I see the poison hissing in the
camp. I blow the horn. Let's peaceably extract the venomous teeth and
let the reptiles live. SIDNEY SEA,
Brigadier General.

THE BENCH AND BAR. 369
Let us all come up to the meeting and investigate the whole affair.
i ' ASA WAY, Colonel.
G. M. OGDEN, Lieutenant Colonel,
HENRY METZGER, Adjutant,
JOSIAH ROOP, Quartermaster,
E. T. STICKNEY, Captain,
D. METZGER, Captain,
J. S. SPARKS, Captain,
PAUL DEWITT, 1st Lieutenant,
W. BURROWS, 2d Lieutenant.
Republic, January 3, 1843.
These indorsers all lived in Republic, or near by, and were easily in- >
duced to sign anything against Tiffin. After the burning of the court
house, great efforts were made to remove the county seat to Republic,
and build a new court house there, but they failed, and the grudge had not
died away yet. The Tiffin Junto was nothing but the little independent
military company, the most of whom lived in the country. These
" reptiles " wronged nobody when they secured guns for themselves.
The meeting came off in the little ol<l school house on Market street.
The Osceolas were there in full force, and but few of the militia. ¦
General Sea came in, and taking the chair, called the meeting to order,
and administered one of his usual reprimands to the Osceolas for not
takipg their turbans off. Colonel Gibson, who was invited to attend by ,
Captain Poorman, of the Osceolas, being present, and the writer, who
procured the guns, having explained to the meeting the manner of our
organization, and the mode of procuring our guns, the meeting ad
journed and " The Duke of Brunswick, with his mighty men,
Marched up the hill and— then marched down again."
It is probable that the quartermaster-general of Obio demanded se
curity for arms that were distributed among the militia.
On one of the September muster-days, trie " grand army " was drawn
up in line from the river to Madison street, on Washington street, fac
ing to the east. General Sea was on his high horse, in full uniform,
and in his glory. George W. Black had a bakery and small beer-shop, '
nearly opposite the National hall. While the General was up street, a
man slipped out of the ranks into Black's, and, securing a section of
ginger cake, stepped into line again. JNTow came the General in full
gallop, with his feathers flying in air and the yellow cuffs of his gloves
up to his elbow, and noticing the man with his big ginger cake, stopped
short, wheeled his horse facing the men, and shouted, " Attention ! Great
God ! Look at this ! A free born American citizen soldier, in the service
of his country, eating ginger bread in the ranks !" The man wilted.
24

370 HISTORY OF SENECA CQUNTY.
About the year 1843 General Sea left Republic and moved to Tiffin
again, when he and Mr. L. A. Hall became partners in the law firm of
Hall & Sea. They soon had a large practice, and while Sea was the
better advocate, Hall was the better pleader. , Mr. Sea's striking ap
pearance and forcible address gave him great influence with a jury.-! He
was quick and ready to catch a point, and unsparing in pressing it.
This partnership lasted only about two years, and both continued in
the practice in Tiffin.
, General Sea wasambitious and used all the, means at his command to
get General John. Bell, of Lower Sandusky, who was major-general of
the 17th division O. M., out of office, with a view of filling it himself.
General Bell was a most estimable gentleman and highly esteemed citi
zen, but he sometimes appeared on parade with a straw hat on his head;
put on no style, and in 1838, while the Canadian or patriot war was
raging, a lot of arms were stolen out of General Bell's warehouse, in
Lower Sandusky. These two circumstances served General Sea's pur
pose, and he drew up charges against General Bell for the purpose of
having him tried and court-martialed. He had his law partner, Mr.
Hall, to copy the charges, and they were sent to Governor Shannon.
Governor Shannon thereupon caused the following order to be issued,
which convened the most distinguished, august and talented, military
men that ever formed a bourt-martialin Ohio, viz:
Adjutant General's Office, )
Columbus, Ohio, February' 3, 1844. j
A court-martial, to consist of seven persons, will assemble at trie city, of
Columbus, state of Ohio, on Monday, the 19th inst., at 10 o'clock A. M., for
the hearing and determining of charges preferred against Major-General
John Bell, of trie 17tri division of Ohio militia. !
The court will consist of:
Major-General John Snider, of the 1st division, president.
Major-General C. B. Goddard, of trie 15tri division, judge advocate.
Major-General George Rowe, of trie 13th division.
Brigadier-General M. S. Wade, of the 3d brigade, 1st division.
Brigadier-General George Gephart, of the 7th division. (
Brigadier-General Thomas Stockton; of trie 2d brigade, 7th division.
Brigadier-General Sidney Sea,' of the 17th division.
General W. F. Sanderson, provost marshal.
William Lang, Esq., assistant marshal.
By order of WILSON SHANNON,
Commander-in-Chief Ohio Militia.
E. GALE,
Adjutant-General-
At the trial, which was held in the old United States court room, the
Hon. Gustavus Swan, as counsel for Geneial Bell, pbjected to General

THE BENCH AND BAR. 37 1
Sea, and alleged that Sea himself had drawn up the charges and was
therefore disqualified to sit and try the case. Witnesses were examined
and the facts clearly established. Mr. L. A. Hall testified that General
Sea had drawn the charges, and he (Hall) had copied them. The
court, upon deliberation without Sea, decided that he could not sit. On
the meeting of the court after dinner, this fact was made known to Gen
eral. Sea by the president, and he was politely requested to withdraw,,
but there he sat 'and allowed himself to be invited to leave the second
time. He still refused to go, when General Goddard.ordered the writer
to take General Sea out of the room iristanter. The order was obeyed
slowly and reluctantly by both of us.
No matter what became of the case. It is referred to here only to
show the shrewdness and head-strong, stubborn character of General
Sea. Suffice it to say that General Bell had to pay a fine for allowing the
arms to be stolen from him.
Now General Sea was alone in the practice, and Mr. Jeremiah Car
penter, of Venice township, having an estate coming to him in Ken
tucky, employed, the General to collect it for him. The General went to
Kentucky, and after an absence of several months, returned with a
beautiful horse he called Mazeppa. Mr. Carpenter claimed that he did
not get all of the estate that was coming to him, and brought suit against
General Sea. A long, sad, costly and angry litigation followed. Car
penter obtained judgment against Sea, * and for want of^oods and
chattels, a writ of ne exeat was sued out, and under which General Sea
refused to give security, simply that he would not leave the county, and
preferred to go to jail. Whether the proceedings were right or wrong
will not be discussed; but the case excited general notice and was the
theme of gossip a long time.
While here in jail, General Sea, who always was a very voluminous
pleader, prepared a petition against Judge Bowen and the associate
judges for false imprisonment. It covered about two reams of paper,
written on both sides. Judge Bowen offered $100 to any person that
would make for him a copy of it. The case was never tried.
After he riad lain ip the stone jail some three months or more, Messrs.
R. G. Pennington and Oliver Cowdery, as the attorneys of General Sea,
applied to Judge Reuben Wood, of the supreme court, for a writ of
habeas corpus to get the General out of jail. The writ was issued and
Judge Wood came from Cleveland to Tiffin to hear the case on the 5th
day of February, 1847. General Sea was discharged. This was the last
official act of Judge Wood, for his term expired on the next day. The

372 ' HISTORY OF SENECA BOUNTY.
court house was crowded to overflowing during the trial, and on the
following night the brass band, with a large crowd of citizens, gave Gen
eral Sea a serenade. Much sympathy was enlisted in his favor by this
time. In 1848 General Sea, with his family, moved to Milwaukee^ Wiscon
sin, since which time the writer has heard but little of him.
He was a most wonderful combination of mental force; shrewd, cun
ning, able, reckless, daring, crouching, vindictive, ambitious. An able ,
, orator, a forcible advocate, but unsocial and cold. He was reckless in
his adventures, as well as in the abandonment of a good purpose.
" Pity he loved an adventurous life's variety, ;
He was so great a loss to good society."
COOPER K. WATSON.
In the fall of 1879, while Judge Watson was visiting his daughter,
Mrs. John D. Loomis, atlTiffin, he promised to write a short sketch of
his life for publication in this book, but being very closely occupied
on the bench and his health failing, the promise was never complied
with. The following is from the Tiffin Tribune of May 27th, 1880, and
while it' is very incomplete, it is perhaps the best that can now be ob
tained as a substitute for a sketch of his life:
Cooper K. Watson died in Sandusky, Ohio, Thursday, May 20th, 1880, aged
about seventy years, after an illness of several weeks. We take from the
Sandusky Register the following obituary, and desire to add, that after he
moved to JTorwalk, he was elected a member of the constitutional conven
tion :
" The deceased jurist was bornin Jefferson county, Kentucky, on the 18th _
day of June, 1810, and was therefore a month of reaching the full allotted-
measure of man's life. In boyhood he was apprenticed to a merchant tailor,
and worked at his trade a short time.
He turned his attention, however, to the law, soon after reaching man
hood. He began his study at Newark, and was admitted to the bar at Colum
bus. He practiced at Newark for two years, then moved to Delaware, where
he remained four years ; then went to Marion, where he lived five years, four
of which he served as prosecutor of the county. He then moved to Fremont,
where he lived eight years. While a resident of Fremont he became ah in
timate friend of the late Sardis Berchard, an uncle and patron Of President
R. B. Hayes. y
About 1850 he took up his residence at Tiffin, and in 1854 was the Free Soil
(K. N.) candidate for Congress, and was elected. He entered the house of
representatives with John Sherman, and soon took rank as an ardent friend
of liberty, and an unpomprpmising foe of trie slave power. He was not re
elected, and at the close of his term returned to the practice of the law.
In 1870 he moved to Norwalk, where he remained until he made this city
his home in 1874.

THE BENCH AND BAR. 373
Although he changed his place of residence several times, he always took
the front rank at the bar, and secured not only an extensive acquaintance in
the central part of the state, but a wide reputation as an able and successful
lawyer, his practice extending throughout central and western Ohio and into
the district and supreme courts.
Before a jury he was clear, positive and convincing, and in trie examina
tion of witnesses, more especially in criminal cases, lie was singularly suc-
csssful ; to cross-examine medical experts was his special delight, and few of
them but left his hands with the disagreeable conviction that the lawyer
knew more than the doctor.
In the practice of the law he was rigidly honest, far above the small tricks
of the profession, and free from the vices by which lawyers gain a cheap no
toriety and pile up money. Personally he was warm in his friendship, so
ciable and companionable with his friends, and tolerant of honest differences
of opinion in religion or politics. He was sincere himself, and admired sin
cerity in others, and his earnestness in this regard led him to abhor shams
and despise humbugs. <
When in the full vigor of his mental powers he was a strong man on the
bench, and had he been elevated to the bench twenty-ftve years ago instead
of being sent to congress, he would unquestionably have attained the highest
judicial honors. (
In one aspect his career was a happy example to' young members, of the
bar. While he had'great natural abilities, the real secret of his success was
his devotion to his books. ¦ He read constantly, patiently and understand-
ly, and his law library is by far the largest and most complete in this section
of the state.
, He was greatly adinired by such men as Judge Raney, Judge White and
Judge Welch, and had a very warm personal friend in General Hayes, who,
as governor of the state, appointed him judge* to fill trie vacancy caused by
the death of Judge Lane.
In 1830 he married Miss Caroline S. Durkee, of Zanesville, who survives
him. He leaves four children: Mrs. Eleanor Loomis, of Tiffin ; Mrs. Caro
line Willard, of Monroe, Michigan; Mrs. Nettie Gilbert, and Charles B.
Watson." JOSEPH HOWARD
Was one of the pioneer lawyers of Tiffin. He was a fair pleader,_but
no advocate; more politician than lawyer. He was a very gentle
manly man and always dressed neatly. There Was a great deal of
what was then called "aristocracy" about his house. When, in 1830,
the judges of trie court appointed hiip clerk, Mr. Neil McGaffey, his pre
decessor, was so much surprised at the change that he sued out a writ
of quo warranto against Mr. Howard, but the, case was never, tried,
and Mr. Howard officiated as clerk some four years. Under the
administration of President Taylor he secured a clerkship in some
department in Washington city, where he died.

374 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ROBERT G. PENNINGTON,
One of the oldest lawyers in Tiffin, was born in Delaware county,
Pennsylvania, in December, 1816, of Quaker parents, Joseph and-Sarah
Pennington, who were also natives of the same state. He was a
descendant of Isaac Pennington, of Chalfort, England, who, -with
George Fox, Thomas Elwood, Robert Barclay and William Penn
founded the Society of Friends, in England, about trie middle of the
sixteenth century.
One of Isaac's daughters, Gulielma, was the wife of William Penn,
and his son, Edward Pennington, came with him to America and mar
ried the daughter of Samuel Jennings, the then governor . of New
Jersey, and from whom the Penningtons, of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, were descended.
In 1825 Joseph Pennington and family removed to Cayuga county,
New York, where they lived until the spring of 1834, when they started
for trie west, expecting to purchase land and settle in the reservation
in this county. They came to Buffalo by the New York and Erie
•canal and then up the lake in the old steamboat Enterprise, landing at
Huron, thence by wagons to Tiffin, arriving on the 24th of May, The
•cholera breaking out in town, the people chiefly scattered to the
•country, and the Pennington family took up quarters in the southeast
corner of Clinton township, where Joseph Pennington soon after
"bought a new farm, but subsequently purchased other lands and settled
in Bloom township, where the family resided many years.
In 1837 Robert G. Pennington entered the Huron Institute; at
Milan, Ohio, and after completing an academic course there, in the
fall of 1839 began the study of law with Abel Rawson, Esq., then the
principal lawyer in the county, having for a room-mate and fellow-
student, John K. Gibson, a brilliant, noble young man, who died in
1841, before admission to the bar.
Mr. R. G. Pennington was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1842,
at Columbus, Ohio, in a class witri Jesse Stem, Edward Smith, Homer
Everett and Geo. W. Thompson, and commenced and continued the part
nership with Mr. Rawson until the latter retired from active business.
In February, 1842, Mr. Pennington married Caroline C. Kuhn,
daughter of Captain Joseph L- Kuhn, late of the United States navy,
and grand daughter of Lewis Chadwick Hargrace, British consul gen
eral of the Balearic island, belonging to Spain, and who was born at
Port Marion, on the island Menerca, one of the group, in 182 1.
Three daughters are the fruit of this union: Eugenia Hargrace, wife

THE BENCH AND BAR. 375
of Almon Hall, Esq., of Toledo, Ohio; Caroline C, wife of Hon. W. R.
Steele, of Wyoming territory,' and Louisa Annette, the youngest.
Mr. Pennington has resided in Tiffin for forty years, and has directed ,
his time and energies chiefly to his profession, yet, in the meantime, has
given much of his means and attention to enterprises useful to the
growth and prosperity of Tiffin. Amongst these are railroads, banks,'
and manufacturing interests, in which he was largely interested as stock
holder. In 1847, with Benjamin Tomb and others, he organized the
Seneca county bank, the first bank in trie county, and was, its first
cashier. He also, with Edward Gywn, organized and put into opera
tion the Gas Light Company of Tiffin, and for seven years was its
president. In 1856 he was the presidential elector for this congressional dis
trict, and took an active part on the stump in the canvass and cast his
vote for J. C. Frefnont for president.
He was from time to time candidate of his party for several places of
trust and honor, amongst which were those of representative for the state
legislature and member of the late constitutional convention. In all
these cases he was unable to overcome the large Democratic majori
ties in the county and district.
In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he took a deep and active
interest in trie perils that threatened the life of the nation, and with
Colonel Lee, Major Dewalt, organized the 55th regiment O. V. I., and
accompanied the regiment to the field as its quartermaster. In 1862
he was made adjutant general on the staff of General McLean, and
after a service of two years, resigned on account of lameness and ill
health. He returned to his profession, banking and manufacturing,
suffering very, severely in his finances by the revulsions during the last
few years. ,
As a lawyer he is a better pleader than advocate. He is industrious,
gentlemanly and polite, courteous and friendly. Aside from his legal
and business qualifications, he is a great student of the popular sciences
of the, day, a clear thinker and profound reasoner on every subject he'
ever investigated. His friendship is warm' and lasting, and the great
beauty of his " make up " is the fact that he. is always the same, to
himself as well as to others. GEORGE E. SENEY
Was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1831.
He is the oldest son of Joshua Seney, a short sketch of whose life
elsewhere. He graduated at the Norwalk seminary, read law in

,376 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the office of L. A. Hall, and was admitted .to practice in 1852. In 1857
he was elected judge of trie court of common pleas. In 1858 the office
of district attorney of the United States was tendered' him, which he
declined. He was the quartermaster of the 101st regiment O. V. I.,
and after serving two years returned to his profession. In 1874 he was
the Democratic candidate for congress in this district and was beaten by
only 139 votes. He was a delegate to the Democratic national con
vention at St. Louis. He is the author of " Seney's Code," and is a
successful practitioner and an able and forcible advocate.
My venerable and distinguished old friend, the Hon. James Purdy,
the veteran-, lawyer of Mansfield, Ohio, who is the only survivor of that
pioneer band of lawyers that attended the sittings 01 the first courts in
Seneca county, was kind enough to furnish the writer a few anecdotes
and descriptions of a few scenes in connection with the practice in
those early days, but it took some urging to induce Major Purdy (as he
is familiarly called) 'to do so. Finally he penned,, for the use of the
writer, the following: Mansfield, May 1, 1880.
W. Lang, Esq.:
Dear sir— At the age of 87 I retain vividly in my memory amusing anec
dotes of the bar in those early days., a few specimens of which I give, that
you may, if you desire, incorporate in proper language in your history of
Seneca county.
In those days each circuit had a president judge— a lawyer— and in each
county there were three associate judges— country gentlemen. The lawyers
called this the " Demarara team." A sailor was fined, and as he stepped up
to the clerk to pay, said he hoped the Demarara team was now satisfied.
He was asked to explain, when he said: ¦' In the Island of Demarara a team
is composed of three mules and a jackass."
Some of the members of the bar traveled the circuit with the judge. This,
the second circuit, was composed of thecounties of Richland, Huron, San
dusky, Seneca, Crawford, Marion and Wood, the latter being organized in
the winter pf 1823-4/ The members of the bar that traveled' with Judge
. Lane were: Parish, of Columbus, Purdy, Parker, May and Coffinberry, of
Mansfield, and Bolt, of Norwalk. All these practiced in Seneca county.
The two first named handled the whole circuit, except Wood county, which
was then inaccessible on horseback a great portion of the year. That county
was reached by the members of the bar of Norwalk by sail-boats from San
dusky City. These circuitizers were called " Judge Lane's gang." They
traveled on horseback, and' in the spring term had muddy roads and deep
¦ streams to ford, sometimes nearly covering their horses, often affording
amusing incidents. Coffinberry, May, Parker and myself left Tiffin, for
New Haven one day on the then traveled road. Two well-to-do farmers on
that road had a suit tried at that term, Purdy for plaintiff and Coffinberry
for the defendant. Contrary to his usual practice, Coffinberry abused the

THE BENCH AND BAR. 377
plaintiff personally. Six miles out they found a branch of Rocky creek more
than mid-side deep to their horses and overflowing its banks. Coffinberry
having been a sailor in his day, deemed it prudent to head up stream, and
making allowance for lee- way, got out. of the road and ran his horse against
a tissue which was covered with water; his horse, " Old Tom," fell, the girt
broke, rider, saddle and saddle-bags went over his head into the water. He
got out as best he could and the journey was resumed. We reached the
main stream, which was considered too deep to venture across that day.
Here the plaintiff resided. In sight on the other side was the residence of
the defendant. The gang determined to ask the hospitality of the plaintiff,
but CoffipDerry vehemently protested. Judge Clark, the plaintiff, most
cheerfully received us, took Coffinberry into a room and gave him a suit of
dry clothes, treating him more kindly than the rest of us, arid would not per
mit him to apologize.
They left Tiffin for Norwalk on Sunday morning with Judge Lane, and
reached " Strong's ridge "and " Strong's tavern," tired, hungry and thirsty..
The .family was absent, and the house closed. They went to the barn.
where they found oats and fed their horses. Then they got into the house
and into Aunt Molly's cupboard, where they found plenty of good, fresh-
baked bread, biscuits,' pies and all necessary accompaniments for a good
dinner, of which they heartily partook. The bar was locked also, but the
contents of a bottle that,had the appearance of brandy 'attracted their atten
tion. With the tongs, through a hole in the window, they caught the decan
ter by the nozzle and pulled it to the opening, where the thirsty customers
were accommodated. It was emptied. Leaving in the bar double the
amount of the usual charge, they closed the house, mounted and left. They
soon met Mr. Strong and lady coming from church with quite a number of
friends to partake of Aunt Molly's nice dinner, which they had just con
sumed. They left the Judge to apologize as best he could and went on their
way. Fort Ball, on the west side of the river, had been an applicant for the
county seat and failed ; consequently there were frequent controversies be
tween citizens of the two plaefes. Mr. Hedges bought Fort Ball and com
bined their interests. A log jail was built in Tiffin, in which was left a very
heavy piece of timber, hewed. The proprietor of Port Ball was a tall, liand-
som'e man, and full of mettle. Parish had been his attorney. One day
during a term of court, Parish commenced a suit against him. for fees, and
had him imprisoned. He raised the heavy tirpber, smashed the door to.
pieces, and made his way down street. Parish saw him and asked him how
he got out of prison. He answered, " I took myself out on a writ of habeas
corpus." Parish, learning the facts, dismissed the suit and f orgave the debt.
Members of the bar played cards at night for small sums of money, and
sometimes were indicted for the same. One morning in court a jury was
sworn to try a ease in which Parish was of counsel. The prosecuting attor
ney, Mr. Sea, interrupted business and asked leave to arraign a person then
in court, against whom an indictment had just been found. Leave was
granted. He called Mr. Parish to stand up, and read to him an indictment
containing two counts for gambling with cards. Parish promptly responded
to one count, whicri he said was a gentleman's game, and plead guilty. To

378 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
theother he piead "not guilty," and said, " that d—d shoemaker's game, I
never play." (Sea formerly was a shoemaker by, trade.)
J. Boyd, a farmer and early pioneer on Honey creek, boxed a young fel
low's ears at a log rolling, for, which he was indicted. William Clark, also
an early pioneer and a farmer, had an old fashioned fisticuff with a neighbor,
for which he was indicted also. Their trials came on at the same term ; each
determined to defend himself . Mr. Boyd's case was first heard. The wit
nesses were examined and the prosecuting attorney ( addressed the jury.
Uncle Jimmy, although a very intelligent man, found himself very much
"embarrassed in examining the witnesses, and his speech in defence was a-
failure. He sat down discomfited. O. Parish volunteered to reply on behalf
¦of the state, and soared him severely., He was found guilty and fined $5.00,
the ordinary charge in such cases at that time.
Uncle Billy was intelligent and had practiced in justice's courts, besides
he was naturally shrewd. His case came on. ,In examining the witnesses
he did well. The prosecuting attorney made a short speech intending to
give Parish full space to reply to Uncle Billy. The judge said, "Mr. Clark,
•do you wish to address the jury ?" Having the fear of Parish before his
•eyes, he answered : " No, your Honor, that little speech is not worthy of an
.answer." Parish was disappointed, being cut off in this manner.
A large portion of the early pioneers of Seneua county emigrated from New
York. In that state grand jurors receive no pay. The sheriff selected them
from the most independent f,ree-holders, who could afford to spend their
time and money. They organized and adopted certain rules for their gov
ernment. For absence at roll call they were fined a bottle of brandy. The
Seneca county grand jury adopted the same rule, and the full bottle was
always on trie table. Judge Lane was notified of the rule, gave the grand
jury a blowing up, ordered its repeal, and the practice discontinued.
' Now these things were quite amusing to us, but whether the present gen
eration will take any interest in them is for you to judge.
Very respectfully yours, etc., J. PURDY.
Another case, in fact, one of the first jury cases in our common
pleas court, should also be remembered. It was the case of Behnett
against Knight for false imprisonment. The plaintiff had been ar
raigned before Knight as a justice of the peace, for stealing calves, and
was by him sent to prison; Parish for plaintiff, Purdy for defendant.
In his argument, Parish regretted that he had claimed in his declara
tion but $500. The small room in which court was held was densely
crowded. A wag called out, "If the Bennetts can make.$5oo stealing
calves they had better quit the hog business." The judge could not
find the disturber in the crowd, and the contempt of court was neces
sarily left unpunished.
About two months before the death of Mr. Rawson, he visited the
writer and requested him to insert in the history of Seneca county—
if he should ever write one — the writer's response to a toast at a bar

THE BENCH AND BAR. 379
meeting, held in the Shawhan House, on the evening of the 30th of
November, 1855. The meeting ,was an exceedingly pleasant affair.
There is n9 merit in the poetry, and nothing but my respect for Mr.
Rawson's request can apologize for the room it takes here.
[From the Tiffin Tribune of December 28, 1855.]
"THE TIFFIN BAR."
The above toast, read at the lawyer's festival, on the evening of the 30th,
and assigned to Judge William Lang, called out the following poetical jew
d'esprtt from the Judge: \
When vulgar minds with epithets have done,
And spent on us their last of common fun;
When poets, statesmen, warriors, one and all,
Have run their course on this terrestrial ball,
The fame of Tiffin's green bag knights shall stand,
Comparing well with any in the land.
There's John J. Steiner, and our brother Scott,
The former now enjoys a farmer's lot,
Trie latter, charmed by Kate and Cupid's tune,
Has left the earth and moved to honeymoon,
Because, for law he never cared a feather,
So off he went with love, shoes, boots and leather.
Whenever ye in business counsel need,
Or need another in your cause to plead,
And ye in custody, tmd charged with crime,
And ye whose creditors no prose or rhyme
Can soothe;— and ye whose debtors stubborn be,
(Provided you always come with a fee,)
Here Rawson lives, and Watson, Pillars, too,
Johnson and Stem, Hall, Seney, Lamareaux;
Noble, Cronise, Dildine, Griffith, Ike,
Say nothing of the self-made lawyer Pike;
Here's Wilson, who once prosecutor, late,
Was chosen our own senator of state;
And he who much abounds in words and fun,
Of ready action, T. C. Tunison;
Here's Johnny Payne, trie man who, by-the-by—
Was representative— near six feet high;
And Landon, Lee, who always for a song*
Will make wrong right, and change right into wrong;
Omnipotent John Smith, and Stickney, Way,
Pittenger, Martin, Hedges, who, they say,
Has left the law— the higher, nobler rank,
And gone astray, with money— into bank.
Patterson, Birnside, at last, not least,
There's no such man as Welch, from west to east !
While on the bench of people's probate court,

380 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Sits our esteemed and worthy John K. Hord;
Robert G. Pennington, poor- fellow, gone
To see the railroad matters all alone;
And Gibson— so agreed among the gods,
Is treasurer of state by many odds.
Let satire scoff, and, wicked critics frown,
There's no such galaxy from congress down !
Represented wellin every station,
* Look first to the counsel of the nation, '
Then to the officers of state— then see
The senate's chairman— one of us was he;
And in the lower house, our Noble sat,
While we at home supplied the bench at that;
Made school directors, and encouraged science,
Turned stumpers and set statesmen at defiance;
Practiced philanthropy in christian meekness,
Made money, too, from other people's weakness,
Attended fairs and studied agriculture,
In short, watched everything from pink to vulture.
So onward, brethren, let us stand together,
• In fortune's rays; in adverse, storrriy weather;
Now push about the social flowing bowl,
Drink lusty draughts, fraternal flow of soul,'
And may he now, and ever be a beast,
Who feels no joy in this fraternal feast.
And one and all, take counsel, be advised,
By no temptation let Us be enticed
To lose the secret of this earthly life,
So full of, blessings, full of peace and strife;
May each and every noble, honest heart
Be truly man, and bravely act his part;
And when we've finished every case below,
When nature's law shall bid us- hence to go,
To meet tire Judge of nations at trie bar
Of His tribunal in the world afar;
May each in peace, prepared to close the race,
Make out himself a good, conclusive case.
The name of every lawyer then in Seneca county is here given,'
except the writer's. ' ' l
WARREN PERRY NOBLE
Was-born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1820. His father's
name was William Noble, and his mother's maiden name Rebecca
Lytle. The parents moved to Wayne county, Ohio, when they had
three little children, and located in Salt Creek township, some -ten
miles east of Wooster. In 1834 the family moved to Medina county,

THE BENCH AND BAR. 38 I
where father Noble had bought a farm. He lived there about two
years, when he sold the farm, and taking with him his oldest son, came
to Jackson township, where he had previously entered 120 acres, and,
built a small cabin upon it. Then he returned for the family and
brought them here in 1836. The cabin proved to be too small for so
large a family, and some of trie boys had to sleep in. the wagons until
another adjoining cabin could be constructed. By this time they had
nine sons and one daughter: The daughter, Mary, is the wife of Mr.
Histe, one of the present county commissioners. Of the sons but four
are still living: the subject of this sketch, Warren Perry Noble, Harrison
Noble, the present mayor of Tiffin, Captain Montgomery Noble, and
John Noble, clerk of the court in Clay county, Kansas.
Warren P. lived with his father on the farm, and as he grew up to
boyhood, received such school education as the country afforded ; but
rtature had endowed him with a good physique, with a' more than
average amount of brain, and above all, with a spirit of industry and
perseverance that knew no tiring. He' applied himself to his books,
and was soon enabled to teach school in the neighborhood of his borne,
embracing Fostoria. Mr. John Lawrence, Hon. Charles Foster, Rev.
Jacob Caples, Junius V. Jones, were among his scholars, and others
who have also become eminent in life. / In February, 1842, he entered
the law office of Rawson and Pennington, in Tiffin, and in 1844 was
admitted to the bar. From that time, to this day he has faithfully
applied himself to the practice.
In 1847, on trie 17th day of August, he married Mary E., oldest
daughter of Mr. F. Singer, of Tiffin. ' Mrs. Noble died on the 9th of
March, 1853, leaving Mr. Noble with three little children; two little
girls and a baby boy but a few days old. He raised and educated his
children, and the girls are both married. Belle is Mrs. William L.
Bates, of Dayton, Ohio; Mary Ellen is Mrs. Silas W. Graff, residing at
Tiffin, Ohio; Warren Frederick, the son, is a graduate of the Ohio State
university, of the class of 1879, and is now reading law in his father's
office. After living the life of a widower more than seventeen years, an,d
raising his children until they were able to take care of themselves, Mr.
Noble was married to Miss Alice M. Campbell, of'Tiffin, Ohio, on the
27th day of September, 1870, and two. most interesting little girls are
the fruit of this marriage.
In 1846 Mr. Noble was elected a member of the house of representa
tives of the general assembly of Ohio, and re-elected in 1847. * In the
fall of 1848 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Seneca county, and

382 'i HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
re-elected in 18501 serving four years, except a short tithe before the
expiration of his term, when he resigned. In i860 he was elected to
the thirty-seventh congress over Judge Carey, the Whig candidate for
his second term, arid was re-elected to the thirty-eighth congress over
Judge Wooster, of Norwalk, who was his colleague in the previous term,
having been thrown into this district by the change of districts prior to
the .election. Mr. Noble was a war Democrat, and served as such dur
ing tha war to March 4th, 1865.
He was one of the trustees of the Ohio state university for ten years,
having been first appointed by Governor Hayes. After the death of
John T. Huss and the failure of the First National bank in Tiffin, Mr.
Noble was appointed as its receiver. He settled claims against the
institution, amounting to #240,000, paying sixty cents on the dollar, and
settled up the concern with the least litigation and in the shortest time
of any bank that failed since the inauguration of the present banking
system. He has been the president bf the Commercial bank ever since
it started, in June, 1876, and is the president also of the Tiffin Mutual
Aid association, and a member of the Tiffin board of education. Dur-
iiig the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio and the .Mansfield and
Cold Water railroads, he took a very active part, as he always did in
all public enterprises.
Mr. Noble owes his great success in life to that indomitable industry,
integrity apd perseverance that have marked his whole life from his
boyhood. WILLIAM H. GIBSON , '
Was born in Ohio, May 16th, 1822, and soon thereafter his parents-
moved to Seneca county, in the same year. His paternal grandparents
were from Ireland, and his maternal grandparents from Wales. He was
reared on a farm on Honey creek, ip Eden,, and worked with his
father, John Gibson, at the carpenter trade. After he had attended the
common schools, he attended one year at the Ashland academy. He
read law in Tiffin in the office of Rawson & Pennington, and was
admitted to. the bar in 1845. He was the Whig candidate for attorney
general in 1853, but was defeated. .He was elected treasurer of state in
1855, and resighed in 1857. He entered the army as colonel 6f the
49th O. V. L, in 1861, and commanded a brigade and division of the
army of the Cumberland, leading his command in forty-two conflicts.
He left the army with the rank of brigadier-general, and resumed the
practice of the law in Tiffin. He quit the practice in 1872, apd applied
himself very industriously tp railroad enterprises. He bore a very con
spicuous part in all the political campaigns ever since the organization

THE BENCH AND BAR. 383
of the Republican party. He is an orator of no ordinary calibre, and
during the past two years he preached under a license in the M. E.
church. When Governor Foster was inaugurated governor of Ohio on
the second Monday, in January last, "General Gibson was appointed
adjutant-general of Ohio', which office he holds to this day!
G. B. KEPPEL
Was born May 8th, 1845, in Hopewell township, Seneca county, Ohio.
He graduated at Heidelberg college in 1869; was admitted to the bar ,
in 187 1, and is now the prosecuting attorney of the county.
NELSON L. BREWER
Was born in Washington county, Maryland, September 17th, 1832;
graduated at Heidelberg in 1855; was admitted to the practice in 1858,
and immediately located in Tiffin.
JACOB K. HUDDLE (HOTTAL)
Was born October 8th, 1846, in1 Bloom township, Seneca county, Ohio.
H'e is the seventeenth child of a family of eighteen children. He was
admitted to practice law in 187 1. In 1873 he edited the' Tiffin Star
with much atfility. Upori the failure of this enterprise, he. returned to
the practice. Tracing back his family record he became satisfied that
the family name is Hottal. JOHN M'CAULEY
Was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, December 10th, 1834. He was
educated at the university at Delaware, where he finished his course in
1859. He was admitted to the bar in i860, when he located in Tiffin.
He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1865, and held the office four
years. He was elected a member of the late constitutional convention
to fill the vacancy created by the death of Dr. O'Connor. In October,
1879, he was elected judge of the court of common pleas for this district.
"JACOB BUNN
Was born June 6th, i847„in Thompson (Seneca county). He gradu
ated at Heidelberg college in 1870, and was admitted to the bar the'
year following, when 'he located in Tiffin. He was elected probate
judge of Seneca county in the fall of 1878. ,
FRANK DILDINE
Was born in Tiffin, October 15th, 1849; graduated at the Tiffin high
school, and afterwards attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Del
aware, and graduated from the Heidelberg college in 1869; was.
admitted to the bar in 1872.

384 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

HARRISON NOBLE

Was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 28th of January, 1826, and
was admitted to the bar in 1849, when he located in Tiffin. He was
city solicuor four years, and is now the mayor of the city.
NELSON B. LUTES
Was born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, March ist, ,1848; came to
Tiffin in 1870, and was admitted to the bar in 1872.
JOHN H. RIDGELY
Was born August 16th, 1845, in Allegheny county, Maryland. He is a
graduate of Heidelberg college, and was admitted to practice law in
December, 1869. H. C. KEPPEL.
Was born in Hopewell township, March 20th, 1847. He is a graduate
of Heidelberg college, and was admitted to practice law in 1872, and is,
now 'of the law firm of H. C. & G. B.'Kepple; was married at Indian
apolis to-day, June 29th, 1880. J. H. PITTENGER
Was born December 10th, 1828, ip Frederick county, Maryland; came
to Tiffin with his father's family in 1830; was admitted to practice law
in 1850, and for very many years was, and now is, of the law firm of
Hall & Pittenger. RUSH ABBOTT
Was born in Seneca county, Ohio, and was admitted to practice April
12th, 1877, when he located in Tiffin.
NETTIE CRONISE AND FLORENCE CRONISE,
Sisters, and graduates of Heidelberg, natives of Tiffin, some six years
ago were admitted to practice law; probably the first ladies in Ohio
that entered the legal profession. They. are both in the practice now,.
•One is practicing by herself, without a partner, and the other is in
partnership with another lawyer. '
Among the very many remarkable things- already related about
Tiffin arid Seneca county, the most remarkable of all ,is the fact, that
riere in Tiffin, two lawyers married each other, and are now raising two
most lovely little daughters about three and four years old. Let any
other town in the United States say the like. .
PERRY M. ADAMS
Was born December 2, 1.850, in Wqod county, Ohio, read law in the

THE BENCH AND BAR. 385
office of W. P. Noble, was admitted to the bar April 13, 1876, and is
now of the firm of Noble & Adams.
UPTON F. CRAMER
Was born in Clinton township, Seneca county, Ohio, January 19, 1842;
graduated' at Heidelberg college. He was admitted to practice law in
1867. He was elected probate judge three times, and was succeeded
by Judge Bunn in 1877. CHARLES H. CRAMER
Was born in Seneca county, Ohio, August 20, 1847; was admitted to
practice in Mansfield, in June, 1875, and located here.
LA FAYETTE L. LANG
Was born April 10, 185 1, in Tiffin; attended Heidelberg college and
Cleveland commercial institute. He was teller in First National bank,
read law in his father's , office, and was admitted to practice in 1877,
when he became the law partner of his father.
JOHN B. SCHWARTZ
Is the son of Augustus and Littia Schwartz, and was born in Austin,
Texas, November 1, 1854. His mother is a Massony, whose father's
family were among the early settlers in Hopewell, and came from Bel
gium. She went with the family of Jesse Stem from here to Texas,
where Stem was Indian agent, and where he was killed by some Indians-
John B. Schwartz was admitted to the bar in 1879 aml located in Tiffin.
W. L. KERSHAW
Was born in. New York city in November, 1856; was admitted to prac
tice in Mansfield, Ohio, July 20, 1879, and settled in Tiffin soon there
after. H. J. WELLER
Was born January 21, 1856, in Thompson township, in this county, and
was admitted to the bar June 2, 1880, at the supreme court in Columbus.
He located in Tiffin immediately thereafter.
GERALD E. SULLIVAN
Was born June 20, 1856, at Tiffin, Ohio; was admitted to the bar and
located in Tiffin December 12, 1878.
JAMES F. LEAHY,
Was born May 14, 1855, in the county of Kerry, Ireland; was admitted
to the bar in Tiffin December 30, 1879, and then located here.
25

386 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The following are the names of young men who ,are reading law in
Tiffin now, with a view of pursuing the profession, viz: J. Calvin
Royer, Walter S. Cramer, John C. Rickenbaugh, Ira E. Strong, Warren
F. Noble, Henry J. Weller, James H. Piatt, R. B. Reed, David W.
Spellman, JohnW. Leahy, Charles W. Repp, Frank Hess. There is
also a young lady reading law— Miss Edith Sams. <
After the commencement of this work two members of the bar of
Tiffin died very suddenly and '' unexpectedly. Mr. Alfred Landon died
at his residence after a few hours' illness, in a sinking chill, and a few
weeks after, near the close of the fall term of the court of common
pleas, Mr. George W. Bachman was found dead near his gate, having
fallen out of his buggy.
Mr. Landon died Saturday morning, October 4, 1879.
Mr. Bachman died October 21, 1879.
Mr. Landon was a member ' of the Tiffin bar for twenty-five years
and held the offices of prosecuting attorney and mayor of Tiffin.
Mr. Bachman was also mayor of Tiffin, prosecuting attorney and one
of the directors of the. Seneca County Infirmary. He was a member of
the Tiffin bar since 1867.
It is a most remarkable fact that all the lawyers who have died in
Seneca county passed away very suddenly, without being sick any
lepgth of time. Mr. Seney dropped • dead on the floor; Richard Wil
liams died suddenly; Jesse Stem was shot dead in Texas; Joel W.
Wilson was not considered seriously ill when he died; Thomas C.
Tunison was sick only a day or two; Leander Stem was killed in the
battle of Stone River; Afred Landon and George Bachman died as
related above, and Luther A. Hall passed away before the brethren
knew that he was seriously ill; Mr. Rawson was complaining only a few
days before he died; William M. Johnson expected to get well the day
before he died, but had been suffering from consumption for years.
JAMES PILLARS
Promised a half dozen times to furnish the writer with a little sketch of
himself, to be entered here, and having neglected to do so, I can only
'say of him that he is a very able jurist, and that since he has served on
the common pleas bench ten years, he has returned'to the practice in
Tiffin. WILLIAM LANG.
Want of room and want of desire to write my biography will make
the story of the writer a very short one.
Mont Jarvis is the end and the highest peak, of the Vosges moun-

THE BENCH AND BAR. 387
tains in the Palatinate in Germany. A little south of its foot, and
where the Vosges slope away by low hills into the bottom lands of the
Rhine, and on its left bank in the Canton of Weimweiler, is the pleasant
little town of Sippersfeld. Here I was born on the 14th day of Decem
ber, 1815. I was trie seventh child and the first son of . Henry and
Catherine Lang.
Father kept me at school until we started for America. It was his
intention to prepare me for the profession of school teacher. When
we arrived in Tiffin on the 18th of August, 1833, my German education
could not be utilized very well, and I entered the cabinet shop of D.
H. Phillips, as an apprentice. I worked at the trade seven years, when,
in the spring of 1840, I entered the office of Mr. Joshua Seney to read
law. Mr. Seney gave the practice no attention, and when Mr. Cowdery
located in Tiffin late in the fall of the same year, at the suggestion of
Mr. Seney, I entered Mr. Cowdery's office as a student. On the 25th
day of July, 1842, I was admitted to the practice at Lower Sandusky,
Ohio. Judge E. Lane administered the oath to me. Judge D. Higgins
was the chairman of the committee that examined me. Brice J. Bart-
lett, John C. Spink, Cooper K. Watson, R. P, Buckland and others
were members of the committee.
v In the fall pf 1844 I was elected prosecuting attorney of Seneca
county, and re-elected in 1846. In 185 1 I was elected the first probate
judge of Seneca county, with the highest majority that Seneca county-
ever cast for any man to office. In the fall of 1854 I was re-nominated
by my party and would have been re-elected had it not been for the
storm of Know-Nothingism that swept the country -like a mad cyclone,
in the fall of that year. Seneca gave a majority of 1,400 for the Know-
Nothings. In 1859 I was nominated by the Democrats of Seneca
county as a candidate for representative to the legislature, with Mr.
Morris P. Skinner, Seneca county being entitled to two members that
time. Mr. Skinner (Democrat) and Mr. Jones (Republican) were
elected. It will interest but very few to relate the causes that led to my
defeat. In 1861 I was elected to the senate of Ohio from the counties
of Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot, and re-elected in 1863, serving four
years and during the war. In 1865 I was nominated by the Democratic
party of Ohio as its candidate for lieutenant-governor, on the ticket
with General G. W. Morgan for governor. In the fall previous the
state went Republican some 60,000 majority. The campaign was a
quiet one; there was no hope of a Democratic success, but with all, the
Republican majority was reduced one-half.' General Morgan and
myself made a vigorous campaign, and had but very little local aid,

388 , HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
working against hope. In .1869 I was elected treasurer of Seneca
county, and re-elected in 187 1, serving four years. I- was the first
mayor of the city of Tiffin, and the first president of the school board
of Tiffin, and being a member-of the same board now, I take great pride
in holding the highest office that thejaw gives to any man. I have now
been at the Tiffin bar longer than any other lawyer connected with it,
except it be brother Pennington.
Just in time, and before these sheets go to the printer, I can add the
fact, that at the Democratic state convention, held in Cleveland on
Thursday, the 2 2d day of July. 1880, 'I was nominated by acclamation
as the candidate for secretary of state. On my return to Tiffin on the
day following, a large party of my friends and neighbors, some five hun
dred, with a band of music and carriages, met me at the depot in Tiffin
and escorted me home. Dr. J. A. Norton announced my nomination
to the assembled crowd in front of the court house; W.'P. Noble made
a speech of welcome in glowing terms, and Republicans and Democrats
joined in their hearty congratulations. It was a scene the like of which
Tiffin never witnessed before. The ovation was a personal compliment,
without distinction of party. I record it here in gratitude as the hap
piest day of my life. The good opinion of one's neighbors is a price
far beyond the emoluments of office.

CHAPTER XXIV.
DRS. DRESBACH, KUHN, FISHER, O'CONNOR— TIFFIN MEDICAL SOCIETY-
INDUSTRIES IN TIFFIN— SENECA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-THE
PRESS: MESSRS. LOOMIS, NAYLOR, ,GROSS— THE SENECA COUNTY IN
FIRMARY—THE TIFFIN GAS LIGHT COMPANY— AGRICULTURAL WORKS,
ETC.— THE SENECA COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION— DER BRUDERBUND
—THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY— MRS. HARRIET CRAWFORD.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF DR. ELY DRESBACH.
[By J. A. McFa-buid'.j"
DR. ELY DRESBACH was born in Northumberland county, Penn
sylvania, in the year 1802. While he was yet quite young, his parents,
David and Catherine Dresbach, removed with him to Pickaway county,
Ohio, where they lived to a good old age. As he grew up, young Dresbach
was engaged, for some time, in the -mercantile business, but this occupation
was not to his taste, and at an early age he resolved to qualify himself to
enter the medical profession.
Cnlike many young men, he was fortunate in choosing the vocation for
which nature had eminently fitted him.
He pursued his studies with great assiduity and success in the office, and
under trie direction of Dr. Luekey, an eminent physician of Circleville.
After the usual time, thus spent, he attended a, course of lectures, at trie
Medical college of Ohio. ,
He then decided on trying his fortune among the pioneers of northwestern
Ohio, and finally settled down in Fort Ball; and after a few years he crossed
over the river to Tiffin, the seat of justice for the newly organized county of
Seneca. His old office in Fort Ball, a small, one-story brick building, is still
standing en Sandusky street, a few rods north of McNeal's storeroom. The
rooms he occupied as an office, for some years before his death, were on
Washington street, where the Commercial bank now stands.
The winter of 1827-8 was passed in Cincinnati, attending a second course
of, lectures, at trie close of which he took the degree of doctor of medicine.
Again in his chosen field of labor, his nopularity went on increasing, till, at
the end of the next decade, it was immense and well merited.
"None knew him but to love Jrim,
None named riim but to praise." '
And his name is still a household word in many of the old families of this
county. In the practice of medicine and obstetrics the Doctor took rank with
the foremost men of his time; in surgery riis standing was only fair, >as he

390 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
had no ambition to venture upon the more brilliant operations; these hS
turned over to sucri men as Mott and Mussy, who made surgery a specialty.
Dr. Dresbach was of medium height, stoutly built-, and a little inclined to
corpulency. His brain, though not very large, was active, with a good
anterior development. His temperament wa's sanguine; hair light auburn,
eyes blue, nose large and sligritly aquiline, neck sriort, criest and limbs well
developed, and his whole appearance that of an elegant gentleman, as he
was. In the matter of dress, he was scrupulously careful, always wearing
the finest and most fashionable garments. His kind, courteous, graceful
demeanor insured him a hearty welcome wherever he went, wriether in the
sick chamber or the drawing-room.
The Doctor was fond of books, and was well posted in current literature;
he was a most agreeable companion, indulging freely in anecdotes and per
sonal reminiscences, and had good conversational powers, though he made
no pretentions as a public speaker.
While a general favorite with the ladies, and fond of their society, and, at
one time matriirionially engaged, he lived all his days in single blessedness.
He was a lover of the fine arts, and of music especially; and many a leisure
half hour was filled with sweet strains from his favorite instrumemV-the
violin; and to his love of music, and to the encouragement he generously
gave to resident professors and amateurs, our city is, in some measure,
indebted for its present higri culture in music.
And now, kind reader, would you riave some glimpses to illustrate the
dual character of poor human nature; to show, side by side, its good and its
bad qualities, in the life under review?
Well— but no matter— 'tis enough to say that wriile trie Doctor was not
sinless, most of his faults were not of a malignant type, but rather of the
kind that are said " to lean to virtue's side."
But whatever they were,a most ungracious task it would be, to dwell upon
their unpleasant memory; and the writer must ask to be exeused, prefer-
ing, as he does, the reversal of the custom indicated in the following lines:
"The evil that men do, lives after them;.
The good is oft interred with their bones."
The Doctor was a member of the Masonic order. In politics he was a
Whig, and took a leading part in every campaign. In 1846 he was the Whig
candidate for congress, and, though defeated, had the satisfaction to know
that he had run considerably ahead of his ticket. Rodolphus Dickinson
was his opponent. David Tod was defeated for governor at" the same elec
tion. Vigorous as his constitution naturally was, it had its limit of endurance.
Overtasked, mentally and physically, for thirty years, in a malarious climate,
it is not surprising that riis life was cut short, in his fifty-first year. His
end came not suddenly; the.way to it was through long suffering, extending
over a period of several years.
Gradually declining health induced him to try the effect of a milder
climate. The winter of 1851-2 was spent in the south, visiting a brother and
making the acquaintance of many of the leading medicalmen of ttiat region.
With the return of the spring, however, there were no signs of returning

DR. HENRY KUHN. 39 1
health; and early in May, he set out for his loved home, stopping a few days
in Richmond, to attend the meeting of the American Medical Association.
The last year of his life was one of great suffering. He died April 14,
1853. The immense multitude that attended his funeral was evidence of the
sincere regard and affection of the community for which he had labored so
long and faithfully. » DR. HENRY KUHN
Was one of the pioneer physicians in Tiffin, and, took a very active
part in the development of the town and country.
He was born in Frederick City, Maryland, in 1802, and attended the
Frederick college, the oldest institution of western Maryland. He was
there so pious and attentive to his studies and so sedate as to have
acquired from the teachers and school-mates the soubriquet of
"Bishop." After he left the college he read medicine in the office of
Dr. Tyler, the leading physician of Frederick City, and finished under
Dr. Henry Staley, in Frederick. He graduated with the highest honors
from the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, in 1825, and soon there
after commenced the practice at Woodsboro, in Frederick county, near
which place Lewis Baltzell lived. Here he made the acquaintance of
Catherine, one of the daughters of Mr. Baltzell, whom he married. Of
that uniori Mrs. William Holt, of Tiffin, and Mrs. Kate Toner, of Can
ton, Ohio, are the only children living.
The exact time when the Doctor arrived in Tiffin I have not been
able to ascertain, but it must have been in 1831. I often heard him
say that he helped to cut the first tree in Market street, between Wash
ington and Monroe. He was very popular in his younger days among
his schoolmates and acquaintances. His manly personal appearance,
his dress and address, his family relationship and their position in
society, all added to make the young dootor- a distinguished character.
He came here into the woods and at once became the compeer of Drs.
Dresbach and Carey; with whom he divided the practice amdng the
scattered cabins for many miles around. He was often called to visit
the Wyandots^ on the Sandusky plains, and became highly esteemed
among the chiefs, of whom Sum-mon-de-wat was a special friend, as
already mentioned. One time he was called tp amputate the leg of a
squaw. She sat at the foot of a tree and fanned away the flies with a
fox's tail during the operation, without a wince or a groan. Whenever
the Wyandots visited Tiffin they would call on the Doctor at his little
frame office, on FCast Market street, and have a chat. The old office is
still standing, back of the new jail, but unoccupied. ' *

392

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

The father of Dr. Kuhn was for many years the most important and
distinguished man in Frederick county. He was 'the leader of the
Republican (Democratic) party for many years (from 1798101824).
He had read law but preferred farming. He had 700 acres well stocked
with slaves. The abolitionists stole nine of them at one time. Dr.
Kuhn brought a slave boy to Tiffin with him. He was a present from
some friend. I often heard Dr. Kuhn speak of him but have no knowl
edge of what became of him. The name of Dr. Kuhn's father was
Christian; his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Browning, daugh
ter of Jeremiah and Cassandra Browning. The old folks, after they
were eighty years of age; rode horseback to Steubenville, Ohio, where
they bought a farm. The old lady was highly intellectual and one of
the most scholarly women in Maryland. They were of English stock.
Christian, Kuhn was a German, wealthy and popular. He was the first
mayor of Frederick City, and frequently a member of the general assem
bly of Maryland. He traveled to the sessions in his own carriage.
He was then a leading spirit in most all leading matters, and for many
years held the office of chief judge of 'the orphans' court of Frederick
county. Dr. Kuhn held his reputation in the esteem of the people and the pro
fession up to his death. Nature seemed to have made him for a physi
cian, but with all his skill he had his weaknesses, too, like many other
men. His occasional indulgences in strong drink interfered materially
with his practice, while his habitual indifference about his finances kept
him poor. He earned money enough in his profession to be one of
our wealthiest men, but he seemed to set no value upon it. He
would become security for anybody that asked him the favor, and it
was no lesson to him- when he was compelled to pay. He was warm
hearted and generous, hospitable, syiripathetic, benevolent, kind. He
could refuse no favor in his power to grant; never learned to say "no."
His wife died about 1843. Sometime thereafter he married Miss Maria
Pennington, a sister to Robert G. Pennington, of Tiffin. This union
was blessed with three children: Robert D. Kuhn, Mrs. Emma Kim
ball and Louisa, the late Mrs. Fast, of Canton, Ohio. Mrs. Kuhn is
¦ still living.
Dr. Kuhn attained to the highest honors in ancient Masonry and
often represented the old Sandusky lodge in the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
He died at his residence on Clay street, in Tiffin, October 16, 1878.
DR. ROBERT C J. CAREY ,
Was a native of Maryland, and located in Fort Ball about the time Dr. '
Dresbach came here, and the two formed a partnership in the practice.

DR. JAMES FISHER. 393.
They had their first office in the small yellow brick, on Sandusky street,
still standing. Dr. Carey was considered a very good physician. He
was veryqpolite, and neat about his person. He died on the 9th day
of November, 1836, aged 35 years, n months and 20 days.
1 DR. JAMES FISHER. * %
The subject of this sketch filled quite a space in public affairs in
Tiffin, at an early, day, both as a physician and as a man of energy and
enterprise. He was born in Westminster, in Frederick county, Maryland, on the
ist day of January, 1801, and graduated at the Medical University of
Maryland, in April, 1823. He commenced practice in Abbottstown
and Oxford, Pennsylvania. After practicing a few years, he took a trip
through the west and south, and returned to Westminster in 1829, when
he made the acquaintance of the family of Dr. Thomas Boyer, of
Uniontown, Maryland, and especially that of the Doctor's daughter,,
Elizabeth M. This acquaintance with this daughter ripened into their
marriage, which took place in July, 1829. The name of the other
daughter was Mary R., who married Mr. Lloyd Norris. Both couple
were married on the same day, the Rev. Daniel Zollikoffer solemnizing
the -marriages.
' Dr. Fisher then practiced medicine at the Union Bridge, four miles
from Uniontown, in a neighborhood of excellent people. The families of
Drs. Boyer and Fisher moved to Tiffin in 1832, where Dr. Boyer died
in 1835; and Mrs. Boyer died here in 1847.
Dr. Fisher held the postoffice here, kept a drug store at an early day,
practiced medicine, speculated in lands and handled a great deal of
money. In 1866 he removed with his family to Springfield, Missouri,
where Mrs. Fisher's health declined; they never felt satisfied with the
change ; but their children were married and settled there and they
remained. , Mrs. Fisher died September 19, 1878, and was buried in
Maple Grove cemetery, having lived in happy wedlock with the Doctor
49 years. She was a splendid lady, highly cultivated, kind and sociable.
They have four daughters: Hannah E., wife of Charles A. Wright;
Mary E., wife of James Patterson; Laura, wife of Joe M. Steiner, and
Pattie D., wife of R. L: McElhany. and one son, Thomas B. Fisher, all
living. Dr. Fisher, at nearly four score, is still enjoying excellent health, but
since the death Of his wife, feels himself alone in the world.
The family of Dr. Boyer was highly cultured and iriuch esteemed.
The same air of old-style Maryland and Virginia aristocracy, mentioned

394 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
on former occasions, was well marked in this family also, but here, as
everywhere, it was always associated with politeness, kindness and broad
and generous hospitality.
Among the physicians practicing medicine jn Tiffin at this time, Drs.
J. A. McFarland (who located here in 1837), J. N. Heckermanj A. B.
Hovey, H. B. Maatin, E. J. McCollum, and S. S. Bricker are pioneers.
There are also in the practice now, Drs. W. Crawford, W. G. Williard,
J. T. Livers, J. F. E. Fanning, . J. P. Kinnaman, W; H. Hershiser, J.
Breidinger, J. Huss, F. H. Lang, W. H. Stover, D. Wells, and Maurice
Leahy. SENECA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
This is an auxiliary to the State Medical society, and is governed by
the same code of ethics, but has its own constitution and by-laws.
The state society was organized in a parlor of the old Neil house, in
Columbus, May 14th, 1846; the first Seneca county society at Dr. E.
Dresbach's office in 1852. Dr. McFarland was elected president, and
Dr. George Sprague secretary.
The present society was organized in one of the parlors of the Shaw-.
han house, in Tiffin, on the 25th day of September, 1878, with Dr. A.
B. Hovey as president, and Dr. A. L. Waugaman as secretary. The
society has its regular meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every
month. . 1
Of. the members of this society some minutes have been collected and
are here noticed: J. -U. HECKERMAN
Was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, November 22d, 1825; grad
uated at Washington college in 1846, and located in Tiffin.
H. B. MARTIN
Was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, JSfovember '15th, 1823; graduated at
Charity Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1850.
f. w. SCHWAN
Was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 3d, 1843; graduated at
Rush Medical college, Chicago, in 1867.
E. W. SULLIVAN
Was born in Tiffin, Ohio, March 22d, 1856; graduated at the medical
department of the Wooster university in 1878.
E. J. M'COLLUM
Was born June 10th, 1826, in Richland county, Ohio; graduated at the

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 395
Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, in March, 1853, and soon
thereafter located in Tiffin. H. B. GIBBON
Was born March 12th, 1852, at Big Prairie, Wayne county, Ohio; grad
uated at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in June, 1877,
and located in Seneca county in July the same year.
J. B. BLAND
Was born in Muskingum county July 22d, 1840; graduated at Starling
Medical college, Columbus, and located at Benton, Crawford county,
in 1869. ,
L. E. ROBINSON
graduated at Rush Medical college, Chicago, in 1873, and settled in
Republic in 1876. BENJAMIN S. STOVER
Was born June 13th, 1856, at Brooklyn, Cuyahoga county, Ohio; grad
uated at Jefferson Medical college in 1878; located in Republic the
same year. w. H. PAUL
Was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 14th, 1848; graduated at
Miami Medical college, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1872; located in Adrian
in 1876. DR. ARIEL B. HOVEY.
Was born in Albany township, Orleans county, Vermont, February 9th,
1829. When a boy fourteen years of age, he started for Ohio, and
entered Oberlin college, where he remained six years, and during this
time read medicine with Dr. Homer Johnson, of Oberlin. In 1850 he
entered the office of Prof. Ackley, in Cleveland, and graduated in
March, 1852, and in the sanie year located in Tiffin, where he has re
mained ever since in the successful practice of his profession. While
Dr. Hovey is regarded as a very able practitioner, he excels as a sur
geon, in which branch his skill and courage have made him eminently
successful and greatly celebrated. He is a member of several state
societies, as well as of the National Medical society.
MAURICE LEAHY
Was born March 14th, 1853, in the county ofKerry, Ireland; graduated
in the medical department of the Wooster university, in Cleveland,
Ohio, February 27th, 1878, and located in Tiffin in July, 1878.
JOHN D. O'CONNOR, M. D.
Snow covered the earth; the air was very cold; the sky was overcast
with heavy clouds; all nature looked gloomy and dreary, and so did

396 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the senate chamber of Ohio, wnen, at ten o'clock in the morning of the
first Monday in January, A. D., 1862, the senate was called to order.
The city of Columbus was full of soldiers; regiment after regiment was
organized and sent to the front. The sound of martial music rang in
the streets day and night, and here met the first legislature of Ohio
after the breaking out of the rebellion.
The condition of the country on that morning seemed to combine
with nature to cast a gloom and a sadness over the senate. The Hon.
Benjamin Stanton, president of the senate, took his seat; the members
were. sworn and seated, and the saddest countenance in that body was
that of Senator John D. O'Connor, of Monroe. He was then about
forty years of age, about six feet high; he had black hair, brushed back
from a high forehead, deeply set dark eyes, a chiseled face; a black
beard covered his mouth and chin. Heavy black eyebrows gave pow
erful expression to the white of his eyes, making his countenance won
derfully striking. He was lean of flesh* The paleness of his face and
his entire " make up " were calculated to arrest the attention, if not
excite the sympathy, of the most careless observer. Add to this a pru
dent reserve, close observation, quiet demeanor and polished manners,
and you have a fair picture of Dr. O'Connor on that morning.
Party spirit ran high during the war, and the few members of that
body who were elected by Democratic constituencies, were treated with
indifference, for their votes were not necessary to carry any measure;
yet that senate contained many distinguished gentlemen from all parts
of the state, some of whom became noted in other high positions which
they filled.
Dr. O'Connor and the writer belonged to that small number, and as
misery loves company, and for higher reasons, it was not long until
mutual respect warmed into mutual friendship that grew brighter as.
time rolled on, and lasted for life.
Dr. O'Connor's father was an Irishman who had served under Wel
lington in Spain, and after he was transferred with a portion of the
British army to Canada, he ran away with some of his comrades, came
to the United States, and settled in Woodsfield, Monroe county, Ohio,
in 181 7 or 1818. Here he was married to Rebecca Corothers, and
elected to the office of county recorder, which office he held for thirty
years. Here in Woodsfield, John D. was born, September 24th, 1822, and
here he received such education as the schools of the settlement.
afforded and the private instructions of Mr. Franklin Gale were able to
confer. He entered the office of Dr. Dillon, where he read medicine,

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 397
and afterwards located at Clarington, a little hamlet situate on the
banks, of the Ohio, in Monroe county, where Sunhsh creek enters the
river. To the boatmen of the river the place is best known by the
name of "Sunfish."
There, in 1845, he was married to Ruth C. Neff, and soon built up a
large and extensive practice. He attended a course of lectures in the
Miami Medical college, and graduated from it in 1858. Here he had
the benefit of the instructions of the elder Mussey, Murphy, Dawson,
Davis and other distinguished men in the profession.
In 1861 he was elected to the senate of Ohio from Guernsey, Monroe
and a part of Noble, and re-elected in 1-863.' After he had served out
his second -term as senator, in the summer,of 1865, the writer visited
him at Clarington, and made the. acquaintance of his interesting family,
consisting of Mrs. O'Connor, four beautiful young daughters, and a
little son. The doctor's .practice extended along the river bank and
over the rough frills and mountains of Monroe, where he had nearly
worn out his life in the pursuit of his profession. The children needed
education, and there was no good school nearer than Wheeling, twenty-
five miles away. I suggested to him the propriety of selling out and
removing to Seneca county, which I described as it was, and pictured
to him the situation of the Tiffin schools, its society, health, market,
topography, etc.
A visit from the doctor and Mrs. O'Connor was enough to prove all
I said, and'in 1866 the doctor bought the old Biggs farm, on the Mel
more road, a short distance south of Tiffin, where he lived until shortly
before he died.
Here at Tiffin he stepped at once into the front rank of his profes
sion, where he was highly esteemed, and became so popular among the
people that they elected him the delegate from this county to the con
stitutional convention.
The condition of his health scarcely warranted the task this position
required, but to prove his gratitude to the people who elected him, he
served the session of the convention in Columbus, and attended the
adjourned session in Cincinnati the following winter. The only answer
he gave his friends who tried to persuade him not to go to, Cincinnati,
was that he would rather wear out than rust out, and preferred to die
at his post. And he did die at his post, worn out. Nothing but his
iron will kept him up for months.
Ordinary men would have, succumbed to disease long before; but
with all his will power, Dr. O'Connor gradually wasted away, when on1
Saturday, the 21st day of February, r874, at nine o'clock P. M., " tired

398 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
like a child in the arms of its nurse, he fell asleep," as Judge Okey
expressed it in his eulogy of the doctor in the convention.
During his short association with the members of the convention he
won the love and esteem of them all, and on the morning when the
committee who had been appointed to prepare suitable resolutions
expressive of the seinse of the convention on his death, were about to
report, several gentlemen made remarks attesting their love and esteem for
the doctor, full of fine feeling' and warm appreciation of the good man
he was. Judge Okey, Messrs. Voris, Albright, Neil, Cook and others
spoke very eloquently. It is to be regretted that space will not permit
a reproduction of those eulogies here.
His body was brought /to Tiffin by a committee appointed by the
convention, on the 24th of February, and kept at the house of the writer
in Tiffin, from whence, on the next day, it was taken to the First Meth
odist Protestant church, where the Rev. J. C. Ogle delivered a very
appropriate sermon from Rev. 14:, 13V., to a large concourse of friends.
He was buried at the new cemetery, near Tiffin, under the beautiful and
impressive ritual of the F. & A. M.
Mrs. O'Connor is still living; the girls are all happily married. D.
O'Connor, his son, is attending school.
Dr. O'Connor was an excellent physician, possessed of a finely cu-1
tured mind; he was a true friend, a devoted patriot, a christian gentle-
1 man and an honest man. *
THE TIFFIN GAS LIGHT COMPANY i
Was organized in 1856 as a joint stock company, under the statute of
Ohio. The enterprise was originated- by Edward Gwyn, of Spring
field, Ohio, who came to Tiffin in that year, and induced several of our
citizens here to aid him. The capital stock was $3o,ooo,.of one thous
and two hundred shares, each twenty-five dollars. Mr. Gwyn sub
scribed all the stock except about fifty sriares, which were taken by
others. The city council of Tiffin granted to the company and its successors
and assigns forever, the use of the streets, alleys and public grounds
in Tiffin, to lay pipe and all other appliances to distribute'and carry
gas throughout the city.
The works are built on the old tannery lot near Rocky Creek, on
Perry street.
The company contracted with Mr. Gwyn' to build the works for the
stock he had subscribed and $10,000, to be secured by mortgage on the
works, and Mr. Gwyn was virtually the owner of the whole, as the fifty-

THE TIFFIN GAS LIGHT COMPANY. 399
shares were subscribed more as a donation than for profit, and were
soon transferred to him.
The original works were small, having only two miles of pipe laid in
trie streets, having fifty street lamps, and charging $4.50 per 1,000 cubic
feet, $3 per year for rent of meter, and $25 per year for street lamps.
In i860 Mr. Gwyn sold the works to his brother, John Gwyn, who con
tinued to be the owner until 1870. Between i860 and 1870 less than
one-half mile of pipes were laid, and the old prices maintained. In
1870 John Gwyn sold out to George E. Seney and John T. Huss. On
the death of Huss in 1875, Judge Seney became and still is the owner.
Within the past ten years the works have been greatly enlarged and
improved. All that now exists of the purchase from Gwyn is the old
building and about one mile of pipe; all else is new. >
The capital stock now is $100,000; gas $2.50 per 1,000 cubic feet,
and no rent charged for the use of meters, with a prospect further to
decrease the price of gas as the number of consumers increase. There
are now about ten miles of gas pipe in the streets, and one hundred
and seventy-four street lamps. It requires two men and a horse to
light and extinguish the lamps, who must travel twenty-four miles to do
the work. The works consume from 1,200 to 1,500 tons of the best
Youghiogheny gas coal, yearly. Five men and two horses are employed
at the works. The annual production of gas is from five to six millions
of feet.
Judge George E. Seney is president, and John M. Bate secretary and
superintendent. 1
THE OHIO STOVE WORKS.
1
Amongst the various industries of the city may be mentioned the
Ohio Stove works, a joint stock company, whose works are located near
the" Baltimore and Ohio depot. The company is. now well organized
and in successful operation. THE TIFFIN AGRICULTURAL WORKS
Is a joint stock company. The works are located at the corner of
Water and Minerva streets, where they cover an area of about four
acres. They have a capital stock of about $100,000, and the institu
tion is under the control of efficient officers, and is in a flourishing con
dition. THE TIFFIN WOOLEN MILLS
Are also in successful operation, now employing about seventy hands.

400 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
THE TIFFIN CHURN FACTORY,
Organized by A. C. Baldwin & Co., "is doing a good' business; it pros
ecuted its work steadily during the late severe long panic, proving
that the institution is in able hands.
LOOMIS AND NYMAN'S FOUNDRY,
Located near the bridge on Market .street, started when, in 1847, they
riought trie old foundry then conducted by Jesse Wolf. They after
wards bought the property where Van Nest's carriage factory stood,
and erected valuable buildings on the premises. The firm is now com
posed of John D. Loomis, Philetus Nyman and George Loomis. They
employ about 28 hands and turn out work annually to. the value of
$50,000. , THE TIFFIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Is also a joint stock company, doing a great deal of work, and in suc
cessful operation on Melmore street.
THE TIFFIN WATER WORKS
Were accepted by the council of the city iri the fall of 1879. There
are about 14 miles of water pipes in the city. The city pays rent for
hydrants. There are now in Tiffin 26 grocery stores, 6 dry goods stores, 5
¦clothing stores, 8 boot and shoe stores, 1 carpet store, 6 millinery
and fancy stores, 5 jewelry stores, 4 drug stores, 4 fruit, confectionery
and bakery stores, 3 hardware stores, 4 stove and tin stores, 2 hat and
and cap stores, 2 china and crockery stores, 2 book and stationery
.stores, 3 furniture stores, 3 photograph rooms, 5 harness shops, 2 mar
ble dealers, 4 cigar manufacturers, 6 printing establishments, 7 barber
shops, 8 meat markets, 5 blacksmith shops, 6 carriage and wagon works,
2 breweries, 3 wholesale liquor stores, 3 music stores, 6 hotels, 5 board
ing houses, 1 plumbing and gas-fitting store, 2 pump, shops, about 56
saloons, 2 bent works factories, 2 sash, door and blind factories, 1
foundry, 1 stove factory, 1 woolen mill, 1 churn factory, 2 shoe fac
tories, the gas works, agricultural works and water works.
There also three, building loan associations in the city.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Is a new creation and fitting up a fine room in the market house build
ing. It was- incorporated in March, 1880, and the following named
persons are the officers of the institution, viz:

SENECA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 401
President— R. W. Shawhan.
Vice-Presidents— Mrs. W. P. Noble, Mrs. John D. Lqomis.
Secretary— C. H. Cramer.
Treasurer— J. W. Chamberlain.
Trustees— W. P. Noble, Francis Wagner, George G. Harriman, Miss
Flora Cronise, Mrs. Laura B. Sneath, Mrs. Laura G. Bunn .
There will be a public opening of the library on the 12th of May,
1880. One thousand, six hundred volumes of books are already collected.
There are also two bent works in the city. One on West Market
street, owned by F. Smith, and the other on Water street, carried on
by the Fishbaugh Brothers. Both are doing successful business.
There are also a number of brickyards in full operation, and a drain
tile factory, carried on by John Heilman.
Tiffin has, also two flouring mills; one at the north end of the iron
bridge, on Washington street, and the other on Mill street; the former
runs by steam and the latter by water power; both in daily operation.
Unable to give the exact amount I feel it safe to say that more than
five millions of dollars are invested in the various industries in Tiffin.
SENECA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The pioneer legislatures of Ohio comprehended their missions fully
and passed laws for the promotion of agriculture, for the protection of
-stock, to open roads to market, etc., etc. And the manner in which
Seneca county threw off her mantle of "native wild " and prepared the
way for civilized life, proves the high order of the intelligence of her
pioneer farmers. First a cabin, then roads, then meeting-houses and
school-houses,- then mills, and one improvement after another.
On the 7th of June, 1833; the following notice was published in the
Spieca Patriot:
To the Citizens of Seneca County— Notice is hereby given that a
ineeting will be held at the Court House, in the town of Tiffin, (they had no
court house), in the county of Seneca, on the 28th day of June inst., for the
purpose of organizing an agricultural society, to be entitled the Seneca
County Agricultural Society, in pursuance of an act of the legislature,
passed February 25, 1833. By order of the Board of Commissioners.
DAVID E. OWEN,
Clerk for the Commissioners.
Nothing was done under this notice, however, for very many rea
sons, the strongest of which was the fact, that the people had nothing
to exhibit; fancystock in horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, etc., had
not been introduced here as yet, and there would have been " no
show." 215.

402 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
• It was pot long, however, until the ¦ subject was agitated again, and
now another' notice was published as follows:
. GOD SPEED THE PLOUGH.
In conformity with the act entitled, "An act to authorize and encourage
the establishment of agricultural societies in the several counties in this
state," passed March 12, 1839, notice is hereby given that there will be a
meeting held at the court house in Tiffin, on Saturday, the 1st day of Janu
ary next, for the purpose of organizing, etc. G. J. KEEN, Auditor 8. C.
Tiffin, December, 1841.
The meeting was held at the M. E. church. John Terry, Samuel
Waggoner, Abel Rawson, A. Ingraham, W. Toll, Evan Dorsey, Louis
Baltzell, Lloyd Norris, Jacob S. Jennings, R. G. Pennington, Andrew
Moore, George Stoner, J. W. Wilson and others took active part.
Sarpuel Waggoner was elected president; A. Ingraham^ vice-presi
dent; Evan Dorsey, recording secretary; R. G. Pennington, correspond
ing secretary; Lloyd Norris, treasurer; Terry, Moore and Stoner,
executive committee. A constitution was adopted. Thus the society
was put on foot and has flourished ever since. Its county fairs are
amongst the best in the state. It owns about twenty-five acres of land
near College Hill, between North Greenfield and Portland roads, well
provided with halls, race track and stalls. Its present officers are: N L.
Brewer, president; Jacob Rickenbaugh, vice-president; H. J. Weller,
secretary; -John M. Kaull, treasurer. There are eighteen managers, one
from each township, two from the city and one from the county at large.
The vast majority of the most successful business men in Tiffin are
those who commenced the world with very little capital, or none at
all, and I take pride to record the fact, that the leading characters in
all branches of industry here, are self-made men.
Some have already been named, and a few more only will now be
noticed. , MR. JOHN D. LOOMIS
Was born Novembers, l8lL in Osego county, New York and was raised
in Cayuga county, same" state. He came to Ohio in 1839 ancl located
in New Haven where he remained five years, and then removed to
Licking cOunty, Ohio, where he remained two years, and in 1847 re
moved to Tiffin, Ohio, where he has remained ever since. The firm,
of which he has been the head ever since its location, has not only con
stantly increased since its location here, but has never been under the
necessity of borrowing a dollar.

HENRY GROSS. • 403
MR. JOHN M. NAYLOR
Was born at Wooster, Ohio, on the 9th of December, 1822. When a
boy he became a cleik in a store in Wooster, then carried on by Messrs.
Jacobs and Kanke. This was in 1834. In 1847 Mr. Naylor, in com
pany with Mr. Harvey Howard, of Wooster, opened a hardware store
in Tiffin, which they carried on here until 185 1, when Mr. Howard
sold his interest, and the' store from that time was conducted in the
name of Naylor & Pittenger up to 1855. From that time to 1857 Mr.
Naylor conducted the business alone, for three years, when he was
joined by a brother, W. W. Naylor, and the firm was called Naylor &
Bro. This firm was continued to March 4, 1866, when William W.
Naylor died, and the immense establishment has ever since been car
ried on by Mr. Naylor alone.
On the nth day' of December, 1849, Mr. Naylor was married to
Cornelia, daughter of Judge Pittenger. In 1857 he built the beautiful
villa on Melmore street, where he still resides. The mother of Mr.
Naylor was a sister to Judge Musgrave, of Crawford county. An uncle
by marriage was Judge Dean, of Wayne county, and my esteemed
friend, Judge E. V. Dean, of Ironton, Ohio, is a full cousin of 'J. M.
Naylor. Mr. Naylor's life is a fine specimen of a self-made, successful career,
based upon industry, economy, ability and honesty. Ever busy, late
and early, with a friendly word for everybody, it is a matter of perfect
wonder where he ever found time to make himself master of history,
civil government and universal geography.
HENRY GROSS.
In the outset of this enterprise, the writer intended to say as little as
possible about the living, but to recall the past and present it to the
reader in its true light. Having unavoidably touched a few of the
living, it would wrong the harmony of the work did I not also mention
another distinguished Tiffinite, who, by his genius and skill, has won
for himself a national reputation.
Seneca county has not been slow in producing men of distinction in
almost every department of life. Our farmers are celebrated for hav
ing made. Seneca county the first "wheat county" in Ohio; our
mechanics are equal, at least, to the best of them; our lawyers and doc
tors are men of note; the nation found a president as near to Seneca
county as possible; we have furnished the state with two state treasur
ers, one governor, one lieutenant-governor and came within 29,000
votes of furnishing another; we have sent four of our citizens to con-

404 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
gress and three colonels to* the war, with a fair prospect of. sending
another; the United States sent one of our citizens to represent her in
China, and Pere Hyacinthe married one of our fair daughters.
Henry Gross is the second son of Henry Gross, sen., mentioned in a
former chapter. He was born July 21, 18 13. When a boy he made
himself busy in his father's gun shop and learned the use of tools. As
he grew up he formed a great taste for music and the fine arts, and while
he acquired and mastered the gunsmith trade, became also an inventor:
He secured a patent for a breech-loading rifle, and, in company with
Mr. Ed. Gwynn, started a. factory. In this, as in almost all his busi
ness undertakings, he allowed himself to be over-reached and proved
to his friend that he was more of a genius than a financier. He secured
many patents on ingenious steel and iron works, time-locks on safes,
etc. While he was in the employ of trie " Hall Safe and Lock Co.," ,in
Cincinnati, for many years, he was sent for from very many places in
the United States to open safes that by some accident had become
fastened and nobody found to open them. Mr. Gross traveled many
thousand miles on missions of that nature, and never failed in any case.
He often astounded the by-standers in opening safes in a few minutes
when others had worked for days. It is safe to say that there is not a
safe niade anywhere that Mr. Gross cannot open in a very short time
without knowing anything about the combinations. Were it not for
his high order of character and strict integrity, he would certainly be a
dangerous man to run at large.
Of his latest and best invention, the papers are full of praise, and a
copy of an article that appeared in the Southern Merchant of Novem
ber, 1879, is nere added to show how Mr. Gross' genius is appreciated
by other people, and not to have it said that William Lang runs wild with
his love for old Seneca and his friends.
But here is the article:
In our occupation as journalists, recording the current events of the times
— trie affairs of governments and political movements, trie evil doings of the
criminal classes, the gyrations of society, the theatrical stellar attractions,
the condition of the great manufacturing interests, the prospects of the
growing crops, and the excitement in the great commercial marts, and the
educational, religious, and sesthetical interests, it sometimes becomes our
duty as well as pleasure to sing the praises of the great geniuses and triinkers
wrio overcome the obstacles of nature and utilize her forces for the good,
comfort and happiness of mankind — the men who have a keen appreciation
of the disadvantages under which sorrowing humanity toil, and strive to
attain happiness, and put forth their best energies to dissipate them.
As one of this illustrious band we take pleasure in classing Mr. Henry
Gross, of Cincinnati, Ohio, with whom we had a delightful and instructive

HENRY GROSS. 405
•
interview, learning of his achievements in the various branches of the
mechanic arts to whicri lie lias turned his attention and thoughts. His name
is familiar to almost every banker throughout the country as a skilled expert
and the inventor of the finest time and permutation locks extant, and they
will no doubt be pleased to learn that he has again come to their aid, prom
ising them still further protection from the hands of lawlessness.
We have neither time nor space to record all the incidents of his eventful
career, devoted as it has been to many fields of inventive research, but we
wish to speak somewhat limitedly of his later achievements in the construc
tion of devices for the preservation of accumulated wealth, the reward of
industry, from the natural and human enemies which beset the possessor—
we mean his improvements in the construction of those trusty safeguards of
the merchant and banker,* the fire and burglar-proof safes and vaults, and
the locks and bolt-work thereof.
Mr. Gross has had the most intimate and varied experience in the con
struction of safes and locks during the past ten years, and as an expert has
been invariably succes_sful in exposing the weaknesses of safes put upon the
market by their makers with the false claims' to security. As the result of
this rich and varied experience, we are not therefore surprised that Mr.
Gross has apparently reached the goal of excellence in this particular art,
and we will take pleasure iri speaking somewriat in detail of his various
improvements. First and foremost he exhibits a burglar-proof safe for bankers' uss, the
door of which is guarded when closed by the most simple /and compact bolt
work, so constructed that it presents a resistive strength to fracture equal to
five times that of any system of train bolts now in use, and this bolt work,
with the locks to guard it, is operated by a massive, invulnerable welded
steel and iron disc, hung upon inner and outer bearings so truly and perfect
ly that it can be revolved like a top under the slightest pressure, while it is
secured so strongly and closely in a corresponding opening in the body of the
door that it would require tons of pressure or shock to remove it. The more
immediate cause that developed the necessity of this new departure in safe
construction lay in certain discoveries made by Mr. Gross in the course of
his expert occupation of opening safes whose locks had become deranged or
the combinations lost by-carelessness.
He found by experimental test that the various spindles or arbors in com
mon use, by means of which the locks and bolt work were manipulated,
could be successfully assailed, so that he seldom consumed more than two
hours, and usually about half that time or less, in utterly destroying them
and entering the safe. Feeling that such safes could not be conscientiously
recommended to the public as burglar-proof, he devised the above described
improvement, which entirely does away with the use of spindles or arbors,
and with this disc arrangement the safe has then nothing passing through
it, and the door and walls are solid alike. Mr. Gross stakes his professional
reputation on the merits of this invention, whicri only requires to be seen to
be appreciated; its simplicity is apparent to everyone, and trie practical man
can readily see triat the inventor has simply taken advantage of the best con
struction to secure maximum strength in the materials used.
The locks employed to secure this safe are the result of much study, and

406 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
•
are most admirably adapted to the purpose. The time movement and per
mutation tumblers are closely connected within a space of two inches square,
and perform all the functions of the ordinary bulky time and combination
locks of tta times the size, while possessing new features of convenience and
security that will be readily appreciated by users. Mr. Gross also finally
presents a fire-proof safe, of excellent design and calculated per maximum
efficiency in the protection of its contents from fire.
All the inventions of Henry Gross, from his first " time loek," show the
master's hand of genius, and now that he has practically demonstrated the
excellence and invulnerability of the two last efforts of his skill, it is sin
cerely to be rioped that bankers, county treasurers, and those who nse safes
generally, will look at the merits of his make before they buy the produc
tions of mendacious manufacturers, whose main merits consist in the liberal
use of. printer's ink.
If Mr. Gross' executive and' financial abilities were equal to his
genius, he would have been a millionaire long since.
THE PRESS.
The various newspaper enterprises that were established in Tiffin
from time to time, the incidents connected with them, the political
views they advocated, the questions that agitated the public mind from
time to time, and the greater or lesser lights that figured on the affirma
tive and negative sides of these questions,the results obtained by the
elections and all that and more, would make a very interestihg book,
and it is hoped some Tiffinite will some day take up the subject apd
write up a volume.
A short history of these establishments in Tiffin, without comment, is
all that is intended here.
The first newspaper published in the county was the Seneca Patriot,
E. Brown, editor and proprietor. The little hand press upon which it
was printed was procured'from Mr. J. P. McArdle, who claimed for it
that it was the first printing press brought to Ohio.
The first number was issued' August 4th, 1832. Its motto was, " Con
stitutional Rights, Republican Institutions, and Union Forever."
The paper came out as circumstances would permit. Sometimes
the editor was out of paper; sometimes out of ink. Public patronage
was not very good, and the notices and work from the county officials
formed the principal part of his support. The greatest trouble of all,
however, was the triangular fight between the political parties. The
Patriot was the only paper in the county, and Mr. Brown undertook to
accommodate them all, and secure custom from each. He proposed,
therefore, to devote a certain space of each paper to articles suitable
to' the ideas of each party, and headed them " Clay politics/' "Jackson

THE PRESS. 407
politics," "Wirt politics." For awhile he abstained from taking any
part and remained neutral, but the Whigs blamed him with partiality,
sent in one communication after another, and he, bore up with wonder
ful courage for a while. Finally the thing got so pressing, and the
anti-Masons so boisterous, that Mr. Brown lost all power of endur
ance, and finally, on the 27th of October, 1832, he came out in an edi
torial to declare his true position. He could stand it no longer. He
complained of men of the three parties who' were so unreasonable as to
claim more than their share of trie paper, and being refused, threatened
to injure the paper, etc. He finally concluded by .saying : " Should we
be compelled to haul down our tri-colored flag, or to be more explicit,
we shall undoubtedly hoist true American colors, and if we are driven
from our position we shall assuredly declare for Andrew Jackson and
the Democratic party."
Now the Whigs withdrew their patronage; Ebert and Mercer came
out in an open card and refused to support the paper because it was
no longer neutral. Brown had gone over to the Jackson men.
In the next issue, the editor says: " From what has already' trans
pired we are convinced we can never give satisfaction while we pursue
the course first prescribed. Party feeling is so much excited in this
place, that jealousies will arise,' and unpleasant measures will be taken,
however jus't our cause may be."
That settled it. . Mr. Elisha Brown sometime after took sick and died
at Cincinnati. His son, J. H. Brown, carried on the paper for a short
time thereafter, and then sold the press and material to Mr. Alonzo
Rawson. Before proceeding further in the history of the press, let us record
such evidence as can be secured to preserve trie history of
this old press, which is certainly very remarkable. It was brought to
Washington. Pennsylvania, by a> Mr. Cplerick, prior to the year 1800,
from some place on the Atlantic coast. It was removed from Wash
ington to Wellsburg, Virginia, about the year 1820, by J! P. McArdle,
who was a very polite and intelligent Scotchman, and lived with his
family for a long time in Republic, where one of his sons, Ed. McArdle,
still resides. Mr. J. P. McArdle moved this press to Mount Vernon,
Ohio, where he published the Register in 1816, and the above date of
1820 must be erroneous. From Mount Vernon the press was removed
to Clinton, and from there in 1827 to Norwalk. Here it became the
property of the Messrs. Browns, kwho took it to Sandusky City and
brought it from there to Tiffin in 1832.
• The Seneca Advertiser, speaking of this old press onetime, said:

408 HISTORY OF SENECA 'COUNTY.
" It must be acknowledged that this venerable press, in the service of half
a century, has earned at least the reputation of a faithful ' herald of a noisy
world.' It has no doubt emblazoned to the world the achievements of many
an eminept statesman, and probably chronicled as they occurred the stirring
eventswhicri gave our government its national existence. Commencing its
tour of pilgrimage upon the Atlantic coast,- it has wound its way to the
fancied ' far west.' It is indeed a relic of other days. He who would com
pare, at this day, that sturdy lever with the vast improvements made upon
its like, since its first days, would behold one of the most astonishing and
remarkable evidences of human skill ever developed in any branch of scien
tific or mechanical invention."
If this be the first press (and it undoubtedly was) that crossed the
Alleganies, it should become the property of the west, and here be pre
served to attest the improvements in the " art preservative of arts." -
Mr. Alonzo Rawson, who bought the press, issued the first number
of the Independent Chronicle and Seneca Advertiser on the 26th of April,
1 834. Making his bow to the people he said he would be independent in
politics, and advocate measures, not men. He soon, however, leaned
over to the Whigs very strongly, and the leading Democrats put their
heads together to buy Rawson out.
Mr. Josiah F. Reed purchased the office from Mr. Rawson, and issued
the first number of the Tiffin Gazette and Seneca Advertiser in the
last week in November, 1835, as the organ of the Democracy.
During a large portion of the year 1836, it seems that there was no
paper published in Lower Sandusky, for nearly or all the official notices
from Sandusky county during that time were published in the Gazette
riere. In the latter part of February, 1838, Luther A. Hall, who was one of
the principal leaders of the Whigs of Seneca county, bought the whole
concern of Mr. Reed, and immediately handed it over to Mr. Joseph
Howard, who was one of the early lawyers here, and the second clerk
of the common pleas court, a Whig, of course. Mr. Howard kept the
name of the- Gazette for his paper, but dropped the Advertiser. In riis
inaugural he says that he must have the support of all people who want
a newspaper, and throws himself upon the Whig party especially. Mr.
Howard, after one, or two issues, sold the concern to Samuel A. Gris-
wold, who issued his first number on the 7th day of April, 1838, and
conducted it as the organ of the Whigs until the fall of 1842, when it
was discontinued. Mr. Griswold is at present the editor of the Lan
caster (Ohio) Gazette, which has b,een under his charge for many years.
What has become of the old press ? Now came on the ides of the
ever memorable campaign of 1840, and the Democrats without a news-

THE PRESS. 469, '
paper! " Willenskraft Wege schafft," says an old German proverb.
Money was raised, a new press arid type purchased, and the Van
Burenite saw the light of day; " Cronise and others', editors and pro
prietors." The " others " were Joshua Seney and Gabriel J. Keen. In
the fall of 1841 the Van Burenite was discontinued, and in the fpllow-
ing spring Mr. John G. Breslin purchased the concern and issued The'
Seneca Advertiser. The first number was published on the 6th of May,
1842 Mr. Breslin conducted the Advertiser until 1854, when it was
leased to John Flaugher, who continued it about one year, and was
succeeded by W. W. Armstrong, now of the Cleveland Plaindealer,
until the year 1857, when Mr. Armstrong purchased the concern and
became its proprietor, as well as its editor. He continued the paper
until the spring of 1863, when he rented the office to Messrs. Beilharz.
& Myers to take charge of the office of secretary of state, to which he
was elected in October, 1862. About one year thereafter Mr. Beilharz.
withdrew, and J. M. Myers had charge of the office alone, and has edited
the paper ever since, with his acknowledged ability. The office has.
been vastly enlarged and irtiproved, and the Myers Brothers have lately
abandoned steam power and substituted water power to run their
presses. In the line of politics the office has made no change since
the first issue of trie Van Burenite, now forty long years.
The inaugural address of the Van Burenite was written by Joshua
Seney, Esq, and a copy is preserved in the appendix to this book,
which see. '
In the summer of 1848 my esteemed old friend, John G. Breslin, was
a candidate for member of the house of representatives of Ohio. The
leaders of the Democratic party undertook to publish a German Dem
ocratic newspaper in the office of the. Advertiser, and thereby aid in
rallying the German citizens in support of the Democratic party.
In conformity with this plan an address was issued and circulated
among the Democrats of the county to raise funds, of which the follow
ing is a copy.
To 

The undersigned, Democratic central committee of Seneca county, desire-
to secure the publication of a German Democratic paper in Tiffin for the
campaign, and, if properly sustained, design making it a permanent issue.
Of the success of this enterjprise we entertain no doubt, if we can secure
sufficient means to purchase the necessary type, etc. We have made arrange
ments to secure the use of the press, etc., of trie Seneca Advertiser office, and
it now remains only for us to raise trie amount necessary to enable us to pro
cure trie above articles.
The expense of sustaining the paper, etc., after its commencement, will be

410 HISTORY OF SENECA_ COUNT*.
borne here by our friends in subscriptions. Our desire in addressing you is,
to solicit such aid as you may deem proper to extend, to enable us to com
mence the publication. And we assure you that such aid as you may afford
will be gratefully received, and faithfully applied to the purpose intended,
and the furtherance of democratic principles in northwestern Ohio.
The necessity.of a German Democratic paper in this section of the State-
located, too, in trie banner district of Ohio— will be apparent to you, when we
state that there are in this (Seneca) county about eight hundred German
Democratic voters-^at least twenty-five hundrerl in triis congressional dis
trict—and doubtless from fifteen to twenty thousand in northwestern Ohio—
among whom we can number some of the most unyielding Democrats in the
State— yet are comparatively destitute of the means of acquiring political
information. If successful in commencing this publication, we feel assured hundreds,
if not thousands, can be rallied to the polls, and many induced to a speedier
naturalization, who riave rieretofore felt indifferent as to the importance of
acquiring the rights of citizens, and the glorious privileges of an American
freeman— and thus swell, by thousands, the Democratic vote of Ohio,.
For such amount as may be contributed by yourself, and other friends in
your place, we will, of course, furnish the proper number of papers, weekly,
in remuneration. Will you exert yourself actively among the friends of the
cause, and advise us as soon as possible of your success, etc. ?
JOEL W. WILSON
RICHARD WILLIAMS,
WILLIAM LANG,
JOHN G. BRESLIN.
Democratic Central Committee.
Tiffin, February 4, 1848.
This call was answered by funds sufficient to purchase a lot of type
for a German paper, and the first copy of the Seneca Adler made its
appearance about the latter part of April, 1848, and appeared weekly for
just six months; William Lang was the editor, and John G. Breslin the
publisher. At the end of this time, Mr. Breslin was elected a member
of the general assembly, and getting ready to go to Columbus, had
nobody to look after the Adler in the office, and the writer found other
and more profitable employment. The. Adler was the first German
paper published in Seneca county. The next German newspaper pub;
lished here was the Unsere Flagge, J. M. Zahm. editor and proprietor;
and the third, Die Tiffin Presse, George Homann, editor and propri
etor; both of which shall be noticed again.
On the 18th of November, 1845, the first number of the Whig
Standard was issued by George L. Wharton, editor.
The following is the conclusion of the editor's " salutatory," viz :
" We shall enter our protest against the Locofoco party and labor ardently
for the preservation of those principles bequeathed to us by the patriots of
the revolution— the principles of the Whig party— a party whose origin was '

THE PRESS. - 411
our country's revolution, and whose fidelity and patriotism achieved our
independence. Upon this broad platform we shall stand, adhering firmly to
liberty, despising anarchy and despotism with an eye single to the interest
of our country, feeling assured that upon the integrity of the Whig party,
rests our destiny as a nation."
Mr. Wharton conducted the Standard until 1848, when he was fol
lowed by Abraham Laubach, who continued it only one year, and sold
out to Captain McKee, who conducted the paper until 1855, when W.
C. Gray became its editor, and changed the name to the Tiffin Tribune.
He left in 1861, at which time John Robbins purchased it, and con
tinued its publication until 1865, when it again changed hands, passing
into- the possession of Abraham Kagy, who edited it but a short time,
when Messrs. Myers ' and Miller bought him out, and published the
paper until 1868. In November of the year 1868, Messrs. Charles N.
Locke and Otis T. Locke purchased the office, and it has ever since
been continued under the firm name of Locke & Bro When the Whig
party merged over and into the Republican party, the Tribune followed
the transit, and has ever since been the organ of the Republican party
of Seneca county. The paper has a large circulation, and is very ably
edited by O. T. Locke, who is still at his post.
In October, 1854, J. M. Zahm, Esq., started a German paper called
Vnsere Flagge, and continued the publication until January, 1867. It
supported Democratic principles from an independent standpoint. The
office was purchased by Elmer White and Frank Rader in 1868, who
commenced the publication of an English paper, independent in poli
tics, called the Tiffin Star. In October, 1873, Messrs. J. K. Huddle
and Frank Dildinepurchased the office, the latter retiring in 1874, after
which time the paper was published by Mr. Huddle alone, who turned
it into, a daily, made a most spicy sheet, and the first daily newspaper
Tiffin ever had. It is to' be regretted Jriat Mr. Huddle was not sus
tained with funds, as he should have been, until the office could rely
upon its own resources, which it would have done in a short time after
it failed.
The Tiffin Presse, George Homann, editor and proprietor, made its
first appearance on the 6th day of January, 187 1; is Democratic
in its views; has a large circulation, is generally admired by the Ger
man community in the county, and is very ably edited.
The Evening Herald was established January 9th, 1877. It is a spicy
little daily, well managed; H. C. Kepple, publisher and proprietor;
W. H. Kepple, editor.
The Tiffin Gazette,' Charles L. Zahm, editor and proprietor, issued

412 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
its first number in April, 1878. It was a weekly neutral family news
paper, well edited, and very clean and neat in its mechanical appear
ance, decidedly the most readable family paper published in the city;'
appeared only about one year, when it was suspended for want of
proper patronage. Mr. Zahm sold the office some 'time afterwards to
D. J. Statter, Esq., who, as the editor and proprietor of the Tiffin News,
a weekly family newspaper, issued the first number on April 3, 1880.
It is a beautiful and interesting four page sheet.
The circulation of all these weeklies is about 5,000.
In addition to all these newspapers, large quantities of daily papers
from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Chicago are sold by the news
boys. There are more that 5,000 newspapers and 3,000 periodicals
distributed at the Tiffin postoffice every week in addition to the above.
' What further proof is required tp show that Tiffin contains a reading
population ?
The letters and papers sent by the Tiffin postoffice number over
15,000 per week.
Foreign dailies are sold to the number of 300 or more by the news
boys. WILLIAM W. ARMSTRONG.
Hitherto, in glancing over the history of the press in Tiffin, very little
has been said about two distinguished men connected with it, and who
did more than any of their predecessors to elevate the tone of the
press and improve the style mentally and mechanically," thus fitting it
to the demands of trie age apd the requirements of a higher order of
newspaper literature.
One of these men is the subject of this sketch, and if time and mate
rial can be procured before this chapter goes to the printer, there will
also be added a short pen-picture of the other.
Mr. Armstrong was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, on the 18th day .of
March, 1833. He is the youngest son of General John Armstrong, a
prominent and influential citizen of Columbiana county. In 1847, °n
trie 27th day of May, when only two months past fourteen years of age,
William became an apprentice to the printing business in the office, of
the Seneca Advertiser, at Tiffin, then published by John G. Breslin,
Esq., a position he was compelled to take owing to the financial
reverses of his father. William was then a small boy, and, the writer,
being an old friend of Mr. Breslin, and visiting the office of the Adver
tiser very often, well remembers the little fellow sitting at the desk try
ing penmanship, and looking up into my face with his large blue, sad
eye, that seemed to speak of homesickness or loss of friends. Our old

s THE PRESS. 413
¦citizens too, well remember the boy with his red curls, his friendly face,
his polished manners, as he delivered his newspapers every week for a
•couple of years. It was not long after his arrival here until William
had a host of friends among trie older classes of our citizens. His
sprightliness and ability soon endeared him to his employer, Mr. Bres
lin, who made him one of his family.
Mr. Armstrong worked at his trade, occasionally contributing to the
editorial columns of the Advertiser, until 1852. When Mr. Breslin was
treasurer of state, he tendered him the office of register of the bank de
partment af the state treasurer's^ office, which he filled with the satisfac
tion of the banks and the treasurer for about two years. The life of a
clerk was distasteful to young Armstrong, and he returned to Tiffin in
1854, purchased the Advertiser, and entered on, his majority and edi
torial career about the same time.
The young writer being an ardent Democrat, the Advertiser was
¦conducted as a Democratic organ of the strictest sect, and he being a
good business manager and a vigorous writer, soon made his paper a
power in northwestern Oriio. In 1857 he was appointed by President
Buchanan postmaster at Tiffin, an office which he held until 1861, when
he was retired by a Republican successor.
On the 10th of November, 1857, Mr. Arrnstrong was married to Miss
Sarah V., the youngest daughter of Josiah Hedges, Esq. Their union
has been blessed with three children, two boys, both now dead, and one
daughter, Miss Isabella H.,- surviving
Mr. Armstrong's position in politics in Seneca county, and his genial
. .nature, made him a strongman in his party in the state, and his strength
was manifested in 1862, when, although still but twenty-nine years of
age, he was elected secretary of state of Ohio. His determination to
. make that office one of importance is shown by the fact that under his
administration its reports became the most interesting of any of the
rstate departments. He collected election statistics, facts, etc., which
made the report much sought after. He served as secretary from 1863
to 1865 during the period of our great civil war, and although ari ardent
Democrat, was in favor of trie maintenance of the union. His name
will be found on the commissions of many thousands of officers of the
union army from Ohio, who served during the war of the re
bellion. After Mr. Armstrong had served one term of two years, the Repub
licans returned to power in Ohio and he was again at liberty to return
to his favorite pursuit of journalism.
He accordingly, in April, 1865, purchased the material of the lately

414 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
suspended Cleveland Plaindealer, and, selling the Tiffin Advertiser to
the Messrs Myers, he transferred his efforts to the metropolis, of north
ern Ohio', the city of Cleveland.
Owing to the death of J, W. Gray and subsequent unskillful manage
ment the Plaindealer had been brought' into a very unfortunate con
dition, as was indicated by its suspension.
It is a severe task to revive a dead newspaper, yet Mr. Armstrong
not only did that, but in a few years made the Plaindealer one of the
leading newspapers of the west. A clear, vigorous, ready writer, self-
educated and nervy, he naturally took a bold, aggressive course, and
neither friends nor enemies had the slightest difficulty in knowing what
he meant. He showed himself on all occasions a Democrat of the
school of Jackson and Benton, unswerving in favor of state rights, home
rule and hard money, and those time-honored principles he was pre
pared to maintain against all opposition, either by voice or pen, for if
Mr. Armstrong had made any efforts he would have taken rank as a
very graceful orator and stumper.
In 1868 Mr. -Armstrong was elected delegate at large from Qhio to
the Democratic national convention, which met at New York, and
which nominated Horatio Seymour for president. In 1872 he came
within a few. votes of securing the nomination for congress in the
Seneca — Erie district. In 1873 he removed his family "permanently
to Cleveland, and, settled in a beautiful little home. In 1876 he was
chosen by the Democrats of the Cuyahoga district, the second in point
of population and wealth in the state, to represent them in the St. Louis
Democratic national convention, and again in 1880 the same compli
ment was paid him by the same district, and he was chosen a delegate-
to the convention which nominated Hancock and English for president
and vice-president. His co-delegates to that convention selected him
as the member of the Democratic national executive committee from
Ohio. One young printer boy from old Seneca has made himself a
reputation as an able and capable, politician. In every capacity in life
in which he has been tried, he has been found equal to trie occasion.
A biography in the history of Cuyahoga county says of Mr., Armstrong;
"What he is in his office, he is out of it, a man of decided convictions
and strong will, always a potent force in the councils of 'his party
and in the community in whicri he lives." He never has allowed
bis strong party feelings to control him in his personal and social re
lations, and he numbers warm friends in all parties. His career is one
that has be»n watched with satisfaction by every resident of Seneca
county.

THE PRESS. 415
» THE " SENECA WHIG."
Tracing the history of the press in Tiffin, I came very near forgetting
to record" a very strange feature in the history of the old Whig party
that affected the old Whigs in Seneca county, and resulted in the estab
lishment of another newspaper called the Seneca Whig.
The great question of slavery divided and finally broke down the old
Whig party. The Democrats were called pro-slavery men because
they could see no constitutional way to get rid of the evil. Many lead
ing men in the Whig party had less constitutional scruples about the
question, and organized the "Free Soil party." A host of Democrats
joined them; even Martin Van Buren, on whose account, and in whose
defense of "Florida war," "gold spoons," "sub-treasury," etc., etc.,
the Democrats had suffered countless abuse, left them and became the
, candidate of the " Free Soilers " for the presidency in 1848, with Adams
for vice-president. The regular Whigs supported Taylor and Filmore.
There was considerable of a stampede from the Democratic party to
the "Free Soilers" in some states and just enough to defeat Messrs.
Cass and Butler, the candidates of the Democrats. If the course pur
sued by Mr. Van Buren was the satisfaction of a revenge against Cass,
it free-soiled Van-Buren's fame as a statesman and patriot.
A very respectable number of the Whigs of Seneca county leaned
over to free-soilism, and Mr. Wharton with his Standard supported
their cause. This left the old regulars without a paper, and the Clay
Whigs said some unpleasant things to Mr. Wharton. Some withdrew
their subscriptions and advertisements. In less than a month after
Wharton had hoisted the Van Buren banner, a press and type, cases
and printers, were brought to Tiffin and the first issue of the Seneca
Whig saw the light of day on the 29th day of September, A. D. 1848,
calling upon the old ¦' faithful and true " to stand firmly by Taylor and
Filmore. And they did. Captain J. W. Filler was the editor. He
was a very nice looking young man, but a little reckless about running
into debt. The paper continued about two years and then became the
property of somebody'who took it to Findlay.
Four years thereafter the Whigs made their last, grand rally under
General Scott and were defeated. Free- soilism had assumed propor
tions. THE SENECA COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION.
This society should not be overlooked, though it did go into dilapi
dation by neglect. After much talk and publishing notices in the news
papers of Tiffin, an organization was effected on the 22d of February/

416

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

1869, at a meeting held in the city hall of Tiffirf in conformity with the
call hereto attached. This notice was published only eleven short years
ago, and already more than one-half, of the signers have passed over
¦the troubled ocean of life; but their names should be preserved.
A PIONEER ASSOCIATION— OLD FOLKS, ATTENTION !
As one after another of the old settlers of Seneca county are leaving us,
and their number is continually growing less, we express but a general wish
when we pall on you, the survivors, whom a kind Providence1, has, in his
mercy, spared up to this time, to meet with us at the next anniversary of
Washington's birthday, February 22, 1869, at 10 o'clock A. m., in trie City
Hall, in Tiffin, for trie purpose of organizing a Pioneer Association.
We desire to preserve among the archives of the association, the names of
the old settlers, both male and female, and incidents of frontier life in this
county. Let us meet and organize in the morning, adjourn for dinner, and
spend the afternoon in social chat, listening to speeches, frontier anecdotes, (
etc' We would also invite as many of other friends as can make it con
venient to be .with us; believing that to see the old " bushwhackers " to
gether would afford them pleasure.

Abel Rawson,
Mrs. Ann E. Seney,
G. J. Keen,
J. A. Gibson,
Benjamin Pittenger,
Luther A. Hall,
Mrs. J. A. Pittenger,
J. H. Pittenger,
C. C. Park,
W. H. Gibson,
D/ennis F. Cramer,
r Andrew Bergderfer ,
Mr. Caroline E. Jaeck,
Amos Nichols,
Mrs. Margaret Kroh,
H. A. Buskirk,
G. L. Keating,
Richard Baker,
John Kaga, sen.,
Eden Lease,
W. C. Hedges,
A. Phillips,
H. Kuhn,
Mrs. M. Campbell,
W. H.' Keilholtz,
Phillip King,
S. B. Sneath,

Francis Rife,
Andrew Albright,
Phillip Seewald,
A. Keubler,
John Dqckweiler,
Jeremiah Williams,
Henry Ebbert,
Samuel Gross,
Eider Lewis Seitz;
Henry St. Jolm, "
Levi Davis,
Samuel Herrin,
U. P. Coonrod,
William Toll,
Ezra Derr,
Mrs. Sarah Huss,
Uriah Egbert,
S. S. Hunter,
John Keller,
M. Kirchner,
R. W. Shawhan,
Mrs. G. D. Shawhan,
John W. Eastman,
Samuel Ink,
Mrs. Nancy Kline,
John Guisbert,

Jacob Neikirk,
James Patterson,
W. C. Myers,
Thomas Baltzell,
Wm. Lambertson,
James Pence,
Henry Vandenburgh,
Samuel Kridler,
Mrs. Eleanor Brish,
Mrs. Thomas Lloyd,
Daniel Dildine, sen.,
Thomas Thompson,
Mrs. S. Pennington,
Joseph Bever,
Jacob Price,
WildmanTjOomis,
James Goetchis,
Richard Jaqua,
Spencer St. John, ¦
William Lang,
Peter Lantz,
Phillip Wentz,
Samuel Shade,
Dr. A. Benham,
Erastus Jones.

Abraham Rine,
The meeting was called to order by the Rev. John Souder, who

THE PIONEER ASSOCIATION.

417

called on the 'Rev. D. C. Howard to ' open the meeting with
prayer. Rev. John Souder was chosen chairman, and W. Lang, sec-'
retary; a constitution was adopted and permanent officers elected as
follows: For president, Dr. Henry Kuhn; for vice-president, Philip Seewald;
for secretary, William tang; for treasurer, Lyman White.
Regular meetings were held for several years, which were highly
interesting; for many of the old settlers , related incidents of pioneer
life in Seneca that were both pleasing and instructive. No meetings
were held since the death of Dr. Kuhn.
The following is a list of the members, showing the time and place
of birth, and time of location of each in this county:

Name.
Mrs. Ann E. Seney
Mrs. Nancy Ellis
Mrs. Margaret Campbell
Mrs. Sally Frary
Mrs. Elizabeth Snook
Mrs. Sarah Huss
Mrs. Elizabeth Kridler
William Toll
Benjamin Pittenger
John Souder
L. A. Hall
Morris P. Skinner
James M. Stevens
Daniel Cunningham
Samuel Kridler
Jacob Boner
Lance L. Todd
Christ. C. Park
Mrs. Jane Dewalt
Mrs. S. B. Baker
David B. King
Mrs. Ann Eliz. Clark
Mrs. Polly Stewart
George L. Keating
James Boyd
Lewis Baltzell
Abel Rawson
William Lang
Lorenzo Abbott
James Dornan
.William Raymond
R. W. Shawhan
Elijah Musgrove
James McEwen
Henry Ebert .
E. G. Bowe
Mrs. MaTia Rawson
Inman Roby
Levi Keller
' 27

When and where born.
September 13, 1803, Pennsylvania (dead)
Ofetober 14, 1805, Fairfield county, Ohio
July 12, 1798, Frederick CO., Md. (dead)
February 4, 1811, Champaign county, O
March 1,1813,
February 27, 1796, Berkley co.,Va. (dead)
January 18, 1798, Allegheny county, Pa.
October 11, 1801, Augu-ta co., Va. (dead)
January 29, 1798, Frederick county, Md.
November 26, 1799, Lancaster county, Pa.
August 30, 1813
July 1, 1811, Franklin county, Pa.
December 31, 1816, Erie county, N. Y.
March 5, 1804, Baltimore; Mrl.
March 28, 1800, Bedford county, Pa.
May 8, 1809, Frederick county, Md.
January 7, 1806, "
October 4, 1829, Northumberland CO., Pa.
April 5, 1815, " ' "
July 11, 1806, Center county. Pa.
January 2, 1809, Butler county, Pa.
January 1 1 , 1797, Northumberland co. ,Pa.
April 6, 1806, Cayuga county, N. Y.
September 8, 1824, Muskingum co., O.
January 27, 1805, Center co., Pa. (dead)
November 29, 1 800, Frederick co., Md.
May 11 , 1798," Warvyick county, Mass.
December, 14, 1815, "Palatinate, Bavaria
January 18, 1802, Worcester co., Mass.
July 4, 1796, Washington county,' Pa.
April 27, 1807, Steuben county, N. Y«
October 19, 1811, Berkley county, Va.
March 4, 1804, Monongahela county, Va.
February-14, 1818, Northampton co , Pa.
November 29, 1801, Fayette county Pa.
April 5, 1818, Delaware, Ohio
May 16, 18JK, Athens, Ohio
December, 1812, Farquhar county, Va.
September 26, 1806, Fairfield county, O.

Time located here,
November 26, 1831
Eden, October 1820
Tiffin 'September 30, 1830
Fort Seneca, Nov. 19, 1819
Tiffin. September, 1825
Tiffin, February, 1831
Tiffin, October 3, 1824
Tiffin, December 5, 1825
Clinton, June 17, 1826
Tiffin, May 5. 1833
London, June, 1833
Eden, November 13, 1827
Tiffin, July 19, 1834
Tiffin, November 3, 1823
Tiffin, September 19, 1826
Scipio, August, 1828
Tiffin, 1830
Tiffin. April. 1824
Bloom, October 11, 1821
Tiffin, May, 1830
Tiffin, October 12, 1830
Eden, 1821
Pleasant, January 13, 1825
Bloom, April 11, 1822
Tiffin, July, 1829
Tiffin, February 15, 1826
Tiffin, August 18, 1833
Pleasant, March, 1822
Tiffin, May 21, 1828
Reed, December 1823
Tiffin, September 10, 1833
Scipio, Ocober, 1824
Clinton, August 6, 1823
Tiffin, November 15, 1830
Tiffin, June 7, 1818
Fort Ball, May 4, 1824 '
Seneca, November, 1832
Tiffin, September 20, 1820

4i8

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Name.
James M. Chamberlain
A. B. McClelland
Thomas R. Ellis
; Fred. Kishler
Mrs. Elizabeth Kishler
Joseph Herrin
Samuel Herrin
John Free
Mrs. Elizabeth Ebert
Mrs/ Maria Shawhan
Lyman White
Dr. Henry Kuhn
Upton R. Flenner
Joseph Richards
Henry Davidson
Jacob M. Zahm
Hugh Welsh
Miron Sexton
Sylvester B. Clark

When and where born.

Time located here.

August 26, 1806, Columbiana county, Pa. Seneca, December, 1832

June 7, 1818, Center county, Pa.
August 8, 1795, Burlington county, N. J,
October 22, 1805, Miiflen county, Pa.
March 26, 1803, Franklin county, Pa.
July 20, 1810, Columbia county, Pa.
August 21, 1812, " " J|
September 1, 1819, Berkley county, Va.
January 22, 1802, Bucks county, Pa.
November 15, 1810, Frederick co., Md.
November 4, 1814, Oneida county, N. Y.
Oct. 28, 1802, Frederick co., Md. (dead)
March 12, 1811,
April 7, 1792, Fayette county Pa.
October 18, 1818, Pickaway county, O.
November 14, 1808, Palatinate; Bavaria
February 18, 1801, Beaver county. Pa.
June 1, 1803, Tollard county, Conn.
February 2, 1802, Monroe county, Va.

Mrs. Catharine F. Souder May 22, 1825, Jefferson county, Va.

Nath. N. Spielman'
John Williams
Enos Cramer
Dewitp. Pittenger
Alma H. Pittenger
Mrs. Margaret Watson
Mrs. Elizabeth Dorsey
Mrs. Hannah Herin
Mrs. Mary P. Lang
Louis Seewald
James A. Sohn
Robert Nichols
Arthur Morrison
Mrs. Jane Dildine
James Griffin
S. A. Myers
Hezekiah Searles
Mrs. Eliza A. Searles
R. M. C. Martin
Mrs. Barbara Martin
Jacob Price
Mrs. Nancy Price
Henry H. Schock
Mrs. Margaret Schock
Mrs. Elizabeth Jaqua
John Wax
Mrs. Sarah Wax
Jacob Hossler
Mrs. Ann Hossler
Mrs. E. J. Watson
Mrs. Eva Kirshner
Henry Geiger
Thomas West
Nancy West
Geo. McLaughlin
Joseph Miller
Archibald Stewart
William Davis

Bloom, November, 1830
Clinton, June, 1828
Tiffin, April 20, 1830
n if n
Clinton, August, 1828
Venice, October 25, 1823
Tiffin, November 16, 1831
Hopewell, June 28, 1824
Reed, spring of 1838
Tiffin, August, 1828
Tiffin, May, 1835
Clinton, December 10, 182S
Seneca, March, 1832
Thompson, Sept 24, 1832
Eden, spring of 1819
Huron CO.. Sept. 20, 1824
Tiffin, August 1, 1833
Jlopewell, fall of 1830

1835

March 25, 1815. Washington county, Md. Pleasant, April 20, 1831)
April 2], 1818, Fairfield county,. O. Clinton, 1821
February 24, 1804, Frederick county, Md. Clinton, 1831
January 24, 1836, Tiffin
October 31, 1844-, Steuben county, N. Y.
June 25, 1823, Center county, 'Pa.
November 16, 1799, Fayette county, Pa.
December 9, 1813, Maryland
July 10, 1818, Columbia county, Pa.
September 15, 1831, Palatinate, Bavaria
November 19, 1S82, Adams county, Pa.
December 2, 1827, Berkley county, Va.
August 8, 1817, Jefferson county, O.
November 29, 1806, Columbia co., Pa.
April 16, 1796, Berkley county, Va.
December 4, 1830, Perry county, O.
December 4, 1810, Fairfield county, O.
July. 14, 1817, Northampton county. Pa.
September 18, 18 ;2, Perry county, O.
February 19, 18,31, Seneca county, O.
December 18. 1796, Rockingham co, Va.
September 14, 1804, Nortdampton co, Pa. Venice, September,
November 2, 1800, York co., Pa. (dead) Eden, 1833
December 10, 18J4, Frederick co , Md. •• "
October 2, 1798, Schenectady co., N. Y.
September 13, 1813, Per.ry county, O.
March 17, 1811, Franklin county, O.
January 28, 1800, Adams county, Pa.
June i9, 1814, Stark county, O.
Marc* 9, 18fo, Washington county, O.
September, 1802, Franklin county, Pa.
March 18, 1812, Baden, Germany
September 15, 1801, Brown county, N. Y. Bloom, 1822
May 15th, 1806, Center county, Pa. "
October 15, 1798, Juniata cjunty, Pa.
' March 26, 1807, Cumberland co., Pa.
June 3, 1797, Lycoming county, Pa.
January 18, 1819, Perry county, O.

- Eden, 
Bloom, 1830
Tiffin, 1856
Clinton, 1833
Clinton, spring of 1829
Tiffin, August 18. 1833
Tiffin, April 21, 1831
Eden, November, 1814
Clinton, March 21, 182S.
Clinton, May 10, 1829
Eden, fall of 1831
Seneca, September,
Clinton, 1825
Eden, May, 1830
Eden township
Eden, 1822

1830

Eden, 1822
Eden, 1835
Eden, 1322
Bloom, 1834
Eden, 1845
Eden, 1827
Eden, 1835

Seneca co., Sept. 11. 1826.
Seneca co., Sept. 18.. 1834^
Scipio, 1825
Seneca co., Nov. 12, 1825

DER BRUDERBUND. 419
It was Thursday evening, November 24, 1853, and eighteen young
German citizens of Tiffin met at the hall of Mr. Adams, on East Market
street, in Tiffin, and organized a singing society under the direction of
Christian Kunold, an old German music teacher:
First tenors— Christian Mueller, Michael Miller, Christian Siegchrist,
Louis Zimmer, John Laux.
First bass— Louis Miller, Christian Schneider, John Keirchner, John
Merkelbach. Second tenor— Wilhelm Berger, P. W. Berger, Will Seewald, Simori
Strieker, Carl Stadtmiller.
Second bass— Ph. Emich, Francis Ries, Adam Huth, Joseph Yaeger.
After practicing three months, a committee was appointed to draft a
constitution which was adopted February 24, 1854, and the society
called "Der Bruderbund."
Christian Mueller was elected president, Ph. Emich secretary and
William Berger treasurer.
The following persons then also became members, viz': Andrew
Waesner, William Speier, Carl Mueller, John Haase, Carl Schindler,
W. Wolf, John Schmilt, Michael Welter, William Herold, Francis
Adams, John Ries, John Blum, Bernriart Striker.
The number of members .soon rose to eighty, but before long it be
came reduced to about ten active members. A dissolution seemed
inevitable, but the perseverance and tenacity peculiar to German life
preserved the organization, and the Bruderbund for a longtime there
after was the only German association in Tiffin.
"Die Deutsche Tbeatergesellskaft " preceded it several years. This
was perhaps the first German society organized in Tiffin. It had con
siderable talent and produced several pieces upon the stage in the old
Methodist church on Market street, that were very ably put over the
boards. Let us remember "Feld Hummel's Hochzeitstag." But first of all,
the " Deutsche Leseverein," triat used to meet at Adam Schickel's, on
East Market street, was the pioneer German association in Tiffin, and
continued for several years until religious discussions broke it up.
The . Sunday evening exercises of the Bruderbund were open to all,
and no distinction was made by the association as to a man's politics
or his religion.
In 1856 the Bruderbund joined the " North American Saengerbund"
and met with its festivals in Cincinnati in 1856, in Detroit in 1857. in
Pittsburgh in 1858, in Cleveland in 1859 and in Buffalo in i860. From
this time, and during the war, the " saengerfests " were suspended.

420 , HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The society lost one member on the battlefield of Gettysburg when
Jacob Bise fell.
The first saengerfest after trie war, met in Columbus, Ohio, in 1865,
the next jn Louisville, Kentucky in 1866. It met in Indianapolis in
1867 and in Chicago in 1868. In the two last mentioned the Bruder
bund participated by delegate's only. At Chicago a resolution was
adopted to have bi-ahnual festivals. The first saengerfest thereafter
met in Cincinnati in 1870, when the whole Bruderbund participated.
They were with the North Western at St. Louis in 1872 and at Cleve
land in 1876.
The Bruderbund then attached itself to the Ohio district and sang at
its festival in Columbus in 1878. In 1879 an invitation to meet with
the Peninsular Singing Association at Toledo was accepted.
The next Ohio saengerfest will meet at Akron, which the Bruderbund
will support.
t Mr. Kunold served as director up to 1855, when Charley Boos was
elected to succeed him and served until 1857, when George Spies was
elected, and who was again succeeded by Mr. Boos, and for the last ten
years Mr. Spies has been the director.
Of the first members only three survive, the two Bergers and Mr.
Merkelbach. Fourteen honorary members have also died. Since its
first organization the society has sung at over one hundred funerals
and church and other dedications. During the prevalence of the
cholera in Tiffin, when many families had moved away from town and
things looked gloomy, the Bruderbund met two or three times a week
at the court house yard in the evening and enlivened trie stillness of,
the night with many a beautiful refrain from their, choicest pieces.
They have now sixty honorary members. The present-organization is as
follows, viz:
Director— George Spies.
President— George A. Lautermilch.
Secretary— Pred. W. Berger.
Treasurer— William Berger.
Pirst tenors— William Herold, George A. Lautermilch, Charles Weinich,
George Lautermilcri.
Second tenors— William Berger, P. W. Berger, Pillip Gruinmel, Nicholas
Hoefling. First bass— John Merkelbach, Jos. Miller, Martin Albrecht, Fritz Eckert.
Second bass— Ph. Pfeiffer, John Dutt, George Homan, Julius Keisling.
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.
On the evening of the 19th bf May, 1876, there met at the house of
Mr. Henry Gross, on Sandusky street, a few young men and young

THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.
ladies to consider the propriety of forming a musical association.' The
meeting was called to order. Mr. C. H. Miller presided; Miss Jennie
Ford was appointed secretary. A committee was appointed to prepare
a suitable constitution and report at the next meeting. Professor J.
M. Bach, of Sandusky, Miss Mary Ebert (now deceased), Dr. Willard, ,
Mrs. Barnes and Miss Jennie Ford were appointed such committee.
At the adjourned meeting of May 25, 1876, the committee reported
and a constitution was adopted. Louis Ulrich was elected president;
Mr. Lohr, vice-president; C. H. Miller, secretary; Harry Buskirk,
treasurer; Miss Cora Pugri, librarian; Professor J. M. Bach, musical
director. Among the active members were L. Ulrich, Francis Wagner,
Molly, Pauline and Isabella Wagner, Peter Pfeiffer, Harry Gross,
Robert Fisher, Homer Bricker, Mary Ebert," Dr. Willard and Michael
Scannel. . <
The first public presentation of the society was a concert at the
National Hall, whicri was followed by' many others since. The first
opera the society presented was " The Hayrriakers," by Root; the next
was "The Bohemian Girl," by Balfe; then "Martha," by Flotow; then
"Lily of Killarney," by Benedicks.
Trie society have now under rehearsal the " Chirnes of, Normandy,"
by Plauquette, which they intend to produce in the coming fallr
The Philharmonic has become1 one of the institutions of Tiffin, and
their productions give strong evidence of their high appreciation of
music as an art and of the rapid improvements and achievements they
have made under so distinguished a directorship. Every produc
tion is a vast improvement upon the preceding one, in both behavior
and refinement in execution. Tiffin has every reason to be. proud of
the Philharmonic. The society would be a credit to any city.
The crowded houses triat attend all their productions should also be
sufficient proof to the society that they are highly appreciated by our
citizens here. Professor Bach is a leader of no ordinary grade.
The present officers are:
President— L. Ulrich.
VicerPresident— Otto Reutlinger.
Secretary— Miss Mabel Allen.
Librarian— Peter Pfeiffer.
Treasurer— Francis Wagner.
Director-^Professor J. M. Bach. '
THE SENECA COUNTY INFIRMARY.
This institution' is located in section five, in Eden township, upon a
tract of two hundred and forty acres of land on the Melmore road,

422 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
about two and one-half miles south of Tiffin. The land was bought in
1855, and in 1856 the first buildings were erected. N. N. Speilman
had trie contract for the brick work, and Myers and Toner the carpen
ter and joiner work. The work was let in conformity with a notice the
county commissioners caused to be published in the Tiffin Tribune and
Seneca Advertiser, on. the 30th of January, 1856. David Burns, Isaac
Stillwell and James- Boyd were the commissioners. The' work was
accepted September 19, 1856, and orders were drawn for the payment
of the same. The first directors of the Infirmary were Andrew, Lugen^
beel, John Kerr and Daniel Brown, whb appointed Harrison McClel
land the first superintendent of the Infirmary and farm. Many changes
have been made on the farm since, and the farm, as well as the build
ings, is in gobd order under the present superintendent, Mr. Daniel/
G. Heck, who has had charge of the same six years. The institution
has some fifty inmates at this time.
The present board of directors consists of George Haebler, Lewis
Spitter and Joseph E. M'agers.
The property is worth, at least, $75,000.
MRS. HARRIET CRAWFORD.
The subject of this sketch is certainly one of the most remarkable
women that ever lived in Tiffin, or elsewhere.
She was born in Attercliff, England, and when sixteen years of age
was married. Her health failing, her physician recommended a sea
voyage as the only remedy to restore her health. Her husband, who
was a civil engineer, succeeded in finding employment in the FCast
India Company. The young couple sailed for Calcutta, where, after
a voyage of six months and seventeen days, they arrived, having land
ed but once during that time. Shortly after their arrival, the young
husband died of cholera, that dreaded monster of the East in those
days, and. the young widow was left alone in a strange land among
strangers. She became acquainted, some time after, with Dr. William L. Craw
ford, a young physician in Calcutta; belonging to the British army,
and became his wife. They lived at various places in the East Indies
some fourteen years, when they moved to the Cape of Good Hope,
where they resided some two years. From there they moved to the
island of St. Helena, while the great Napoleon was a prisoner there,
and then moved back to England. From there they emigrated to
Canada, where Dr. Crawford died in 1845.
Mrs. Crawford was the- mother of eleven children,. eight boys and

MRS. HARRIET CRAWFORD. , . 423
three girls, who were born on four continents of the globe — -some in
Asia, some in Africa, some in Europe and some in America.
In 1853 she came to Tiffin from Canada with the family of her sdn,
the present Dr. Crawford, of Tiffin, with whom she lived the rest of
her days, spending the evening of her long and eventful life in ease
and comfort, and enjoying the respect and veneration of all who knew
her. Her death occurred on the 12th day of September, 1876, from con
gestion of the lungs.
Srie reached the high age of eighty-nine years and thirty days: She
was the mother of Asiatics, Africans, Europeans and Americans.

CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOLEDO WAR.

AFTER the terrible scourge of Asiatic cholera in 1834, the next
subject that aroused public attention in Seneca county, was the
question of the northern boundary of* Ohio, which became very serious
in all its aspects, and threatened to lead to bloodshed between the bor
derers of Ohio and the territory of Michigan. The subject is nearly
lost sight of, and would not be mentioned here because the question in
itself haid no effect upon Seneca county directly, but when soldiers were
called but to protect the citizens of Ohio along the disputed border, it
was found that the disputed line was in the 17th division, in which
Major-General John Bell, of Lower Sandusky, was the commanding
general, and Seneca county was in one of the brigades in that division,
arid under obligations to furnish her quota of the troops called out by
Governor Lucas. It therefore became a matter of interest to Seneca
county after all, and especially when about 300 men, " armed and
equipped as the law directs,'' left Tiffin with their baggage and tents in
wagons, and, provisions for an indefinite time. Colonel Henry C. Brish
led these citizen soldiers as their commander, to report to General Bell.
John W. Patterson was captain of one company, and John Walker was
quartermaster. I remember also that John Adelsberger refused to come
to time, and he was arrested and put under guard, but they took, him
along. Some of the officers were only but partly uniformed; the rest
marched into line in citizens clothes.
Henry Gross was "fife major," and her€ is a copy of his commision:
By trie confidence I repose in you, Henry Gross, I appoint you rife major of
the 3d regiment, 1st batallion, 17th division of the Ohio militia.
Tiffin, 22d April, A. D., 1835.
Personally appeared before me the above named H. Gross, taken the
necessary oath of the above office. JAMES BOYD
' Colonel 3d regiment, 1st batallion, 17th division. ¦
, Tiffin, 22d April, 1835.
Henry was a good fifer, and so was Jacob M. Ebert (Bro. Ebert) a
very good drummer on the Case drum, and he was likewise appointed

THE TOLEDO WAR. • 425,
drum major. The army left our border, and nothing of any serious
nature occurred except one night the Ohio army was aroused from their
sleep in the woods and drawn up in line of battle ready to receive the
foe" with bloody hands to hospitable graves," (Corwin). Everything was
to be conducted quietly; no fire to be made and no loud word of com
mand to be given. The music was ordered in front to be ready to.
march at the signal. Now the drum major's memory as to the rules of
war became very vitally refreshed, and he insisted that in time of action
the position of the music was in the rear. General Brish knew better,
and while the drum major had some wags' from the rank and file on his
side, the General and the staff officers wanted the music in front. So
they had it until trie rising sun lit up the woods and proved that there
was no enemy in sight. It was a false alarm.
Another ludicrous incident is told of a remarkable chap in Perrysburg
who drummed up recruits, marching up and down street while the court
was in session. He was a remarkably tall man, and wore a two-story
white felt hat, with a narrow brim; but by long use and exposure it had
' become softened and the crown bulged up so that it was really two-
story and an attic. An ordinary tenor drum by his side looked like a
boy's drum. He had a strip of paper with the words, " Recruiting for
the war," tied around his tall ha,t. They called him " Big Odle."
Another man carried a flag before him, and thus they marched- up and
down this street, passing the court house every few minutes. Judge
Higgins was naturally a little sensative, and bore up with this annoy
ance as long as he could. Now it got to the boiling point, and the
Judge could stand it no longer. He ordered the sheriff to go out and
stop that drumming. Odle told the sheriff that he was under orders
from Captain Scott to drum for recruits for the war; that in war the
military was above the civil authority, and that he would drum until
ordered to stop by Captain Scott. The sheriff returned to court and
reported accordingly. The Judge's eyes flashed lightning. The sheriff
was ordered to arrest Odle and bring him into court forthwith, and also
summon Captain Scott. The order was executed in a few minutes, and
"Big Ogle" marched up to the bench with his drum and trimmings.
He had on an old rifleman's uniform, of green color, and trimmed with
black lace. His pants were of domestic cloth, colored with oak bark,
and also trimmed with black lace down trie legs. Captain Scott ex
plained the drumming, and informed the Judge that Odle was under
orders frorri him, as instructed by Colonel Van Fleet. He said Gov-
•ernor Lucas was at Spafford's Exchange, and had sanctioned this
drumming before the court commenced, and that the drumming would.

426 'history OF SENECA county.
be continued until ordered stopped by Colonel Van Fleet or his
i Excellency. This was too much for the Judge, and he roared out in stentorian
tones: "Mr. Sheriff, take Captain Scott and his music-organ to jail,
,and lock them up. Mr. Prosecuting Attorney, draw up an information
against these hien for contempt of court, and have the case ready for
hearing to-morrow morning."
Jonas Pratt, the sheriff, started with the men to execute the order.
Scott and Odle followed willingly until they came to the corner of the
building where a path led to the log jail, on the rear of the lot. Here
Scott and Odle squared themselves before the sheriff and refused to go
further. Scott told the sheriff that in the emergency of war the military
was above the civil power, and that if Judge Higgins would undertake
to press this thing any further, he would declare martial law, and do
with Judge Higgins as General Jackson did with Judge Hall at New
Orleans, and have them both arrested.
" That is right; that is right, Captain," said Odle, at the same time
doubling up his two hands to about the size of elephant's feet. "That's
the way to talk Bully for you, Cap.; stand off, Sheriff." The crowd
of bystanders were on the side of war, and the sheriff was strongly im
pressed with the idea that Judge Higgiiis' orders could not be executed
just then. He retreated up stairs to the court room and reported
accordingly. The Judge never said a word in reply, and continued in the trial of
the case on hand as if nothing had happened. Odle slung the drufn
strap over his neck and continued his march as before, hitting his
drum with great force on both ends. After some little time the Judge
directed the sheriff to find Captain Scott and ask him to be so good as
to take his music to some back street, where it would not disturb the
court so much.
The trouble of this northern boundary of Ohio originated with the
admission of Ohio into the Union, and was caused by an error in the
map that plated the southern bj?nd of Lake Michigan too far south. It
vexed the convention that formed the constitution, and Copgress in
admitting Ohio into the Union. As early as the adoption of the Ordin
ance of July 13th, 1787, providing for a government of the northwestern
territory, a provision is made for the northern boundary of states that
should thereafter be formed, lying south of a line drawn due east and
west from and through the southern bend of Lake Michigan, which east
and. west line should also be the southern boundary of two states lying
north of that line, so that this east and west line finally formed the

THE TOLEDO WAR. 427
north line of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the south line of Michigan
and Wisconsin.
On the 30th of April, 1802, when Congress passed an act 'authorizing
the people of the territory of Ohio to form a state constitution, they
described the northern boundary as follows:
On the north by an east and west line drawn through the southern extreme
of Lake Michigan, running east after intersecting the due north line from
the mouth of the Great Miami, until it shall intersect Lake Erie, or the ter
ritorial line, and thence through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line ; Pro
vided that Congress shall be at liberty, at any time hereafter, eitrier to attach
all the territory lying east of the line to be drawn due north from the mouth
of the Miami aforesaid, to the territorial line, and north of an east and west
line drawn through trie southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, running east,
as aforesaid, to Lake Erie, to the aforesaid state, or dispose of it otherwise
in conformity to the fifth article of compact between the original states and
the people and states to be formed in the territory north of the river Ohio.
When the convention at Chillicothe, on the 29th day of November,
1802, adopted the first constitution for Ohio, they gave the state the
northern boundary, as contained in the enabling act with this proviso:
Provided always, and it is hereby fully understood and declared by this
convention, that if the southerly bend or .extreme of Lake Michigan should
extend so far south that a line drawn due east from it should not intersect
Lake Erie, or if it should intersect the Lake Erie east of the mouth of the
Miami river of trie l^ke, trien and in triat case, witri the assent of congress of
the United States, the northern boundary of this state shall be established
by and extend to a direct line running from the southern extrernity of Lake
Michigan to the fnost northerly cape of the Miami bay, after intersecting the
due north line from the mouth of the Great Miami river aforesaid ; thence
northeast to the territorial line, and by the said territorial line to the Penn
sylvania line.
The reader must be patient in looking over the relation of these old
" field notes," for he will not understand this boundary question with
out them.
When congress, on the 19th of February, 1803, admitted Ohio into
the Union^ nothing was said about the northern boundary. On the nth
of January, 1805, congress created the territory of Michigan, and defined
her boundaries as follows:
All that part of Indiana territory which lies north of a line drawn east
from the southerly bend of Lake Michigan, and until it shall intersect, Lake
Erie and east of a line drawn from said southerly bend through the middle
of said lake to its northern extremity, and thence due north to the northern
extremity of the United States."
Substantially reaffirming the original boundary contained in the act
authorizing the territory of Ohio to form a state government.

428 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Michigan then also extended her laws to this, its southern boundary
line. '
The wHole question, therefore, was to ascertain the exact line, drawn
east through the southern bend of Lake Michigan. To accomplish-this
the geographical line in north latitude, minutes and seconds, had to be
established with positive certainty.
The line the authorities were then talking about was designated on
the maps as the " Fulton line," which intersects Lake Erie east of the
mouth of the Maumee river, and meets the proviso of the Ohio coneti*
tution. It was then ascertained that this east and west line wOuid not inter
sect the territorial line between the United States and Canada, but cut
across the counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga and Ashtabula. The line,
therefore, given by congress to Ohio, was an impossible1 line, owing to
a want of knowledge of the geographical position of Lake Michigan at
the time congress passed the enabling act.
When the authorities of Ohio ascertained the uncertainty of the
northern boundary, they applied to congress for a survey of the line in
conformity with the proviso in the. constitution of Ohio.
In 1 812 congress passed a resolution directing the commissioner of
the general land office, to cause it to be surveyed, but the war with
Great Britain and their northwestern savage-, allies, prevented it, and
the line was not run until the year 1817, when one William Harris,
under direction from the general land , office, ran the line, and' it was
afterwards known as the "Harris line."
This survey was reported from the general land office to the executive .
of Ohio, and ratified by the general assembly of Ohio January 29th, 1818.
Applications were then made by Ohio to congress to -ratify the Harris
line as the northern boundary of Ohio very frequently,, but without
success, until the events of 1835, so memorable in the, conflicts between '•
Ohio and the territory of Michigan.
This disputed territory is valuable for its rich and productive farming
lands, and trie possession of the harbor on the Maumee river, where the
young and flourishing city of Toledo sits in her proud majesty to contro^j
things. 1 *-$
This strip of land is five miles wide at the west end, and eight miles^
at the east end. The line was fixed before any other territory was
organized apd affected by it. » *
Toledo had many names. It was then Swan Creek; afterwards Port '
Lawrence, then Vistule, now Toledo. The early ' settlers were satisfied '
to be in the territory of Michigan.

THE TOLEDO WAR.

429

In 1835 the people, who had settled in the Maumee country, became
clamorous for the extension of the Ohio canal from Piqua north, and
Toledo was made the point of terminus of the canal. Then the Toledo
people saw the point and came to the conclusion that they lived in the
wrong state; that it would be to their interest to be Buckeyes. The
canal changed their allegiance. Now Governor Lucas was urged to
' extend the laws of Ohio over this territory in question. On the 23d of,
February, 1835, the legislature of Ohio passed an act extending the
northern boundaries of the counties of wood, Henry and Williams to
the Harris line.
The Fulton line was the south line and the Harris line the north line
of this disputed tract, and Michigan had hitherto extended her terri
torial jurisdiction to the Fulton line as the southern boundary of
Michigan. Wood county had, however, previously levied taxes up to
the Harris line, but the people refused to pay them and that ended it.
The possession of the harbor at the mouth of Swan creek was then
made the burning point, and the talk about " legal rights " was the
order of the day.
.There is no room here for speculation as to what would have been
the result had Michigan succeeded. The only object in speaking at
length on this subject, now almost forgotten, is to preserve the facts
from the tooth of time as long as possible as a point in the history of ¦
Ohio, and in which Seneca county took a very active part.
We can read and talk about those scenes -and times without getting
excited now, but Ohio was then in her boyhood and Michigan growing
up to b,e a " big wolverine " sometime. Stevens T. Mason, the gov
ernor of Michigan territory, was a very young man but as spunky as a
rat, and felt himself well protected by his guardian, "Uncle Sam," in
his territorial jurisdiction.
This law of Ohio, above mentioned, also authorized the governor
to appoint three commissioners to re-mark the" Harris line. Uri Seely,
of Geauga, Jonathan Taylor, of Licking, and John Patterson of Adams>
were appointed such commissioners, and April 1, 1835, nariied for the
work to commence. Mr. Mason sent a special message to the legisla
tive council of Michigan apprising them of the act of Ohio and advised
proceedings to counteract the same.
On the 12th of February, 1835, the territorial legislature of Michigan
passed an act to fine and imprison any person who should undertake
to exercise any legal authority in her border, except under the laws of
the territory, etc.
Now the people within this disputed territory became alarmed, and

430 HISTORY OF SENECA^ COUNTV.
they were at a Toss to know which of the two jurisdictions they had
better belong to. They wrote numerous letters to the governors of
both jurisdictions, explaining their dangers and their troubles, etc.
Among the most distinguished men who looked to Governor Mason
for help were J. V. D. Sutphen, Coleman J. Kuler, Cyrus Fisher and
Samuel Hemmenway, and those that wanted to be Ohioans counted
among their number Andrew Palmer, Stephen B. Comstock, Mayor
Stickney, Willard Daniels, George McKay and Dr.. Naman Goodsell.
Governor Mason wrote to General Brown, who was in command of
the third division- of the Michigan militia, as follows:
Executive Office, Detroit, March 9, 1835.
Sir: You will herewith receive the copy of a letter just received from
Columbus. You will now perceive that a collision between Ohio and Michi
gan is inevitable, and will therefore be prepared to meet the crisis. The
governor of Ohio has just issued a proclarriation, but I have neither received
it nor been able to learn its tendency. I shall send you such arms as may
be necessary for your successful operation without waiting for an order from
the secretary of war as soon as Ohio is properly in the field. Till then, I
am compelled to await the direction of the war department.
Yours, etc., .STEVENS T. MASON.
General Jos. W. Brown.
On the 31st of March, Governor Lucas, accompanied by his staff
and the boundary commissioners, arrived at Perrysburg on their way
to run and re-mark the Harris line, in compliance with the law of the
23d of February' previous.
General John Bell, in command of the 17th division Ohio' militia,.
embracing the disputed territory, arrived about the same time with his-
staff, and mustered into the service some 600 men, fully armed and
equipped. On his way to Perrysburg, Governor Lucas, with his staff,
stopped all night in Fort Ball, at Smith's hotel. They made a very
formidable appearance and when General H'. C. Brish met them, there
was a show of military etiquette, the like of which Seneca county never
experienced before. From here the troops from Seneca followed Gov
ernor Lucas and met General Bell at Lower Sandusky, from whence
they took the line of march for Perrysburg.
The Ohio army went into camp at Fort Miami. Governor Mason,
with General Brown, arrived at Toledo with about 1,200 men at the
same time. Governor Mason had his staff with him also. Thus the.
two armies, ready for the fray, waited for the word, and the country
was wild with excitement.
Lewis Cass said well in a letter to Edward Tiffin, under date of

THE TOLEDO WAR. 43 r
November i, 1817: "A disputed jurisdiction is one of the greatest evils
that can happen to a country."
Governor Lucas had riiade up his mind to take the risk and send
General Bell with his force to Toledo as soon as he could get ready
but before they were ready to start, two eminent citizens, Hon. Richard
Rusk, of Philadelphia, and Colonel Howard, of Baltimore, arrived
from Washington as commissioners fiom the president of the United ,
States, to use their personal influence to stop all warlike demonstra
tions. Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio, accompanied the commis
sioners as a voluntary peacemaker. These gentlemen remonstrated
with Governor Lucas and reminded him of the fatal consequences
that might follow, etc. They urged patience and to wait for a peace
able settlement of the matter by congress.
These commissioners then also visited Governor Brown and urged
him to abstain from violence and bloodshed until congress could act in
the premises, and finally, on the 7th of April, they submitted to both
governors the following proposition, to-wit:
1st. That the Harris line should be run and re-marked pursuant to the
act of the last session of the legislature of Ohio, without interruption.
2d. The civil elections, under the laws of Ohio, having taken place
•throughout the disputed territory, that the people residing upon it should be
left to their own government, obeying the one jurisdiction or the other, as
they may prefer, without molestation from the authorities of Ohio or Michi
gan until the close of the next session of congress.
Governor Mason refused to accede to this proposition! Governor
Lucas consented and discharged the troops. Governor Mason par
tially followed suit, and that reluctantly, but kept up preparations for
any emergency. ,
Governor Lucas now thought he could run and re-mark the Harris
line without any molestation from the authorities of Michigan, arid
I ordered the commissioners to proceed with the work.
S. Dodge, an Engineer on the Ohio canal, had been engaged as sur
veyor to run the line. He addressed a letter to Samuel Forrer, one of
the canal commissioners of Ohio, dated Maumee,* April 11, 1835, in
which he said, among other things, that Messrs. Rush and Howard had
assured them that no resistance should be made to the survey, but that
trouble was brewing, and Ohio could not run the line without a strong
military force. That it would become necessary to have an extra ses
sion of the Ohio legislature to make appropriations, etc. Then he goes
on and says: •
We shall shart to-morrow for trie northwest corner of the state, and the
next time you hear from me I shall probably inform you that I am at Mon-

432 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
roe, the. headquarters of General Brown. General Brown was yesterday at
Toledo, at the head of the sheriff's posse of 100 armed men. They came for.
the purpose of arresting triose who had accepted office under the state of
Ohio. He informed me that any attempt to run the line would be resisted
by the whole force of the territory; that they had 300 men under arms at
Monroe and 600 more would soon be there; that they had 1,500 stand of arms
taken from the United States arsenal at White Pigeon; that they did not
mean to be rode rough sriod by Ohio. It was replied that Ohio had not as
yet put on her rough shoes, and would not, unless they made it necessary,
and that the line would certainly be run. The governor of Ohio started yes
terday (8th inst.) for Defiance, and is entirely unprepared to meet the force.
of Michigan. What course he will pursue I do not know. Our party con
sists of fifteeri or twenty unarmed men, and if we proceed we shall certainly.
be made prisoners, there not being a sufficient number to prevent surprise.
' I think the expedition will be delayed. The state of Ohio is affording no
prptection to the people on the disputed territory, further than through the
civil authorities. And those who have accepted office have been obliged to
retreat. The governor has power to call out the militia, but has no funds to
sustain them. "Yours truly, S. DODGE.
President Jackson applied to the attorney general, Benjamin' F«
Butler, of New York, for his opinion in the premises, who replied, say
ing that the mere running of the line was no cause for hostilities, but
that suit might be brought against the commissioners in the courts of
the territory. v
The commissioners commenced running the line from, the northwest
corner of the state. General Brown's scouts watched triem. When
the surveying party got into Lenawee county, the under sheriff, with
his posse,, appeared on the ground to arrest them, but the commis
sioners and surveyors escaped and got to free Ohio soil. They reached
Perrysburg next day with their clothes badly torn and hungry.
Governor Lucas reported the facts to the president. General Jack
son caused a copy of the report to be sent to Governor Mason, with a
request to have Mason send his statement also. Thereupon Governor
Mason applied to General Brown for information. General Brown, on
the 17th of June, 183^, writes fronTTecuma.m to Governor Mason,
stating all he did and naming those triat had been arrested and refuting
the idea that the commissioners had been fired upon.
The news of the breaking up of the surveying party spread through
Ohio like wild-fire, and Governor Mason's course was generally con
demned. Governor Lucas finding it impracticable to run the line, called an
•extra session of the legislature for the 8th of June. That body passed
an act ''to prevent the forc'ble abduction of the citizens of Ohio," and
to punish the offenders with imprisonment in the penitentiary. Another,

THE TOLEDO WAR. 433
ict was passed creating the new county of Lucas from the north part
if Wopd county, embracing- the disputed territory north of Wood and
1 portion of the northwest of Sandusky county. Tt directed a court of
:ommon pleas to be held at any convenient house in Toledo on the
irst Monday of September next.
There was also another act passed at this session, accepting the
proposition made by the above named commissioners of trie United
States; $300,000 were appropriated to carry the law into effect and
raying troops, etc. The- division commanders' were called upon to re-
Dort the number of troops in each division- that would volunteer to sus-
:ain the governor in enforcing the laws in the disputed territory. Fifteen
Dut of seventeen divisions in the state reported ip,ooo men ready to
volunteer, and 2,000 men were estimated that would volunteer in the
;wo divisions that did not report. The Michigan authorities became
more violent in their prosecutions of Ohioans, Major Stickney, George
McKay, Judge Wilson, and many others were arrested and taken to
Monroe jail. When Major Stickney was arrested he refused to go. '
They put him on a horse and held him on it, while a third man led the
horse. They tied the Major's legs together under the horse to secure
him. In the attempt to arrest T. Stickney, a son of the Major, he
took out his pen-knife and stabbed one of the men in the left side, and
made his escape.
The stabbing of Wood by T. Stickney was reported to General
Jackson,, who became very indignant over the affair, .and Governor
Lucas, anticipating the danger of being put into an unfavorable light
at Washington, sent Messrs. N. H. Swayne, William Allen and David
T. Disney to Washington, to confer with the president on the subject of
the boundary. These gentlemen made a full and fair statement of the
whole trouble in, writing to the Hon. John Forsyth, secretary of state,
July ist, 1835. The secretary answered on the 3d of July very fully,
giving General Jackson's views of the question, and promising to cause
an earnest recommendation to be sent to the authorities in Michigan,
that no obstructions shall be interposed to the re-marking of the Harris
line; that all arrests under the territorial act shall cease until after the
meeting of the next congress, and all questions about the disputed lines
to be avoided, etc.
Judge Higgins, the' president judge of the Maumee judicial circuit, in
a letter addressed to Governor Lucas on the 20th of July, expressed
great fears of trouble ensuing if he should attempt to hold court in
Toledo under the law. r
On the 29th of July Governor Lucas wrote to Messrs. Patterson,
28

434 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Taylor" and Seely, the commissioners to re-run the Harris line, inform
ing them of the promise of the president, and advised the commence
ment of the work on the ist of September, at a point where they left
off. He informed them that he had sent two hundred and twenty-five
rifles and sixty-one muskets and equipments to Port Miami, and would
send more soon, to protect them in their work; that these 'arms would
be placed under the control of the court, etc.
The authorities of Michigan disregarded all these arrangements, and
kept on making arrests. On the 29th of August, Secretary Forsyth
wrote to Governor Mason that he was superseded, and that Mr. Charles
Shaler, of Pennsylvania, was appointed secretary of the territory of
Michigan as his successor, etc.
On the same day Secretary Forsyth also addressed a letter to Gov
ernor Lucas, transmitting copies of letters written that day to .Governor
Mason and Mr. Shaler, expressing a hope that no further attempt would
be made by Ohio to exercise jurisdiction in the disputed territory until
congress could act on the question, etc.
\These letters from Secretary Forsyth had the desired effect. The
good sense of Governor Lucas had already shown him the danger of
getting into conflict with the United States, who would naturally stand
by and protect a territory in its legal rights, and he modified riis course
very materially.
But the question whether to hold a court in the new county on the
7th of September, was still to be decided. Adjutant-General Samuel
C. Andrews was sent by Governor Lucas to Lucas county to consult
witri the judge and other officers, who directed Colonel Van Fleet to
call out his regiment to act as a posse to the sheriff for the protection
of the court. Andrew Coffinberry, and old and experienced lawyer,
was engaged by the governor to act as an assistant prosecuting attor
ney. Colonel Van Fleet promptly obeyed the call arid ordered his
regiment to rendezvous.
Generals Andrews and Bell stopped at a hotel in Toledo, demeaning
themselves as private citizens. On Sunday afternoon the sheriff and
attendants met at Miami to proceed together the next morning under
escort of Colonel Van Fleet's regiment, to hold the court at Toledo.
Colonel Van Fleet had 100 men on the ground, which was considered
sufficient to disperse any mob that might offer resistance. In the even
ing one of the Colonel's scouts came in and reported that General
Brown had just arrived at Toledo with a large military force to prevent
the holding of the court.
The judges were confounded with fear at learning these facts. Judge

THE TOLEDO WAR. 435
Higgins and Count Coffinberry were not present. Consultation lasted
longtime. The associate judges hesitated. Some were for giving up
and holding no court. Finally it was agreed to leave the matter to
Colonel Van Fleet, who had not said a. word, but walked up and down
the line with sword in hand, in front of his men and within hearing of
' the judges. The Colonel had his plan arranged. He turned to the
judges, and with a determined military look and bearing, exclaimed:
" If you are women, go home; if you are men, do your duty as judges
of the court; I will do mine. If you leave the matter entirely with me,
I will be responsible for your safety, and insure the accomplishment of
our object; but if otherwise, I can give you no^ assurance."
This settled the discussion. The honor and safety of the court, ""the
peace and dignity of trie state of Ohio," were placed in his keeping.
The Colonel told his men that he was about to undertake a hazardous
expedition, and wanted the services of twenty of the best men of the
regiment to go with him, and the balance to remain in camp ready for
orders. Those that were willing to go with him were ordered four paces
to the front. At the word, thirty advanced, and out of that number
twenty were selected. He had only twenty horses. Captain ' Jones,
who was left in command of the camp, was ordered to be prepared to
execute any orders he might receive. He told the judges that " the
7th of September commenced immediately after midnight, and the law
specified no hour when court should be ripened. If we furnish Gov
ernor Lucas the record that court was opened according to law, he can
show to the world that he has executed the laws of Ohio over the dis
puted territory. Be prepared to mount your horses to start for Toledp
at precisely one o'clock A. M. I will be ready with an escort to pro
tect you."
At the hour named all were in their saddles. Each soldier had a
rifle, in addition to his two cavalry pistols. They reached Toledo about
three o'clock in the morning, and went to a school house that stood
near where Washington street crosses the canal, and opened court in
due form of law., Junius Flagg acted as sheriff. The proceedings were
hastily written on loose pieces of paper and deposited into the clerk!s
hat. When the court adjourned all went to the tavern kept by Munsori
H. Daniels, near where the American House now stands, registered
their names, took a drink all arOund, and while filling their glasses for
a second drink, some wag ran in and said a force of wolverines were
approaching. They dropped their glasses, sprang on their horses, and
hastened away, leaving the bill unpaid. When they arrived on the top
of the hill near wriere the Oliver House now stands, they came to a halt.

436 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
and faced about. It was then discovered that the clerk had. lost his
hat containing the court journal. It was one of those high, bell-crown
hats, then fashionable, and had capacity sufficient to hold a great many
papers. Having succeeded in holding the court so well, and then losing
the papers, was indeed too provoking, and to have them fall'into the.
hands of the enemy was still worse. They fully believed that they were
pursued, yet to lose the papers', was enough to arouse the courage of
any soldier. Colonel Van Fleet's courage had not forsaken him. With
him to will was to do. He ordered the clerk to dismount, 'and with
two of the guards, to feel his way back carefully in search of the papers,
while the balance would keep watch to cover the retreat He cautioned'
them to make no noise, and if discovered, to conceal themselves. The
hat was found with the papers. The party reported no enemy in sight.
The state of Ohio had triumphed, The record was made uji from fh<?
papers, and signed, " J. H. Jerorpe, associate judge." '
Colonel Van Fleet wsts so rejoiced at the recovery of- the papers that
he Ordered two salutes to be fired on the spot. The party proceeded to
Maumee at leisure, and reached the town a little after daylight.
While the court was in session, Colonel Wing was stationed in town
with 100 men to arrest the judges i-f they should undertake to hold
Court. Finding that there was no further use for his army, General
Brown repaired to Monroe and disbandoned them. ,
It seems that this Mr. Shaler did not take charge of the office of gov
ernor of the Michigan territory, and that John S. Homer became
Mason's successor, and was the acting governor with whom Governor
Lucas afterwards had a lengthy correspondence, and which resulted in
the discontinuance of the prosecutions, except the T. Stickney case,
for the stabbing of Wood, the deputy sheriff. Governor Homer made
a requisition upon Governor Lucas for him, but Governor Lucas
refused to give him, up, claiming that the offense had been committed
on Ohio soil, and that therefore the courts of Michigan had no juris
diction over him.
Public sentiment gradually settled down in favor of Ohio, "and peace
was again restored to the border." The boundary commissioners
resuhied the work on the line in November, and finished it without
molestation. At the next session of congress, on the 15 th of June, 1836, Michigan
was admitted into the Union, with- the Harris line for her southern
boundary, and trie disputed territory was' given to Ohio.
Taking into consideration the extensive preparations on both sides
for the shedding of fraternal blood over a question that nothing but

THE TOLEDO WAR. 437
right and law should have settled, and the other fact that the people in
the whole northwest were highly excited over the conflict, and although
the scenes have passed away with the excitement and both almost for
gotten, it should never be said that the Toledo war was a joke. '(See
Toledo war by M. V. Way.)

CHAPTER XXVI.

SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY— SENECA COUNTY ON THE
TAX DUPLICATE-SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR— SOLDIERS
OF THE WAR OF 1812— SOLDIERS IN THE WAR WITH MEXICO -INDE
PENDENT COMPANIES— OHIO MILITIA.

SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OHIO.
THE kind reader, who may be desirpus to know how and by whom
this county has been represented in both branches of the gen
eral assembly of Ohio from the time of its organization hitherto, may
save a good deal of time and labor by glancing his eye over a few
pages in this chapter.
The time when, and the manner in which the districts, both senatorial
and representative, were organized and cfianged, each including Seneca
county, and the time of the»election of senators and representatives,
and who they were, from 1824 to 1880, a period of 56 years, required
patient labor to ascertain, and it is hoped that this part of 'trie present
chapter may be appreciated as a reference document in proportion,
at least, to the work it reouired to produce it.
Under the old constitution (let it be remembered) senators -"were
elected for two years and representatives for one year. The legislature
met annually on the first Monday of December. Under the present
constitution the general assembly is to meet ibi-annually and then on
the first Monday in January. In spite of this plain provision of the
present constitution, there was only one winter during the last thirty
years when the legislature did not riave a session; and that was the
ever memorable year of 1855, when it was discovered that the state
treasury was short about three quarters of a million of dollars. In
all these years the legislature adjourned to an extra session, in
violation of the plain provision of the constitution, under a joint reso
lution of both houses. In other words: the spirit and plain provision
of the constitution is defeated by the construction of the word " ad
journment". And this determination to beat down the intention of
the constitution of Ohio is a sin of both parties alike. Both are guilty

SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

439

of the crime and therefore willing to forgive each other. But the good
people foot the bill all the same.
Now senators and representatives are each elected for two years.
There is ho holding over, nor adjournment intended by the new constitu
tion. What further proof is necessary to show its spirit and meaning ?
However, the people acquiesce in this bi-annual violation of their funda
mental law and are willing to pay for it. This is all the politicians
want, and are accommodated. But to resume. Below find the years
of the elections of senators and representatives, first under the old, and
then under the new constitution, the time of their elections and the
compositions of the districts in regular order, viz:
SENATORS.
Years. Counties composing districts. . 117(0 elected.

1824 18261828 1830
1832 18341836 1838
1840
1842'1844
1846 •

DelawareMarion Seneca (including Crawford)
Sandusky
DelawareMarion SenecaCrawford
SanduskyHuronSanduskySenecaWoodHancock Same counties
HuronSenecaSandusky Same counties
Same counties
Seneca
Sandusky *
Seneca
Wood Ottawa Sandusky
Hancock
Same counties
Sandusky Seneca
CrawfordSanduskySeneca
WyandotCrawford

David H. Beardsley

James Kooken

David Campbell
Samuel M. Lockwood
Daniel Tilden
Joseph Howard
David E. Owen
William B*. Craighill
John Goodin
Moses McAnnelly
Amos E. Wood
Henry Cronise

440 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY!
Years. Counties composing districts. Who elected.
1848 Same counties Joel W. Wilson ,
Seneca
1850 Hancock Michael Brackley
Wyandot
This was the last senatorial election under the old constitution.
REPRESENTATIVES.

'ears.

Counties composing districts.

Who elected.

Marion

1824

SenecaSandusky

Jeremiah Everett

Marion

/

1825

Crawford '
Seneca
Sandusky

Josiah Hedges

1826

Same counties

Eber Baker

1827

Same counties
Sandusky

Samuel M. Lockwood.

1828

¦ Seneca
WoodHancock

Lockwood re-elected

1829

Same counties

Lockwood re-elected. "

1830

Same counties ,

Josiah Hedges

1831

Same counties

Harvey J. Harmon

1832

Seneca
Sandusky

• Jeremiah Everett

1833

Same counties

Everett re-elected:

1834

Same counties

Jacques Hulburt

1835

June 8. Extra session to consult

on Michigan boundary and we

1835

Same counties

William B. Craighead

1836

Same counties .

Craighead re-elected

1837

Same counties

Samuel Treat

1838

Sariie comities

John Welsh

1839

Same counties
Seneca

Welsh re-elected

1840

Sandusky Wood

Amos E. Wood

Hancock
Moses McAnnelly
Ottawa
1841
Same counties
Amos E. Wood
George W. Baird
This legislature broke up in confusion. The Whigs withdrew. See
Secretary of State's report, 1875, Page 82.
1842 ' Same counties
Henry C. Brish
George W. Baird.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

441

Who elected.
William B. Craighead
Samuel Waggoner
Henry C. Brish
Daniel Brown*
Warren P. Noble
Noble re-elected
John G. Breslin (Speaker)
Breslin re-elected
Jacob Decker

'Elected as a Democrat and voted with the Whigs.
Last election under the old constitution.
The senatorial district under the new constitution has never been-
changed. It is composed of the counties of Seneca, Cjawford and
Wyandot.

Years.

Counties composing districts.

1843

Same counties

1844

Seneca

1845

Seneca

1846

Seneca

1847

Seneca

1848

Seneca

1849

Seneca

1850

Seneca

1851— Joel W. Wilson
1853— Robert Lee \
1855— James Lewis (K. N. , over
. W.P.Noble)
1857— Robert McKelley
1859— Thomas J. Orr
1861— William Lang
1863— William Lang

1865— Curtis Berry, Jr.
1867— Curtis Berry, Jr.
1869— Alex. E. Jenner
1871— Alex. E. Jenner
1873— John Seitz
1875— E. T. Stickney
1877— John Seitz
1879— Moses H. Kirby

REPRESENTATIVES
Under the present constitution Seneca is a district by itself.

1851— Jacob Decker
1853— John W. Paine ,
1855— Joseph Boyer (K.N.)
1859— Morris P. Skinner (D.)
Gideon Jones (R.)
1861— R. R. Titus
1863— R. R. Titus
1865— Isaac Kagy

1867— E. T. Stickney ,
1869— Jorin Seits
E. T. Stickney
1871 -John Seits
1 1873-^-James A. Norton
1875— James A. Norton
1877— James A. Norton
1879— Amos Decker

SE*TECA COUNTY ON THE TAX DUPLICATE.
Land bought from the United States was free from taxes for the term
of five years from- the date of purchase. The values, therefore, that
were put upon the duplicate during that time were upon personal prop
erty only, and hence comparatively small. The duplicate swelled in
proportion as the five years expired.
The following table gives the amount of taxes paid by Seneca county

4*2

HISTORY OF SENECA -COUNTY.

into the state treasury for ten years, from 1826 to 1835, both included,
except' the canal tax already mentioned:
Year. Amount. Year. Amount.
1826  $ 62.26.6 1831  $720.26.3
1827  254.49.4 1832  832.63.6
1828  326.32.0 1833  834.79.8
1829  444.44.3 1834  : . . . 954.80.1
1830  600.05.7 1835  814.13.8
It would be tedious and dry reading to follow the figures of assess
ment and taxation from year to year, and the reader must be content
with short references to show simply how Seneca county swelled in
proportions, in both wealth and on the tax duplicate.
In ,836 the value of town lots in Tiffin was #86,499; in Melmore,
$5,463; in Republic, #708; in Carolina, $6o&; in Attica, #1,464. .
Clinton township then had six pleasure carriages, valued at #460;
Eden one, valued at #50; Hopewell two, valued at #160. There was
then no other carriage in the county. Any spring wagon was a pleasure
carriage. There were nine of these, valued at #670.
The following table will show the number of acres and their value on
trie duplicate in 1836, the number of horses, neat cattle and total taxes
for all purposes: No. of
Township. acre's. Valuation. - Horses. Cattle. Total tax.
Adams....  6,901 $18,872 126 392 $403 31.9
Bloom  ,. 11,321 34,215 162 382 , 526 76.5
Clinton  18,776 85,609 372 510 3,082 58.0
Eden  21,757 65,105 313 530 1,134 25.1
Hopewell  ...11,749 39,670 127 307 639 67.1
Liberty  78,807 20,097 116 328 373 35.3
Loudon  1,842 2,831 59 185 118 25.6
Pleasant  4,898 24,335 122 303 445 17.1
Reed  12,972 30,124 124 397 533 68.4
Seneca  9,475 31 ,-784 179 374 52188.6
Scipio  17,067 42,953 203 535 985 12.2
Thompson  11,244 25,269 214 515 480 34.0
Venice  4,274 12,277 80 ^52 264 81.5
Big Spring  492 1,057 95 319 115" 41.6
Jackson  1,040 2,203 46 158 82 63.5

Total tax  $9^07 26.4

SENECA COUNTY ON THE TAX, DUPLICATE. 443
The following table shows the same articles for taxation, and the
taxes for each township and the towns for 1879:
No. of
Township. acres. Valuation. Horses. Cattle. Total tax.
Adams  23,146 $ 805,842 725 1,174 j „ , , 10, _
Great Springs. . . 131,494 24 17 | * M'194 85
Bloom  23,096 733,255 613 1,309 t 1e .Ac _.
Bloomville  216,489 75 60 | 16,405 75
Big Spring  22,807 908,194 736 1,351 9,481 59
CllritOn  21,122 1,292,448 648 1,245 1,252 37
Eden  22,762 1,019,168 667 1,525 10,757 83
Hopewell ....... 22,854 1,038,048 712 1,363 12,26221
Jackson  23;166 763,960 560 1,208 7,648 81
Liberty  22,878 958,638 698 1,668 12,987 27
Loudon  22,422 891,530 679 1,235 10,602 53
Fostoria  1,043,237 253 152 25,248 13
Pleasant  22,460 884,707 544 955 10,937 55
Reed  24.594 804,470 678 1,282 8,889 55
Scipio  22,737 965,868 674 1,154 j 19 Q,. „„
Republic  185,220 75 56 j 13,94168
Seneca  22,668 981,431 758 1,312 ( ln „, . ,,.
Thompson  23,341 1,079,407 756 1,143 j 10,615 19
Venice  25,048 832,460 630 1,764 j , c na0 - ,
Attica.,  170,119 7.5 45 1 15'038 ° J
.' Tiffin— 1st ward. } 102 , 97 f
2d " | 81 81
3d " (¦ 2,403,593 101 58 \ 83.087 83
4th •' | . 113 92 I
5th "J 74 44 (.
Total tax for 1879  :  .$ 285,375 26
The foregoing values include- also the personal property and the
values of Big Spring; also Adrian and New Reigel.
The total valuation of the county is $18,500,000. It is presumed
that the appraisement now about being made will increase the valuation
of the real estate Over the appraisement of 1870 about two millions.
Estimated population of 1880, 37,000.
The acres above mentioned, with the above enumeration in 1879,
produced one, and one-half millions of bushels of wheat. Of this quan
tity — at a rough guess — one-half million was used for seed and bread,
leaving one million of bushels for market, representing so many dollars.
All other surplus products put together make two millions more —
three millions surplus farm products, to which may be added one'-half
million manufacturing products, to be divided among the-above popula
tion; this would seem to be a fair representation of Seneca county in the
busy life of the world.
This would average about $100 to each inan, woman and child in the
county for one year.
For the population of Sepeca county in 1870 and 1880 see chapter
forty-four.

444 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE WAR.
This subject would make a book by itself. There is only room here
to state facts; commentaries must be le>ft to the reader.
• The bones of seven revolutionary soldiers rest in the ground of
Seneca county. It is possible that, there were others, but record ija
made here only of those whose death riere could be ascertained.
FREDERICK SHAWHAN
Was a native of Kent county, Maryland, but settled in Virginia after
the revolutionary struggle was over. He took a very active part in the
revolution, having enlisted when he was only seventeen years old. He
served under Generals Wayne, Green, Lafayette and Washington. He
was at Stony Point, in the battle of Monmouth, at the crossing of the
Delaware, and at the battle of Trenton. He moved to Ohio in 1812
and located in Fairfield county. In 1820 he moved to Wayne county
and afterwards came to Seneca county, where he died near Tiffin
August 26th, 1840, in the eightieth year of his age. He is buried in
the new cemetery. JOHN W. KENT
Was another revolutionary soldier, whose history, however, there is
nobody able to relate. He,lies buried in- the cemetery at Bascom. He
died November 16th, 1844, aged ninety-nine years, nine months and
seven days. WILLIAM HARRIS, ;
The gunsriiith, has already been mentioned among the early settlers
near the old Fort Seneca. JEDEDIAH HOLMES,
The father of our, old pioneer friend, Jedediah Holmes, is buried in the
Melmore cemetery. ELI WRIGHT,
Another old soldier of the revolution, is buried at the cemetery near
McCutchenville. JEREMIAH WILLIAMS,
Of the Maryland continental line, afterwards served under General.
Marion. He is buried in Pleasant township.
MATSON PETERSON
Died in Scipio township in 1846, at the age of eighty-two years. He
was from New Jersey, and is buried at the cemetery near John Hall's.
There were a goodly number of soldiers of the war of 1812 in Seneca

SENECA COUNTY IN THE WAR. 445
county, and trie writer regrets his want of success in ascertaining their
names. Every effort was made to that end, and the newspapers in
Tiffin were kind enough to assist me in calling on the friends and
children of the soldiers of the war of 1812 to give me their names and
haye them recorded in these pages; but it proved a failure and a few
only have been collected. One man called on me and wanted to know
how much I paid for'such information. He went away without giving -
me any names.
The following are the names of those that were picked up, however:
William Siberal, Pleasant, John Baugher, Tiffin,
Benjamin Turner, Liberty, Jonathan Chittenden, Scipio,
Henry Cronise,- Tiffin, Reuben Williams, Tiffin,
Henry St. John, Tiffin, John Bowerman, Adams.
John Paine came to Adams April 7th, 1829, and died in 1846. He
was a volunteer in Captain Barry's company O. M., in 1813, at Circle-
ville, and was at the battle of Ft. Stevenson.
JOHN HETER,
Who located in Thompson in 1830; is still living.
SAMUEL CARSON
Was with General Harrison at Fort Meigs. He died in Venice.
LUDWIG FRIEDLEY
Located and died in Venice. He belonged to a Pennsylvania regirnent.
WILLIAM SIBERAL,
Of Pleasant, was shot in the hip at the storming of Erie, and while he
was being carried away, was shot again. Yet he lived to a fine old age.
He settled in Pleasant in 1828. JOHN SEARLES
Was drafted in the war of 181 2 in Anne Arundel county, on the Chesa-
peak bay, Maryland, and was in the land service to the close of the war.
JOHN NOEL
Was drafted for the war of 1812, but on account of sickness in his fam
ily, was excused from service by paying $12 per moptri for three months.
DANIEL LAMBERSON
Was drafted in Pennsylvania. NOAH P. RESSEQUIE
Was the fourth son of a French officer, who served under the great
Napoleon.. He was a volunteer in the war of 1812; was in the battles,

446

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

of Fort Erie, Fort George and Lundy's Lane, in many other minor
engagements, and in numerous incursions into Canada. , He was fife
major and leader of a band at the execution of James Byrd. He came
to Seneca county in 1843, and was buried at Omar in 1855. Mrs.
Melinda Lee is his only living daughter.
SOLDIERS FROM SENECA IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
My old friend Louis Beilharz, Esq., of Liberty Center, Henry county,
Ohio, was so kind as to furnish me with the names of men who went
into the war against Mexico with him in 1847, viz:
Captain— James P. Chapman.
First Lieutenant— John H. Flenner. \
Second Lieutenant— Smith D. Baldwin.
Non-commissioned officers:
Second Sergeant— Thomas Little.
Third Sergeant— Louis A. Beilharz.
Privates:

William Boyer,
Russell Smith,
James GoshOrn,
Thomas Rosefelt,
John Kennedy,
Martin Leib,
Jacob Hessenauer,
Solomon Smith,
George Rockwejll,
George Kelly,
Daniel Kelly,

James Burrows,
William Carney,
Christ. Meyers,
Jacob Wolf,
Martin Smith,
Gottlieb Melcher,
William Smith,
Henry Hoffman,
Nicholas Kirsh,
Edward Daugherty,

Benjamin Gee,
Warner Norris,
John Cobert,
William Wells,
George Probasco,
John Morehead,
Nathan Hall,
Joshua Prebble,
Nathan Richards,
Archibald McMullen,
Aloys Jtouk (fife major).

Leohard Hoefling,
And a little dark complexioned, German whose name has escaped
me. The balance of the company were men from other counties. x
THE SENECA BLUES
Were an independent company, very neatly uniformed and well drilled.
They organized in 1835. Sorry to say that no roster has been pre
served. Henry Ebert was captain, John J. Steiner was orderly. They
served out their time under the law,, and dispersed soon after the cam
paign of 1840. * /
THE OSCEOLAS
Were also an independent company that organized under the leader
ship of Captain Poorman, in November, 1842. Governor Cbrwin
issued the commissions:
Captain— John Poorman.
First Lieutenant^D. K. Hamilton.
Second Lieutenant-^ William Dewitt.
First Sergeant— William Lang.

THE WASHINGTON GUARDS.

447

Privates:
James Watson,
James R. Cain,
Bazell Norris,
A. Taylor,
William Bogart,
Jacob Engler,
 Kaufman,
David Smith,
William Bergstresser,
William Miller,
John Deaver,
Daniel Deaver,
John Sheets,
A. Sohn,
Henry Sohn,
Jacob Adams,
J. Stoner,

S. Griffith,
Nicholas Kuntz,
A. Deazer,
Daniel Fisher,,
Jacob Bowersox,
Daniel Zeice,
John Williams,
George Dewalt,
E. J. Wilber,
Henry Turner,
James Wolf,
George Abbott,
James E. Holtz,
Paul Dewitt,
John Deroit,
A. Copenhaver,
Jacob Young.

Aaron Miller, •
Michael Foncannon,
W. D. Foncannon,
Henry Blasius,
M. Kirchner,
J. M. Kirchner,
John Rosell,
David Rosell,
Paul Von Blon,
Philip Von Blon,
John Willow,
T. Egbert,
Albert Beilharz,
P. Bernard,
George Billman,
John McMeens,

THE WASHINGTON GUARDS.

In 1850 a German company was organized here as a rifle company,
with the above name. It was considered the best drilled company
Seneca county ever produced; neatly uniformed ftnd equipped. For
six years it continued to be the favorite of the »people. Whenever the
company had a public dinner or a ball, or wanted money for some com
pany purpose, it was always well sustained. The following list of its
officers and privates is made up from memory. The roll is lost, and
perhaps some old comrade will be overlooked.
Captain— William Lang.
First Lieutenant— Valentine Schmidt.
Second Lieutenant— Frederick Harter.
O. S.— William Berger.
, First Corporal— Xavier Wehrie.
Second Corporal— Anton Rendler.
Third Corporal— Louis Bang.
Fourth Corporal— Carl Bang. /
Flag Bearer— Andrew Denzer.
Privates:

Christopher Snyder,
Carl Schuhman,
Joseph Letterhose,
Aloys Rank,
J. M. Kirchner, ¦
J. W. Kirchner,
William Armbruster,
Henry Schmitt,

Ph. Souter,
John Loesser,
Ch. Seigchrist,
Adam Wagner,
John Bossecker,
William Zoeller,
Valentine Dinges,
J. Muellerweis,

Joseph Vollmer,
C. G. A. Oudit,
M. P. Wehrie,
Jos". Christ,
Jacob Altweis,
Andrew Irion,
George Denzer,
Peter Spelz,

448

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Daniel Labar,
Henry Weisbecker,
Daniel Scheuing,
Jacob Frentzel,
Carl Scheuing,
Ignatz Kirchner,
Fritz Pauli,
Joseph Schmitt,
John Hartman,
Justin Schneider,
Wendel Burkriart,
Xavier Wagner,
John Meyer,
Andrew Bliem,
William Roelle,
J. Ad. Ries,
H. Lemp,

Michael Kirchner,
Carl F. Boos,
Christ. Mueller,
Balthasar Kirchner,
Carl Mutschler,
Ph. Emich,
Jacob Schabacher,
Joseph Kettemeyer,
Dominick Bartel,
Joseph Ranker,
Jacob Zimmer,
Peter Schmittuz,
John Yeutgen,
J. B. Greiveldinger,
John Hessberger,
Louis Seewald,
John Kirchner.

Jacob Gunther,
Moses H. Scriwarzenberg,
Joseph Kauffmann,
Lucas Engelfried,
David Leisenring,
Henry Wats,
Franz Keppelmeyer,
John Demuth,
William B. Wolff',
Henry Wolff, ,
Jacob Foell,
Jacob Huf ,
P. Frank Ries,
John Spelz,
 Criumi,

FORT BALL ARTILLERY
Was the only independent artillery company ever Organized in the
county. It was well uniformed and well drilled, making a very formid
able appearance.
Captain— Truman H. Bagby.
First Lieutenant— D. C.'Stoner.
Second Lieutenant— P. H. Reame.
First Sergeant— Amon Rigs. '
Second Sergeant— George Hubert,
Third Sergeant— John Gerspacker,
Fourth Sergeant— .C. W. Souter.
First Corporal— David Lutner.
Second Corporal— Harman Whiteman.
Third Corporal— W. H. Carlisle.
Fourth Corporal— John Silvers.
Privates:
Samuel Betts,
C. J. Hoot,
Dan. Vollmer,
William Ridenour,
Aaron Ruse,
Melkiah Martin,
P. C. Scheckel,
W. H. Smith,
James Dildine,
John Grady,
Myron H. Forbush,
Edmond Kinney, ¦
M. Hennessy,

Nicholas Liebe,
Fred. Gari,
Henry Keppel,
LeoLiebel, Epriraim Sohn,
Nicholas Kirch,
; Jacob Flaugher, Jr.,
Nicholas Comely,
James- A. Sohn,
Jacob Miller,(
David Lebar,
Samuel Shaull,
Felix Beck,

George Strassbaugh,
Gideon Leitner,
George Schwartzmiller,
Pierre Lahr,
Henry Graff,
Joseph Boehler,
Nathan Cadwallader,
Daniel Miller,
Frederick Roller,
John M. B. Carey,
Samuel Downey,
John Millerweis,
John Mackfeld,

Levi Keller,
Andrew Ruch,
Edward Cookerly,
John H. Six,
Daniel Bosler,
William Klinger,
Martin Housman,
R. L. Durdy,
John Kline,
John A. Young;
D. H. Dildine,
Anthony Kuebler,
Daniel Youndt,
J. W. Love,
A. Flummerfelt,

OHIO MILITIA.
J. H. Leidy,
Michael Miller,
George W. Zeigier,
. Nicholas Miller,
Henry Miller,
George Schlerret,
Joseph Sanders,
„ George Seif ert,
John Knott,
William Johnson,
William Ogle,
E. G. Bowe,
Fred. Schammel,
Micriael Fitzpatrick,

449

Michael Lahr,
Samuel Leitner,
John Hoefling,
George Newbinger,
Robert Gulliver,
Hiram Mercharit,
W. B. Merchant,
Fred. Rentz,
Francis Wagner,
John Courth,
W. A. Sweifczer,
Hubert Shorts,
Charles Swahnager,
Peter Kingseed,

Nicholas Bower.
The company organized on the ioth of March, 1851, and served out
its time.
While on the subject of " independent companies," it may be well to
remark that since the war of the rebellion two independent companies
have been organized in Tiffin, viz:
THE TIFFIN LIGHT GUARDS,
Who have served out their time and disbanded, and the
TIFFIN ZOUAVES,
Who are still in existence. They were both small companies but well
drilled. Otto P. Snyder was the last captain of the Tiffin Light Guards, and
Ed. Lepper is the captain of the Zouaves.
OHIO MILITIA.
The system and the laws regulating the militia <of Ohio grew out of
the condition of things surrounding the settlers when the state of Ohio
was in her infancy.
The frontiersman was necessarily a good marksman and the rifle was
one of the most indispensible implements of a frontier home. The war
of the revolution and the war of 181 2 were fought with militia, who
have proven valiant and efficient. A standing army was not to be
¦thought of and should not be thought of anywhere. The pioneers
embraced the doctrine that " God helps those that help themselves."
Self reliance is the main-spring of success at all times and everywhere.
The early statesmen laid down the doctrine that a well regulated
militia was the safety of the state. Hence laws were passed for the
listing of all able-bodied white male inhabitants by an officer who was
called a " lister." The state was divided into districts and divisions,
and numbered, with a major-general, and sub-divided into brigades,
29

45 O HISTORY 6f SENECA COUNTY.
with a brigadier-general in each. The brigade districts were again
sub-divided into regimental districts and company districts. In time
of need the militia was easily rendezvoused and each man knew the
company, regiment, brigade' and division he belonged to. Company
muster was held in August and regimental muster in September of each
year. On these muster days the officers were elected. The rank and
file elected their captains and lieutenants, and these the higher officers
and so on* The elections of all commissioned officers were certified
up to the governor, who (as now), was the commander-in-chief, and
issued the commissions accordingly.
Thus" the " army of Ohio " was organized, and, it was nO small affair
to be a captain, major, colonel, or general. Peple took great pride in
military affairs and it was considered a mark of honor and distinction
to be a military officer and in the line of promotion. There was as
much electioneering' on those muster days for a captaincy, or to be
come a colonel as there is now-a-days in the race for an office in civil
life. The muster days were regarded as days of fun and frolic. The hotel
keepers and gingerbread shops made the most out of them. Trie men
were ordered out on parade, " uniformed, armed and equipped as the
law directs;" but' the state furnished no arms and the men had no
uniforms. There was no need of a uniform for only two days' drill
during the year, and officers being changed so often, refused to uniform
on account of the expense. Everybody, therefore, appeared on parade
in citizens' clothes and just in such dress as was convenient to each.
Some dressed in the best they had and others came just as they left
their work. The larger number were in " homespun," colored with ,
bark. It was both convenient and usual to pull the boots over the
'pants and wear linsey-woolsey wammuses, the corners tied into a knot
in front. Some had fur caps on, others^ straw hats or slouch hats; no
two were dressed alike.; Standing in line or marching, the men swung
their arms, laughed, talked, looked aboi\t and generally did as they
pleased. If the captain scolded or undertook to be strict in his disci
pline, they would elect another man next time. Those who had no
guns would borrow a piece for the occasion, or uscany stick or corn
stalk as a substitute for a. gun, for there was no time for going through
the manual or firing exercises. The captain himself, having no knowl
edge of military tactics, could give no instructions, and the whole day
was spent in marching around, forming line, calling the roll, electing
officers, drifiking, carousing and fighting. It was customary to have
several fights at fisticuffs on every muster day.

OHIO MILITIA. 45 1
In 1842 Dr. Charles Beilhars, a dentist, was elected captain of a
Tiffin company, and having no military experience, was very innocent
in his new position!' After dinner he took charge of his company arid
marched up and down the street several times and the men got tired
of walking so much. The captain had a long, cavalry sword, which he
leaned against his right shoulder, and marcried at the head of his com
pany in single file. One time the captain and his drummer turned
into Market street, marching east, and when he reached the alley east
of the court house he looked back, and, to his great surprise, his whole
company was gone. They had all "skirmished" and could not be
rallied again that day.
A good story is told of a man who had been a standing candidate
for captain several years, and finally one morning on a muster day
succeeded, by treating all the boys. He bought trie out-going captain's
1 chapeau, sword and coat, put them on, and at noon recess went home
to tell his wife and exhibit himself to her in "war paint." While his
wife was busily engaged preparing dinner, the captain employed the
time by drilling himself on the porch, giving words of command very
strong. There was a trap door in the porch floor leading to the cellar
below, and the wife, in her hurry to get, dinner, running up and down
the cellar stairs, left the trap door open. The captain, full of war, paid
no attention to the cellar way. Now he gave the command: " Com
pany, three paces to the rear— march!" and in the execution of the
command, he fell into the cellar. His wife heard the racket, ran to his
assistance, and helped him up on to the porch again. She brushed
him off nioely and consoled him on his lucky escape, 'having no bones
broken and all that, and, when "Richard was himself again," the cap
tain straightened up, looked over his shoulder at his wife, and ex
claimed in a loud voice, " Sal, what in h — 11 do you know about war?"'
When the new constitution was adopted, the legislature made many
changes in the militia system of Ohio, and the old "cornstalk muster"
was " done away with." The system of the " National Guards " was
then inaugurated and is now, in vogue.
And is not this idea of " well-regulated militia " the best mili
tary system after all ? Look at your standing army of idlers ¦ and
consumers that eat out the substance of the people, and crush out their
liberties. •> Will the world never learn the fact, that the tree of liberty
cannot grow in a soil that trembles under the iron heel of the soldier?
The history of our own wars has established the fact, that the militia
is the best standing army in time of need, and the only standing army
that\is compatible with a Republican form of government.

452 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
. War seems to be the normal condition of man, anyway, and our
people are perfectly imbued with this idea. Our war amongst the states
has proven to the world that men can leave their farms, their shops,
stores, factories and offices, and in a few short weeks of drilling, make
valiant soldiers with an easier mobility, in larger or smaller bodies, than
the stiff, garrisoned drones of a standing army, with its endless red
tape. Let those who talk of a strong, centralized, brilliant government,
backed and upheld by bayonets, look over the following tables, and if
they are Americans, blush:
, KINGS AND BAYONETS.
This table shows trie daily pay of some of the crowned heads of
Europe: The Czar  $25,000 The Emperor of Germany. . . . .$8,000
The Sultan  18,000 The King of Italy  6,400
The Emperor of Austria  10,000, The King of Belgium  1,643
THE ARMIES OF EUROPE ON A PEACE FOOTING.
Men. Men.
Russia  i . . . .447,370 Turkey.  130,000
Prance  446,224 Switzerland  120,077
Germany  418,821 Spain  91,400
Austria   269,577 Belgium  46,333
' Great Britain  268,924 
Total  2,506,225
The reserves, the militia and irregular troops are not included in the
above numbers. From the Cincinnati Enquirer of May 15, 1880, I
take the following notice of the proceedings in the German diet:
A Berlin dispatch says: Wheri all the new formations, planned and worked
out in their minutest details by the German war ministry, are completed, the
total strength of the army will exceed two millions of men.
Germany alone, remember.
The annual appropriations for this consuming host from the ex
chequers of these states, respectively,-run into many millions, thus:
Russia  $127,289,435 Great Britain.. .... .'.  $80,259,052
France  110,587,252 Turkey  23,163,295
Germany  81,553,988 Switzerland  2,229,833
Austria  65,850,9,45 Spain  24;428,384
Italy  34,374,347 Belgium  ,  8,212,247
Making an average of #224 for each man per year.
The 'average of the daily salary of the president of the United- States
of America — $138 — looks small in comparison, but the annual expense

UNITED STATES ARMY. . 453
of our standing army of 25,000 — #39,000,000 — average #1,500 per man
for each year. Costly gentlemen, these.
And Europe is the country were bayonets and bibles have been
cherished for many centuries. Standing armies crush the masses, from
whom they are drawn, to the earth, into poverty, degradation, starva
tion and rags, and are kept up to cut the throats of their fellow men in
christian lands. What a commentary on christian governments. What
a lie and burlesque on the beautiful and glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER XXVII.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

THIS is not the place to look for a relation of events that preceded
the war of the rebellion, nor for trie immediate cause. No
opinions shall be expressed on its political aspect; nothing shall be said
on the manner in which it was conducted. It is enough to say here;
that when Fort Sumpter was fired upon, people were filled with awe,
and a sadness inexplicable, pervaded the minds of all'thinking, patriotic
men. Old Seneca stood by Abraham Lincoln, . and more than one
thousand five hundred men left the charms and endearments of home
and bore their breasts to the storm of war.
The first company that was raised in this county was Co. A, 8tri reg
iment, O. V. I.
Captain— A. H. Winslow. Promoted to major December, 1861.
First Lieutenant— B. F. Ogle. Promoted to captain December, 1861. Re
signed December, 1862.
Second Lieutenant-^-C. W. Barnes. Died from wounds received in the
battle of Anteitam September 17, 1862.
Sergeants:
First— A. H. Byers. Discharged for disability.
Second— J. M. Henry. Discharged for disability.
Third— J. C. Kipka. Killed in the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
Fourth— J. Weidman. v
Fifth— D. J. Goodsell,' Jr. Killed in the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Corporals:
First— George Baugher. Discharged for disability.
Second— J. N. Travis. Promoted to 2d lieutenant November 7, 1862.
Third— P. McBride.
Fourth— S. F. Poorman. Transferred to United States hospital.
Fifth— P. J. Hossler.
Sixth— D. Troxell.
Seventh— F. Neely. Discharged for disability.
Eighth— O. McCormack. Died in hospital at Culpepper, October, 1863.
Privates:
L. D. Arnold. Transferred to 6th United States cavalry.

8TH REGIMENT O. V. I. 455
C. A. Adams. Died in hospital at Washington, November, 1862.
N. Backus.
G. Baker.
L. Bang. Discharged for disability.
D. Barnhart, Jr. Discharged for disability.
G. W. Beard. Transferred\to invalid corps.
J. H. Beaty. Killed May 12, 1864, in the battle near Spottsylvania.
H. Bloom. Transferred to United States service.
N. J. Brandeberry. Discharged for disability.
J. Brandeberry. Missing; supposed to have deserted.
G. W. Brestel.
H. Breiner.
G. Brown.
J. L. Camp. Discharged for disability from wounds received at Winchester.
J. W. Canary.
F. N. Colwell.
A. D. Colwell.
Philip Diehl.
A. J. Dildine. Killed in trie battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
S. H. Dildine.
At. Dowd. Died in hospital at Grafton, Virginia, September, 1861.
Til. A. Fahnestock. Dispharged for disability.
J. Fell.
A. Fortney.
J.N. Green.
T. J. Griese. Missing; supposed to have been captured at the battle in
the Wilderness. .
D. Gross.
H. Harbaugh.
William W. Hathaway. Discharged for disability.
H. Heisserman. Discharged for disability from wounds received Decem
ber 13, 1862.
J. A. Hoover. Discharged for disability.
Philip Johnson. Discharged for disability.
E. Jones. Died from wounds received at Gettysburg.
J. K. Kershner.
A. R. Kieffer. Discharged -for disability.
C. Lampsin, Jr.
H. L. Langdon.
J. R. Lewis.
J. B. Lightcap. Transferred to 6th U. S. cavalry.
M. B. Linn. Died in hospital, at Grafton, Virginia, September, 1861.
J. W. Long.
R. Low. ,
A. K. Miller.
S. H. Martin. Discharged for disability.
Wm. L. Myers. Discharged for disability.
Wm. Myers. Discharged on account of wounds received at Gettysburg,
July 3, 1863.

4S6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
C. T. Naylor.
Wm. Nuson.
Joseph Nuson.
J. H. Nichols.
' A. J. Orme. Transferred to 6th U. S. cavalry.
A. Palmer.
Wm. H. Pockmyer. Discharged for disability from wounds received at
Anteitam, September 13, 1862.
J. J. Ranch. Killed in the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
Charles Rouch.' Died in the hospital at Oakland, September, 1861.
H. H. Ray.
J. Redd. Discharged for disability.
Wm. P. Richardson. Killed at Anteitam, September 17, 1862.
A. Sriertzberg. Discharged for disability.
A. Shreiner.
Charles Seewald. Died in hospital at Washington from wounds received
at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
M. Slart.
S. C. Sloat. Transferred tp Invalid corps. J,
J. Smith.
L. Snover. Appointed commissary sergeant.
J. W. Snyder.
J. H. Sopher.
Charles Sener.
P. Stoner.
Abel Swalley.
J. Teach. Discharged for disability.
H. G. Thurwaechter, Discharged for disability.
N. Watcher.
L. Watcher.
J. Wasrinich. Killed before Petersburg.
D..G. Watson.
G. W. White. Discharged for disability.
D. Yunker. Killed at Anteitam, September 17, 1862.
W. H. Haas.
S. Z. Beams. Discharged for disability from wounds received while on
picket duty at Romney.
This regiment had a bloody history, and covered itself all over with
glory. It enlisted under the first call of the president, between the 1 6th and
22d days of April, 1861, and all arrived at Camp Taylor, at Cleveland,
Ohio, April 29th. The regiment was at Romney, Hanging Rock, Blue
Gap, Bloomey Gap, Ceder Creek, Strasburg, Winchester, Front Royal,
Malvern Hill, Germantown, Fairfax C. H., South Mountain, Anteitam,
Boonsboro, Reedy ville, Leesburg, Hulltown, Snicker's Gap, United States
Ford, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Auburn, Bristow,

49TH REGIMENT O. V. I. 457
Robinson's Cross Roads, Locust Grove, Mine Run, Morton's Ford,
Wilderness, Spottsylvania C. H., Petersburg, North Anna, Cold
Harbor. The regiment was mustered out the 13th of July, 1864, by Captain
Douglass. I am indebted to my friend Andy Sririner, of Tiffin, for the minutes
of company "A," in this regiment.
The 49th, 55th, 101st and 123 regiments O. V. l.„ were organized
in this county, and the names of the officers of each will here be
given. Aside from these organizations, very many men from Seneca county
entered the service and joined regiments making up outside of- this
military district. Some joined Colonel Bousenwein's 58th, forming at
Columbus. Captain Philip Faulhaber organized a company, with which
he joined Colonel Mungen's 57th. A goodly number of men joined
Colonel Buckland's"72d at Fremont. Colonel Louis Zahm's 3d Ohio
cavalry was joined by many .men from Seneca, and when Colonel
Seraphim My6rs raised the 107th German regiment, at Cleveland, many
joined from here. Some also entered the naval service;, so that in
every department of the service Seneca county was represented.
the 49TH o. v. 1.
The 49th was organized at Tiffin under special authority from the
secretary of war. It started from Camp Noble, near Tiffin (the old
fairgrounds), to Camp Dennison, the 10th of September, 1861. It was
the first organized regiment that entered Kentucky. The boys will
always remember Mumfofdsville, Pittsburg Landing (where Colonel
Gibson commanded the brigade), Corinth, Bridge's Creek, Frankfort,
Lawrenceburg, Dog Walk, Nashville, Nolinsville Turnpike, Murfrees-
boro, Nashville Turnpike, Liberty Gap, Chattanooga, Chickamauga,
Orchard Knob, Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Dalton, Resaca, Dallas,
Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River", Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy
Station, FrankliiL After a severe march through Texas, it was mus
tered out at Victoria November 30th, 1865. The whole number in the
regiment was 1,552, of whom nineteen were born in Europe. Eight
officers were . killed in battle, and twenty wounded, six mortally. Of
the privates, one hundred and twenty-seven were killed in battle, seventy-
one were mortally wounded, sixty-five died from hardship and disease,
and seven perished in prisons at Danville and Andersonville; six
hundred and sixteen were discharged on account of wounds and
sickness.

458

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Colonels-

OFFICERS OF THE 49TH KEGIMENT.
-W. H. Gibson, Joseph R. Bartlett.

MAJOKS.
Levi Drake,
Benj.S. Porter,
Samuel F. Gray, .
Luther M.' Strong,
Joseph R. Bartlett,
Milton Fi Miles,
J. Kessler,
George W. Pool.
Surgeons— Robert W. Thrift, W. H. Park.
Assistant Surgeons— W. H. Park, H. B. Lung, S. A. Smith, S. H. Spehcer.
Chaplains— Erotus H. Bush, George S. Philips.
Captains:

LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
A. M. Blackman,-
Levi Drake,
Benj. S. Porter,
Samuel F. Gray,
Luther M. Strong,
Joseph R. Bartlett,
Milton F. Miles.

A. Langworthy,
Benj. S. Porter.
Amos Keller,
George W. Culver, -
Nathan Callihan,
Joseph R. Bartlett,
Luther M.1 Strong,
Orrin B. Hayes,
George E. Lovejoy,
James M. Patterson,
Samuel F. Gray,
Jonas Foster.
First Lieutenants:
Charges A. Norton,
Samuel F. Gray,
John E. McCormack,
Aaron H. Keller,
Jacob Mosier,
Jonas Foster,
Morris C. Tyler,
Daniel Hartsock,
Hiram Chance,
Alonzo F. Prentice,
William C. Turner,
James W. Davidson,
William Martin,
Moses Abbott,
C. W. Drake,
John Green,
John L. Hollopeter,
John Kessler,
Samuel M. Harper,
Milton F. Miles.

Lyman W. Mow,
John E. McCormack,
Morris C. Tyler,
John Green,
Hiram Change,
Daniel Hartsock,
Samuel M. Harper,
John L. Hollopeter,
J. Kessler,
George W. Pool,
Thomas J. Ray,

Henry A. Spaythe,
James A. Redman,
Milton Cowgill,
Srieppard Green,
Jacob C. Miller,
Theodore C. Pero,
George W. Pool,
Thomas J. Ray,
James Ewing,
Isaac H. White,
John C. Ramsey,
Jacob Herr,
John Glick,
Silas W. Simons,
Charles Wallace,
George S. Crawford,
Dwight R. Cook,
Francis R. Stewart,
John K. Gibson,

Sheprierd Green,
Theodore C. Pero,
James Ewing,
Jacob Herr,
George S. Crawford,
Dwigrit R. Cook,
Francis R. Stewart,
Milton F. Miles,
Nathan L. Lutz,
Anthony W. Adams,
Jonathan R. Rapp,

Nathan L. Lutz,
Daniel M. Fultz,
Anthony W. Adams,
Jonathan J. Rapp,
John Vandenburg,
Edwin P. Dana,
Jacob W. Cline,
John J. Fry,
Charles W. England,
George W.' Vail,
Ezra P. Phelps,
James F. Harper,
John H. Yarger,
James J. Zint,
Conrad Flaugher,
H. H. Fausey,
Caspar Snyder,
Franklin H. Gibbons,
William Whittacker,

55th REGIMENT 0. V. I. 459
Nearly all the above were second lieutenants and promoted.
Colonel Gibson commanded a brigade, by virtue of his rank, during
about two-thirds of his term of service.
He is adjutant general of the state at this writing.
the 55TH o.*v. 1.
This regiment went into camp' at Norwalk, Ohio, on the 17 th day of
October, 1861, where it was kept, wasting time, until January 25th,
1862, when it was ordered to Grafton and New Creek, Virginia. At
Grafton the regiment suffered severely from measels. At one time
over four hundred men were on the sick list. The regiment took part
in the following battles, viz: McDowell, or Blue Pasture Mountain,
Cross Keys, Slaughter Mountain, Bull Run. The regiment arrived at
Chancellorville on the 30th of January, 1863, where it took position in
the second brigade. The battle opened about five o'clock in the after
noon, the rebels in strong force upon the right. The national troops
were preparing supper, and no scouts had been sent out, hence the
attack was a surprise. The first regiment on the extreme right had
three hundred and fifty guns stacked, and upon the first fire from the
rebels, this regiment fell upon the second, and they not being, able to
stand the fire, fell back also. The remainder of the brigade also re
treated to the left. Regiment after regiment was compelled to fall back,
including the 55th. The retreat became general, and was only checked
by the dairkness of the night. In this engagement the 55 th lost one
hundred and three men killed, wounded and missing.
This regiment was -also present at Gettysburg, where it lost about
fifty men, and at Chattanooga. On the ist of January, 1864, the regi
ment re-enlisted with three hundred and ninety men, and re-assembled
on the 2 2d of February. It then participated in all the battles of the
20th corps. At the battle of Resaca it lost ninety men, May 15th. It
was at Dallas, Cassville, New Hope Church, Marietta and Kenesaw. It
was at Atlanta, and at Smith's Farm. The regiment was mustered out
at Louisville, Kentucky, on the nth of July. During its service this
regiment enrolled one thousand three hundred and fifty men, of whom
seven hundred and fifty were either killed or wounded in battle. Eight
officers were killed or died of wo.unds.

460

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Colonels— J. C. Lee, Charles B. Gambee, Edwin H. Powers.

LIEUTENANT-COLONELS. George H. Safford,
Charles B. Gambee,
James M. Stevens,
Edwin H. Powers,
Charles P. Wickham.

MAJORS.
John C. Lee,
Daniel F. DeWolf ,
Charles B. Gambee,
James M. Stevens,
Rudolphus Robbins,
Charles F. Wickham,
Hartwell Osborn.

Surgeons— J. Kling, Joseph Hebble.
Assistant Surgeons— Henry K. Spooner, J
James C. Myers.
Chaplains— John G. W. Cowles, Alfred Wheeler.
Captains:

L. Morris, Joseph Hebble,

Charles B. Gambee,
Augustus M. Bement,
Horatio M. Shipman,
David C. Brown,
Frederick A. Wildman,
James M. Stevens,
R. Robbins,
Ira C. Terry,
Horace Robinson,
Edwin H. Powers,
Benj. F. Eldridge,
Charles P. Wickham,
Henry Miller.
First Lieutenants:
Robert G. Pennington,
Benjamin F. Eldridge,
W. D. Sherwood,
Henry W. Persing,
Jacob Thomas,
Charles P. Wickham,
Rudolph Eastman,
Henry Miller,
Albert E. Peck,
Frank W. Martin,
Richard F. Patrick,
Robert Bromley,
Raymond Burr,
Benj. C. Tabor,
Charles D. Robbins,
Frank J. Souter,
F. H. Boalt,
Rob. W. Pool,

Albert E. Peck,
Frank W. Martin,
Robert Bromley,
Frank J. Souter,
Charles D. Robbins,
Henry W. Persing,
Hartwell Osborn,
F. H. Boalt,
Robert W. Pool,
Francis H. Morse,
Butler Case,
Charles M. Stone,

Francis C. Morse,
Hartwell Osborn,
Thomas O'Leary,
Butler Case,
Charles M. Smith,
Charles M. Stone,
A. M. Wormley,
Thomas W. Miller,
Charles M. Stillman,
Henry H. Moore,
John R. Lowe,
Jesse Bowsher,
William S. Wickriam,
O. B. Gould,
Rnssel H. Bever,
Ben. F. Evans,
James P. Jones,
Philetus C. Lathrop.

Charles M. Smith,
Aug. M. Wormley,
Thomas W. Miller,
Henry H. Moore,
John R. Lowe,
Jesse Bowsher, ...
William S. Wickham,
O. B. Gould,
Russel H. Bever,
Benj.F. Evans,
Joseph H. Gallup,.
John H. Boss, Jr.,

Pliney E. Watson,'
Thomas T. Petit,
Adam Cramer,
Joseph H. Gallup,
John H. Boss, Jr.,
Lewis Peck,
Alvin B. Chase,
W. E. Childs,
W- H. Hessiriger,
Henry B. Warren, 1
Frederick Reeser,
James T. Boyd,
Jorin Bellman,
Robert Fewson,
Thomais S. Hossler,
John Burkett,
Henry J. Peltori,

Most of the foregoing were second lieutenants and promoted.

THE IOIST 0. V. I. 461
Erie, Huron, Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot were formed into a
military district, in which this regiment was organized. It was mus
tered into the service at Monroeville, on the 30th of August, 1862, while
the writer was busily engaged recruiting the 123d regiment, and the
ipist occupying Camp Monroeville at the time, was -compelled to sub
sist the troops on the'fair grounds near Tiffin.
On the 4th of September the regiment was hurried over the Ohio to
-Covington, Kentucky, to assist in dispelling the threatened raid of
Kirby Smith. The regiment was attached to Robert B. Mitchell's
division. It was in the battle at Perryville, on October 8th, and before
they had time to learn the manual, but they bore up bravely. It was
also at Lancaster, Kentucky, and at Nashville. At Knob Gap fight they
captured two bronze field pieces,one of which had on the word " Shiloh."
The regiment behaved like old veterans, and deserved great praise. \
The 101st was the first regiment to arrive at the battle field of Stone
River, and became at once engaged with the enemy's out-posts. It
was in the hottest of the fight, changing position six times during the
day. The lamented Colonels Stem- and Wooster were both killed on
the front line on "the right of the- army, leading on their men to deeds
of daring. The regimeht remained in the fight to the close ' of the
battle, losing seven officers and two hundred and twelve men killed or
wounded. All this work of bravery was executed in less than four
months from the time the boys left their farms and workshops to or
ganize the regiment. They were at Liberty Gap, Chattanooga, Chick- »
amauga, where it re-took the national battery from the enemy, fighting
over the guns with clubbed muskets. It was at Catoosa Springs and
Buzzard's Roost.
The Atlanta campaign kept this poor regiment almost under constant
fire. The were at Franklin also, and at Nashville, and were finally mus
tered Out of service at Huntsville, Alabama, June 12, 1865.
It is said that at Franklin, just at nightfall, this regiment was ordered
to re-take an angle of the works held by the enemy, which it did with
the bayonet, and held the position until eight o'clock P. M., notwith
standing the rebels were almost within bayonet r each during all that
time. The following were the officers:
Colonels— Leander Stem and Isaac M. Kirby.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS. , MAJORS.
John Trouts, Moses F. Wooder,
Moses F. Wooster, Isaac M. Kirby,
John Messer, Bedan B. McDonald,
Bedan B. McDonald. Daniel H. Fox,
John A. Lattimer.

462

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Surgeon— Thomas M. Cook.
Assistant Surgeons— George T. Yingling, Walter Caswell, Henry F. Lacy,
H. H. Russell.
Chaplains— Oliver Kennedy, Erastus M. Gravath. .
Captains:
Charles C. Calligan,
Thomas C. Fernald,
Bedan B. McDonald,
Henry G. Srielden,
Wm. C. Parsons,
Isaac M. Kirby *
John Messer,
Jesse Shriver,
Newton M. Barnes,
Montgomery Noble,
Franklin Pope,
First Lieutenants:
Asa R. Hillier,
J. B. Curtis,
Lyman Parcher,
George E. Seney,
Isaac Anderson,
J. P. Fleming,
Milton F. Ebersole,
Leonard D. Smith,
'Stephen B.Beckwith,
Franklin Pope,
Robert G. Ogden,
Robert Lysle, .
Robert D. Lord,
Daniel H. Fox,

Lyman Parcher,
Asa R. Hillier,
Daniel H. Fox,
Leonard D. Smith,
John P. Fleming,
Milton F. Ebersole,
Stephen B. Beckwith,
Wm. H. Kelmer,
John A. Lattimer,
Robert D. Lord,
George E. Seney,
Jacob Neuriart, '
Wm. H. Kelmer, '
Wm. N- Beer,
Benj. T. Bryant,
John A. Lattimer,
Henry C. Taggart;
John M. Butler,
Ph. T. Kline,
George W. Hale,
Horace D. Olds,
Charles McGraw,
John F. Neff ,
Ira B. Reed,
Alex. C. Hosmer,

Wm. N. Beer,
Benj. F. Bryant,
Henry C. Taggert,
Ira B. Reed, ,
Horace D. Olds,
JohnF. NefE, '
George W. Hale,
James M. Robert,
Z. C. Butler.

James M. Roberts,
Elbert J. Squire,
J. C. Butler,
Jorin G. Pettico'rd,
Jorin S. Milliman,
Wm. P. Myers,
J. C. Smith,
Jasper F. Webster,
Wm. R. Davis,
Orander J. Benham,
Charles MoSfoot,
James R. Homer,
John Sriuman,
David Allison.

Second lieutenants were nearly all promoted to first lieutenants, etc.
123D regiment; o. v. i.
Most all great men have their peculiarities, and Mr. Robert G. Inger-
soll, of Illinois, who has made the christian world in America say many
unpleasant things of him, because he doesn't' want any hell, is in the
habit, when driving a nail where a strong point comes in, of saying:
"Honor bright; now, be honest." In the little space that shall be
devoted to a short record of the 123d- O. V. I., 1 would say, in due
deference to those who have written or spoken of this regiment with
out saying a word as to how it was raised, "honor bright," gentlemen.
When you undertake to tell the truth, tell the whole truths When Mr.
Whitelaw Reid got up his " Ohio in the War," he did not know, per
haps, how the regiment was raised, or care but little about the labor it

I23D REGIMENT 0. V. I. 463
took to raise it, and the injustice that was done to somebody when he
said, on page 629, vol. n:: "This regiment was organized at camp
Monroeville," Having taken a very active part in raising this regiment, and having
been assisted and sustained .in my work by the military committee of
every county in this (then) congressional district, and other good men
and women from both political parties, and having succeeded in a most
wonderful degree,' I have no apology to offer when I speak my feel
ings on this subject in my own plain way. Havipg stated facts as they
occurred, the reader is left to himself in forming conclusions.
Jt was the 12th of August, 1862, when, at the- solicitation of the mili
tary committee of Seneca County, my good old friend, Robert G. Penn
ington, and the writer went to Columbus to confer with Governor Tod-
on n the propriety of raising another regiment in this district, and to
procure his order to that effect. We presented to him the fact that
Seneca county was still in arrear in her quota of troops some 600 men;
that the draft which was then fast approaching would most likely take
some of our citizens who could not well go, and that if a regiment was
ordered to' be raised under the leadership of the writer, the committee
entertained strong hopes of raising men enough to avoid the draft.
The governor said: " Gentlemen, I appreciate your situation, and I
have no doubt that all you tell me is true, but I have no authority at
this late hour before the draft to order the recruiting of a new regi
ment. The recruiting must stop and preparations made to enforce the
draft." Mr. Pennington undertook to tell the governor who the writer
was and what the feelings and hopes of the people were if he were
appointed colonel of a new regiment, etc. Governor Tod said many
flattering things about his friendship for, and long acquaintance with,
the writer, etc., and finally said: "Gentlemen, you go home and write
to Secretary of War Stauriton, telling him just what you told me, and
let your congressman write or telegraph also to that effect. I will my
self do so to-night, and urge the order, and as soon as I cari obtain it,
will telegraph you."
We returned and reported accordingly. Urgent appeals were made
to Secretary Staunton for the order.
On the night of the 14th of August, 1862, about midnight, a rap at
my door brought me to my feet to let the military committee of Seneca
county into the house. Captain John J. Steiner had an order from
Governor Tod, authorizing the raising of the, 123d regiment, and gave
us time to the 22d of the same month inclusive — seven days all told.
Instead of returning to bed, we aroused the printer boys belonging to

464 HISTORY OF SENECA -COUNTY.
the different printing offices in Tiffin and put them to work printing
large handbills and posters, calling upon the people to stop all other
work and help in recruiting the regiment, etc. Meetings were held and
addressed in various places throughout the district, and companies that
had a partial organization were speedily filled up; new ones organized
and filled, so that on the evening of the 7th day from the time df re
ceiving the order, the writer was enabled to telegraph to Governor
Tod, that the regiment was full, awaiting his orders. We had then the '
minimum number, and when we finally gathered at Monroeville, we
had 1,063 men, and as good men as " ever drew a rammer." During;
two weeks the writer slept in no bed nor changed clothes until the regi
ment was full. It required labor and money to accomplish the v^ork.
The recruiting service was exhausted and the high premiums had been
paid to fill up old regiments, and it looked simply like an impossibility
to raise a thousand men under these circumstances without premium
or bounty. Yet it succeeded. The loafers and drones of society had
all been enlisted. The men that made up the 123d were gentlemen,
who left their farms, stores, workshops and factories^ and every other
path of industry, and joined the regiment without a promise, of bounty, -
and from no other motive than that of a patriotic determination to help
preserve the Union and the integrity of these states.
Colonel Stem was, ordered to report with his regiment (the 101st)
at Monroeville, and for want of a place to rendezvous, the com
panies of the 123d, from Seneca and Wyandot, were quartered on the
old fair grounds,. and John Remele, who had a butcher shop, and Dr.
Crawford, who owned a bakery, subsisted the men in good style. The
citizens furnished quilts, blankets and comforts and camp life com
menced in good order.
While the recruiting was proceeding vigorously outside, the men were
drilled on the fair ground and on the streets.
Captain F. K. Shawhan filled up his company in Tiffin firsthand then
we recruited Captain Zimmer's company, made up of Germans. A
board shanty was built on the southwest corner of the court house
yard and a justice of the peace kept there to administer the oath to the
men as fast as they enlisted. The hotels and saloons were kept open
all night and the fifers and drummers marched up and down the street
until nearly morning. Many of the men were sworn in after midnight.
Here is a copy of one of Captain's Shawhan's handbills:

123D regiment o. v. i. 465
THE123D-COLONEL WILLIAM LANG.
" Strike till the last armed foe expires,
Strike for your altars and your fires,
Strike for the green graves of your sires,
God and your native land I"

Authority has been given this military district to raise another regiment,
the 123d, to be commanded by Colonel William Lang.
The regiment must be organized and filled by the 22d of August. So all
men can see the necessity of lively work. Let every patriot in Seneca county
put his shoulder to the wheel !
Seneca county will get credit for all recruits raised within that time, and
if our quota is filled by volunteering, the necessity of a draft in our county
will be obviated.
Recruiting officers are being appointed. Seven days are given to fill up
Seneca companies. Men of Seneca, rally ! rally ! ! rally ! ! ! Awake ! Re
member that the fortunes of a hundred generations are at stake! Let us
show the parricides who would destroy the Republic that she can be as ter
rible in war as she is gentle in peace.
Tiffin, Ohio, August 16.
Here is another: - i
WAR MEETING!
At  , August — , 1862. Speaking by  .

Turn out, everybody, and fill up the ranks as volunteers in the 123d regi
ment, W. Lang, Colonel.
This regiment has just been authorized by Governor Tod to be raised by
the 22d of August, then drafting takes place without fail. "Strike , till the
last," etc.
- Recruits wanted to fill up company A, which holds the post of honor in
the regiment.
Headquarters at Tiffin, Ohio. F. K. SHAWHAN.
The companies were raised and subsisted as above indicated until
Colonel Stem, with the 101st, was ordered to Kentucky, and Colonel
Jones, who was the commander of camp Monroeville, telegraphed tb
the writer to report with the regiment at Monroeville immediately.
The order was promptly executed and we entered the camp after taking
our supper iri town, just at dark. There was nothing to live on in
camp.N Several boxes of tallow candles and a quantity of blankets
were all the 101st had left. The men were assigned to their quarters,
the officers of the day were appointed and the camp soon became quiet
and orderly. Quartermaster Brown was at his desk, writing, while the
writer stretched himself'on a pile of blankets for a night's rest.
30.

466 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
It was about midnight when a heavy rap was heard at the door of
our tent; a Mr. Brown opening the door, a man slipped in and showed
him a paper and retired. ,
Mr. Brown then came to me and told me that this man had the
appointment of colonel of the regiment and riis name was Wilson. Mr.
Wilson used to edit a little Republican paper at Upper Sandusky. On
the next morning, taking the early train for Tiffin1 and arriving there
early, the writer received a dispatch about 9 o'clock a. m. from Gover
nor Tod, in these words: "Mr. Wilson is appointed colonel of the
123d. Will you accept the lieutenant-colonelcy.
D. TOD."
It will interest the reader but very little to know the reason why the
office was not accepted, but my answer to the governor is still preserved
among the archives of the' executive office in Columbus, and it simply'
says that the kind offer could not be accepted for the respect I bear to
the regiment and to his excellency, etc.
Another wrong perpetrated by somebody, worked in this form, viz:
Upon our urgent solicitation the Right Rev. Bishop Rappe, of Cleve
land, consented to let my highly esteemed and kind friend, the Rev.
Father L. Molin, go with the regiment as its chaplain. This fact became
known very rapidly, and one speech from Father Molin, in Sandusky
City, was sufficient to fill up Captain Rigg's Company. Father Molin
made every necessary arrangement to go with us, and when Colonel.
Wilson took charge of the regiment, at Monroeville, Father Molin was
left out also with the writer.
- I rejoice at the fact, and to this day it is a very great consolation to
me to know, that Colonel Wilson took good care of the- boys and they
became attached to him gradually, but the manner in which he received
the appointment is no credit to him nor to those who helped to bring
it about. A few words more: on the subject and the reader can form
an opinion of his own.
' There were already three colonels appointed from Tiffin over regi
ments raised in this district, Gibson, Lee and Stem.
A lawyer in Norwalk, Charles L. Boalt, took great interest to keep
Tiffin from having another colonel, and went to Columbus on purpose
to carry his point. He there found a little intelligent baboon hanging
axbout the state house and a willing tool to help; and while Boalt suc
ceeded in dissuading Governor Tod from giving the colonelcy to the
writer; the other fellow made it count by helping a relative. One thing
will not be denied by anybody, and that is this: that while the writer
labored hard and faithfully to raise the regiment, and spent his money

123D regiment o. v. i. 467
freely, Colonel Wilson laid around' loose about Columbus and simply
did nothing for the regiment.
In the winter following Governor Tod, who was one of the most
efficient war governors of the north, told the writer that in all his
appointments and official acts, he regretted nothing so much as this act
to which he had allowed himself to be persuaded by these false friends
and designing-men.
One other thing will not be denied, and that is this: the leading Re
publicans who took an active' part in helping to raise the regiment, felt
the outrage very keenly, and expressed their opinions at the election
that followed soon thereafter. They meant what they said in October,
1862. This congressional district went- Democratic that fall, and
elected the Hon Warren P. Noble to congress.
The regiment was mustered into the service October 16th, 1862, and
immediately ordered on the rharch to Virginia. This same O. M.
Brown above spoken of (E. H. Brown), who had been left in charge of
stores at Petersburg, on the evacuation of the place by the regiment,
put his stores in one of the churches of the town, set fire to it, and
burned both church and stores. He was captured by the rebels, but
was paroled the next day.
On the ist of March the regiment was sent'up to Winchester, where
General Lee, with his whole rebel army, on their way to Pennsylvania,
, passed through and surrounded the town. On the afternoon of the
13th the regiment had an engagement with General Early's corps, in
which it lost in killed and wounded nearly one hundred men. On the
next day the national forces were driven into their fortifications, arid
kept under a severe artillery fire for two hours, and the place was
evacuated in the night, leaving the guns spiked. When four miles out
1 on the Martinsburg road, the regiment was captured, and in the attempt
to cut their way through, about fifty were killed and wounded. The
whole brigade were made prisoners, except Co. D, of the 123d. They-
were taken to Richmond, where the officers of the 123d were in Libby
prison about eleven months. Colonel Wilson was exchanged and sent
home. The othef officers, after eleven months' confinement in Libby,
were removed to Macon and Savannah, Georgia; thence to Charleston,
and placed under fire, thence to Columbia. From here several officers
made their escape, among whom were George D. Acker, late sheriff of
this county, and Thomas W. Boyce. Colonel Wilson, Lieutenant-
Colonel Hunter, Captain Chamberlain, now cashier of the National
Exchange bank in Tiffin, Lieutenant Schuyler, M. H. Smith, Frank A.
Breckenridge, and Chailes H. Sowers were exchanged. Captain Charles

468 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
H. Riggs, of Sandusky, and formerly a Tiffinite, died in Charleston,
South Carolina, September 15th, 1864. Captain W. H. Bender died at
Columbia, South Carolina. The privates were *exchanged in a few
months, and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, and Camp Chase, Ohio. The
regiment was finally collected together at Martinsburg. From Cedar
Creek it moved under Seigel up the valley. At a sharp fight at New
Market, May 15th, it lost twenty-nine killed and wounded.-
The regiment was under General Hunter at Port Republic, where,
after a short but severe fight, the rebels were whipped and 2,000 pris
oners captured. They were also at Lynchburg, from whence they made
their flight to Salem. The men suffered very severely on this retreat
for want of provisions; some died of starvation. They were also at
Snicker's Ferry, where a number of the men were killed. On the 22d
of July they had another fight with the rebels at Winchester, where the
123d were driven away, and they retreated across the Potomac into
Maryland, at Williamsport. At Berryville they lost twenty-five men
killed, wounded'and captured. They were again at Winchester, where
the rebels werejouted. Here the regiment lost five officers and about
fifty men. At Strasburg they lost six men. Under the command of
General Sheridan, after his ride, they drove the rebels at Cedar Creek
and assisted 'in clearing the ' Shennandoah valley of the rebels. At
Hatcher's Run their loss was quite severe. The whole regiment was
captured by the rebel Howe Guaids, near High Bridge. They were'
carried along to Appomattox C. H, where the rebel army surrendered
to General Grant,. and the prisoners were thus released.
They were mustered out June 12th, 1865, at Camp Chase.
Officers:
Colonel— W. T. Wilson.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS. MAJORS.
Henry B. Hunter, A. Baldwin Norton,
Horace Kellogg. Horace Kellogg,
JohnW. Chamberlain.
Surgeons— O. Ferris, William B. Hyatt.
Assistant Surgeons— J. H. Williams,. William B. Hyatt, Napoleon, B.
Brisbine. Chaplain— Charles G. Ferris.
Captains:
John W. Chamberlain, Louis Zimmer, Edwin H. Brown,
Horace Kellogg, Vill. R. Davis, William V. McCracken,
Charles Parmeter, David S. Caldwell, Abner Snyder,
P. K. Shawhan, William H. Bender, Harvey S. Beverton, •
Samuel W. Reid, Alonzo Robbins, Benj. F. Blair,

I23D REGIMENT 0. V.. I.

469

Curtis Berry, Sr.,
Charles H. Riggs,
John Newman,
Richard A. Kirkwood.
First Lieutenants:
William V. McCracken,
Ed. H. Brown,
Vill. R. Davis,
John P. Randolph, Jr.,
Edgar Martin,
H. L. McKee,
Dwight Kellogg,
Alonzo Robbins,
Oswell H. Rosenbaum,
D. S. Caldwell,
William H. Bender,
Randolph B, Ferris.

Dwight Kellogg,
John F. Randolpri, Jr.,
Oswell H. Rosenbaum,

M. Hoadley Smitri,
J. F. Schuyler,
Joshua W. Leonard,

Abner Snyder,
Benj. F.Blair,
Caleb D. Williams,
Harvey S. Beverton,
James H. Gillian,
Joseprius E. Scriuyler,
M. Hoadley Smith,
Frank B. Culver,
Joshua W. Leonard,
Thomas W. Boyce,
Mentor W. Willoughby,

James B. Pumphrey,
Elmer E. Husted,
Criarles H. Sowers,
Sherman A. Johnson,
George D. Acker,
Charles M. Keys,
David Miller,
Frank A. Breckenridge,
Frederick W. Wickham,
George A. Scoby,
James Healer,

Many of the second lieutenants were promoted.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
DR. ROBERT R. McMEENS.

" Majesty of human nature ! Shall I seek thee among the masses? You
never live but with a few."— Schiller.
IN the preceding pages the name of my faithful old friend, Dr.
McMeens, has been frequently mentioned, and I would do vio
lence to my own heart and a long, unshaded friendship, did I not
devote a separate space amongst these leaves \o tile memory' of a true
friend, who, in social life, in- the medical profession and on the field of
battle, everywhere, was so distinguished for his skill and his many
manly tEaits of character.
The following short record of him will be all- the eulogy intended.
His widow, one of the most esteemed and distinguished ladies in San
dusky City, has kindly furnished the writer with records, giving the
incidents of her husband's closing hours, and they are given here with
out comment. For a specimen of the Doctor's polished, poetical ;
genius, the reader is referred to the poem entitled, " The Islands of
Erie," in the second chapter of this book.
True friendship lives beyond the grave, and fills the soul with hope
like the christian longing after eternal life, for —
"• In that profound and firm reality
Rests the soul's hope of immortality."
Dr. McMeens was born in Lycoming county, state of Pennsylvania,.'
on the 26th of February, 1820. He graduated from the University of :
Pennsylvania in the spring of 1841, and soon thereafter settled in Tiffin,
Ohio, where he commenced the practice of medicine, and where he
soon secured, not only a splendid practice, but also the esteem and
confidence of the old doctors and the people generally.
On the 31st of August, 1843, he was married to Ann C, the oldest,
daughter of John Pittenger, a sketch of whose life has already been
recorded. In the fall of 1846, the Doctor moved to Sandusky City, where he

DR. ROBERT R. M'MEENS. 47 1
lived to the time of his death and where he was buried. He was of
rather small stature, but very active, and took great interest in public
affairs. He organized and was captain of the Bay City Guards, one of
the finest independent military companies of Sandusky City, and
assisted greatly in the organization of the Monumental Association,
described in chapter n.
Mrs. McMeens, in sending to me the subjoined' papers, said:
Sandusky, Oiito, May 9, 1880.
Judge W. Lang:
My Dear Friend: I am much obliged for your good, kind words, and
your interest in my loved one; for, although he has been dead to the world
for many years, he lives in our home. I cannot write you as fully as f desire >
but will give you some items, and your pen can supply the rest, for you were
one of the Doctor's faithful friends, and he was warmly attached to you. _
I, enclose dates, etc., and a published article, written by General W. II.
Lytle, of Cincinnati; also a letter from Dr. Sriumard to Governor Tod, of
our State. These were all published, but I cannot find the papers, so send
you trie original letter. Ever truly your friend,
ANN C. McMEENS.
Doctor Shumard's letter to Governor Tod: '
Medical Director's Office, j
Danville, October 31, 1862. j
To His Excellency Governor Tod, Ohio:-
Sir : It is with feelings of the deepest regret that I have to announce the
death of Surgeon R. R: McMeens, of the 3d regiment Ohio Volunteer Army,
which occurred suddenly at Perry ville, Kentucky, on the night of the 30th,
inst. Surgeon McMeens was among the first to offer his services to his country
after ttie breaking out of the rebellion.
Entering the three months' service as a regimental surgeon, he was imme
diately after ordered to .Camp Dennison, where his gentlemanly deportment
and great professional skill soon won for him the esteem and confidence of
his brother officers, at whose request he was appointed medical director of
the post ; all the arduous duties of which office he performed in such a man
ner as to win for him the warmest commendations of the surgeon general of
the state.
From that time until the period of his death, he has continued in
active service, filling many important positions in the medical department
of the army.
Shortly before the battle of Perryville, he was appointed medical director
to the troops under the command of the lamented Jackson, and after having
participated actively in the battle, was detailed to assist in taking care of
the wounded at Perryville, in which position his kindness of heart, sound
judgment, and great • professional skill, enabled him to contribute very
largely toward the relief of our suffering soldiers.
He has fallen while nobly working at his post; although suffering greatly
from disease, he refused to abandon his work, and performed several impor
tant surgical operations only a few hours before his death.

472 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
In his death the army hasdost a kind hearted, faithful and efficient officer ;
the country a pure patriot, and the medical .profession^ one of its brightest
ornaments. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE G. SHUMARD, M. D.,
Medical Director Danville District.
General W. H- Lytle's letter to the Cincinnati Commercial:
THE LATE DR. R. R. McMEENS.
Editors Commercial : The announcement of the sudden death of this
distinguished medical officer, at Perryville, will be received with profound
sorrow in Ohio. Surgeon McMeens was one of -the ranking medical officers
in the Ohio line, his commission in the service bearing date April, 1861. He
was originally commissioned surgeon in trie 3d regiment of Ohio Volunteers,
a veteran regiment whicri did good service in Virginia, and wriich recently,
at Criaplin Heights, side by side with trie 10th Ohio, the 15th Kentucky, the
42d and 88th Indiana, and Loomis' battery, constituting the 17th brigade,
covered itself all over with glory.
A few days before the battle, Dr. McMeens was appointed acting medical
director of the 10th division, commanded by the" lamented Jackson', of Ken
tucky. The writer of this notice met riim at Perryville, three days after the
fight, apparently in his usual health ; but it is quite probable that over-exer
tion, fatigue and anxiety in his department, riad brought on the illness,
which so suddenly terminated riis career. Surgeon McMeens was a resident
of Sandusky City, Ohio, where riis professional abilities had secured him an
extensive and remunerative practice, while his estimable qualities endeared
him to a large circle of attached and appreciative friends. Impelled by a
high sense of duty, and the noblest of motives, lie exchanged at the very
beginning of the rebellion, trie endearments and comforts of home for the
perils and hardships of the tented field. Through the dark ravine's, and
over rugged mountains of western Virginia under Rosecrans ; through Ken
tucky, Tennessee and northern Alabama under Mitchell and Rouseau ; and
back again through all the vicissitudes of Buell's last campaign, to where it
terminated, in the sanguinary struggle at Chaplin Eights, he discharged
with the utmost skill, faithfullness and heroism, his varied and responsible
duties. His devoted care and watchfulness;, the strict observance wriich he
compelled to the laws of hygiene and police, rendered the camps of his regi
ment at Huntsville and elsewhere, models in the service.
Officers and men had implicit faith in his professional skill, while his
noble, genial and chivalric traits of character, linked all hearts to him in
separably. No soldier, however humble, ever complained of his neglect, nor
accused riim of sacrificing duty to his personal comfort. The eye of the inj
valid brightened at his presence, and as lie moved througri'the dreary hos
pitals, crowded with the ghastly harvests of war, despairing sufferers turned
toward him on their pallets and smiled hopefully once more. Beloved and
lamented by all who knew him, a brave, whole-souled, gallant gentleman,
thus, with " harness on," discharging faithfully the high behests of his pro
fession, died Robert R. McMeens.
Ohio will offer up no nobler sacrifice on our country's altar.

DR. ROBERT' R. M'MEENS. 473
The following are the minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of
army surgeons held at Perryville, Kentucky, October 31st, 1862:,
DEATH OF SURGEON R. R. McMEENS.
At a meeting of trie surgeons of the United States army, held in Perry
ville, Kentucky, on trie 31st day of October,, A. D., 1862, Surgeon J. G.
Hatehilt, of Kentucky, medical director, was called to the chair, and Sur
geon Solomon Davis, of Indiana, was appointed secretary.
Trie criairman briefly explained the object of the meeting and announced
the sudden and unexpected demise of an eminent and distinguished sur
geon pf the army, Dr. Robert R. McMeens, of Sandusky City, Ohio. Where
upon a committee was appointed to draft suitable resolutions of regret and
condolence, consisting of Surgeons T. B. Williams, of Ohio, F. G. Albright,
of Pennsylvania, Assistant Surgeon L. T. Fuller, of Wisconsin, Surgeons
G. D. Jacques, of Indiana, and J . G. Hatehilt, of Kentucky.
After a short adjournment the committee reported the following, which
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, In the order of events and the fortunes of war, an eminent and
distinguished medical colleague, Surgeon Robert R. McMeens, of Ohio, has
fallen a victim to disease, superinduced by excessive labor and exposure in
the discharge of his duty to the wounded soldiers on the field, during the
battle of Chaplain Hills and since the battle of Perryville; and
Whereas, In his death the public service has sustained a great loss, and
science an ardent devotee and surgery one of its brightest ornaments; and
Whereas, He has been cut off in the prime of his manhood, and in the
midst of riis usefulness; universally beloved by all who knew him intimately
as one of trie most generous and noble-minded men in all relations of private
and public life; therefore,
Resolved, That this meeting is deeply impressed with this sad event; that
they realize the loss the country has sustained- by his untimely death and
the sorrow with which his relatives and numerous friends will receive the
mournful intelligence; in view of which we tender assurances of our pro
found regret and heartfelt sympathy.
Resolved further, That we tender to the widow of the deceased our sincere
condolerice in trie melancholy bereavement which she lias sustained in the
loss of an affectionate and devoted husband. And we pray that in the con
solation of the christian religion she may find a solace in her affliction and
sorrow. Resolved, That trie' proceedings of triis meeting be signed by the chairman
and secretary and published in the papers at Sandusky City, Columbus, Cin
cinnati and Louisville, and that a copy be sent to the widow of the deceased.
J. G. HATCHILT, President, v
SOLOMON DAVIS, Secretary.
The reader will expect no comments from the writer, and the subject
is ended here with tris effect the language of the foregoing documents
will riaturally create and impress upon a noble and patriotic heart.

CHAPTER XXIX.

ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

ADAMS TOWNSHIP  T. 3, N. R. 16 E.
UNDER the treaty of Washington, made on the 28th day of Feb
ruary, A. D., 1831, the Senecas "ceded their entire reservation
of fortV thousand acres to trie United States. ;,-
By the eighth article of this agreement the United States are bound l
to sell all this land, deduct from the proceeds certain expenses and six
thousand dollars, advanced to the tribe, and to hold the balance of the
purchase money until the same shall be demanded by the chiefs, and'
in the meantime pay them five per cent interest on the same.
The agreement was signed by James, B- Gardiner, in behalf of the
United States, and by Coonstick, Small Cloud Spicer, Hard Hickory
and Captain Good Hunter, in behalf of the Senecas, the Indians mak
ing their marks. The witnesses were Henry C. Brish, sub-agent,
George Herron, interpreter, W. H. Lewis, Henry Tolan and P. G.
Randolph. In offering the public lands for sale, it was so usual for the presidents
in issuing their proclamations to that end, to except the school sections,
sixteen, that General Jackson, in his proclamation of November, 1832,
putting the Seneca reservation on the market, made the same, excep
tion, which was an' error, simply because the general government had
agreed to sell the whole tract. (See chapter x )
Section sixteen, in Adams, was, therefore, not sold, and whenever
the same shall be sold, the proceeds belong to the Senecas, if any of
them still exist.
This was the only section sixteen embraced in the whole reserve in
this county, and for, want of a school section in Adams, the government
granted to this township the west half of section twelve (12). This was
done in 1827, and four years before trie Senecas sold out. In Pleasant,
section sixteen is on the west side of the river, and not in the reserve..
The south and east lines the reserve did not embrace sections six-

t
ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 475
teen in Clinton and Scipio. For "further particulars the reader is re
ferred to the subjoined documents, which explain themselves.
On the 25th of October, 1843, Henry Niles, George Kline and Solo
mon Drown, trustees of Adams, filed their petition in the court of com
mon pleas of Seneca county, in which they say, that on the 29th of
August, 1843, thpy had posted up nine notices in public places in said
township, for a fneeting to be held at the late residence of Ebenezer
Brown,. deceased, on the 30th of September, 1843, at nine o'clock A.
M.; that then and, there a vote would be taken for the sale of the west
half of section twelve, in said township, in pursuance of an act passed
March 10th, 1843. The petition says that the meeting was held, and
that eighteen persons voted in favor of the sale, that the papers were
all' legally returned to the auditor, etc. The petition prays for an order
to appraise and sell. Thomas' R. Ellis, Jacob Souder and Wm. Toll
were appointed appraisers. George Heming was the surveyor. The
order was issued by C. F. Dreisbach, clerk, and H. C. Russell, deputy
clerk. The land was sold for $2,200, and the sale confirmed. (See
Chancery Record, vol. 4, p. 421, O. L., vol. 41, p. 142.)
Now if Adams has also sold section sixteen, she has for many years
enjoyed an advantage over all the other townships, in the county, by
the interest of the proceeds of the sale of one-half section of land
It should be remembered here (and there is no room to speak at large
on the subject) that the proceeds of the sales of the school sections six-
- teen, were paid into the treasury of the state, and the interest is paid
annually back to the townships respectively, for educating the youth.
On the 30th day of January, 1836, the legislature of Ohio passed an
act authorizing the sale of section sixteen, in Adams.
On the 3d day of April, 1837, another act was passed authorizing the
auditors of the respective counties to sell "the school sections, after a
vote was had for that purpose. Under these two laws Levi Davis, then
auditor of Seneca county, in trie fall of 1839, sold all the lands in sec
tion sixteen, in Adams, made deeds for the same, and paid the money
into the state treasury.
Thus the matter rested until the session of the legislature of 1845-6,
when a joint resolution was passed in these words, viz:
PREAMBLE AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Relative to the confirmation of trie title to section sixteen, township 3, N. R.
16 E. Seneca county.
Whereas, In the year 1836, section sixteen, in township three, north, in
range sixteen east, in Seneca county, pursuant to an act of the general as
sembly of the state of Ohio, passed January 30th, 1836, was sold as land

476 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
appropriated by Congress for the use of schools, and full payment has been
made by, and deeds executed and delivered to, the purchasers,.for trie same ;
and, Whereas, Doubts have been expressed as to the title of the purchasers,
and as to the appropriation of the said lands for the use-of schools ; and,
Whereas, In the year 1845, the west half of section twelve, in the same
township, pursuant to an act of the general assembly of Ohio, passed March
10th, 1843, was in like manner sold as lands appropriated for school purposes ;
and, ,
Whereas, It is believed that all the purqhasers of botri tracts, purchased
in the confident belief that they would acquire a good titte by such purchase,
.and gave fair prices for the land so purchased ; and, f
Whereas, It is presumed that the United States will readily eomfirm. to
the inhabitants of such township said section sixteen, and that it was never
intended by congress that any larger quantity of land should be appropriated
for such township ; therefore,
Resolved by the general assembly of the state of Ohio, That our senators and
representatives in congress be requested to use their influence to procure
the passage of an act of congress, providing for the confirmation of the title
of section sixteen, in said township, to those holding the same by grants
from the state of Ohio, and also for the payment of the purchase money of
the west half of section twelve irito trie treasury of trie United States, accord
ing to the terms of the sale thereof.
' Resolved, That the governor be requested to forward copies of the above
preamble and resolution to our senators and representatives in congress
respectively.
ELI AS F. DRAKE,
'Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SEABURY FORD,
Speaker of the Senate.
January 17, 1846.
It is scarcely necessary to say that the legislature, in passing the fore
going bungling resolution, knew nothing, or cared less, about the treaty
of 1831. William Allen arid Thomas Corwin were senators from. Ohio
in congress, and Henry St. John was representative from this district.
The subjoined documents will show that the preamble and resolution
were received and referred, and the opinion of Benjamin F. Butler, of
New York, then attorney general of the United States, obtained.
Mr. Polk was elected president of the United States that fall, and the
war with Mexico broke out. The matter slept until some six years ago,
when the writer, at the request of some parties interested, caused in
quiry to be made concerning the subject, upon which the following corre
spondence took place:

adams township. 477
State of Ohio, )
Auditor of State's Office, [
Columbus, September 15th, 1874. )
Auditor of Seneca County, Tiffin, Ohio : .
Dear Sir : Yours of the 14th inst. is at hand. I hand you herewith
copies of letters from the Commissioner of the General Land office, dated
July 21st, August lOtri, and September 2d.
Please bear in mind that the question is, by what authority was the land
sold for school purposes ? There is no doubt that it was so sold in 1836 and
1837. It was erroneously excluded from proclamation of sale of the Seneca reser
vation November 13th, 1831, and sold as school land in 1836. The governor
of Ohio was, in 1840, advised that its selection for school purposes was im
proper, and would not be submitted for the approval of the secretary of the
treasury. In 1846, Hon. D. L. Yulee, of the United States senate, in. his
official capacity, requested information upon the subject. Notwithstanding
the question has thus been agitated, it does not appear that during all these
years it has been finally disposed of, and I can hardly conceive it possible
that the parties interested should be wholly ignorant of what has tran'spired.
' It is proper to add that that part of town 3, R. 16, lying outside the bounds
of the reservation, was entitled to a half section of school land, and the west
half of section 12 was selected therefor in 1826. I am not aware that any
additional selections were ever made for the township, wriich is entitled to a
full section of school land. Respectfully, JAMES WILLIAMS,
Auditor of State.
State of Ohio, )
Auditor of State's Office, V
Columbus, September 26th, 1874. )
Hon. W. Lang, Tiffin, Ohio :
¦ Dear Sir : Yours of trie 23d inst., in relation to trie sale of section 16, T.
3, N. R. 16 E., for school purposes, is at hand. There is no question about
the lands having beed sold as school land in 1836 and 1837, paid for in full,
and deeds executed therefor by the governor. I can send you certified copies
of the same., if desired. I presume, also, that^here is no question but what
the section should have been sold, with the balance of the reservation, for
the benefit of the Indians. That is, it should have been included iri the
president's proclamation of sale in 1831, for it appears that the subject of
title was brought before tfie general assembly in 1841, and a preamble and
resolutions passed requesting our senators and representatives in congress to
procure the passage of an act confirming the title to said section, in said
township, etc. (See Ohio laws, vol. 44, page 298.)
The question first to be determined is, did congress take any decisive action
under the said resolutions ? It appears that the chairman of the committee
(senate) on private lands, did make this case a matter of inquiry at the Gen
eral Land office, in February, 1846. It appears, also, that a bill was passed
August 8th, 1846, relative to school lands for R. 13 E., T. 1, N. (see United
States statutes at.large, vol. 9, p. 674,), but from a somewhat careful examin
ation of the United States statutes at large, vol. 9, 1846-51, 1 do not find any

478 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.', ,
legislation relative to this case. In 1846 William Allen and Thomas Corwin
represented this state in the United States senate ; Hon. Columbus Delano,
secretary of the interior,, represented Knox county, and Henry St. John rep
resented Seneca county in the house of representatives. If the latter at that
time did not pursue this case to a final issue, it is probable that it now stands
precisely as it did in 1846.
If the case remains unsettled, permit me to suggest, that it is properly
stated in the preamble and resolutions of January 17, 1846, and a remedy pro
posed. Such a disposition of it as would give the Indians the same average
price per acre as was realized by them from the remainder of the reservation,
would be equitable, and I should suppose satisfactory. Truly'yours,
JAMES WILLIAMS,
Auditor of State.
Department of the Interior^ )
General Land Office,
Washington, D. C, November 16, 1874. )
W. Lang, Esq., Tiffin, Ohio:
Sir ; Your letter of the 9th inst. is received, relative to section 16, T. 3, N.
B. 16 E., in Seneca county, Ohio, and in reply, I have to state that, by the8th
article of the treaty with the Seneca Indians, dated February 28, 1831, it is
stipulated triat the land in question should be exposed at public sale, to the '
highest bidder, and hence the proposition of the present claimants of the
land, in said section 16, as stated in your'letter, to pay $1.25 per acre therefor,
being contrary to the express provisions of the treaty, camiot be entertained
by this office. Respectfully,
S. S. BURDETT, Commissioner.
Department of the Interior, )/¦-,'
General Land Office, !¦
Washington, D. C, July 21st, 1874. )
James Williams, Esq., Auditor State of Ohio :
Sir; In my communication of the 30th ult., you were advised that "the
west half of section 12, T: 3, R. 16 E., situated in Seneca county, Oriio, was
selected for schools, under the act of May 20th, 1826,inlieu of section 16, then
owned by the Seneca Indians ; that prior to trie cession to trie United States -
by trie Seneca Indians (in trieir treaty of the 28th of February, 1831,) of the
lands bordering on this tract, tha inhabitants of town &, N. R. 16 E., selected
other tracts for school purposes, in lieu of said section 16, whicri was then
owned by said Indians, among whicri selections was the west half of section
12 : that this selection had been approved by the secretary of trie treasury on
the 12th of January, 1827', and had never been retroceded to the United
States ; that section 16, having been ceded by the Indians, it was provided in
article 8 of the articles of agreement and convention, made February 28th,
1831, between the Seneca Indians and the United States, that the lands ceded
by said Indians should be brought into market arid sold for their benefit,
and that there was no evidence on file in this office to show that said section
sixteen has ever been proclaimed for public sale, according to said
article 8."
It now appears, from a further investigation of this matter, that the whole

ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 479
of the lands embraced within trie late Seneca reservation, on the Sandusky
river, in townships 2, 3 and 4, N. of ranges 15 and 16 East, containing
40,000 acres, were sold in accordance with the president's proclamation,
dated November 13, 1831, with the exception of the 16th section, which was
excluded erroneously by the said proclamation as land reserved for the use
of schools.
In your communication to this office, of the 30th ult., you state that town
ship 3, having a full section 16, the same has been sold for the use of schools
therein, and that it is presumed the west half of section 12, referred to, be
longs to some other township.
On the 1st of December, 1840, the governor of Ohio was advised by letter
from this office that this section 16, by treaty with the Indians, is to be sold
for their benefit as other parts of the reserve, and could not, as had been de
cided by the attorney general of the United States, be set apart for the, use
of schools, and that under these circumstances, its selection in trie present
case being considered improper, it wis not submitted in the list of school
lands for the state of Ohio, for the approval of the secretary of the
treasury. On the 4th of February, 1846, this office received a communication from,
the Hon. D. L. Yulee4 chairman of the committee on private lands, United
States senate, enclosing certain resolutions of the general assembly of the
state of Ohio, in relation to section sixteen, township 3, N. R., sixteen E.,
in Seneca county, and requesting to be furnished with such facts in refer
ence to the subjcet as might be useful to the committee, and in reply there
to, dated February 7, 1846, Mr. Yulee was advised that, by treaty stipula
tions with the Seneca Indians the sixteenth section in question was to be
sold for their benefit as other portions of trie tract ceded by them, as per
treaty of February 28, 1831, and could not, as had been decided by the attor
ney general, be set apart for the use of schools.
Also that the west half of section twelve, in the same township, had been
selected by the inhabitants thereof, in lieu of the sixteenth section prior to
the cession to trie United States of the latter tract by the Indians, and the
selection of said west half of section twelve was approved by the secretary
of the treasury January 12, 1827. And also as per article eight of the treaty
referred to, all of. the lands thereby ceded must be exposed to public sale
before they can be entered as otherwise disposed of.
v The " articles of agreement and convention " are, in themselves, clear and
unambiguous; there is no exception as to the sixteenth section. It would
be an infraction of the treaty and unjust to the Indians to admit any claim
on the part of the state to any part of the lands embraced in the cession.
The doctrine in such cases is stated in trie opinion of Mr. Attorney-General
Butler; of March 13, 1836, in the matter of the "location of the Choctaw
reservation." (Opinions of attorneys general, volume 3, page 56).
The action of this office has heretofore, in similar cases, conformed to the
doctrines enunciated in this opinion.
No reason is perceived for any contrary course in this case.
In view of this recitation of facts and authority, it follows, that in the'
opinion ofthis office, the action of the state authorities in appropriating and
disposing of said section sixteen for school purposes, illegal and conveyed

480 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
no title to the purchasers, and that said section remains subject to sale under
the provisions of the eighth section of said treaty of February 20, 1831.
Respectfully, S. S. BURDETT, Commissioner.
Department of the Interior, )
General Land' Office, [
Washington, D. U, August 10, 1874. )
James Williams, Esq., Auditor State of Ohio:
Sir: In the matter relating to section sixteen, township 3, N. R., 16 E.,.
Seneca county, Ohio, and fully treated of in my communication to you of
the 21st ultimo, I have to state that a copy of the above communication was
laid before the honorable secretary of the interior on the 24th ultimo to
obtain his orders in the matter of the sale of said section sixteen.
The secretary, by letter of the 30th ultimo, in reply to the above, con
curred in my opinion that said section sixteen was subject to sale under the
provisions of the treaty with the Seneca Indians, made February 28, 1831,
authorized the tract to be sold accordingly.
In accordance with the above authority, the register and receiver, at
Chillicothe, have this day been instructed to proceed in having the above ,
tract brought into market by publication for the period of sixty days in two
newspapers having the largest circulation, published riearest to the premises, ;
and at the expiration of the above period, to offer the said section, in legal
sub-divisions, to the highest bidder for cash, and not less trian$1.25 per acre.
Respectfully, S. S. BURDETT, Commissioner, ?<-"
Department of the Interior, . i
General Land Office* [
Washington, D. C, September 2, 1874. )
James Williams, Esq., Auditor. State of Ohio:
Sir: Your letter of 17tri ultimo is received, relative to section sixteen,
township 3, N. R. 16 E., in Seneca county, Ohio, and in reply thereto, I have
to state that on the 31st ultimo, the register and receiver, at Chillicothe,
were notified to delay proceedings in the matter of advertising the above
section for public sale until further orders.
It is not; however,, to be understood that this office has. changed of modi
fied the views heretofore expressed relative to the status of said sections,j
and unless adequate reasons for a prolonged suspension are shown, the
order to proceed will, at an early day, be issued.-
Very respectfully, S. S. BURDETT, Commissioner.
State of Ohio, )
Auditor of State's Office; [
Columbus,  187.. v
County Auditor:
Please excuse the hasty scrawl enclosed, which is of value only as show
ing the attitude of the commissioner in the matter. The resolutions of
January 17, 1846, referred to in the correspondence, will be found in Ohio
Laws, volume xliv., page 298. One would suppose that the matter would
have been adjusted on equitable terms at that date. ' Possibly this was done.

ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 48 1
' »
If not, why was not trie-land sold for trie benefit of the Indians at that date,
and an additional half section of land granted the township for school pur
poses? Respectfully, CHAS. J. WETMORE,
« Clerk of Land Department.
The organization of Adams, noticed in chapter x., dates from December
6, 1826. It then included a tier of sections from Thompson, the Indians
holding the larger portion on the west. The first township election
was held on Monday, Christmas day, 25th of December, 1826, at the
house of Samuel Whiteman,, when the following ticket was elected:
Clerk— Abraham Rine.
Trustees— Martin Olds, L. T. Butler, Thomas Lfingwith.
Overseers of trie Poor— Charles Shelby, Samuel Whiteman.
Pence Viewers— G. Lee, Samuel Hartsock.
Treasurer— Cyrus Wright.
Supervisors — William Myers, William Mead, Francis Evans.
Constable— Moses Pyatt.
In 1830 it had a population of 830 inhabitants; in 1840, 1,250; in
1870, 1,537. James Crocket, John Kersler, Daniel Rule, Ezra' West,
James Mclntire, John Myers, Nicholas Noel and John Paine were also
among the early settlers. In 1880 the population is 1,624,
Adams has a great natural curiosity that has become famous by the
"water cure" establishment near Green Springs. It is the spring
itself which has become celebrated by the excellent medicinal qualities
of its water. The Hedges springs- are near the middle of section seven,
on lands formerly owned by Josiah Hedges. The Green Springs are
just across the line - in Sandusky county. The water comes, out in large
quantities, clear and cold, and the volume , is neither increased nor
diminished by the change of the seasons. The water from Hedges
springs, flowing in a southerly direction, enters Beaver creek, flowing
through Adams, entering Pleasant in section -twelve and turning north
wardly it enters Sandusky county. This creek derived its name from
the great number of beavers that were caught along its course.
Mr. Hedges built a mill on this creek iti Pleasant, which acquired
great popularity from the fact that 'the dry weather in summer never
interfered with its operation. It was patronized by people from many/
other counties, Wood, Hancock, Crawford and Putnam
On the 26th day of May, 1839, Jacob Stem secured the services of
David Reeves and David Risdon, two surveyors, the former from San
dusky county, the latter from Seneca, who surveyed and platted the
town of Green Springs, named after the great sulphur springs. in the
vicinity. The town embraces a part of section five, in Adams,, and
31

482 ";HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
part of sections thirty-one and thirty-two in township 4, N. R. 16 in
Sandusky county.
On the first of January, 1868, a water cure was opened for the recep
tion of patients suffering from diseases of the blood, liver, stomach,
kidneys, urinary organs, and all chronic diseases.. Many legends are
told of the wonderful cures of the water among the Indjans, blended
of course with their usual superstitions, but time and space will not
admit of repeating them, nor is it the intention, of the writer to adver
tise the water cure. Suffice it to say that the cure is well patronized
and is a splendid institution. Jacob Stem, Daniel H. Dana and Bishop
Adams, with their fanxjlies, were the first settlers' of Green Springs.
In 1840 the population of the town was 29, and how numbers some
1,400. It is situated on the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati rail
road; has three Protestant churches and one Roman Catholic church,
Daniel H. Dana was the first postmaster of this place.
Another town by the name of Adamsville was surveyed by Thomas
Heming, April 30, 1846, Henry Kistter, proprietor! Hedgetown or
Sulphur Springs was surveyed and platted in 1833. These towns,
together with Lowell, were all failures as towns. Green Springs is now
the residence of Judge Hugh Welsh, of whom mention is made else
where, and who is one of the oldest inhabitants of Seneca. Mrs. Ingham
is the other. Adams is one of the best townships in the county, intel
lectually, socially and every other way. The soil is rich and the surface
rolling. Mr. Daniel Metzger, of Adams, has furnished trie writer with the' fol
lowing interesting1 communication, viz:
rr „r T ' Adams, March 22, 1880. -
Hon. W. Lang:
Dear Sir: In; compliance with your request, I send you such statements
of Adams township as I have at my command. My father, Henry Metzger,
was born in Pennsylvania, in 1797, and came to Pickaway county in 1812 with
his father. He was married in that county to Catherine Wise, whose parents
came, from Union county, Pennsylvania, and also settled in Pickaway in,
1 M. In the fall of 1833 moved from Pickaway to this county upon the farm
where I now reside, and where he died March 4, 1868. Mother was born in
1794, and if she live,s until the 14th day of next August, will be 86 years old.
(Right here, and while recording this, May 18,1880, Mr. Metzger informs me
that his mother died this morning.) My father entered this land at the
land office m Bucyrus. His patent is signed by General Jackson. AVhen
we moved onto this farm there was not a tree cut on it, except an occasional
one by some Nimrod in the chase. ' On the direct road from our place to
Tiffin, there was but one house until we arrived at Thomas R. Ellis', and
that was Uriah Egbert's small cabin. The first time we went to Tiffin we
had to cut our way through to the Portland road, near Egbert's. Jacob

ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 483
Bowerman was another old settler. He came in 1830 from Seneca county,
New York. He was born in Pennsylvania and moved to the state of New
York when a boy, and married his wife there. Her maiden name was Mary
Ritter, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. These old folks lived to
gether as man and wife for 60 years. Bowerman died August 16, 1876, aged
81 years, 6 months and 22 days. His wife, died soon after at the age of 78
years, 4 months and 4 days. They lived and died on the farm where they
settled 46 years before. John Bowerman, a brother to Jac6b, came in 1831.
- He had served, in trie war of 1812 in New York. John Petticord came to
this township in 1830 from Fairfield county, Ohio. John Paine came about
the same time from Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was married to a Miss
Lawrence, who is still living and in her 90th year, and does ,her own house
work. Her husband has been dead a number of years. He was a riative of
New Jersey. John Paine was a soldier in the war of 1812. His widow
draws a pension in consequence. William Myers was also one of the first
settlers here. He came from Fairfield county, but was born in Virginia.
His wife was a Carson and both lived to be very old. There were also four
brothers of the Whiteman family among the first settlers here. They came
from Pennsylvania. Their names were Samuel, Daniel, Jacob and Abraham.
They all lived to a fine old age, but are now all dead.
Quite a number of our young men went to the war against Michigan in
1835. Those that I remember were Samuel Metzger, William Paine, Solo
mon Hoppes and Adam Spade.
Another old settler lived on the Kilbourne road, northeast of Republic,
some four miles. His name was Webb. He kept a small store. He located
here about 1823.
There are four creeks flowing through this township. Beaver credk enters
the township at the southest corner, running west about two miles, when it
turns northwest and takes up the Sulphur Springs and runs north info San
dusky county, and through it to the bay. Sugar creek takes its rise in the
north part of Scipio township and enters Adams about one and a-half miles
from the southwest corner, and taking a northwesterly course crosses the
Portland road, near Daniel Rule's, and from there runs westerly into trie
Sandusky river. Hog run heads in a small prairie on the farm of Nicholas
Noel. It is a short stream and enters the Beaver about one mile south of
the centre of Adams. Emerson creek rises in the northwest part of Thomp
son, and taking up the waters of trie famous Royer ditch, runs nearly due
west and enters the Beaver one mile north of Adams centre. There was
good fishing at the mouths of , both these last named creeks in early days.
Hoping these minutes may be of interest to you,
I remain, respectfully, yours,
DANIEL METZGER.
JOHN NOEL
Was born October 15th, 1777. in Adams county, Pennsylvania. He
was married to Elizabeth Beamer (who was born in the same state,
July 2 ist, 1780,) on the 15th day of June, 1801. They riioved to Ohio
in 1822, and located near Massilon, Stark county, and in April, 1830, '

484 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
located in this township, on the farm where their son Nicholas, now
lives,- fifty years ago.
John Noel and his wife were the parents of fifteen children, seven
boys and eight girls, of whom four boys and three girls are still living
John Noel died October 29th, 1863, aged eighty-six yearsand fifteen
days. Mrs. Noel died in September, 1847, at the age pf sixty seven
years, three months and twenty-seven days.
DANIEL RULE.
The sketch of this veteran pioneer is given in his own words, as nearly
as possible:
My grandfather was a soldier in the, revolutionary war. He returned from '
the army and died from an abeess in his side, leaving my father, Albert A.,
his only child. They lived in he southern part of Pennsylvania, where my
fattier was raised, and where he married Elizabeth Tivens. My parents
moved to near Liverpool, in Perry county, Pennsylvania, onto a farm. Here
I was born, on the banks of the Susquehanna' river. They lived here about
nineteen years, and when I was about twelve years old, we moved to Colum
biana county, Ohio, and settled on a farm near New Lisbon, in 1816. My
father had two children by his first wife, and four by his second. My two
sisters, Barbara and Catharine, were married ; trie former to Luke Stage,
and the other, who was married twice, died, and left two daughters and one
son, who live in Illinois. Two years after we moved to Columbiana county,
we moved to Bloomfield, in Trumbull county, near Warren. My father had
bought a farm here and we settled on that. Here, on the 7th day of June,
1821, 1- was married to Jane, the daughter of farmer Grosscost, in this town
ship of Bloomfield. I have also a brother, Samuel Rule, making four of us .
children, two boys and two girls. Samuel lives in Illinois now.
In 1824, in the spring, and after my brother Samuel was married, he and his
family, with father and mother, moved to Scipio township, in this county,
and about six years thereafter they sold out and bought on section thirteen,
in Clinton township, where brother Samuel opened a nice farm. Father and
mother lived with him until they died, but in a separate house. Father died
in 1846, and mother two years thereafter.
When brother Samuel, father and mother left Trumbull county, I was
married and could not go with them that spring, but I followed them to this
county in the next fall. Here I bought an eighty acre piece in Scipio, at the
land office in Bucyrus. It is the land now owned by Philip Miller. I built
a cabin here and cleared aboutforty-five, acres. My family were sickly nearly
all the time we lived here, and I sold the place to buy land in Adams. My
first purchase in Adams was one hundred and seventy-three acres. When I
raised my cabin here I had to bring nearly all my help with me from Scipio,
there being but very few settlers on the reserve. About one year after I
moved here I bought ninety-seven acres from Joseph Culbertson, and soon
after eighty acres more from Dr. Stevenson.
Afterwards I bought ninety-three acres more from Mr. R. R. Titus,-admin-

JPoaa^U (/iL^

ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 485
istratof of Earl Church, deceased. I let my two sons, Isaac and Byron, have
one-half section of this land.
I still remain on the old homestead. My wife died on the second day of
December, 1879, aged seventy-seven years, nine months and eighteen days.
Since she is gone I feel lost, and as if I were of no account to the world. We
had ten children, viz :
Lucy, who is the wife of Jeremiah Egbert ^Elizabeth, trie widow of Isaac
Stillwell ; Samuel, wrio died in 1850, wrien twenty^four years old ; Albert A.,
who died a few days after Samuel, both of small-pox ; rByron, who mimed
Matilda York, of Clyde, Ohio; Matilda, who died when six years old; Mary,
wife of David W. Dudrow; Isaac P., who was wounded at the battle of
Chickamauga, and died next day ; he was lieutenant of Co. 1, 101st regiment
0. V. I- , and leading his company when he received the wound ; and Daniel
C., who married Eleanor, daughter of Earl Church, whose widow is still
living. Our youngest child was still-born. Five of my children are still
living. My two sons, Byron and Daniel, are living near .me, and doing well,
and so are also the daughters I have left.
I knew Small Cloud Spicer well. He was a half breed, tall, slender; well
proportioned and good looking. He bad san.ly hair, but dressed like the
other Indians. His wife was a Crow, and a clean, pleasant woman. When
I came onto the reserve here the white settlers were but few, James Crocket-
lived on the Watson farm; Mr. McEwen lived on the McMeens place ;
'Squire Rider raised a cabin on the place that Jacob Holtz bought after
wards ; Slike Clark lived near the river.
I was born October 28, 1801.

CHAPTER XXX,
BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP.

, BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP— T. I, N. R. 13 E.
THIS township was organized March '6th, 1833, and "received its
name from the big spring of water in the southwest par_t of the
township. The first election was held April 4, 1833, and the following
were the Officers chosen, viz:
Trustees— E. Bogart and Richard Reynolds.
Clerk— William Brayton.
Treasurer— Hugh Mulholland.
Fence Viewers— Cornelius Bogart, Andrew Springer and Josriua Watson.
Overseers of the Poor— Elijah Brayton and Charles Henderson.
Constable— Austin Knowlton.
Mr. Knowlton is still living, and while he enjoys good health in- his
old age, is a very pleasant, congenial gentleman. The others of those
officers are all dead, I think.
In 1840 the township had a population of 925; in 1870 there were
2,224; in 1880 it is 2,048. The above named officers and John Peer,
Hiram Bogart, Ph. Peer, J. Luzader,' the Young family, the Stiles, and
others, were among the early settlers.
It will be noticed that the first settlers.1 were American born and no
Germ*i name is found among them. From 1833 to 1842 a very large
number of German and French families came on, and after Mr. Anthony
Schindler bought land and located in section twelve, many of his old
neighbors from Germany settled round about him. Here he laid out
a town and named it after his native town in Germany, New Reigel..
The old German settlers were Anthony and Carl Schindler, Joseph
Bischof, Joseph, Stephan and Landelin Brosamer, Jacob Kabele,
Michael Schon, Nicholas Perl, Nicholas and Francis Eltig. Peter
Rinehart, Michael Wolly, Nicholas and Francis Etchen, Jorin Wagner,
Ignatz Lehnhart, M. Schlachter, John Moes, Joseph Ries, the Kern fam
ily, the Dannenhoeffers, the Schiraks, the Seibenalers, and others.

BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 487
Among trie French families were the Lafontaines, the Filliatres, the
Wernements, F. Collet, J. Mangett, the Gilliaumes, and others.'
William Tempelman- was an original sort of a character.
My esteemed old friend, Theodore M. Frink must pot be overlooked
and a short sketch of his life will be found below.
Charles Schindler moved upon the land where he now lives in 1835.'
He bougrit a cast iron stove from one Jacob Alexy, in Loudon town
ship about three miles north of where he lives. He. started with his
team and George Wehrie to get the stove, very early one morning, and
after the stove was loaded on the wagon, they had a very slow drive with
their ox team througri the swales. They stalled many times and when
they reached the cabin of Mr. Lafontaine, it was pitch dark and they
had to stay all night. They reached home near noon next day.
Charles Schindler was born in Hechnigen, Baden, in 1805.
The Lawheads, the Bouchers, the Flicks and others were also among
the early settlers.
The Germans will soon own the whole township. They have every
thing their own way now to a very great extent, buying out all their
old American neighbors and turning Big Spring into one of the most
wealthy and prosperous townships in the county.
. Elijah Brayton, in 1825, lived in Crawford county, which then in
cluded Wyandot, and soon after moved to this townships In that year,
on the 20th of September, he lost a little boy, then about eight years
old, in the following manner, viz: The child had followed an older
brother and a neighbor, who were looking for cattle that were missing,
and the little fellow was sent back to the house. He followed the path
that had,been pointed out to him and was never heard of again. Upon
the return of the others, the alarm was given throughout the neighbor
hood and everybody turned out, even the Indians, and scoured the
country far and wide, but without any clue to the missing boy.
During this search Neal McGaffey, of Fort Ball, the first clerk of the
court of common pleas, and some others, camped all night on the spot
that was afterwards included' in the town of Risdon and which is- now
in Fostoria.
The town of Springville was surveyed by David Risdon in 1834 for
Benjamin and John Jenkins, proprietors. The town never grew much.
The spring was once a very powerful One and formed a small lake.
The water was very deep, clear and cold. Since the country has been
cleared up, the spring has lost much of its former, celebrity and would
now be noticed no more than any good spring on a farm.
The town of Oregon (now Adrian) was surveyed by R. M. Shoemaker,

488 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
on the 17th of February, 1844, on sections 35 and ^6, on the Mad River
& Lake Erie, now the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati railroad;
Erastus H. Cook and D. C. Henderson were theproprietors. Eli'Gehr,
Adam Vetter, John Gants and Charles Foster were the first settlers here.
The town grew up to its present size within a few years, after it was
laid out, and stood there ever since.
Anthony Schindler,, who laid out New Reigel, was a very active,
lively and enterprising man. Very soon after the laying out of this
town, people settled in and around the town, and put up a log church,
which in time gave way to a brick. church, and that in its turn to one
of the largest and most beautiful Catholic churches in northern Ohio.
The town of New Reigel is now, settled up by farmers who have be
come wealthy, and wish to spend their last days at their ease near the
church, and a brotherhood and sisterhood of the 'Society of the
Prfecious Blood," who own very large tracts of land near the town.
The sisters officiate as teachers of the youth. Father M. Sales Brunner
was the founder of this order, and the first priest in New Reigel. There
are about sixty persons in the nunnery at New Reigel at the present
time. The land in Big Spring is very rich, and when' the prairie in the
southwestern part shall be thoroughly drained, as efforts to that end are'
pow being made, Big Spring will be the rich garden spot of the county.'.'
There is a stony ridge in the southern part of the township.
Among the early settlers should also be mentioned the Boucher-:
families, Peter Lantz, Isaac Dewitt, Frederick Waggoner, Ira Taft,
William Blue, Israel Harmas, W. Burgess, Peter Wanner, M. Clark,'
Louis Schany, William Clark, E. H. Cook, E. Brayton,. the Jenkins',
Joseph Clapper, John Ellerton, Henry Mulholland and C. Wo'olford.
JOHN YOUNG s
Settled in the woods about half way between Springville and New
Reigel, in the spring of 1833. He came from near Canal Dover, where
he hired a four horse team to bring him here It took him three weeks
td get here, and the few inhabitants of Springville were about one-half
whites, and the others Indians. Here Mr. Young met a man whom he
once knew in Stark county, by the^ name of Jacob Gwyer. who offered
to pilot Young to his land, and said he lived near Springville, and pre
tended that he had to go home first to get the number of the section;
but instead of going he lingered around, and was seen several times
peeping into the big wagon, no doubt watching for a chance to get into
J:he big chest. When Mr. Young told him that it was time to get the.

BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 489
map, he went away and never returned, but was seen by some hunters
sneaking around the camp the following night, dressed in an Indian
cosfome. On the next day Mr. Young moved out onto his land, where the
family was left in the woods, and the teamster returned to Jenkins' to
feed Jenkins kept a sort of trading post at the Spring. To get onto
the land was no small job. There was no road that way, and the swales
were full of water. Night overtook them before the land was reached.
They unhitched, cut some wild grass for the horses, and ate and slept
in the wagon. Mr. Young's family consisted of himself, his wife and
three small boys. His father and his wife's brother came out here with
him to see him get started in the woods.
1 At night the men took turn about in watching. They kept up a large
¦ fire, and had a Newfoundland dog with themf who saved their lives, as
will soon appear. On the next day they reached the .land, about two
o'clock, where they hastily unloaded, to give the teamster time to re
turn to Springville to feed his starving horses. The men then put up a
very temporary shanty by planting four forks into the ground, upon
which poles were laid, and covered with clap-board^ in a very rude
manner. This " Grand Hotel de Young " answered the purpose
about ten days, when the other house was ready to move into.
Just as the family were about to retire on the first night in this
shanty, the big dog sprang out into the darkness, barking very fiercely.
He saw a man, and would have taken hold of him had not Mr. Young
called him away. Mr. Young thought it was some hunter or friendly
Indian that wanted to see the new-comers; but the man walked away,
and Mr. Young concluded that it -was Gwyer. Mr. Young's horse was
let loose, and the cow was drivdn.away that night. This created the
fear in Mr. Young's mind that this plan would make the men run after
the lost animals next day, and give the villain an opportunity to rob the
shanty. There was no money in it, however, for Mr. Young had used
it about all to pay for his land. Gwyer some time afterwards confessed
the whole plan. The men were on the lookout, and kept themselves
well armed.
This Jacob Gwyer was afterwards arrested for murdering a man
named Boyd, near Bucyrus. When his arrest took place in Detroit, he
confessed the murder and several robberies, for which he had never
been blamed; also his attempt to rob Samuel Young. Before the day
arrived for the execution, he and three horse-thieves made their escape
to Ohio, and Gwyer was re-arrested near Dayton, where his wife lived.
While there in prison he cut his throat with a knife.

4QO HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Samuel Young was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August
13th, 1794. He was a cooper by trade. He married Isabella Sutton,
November 17th, 1818. He was five feet six inches high, had black hair
arid deep blue eyes, light complexion short stubby riose, small mouth and
chin, and was rather delicate in his features. He spoke some German,
and was always very lively in conversation. He was a pleasant and
peaceable man and esteemed for his good qualities and- christian bear
ing. He served on juries often* and refused several times to serve as
a township officer. He died many years ago. Mrs. Young is still
living at her home in Adrian. She is now 78 *years 0]^ arid enjoys the
love and respect of all her neighbors and especially that of her children
and grand- children, who annually gather around her with their smiles
and congratulations.
Mr. Young was 63 years old when he died here in 1859.
Mrs. Young was born December 31, 1802, and enjoys very good
health for a lady of her age. She is the mother of ten children.
In those early days a large family was a pride and a glory. The sin
and crime of avoiding to have a family, are the children of these later
days; sins and crimes that are not punished by law, and against which
the church shuts both eyes, but the victims may be counted by the
thousands. {
What will the world come to when this dreadful crime reaches the
masses and religion fails in her mission to save?
THEODORE M. FRINK, ESQ.
Among the few native Americans that live near New Reigel and have
not yet sold out to the" Germans is Theodore M. Frink, Esq., the sub
ject of this sketch.
He was born in West Springfield, Hamden county, Massachusetts, at
a place where Holyoke City now stands, on the south bank of the
Connecticut river. When about 17 years old he moved with his father
to Northampton. ' On the 25th of April, 1832 he was married to Miss
¦ Sabeah Torry, and in May, 1836, he started with his family for the
west. For want of any better conveyance they took a canal boat at
West Troy for Buffalo, and from there they came by steamer to Cleve
land and then made their way to Ravenna, Portage county, where a
brother Of his wife then lived. This brother-in-law, Torry, hada son
living in Tymochtee, who riad come home on a visit: With riim Squire
Frink came west in October of that year and bought the land where he
still resides. This took about all the money he had, and he made his
way back to Ravenna, one hundred and fifty miles, on foot. In Janu-

BIG spring township.

491

ary following he bought a yoke of oxen, made a sled, put his wife arid
goods upon it and started for Big Spring. Here he opened a farm,
where he is now comfortably situated. During all this time he
has enjoyed the respect and esteem of the good people of Big
Spring to such an extent that for eight years he served them as a trus
tee, and as justice of the peace ever since 1848. What better proof
can be required of his good report among his neighbors? There is' no
man living in the township who stands better in the esteem of its citi
zens than Squire Frink. His good counsel is sought daily and he has
saved fhany litigations by his good advice. His first wife died on trie
3d of February, 1855. He was married to his present wife July 3, 1862.
The Squire remains among his neighbors as one of the olden school,
and as the years increase, the esteem of the people for his white head
grows in proportion.

CHAPTER XXXI,
BLOOM TOWNSHIP.

T. I, N. R. l6 E.
TN the preceding chapters the recurrences to Bloom township and
ts early settlers were so frequent that very little else seems proper
be said in making up its history. One feature, however, must be
admitted by all, viz: that the early settlers here were men of good judg
ment and great sagacity, when they resolved to drive their stakes for
homes. They saw in the near future the grandeur, beauty and agricul
tural wealth these valleys, in the hands of industry, intelligence and
economy, would present to the world Its soil, timbers, building stones,
prospects for market, all these and more, were great incentives for the
founding of new homes in the forest. A glance at Bloom township
now, with its beautiful farms in a high state of cultivation, with large
barns, splendid farm houses, fields teeming with rich crops, its pastures
enjoyed by excellerit stocks of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs; its com
modious school houses and churches, etc:, give strong proof how well '
theaim of the pioneer settler was directed, when first the tall timbers
fell by the woodsman's, axe, along Honey creek and Silver creek,
running through the township. ,
Thomas Boyd was one of the earliest settlers here. He came in
1822; and settled on section eleven, where he lived until his death,
which occurred November 27th, 1847. Soon after him came also his
brother, Jame's Boyd, and his widowed sister, Mrs. Mary Donnell. Mrs.
Thomas Baker is a daughter of James Boyd, and is still living. Her
father moved to Iowa, where' he died. Thomas Boyd had four sons:
James, Jesse, Jefferson and Samuel, of whom Jesse is the only one liv
ing. He is a wealthy farmer at Springfield, Ohio.
Thomas Boyd was a remarkable man. He was of fair complexion;
his hair was thin and white; he had a nervous temperament, arid was
very active. He was about six feet high, very raw-boned, and a little
stoop-shouldered, very careless about his dress, very talkative, and

BLOOM TOWNSHIP.

493

possessed of a great quantity of good sense. He belonged to the Pres
byterian church, and was very outspoken on the subject of slavery.
While he was a pioneer on the frontier, he' was also a pioneer in the
then young idea of abolitionism. -He made war on both the old par
ties who could see no constitutional way to get rid of the institution.
Nor could the Abolitionists; but with them the system was wrong, and
that was enough The task was not so easy with statesmen, however,
who regarded the rights and integrity of states as fixed principles in
our form, of government. The institution fell, as a result of the re
bellion, and we are all Abolitionists now. Arms and " higher law" in
deadly conflict sometimes accomplish ends that statesmanship
tremblingly abandon. '
In the same year Joseph Birnside arrived here from Fairfield county,
and settled near the mouth of a little run that puts into Honey creek
just a little north of Bloomville, but ascertaining soon that the land had
been entered by somebody else (Mr. Reber), he moved into Clinton
township, and bought the land just east of the new cemetery, where he
lived the rest of his days.
In 1823 came also Joseph McClelland and Nehemiah Hadley, who
were followed by George Free, Lowell Robinson, John C. Martin and
Thomas West, with their families. Mr. Martin and Mrs. West are still
living in Bloom. James Boyd settled on section eight, on the left bank
of Honey creek. George Free settled on section three, near the
" Goose Pond," which- was a considerable body of water in a bend of
Honey creek. Lowell Robinson, settled on section eight. He died in
California. Mr. Robinson was one of the associate judges'of Seneca
county, a large muscular man, and possessed of a good quantity of
common sense. He was a good neighbor, and rather popular. His
wife was a very small woman, and for some reason or other the two did
not live very happily together. One time, while Mr. Robinson was
yet associate judge, his wife prosecuted him for assault and battery, and
the Judge was bound over to the court of common pleas. He was in
dicted by the grand jury, and when the case came up for trial, the
Judge had to leave the bench, come,down to the trial table, and. act the
part of a prisoner. During the trial of the case the testimony disclosed,
among other things, the fact that one morning, while ,the Judge was
down upon his knees before a chair, at prayer, with his head down, Mrs.
Robinson put a saddle on his back and jumped up on to it. For this
he probably struck her.
Dr. Graves used to tell a good joke on Judge Robinson, sometimes
in his company. Judge Robinson had a very large mouth. He came

494 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
to Dr. Graves one day to have a tooth pulled. He sat down on a chair,
and when the Doctor came up to him with his turnkey Judge Robinson
opened his mduth very wide, and Dr. Graves said to him, " Never mind,
Judge, I prefer standing on the outside."
Thomas West settled on section three also, but soon sold' out to
David- Roop, and moved on to section ten, where he lived many years,
and then1 sold to Jacob Detwiler, when he moved to Bloomville, where
recently he died.
Mrs. D'onnell bought a piece of land near that of her brother. Thomas.
Her land had a very fine spring on it, which still bears her name. She
sold out. and went to Iowa with her brother James.
John Seitz, Isaac Rohrer, Levi Neibel, Lyman Robinson, Jacob
Meyer, Rufus Kirshner, Henry Perkey, David Crapo, Truman King,
James Wilson, Evan Dorsey, John Newman, Lewis Seitz, John Davis,
Mr. Jeffries. Mr. Donald and J. ,C. Hampton are also honored names
among the old pioneers.
Bloom, was organized, as, already stated, in June, 1824. In 1830 it
already had a population of 389. Between 1830' and 1840 came also
David Roop, John T. Reed, Simon Koller, Benj. Huddle (Hottel),
Philip Heilman, David Trpxell, Adam Baker, John Fisher, Samuel
Gross, Edward Cooley, Henry Andres, James Trail, and Greensberry
and Notley Trail, William and Zeliphant Owen, John Valentine, Henry
and Samuel Nestly, Jonas Hostler, D. T Lee, George Showman, Geo.
King, Samuel Shaffer, Jacob Hossler, the esquire, and James Wilson,
the lawyer. The census of 1840 showed, a population of 1,168 souls.
In 1870 it was 1,492; in 1880 it is 2,162. At this time (1840) trie land
in the township was nearly, if not quite all, taken up, and the light of
day was rapidly let in upon the ground, while the fields increased in
nurnber and proportions. •
Mr. James Steel, from Pennsylvania, built the first grist mill in the
township, on the banks of Silver creek. The Hershbergers turned it
into a sawmill sometime after the Koller mill and the Engle mill were
put up. The first meeting house in the township was a Presbyterian'1
church, erected in 1834. It was a small frame building. They held'
meetings in it before it was plastered; all that spring and summer and
in the fall of that year, while it was being plastered. By some unknown
cause, it took fire and burned down. Then a brick church-was built
on the same spot, which answered for many years,, until finally it was
torn down and the brick used in the construction of the brick church in
Bloomville. The old church stood northwest of Bloomville, near the
cemetery. The Methodists built a church soon after on the land owned

BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 495
by J. W. Stinchcomb, but it was superceded by the stone church down,
the creek.
The tradition about the two young men naming Silver creek and
Honey cjeek has no historic merit, and is therefore excluded! The
name of Bloom is very appropriate. BLOOMVILLE. (
Philip J. Price, Julius Treat and Thomas T. Treat, in the summer
of 1837, laid out a town upon the corners of sections nine, ten, fifteen and
sixteen, and called it Bloomville. Simon Koller owned the land on the
northwest corner, Edward Cooley on the southeast corner, Price and the
• Treat brothers on the southwest corner, and Edward Owen on the north
west corner. Mr. Cooley built the first house on the town site, which
stood where the Record printing office now is. The Treat brothers built
the next house, which was removed several times, and finally occupied
by Thomas Treat as a store and postoffice. The Brown brothers bought
out Price arid Treat's store and continued it for a while. In 1850 the
town contained a dozen buildings. Frederick Zimmerman, Conrad
Klachf, William Hathaway, Ch. Keller, Jno. Hnnsicker, Wm. Cooley,
Dr. George Weeks. Jonathan Kastner, Jacob Estep, and Jacob Breiner,
with their families, were the inhabitants. Hathaway and Kuntz were'
the pioneer shoemakers in the village. Webster had a blacksmith shop
on the corner now occupied by the Hossler block. Dr. Weeks suc
ceeded Dr. Bellville, who, with Dr. Peter J. Smith, were the pioneer
physicians. Mr. Keller was the first tailor, and Mr. Klachr the first
wagon and carriage makers. Soon after John Seitz, Jr., and William
Dewitt opened a store on the corner now known by the name of the
" burned district." Mr. Dewitt was afterwards»elected countyrecorder, •
and died while in office. Mr. Seitz represented Seneca in both branches
of the legislature. (See chapter xxvi.) Dr. Weeks entered the war
against the rebellion, and became surgeon general in the department of
Tennessee. "Thomas Dysinger opened the first ' tavern. The Bloom
House was built by Benj. Knopp in 1855 or 1856. Among the enter
prising citizens who have helped to build up Bloomville, may be men
tioned, Benj. Knopp, Henry Dittenhafer, John Hunsicker, .E. P. Bliss.
Mathias Teach and Henry Briner were the first rpen that enlisted frofn
Bloomville for the war.
The location of "the Mansfield and Coldwater railroad gave Bloom
ville a "fresh. start in the world." Large brick edifices for business and
dwelling houses, the general increase in the number of buildings and

496 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
population, the warehouses and factories, show the healthy increase
and prosperity of the town. •
On the 4th of July, 1874, the Rev. Robert Lockhart established the
first newspaper here, , the Enterprise. He published the. paper" about
three months, when he turned it over to J. N. Lee, who, after a. few'
weeks, sold it to D. W. Fisher, who issued the first paper January ist,
!87S — the Bloomville Banner. The Adams Brothers then became, the
owners next, and sold to Mr. Kaga, and he again to Mr Fisher, who,
after one .issue, sold to W. S. Hammaker, and he, after about eight
months; stopped the publication, and sold trie institution to the present
enterprising and able editor of the Seneca County Record, 0. M. Hol-
•comb, Esq., who is making the Record a success.
Bloomville was incorporated by a special act of the legislature in
1871. Jacob Hossler, Esq., was elected its first mayor. Several addi
tions have been made to Bloomville during the ten years last past, by'
Conrad Klachr, Mrs Melinda Lee, Eli Winters and John Krilly. ¦ The
oar factory, established in 1874, by J D. Wilsey, was quite an impor
tant event in the history of the town.
The Rev. George R. Brown, Universalist, preached here in 1840. Dr.
Jones is the pastor of the M. E, Church, and Rev. J. W: Shaw of the
Reformed Church.
In 1875 -the public schools opened up, under the superintendence bf
Mr. J. K. Hamilton. The building is a fine two-story edifice, with four
rooms, and cost about $7,000.
The grain depot of Einsel & Co. added much to the enterprise of
the town.
(Note — I am under obligations to my friend Mr. Holcomb, for his
kindness in furnishing me with meterial and dates.)
My reverend and esteemed friend, the venerable Elder Lewis Sejtz,
was so kind as to furnish the writer with a statement of his early recol
lections of Bloom township, and the reader will find pleasure in its
perusal, 1 am very sure. It is given here as written, without -a word of
comment. May its moral lesson be heeded and cherished.
RECOLLECTIONS OF PIONEER DAYS IN BLOOM TOWNSHIP.
[By Elder Lewis Seitz.]
In October, 1825, at the age of twenty-three, with my wife and one child, I
removed to my present home (on an adjoining farm) in Bloom township.
The name of Bloom had been-suggested by my brother John just one year
before my arrival, and adopted in 1824 'at the organization of the township.
I came from my native county, Fairfield, into an almost unbroken wilder
ness of forest trees, with less than a score Of settlers in advance of me.

BLOOM TOWNSHIP.

497

Nearly all who were here before me had settled along the rich valley of
Honey creek. For two or three years, before mine was reared, cabins had
begun to appear in our wilderness. Among their occupants I remember
Joseph McClellan, James and Thomas Boyd, the Donalds, George Free,
Roswell Munsel, Nehemiari Hadley, John Stroh,1 Lowell Robinson, my
' brothers John Seitz and Noah Seitz. J. C. Hampton (who came in 1822 with
- the Boyds and Donalds, from Ross county,) informs me that he aided in
erecting the first cabin pu£ up in the township. This was for my brother
Noah, on Silver creek. Hampton made his home for a time with his com
panions from Ross. Their shelter at first was in a log peri covered with logs
split in twain, the under tier being with flat side up, and the top tier cover--
ing the cracks with the flat side down. The beds were for the women, on
bedsteads, with one post. That is, in one comer of the " pen ". two poles
were entered in the logs, with the other end in this " post." Baswood bark
furnished the " cords." The men slept on the ground, with hickory bark
spread down for sheets. Hampton says : " Our first supply of flour was
brought by us on horseback from Mansfield, through the woods." I also
helped cut out the small timber west and south of Roop's Corners, to make a
public road. But to continue with the names of the first settlers: Jacob
Rodegeb, Abraham* Kagy, John Davis, Edward Sutherland, Christopher
Perkey, Bartholomew Stout, John Stinchcomb and Richard Ridgely. With
in a very few years after my arrival came also Jacob Webster, the Bixlers,
John Pennington, J. T. Reed, John. Einsel, Edward Cooley, Samuel Gross,
John Valentine, Gain Robinson, Zelaphel Owen, Joshua Watson, Samuel
and Henry Nisley, Lewis and Jacob Spitler. (
During these early days a wilderness of forest trees covered the earth, and
the first need of the settler was to clear away space enough for a cabin, and
then it was "root, hog, or die." While I brought from Fairfield county
enough flour to last two years, very few of my contemporaries were thus
provided. One season, however, usually sufficed the industrious pioneer to
clear a small field and grow bread to do. As for meat, everyone had his gun
to supply riim with wild turkey or venison, which were abundant. Often,
too, as we lay upon our pillow at night, were we saluted with the howl of
wolves, apparently at our cabin door. Not only did they make night voCal
with their cries, but woe to the sheep or young pigs not well guarded. An
occasionalbear passed through, but I think none made their home in .our
township. , There were some otter about trie marsh near Bloomville. A
wild cat was shot within one hundred rods of our cabin. Indians qften
visited us, generally of the Wyandot tribe, who then had their headquarters
at , Upper Sandusky. A few Senecas, from their reserve below Tiffin,
straggled;hither occasionally. Our red brother was uniformly friendly, and,
as a rule, honest, buta tricky one appeared sometimes. Unlike his white
brother of modern times, however, he had not the cheek to attempt a repeti
tion of his trick in the same vicinity. Shamed by that conscience which, as
Shakespeare puts it, " makes cowards of us all," his victim seldom saw him
again. Mr. N. Hadley was admitted to be the boss hunter and trapper on Honey
creek. Mr. Hadley, at a single hunt, brought down seven deer, six of them
by torchlight, and the seventh riy sunligrit in the morning. So fond was
32

498 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Hadley of hunting, that, game getting scarce, he had J. C. Hampton to haul
his family and goods (mostly steel traps) to the head of canoe navigation on
the Scioto, in Hardin county. Here he dug Out two large walnut canoes,
lashed them side by side,-^ and started for Cairo, on the Mississippi. With
one boat wrecked on the raging Scioto, he'nevertheless reached Portsmouth
with the other, his family walking most of trie way. Attriis' point a captain
of a steamer bound for Iowa, whither Hadley was going, struck with admir
ation for a man who would venture his all in a canoe on the Ohio, offered
to carry riim without charge to his destination. Thus the boss pioneer hun
ter of Bloom township left Ohio for game in trie far west.
' An encounter of a Wyandot Indian with a pack of hungry wolves in South
Bloom is worth recording. He had tracked a wounded deer some distance
in the snow, when suddenly he came upon it surrounded by a pack of wolves,
making of it a hasty meal. Intent' upon having some of the meat himself,
he tried to drive the wolves by shooting one of them. This enraged the rest,
and they rushed upon him. Backing against a tree, he kept them at bay
with riis tomahawk, till hunger overcoming rage, they returned to finish
theiriheal upon the deer. The Indian, convinced that " discretion was the
better part of valor," was glad to escape. The pioneer who succeeded best
in making a comfortable living, did not make a business of hunting, but
chopping,and logging and burning was the chief work. Much timber, which
to-day would be valuable in market, was burned on the ground. No where
could finer poplar, walnut, blue ash and butternut trees be found than in
Bloom township,
, The first saw mill was built by Roswell Munsel and the Donalds, on
Honey creek, near the present Kaler mill. Sbon after JohnDayis built
another mill, a mile further down, where my first lumber was made. A few
years later Abraham Kagy put up a saw mill, and the Steeles a sawand grist
mill on Silver creek. It may be well to remind the reader that in those days
our water courses furnished power much more steadily and for a greater
part of the year. Through the clearing away of fallen timber and general
drainage, our creeks gave short lived spirts of water, and then Steele's grist
mill could be heard day and night for more than half the year. My first
grinding was done at .Hedges' mill, just below Tiffin. When we began to
have wheat to sell our nearest public market was at Venice or Portland
(Sandusky City.) This was so until the pioneer railroad in Ohio made us a
market at Republic.
In those days neighbors were neighbors, indeed. Was a cabin to be
" raised," logs to be "rolled," or assistance of any kind needed, a simple
notice was enough. A "neighbor" could be found at a much greater dis
tance than now. The whisky of those days was not charged with " killing
at forty rods " as now, but the " brown jug " or the " barrel " was found in
nearly every home, and it was esteemed an indispensable "mechanical
power" at " raisings" and "loggings,'.' etc., etc.
Our public schools were held at first in cabins like our dwellings, with a
huge fire place on one side, with a "stick and mud" chimney on the out
side. Religious meetings were held in triese " school houses," or in the
cabins of the settlers. The Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists were the
first to organize societies or churches in Bloonl. James Robinson, a Pres-

BLOOM TOWNSHIP.

499'

byterian clergyman, organized the first church of that name, about the year
1830. On the 27th of May, 1827, the Baptist church, nanied " Honey Creek," was
organized. The "council" was composed of Elders Thomas Snelson, of
Highland county, and Benjamin Caves, of Pickaway, and Deacon John
Hite, of Fairfield. In 1830 the undersigned was chosen pastor of this church
and has sustained, this relation ever since. As will be noticed, ministers in
those early days traveled a great way in the pursuit 'of their calling. But
not as now, cosily and swiftly in a railway coach, but invariably on horse
back, equipped with " saddle-bags," with Bible, hymn book, a few " dickeys"
(a sort of shirt-front with collar attached), and some provisions, perhaps.
The messenger of " peace and good will," through the cross of Christ,
traveled in all kinds of weather, over all sorts of roads (or no roads through
the wilderness). Perhaps such experiences, if presented to many of our
clerical brethren to-day, as a part of their labors, would lead to some more
congenial calling. But it must be remembered that the privations and trials-
of pioneer life were shared by all classes, and hence borne the more cheer-
¦ fully. While we may freely admit that this- generation is enjoying much
that is good and desirable as the fruit of the labors and purposes of their
pioneer fathers and mothers, it is a matter of profound regret that the
rugged virtues and beautiful friendships could not have been transmitted
with the improved culture, conveniences, comforts and luxuries enjoyed by
our children. They are enjoying the material blessings for wriicri their
fathers and mothers toiled and dared and suffered. Modern improvements-
have obviated the necessity for much of the personal effort and^ deprivation
of pioneer life, but when we cease to practice their manly and womanly vir
tues, all our boasted progress cannot save us from the penalties of violated
moral law.
Of all my first neighbors, Abraham Kagy,J, C. Hampton, Mrs. Thomas
West and John C. Martin alone remain. The rest have passed to that
"bourne from whence no traveler returns." We, too, shall soon pass away,,
but may He who guides the destinies of men and of nations, bless our chil
dren and our country with civil and religious liberty, and every good result
ing from the reign of truth and righteousness is the prayer of
Yours truly LEWIS SEITZ.
WILLIAM DAVIS
Says: I am the oldest son of John Davis, who came to Bloom in November,
1824, and settled on section eight,, near Honey creek, one and one-half miles
west of Bloomville. We came from Perry county, Ohio, and were thirteen
days on the road with two wagons, and drove our cows and hogs before us.
We had all the meat, flour" and whisky we needed for one year.
On the following fall father went back anit also to Zanesville to get mill
irons for a saw mill, with which he returned, and in company with Mr.
Munsel, put up a saw mill on said section, which .was the first saw mill in
the township. He also built the first frame house in the township, now
occupied by Rev. John Shauts. Our' first grinding was done at Hunter's
mill, carrying the grain and grist on horseback. Father was an old Metho
dist from Maryland and helped to build the first church of the township,

coo HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
took an active part in its welfare, and was the steward of it when he died.
He died July 14, 1849, in his sixty-third year. Motrier died November 4,
184Q. There were six children of us, of whom five are still living. Father
was a devoted christian and kind to all his neighbors, and especially to the
poor. He supplied all those that were needy, and he had plenty to do with.
The Boyds, Robinsons, Valentines, Martins, father, Blackmans, Treats,,
Donalds, Roops, Coolys, and others were the leading Whigs. The McClel-
lands, Perkeys, Seits, Strohs, Rucris, Kagys and Joseph Miller were the lead
ing Democrats of the township. JACOB HOSSLER,_ESQ.
Is one of the distinguished citizens in Bloom. He was born January
30, 1806, in Steuben township, Adams county, Pennsylvania, on a farm.
When fourteen years old, in 1820, his father moved to Stark county,
Ohio. Here, on the 23d of September, Mr. Hossler was married, and
in. 1834 he moved to Bloom township, where he still resides. For
twenty years he ran a saw mill on Stoner creek. He moved right into
the woods when he came, and opened up a fine farm. To show how
Mr. Hossler stands in the estimation of his neighbors, it" is only neces
sary to say that for thirty "years he held the office of justice of the peace
and was mayor of Bloomville four years. He is still in the enjoyment
of excellent health. JOHN T. REID
Is also one of the pioneers of Bloom, who -have imprinted their indi
vidualities upon the township. He was born in Frederick count} .
Maryland, on the first day of January, 1807. His father died when
John was but six years old, and he was taken care of by his1 uncle, Paul
Talbot, who moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he was married.
There they settled in the woods and young John worked among the
farmers and was finally set in to work on a carding machine on Indian
creek, in Fairfield county, owned by one David Swasey. From there
he came to Bloom in 1828, in the fall, and worked for his uncle, John
Valentine, until the following Christmas. The Mohawks, Senecas and
Wyandots were then " swarming through the woods." He became
well acquainted with all the old settlers here, already named. He
returned to Fairfield, and all his earnings in the following spring put
together amounted only to 'the sum of $80, lacking $20, to buy eighty
acres at government prices. A friend loaned him the $20 and he start
ed on foot for Delaware, in the^fall of 1829, and entered the eighty
acres that John Heilman now owns, near Honey creek. He returned
to Fairfield and worked eighteen months longer on a farm until he had
earned some more money. His uncle, John Valentine, then wrote to

BLOOM TOWNSHIP. e0I
him that Mr. Bever had eighty acres, which he would sell, adjoining
the other lot." Mr. Reid started on Christmas day and came to Bloom
on foot, where he arrived and bought the Bever land on New Year's
day, 1 83 1.
Before he left Fairfield county he had taken a school to teach, and
there were three weeks to teach before the term closed. He returned,
finished his school, came back to Bloom in February, with an axe
and a bundle of clothing, which he carried on the axe-handle. He
built a cabin in his forest and commenced clearing it. His uncle,
William Norris, came from Fairfield county, and lived in the cabin
with' him awhile, and until his uncle", Norris, bought the land on which
Fostoria now stands. On the 25th of April, 1833, Mr. Reid was mar
ried to Eliza Boyd Watson. They had four children, of whom, three
are still living.
Mr. Reid is a tall, slender man, over six feet high, strpng and mus
cular and has always enjoyed good health. He and Mrs. Reid are both
members of the Presbyterian church and highly esteemed. Poor as
Mr. Reid was when he commenced, his career is a conclusive proof of
what industry, honesty and economy will accomplish. He now counts
his wealth by many thousands, and lives at his ease.
Mention has already been made of the picnics the younger genera
tion prepare annually about the first of September, in Schoch's woods,
to show their gratitude and esteem for their pioneer parents. . I desire
to refer to the subject again, here, only to say that at one of these, after
Father Thompson, the pioneer minister of the gospel, closed his re
marks on collecting the sheep'that were lost in, the woods, Mr. J. C.
Hampton was called upon for a speech, in which, among other many
interesting things, he described Judge Cornell, and spoke of him as a
very excellent character and citizen. He related an affair that took
place before some justice of the peace wheri a fellow got very angry
at the justice and threatened to whip him and would do so if he was
not a magistrate. The justice told the fellow to go out into the road
and he should be relieved of his consciencious scruples. The fellow
backed out.
Mr. Hampton also said:
When I came from Ross county in 1822, my uncle, Thomas Boyd, lived.in
a small cabin. Ten boys of us went there' to work for him. We made out
to live. Our bed was a very primitive affair. A half dozen of us slept to
gether. During the three months I staid there we had not a bit of bread.
The little flour we had they stirred into boiling milk. That constituted
the principal meal. We had a fish basket in Honey creek, close by, that
furnished us all the fresh fish we wanted.

J02 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. i
Sorry that no more of the speech could be preserved.
Dr. Gibson also spoke, relating his boyh'ood days and scenes of early
life on Honey creek.- His mother held the chair while her husband
was sitting upon it, shaking with the ague His father got nearly crazy
every time "the fever came on. One time his father was at Sandusky
for provisions. It always took a week to get back. The roads were
bad and the horses poor. Judge Leath happened to be at Sandusky
the same time with a load of water melons to sell. He and the Doc
tor's father started for home together. On the way the latter became
crazy with the fever, and had it not been for the Judge he would never
have found his way back. The Doctor also referred to Black Jona
than, who lived with the Mohawks on the Vanmeter place. Jonathan
Pointer was half negro and half Indian. He was the interpreter for
the preachers and gave the Indians the sermons by piece-meal as best
lie could, but whenever a subject or a point was a little difficult to
transfer or comprehend, he would add: " I don't know, myself, whether
that is so, or not."
Dr. Gibson when yet a boy was very attentive upon the sick in the"
neighborhood, and thus naturally became a doctor. He applied him-
:self to the books, and with. hard study and his experience, became a
¦distinguished physician. He was, indeed, a gentleman and a valued
friend. He was one of that class of thinkers who take nothing for
granted because they cannot help it. We ought to have much charity
for such people.
The venerable Noah Seitz must not be forgotten. He came here
from Fairfield county and settled on thenorthwest quarter of section five
on the 5th of April, 1822, and it is generally admitted that he was the
first settler in Bloom. He sold out soon after to Edward Soufherland
and moved to Eden. Mrs. Southerland is still Hying in the third ward
of Tiffin, and is known as the widow of Francis Bernard.
Mrs. West, J- C. Martin and Abraham Kagy are among the few
pioneers here that are still making "foot- prints in the sands of time."
Who will not remember the tall slender form of Abraham Kagy, Esq.,
:and his beautiful, pleasant home on Silver creek, where, for more than
.a half century, you were met with a hand of welcome and an open,
honest, friendly countenance ? These honored land marks of time
should ever be cherished by those who will occupy the piaces so rap
idly becoming vacant. JAMES R. WILSON, ESQ., I
Is the only lawyer in the place. Happy town ! He was born in
Green county, Pennsylvania, May 19th, 1825. In the fall of 1826, his

BLOOM TOWNSHIP.

5°3

father moved with the family to Ohio. He was a native of Ireland, and .
at the time he came to Ohio was a traveling preacher of the M. E.
church. He died on his circuit while holding a protracted meeting.
The family moved to Bloom township in April, 1834, and settled in the
southeast part of the township, when there were but two families in
that part, south, and but one house east for three miles. Mr. Wilson
had one brother older than he, and also an older sister The sister
taught school in the neighborhood when only twelve years old. Mr.
Wilson helped to clear up his father's farm, and after his death he
opened up a farm for himself. In 1856 he moved to Bloomville. In
1857 he was elected 'justice of the peace and re-elected. In 1866 he
was adtnitted to practice law, and has ever since been a member of the
Tiffin bar. ,

CHAPTER XXXII
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

T. 2, N. R. 15 E.
THE early scenes described in these narratives, and the incidents
attending the dawn of Seneca as a county, having clustered •
around places that are now covered by Tiffin, and involved the'names
of so many of the early settlers, whose biographies are already record
ed, there is scarcely anything further left to say about Clinton town
ship. This chapter will, therefore, necessarily be short It is proper,
however, to preserve names of the early pioneers and describe some
of those not already talked about.
' The location of the land offices in Tiffin tended greatly tp give Tiffin
a start. It brought many people herefrom abroad and introduced to
them not only our citizens but also the many advantages this county
promised for the future. No other county in Ohio, west of the San
dusky river, settled up as fast as Seneca county.
When congress, on the 4th day of May, 1828, granted to Ohio 500 -
000 acres of land to build the Miami canal, it next became the duty of
the legislature to provide for the sale of the land. By an act of Febru
ary 12, 1829, two land offices were established for the sale of these half
million of acres, one of which was located at Tiffin. The land office
for the sale of the land in the Delaware land district was located here
in April, 1828. Small as Tiffin then was, and far removed from the
canal lands to be sold, it should nevertheless be remembered that there
was, at that time, no other town between Tiffin and Fort Wayne, in
Indiana. The reader will see, therefore, that Tiffin was the principal
• frontier town in northwestern Ohio at that time and for some time
thereafter, notwithstanding the organization of Sandusky county prior <
to Seneca.
These' land offices here, I say, helped very much to bring Tiffin into
notice and gave it an air of stability and business enterprise. For
several years the hotels were frequented by strangers, who bought land

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 505
or prospected for locations. The old army road was a sort of thorough
fare for emigrants, many of whom stopped here — in fact, there was no
other road in Ohio, west of the Sandusky river. By remembering
these things we are enabled to see how this vast northwest must have
looked at that time.
Clinton township being so closely identified with Tiffin, and every
thing that is said of Tiffin and her people meaning Clinton township at
the same time, may be the reason why neither Mr. Butterfield, in his
history, nor Mr. Stewart, in his " Atlas," had anything to say about
Clinton township and her pioneers. But there were some old settlers
here, and men, too, of no ordinary grade, who should and shall be
mentioned, for many of their names are too dear and valuable to be
lost so soon. These pages will preserve them for awhile.
JOHN KELLER,
The father of Levi, Lewis and Joel Keller (the sons are all still living),
was an early settler and a man of wonderful industry and persever
ance. He took a very active part in all public affairs and became inti
mately acquainted with -the business of the public offices. He filled
the office of county commissioner several years, and after he got' his
mill on the river in running order, there was scarcely a farmer in Seneca
county but was acquainted with Uncle Johnny Keller. He was very
talkative when he had time, and always ready to give information when
required. With his knowledge of farming he combined much mechanl-'
cal skill, and he was in his place on the farm or in the mill. His
practical good sense, his friendly nature and honesty of purpose rAade
Uncle Keller a very popular citizen.
He was born September 17, 1785, in York county, Pennsylvania,
near Little York. He was married to Elizabeth Mitsell, in 1804, and
soon after moved to Fairfield county, Ohio. At the land sales in Del
aware he bought the land the old Keller mill was on, in 1821, and
moved on to it in 1828. In 1824 he let out a job of clearing four acres.
In the fall of that year he came up with a team and a lot of apple trees,
with which he planted an orchard on the four acres. When he came
back the following spring, his apple trees were all gone. Somebody
had stolen tham. This was probably the first orchard planted in the
county. Mrs. Keller died in September, 1857. John Keller died October 9,
,1859. HENRY C. BRISH
Was a man of medium size and weighed about 165 pounds. He was

t06 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
of fair complexion, had .regular, manly feature*, was well proportioned
and good looking, more so in citizen's clothes than in uniform. He
had deeply set,, large hazel eyes. He shaved smooth, except small 'side
whiskers. He had a well balanced nature, a high forehead, and turned
bald at middle age. General Brish was a polished gentleman and his
home was the gathering place for many of the elite in the then rustic
society. He had a kind word for everybody, and soon became popu
lar with all classes of people. The, Senecas were his pets and they
made Rosewood a stopping place whenever they came up the river. Dr.
C ary was a brother to Mrs. Brish. He and Dr. Dresbach made the
General's house their home. Whenever they could not be found about
town, you would almost be sure to find them at Brish's. Some people
thought the General was very high-strung and quick tempered, but they
were only those who did not know him intimately, and judged him only
from the several knock-downs he was blamed witri. The facts are, the
General would bear almost any opposition in business or politics as
long as his opponent would abstain from reflecting on his honor and
calling him names. , He struck very quick when that rule was violated,
and the size of the opponent or his standing in society made no differ
ence. His relation/with the business of the county has been mentioried
so often that it is only necessary to say that he was one of the associate
judges of the court of common pleas here, and was elected a member
, of the house of representatives, besides filling many other local offices. >
When, on 'the 28th day of February, 1831, at the treaty of Washing
ton, the Senecas sold their reservation to the United 'States, as already
stated in chapter vin. (and see also chapter xxix.), General Brish, who;
had taken care of the chief to Washington and back to Seneca, was
kindly remembered by them. At their own request a section was put
into the treaty giving to General Brish a quarter section of land in the
'reservation. The section reads as follows:
Sec. 11. The chiefs of the Senecas being impressed with gratitude towards .
Henry C. Brish, then sub-agent, for his private advances of money and pro
visions and numerous other acts of kindness towards them, as well as extra
services in coming with them to Washington, and having expressed a wish
that a quarter section of, a hundred and sixty acres of land ceded by them
should be granted to him in consideration thereof, the sameis hereby grant
ed to him and his heirs, to be located under the direction of the president of
the United States. (See vol. 7 Laws U. S., p. 350.)
The General selected his section and sold it. He then bought the
southwest half of section eighteen in Clinton. General Brish cleared
up a part and moved onto it. He called it Rosewood, because Mrs.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

5°7

Brish raised rose bushes all around the house. Here the General spent
the rest of his days.
Henry Colgate Brish was born in Frederick county, Maryland,
November 22, 1799. At the age of ten years he became clerk in the
register's office of that county, under Captain Steiner, where he re
mained until he was married, and where he received all the education
he had. He was married to Miss Eleanor S. Carey on the 7th Decem
ber. 1824, by Bishop Jones, of the Episcopal Protestant church.
Mrs. Brish was born July 27, 1805. They left Frederick for Seneca
county, and landed here on the 6th of July, 1828, Sunday afternoon.
They made the whole distance in a little covered carriage, perhaps one
of the first that came to Seneca' The General died at Rosewood in
February, 1866.
.Mrs. Brish, who is still living says:
I brought my old piano with me, and have it yet. When we Qame here,
. we moved into a cabin that Agreen Ingraham had built. It had a puncheon
floor, which I covered with carpet triat I brought along, and Ihad some nice
china, also, all of which, I think, were the first of the kind in Tiffin, perhaps
in the county. Our cabins were all clustered around McNeal's store, and
there was the "hub of fashion." David and Elisha Smith, Levi Cresey,
Mr. Cus'tar, Mrs. Mounts, Mrs. Kessler, Abel Rawson and Samuel Hoag
land all lived between McNeal's and the campbell-back bridge over the rail
roads. One- time we made a ball for the young people from Maryland and
they called it the " Maryland ball." The river was high and the girls from
the Tiffin side could not get over on the first day, but they came on the
second day. We had young folks from Lower Sandusky and from up the
river, some sixty in all. We danced two days and three nights. It was the
first big ball in the county. David Smith was the fiddler. Mr. Cronise had
a cornfield where the public square is in Fort Ball. One night Drs. Carey
and Dresbach stole a lot of roasting ears there and brought them to our
"house to have them cooked. We made a big feast of them.
John Stoner lived immediately north of Rosewood. He was also
from Maryland, and raised a number of sons, who became wealthy.
I remember George, Christian arid Dennis. Dennis is the youngest of
them and is still living hpre. My efforts to procure a better descrip
tion of this pioneer family and that of the Neikirks, who are now scat
tered through ScrpiO, Adams and Clinton, have failed also.
- JOHN BEARD
Settled on the northwest quarter of section thirty-four. Leveret Beadley
lived near by him on the west. North of the road lived Wm. McEwen,
with his wife and twenty-one children. He was the first blacksmith in
this neighborhood.' Thomas Vanatta came in 1825, and settled on the

508 ' ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
southwest quarter of section thirty-four, where some of the family still
reside. Vanatta bought out a roan by the name of Stripe, who moved
to Lower Sandusky, where he dealt in fish. He died of cholera in 1834.
Joseph Richards came in 1827 or 1829. David E Owen came in 1829,
and' lived on the Huber farm. The Frees and Herin folks came in
1828. Reuben Williams entered the Coe farm and built the saw mill,
which is still in running order, in 1824., Daniel Dildine came in the
same year. He built a cabin and planted the apple trees that are still
to be seen just north of the new cemetery. Daniel Lamberson entered
the southeast quarter of section thirty-four. James Myers came in
1833 or '34. James Wolf used to work for Reuben Williams, and when
he had earned #100, Williams bought for him the eighty acres in the
southwest corner of section twenty-six, where he afterwards lived and
died. 1
Mr. Beard was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on the
14th of April, 1794. He wa»s married to Hannah Doan in 18 17. They
had eight children, of whom six are still living. He was about five feet,
ten inches high; walked very erect; had black hair and whiskers and
blue eyes; he was very talkative and full of jokes and was a good
neighbor and strictly honest. He died in 1832, and was buried in the
old cemetery in Tiffin.
(I am indebted to his son, Joseph, for the above narrative.)
DANIEL LAMBERSON
Was born December 13, 1783, near Belvedere, New Jersey,, and died
December 5,, 1852. He came and located here in the fall of 1824.
' JOHN CRUM.
Mr. Hamilton F. Crum furnished the writer with the following state
ment concerning this veteran pioneer:
On the 20tri of February, 1792, my father, John Crum, was born in Fred- ,
erick county, in the state of Virginia, and in 1813 he married Barbara Crura
(no blood relation). In 1821 he moved to Ohio and settled in Columbus. In
1822 he bought 160 acres of land in Seneca county, three miles north of
Tiffin on the Fremont road; and in 1824 he moved upon his land. We lived
in a cabin for a while, not far from our land, until we cpuld build a house.
Our house had the first shingle roof between Tiffin and Lower Sandusky., •
We experienced many of the hardships common to new settlements. Father
was sick nearly all the first winter. We lived in the woods; our neighbors
were scattered; none nearer than a mile, but they were very friendly and
social. Our first neighbors were Moses Abbott, Eliphalet Rogers and Cap
tain Sherwood, but others soon came in.
¦ My father was a hard-working man and did all his clearing. I was the

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 509
oldest boy, but only eight years old when we came, and of course could not
help much, but was always with him. Mother died when I was fifteen years
old. Sometime afterwards fattier was married to Margaret Evans, with
whom he lived about twenty years, when she died. Afterwards father mar
ried Nancy Booth. Father died in Tiffin on the 28th day of February, 1873.
His widow died July 8, 1874. - HAMILTON F. CRUM.
Mr. Crum was an excellent citizen and took a very active part in
public affairs He was county commissioner sometime (see last chap
ter) and while he was not a fast talker, he was a strong thinker. His
judgment was clear and well matured. The writer knew him well.
REV. JOHN SOUDER.
As you go north on the Fremont road and pass through the Stoner
farm, the next place to the left was formerly the home of Captain
'Sherwood mentioned several times already; and here' lived the subject
of this sketch when the writer first knew him. The old veteran has
lived here so long, and his quiet, pure, christian life has exercised so
much of moral influence upon this community for more than half a
century, that it is really a pleasure to speak of him.
He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of
November, 1799. His father moved to Frederick county, Maryland,
in 1810, where he died in August, 1820.
1 Mr. Souder was married to Elizabeth A., daughter of John Walker,
on the 15th of May, 1823. He became a member of the M. E. church
in October, 1815, and entered the cause of reform in the Fort Seneca
organization, at the Rev. Montgomery's, in 1829 He was ordained to
preach in 1845, having been licensed in 1842. Mrs. Souder died on
the nth of November, 1861. On the 5th of November, 1862, he was
married to Mrs. Frees. He sold his farm In i860, and retired to private
life in Tiffin, where now, over four score years, he is still in the enjoy
ment of good health. He furnished the writer with the following state
ment, which speaks for itself:
.INCIDENTS AND EXPERIENCES WITHIN THE KNOWLEDGE AND OBSERVATION
OF JOHN SOUDER.
In the fall of 1824 my father-in-law, John Walker, and I, left Frederick
county, Maryland, on horseback, for the purpose of exploring the west in
our own way. We took the national pike to Wheeling, whicri at that time
was the national highway as far' as it was made. We crossed the Ohio river
at Wheeling and reached Cincinnati by way of Zanesville and CirCleville, a
distance of over 500 miles from our home. The settlements through Ohio
were sparse and quite new, deadened timber standing everywhere.
There was no market for anything, scarcely. Wheat was worth only thir
ty-one cents, and corn twelve and one-half cents, other provisions in propor-

510 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
tion, but there was no money in circulation. Everything was trade and
exchange. We arrived at home in safety, and in spite 'of trie gloomy outlook
in Ohio, I resolved to emigrate there, and in May, 1826, 1 sold out and
started for Ohio with a large wagon and four horses. My family then con-'
, sistedbf a wife and one child, about one year old, two single sisters and my
brother-in-law, John Walker, who was then yet unmarried. Richard Sneath
and his family came with us. That family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Sneath,
two or three small children, Jacob Huss and Henry Zimmerman, who were
single men. They also had a large wagon and three horses. Taking us
altogether, we were a jolly set for such an excursion.
Nothing occurred worth remembering until we reached a place in the
Alleghany mountains called " the Shades of Death." Itwas a pinery through
Which our road passed, seven miles across, without a single human habita
tion. There was a tavern and a blacksmith shop just east of the dense for
est. One of my horses lost a shoe just before sundown. He could not
travel on the hard pike without being shod. It was about time to put up for
the night, but the bad reputation of the tavern made us conclude to press
on. While my riorge was being shod, Sneath, with his family and the young-
men, passed on, leaving me with the women and the child behind. This
compelled me to travel these seven miles through the dark alone. It was
very inconsiderate in Sneath and the others to leave us thus. One or two
armed men could have had us at their mercy, for all I had in the world I had
with me. Under a kind Providence we/passed through in safety. No acci
dent occurred until we crossed the river at Wheeling. Here we were in
Ohio. A road leads up a high hill nearly two miles from the river before it
reaches trie uplands. The national pike here was just in process of con
struction, and we were often compelled to take side roads that were danger
ous at places. My wife became so disgusted -with the country that she ex
claimed at one time, " Any man that will bring his wife and child to such a
country as this,' ought to be shot."
The greatest impediment to the prosperity of Ohio was a general want of
market. The canal connecting the Ohio river with the lake was laid out,
but not constructed. Our first idea was to locate somewhere near its line.
At Granville, in Licking county, we found a vacant house, which we rented
for trie time being, in order that we might explore the country round about.
We were not pleased riere, and resolved to strike for Tiffin, and see how that
country would please us. Mr. Sneath and I came out here on horseback,
leaving our families at Granville. We inquired for Fort Ball and found it.
We saw a gentleman standing in the road there, and Mr. Sneath, who was
given to be mischievious at times, inquired of the man howfar it was to Fort
Ball. The man said: " You'are right in themidstof it." The stranger was
Mr. McNeal, the merchant.
George and John Stoner used to be old neighbors of ours in Maryland.
We inquired for them and found them. Here we put up for the night. The
Sandusky country pleased us better than anything we had seen in .Ohio,
being a rich, level, limestone country, such as we had been accustomed to.
We really did not know how new it was until we moved into it. Tiffiri and
Fort Ball were then very small beginnings. Mr. Sneath found a large frame
building in an unfinished condition (Bradley's Central Hotel afterwards,

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 5 1 1
Remele's butcher shop now). This was offered for sale, and Mr. Sneath
bought it for $400, 1 think. Somebody showed me the land of Mr. Sher
wood. I had almost made up my mind to buy it, but did not at that time,
but I liked the country very much.
We returned to Granville to bring our. families here, re-loaded our wagons
and set sail for Seneca county. We were used to traveling by this time, and
xwe pursued our journey with cheer, especially so since we knew the point of
destination. In the night before we reached Upper Sandusky it rained. In
the morning the travel was heavy, and I had a bigger load than Mr. Sneath.
He and the young men put on ahead and left me behind, just as they did
once before. They got clear out of sight. A little beyond Marion the horses,
endeavoring to avoid going through a mud hole, crowded a wheel onto a
stump,, which nearly upsetmy wagon ; both wheels were at least a foot from
the ground, but all the horses rushed forward with speed through the mud
hole, and the wagon righted up again. My wife and child were alone in the
wagon at the time, and an upset there and then might have been a very
serious affair.
It was long after night before we reached Upper Sandusky, and there found
our friends nicely tucked away in bed at Walker's Hotel. We had not seen
them all day.
We had another fearful time before we reached Upper Sandusky. My
wife and my sisters had never seen an Indian before, and all- they ever heard
of them was savage cruelty. As riight came on the Indians rode after us on
their ponies, yelping and hooping. This frightened the women very much.
I was on my saddle horse, and they kept calling to me in an undertone,
"drive on, drive on." I had seen them before, and remained quiet. We
kept together after leaving Upper Sandusky.
When we reached Love's hill, near Tiffin, the joke turned the other way.
Sneath's horses got very smooth, and Love's hill was steep and slippery.
Sneath was on his saddle horse and attempted to ascend the hill, but failed,
and his saddle horse fell down, the wagon ran back close to the bank of the
river, and came very near upsetting into it, but all went on safely, and we
kept together to the town.
The best part of the joke came in when Mr. Sneath jumped up after his
horse fell and exclaimed that he might have got his leg broken, regardless
of the danger of losing the lives of riis entire family.
Mr. Sneatri moved into his house, and I found an empty cabin in Fort Ball,
belonging to Mr. McGaffey. Mr. Spencer was the proprietor of Fort Ball,
Mr. McNeal had a small store, Elisha Smith kept tavern, Levi Reasey was
a blacksmith, David Smith was a cabinet maker, a justice/ of the peace and
a fiddler. He lived near the river. Dr. Dresbach, lawyers Rawson and
Dickinson were here ; all single men and trie three occupied the same small
office together. It was about twelve by fourteen feet, and is still standing
on Sandusky street. ,
Dr. Dresbach 's motto was, " Root, hog, or die." Mr. McGaffey was clerk
of the court at that time. One time in conversation he predicted that with
in fifteen years we would have a railroad through the country. • When I left
Maryland the Baltimore and Ohio company had only thirteen miles of road
out of Baltimore.

b"

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

I bought the Sherwood place containing nearly 44,0 acres, mostly in section
seven, for $1,900, and got possession on the 1st of July, 1826. We arrived in
Fort Ball on the 10th of June tfiat year. Mr. Sherwood was not a very suc
cessful man in business. He kept a barrel of whisky in his house. Whisky
and business never run well together.
Mr. Bowe had a few acres cleared alongside of the Stoner farm.
Wm. Montgomery kept a tavern in a small way on a six-acre lot taken off
of a corner of the land I bought. These were all the improvements in. that
neighborhood. My neighbors were Mr. Bowe and George and John Stonerr who came in
the fall of 1822.
John Stoner lost his life by a simple accident. In the fall of 1826 he shot
a squirrel and tried to finish it with the butt of his gun. He slipped and fell
on the mzzle of his gun, which injured him internally to such an extent that
ri3 died after great suffering, in January, 1827. He was the first person
buried in the Stoner graveyard.
John, Jacob and Abraham Crum, three brothers; E. Rogers, John Crum
and old Mr. Abbott were also neighbors.
The Rosenbergers, Shaulls, Klines and others were Virginians and had a
little settlement west of Wolf creek.
George Puffenberger lived in a cabin some distance west, and John Flack
in (now) Liberty, lived the farthest westward of any man I could hear of. I
was in company with others in view of a new road and we stopped at Flack's.
It seemed very lonesome to live so entirely alone in the forest as Flack did.
Mr. Cornelius Flummerfelt and the Parker brothers came about the time
I did. The Indians were troublesome at times, but never dangerous, except when
intoxicated. The Wyandots made their annual trips to Maiden to receive
presents from the British government for services rendered in the war '
against the United States. On their way^ out they bought whisky at Fort
Ball and elsewhere, and generally camped in front of our house, where they
all got drunk and rested a whole day to sober up. They generally had their
whole families with them. They used to come into the house and wanted
everthing we had, especially bread. Sometimes they took all the bread we
had and my wife had to bake again. They always paid for what they
bought, often paying twenty-five cents for a loaf of bread. One time a
drunken Indian got angry at my wife and drew his knife on her. He would
have used it had itj not been for a sober Indian close by. The sober Indians
often stayed all night at our house, sleeping by the fire in the same room we
slept. We often bought venison and cranberries from them. A camp of
drunken Indians and squaws is a most disgusting sight; the papooses
strapped on a board sitting against the trees, and the men and women reel
ing around, the squaws squealing like wild cats. But with all their general ,
degradation, we had some interesting interview with thQse who had been '
christianized at camp and other meetings.
Mr. Moler, a very early settler, took up the land where Mr. Maule lived.
John Doran; another pioneer, was at the raising of Mr. Hedges' mill on the
river, and became crippled for life by the falling of a tree in a storm while
raising the mill.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 513
My mother lived with me, after my father's death, until she died in 1840,
at the age of 76 years. DAVID RICKENBAUGH
Was born in Washington county, Maryland, December 9th, 1799. In
October, 1827, he moved to Stark county, Ohio, and in September,
1833, to Seneca county, Ohio, locating three and one-half miles east of
Tiffin, on the" North Greenfield road, where he bought two hundred
and forty acres, all woods, except about ten acres that had been cleared
by Uriah Egbert, from whom he purchased the land. By industry and
good management he became successful in farming, finding market in
Sandusky. It was customary in the early days here with farmers, who^
lived near Tiffin, Melmore or Republic, that when they took a load of
produce to Sandusky to bring back a load of goods for the merchants.
There were most always some of their' goods piled up there, awaiting •
transportation. Mr. Rickenbaugh's personal integrity won the confi
dence of everybody that knew him, and the merchants gave him orders
to bring goods with pleasure. '
He wsts married on the 27th of February, 1822, to Margaret Sprecher,
of Washington county, Maryland, who is a sister of the distinguished
divine, the Rev. Samuel Sprecher, D. D. and L. L. D , the president of
Wittenberg college, at Springfield, Ohio.
This marriage was blessed 'with two daughters and four sons. Two
sons only survive; Samuel living on the old homestead, and Jacob
living near Tiffin, Ohio. Mr. Rickenbaugh died April 17th, 1859, at
the age of sixty years, highly esteemed for his many traits of manly
virtues, and mourned by those who had learned to love and admire him
as a good and true man in life.
Mrs. Rickenbaugh still survives, at the advanced age of eighty,
spending the evening of her life with her son Samuel, on the old home
stead. DANIEL DILDINE, SR.
The subject ofthis sketch was an early pioneer ofthis township. He
was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 24th, 1780.
His father died when Daniel was but ten years old. Some years there
after he commenced the struggle for life single handed and alone by
driving a team over the mountains of Pennsylvania, which business he
followed for several years. In 1803 he was married, and in 1805 he
moved to and located in Fairfield county, Ohio, being among the first
settlers of that portion of Ohio, then the frontier. In 1806 he moved
to Pickaway, and located upon a tract of land purchased from the gov-
33

514 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ernment at three dollars per acre. In 1824 he sold this land, moved
to this county, and purchased land of the government on Rocky creek,
from which the new cemetery is taken, and as already described. It
took hiin seven days to move from Pickaway here. He stopped for a
few days with Reuben Williams, on the Coe farm, in the log house 'still
standing there, and until he could build a cabin for himself. He ar
rived, here in April, and his cattle were compelled to subsist on brouse
until pasture carhe on. The poor animals were so used to brouse that
when they heard, a tree fall they would all run and devour the tender
branches with avidity. John Searles, Joseph Foncannon and George
Stoner, who lived from three to five miles apart, were about all the
persons who had corn to sell, and Mr. Dildine had to buy his corn
where he could get it, and for the provisions for his family he had to go
to Franklin county and to Mansfield, where he obtained them in ex
change for salt and fish, which he took with him. The fish were caught
here in great abundance in the creeks, the river and the lake. The salt
was shipped from Syracuse; both salt and fish. selling in the central
counties with a handsdme profit.
Mr. Dildine cleared a good portion of his farm, arid in 1830 sold it
to Thomas Coe. He then bought two hundred and forty acres on the
South Greenfield road, about three and a half miles east "of Tiffin, where
he lived the rest of his days. He retained to his last his mental and
very much of his physical powers. He was a man of wonderful endur
ance; quiet in his nature, kind and generous. He lived to a fine old
age, and exchanged the scenes ofthis life for the realities of a higher
order of existence at. the ripe age of ninety-one years and three days,
on the 27th day of September, 1872. *
Nicholas goetschius
Was a soldier in the -war of 1&12, under General Harrison. He was
born in Montgomery county, New York; moved from there to Franklin
county, Ohio, and came to Seneca in 1825, in April. He first located
on the North Greenfield road,' near Egbert's, and located on, the Port
land road in 1835, upon the eighty acres he had entered. He was
about seventy-eight years old when he died, at one of his son's-in-law in
Sandusky county. He had two sons and three daughters.
JAMES GOETSCHIUS,
His oldest son, who came here with his father, lives on the old home
stead. He was born September 24th, 1807, in Franklin county, Ohio.
His wife, Perihelia Smith, came here with Joseph Biggs from Maryland.

CLINTON ¦ TOWNSHIP. 5 1 5;
When'they settled in Clinton there was no house for seven miles, east
on the North Greenfield road. Samuel Scothorns, in Reed, lived there.
There was no road open to town. They had to underbrush a road to
Tiffin, and then followed the blazed trees. Hunter's mill was built in
1825. ' FREDERICK CRAMER
Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, of German parentage, On the
23d day of September, 1779, and was married about March 25th, 1806,.
to Catharine Barrack, who died January 17th, 1864, aged eighty-two
years, two months and nineteen days.
Mr. Cramer arrived here on the 30th day of September, 1830 (being;
twenty-one days on the road), and bought the northeast quarter of sec
tion sixteen, here in Clinton, on the ist day of October in that year,.
and where he resided all the balance of his days. He died on the 8th.
day of August, 1842, aged sixty-two years, ten montris and fifteen days.
Six of his children died in infancy, and four are still living. Dennis F.
Cramer is the oldest son, now living in Tiffin, and the father of a large-
family. Three of his sons are lawyers, of whom Upton F. held the office-
of probate judge many years. Father Cramer was not very tall, but
corpulent and large. In his dress and general appearance he was trie-
very embodiment of a Quaker, but. he was an esteemed member of the-
German Reformed Church. JAMES MYERS i
Was born in Martinsburg, Berkley county, Virginia, February 23d, 1800..
When about two years old, his father'emigrated to trie state of Ohio,.
then just admitted into the Union, and settled in the hills, of Fairfield
county, near where Lancaster now stands. The country around there was-
almost an unbroken wilderness at that time, there being but a few pioneer
settlers, who had to battle with the forest, wild beasts and wild Indians.
They were obliged to raise" their Own living, and raise and make their
own homespun garments. James was the oldest of John Myers' family
of nine children, and was of necessity compelled to work as soen as he
was able to assist in maintaining the family. Their advantages for edu
cation were limited, there being no school houses andfew scholars, and
in fact their necessities did not stllow them much time for education,.
but whatever they did get was mastered by themselves before a great.
log fire, of nights and- storfny days.
In this condition his youth and boyhood was spent, working with his;
father at the carpenter trade, building their rude houses and barns,
until he was twenty-four years of age, when, on January ist, 1824, he was

516 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
married to Sarah Gaw, a young woman of Newark, Licking county,
Qhio. After marriage he commenced business for. himself/ and tried
his fortune at raising tobacco among the hills of Fairfield county, which
business he followed for several years, until his own faJmily began to in
crease. When it consisted of himself, wife and four children, he began
to think he must own some Laid in order to be able to raise his family
properly, but by that time all the tillable land of Fairfield county was
already occupied, and his scanty means would not allow him to pur
chase second handed, so he began looking over the territories of the ,
far west, as it was then called. -
Himself and a friend, Isaac Lepurd, (who settled near Attica, in
Venice), started out in search of government land, and as the tide of
emigration had begun to lead to Seneca county, he and his friend di
rected their steps thither; I say steps, for they traveled on foot, it being
before the days of steamboats and railroads.
In September, 1831, they arrived at a land office, now called Tiffin,
which, at that time, was composed of old Fort Ball, and two or three
log cabins on the east side of the river. After looking over the country
a couple of weeks, they both suited themselves, and entered as much
land as their means would allow, and returned home to Fairfield, to
collect money enough again to move him and family to his newly
acquired possessions.
It was not until in June, 1833, that he left Fairfield county with his
family, in a two horse wagon, with all his worldly effects. His family
then consisted of his wife and four children, Maria Louise, Martha, George
and David, then a babe three moiiths old. They were on the road fifteen
days, and traveled a distance of less than a hundred miles, the road
most of the way being in the woods, only an Indian trail or a blazed
route to guide footmen. They arrived on the 23d of June, and began
immediately to make for themselves a home by ' clearing off a, piece of
land and building a house, with which they took extra pains to have it
l&rge and fine for those days, and which is still , standing, the same that
is occupited by Conrad and George Gillig as a residence on the old
homestead, but for several wee,ks they slept in their wagon and cooked
their meals by a stump-fire.
Four more children were born to them in Seneca county, Ann, James
C, Jennie and Jorin. Maria, the eldest, died in the 15th year of her
age, and John, the youngest; died the same year, and are buried in the
old Rockrun cemetery, they being the only deaths that have occurred
in the family. All the rest are well, and give prospect of long lives.
They lived upon the old farm forty-four years.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 517
In 1875, being old arid almost blind, and Aunt Sally, his wife, being
unable to attend to her household duties, and having no children at
home, he concluded to sell their .homestead and spend the~~balance
of their days in ease and comfort. So they sold off all real and per
sonal estate, retaining nothing but a horse and carriage, and moved to
the home of the oldest daughter, Martha, living in Henry county, Ohio,
where they still reside in peace and happiness, being both well, with
prospects of living a good many years yet. They have lived together
' fifty-six years January ist, 1880.
" Uncle Jim," as he was familiarly called, was a whole-souled, kind
hearted man, always giving to those in need. The beggar was never
turned from his door. empty. He had a kind look and a pleasant smile
for everybody he met. He was a friend to everyone, and all seemed
glad to see him and take a friendly shake whenever they met. For the
last few years he has so nearly lost his eyesight that he cannot read nor
scarcely recognize his friends'. This is a great loss to him, as he was a
great reader, and few men were better posted than he in matters and
things in general; but now he depends entirely-upon his friends to read
for him, and they are very kind to him, doing all that can be done to
make him comfortable. ' .
Samuel Waggoner, Martin Frees, Ezra Baker, William Baker, Jacob
Adams, Jacob Souder, old Mr. Olmsted, David Olmsted, Elisha Olm
sted, ThomaS Vanatta, Asa Crocket, John Wolf, Peter Schuch, Joseph
Herin, Samuel Herin, Jacob Frees, William Williams, James Meyersj
Peter Frees and others were also old settlers in , Clinton, in addition to
those already named.
The first .patent issued by the United States for any land sojd in this
county, by an act of congress parsed April 24th, 1820, providing for the
sale of the public^ lands (called the new purchase), was for the west half
of trie southwest quarter of section twenty-three, T. 2, N. R. 15 E.,
eighty acres, to John Anway. For want of a county here this patent
was recorded in the recorder's office at Lower Sandusky. *
I found more to say about Clinton township than I first anticipated,
but there is history in all of it.
THE SWANDER FAMILY,
Who filled a very conspicuous place in public estimation, one of whom
is still living here, and the numerous grandchildren being scattered far and
near, deserve particular mention in the history of this township.
Frederick Schwander came from the Canton of Bern, in Switzerland,
to the colony of Pennsylvania in 1750, ana settled in South Whitehall

518 HISTORY OS SENECA COUNTY.
township, Lehigh county, on a farm that has ever since and up to this time
ibeen known as the " Schwander place." He was married here and
iraised a family. After his death the oldest son, Jacob, became the
'owner of the farm on which he was born.
A Mr. Shriver lived some eight miles away, and had living in his house
with him as a sort of quasi slave, a beautiful Swiss girl by the name of
Barbara Gerster. He bought her at Philadelphia for her fare across the
ocean. The reader should remember here, that it was considered not
•only right and fair to sell the passengers to America who could not pay
ifor their passage, but the act was legalized by statute. They were sold
at auction for the least number of months or years a person would buy
them for and pay the fare. Families were thus often 'separated, many
of them abused and ill-treated, and by people, top, that soon after this
system of slavery was abolished, raised a terrible hue and cry against
clack slavery. After the shipowners of Boston had become rich in the
African slave trade, they all became Abolitionists. But to return to the
wedding. Near Mr. Shriver's was a place called Egypt, for it produced great
.quantities of grain. Jacob Schwander and the Swiss beauty were lovers.
One day they went to Egypt, and the young couple were married by a
preacher. After the wedding ceremony was over, trie young bride took
a seat on Schwander's. horse, behind the groom, and they rode back to
the farm. After dinner bride and groom took their sickels and went
'into the harvest field reaping wheat the balance of the day. This was
their bridal tour. There were.no railroads leading to the fashionable
watering places, and there were no " shoddies " in the country at that
time. Life meant work, and the sentence of Adam was the order of the day.
This wedding took place in 1775.
When Frederick Schwander came to this country his father 'and
grandfather were still living. Jacob had eight children, five boys and
three girls. John Schwander was his oldest son, and was born on the
farm where his father was born, and while his father was serving in the
revolutionary army, under Washington, on the 21st day of June, 1776,
and thirteen days before the Declaration of Independence. John was
raised on the same farm, and in the year 1800 was married to Miss
Elizabeth Glick, of Lehigh county. The writer heard the old gentle
man say that he voted for Jefferson in the same year he was married.
John Schwander had thirteen children in this union, seven boys and six
girls. The sons are all dead but Edward, who is the youngest son, but
the daughters are all living at this writing. The sons were John, James,

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 519
Thomas,. Joseph, Edward and Stephen (who died when he was fourteen
years old on the old farm in Pennsylvania), and another died there also
iri infancy. The daughters are Hannah, wife of Henry Kunkle, of
Lucas county, Ohio; Etelia, widow of Francis Trexler; Sarah, widow
of William Burkhalter; Eliza, wife of Edward Knouse; Mary Ann,' wife
of William Snydef, and Caroline, wife of William Sohn, all living in
Seneca county. , John died in New Jersey, where he lived, at New-
hope. James, Joseph and Thomas died on their farm homes in Clinton
township, where they had lived near together on the Mansfield state
road. John Schwander, the father of these children, after his marriage in
1800, rented farms in the neighborhood of the old homestead until
1807, when he moved to Ohio and located in Fairfield county, but
becoming dissatisfied with the country, returned to Lehigh county and
bought the old homestead. Here his son, Edward, was born, and all
of the yOunger girls; the homestead of their great grandfather, Fred
erick, a circumstance very rare in America, where people are moving
from place to place with a wonderful facility and where the love of
home is not a cardinal virtue among the people.
These children of John Schwander dropped the " ch " in the name as
they grew up, and attended English schools. Edward was married in
Lehigh and moved into Clinton in 1840, where he settled on the north
west quarter of section twenty-seven, and where he still lives, the only
male survivor of that once large family. After living here about one
year, he lost his wife, and in 1844 he was again married to Hannah, the
youngest sister of the writer. In this union eight children were born,
of whom six are still living. Hannah died December 4, 1865.
About one year after Edward moved to Clinton, the father sold the
old Schwander place in Lehigh and came to Seneca also.
When you go eastward on the South Greenfield road, about two
miles from Tiffin, you strike the Morrison state road. Looking north
you see a neat littje brick house, painted red, standing close to Willow
creek and a spring. This house John Schwander built. Here he lived
until he died on the 17th of June, 1859. His wife also died here on
the 7th of February, 1861, less than, two years after his death.
The old gentleman was remarkable in his physical and mental make
up. He was about five feet, six inches high, stout and compactly built;
had a fair complexion, large, blue eyes, and a fine head, which became
bald as he grew old. He was very pleasant in conversation, and in
structive. He spoke very interestingly, relating transactions and affairs
in Pennsylvania, his exploits when he drove a big team on the pikes,

j20 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
his knowledge of men and events, and his age put no obstacle in his
way of relating laughable anecdotes. He was a gentleman by nature
and education; always pleasant, always kind to everybody, and being
possessed of a cheerful nature, .enabling him to look upon the sunny
side of life, no doubt prolonged his days. He and the old lady died
highly esteemed in the cpmmunity where they spent the evening of
their days. This family of Schwanders is the only one by that name
known in the United States.
One historic incident in the life of the aboved named Jacob Schwan
der should not be omitted:
During the administration of the elder Adams, Pennsylvania passed
an act taxing the doors and windows of the houses. The, law proved
exceedingly obnoxious to the people, and on several occasionsthe col
lectors were abused. The people in the Lehigh valley had stood by
the United Colonies during the revolutionary war, and contributed,
men and means in support of it. When this new form of stamp-tax
was inaugurated, some of them met a' collector who came amongst
triem on horseback, made him get off his horse and told him that they
would show him how the stamp-tax operated. One of the men raised
the horse's tail and the others pushed the collector's nose to where the
crupper makes a crook. For this rough. treatment the men were arrest
ed and placed in the jail in Bethlehem, which was then the county seat
Of Northampton county, and before the county of Lehigh was organ
ized. The imprisonment of the men aroused the indignation of the
people of Lehigh valley to such an extent that* one time, in open day
light, several hundred men assembled near Bethlehem and marched to
the jail. Here they formed two lines in open order when a squad of
them demanded the release of the men, and this being refused by the
sheriff, the doors of the jail were forced open and the men released. '
The.sheriff called out the militiarand a regiment of soldiers camped
fiear'Bethlehem, assisting the sheriff in making arrests. The whole
country was aroused, and many of the rescuing parties fled into the
mountains. Those who were arrested were prosecuted and fined, or
acquitted. A warrant was issued also against Jacob Schwander, who
was, perhaps, as guilty as any of them, but he escaped the vigilance of
the sheriff, his posse and the military by secreting himself in a large
stone quarry, not far from his farm — the Schwander place. For three
months'his wife carried his victuals to him in the night, returning be
fore morning, unobserved. If she had attracted the attention of any
one, even, there was nobody to tell tales out of school. The law had
no friends in the Lehigh valley. Schwander escaped unpunished.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

5*1

JOHN . SECRIST
Was born October 27, 1803, in Frederick county, Maryland, and raised
as a farmer. He married Margaret Waltman, August 4, 1825, who was
born April 23, 1803. They settled in the woods on the farm where
Judge Pittenger now lives,, on the Melmore road, in October, 1828, and
took their share of the frontier joys and hardships with the rest of the
settlers. vMr. Secrist died April 6, 1848. Mrs. Secrist lives with her daughter
in Tiffin, Ohio. MR. CHARLES KELLEY
Was born on the 6th of March, 1798, in Hqntington county, Pennsyl
vania. When he was yet a child, his father moved with his family
into Wayne county, Ohio, and settled four miles east of Wooster. In
the summer of 182 1 he, with seven others, his comrades, started on
foot to see the western country. They came to Mansfield and from
there they took a road triat was c'alled the " McCormack trail," which
led through the woods to Tiffin, by way of Caroline. They stayed here
one week, and while here they helped to put up a cabin for a man by
the name of Armstrong Drennin. Mr. Hedges had made him a present
of a lot with the condition that Drenrtin would build a cabin upon it
and move riis family into it.
The party wanted to board at Mr. Bowe's, but when Bowe found out
that they were going to build a cabin on this side of the river, he got
angry and refused to board them. They put up the cabin, however,
and boarded themselves. Mr. Kelley was the cook. A man came along
with some flour, which they >bought, together with some pork. Two
Indians took hold and helped them some in getting up the logs, but
when dinner was ready they refused to eat with the whites. They
stayed apart by themselves, but they would eat all that was brought to
them. The cabin was put up on the lot south of the woolen mill and on the
spot where the frame building now stands, on the west side of Wash
ington street, and is occupied by the Yingat family. It was the first
cabin erected on the plat of Tiffin. The logs were cut in the woods
around one day, and on the next morning the deer were seen browsing
on the tops of the trees that were cut down on ths lots where the court
house now stands.
Mr. Drennin moved into his cabin that fall, and he, his wife and
three children died here within a short time of each other. The men
who helped to build the cabiri were Christ. Witz, Henry Miller, David

522 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Fowler, Mr. Drennin, three others and the two Indians. This cabin
was put up before the county seat was located here.
Captain Sherwood lived north of town a piece, and John Welsh about
four miles south.
Mr. Welsh acted as our pilot through the woods when we started
back. There was no house between New Haven and Fort Ball.
Mr, Kelley is the father of Mrs. Dr. Samuel W. Bricker, in Tiffin, nOw
on a visit to his daughter, and the foregoing statement gives his words
as nearly as possible. WILLIAM M'EWEN.
Mr. James McEwen says:
My father, William McEwen, was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania. He
went to Northampton county, Pennsylvania, to learn the trade of a black
smith, and was married there to Sarah Johnson. We came here in the fall
of 1823 and brought with us one half ton of hay, which we made at New
Haven. With this hay we kept four horses and two cows all winter. There
was plenty of picking in the woods all winter in 1823. Father entered the
southwest quarter of section twenty-seven, in Clinton, and put up a cabin
there and a blacksmith shop.
Leverett Bradley settled on the southeast quarter of section twenty-eight,
right west of us. Asa Crocket built the first barn on that farm. -
Cal. Williams lived north of us, on the place where old father Sehwander-
lived and died, on the Morrison road, in section twenty-two.' He was an old
bachelor, had a dog and cat, and all three took their meals together.
Joseph Herrin's father and mother, with (their families, came in 1826; the
children were all single then, except Mrs. Hines; the rest were married
here. When the Herrin's folks came they stopped at our house, and we were so
crowded some had to sleep in wagons. *
My parents had twenty-one children altogether, of whom sixteen were
then living. I am the youngest of the family. ,
Mrs. Rachael Frees was also married. She was a sister of the Herrin boys
also. Thomas Vanatta came two years after and settled where some of his
daughters are still living. Peter Scriuk lived there once. '
The first . school house was built on the Bradley place, and Jonas Doan
taught it. Another log school house was put up north of the road and oppo
site the church on Rocky creek.
Hugh Welsh settled on the Richardson farm and lived there when we
came. Birnsides were also here before us and lived on section twenty-eight.
1 We had to go clear to Columbus for flour, and cut our way through the
woods. We lived on-milk and potatoes for a good while until we could do
better. I used to plough with a wooden mold-board and wore buckskin
pantaloons. JACOB HOLTS
Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, June 17, 1786, and was mar-

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 523
ried to Susannah M. Fiege, who was a sister of the father of John
Fiege, of Tiffin, Ohio. They moved to this county and arrived in
Tiffin on the 28th of April, 1834 and settled on the northwest quarter
of section fifteen, in Clinton, where the son, Dennis, still lives.
Mr. Holts was about five feet, eleven inches high, straight and mus
cular, but not fleshy; he had dark brown hair, a large, dark eye, black,
bushy eyebrows and a very expressive countenance. He spoke slow
and positive, and while his conversation was pleasant and agreeable,
he nevertheless carried an air of personal dignity about him. that cor
responded well with the general respect he enjoyed in the community.
He died December 28, 1859. •
PETER MARSH
Was also a Clinton township pioneer. He settled in the northwest
quarter of section twenty-seven, about the time the McEwen family
came here. He was then a young man but recently married. He,
his wife and his wife's sister, who came with ' them, were all three ex
cellent singers. They all belonged to the' Presbyterian church, and
were ver,y nice, kind and quiet people. Mr. Marsh used to teach sing
ing school and soon became very popular in the neighborhood. He
started a Sabbath scriool and a prayer meeting in the vicinity and took
a great interest in church affairs generally. When the first railroad
from Sandusky, by way of Republic, was being built, he took a job of
grading a mile, including the fill over Willow creek. The company
faded in making payment as it was agreed, and Mr. Marsh broke up,
losing nearly all he had. He left and located in Kenton, Ohio, where
he recuperated to some extent, and where he and his wife both died.
COLONEL BALL,
After whom the fort and Spencer's town were named, was present at
the great Whig celebration, at Fort Meigs, in 1840, where a friend of
mine saw him for the last time. He was six feet high, well propor
tioned: his hair was gray and bushy; he had a florid complexion
and wore side whiskers; he had gray eyes, thin lips, heavy jaw, a
loud, clear voice, talked scholarly and lived with his family in Rich
land county at that time. He was a powerful man and walked very
erect. Before his hair turned gray it was of auburn color. His entire
make-up exhibited great force of character and energy.
Clinton township has an excellent market, is well watered, enjoys
the privileges of the city of Tiffin with her schools and otherwise, while
the land is in a high state of cultivation and very valuable. Splendid
farmhouses in all directions indicate the general prosperity of the people.

524 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTy.
As already mentioned, the township was organized in June, 1820, and
the first election was held on the 15th of June, 1822. The population
of Clinton, including Tiffin, in 1840, was 2,195; in l8S° it: wa-s 4,33°; in
i860 it was 6,041; it increased to 7,174 in l87o, and in 1880 it is 1,701.
Tiffin, in 1880, has 7,882 inhabitants, which, added to the township,
makes 9,583.
Tiffin proper, in 1840, had 788 souls; in 1850, 2,718; in i860, 3,992
and in 1870, 5,648. JOHN DITTO
Was one of the early settlers of Clinton. He came in 1822, and set
tled in section thirty-one, where he owned eighty acres, and he also
owned another eighty in Eden. These lands he entered at the Dela
ware land office, and immediately. thereafter built his cabin in the
woods. He was a small man, less than medium size, and compactly
built. He was very industrious and honest, a good hunter and inter
esting talker. He verified his hunting stories by his singular habitual :
expression of "bei der liebens." There was no meaning to it, but it
was intended to fix the story beyond all question of doubt. He spoke
German mostly.
Mr. Ditto was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania,
October 14, 1785. He told the writer that he voted at the first elec
tion in Seneca county; he lived and died a Democrat. His wife's -'4
name is Elizabeth, who is the daughter of Louis Eckhart. She was
born June 13, 1795, and is still living, enjoying good health, on the old
homestead, near the Mohawk road. They ha,d eleven cliildren, of
whom two are still living, viz: Mrs. DuBois and Mrs. Henry Sheets.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
EDEN TOWNSHIP.

T. I, N. R. 15 E.
THIS township was organized in 182 1, as already stated, and the
election of its first officers was also mentioned. When Mr.
Butterfield says that it was so named for its remarkable fertility of
soil, it is strange that the early records spell the word " Eaton." The
township settled up rapidly after the first settlers had located, and there
are many good reasons for it. The pioneer settlers were' intelligent
and good men. Such always make good neighbors. The soil was
rich, the timber excellent, and the fine water privileges of old Honey
creek inviting. The proximity to the county seat and many other
things, induced selections of homes along trris stream.
In 1824 it was the most populous township in the county. In 1830 it
had 819 inhabitants; in 1840, 1,471; in 1870, 1671, and in 1880, 1,598.
William Fleet is perhaps the largest land owner in the township.
Samuel Baker, John L. Downy, John Seitz, Samuel Herrin, A. N. Armr
strong, Ed. Wing, C. Y. Brundage, Abr. Brown, H. H. Schoch's heirs,
Fred. Borck, Charles Meeker, the Klais', S. M. Ogden, Hez. Searles,
Eden Lease and others are among the most successful farmers.
Where the Kilbourn road crosses Hohey creek, Colonel Kilbourn in
1824 surveyed and platted a town he called Melmore, already described
and sung. Case Brown was the principal proprietor. John C. Jones
erected the first dwelling house on the plat. He'died here in 1828.
Buckley Hutchins, who figured very largely as a man of business, was
the first postmaster. In 1830 its population was 130; in 1880 it is per
haps less than 200.
The names of many remarkable personages are identified with this
township. The Butterfield family used to live here. One of the sons
is the celebrated historian, Consul W. Butterfield. One of the daughters
is the present 'Mrs. Hyacinthe, of Paris, whose husband is a Catholic
priest of great distinction, and who, while he was priest at Notre Dame,

526 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
preached and wrote against celibacy of the priesthood, and to prove the
sincerity of his teachings, married a sister of Consul W. Butterfield.
She was then in Paris, a correspondent of the New York Herald and
Madam Demorest's papers, and noted for her great intelligence, grace- ¦
fulness and beauty. Mr. Anson Burlingame, who has become so dis
tinguished in his mission in China, used to teach school in Eden town
ship. General Gibson was raised on the banks of old Honey creek, in
Eden, and while he speaks . in glowing colors of her pioneer settlers,
. there is always a moisture observable in the southwest corner of his eye.
There never was another such man as Philip J. Price, and if room
would permit, a description of him would fit here. Eden had a number
of local characters of mark. Dr. Selden Graves was a most remarkable
man in every way. He was stern in his bearing, honorable in his deal
ings, a good physician, an excellent neighbor; a man of clear judgment.
and of wonderful endurance. In every walk of life he was respected
and esteemed.
On the 1 6th day of July, 1836, (Saturday,) the M. E. church was
raised in Melmore, and Amroy Butterfield, assisting as one of the hands,
was killed by the falling of a piece of timber. He was then father of
eight children, Consul W.. and Mrs. Hyacinthe among the number.
John Gibson's was the first barn that was raised in the county, and
Thomas Baker introduced xthe first Merino sheep into Seneca, from
Steuben county, New York.
Melmore was quite a trading post at one time, and its citizens were
possessed of a spirit of enterprise that would have been a credit to any
, town. When the question of the Mad River and Lake Erie railroad
was being agitated, great efforts were made to have the line from Re
public , through Melmore, by way of Upper Sandusky; to Springfield,
and when that failed, Melmore determined to have a railroad for its own
use, and to run a line from Melmore to Republic, and to intersect the
Mad River road there. Meetings were held in Melmore, Republic and
Tiffin; a temporary line was surveyed between the two places; com
mittees were appointed, and books opened for the subscription of stock.
The namesattached to the following notice will revive early recol
lections and help to preserve memories of those days. This notice was
published in the Tiffin Gazette of May 30th, 1836, and long before a
ra-ilroad reached Republic: ' ,
MELMORE AND REPUBLIC RAILROAD.
Notice is hereby given that the books of the Melmore and Republic rail
road company will be opened for trie subscription of the stock of said com
pany, at the house of Jacob Buskirk, in Melmore, and at the house of Mr.

EDEN TOWNSHIP. 527
Miller, in Republic,- and at the house of Calvin Bradley, in Tiffin, on trie 4th
day of July next, and will be kept open for five days in succession, from 10
o'clock A. M. until 2 o'clock P. M.
Buckley Hutchins, Thomas J. Baker, Timotriy P. Roberts,
P. J. Price, William Patterson, Samuel Waggoner,
Case Brown, Isaac J. Halsey, Calvin Bradley,
Micagah Heaton, William Cornell, Hamilton McCollister,
Selden Graves.
May 30th, 1836.
The road was never built, because the stock was not taken very fast,
but some of these gentlemen entered into the enterprise with great
energy. The old pioneers had their weaknesses also, and were not angels at
all. Old Adam was still alive in some of them (as now), and re-gener
ation had not become universal.
Hamilton McCollister was a justice of the peace in Eden, and his
neighbor, Mathew Clark, not having the fear of God before his eyes,
one Sunday morning looked for his hogs, that got away from him the'
day before Uncle Mathew's dogs followed him, and 'Squire McCollis
ter saw Clark driving the hogs home. This act was a clear case of
Sabbath breaking in the mind of the court, and on the next morning the
'Squire sent the constable and had uncle Mathew arrested. It was a
clear case; the court saw it himself, and Mr. Clark was fined. The
officers of the law taxed no costs. The insulted law was vindicated,
and that was enough. This was on the 13th day of November, 1827.
But uncle Mathew felt aggrieved for being arrested, and old Adam got
up to law-heat in him, so he goes to Tiffin for redress, and Dickinson
& Rawson filed a declaration against McCollister for $3,000 darhages
for false imprisonment.
The 'Squire employed David Higgins to defend him, and when the
case was finally tried to a jury, they gave the plaintiff a verdict of $21.50.
At the next trial the jury could not agree. The case at last was taken
up to the supreme court, where it was discontinued.
The Rev. Joseph Bever kindly presented to the writer a statement of
his early recollections of Eden, as follows:
I am a son of Peter Bever, one of a family of thirteen children ; was born
in Virginia in 1815. My, father moved from Virginia to this county in the
fall of 1823, and settled on the banks of Honey creek. The prospects of
opening a farm and making a living here in this forest, for so large a family,
were not very flattering, for Seneca county at that time was nearly an un-
broken wilderness. It had neitrier roads, bridges, markets, or any otrier
advantage. Persons wrio never saw this country as it looked fifty-seven
years ago, cannot imagine, how dense the forest was, and the underbrush

528 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
that met the eye on every. side. If you can imagine a little spot of about an
acre, cleared off, and a log cabin standing inthe middle, and all around you
an unbroken forest, with underbrush and vegetation so dense that you could
jiot see ten feet ahead, especially in the bottoms— then you can form some
idea of the wilds of Seneca county in 1823.
We settled about five and a half miles south of Tiffin, and about three
miles northwest of Melmore. Both towns were very small villages, then
built of log cabins. We had no neighbors nearer than Melmore and Tiffin,
except Jacob Price, who lived about one mile south of us, and Ruel Loomis,
who lived about the same distance northeast of us, on school section sixteen.
About half way between us and Tiffin was the village of Mohawk Indian's,
who were quite friendly, and visited us very frequently. Indeed, they be
came quite troublesome after we had lived here a few years, for they made
their friendship a source of annoyance by their constant and persistent beg
ging. They wanted white bread every time they came, and that was very
often. Sometimes whole squads came, together with their guns, bows and
arrows, then women and children, and wanted white bread for all of them.
At begging the Indian seems to have no conscience for either frequency or
quantity. -
The second year after we came here we cleared a field of bottom land about
half a mile down the creek from our house. Between triis field and our house
was very thick woods, and as I was going to the bottom field one day alone,
I espied an Indian coming around a little curve in the path, and supposing
he had hot discovered me, (and I being a little timid lad of about eleven
years,) my first thought was to get out of his way, so I stepped to one side
and laid down behind a large oak log, expecting the Indian tp pass by with
out noticing' me. But the first thing I knew he looked over the log and ex
claimed " Cooh !" and laugried heartily. I was deeply mortified^ but my fear
was all gone.
A few days after this one of these Indians, Isaac Brandt by name, came
to our house with two little axes he had made by a blacksmith in Melmore
for his two boys— he said— and asked me to turn the grindstone for him to
grind the little axes. I had turned grindstone before to sharpen axes forged
out by blacksmiths, and as they were all very thick at the edge, I did not
crave the job. I made all sorts of excuses, and told him that my father
would whip me for.leaving my work and turn the grindstone for him a half
day, and all that. Brandt replied: "Tell fodder Indian here; grind axe;
had to shove." So I turned for him until he was done. In the meantime
he tried to teach me Indian, but I concluded that it cost more than it come
to. But to present me with some compensation when the grinding- was done
he took my hand and shook it very heartily, thanking me for the service.
At that time it was an easy matter to raise grain and vegetables where the
land was clear, but the great trouble was to save them. Squirrels, chip-
monks and other vermin were so abundant that they would devour a field of
corn almost entirely, being surrounded by thick woods and weeds. We used
to have dead-falls for every fence corner, and some one of the family had to
go around the field with a gun nearly all trie time at certain seasons. I re
member well that during the warm weather, such was the stench from the
carcasses of dead vermin, that it became nearly unbearable.

EDEN TOWNSHIP. 529
Game was plenty in those days, and wrien meat was wanted it was easily
procured by killing some deer, turkey, or other game. Honey creek and the
Sandusky river were teeming with fish, some of them of enormous size.
When we wanted fish, we took our poles and lines to some eddy in the creek
or river and caught fish behind some boulder or log, where they seemed
quite tame. Creeping up to them quietly, we often caught them with the
hand. In the winter when trie ice was thick enough to bear a person, we
cut holes-in the ice and caught them with snares made of horse hair, tied
to a stick. The loop was passed over the head and caught triem behind the
gills. We were not annoyed with ravenous animals, except wolves. These, how
ever, were quite numerous for a few years. Sometimes they would run our
stock into the barnyard after night, and annoy them until the dogs made
their appearance, when they would scamper.
My brother Solomon is still living on an , eighty acre lot of father's old
farm, and has lived nowhere else since we first settled in this county. Per
haps you cannot find another man in Seneca county who has lived on one
farm fifty-seven years. We suffered a great many privations and incon
veniences that our people now cannot appreciate. We had no roads, no
markets, no churches, no schools, and not much society. We received a
lush, not a book college education. J. BEVER.
VAN MATRE.
• ' The best historic exposition concerning the farhily of the Van Metre
(Yap Matre) and the Mohawk reserve in Eden township,' the writer has
been able to 'find, is contained in a letter that Judge Pillars, , of Tiffin,
many years ago, wrote1 to a relative pf this Seneca Van Metre, then
living in Cincinnati. The Judge was so kind as to place it at my dis
posal, and with his permission I copy the whole letter:
Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, |
Sunday, December 12th, 1858. f
Daniel Van Matre, Esq., Cincinnati, Ohio:
Dear Sir : We were talking on the 29th ultimo, in Cincinnati, about
one John Van Matre (always spelled Van Meter), a brother of yours, or a
brother of your father, I don't remember which— being taken by the Indians
—a reservation of land being made to him in this county, etc., etc:
The facts connected with his life, etc., are of great historic interest to me,
and of course are of the same and still greater interest to you. I will give
you my understanding of them, and propose that you shall correct my errors
and supply any deficiency.
John Van Matre, or Van Meter, was stolen by the Indians in March, 1778,
at the age of about five years, at Greenbriar, near a place now called West
Liberty, in the state of Virginia.
The people of the neighborhood, having been frequently alarmed by In
dian aggressions, had assembled on that day for the purpose of building a
fort to protect themselves. It was a beautiful day in the spring, and two of
the elder boys of the Van Matre family were out to a " clearing " to fix up
34

530 . HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
some brands. John, or Johnny, as he was called by the family, accompanied
them, while the father went to the fort, and trie motrier and sister remained
at home. *
The boys had but just got at their work, when a party of Indians came
upon them. The two older ones made their escape, but Johnny was taken.
The Indians then went to the house of Van Matre, and set it on fire, having
first killed his wife and daughter. Then they fled to the wilderness, carry
ing with them their captive boy.
He grew up and always lived among the Indians, and partook of their"
manners, habits, dress, etc., etc. He forgot entirely his native tongue,
thougri he learned it again before he died. He always remembered, how
ever, that his name was Johnny Van Meter.
In after life he was induced to visit some of his relatives, but utterly re
fused to remain with them, preferring, as he said, trie innocent, unrestrained
indulgences of, trie Indian's life, to the arbitrary restraints of civilized
society. He married- an Indian woman, by whom he had one child only— a son,
whom he called John. His wife's name was Susan Brandt,_a name' well-
known in the state of New York, and in the history of that state, and a rel
ative of the celebrated Joseph Brandt, who', in 1787, completed the transla
tion of St. Mark and other portions of the scriptures and the book of
common prayer, into the Mohawk language.
The Mohawks were originally a powerful tribe of Indians, inhabiting the
country from the northwestern part of Pennsylvania, -north through New_
York into Canada. Their true name was the, Bears, Mohawk being butV
corruption of their name for Bear.
The Brandt family was the royal one of the Mohawk nation ; the chiefs
always coming from that family, either by descent or election,, probably the
latter. There is a likeness of one of these Brandts, an -Indian chieftain, and it is
the noblest head I ever saw. *
The Mohawk nation gradually wasted away, and finally emigrated west,
or at leaslj the central portion of it, and at last settled down in this county,
and within two and one-half miles of where Tiffin now stands.
On the 29th of April, 1817, a treaty was held at the foot of the rapids of
the Miami of Lake Erie, near Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio, between
Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, commissioners of the United States, of
the one part, and the sachems, chiefs and warriors of what was then called:
the Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnees, Potawatomie, Ottawa and
Chippawa tribes of Indians, when all their lands within the limits of Ohio •
were ceded to trie United States forever.
Now at the above treaty there was not in fact a Seneca Indian present.
Instead of the Seneca it was the Moriawk tribe of Indians triat participated
with the other tribes in that treaty, or at least the remnant and head portion
of trie tribe.
At this treaty there was reserved by the United States :
" To John Van Meter, who was taken prisoner by the Wyandots, and who
lias ever since lived amongst them, and has married a Seneca woman', and to
his wife and three brothers, Senecas, who now reside on Honey Creek, one

EDEN TOWNSHIP. ' 531
thousand acres of land, to begin north 45 degrees west, 140 poles, thence and
from the beginning, east for quantity."
This John Van Meter was Johnny, the captive boy, and this Seneca
woman whom he had married was the last female, and these her three
brother, Senecas, were the last males of that great, noble, christian and royal
family of Brandt, the ruler of the Mohawk nation of Indians.
They were consequently Mohawks, not Senecas. The names of these
three brothers was Thomas, Isaac and Paulus Brandt. Thomas was the
chief of the tribe.
The tribe continued to reside upon the above reservation until in 1829,
when they joined other Indians and left the country. The place or locality
goes to this day by the name of Mohawk, or Mohawktown. • It is noted on
the map as " Van Meter Reserve."
At the time the Mohawk tribe left here, as above mentioned, it didn't ex
ceed probably twenty-five families.
John Van Meter lived, died and was buried on the reserve, and I am as-
¦ sured that one of our physicians has his skeleton. His death was some
years before his tribe moved west.
,,.. He was a man of more than ordinary decision of character, of a benevolent
.'disposition, and friendly to the whites. This county commenced to be
settled along in 1817, 1818 and 1819. Van Meter was comparatively wealthy,
owning large stocks of horses, cattle, etc. These early settlers had to rely
much upon his generosity, and it was never in vain that they sought relief
at his hands.
He died, leaving his son John, above .spoken of, his only heir. A suit was
afterwards commenced by some of the " VanMatres" against this son John,
Jr., to recover his father's share, one-quarter of the above reserve. This
suit was predicated upon the ground that the son John, Jr., was not the heir
at law of John Van Meter, for the reason that the latter and his wife, Susan,
were never married according to law, and that consequently the plaintiffs
were the true heirs.
The son Jorin, Jr., proved, however, that his, father and mother were mar^
ried ; that his father went out and killed some venison, and .brought it in,
and his mother brought in some corn ; that she then dressed and cooked the
venison and corn, and the two parties then ate it together, in the presence of
witnesses, and that that was the marriage ceremony among the Mohawk
Indians. The court held the marriage good and valid, and John, Jr., trip lawfulheir.
John, Jr., arid his three uncles, the Brandts, sold out the Van Meter reser
vation, in 1828, to Mr. Lloyd Norris, who afterwards lived (and died) upon
it, for the sum of $2,500.
In 1829 the Mohawk tribe, as I have said, moved west of the Mississippi
river. John, Jr., went with them.
The above reservation is upon Honey creek, within two and a half or three
miles of this place, and is as good land as there is in the state. There are
some very fine springs upon it. Van Meter creek empties into Honey creek
in this reserve. Mr. Norris has a fine grist mill upon the former creek, a
short distance from its confluence with the latter. (The mill is burnt down.)
I forgot to state how the Indians caught Johnny at Greenbrier, Virginia,

532 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
whicri was as follows : His two elder brothers easily cleared the fence,' and
ran, but Johnny undertook to crawl through a crack of the fence, but got
fast. In this situation the Indians caught him.
What tribe of Indians was this ? Please correct any and all errors in the
foregoiug as far as you are able. Truly, JAMES PILLARS.
The old settlers knew all these old Mohawks, and spoke of their
kindness and benevolence with feelings of pleasure.
Esquire Heaton furnished the: writer with a statement concerning his
father's family, from which the following is extracted:
' MICAGAH HEATON
Emigrated from Pennsylvania to Coshocton county in 1817, and entered land
in Bedford township. He camped in the woods until he had built a cabin.
He had then a wife and" two children. Here he laid out the town of New
Bedford, which is nqw about the size of Melmore. He there kept the first
hotel and postoffice. In 1829 he moved to Seneca county, and bought a
quarter section from Mr. Searles, in Eden township, about three-quarters of
a mile south of Melmore, on trie Kilbourn road. He traveled from Coshoc
ton to Seneca, about one hundred miles, in a big old-fashioned Pennsylvania
four horse wagon, riding the saddle horse. He built two cabins, and com
menced clearing land and finding subsistence for his large family of eleven
persons. He was a bricklayer by trade, and' often compelled to work at jobs
to earn money. The sugar-trough was used as a cradle in our house, and
mother used to do her baking in a "Dutch-oven." Flax was raised for sum
mer clothing, and manufactured by the family. The spinning was done by
hand. Mother carded the wool wriile my sisters spun it into yarn for cloth.
We boys were allowed one pair of shoes per year, which would be worn out
during winter, and in the summer we had to combat with the thistles and
nettles, wlrich grew very thick. They used to have " ldg rollings " in the
neighborhood,. Trie men would work riard all day and then
" Dance all night,
'Till broad daylight,
And go home with the girls in trie morning."
My father was a justice of the peace. General Sea and Mr.- Cowdry, the
Mormon lawyer/ attended court at our house, one time.
In the first few years after we settled here, the Indians often stopped at
, our house with cranberries to sell, and to beg. One day a younger brother
and I were playing " horse " in our cabin, when a big Indian came in, armed
to his teeth. He set his gun behind the door and walked up to the fire. The
"horses," who were down on all fours, took frightat the Indian and ran away
to the other cabin. The Indian wanted to stay all night, and father took
care of him.
Father lived to see nearly all the old settlers pass totrieir long homes. He
died in the year 1866, at the advanced age, of eighty years.
The wilderness, inhabited by prowling savages, 'had been' changed into

EDEN TOWNSHIP. c^
fruitful fields. The Indians had departed for the far west, and good markets
were established at home, for want -of which, in former times, the settlers
had to go to other towns far away.
There were so many distinguished men amojig the pioneers of Edep
that but a few of them can be noticed here, and of these only those
that were best known to the writer, and of whose life information was
¦ furnished.
,;- Some of the readers of this book will scarcely realize how discour
aging it is to a man when he undertakes to produce a faithful history,
and meets with people, in his search for information who take po inter
est in his mission and furnish no information.
There lived in Eden also an old German by the name of Philip Von
Blon. He came here with a large family in 1834, and located near
Samuel Martin's, on the Negrotown road. He was from Waldmohr,
in the Palatinate, and rather a marked character. .He was a great
fV reader and a vigorous thinker; a man of good moral character and
;';.- highly esteemed. He lived to about eighty years of age and died in
Tiffin. Mrs. John Fiege, already mentioned, was his oldest daughter.
V: His children have taken no interest in this enterprise, and it is to be'
regrettedthat no better sketch can be produced."
SAMUEL S. MARTIN.
Of this distinguished old friend of mine I here insert an obituary
- notice I found in one ' of the Tiffin papers, and which is short, but a
very faithful picture of him:
DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN OF SENECA COUNTY.
Samuel S. Martin was born in the town of Mifflin, Mifflin county, Pennsyl
vania, October 24th, 1795, and died April 10th, 1864, and was therefore sixty-
eight years, six months and seventeen days old. His father died when he
was quite young, and he was obliged to depend upon his own energies to
carry him through the vicissitudes of life. He removed to Ohio in 1812, and
in 1821 bought land in Eden township, to which he emigrated in 1829. In
common witri the early settlers of the county he was subjected to the hard
ships and privations of a pioneer life. He was a -man pf good natural en
dowments, which soon made him prominent in trie community ; he was
twice elected assessor of the county, under the then existing laws, and held
the office of justice of the peace for many years in Eden township. He
scrutinized every measure propounded to the public with great care, and
when his conclusions were reached, he never departed from triem. Pbliti-
cally, he was a Democrat, and felt great interest in the success of the great
conservative measures of his party. Few men can boast the coolness and
serenity of temper which Mr. Martin always exhibited. Affable in his inter
course with men, scrupulously honest in business, moral and high-minded
in character, he challenged the esteem of all who knew him, and left this
bitter world without an enemy.

534 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.'
Mr. Martin quietly entertained his own views of religion, but upon his
dying bed professed a hope in the saving pardon of God, and frequently said
that he was going to the realms of endless glory. He has left behind him a
record of virtue worthy of our imitation. His disease was chronic asthma.
Is it not singular that in writing -up a short history of a township^
obituary notices of father and son, both distinguished and good men,
and both especial dear friends of the writer,, should follow each other
so closely in succession ? But we all follow each other in close suc
cession, and one has scarcely time to tell the tale of his friend before
he is himself called away to realize the scenes of another mission.
ROBERT M'CANDISH MARTIN
Was born in Perry county, Ohio, September 18, 1822, and died April
4, 1879, and was therefore aged fifty-six years, six months and sixteen
days. In the spring of 1829 he came here with his father's family,
Samuel S. Martin, noticed above, and has resided in Eden township to
the time of his death, except only a few, years, as hereafter noticed.
In his youth he taught schopl in the winter and labored on his father's
farm during the summer and fall until 1846, when he was appointed to
the office of county recorder by the county commissioners, to fill the u
vacancy caused by the resignation of William H. Kessler, who had ~
accepted a clerkship in some department at Washington. In 1847 Mr.
Martin was elected to this office and re-elected" in 1850, making his
aggregate term of service about seven years. His official administra-1'p
tion was characterized by a high degree of capacity and singular punc- y,
tuality at his post Of duty. On October 12, 1848, Mr. Martin was
married to Barbara Kagy, daughter of Abraham Kagy, Esq., who still
resides in Bloom township. Thirteen children resulted from this
union, ten of whom, together with their bereaved mother, survive to
lament their loss. The funeral cortege whicri followed the corpse to
the burial was the largest ever known in the township, being nearly a
mile in length. During his prostrated illness of more than two years,
Mrv Martin manifested an almost heroic fortitude, and at the trying end
of his earthly race he met the remorseless " King of Terrors " with
such calm resignation that seemed to mock his power. The family of
of the deceased realized the fact that he must leave them, only a few
minutes before the end, and the wildest manifestation of grief prevail
ing, Mr. Martin essayed to calm their sorrow and counsel them for the
future He retained his reason and spoke up to within a minute or
two of his death, and thus peacefully and calmly he closed his timely
career. To Robert Martin, all who ever knew him record the highest

535
and noblest tribute to his memory. He was an honest and upright
man and an exemplary citizen.
The foregoing is taken from an obituary notice, slightly changed;
and if there is anything to be added to describe Robert as he looked
and walked, let me say that he was about five feet, seven inches in
height, well proportioned, had a high and noble forehead, dark eyes,
fair complexion, regular, delicate but manly features, and always met
you with a smile. His friendship was warm and firm and his notions
of honor high and sound. While he was decided in everything he had
put through the crucible of his own thoughts, he had great respect for
the opinions of others no matter how widely they differed. A rpan of
nobler impulses and warmer friendship than Robert Martin the writer
never knew.'
Among the enterprising farmers of forty years ago may be rememT
bered also: Richard Baker, George Denison, Thomas Baker, Selden
Graves, Sylvanus Arnold, John Baker, James Watson, Jesse Koler,
William Watson, David Olmsted, Benjamin Brundage, Daniel W. East
man, Philip Bretz, John Kagy, Adam Pennington, Hezekiah Searles,
John Bretz, Jonah Brown, John Gibson, John Crum, Jacob Price, John
Downs, Philip Springer, Jacob Andre, Samuel Kennedy, James Gray,
William Ireland, Dr. Bates and John Lamberson. James Stevens,
Jacob Buskirk, the Arnolds and others, were among the early settlers of
Melmore, also. JOHN SEARLES
Was born in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, February 20, 1775, on
a farm where he was raised. He was drafted to the army in 1812, after
he was-married and had settled near the town of New Lancaster, Ohio
He moved from there in the fall of 1820, with his wife and seven chil
dren, to this county and occupied for a while o'ne of the block houses
of the old Fort Ball, where he lived in one room with his whole family.
Paul Butler, the man who built Spencer's saw mill, occupied another
room. Mr. David Risdon boarded with him. Another room was oc
cupied by Mr. Henry Creesy and his family. Creesy was a blacksmith
by trade. The^ pickets were all standing then and the roofs of the
blockhouses were covered with clap-boards. The army road ran along
the river bank between the fort and the river. There was just room
enough for the road.
The fort had three block houses, one on each corner and one in the
middle, all facing the river. Back of the block houses was an open
yard, inside the pickets, of about half an acre. There was room enough

536, \HISTORY OF SENECA . COUNTY.
,in the block houses for about two hundred men. Mr. Bowe's tavern
was a double cabin and stood in the street north of the iron' bridge, and
the army road ran along in front of it also. David Smith occupied, for
a while, the same room with Mr. , Creesy. Rollins lived on the Souder
farm, (so-called afterwards).
In the spring of 182 1, Mr. Searles helped to open a road from Tiffin
to Rocky creek, where the church now stands, and where he had bought
167 acres of land. Here he built a. cabin in the' woods, and in 1825 he
built a frame barn which was probably the first one in the county.
Reuben Williams was the boss carpenter. Mr. Searles attached him
self to the-M. E. church when he was a young man, and up to his death
remained a faithful and honored member. After he located here on
Rocky creek, his house became a stopp'ing place for all the preachers,
and headquarters at nearly all the camp and quarterly meetings. For
several years the elections were held at his house. Except Tiffin, Eden
township contained the most decided politicians, strong Whigs and
strong Democrats, but in their township elections 'they picked their
officers from both parties. Here they voted for men only.
Mrs. Searles' maiden name was Duncan. They were the parents of
nine children, five boys and four girls, of whom four, sons , and two
daughters are still living.
The foregoing was fathered from what Mr. Hezekiah Searles related,
and he goes on to say: "-Our neighbors were the Welches, who had
located on the Olmsted farm. Charles Bretz, Mr. Sponable, i Cal.
Jacqua, the Boyds, /father Shelden, Thomas Vannatta, the Sneaths and
and others came on soon after. ,
"One time in the winter we lost a colt. We built a fence around it
with a trap lid and caught five wolves. This was before Seneca county
was organized, and we took the scalps to Lower Sandusky, where we
got $5 a piece for them. The rivers and creeks abounded in good fish-'
an$ the woods in ganie. We suffered the deprivations and -enjoyed the'
pleasures peculiar to that sort of life.
"Father died May 14, 1844, and mother October 30, 1871."
There is here in Eden township a sort of counterpart to the old stone
fortifications described by Mr. Swigart in Bloom, nea& Honey creek.
This one is near the same creek in the Vannatta section. After you leave
the Mohawk road, turning 'to the right at the corner of the old Wolf
farm, crossing the bridge going west, you cbme across trie bottom and
approach a hill, where you see a high bluff a little to the left, forming a
rounded corner at the northeast point. Upon this bluff there is a cir
cular embankment embracing nearly two acres of land.' The embank-.

EDEN TOWNSHIP. e,«
ment is now nearly flat on the top and looks as if at one time it must
have been a very substantial parapet. Mr. Randall says he saw oak
trees growing upon it two feet in diameter. The Mohawks lived all
around over this part of the country and knew no more about it than
the present generation of white people.
In a direction of a little east of north from this rampart, and within
the range of a rifle, are found very many leaden bullets of various sizes,
from grape shot down to 130 to the pound. Some of these have the
mark of the twist of a rifle barrel still clearly marked upon them.
Was this parapet once a part of an old fort ? Has history ever traced
the march of an army along this creek ? Was there ever a battle fought
in this valley, and if so, by whom ? What people built round fortifica
tions? Will somebody explain all this some day ?
HUGH WELCH.
For a while, it was a question in the mind of the writer as to which
township in the county a sketch of this distinguished pioneer should
be attached, because -he has now lived in Green Springs some time,
but he first located here in Eden, where he drove his stake in the woods
near Rocky creek. He has lived longer in Seneca county now than
any other man in it. His father was in' Washington's army, and so was
also his father's neighbor in Huron county, Mr. Seifert. These old
revolutionary veterans often talked over their scenes of strife for inde-
: pendence. Both were great admirers of General Washington.
In the month of February, 1819, Thomas &nd Hugh Welch, sons of
the above-named veteran,, started from Huron county to find homes in
the wilds of Seneca. They camped out the first night and in the morn-
. ing found themselves near Honey creek. Vegetation had already
started to grow,-for in the dense forest a certain degree of warmth was
retained, and the ground never froze very hard in the winter. They
followed down the stream, and somewhere near the late residence of
Mr. William Fleet, they came upon a band of Seneca Indians, who
were making sugar, and with them they encamped for the night. On
their journey down the creek on the next day, they arrived at the
Mohawk village, on the Van Meter section, already spoken of. Van
Meter made the Welchs welcome at his cabin and directed them to
some very eligible land in the neighborhood, which they bought, and
turned into homes Here they opened up the first settlement in Eden
township. In June following, two other brothers, Martin and John,
also came. Thomas died soon after. John became a member of the
Ohio legislature from Seneca county. Hugh and Martin moved to

538 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ,
Wyandot county. Martin and John are now also dead, and the Judge
is the only survivor of triat once large family.
Hugh Welch was the first postmaster in Eden township, and he held
the office at his opening, which was afterwards known as the Olmsted
and Richardson place. 'This was the first postoffice in Seneca county
east of the river. Mr. Welch was appointed by President Jackson.
John McLean was postmaster-general at that time and signed the com
mission as such. It is dated August 4, 1825., Mr. Welch sold the
Olmsted farm and the Richardson place and moved into Wyandot
county, where he was appointed one of the associate judges of Craw
ford county. Wyandot was then a part of Crawford. This commis
sion is dated September 22, 1834, and is signed by Robert Lucas,,
governor, and' M. H. Kirby, secretary of state. He was re-elected
associate judge, and his second commission bears date of February 4,
1842, and is signed by Thomas Corwin, governor, and Samuel Gallo
way, secretary of.state. The Judge sold his Wyandot farm and again
moved into Seneca county.
He laid out the town of Mexico soon after he moved into Wyandot;
helped to build the M. E. church there; donated the lot upon which
it was built, and for a long time and until he sold his property near
Mexico, was one of its most influential members. ;
Judge Welch was born -in Little Beaver township, Beaver county, Penn
sylvania, on the 18th day of February, 1801. His father's name was
Felix, and his mother's name was Margaret Barnes, who came from
England. His father was a native of the county of Derry, in Ireland.
The parents had six -sons and four daughters. Hugh was the fifth son.
In 1816 the parents moved with their children to Huron county,
Ohio, where they lived until the sons found better homes, in Seneca
county. Hugh was married on the 18th day of Septe-mber, 1823, to
Polly, second daughter of John Gibson. They had three children:
Eliza, married to William A. Watson; a little son who died at the age
of about four years, and Maria, who married Frank McBride, and who
has two interesting daughters, nearly young women grown. Judge
Welch's brother, Martin, was the first stationed minister at Toledo in
the M. E. church. The Judge was well acquainted with all the Mohawk
Indians on the Van Meter section, and knew Charline, who was a
nephew of the Brandt's, and the bitter, unforgiving foe of the Ameri
cans. He carried his hatred to. the grave with him. He had the skin1
of the leg and foot of a child tanned, in which he carried his trinkets.
He would not talk to a white man, and died ' from eating warm bread
beyond the Mississippi.

EDEN TOWNSHIP. 539
Judge Welch says that there were three brothers of these Brandt's,
Thomas, Paulus and Isaac. Isaac was his favorite. They were both
of about the same height and age; both full of fun and great wrestlers
Van Meter was a generous and noble man, and a great horse fancier.
Charline was about eighty years old when he left with the Mohawks
for the west. t
Mrs. Welch died June 6th, ,1869, at Green Springs She was the
first patient at the water cure. From the 8th of October, 1825, hitherto
Judge Welch has been a faithful member of the M. E. church.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.

T. 2, N. R. 14 E.
THIS township was organized on the 7th day of December, i824}
'as already stated. The first election was held on Christmas ,day,
the same year, at the house of Joseph Pool. Joseph Rosenberger, John
Stover and Nathan Cadwallader were elected as trustees; James Gor
don, clerk; John Stoner, treasurer. Robert, and John Shippy and John
Chaney were also early settlers.
In 1830 the population was 549; in 1840 it had, increased to 918, in
1870 it was 1,477, and m l88° i(: is I>°35-
Hopewell is also a wealthy township. The soil is very fertile and
the drainage is yearly improving it.
On the first of February, 1837, Mr. John Miller laid out the town of
Bascom.' George W. Gist was the surveyor. It is located on section
seventeen. Bascom is a station on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.
Agreen Ingraham, Jacob S. Jennings, John Sleeper, David Cover, ,
James Mathews, John Baughman, Peter Lonsway, Peter Young, Aaron '
Ruse, C. Weikert, Thomas Elder, Philip King, Joseph Ogle, Thomas
Rickets and others were also among trie early settlers riere.
The Coldwater railroad had also been constructed through this town
ship, and the iron laid. The project was abandoned and the iron
taken up, never to be laid down again (?).
On trie 6th day of August, 1836, Samuel Waggoner laid out a town
by James Durbin, surveyor, on section sixteen, which he called Hope
well, but no trace of it can be found. It never flourished.
Among the distinguished men who died in Hopewell was Joseph
McClelland,, one of the old Seneca county pioneers. He was born in
Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1787, and was married in
Ross county, Ohio, in or near Chillicothe, in the early part of- 1815.
He moved to Shelby county, Kentucky, in the same year. His wife
was Jane Boyd, sister of Thomas Boyd, one of the old county com
missioners. - '

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.' 5 41
Mr. McClelland moved to Bloom townsriip in 1822 and settledon-
section three. In 1838 he moved to Silver creek, settling on section
nineteen. In 1854 he moved to Hopewell, where he settled on section
thirty-five, and there died at the age of seventy-two years, four months
and thirteen days.
Mr. McClelland was a stout, active and industrious man, faithful to
his promises and prompt in the payment of his* debts. He took a deep
interest in all public affairs and held the office of county commissioner
six years, having been elected in 1842 and in 1845. He lived and died
in the enjoyment of the love and respect of all his neigribors and a
host of friends. SAMUEL SMITH
Was born November 8, 1806, in Kent county, Delaware. Soon there
after his father moved with his family to Ohio and settled nearRush-
ville, in Fairfield county.
When Samuel was about twenty-three years old, he came to Seneca
county and entered the west half of the northwest quarter of section
twenty-two, in Hopewell. Here he built a cabin and helped to open
the road towards Bascom. He worked out among farmers, drove team
for Mr. Hedges, and in 1833 he married Elizabeth Zeis, a daughter of
a German family that lived in Liberty township After he was mar
ried he moved upon his land, where he still resides. His wife died
September n, 1870, the mother of ten children, who are all still living
and doing well. Mr. Smith, himself, is still in the enjoyment of good
health, physically and mentally.
When he settled here in Hopewell, Mr. Henry Creeger was already
living on his farm near Wolf creek.
Samuel Todd, David Betts, David Cover, John Kune, George Shaull,
Joseph Ogle and a few others were in the neighborhood.
There were about twenty-five acres cleared on the school section,
and Mr. Covel moved onto triem in 1834, under a lease of the trustees.
There was also a small clearing on the James Mathews farm, now owned
by Mr. Neligh. The balance of this neighborhood was all woods.
JOHN MAULE.
One of the old settlers of this township was John Maule, Who was born
in Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1793. When but seven
years of age his father died in Baltimore of yellow fever. He learned
the trade of a blacksmith, and in 1827 he married Elizabeth Derr, sister
of our old pioneer friend, Ezra Derr, of Clinton township.
In June, 1830, he arrived here with a party consisting of his wife and

542 HISTORY OF, SENECA COUNTY.
two children, his father-in-law, Thomas Derr, his wife's sister, Mar- •
garet (who afterwards became the wife of William Baker), and Joseph
Heltebrake. Mr. Maule bought a farm one-half mile norths of Tiffin; on the state
road, where he also worked at his trade for seven years and then moved
one-half mile west onto the farm where the family now live.
While at his trade he 'did much work for the Indians, shoeing their
ponies, etc., and they esteemed him very much. He was well acquaint
ed with Red Jacket, Hard Hickory, George Harriman, the Walkers
and Dennis's '
His neighbors were Erastus Bowe, John Souder, George Stoner,
Henry Rosenbergef, David Risdon, Bartholomew Shaull, David Smith,
John Rosenberger, Henry and William Brish.
Mr. Maule was six -feet two inches tall; his weight was about two .
hundred pounds. He had but few gray hairs when he died, on the 31st
of October, 1866. He was a Quaker, and faithful to his creed; was
honest, truthful and quiet. He was the father of six children, four sons
and two daughters. Mrs. Maule. was born December 14th, 1804, and is
still living. GEORGE SLOSSER
Was born in Washington cOunty, Maryland, in 1770; in 1800 he bought
property in Jefferson county, Virginia. He was. married to Mary
Painter, in Washington county, Maryland, in 1805, and then moved
onto his land in Virginia, 133 acres. They had nine children in all,
four girls and five boys, who are all living but one. Mr. Slosser moved
with his family to Seneca county and located in Hopewell in 1832.
Mrs. Slosser died in 1840, aged fifty-three years, and Mr. Slosser died
in 1843, aged seventy-three years.
PETER SLOSSER
Is the oldest son of George Slosser, and came out here with his
father. He was born July 14th, 1806, and was married to Isabella
Mitchell, in Jefferson county, Virginia, March 28th, 1830. He is the
father of five living children
Mr. Slosser tells me that one night in March, 1834, a wolf made an
attack on his dog, and when Mr. Slosser came up to the combatants,
the wolf left the dog and made for ,Mr. Slosser, who picked up a stick
of wood and struck the wolf a heavy blow, which felled him, and was
soon dispatched.
In August, the same year, a deer was in his wheat field. Mr. Slosser
and his hired man halloed at him, which scared him, and, jumping

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.

543

over the rail fence into a- brush heap, he became entangled arid was
killed. David Fox, Peter Wagner, Abraham Miller, Jacob Bogart, William
Rickets, Samuel Kime, Joseph Ogle, Henry Creeger, Jacob Ruie,
Charles Chaney, John Chaney, Robert Shippy, Elias Kime, William
Kime and others were neighbors. JOHN DAWALT
Came to Hopewell in 1833. One time, while he was walking on the
road leading from Tiffin to Fostoria, about one-half mile from Bascom,
, where Mr. Hall now lives, he met a be«r on the road, who made for
•Dawalt. Having neither a gun nor an axe, he defended himself with
a hickory riaoe he had for a walking stick. The bear was very close to
him, and Dawalt having no chance to run, it became a fight for life.
He belabored the bear with riis club in such good style that he came
down, and Dawalt killed him. Mrs. Dawalt ran up while the fight was
going on, but Dawalt told her to stay away until the danger be over
JOSEPH OGLE.
The road that runs from Tiffin to Fostoria was surveyed along a ,
ridge, and on the highest ground that runs east and west through this
fowhship. Along on this ridge and op. the banks of the Wolf creeks
the first settlements were made. The. east branch of Wolf creek runs
longitudinal with the river in its general course. Near the southwest
corner of section one another branch puts into it from the west. Near
the north line of section twenty-three another branch of Wolf creek
puts into this east branch
Williard Sprague and Charles and John Chaney had a lease on sec
tion sixteen, known as Hopewell Center. These men, with their fam
ilies, were probably the- first settlers in the township. Mr. Peter
Schultz now owns trie southeast quarter of the section. Joseph Ogle ,
came to Tiffin on the 15th of June, 1824/ and very soon thereafter
bought from James Aiken the southwest quarter of section twenty-
three, which has ever sinae been known as the Ogle farm. When he
" landed in Tiffin he repted a cabin from Mr. A. Ingraham, and under-
crushed a road to his land on Wolf creek. Mr. Ogle's family was the
third family that larided in Tiffin after the organization of this county.
George Park, Horton Howard and David Bishop were here. Thomas
Loyd also, who was then a single man. Mr. Hedges brought on his
family about that time. Eben Mills had about thirty acres cleared on
land near Mr. Ogle, which he leased to Ogle on shares. During this-

544 s HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ,
year Ogle built a cabin on his land and moved into it in 1826, in April,
and cleared a few acres that year. Thomas Ogle, the oldest son of
Josepri, says he cut the first tree on the land. It was not much of a tree,
and Thomas was not much of a boy then. Mr. Ogle, helped to build
the first school house in this township. It was put up on the southeast
quarter of the school section, some two and one-half miles from' the
Ogle place. Sprague and Charles Chaney split the pungeon for the
floor. Mr. Chenowith and John Chaney built the, stick 'chimney.
Abraham Miller and Joseph Ogle put up the desks and benches.- These
were none of your patent benches, by any means, but were constructed
in this manner: Two-inch auger holes were bored into the logs along
the sides and sticks driven into them about two feet long. Loose clap
boards were laid onto triese sticks, and the desk was done. The seats
were pungeon benches., Mr. Chenowith was the first schoolmaster in
the township, and taught iri this school house. Reading, writing and
spelling constituted a full course. Mr. .Ogle had a son born to him
while he lived on the Mills place, and when the famiily moved into the
new cabin, Mrs. Ogle was removed to the house of 'Squire Plane, in
Tiffin, with her babe, to remain there until the cabin was dry enough
for her to come home in safety. The youngest child, Benj. F. Ogle,,
was born in the new cabin. > - _
When Mr. Ogle came here,-, two years before the Hart family, Bar
tholomew Shaull and John A. Rosenberg lived further down the'creek.
Nathan Cadwalader lived up the creek, in section thirty-four. The
Daughertys were also here then. One of the Daugherty girls was
married to George Park, in Tiffin, and another to Samuel Hoaglin.
In the spring of 1825, after Hedges' mill first commenced running,
they -bad a sort of celebration there. Mr Ogle and William Stripe
hitched up their ox-teams, and Mr. Hedges' ox-team was also hitched
up. The women got into the wagons, the men dnove the teams and
walked to the mill. Here they had a lunch and a general good time.
Some washed themselves in corn-meal, and threw meal into each other's
faces.. It was fun of that peculiar kind, but nevertheless a cel
ebration. When Mr. Ogle settled on Wolf creek they lived on corn, which they,
could get no nearer than Upper Sandusky. He and his son, Thomas,
rode horseback to the plains, and bought two bags full of corn, each
rider having a bag before him. The trip took two days: Upon their
return the corn was taken to Moore's-mill, near Lower Sandusky, to be
ground into meal, which took two days more. Upon their .return from
'the mill they had three bushels of meal, less the toll. A large family

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 545
would soon get away with that quantity of meal, especially when it was
bread and dinner for them all.
In the fall of 1826 Thomas Brandt and another Indian came into
Ogle's cabin and wanted bread. Brandt was drunk and drew a toma
hawk to strike Mrs. Ogle, but the other Indian stopped him.
The wolves were very plenty, and one evening while Mrs. Ogle was
milking the cows near the cabin, a lot of them came close to her, howl
ing, whicri scared her very much. One evening as the boys were re
turning from spelling school, the wolves got after them and followed
them to the house.
Mr. Ogle described to the writer the situation of the brush dam and
saw mill of Spencer, and the old fort and stockade then still in good
condition. Joseph Ogle was born in Frederick city, -Maryland, February 7,
1781. His father was one of the proprietors of the town. He was
married October 15, 1809, in Mechanicstown, Frederick county, Mary
land. They lived on the old Ogle farm, in Frederick county, a while,
when they moved to Hagerstown, where he kept tavern; then returned
and bought ' the Ogle farm, sold it afterwards and came to' Seneca
county. When he died in January, 1864, he was eighty- three years and eleven
months old.
He cleared 130 acres of land on his farm here, and raised eight chil
dren, two riaving died in criildhood.
Mrs. Ogle died in 1876, eighty-seven years old. Six of their children
are still living.
35

CHAPTER XXXV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.'

T. 3, N. R. 13 E.
THIS township was organized on the 4th day of December, 1832.
The first, election of township officers took place on the 3d day
of April, 1833, at the house of Abraham Rinebolt. Christian Foster,
John Stombaugh- and Michael Stahl were elected trustees; Henry Hoff
man and Abraham Rinebolt, supervisors; Samuel Rinebolt, Andrew
Ferrier and Daniel Swope, overseers of the1 poor; Enoch Trumbo,
clerk; Jonas Hampshire and Jacob Hollinger, fence viewers.
In 1840 the population was 586; in 1876 in had increased to 1,131;
in 1880 it is 1,394.
Henry Hoffman, in 1827, moved from Perry county, Ohio, and lo
cated on the southeast quarter of section thirty-six, the first sqttler in
the township, and his brother-in-law, Abraham Rinebolt, came from the
same, county in 1828, and located near him.
Enoch Trumbo is the only old settler living. He came in 1833, and
located on section twenty-two, where he still resides. He was once
,cOunty commissioner, and is, highly respected for his good sense and
honesty. Jonas Hampshire located on the northwest quarter of section twenty-
two in 1833. He usea to take a very active part in public affairs, and
was a leader in the Democratic ranks. He was a successful farmer,-
, and has accumulated a riandsome fortune; He lives in Wood county
now. Michael Stahl came in 1832, and also located on section twenty-two.
Daniel Swope came in 1833, als° settled on section twenty-one, and is
still there, also one of the oldest settlers living. George Stahl came
in 1834. James Robertson, the Hollopeters, William Noble (the father
of Hon. Warren P. Noble and Harrison Noble, the present .mayor
of Tiffin), Robert C. Caples, Samuel Yunker, Robert Shippy, Henry
Shoutz, Henry F. Johnson, the Long family, Abraham Craun (who is

JACKSON TOV/NSHIP. 547
still living), Joseph English, Thomas Chance, George Stoner and
Christian Foster were among the early settlers.
My good old friend, Henry Stahl, was a boy but fourteen years old
when he came to the township in 1836. He married Elizabeth, the
daughter of John Reinbolt. He is one of the most substantial men of
the township and highly respected for his manly virtues and excellent
judgment. John Lambrigrit, Frederick Feble, William Ash and others, were also
prominent citizens.
Isaiah Hollopeter laid out the town of Rehoboth on the 7th of
December, 1844, but it never flourished.
The location of the L. E. & L. railroad has brought market to this
township, and Jackson station is of great convenience . to the people.
Some parts of Jackson are rolling and gently undulating, but the larger
portion was, overflown by Wolf creek and exceedingly undesirable
on that account. The settlers entered the dry and best parts and the
wet portions could find no purchasers for many years. Even so late
as the close of the Mexican war, there were lands in Jackson upon
which A. Rank, a Mexican soldier, located his land warrant. This
was the last piece of public land sold in the county.
These swales^ hindered the progress of Jackson many years, but
finally, by judicious ditching, the surface water is led away, and Jack
son will rank' among the best townships in the county, there being very
little land within its borders,- unproductive.
Harrison's creek is one of the tributaries of Wolf creek.
The following is taken from the history of Fostoria and vicinity, by
E. W. Thomas, with his kind permission:
In 1832 a large body of Wyandot Indians camped in Jackson township
and engaged in their favorite pursuit of hunting game. They killed eleven
bears and one hundred and seven deers, besides large quantities of small
game. They were remarkably quiet and well disposed towards trie wriites.
They bought potatoes, corn, etc., but in all their transactions were perfectly
honest, and if a white family wished to get rid of Indians, they invariably
tried to get them in debt, for when they once got an Indian indebted to them
he would not call again; but the majority of them could never be induced.
to .go into debt. ' They would pay up punctually and often bring presents of
deer and bear meat.
The first whisky sold in the township was by John P. Gordon. The
Indians used to go to his store, then kept in Risdon, and get their fire-water.
They would get gloriously fuddled and make the woods resound with their
hideous yells. On one occasion, in the fall of 1832, they had been to Gor
don's shebang and imbibed freely of fire-water, and getting their bottles'
filled, they started for their camp, some four miles distant. They had to

548 HISTORY OF sfcNECA COUNTY.
pass the cabin of Mr. Nestlerode, on what was then known as the island and
bears that name to the present time; the same farm now being owned by
Mr. Nestlerode, who is a resident of Fostoria. They stopped, as they had been
in the habit of doing before, but were drunk. There were some six or seven
in the company. Wrien they arrived at Mr. Nestlerode 's cabin, they were
too drunk to get off their ponies, but Mr. and Mrs. Nestlerode assisted them
to dismount. When they entered the cabin, they commenced upsetting
chairs, tallies and everything that came in their way. They were feeling up
for the floor when a general fight ensued between the whole party, except .,
the chief, Thomas Koon, who was sober.
Their scalping knives and tomahawks were brought into use, and the fam
ily were frightened ; the children treed. under the beds. But Mr. Nestlerode,
by order of the chief, took the knives, tomahawks arid guns from them, and
their bottles of fire-water also. But the chief feared trouble when they
reached their camp, and probably fearing they might return, asked Mr.
Nestlerode to hand each Indian his bottle of fire-water ; which was done, and
then assisting them on their ponies, they again started for their camp, but ,
had proceeded but a short distance when one of the party became rather
top-heavy, and tumbled off. His companions halted, built him a fire, and
left him, and proceeded on to their camp. The Indian who had been left,
returned to Mr. Nestlerode's the next morning with his clothes badly burned,
and when asked what was the matter, replied : " Indian too much drunk ;
Indian take too much fire-water ; Indian sleep close big fire ; fire much burn
Indian, but white man get Indian drunk, then cheat Indian much."
On the next day each Indian returned alone for his property, that Mr.
Nestlerode had taken from him while drunk. Mrs. Nestlerode was very
anxious to get rid of them as soon as possible, so when the first Indian came
she brought out all the knives, tomahawks and guns, but he only took what
belonged to him, and when each one came he could only be induced to take
his own property. They all appeared ashamed of what they had done' the
day before, and like Adam in the garden of Eden, they lay trie blame on
some otrier person. "Bad white man; sell Indian fire-water; Indian get
much drunk ; Indian bad ; white man cheat Indian."

CHAPTER XXXVI.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

T. 3, N. R. 14 E.
THIS township was organized on the 5th day of June, 1832. The
first election took place April ist, 1833, when the following per
sons were elected as township officers, -viz
, Trustees— John Rosenberger,, Evan W. Brook, Jacob Kaine.
;¦' Clerk— John Craun.
;'•¦ 'Constables— Eben Oonway and Nicholas Rumbaugh.'
Supervisors— Adam Fleck, Isaac Hartsock, James Hudson, Levi Crissey
' and Josepri S. Conway.
In 1840 the population was 1,084; m 1870 it was 1,668 and in 1880
it is 2,159.
An area of nearly a mile wide and three miles long, in trie north
eastern part of the township, is one of those stoney ridges that are
found very frequently throughout the northwestern portion of Ohio.
%( In some places the limestone rocks cover the ground almpst entirely.
In other localities, near the ridge, they are strewn less thickly and the
land is cultivated. The township generally is free from stone, which
»,' makes this spot rather remarkable from a geological standpoint. It is
. otherwise level but very fertile and undulating in some localities.
Large crops are raised here annually. The western branch of Wolf
creek passes in a nbrtheasterly direction through- Liberty, driving sev-
: eral saw mills. The supply of water is sufficient to run three mills six
- months in. each year.
A town by the name of Middleburgh was surveyed by D. Risdon, on
the 8th of September, 1832, and on section nine. The land was formerly
' owned by Jacob Kessler. The town never flourished.
On the 12th of April, 1838, John Betts, a very enterprising citizen,
. laid out a town on section three, and called it Bettsville; David Risdon
was the surveyor, It is situate near the west branch of Wolf creek
, and has now over one hundred dwellings, two churches, one saw mill

550 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
arid sash and blind factory and several stores and shops. The large
brick steam flouring mill is doing a good business. Since the location
of the Toledo, Tiffin & Eastern railroad the business of the town has
improved very materially and is constantly on the increase. Fine brick
residences have been erected and trie town has assumed a very business
like, appearance, and the warehouse of Flumerfelt & Titus has greatly
added to its trade.
Abraham Ash, guardian of Jacob Ash, on the 9th day of March, 1855,
laid out the town of Kansas, near the northwest corner of the township.
It is on the line of the Lake Erie & Louisville railroad. It is fourteen
miles from Tiffin and thirteen miles from Fremont. The towji has one
dry goods store and a store of general variety, one grocery arid pro
vision store, one cooper shop, one blacksmith shop, one wagon shop,
one stove factory, one steam saw mill and one steam grist mill. There
are about fifty dwellings, occupied by over two hundred inhabitants.
The soil of the township is rich and very productive.
James Grimes, Jacob Null, Daniel Lynch, the Brickners, Gassman,
Lendelbachs, Smiths, Zimmer, Jacob Zeis, the, Robertsons, John
Michaels, Joseph Cessna, David Brown, Reuben Lott, John Powell, ;
JohnBaughman, George Feasel, Orfin Betts, Barney Zimmerman and
others are among the earliest and most prosperous farmers. Daniel
Reinbolt settled here in 1828.
On Saturday morning, the 7th day of August, 1880, a fire broke' out :
in the back end of A. W. Day's building, and destroyed nine rooms in
Bettsville, and other property, estimated over $11,000. Mr. Betts, ;
Schubert, John Cook, C. Norton, Joe Massony, George Schuster and
John Perong were the principal sufferers.
MRS. RACHAEL K. TURNER.
- This lady is one of the veteran pioneers of the county, spending the
evening of her long, eventful life in the shades of Liberty township.
She was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of July,
1797. In 1817 she came to Perry county, Ohio, where she remained
one year with friends and in the following year she went to Fairfield
county, where, in January, 1818, she was married to Benjamin Turner.
In 1829 they removed to this county and located one mile west of San
dusky street, in Tiffin.
McNeal's store arid Smith's tavern were then the principal buildings/;
in town. Their neighbors were the Ogles, Creegers, Cadwalladers;!
Millers, Jennings, Gordons, Arbogasts, Adelspergers and Graffs. Sh,e ^
was well acquainted with Mr McNeal and Mr. Crissey, and knew

,. . LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 55 1
Joseph Jenay, the colored cabinet maker. Crissey was the blacksmith.
In the summer of 1830, when the Senecas prepared for their depar
ture to the west, triey came to Fort Ball, where they camped out some
two or three weeks and made sale of their ponies and other personal
property. General Brish and Mr. Hart went witri them to the west.
Mrs. Turner also recollects the excitement occasioned by the acci
dental drowning of Robert Burns and Batholomew Kinney, who at
tempted to cross the river to the Tiffin side for the purpose of buying
a yoke of cattle.
In the year 1834 the Turner family removed to the northeast corner
of Liberty township, where she still resides. She says:
. When we came to Fort Ball, we bought_19 acres from Smith, the tavern
keeper. We paid him $94 in cash and the other $6 he was to take in game,
paying 60 cents for a hind-quarter of deer.
To Mr.,C. W. Harris my thanks are due for this statement.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
LOUDON TOWNSHIP AND FOSTORIA— THE FOSTERS-MARTIN KINGSEED.

T. 2, N. R. 13 E.
THE commissioners of Seneca county, on the 5th day of March,
1832, organized township 2, N. R. 13, into a legal township, to
be known by the name of Loudon. The first election was held at the
house of Benjamin Hartley, on the 2d day of April thereafter, and the
following named persons were elected to their respective offices, as
follows: Justice of the Peace— Abner Wade.
Clerk— John Tennis.
Trustees— Benjamin Stevens, Peter T. King, John Rickets.
Constable— Samuel Carbaugh.
Supervisor— Benjamin Hartley.
Overseers of the Poor— Abner Wade, Nathan Shippy.
Treasurer— Benjamin Stevens.
Fence Viewers— Nathan Shippy, John Reese, John Shiller.
In 1840 trie ' population of Loudon numbered 763; in 1870 it was
1,400; in 1880 it is 1,277, exclusive of Fostoria.
Besides the officers above named there were also Samuel Bear, Jacob
Rumple, Martin Adams, Philip Hennessy, Robert Rainey, Jacob Fruth,
George Heming, Peter Ebersole, Henry Sheller, David Young, Conrad
Rumple, Jacob Kaiser, John Gootd, JoHn Reinbolt, Jacob Dillon, Thos.
Dillon, the Peter families, Jacob Mergenthaler, the Fishers, and others
scattered over the township.
On the 31st of August, 1832, Roswell Crocker caused to be surveyed
on section six, of this township, a town that he, called Rome. David
Risdon was the surveyor. In 1840 it had a population of 80; in 1850
about 300. It is located on the Fort Findlay and Lower Sandusky
state road, and upon the Defiance and Tiffin state road, where it crosses
with the Bucyrus and Perrysburg road. It is twenty-two miles from ,
Fremont, fourteen and one-half miles from Findlay, fourteen miles from

LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 553
Tiffin, thirty-six miles from Bucyrus, twenty-five miles from Upper
Sandusky, and close to the Hancock county line.
A few days after the platting of Rome, on the 6th day of September,
1832, J. Gorsuch caxised to be surveyed on section one, T. 2, N. R. 12,
in Hancock county, and on section six, in Loudon, another town,
which he named after the old surveyor, and called it Risdon.
Mr. Risdon was a distinguished pioneer, and it is to be regretted that
some spot in Seneca county could not have been selected to perpetuate
his honored name. This town was intended to accomplish this, but
failed, as we shall soon see. Mr. Risdon was a surveyor by profession,
but otherwise useful in life. He was a tall, slender man, had a bushy
head of gray hair, a large blue eye, well proportioned features; stood
about six feet high; spoke slow, with a deep, sonorous voice With his
pants in his high top boots, in his Indian hunting shirt, fringed all
around, he was the very -picture of a pioneer surveyor.
Mr. Risdon, however, did not survey this town alone; he was assisted
by William L. Henderson, of Hancock county.
Henry Welch, Jeremiah Mickey and John P. Gordon were the first
settlers here.
In i848,it contained thirty dwellings, one church, one tavern, three
stores, one carding machine propelled by steam, one foundry, one
tannery, one steam saw-mill, one cabinet shop, one wagon shop, two
shoe shops, two saddle shops and three blacksmith shops. In 1850 its
population was about 200. It was ajpost town also, William- Thomas
being postmaster.
Dr. Marcus Dana and Dr. R. C. Caples were among its inhabitants.
The town was platted on the east branch of Portage river.
Th,ese two towns of Rome and Risdon, thus adjoining, became rival
towns, and it was wise when, in 1854, they became consolidated into
one town, and named in honor of one of its most distinguished early
settlers — Charles W. Foster, the merchant — and called Fostoria.
The country surrounding Fostoria is rich in agricultural resources,
but withal,- it is astonishing how this town has sprung up into its present
magnificent condition. Fostoria is rapidly becoming the rival of all
its neighboring towns. Its large and numerous business blocks, its
splendid school buildings and churches, its beautiful and numerous
private dwellings, exhibiting both taste and comfort, its railroads and
other general improvements, denote a most remarkable degree of
business life, and prove the energy, •industry and the mental and finan
cial capacity of its citizens. Numerous additions have been made to
Fostoria from time to time, so that now the corporate limits embrace

554 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
nearly all of section six, extend into section seven, into section thirty-
one in Jackson township, and into Hancock courity, covering about-
one thousand acres of land. "
The manufacturing enterprises are constantly increasing, and Fos
toria is decidedly the best railroad center in northwestern Ohio, except
Toledo. The Baltimore- & Ohio road, the Lake Erie & Louisville road, the
Columbus & Toledo road, and trie Ohio Central, formerly called the
Atlantic & Lake Erie railroad,, pass through Fostoria, The Mansfield,
Coldwater & Lake Michigan railroad had been finished to this place
also, but for some reason the iron wj,s taken up again and the track
abandoned. , •
The town of Rome was incorporated by an act of the legislature
passed February 19th, 1851.
John F. Morse was then speaker of the house of representatives, and
Charles C. Converse speaker of the senate.
On the 2d day of September, 18535, a petition was signed by William
Braden, Thomas Brian, H.,1. Vosburgh, W. Weaver,, A. S. Bement, E.
F. Robinson, Ch. Bonnell, John O. Albert, Reuben Brian, I. M. Coe,
John Wilson, George Gear, Lymari Kittel, Daniel Free, Abr. Metz,
Robert Doke, E. Bement, E. W. Thomas, D. D. Miller, H, W. Cole,
James Lewis, Umphrey England* and Johri M. Stewart, who appointed.
William Braden to act in their behalf, directed to trie commissioners of
Seneca Gounty, praying that the (west half of the northwest quarter of
section six, in Loudon towriship, may be attached to Rome. The
order was granted on the' 2d day of January, 1854, and Rome and Ris
don thereby became one town.
Mr. Stewart, in his atlas of Seneca county, speaking of Rome,, says
the consolidation took place in 1856, and in his biographical sketch of
Mr. C. W. Foster/says it took place in 1852. If he had guessed half
way between the two dates he would have been nearer right.
The act of incorporation of Rome by the legislature had twenty^nine
long sections, and gave the town all sorts of municipal power. . The
town would have been ruined by taxation had these powers all been
exercised. Joel W. Wilson was then in the senate, and Jacob Decker in the
house of representatives.
The early settlers in Loudon were men of great sagacity. They saw
in the near future the wealth that' this township must necessarily de
velop from the richness of its soil, being well watered an,d timbered..
In 1840 the population of the township was 763; in 1850 it was 1,781;

LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 555
in i860 it had increased to 2,465; in .1870 it was 3,133, out of which
2,736 were native born; in 1889 it is 1,277, exclusive of Fostoria.
Fostoria proper, in 1870, had a population of 1,733. My old friend
Jacob C. Millhime, Esq., who has just finished his work as census enu
merator of Fostoria, makes the population of Fostoria for 1880 to num
ber 3,045, exclusive of the portion in Jackson township and Hancock
county, which, being added, makes Fostoria proper number 4,111.
CHARLES W. FOSTER.
It is not only a remarkable fact that here in America the best men
are the self-made men, but the fact seems to be the result of our peculiar
form of government and the fruit of her free institutions. It requires
no hereditary title here to become distinguished among men. A. goodly
share of common sense, good health, proper deportment, industry,
.ji energy, integrity, all well combined and backed by a reasonable quan
tity of will power, have enabled thousands of men in all avenues of
human life to outstrip their fellows and reach the goal of both fame and
fortune. Our beautiful school system and our higher institutions /6f
learning are truly the pride of our state; but for success in life, an
ounce of sound, mother wit is worth more than a pound of book learn
ing. - The great contributors to the sciences; 'the plotting calculators
and thinkers and searchers, generally die poor.
The subject of this sketch belongs to that class of men who, when
they know that their plans are right, depend upon perseverance for
success. He was born in Brookfield, Worcester county, Massachusetts, op the
21st of November, 1800. His father moved with his family to western
New York, then sparsely settled, and located near Rochester, in 1820.
A gentleman by the name of John Crocker moved to Seneca town
ship, in this county of Seneca, in 1824. Two years thereafter, in 1826,
Mr. Foster also came to Seneca township to see Mr. Crocker's family,
and especially his beautiful daughter, Laura. It seems that there had
been some understanding between the young people before Mr. Crocker
left New York. ¦ ,
When Mr. Foster arrived here, he found Miss Laura in bad health
and took her to the Saratoga Springs, in New York, where she remained
some time and was restored to good health. She then visited her uncle,
James Richardson, who lived some thirty miles from trie springs, and
here, the young people were married on the 7th of June, 1827. They
then came' to Seneca and lived with the Crocker family. Here Mr.
Foster worked on the farm of his father-in-law two years, when he

-^6 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
moved to the Wolf creek, three miles north of Tiffin, where he had 160
acres in section eleven, in Hopewell, and whicri he afterwards sold to
George Shedenheim, by whose name it is known to this day. It was
then all in the woods and required work to clear it and found a home.
Mr. Foster had also another eighty-acre lot at that time. He sold all
his land, and with the proceeds of these sales, he and his father-in-law,
who had more means, opened a stock of goods in a cabin in Rome, on
the same spot where the Foster block now stands. This was in 1832.
The business of the firm was carried on in the firm name of Foster &
Crocket. Ten years thereafter, when the concern had already assumed
large proportions, Mr. Crocker withdrew from it, takirig away merely
the amount he had put in, and leaving Mr. Foster alone in the posses
sion and control of the constantly increasing business. Thus he con
tinued until his son, Charles, had grown up to nearly man's estate, and
who, in his youth, developed a remarkable faculty for business. This
¦feature in the nature of young Charles was inherited and then improved
by education, experience and practice. It sustained him in his suc7
cesses when he became ambitious and turned politician, for in the
management of a political campaign, from a business standpoint, Gov
ernor Foster has no superior anywhere.
In 1848, when his son was about twenty years of age, Mr. Foster took
him as a partner in business, and the firm of Foster & Son, increased
the growing fame of the house which continued thus six years, when
another accession was made, and Mr. Olmsted became a partner. It
was then Foster, Olmsted & Co., and continues so still as a grain firm.
The store proper is conducted in the firm name of Foster & Snyder
Brothers. Mrs. Crocker died in 1850, and John Crocker in 1854. They lie
buried in the Fostoria cemetery. Roswell Crocker, a brother of Mrs.
C. W. Foster, is still living in Fostoria, as is also his wife, Sarah Ann,
who is a daughter of John Cooper, Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster were the parents of five children, of whom their
son,' Charles, is the only one living.
When Mr. Foster started 'here in the woods, forty-eight years ago,
his and Mr. Crocker's combined capital in trade did not exceed #2,000,
and their annual sales not #3,000. The trade was principally barter
for skins and furs. The hpuse now has, a stock of about #80,000, and
their annual sales reach near #150,000. Including the outside business
of the firm in wool, grain, lumber, etc., they handle over a million of
cash annually.
Mr. Foster's manner of business was of that pleasant and manly

/y^~ ^'^^TTW^z:

LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 557
character that won him friends who constantly increased in number.
He kept out of litigation and lived up promptly to his contracts. All
this tended to secure him the confidence of the community. Any per
son who was able to secure Mr. Foster's good opinion, could get credit
with him, and at times men owed him more money than they were
worth. He could have sold out hundreds of them for debts they owed
him at the time, had he so willed, and utterly ruined them; very many
of them are now among the substantial men in the country.
The house of Foster has contributed largely to every enterprise that
was calculated to build up the town and country. Their sagacity, fore
sight and promptitude in business have not only stamped their own in
dividualities upon the community, but have also inspired others to enter
prise , and practical business life, so that now, while the Foster house
enjoys its great wealth, the community at large is greatly benefited and
in about the same proportions to its constant increase in wealth and
business. Mr. Foster, now nearly four score years, is still enjoying the society
of his wife and a host of friends. His health is good and he promises
fair to become a centennarian. It is a pleasure to see him on the street
every day engaged in familiar, friendly , conversation, cracking his old
jokes and having a kind word for everybody. And it is still more
pleasant to notice the kirid, friendly and almost filial affection the peo
ple, of Fostoria,_young and old, seem to entertain for him. There is
something besides wealth that creates happiness. A man who has
nothing but money is poor, indeed.
CHARLES FOSTER
Was bqrn on the old Crocker place, at his grandfather's house, in Seneca
township, on the 12th day of April, 1828. In 1854 he was married to
Annie, a daugter of Judge Olmsted, of Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio.
Their union was blessed with two daughters; Jessie and Annie. He
entered into business with his father when, he was but a boy, and is still
associated with, and is the new life of, the concern.
In 1870 Mr. Foster was elected a member of the 42d congress, from
the 10th "district. He was re-elected in 1872. His attack upon the
Sanborn contract and his conflict with General Butler in debate, brought
him very popularly before the country. He was re-elected in 1874;
and again in 1876. He was nominated again in 1878, but the district
having been chaijged and made so overwhelmingly Democratic, that
he was .defeated. In October, 1879, he was elected governor of the
state. If, at the Chicago convention that nominated General Garfield

558 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
for the presidency, Mr. Blaine had been nominated, Mr. Foster would,
undoubtedly, have been nominated for vice-president. The Republi
can party would thus have put into the field a ticket more formidable
than that of Garfield and Arthur, to say the least of it.
It is a fact worth recording that while the city of Tiffin is named after .'
the first governor of Ohio, the city of Fostoria is named after the last
governor of Ohio, and a native of old Seneca. Excellent like-riesses in
fine steel engravings of both these illustrious gentlemeri adorn the pages
ofthis book. Let me say, without vanity, that I am prOud of the co
incident. The like of this fact will never be written again,
. Tiffin is the only county seat, in Ohio named after' its first governor,
and while this history of Seneca county is being written, a native of Seneca .
and one of its most honored sons is the chief executive of the state; pre
siding over three millions of freemen, forming a state whose resources
for wealth and human hkppiness are inexhaustible; whose climate is.
unsurpassible; wh°se intelligence and system of education are the admi
ration of the age in which we live.
MARTIN KINGSEED.
Among the distinguished business men of Fostoria is also my esteemed
old friend, Martin, the subject of this sketch, and I am only conferring
a great pleasure upon myself when writing a short story of his life. We,
were boys, frequently meeting eacli other in Germany, and before we
had grown up to be men, found ourselves in the woods of Seneca coun
ty, where we have fougrit the battles of life, each his own way, as best
we could. Here we have spent the morning, noon-tide and afternoon
of our manhood days in friendship and mutual regard that grows warm
er as the evening begins to draw long shadows on the wayside.
Martin was about seventeen years old when his father settled in the
woods of Seneca in 1834. He took hold of the work necessary to open
up a clearing and starting a home in the wood's, with a will. Being
endowed by nature with a strong, healthy body and a head of his own,
he soon made himself useful all around and-worked at home until he"
was 25 years. old. After the death of his mother he started to work for
Henry St. John, at a saw mill on the river. Here he remained six years
'in succession. In 1847 he came very near losing his life: a large log
was being rolled into the mill; he fell in front of it, when the log rolled
onto him from his feet to his breast and back again. He was carried;'
out of the mill, apparently lifeless, by John Kerr and Mr. McAllister, '
who happened tobe near. Mr. Kerr was aThompsoniari physician at
that time, and applying his skill; restored his patient in a short time.

LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 559
This was on the 2d of January, and on trie 6tri of May following, he was
found under another log at 1 o'clock a, m., which laid him up for some
time, and the effects of which he feels to this day. He quit the saw mill
and looked for lighter work, being now disqualified to do hard work;
he assisted in the survey of the railroad from Bellefontaine to Union
City for nine months.
On September 17, 1850, he was married to Elmira Emily Noel (who
was born June 19, 1826, in Frederick county, Maryland), and located in
Tiffin, where he bought a house near the railroad, on .Clay street. Here
he entered the store of John G. Gross as clerk, selling hardware and
studying the laws of trade in that line for six years. Then he traded
his property in Tiffin to Mr. Gross for a 'stock of hardware he then had
in Rome, and moved there in October, 1855. His is now the oldest un-_
changed mercantile establishment in Fostoria.
Martin was born November 19, 1817.
He is the father of eight children, four sons and four daughters, seven
of whom are living. Charles Edwin is traveling for Messrs. Mcintosh,
Good & Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Francis Dorwin is clerk in his father's
store. Some of the daughters are keeping house for their father, and
the younger children are going to school. Mr. Kingseed lived very
happily with his family until on the 7th day of February, 1877, when
Mrs. Kingseed died after a short illness of a few days. The oldest
daughters are young ladies now and seek to make the life of their hon
ored father as happy as it is in their power to do, but there is that
vacant chair, and the absence of that mother's smile, which always
cheered the whole household.
During the twenty-five years that Mr. Kingseed has prosecuted his
business here, Fostoria has made a great change and made more rapid
progress' than any other inland town in Ohio.
.Michael Noel, the father of Mrs. Kingseed, died April n, 1870, and
Mrs, Noel April 1.7, 1878.
In conclusion, I wish to add, that no citizen in Fostoria is more gen
erally esteemed than Martin Kingseed.
RESIDENT LAWYERS IN FOSTORIA, BEING MEMBERS OF THE TIFFIN BAR.
JUNIUS V. JONES
Was born January 23, 1823, in Gallia county, Ohio. His father moved
with his family to Wood county, Ohio, in 1832, where Junius was raised
to manhood. In 1846 he came to Fostoria, where he held the office of
justice of the peace fifteen years. He read law and *vas admitted to

560 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY^
practice in 1868 in Tiffin, and opened an office in Fostoria. He was
also admitted to practice in the courts of the United States in 1878.
He was married in 1846, and had seven children, six boys and one
girl; all living.
It seems that sometimes the muses take possession of the thoughts of
the Squire, and in one of these spells the following poetical effusion
of an Indian legerid on the Maumee was produced.. I give it here
with friend Jones' note: Fostoria, Ohio, March 4, 1880.
Dear Judge : In reading this week's installment of your History of
Seneca Cpunty, I found you had got General Wayne to Defiance, where, in
fancy, I suggested trie theme for my poem, written some years ago, entitled
THE INDIAN MAIDEN.

A LEGEND.
By J.V. Jones.
I.
In days long ago, in the depths of the wild,
When the woods rang with shouts of trie joyous and free,
An Indian maid, with, trie voice of a child,
Fondly played on the banks of the pleasant Maumee.
11.
'Twas far in the past, in trie long, long ago,
In trie days of her mirth and youthful glee,
This Indian maiden was oft seen to row,
On the moonlit waters of the pleasant Maumee.
111.
One pale, moonlight night, near the smooth flowing river,
She stole from her wigwam, with heart light and free,
To meet her dark lover, with arrows and quiver,
To rove on the' banks of the pleasant Maumee.
IV.
Her bark moved in silence on the dark, flowing river,
In search of her lover so anxious to see;
No thought for a moment that he would deceive.her,
As she stole near the banks of the pleasant Maumee.
v.
But hark ! wriat is triat ? the pale face is coming;
She thought of her lover; could she warn him to flee ?
But the conflict was sharp, and the camp-fires were burning,
Where her lover was slain, near the pleasant Maumee.
' 1 VI.
Each year, just at autumn, when the green leaves are fading,
When the soft winds are sighing o'er woodland and lea,
The pale phantom ghost of this Indian maiden,
Is seem near the banks of the pleasant Maumee.

LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 561
Squire Jones (as he is familiarly. called) once said to the writer: "All
the schooling I ever had was attending the school taught by the Hon.
Warren P. Noble." WILLIAM j. SCHAUFELBERGER
Was born January, 29, 1853, at Fqstoria, Ohio; graduated from Heidel
berg college in the class of 1875; studied law in the office of Judge ,
Seney; was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1877 arid located here
in January, 1878. ALEXANDER BROWN
(Brown & Guernsey) was born in Perry county, Ohio, May 27, 1832;
admitted to the bar in 1864, located first at Perrysburg, Wood, county,
Ohio, and then in Fostoria in the fall of 1872.
WILLIAM J. RIGBY
(Rigby & Bever) was born at Fairfield county, Ohio, May 22, 1815;
was admitted to the bar in i860; located in Fostoria in 1867 and is at
present the mayor of the city. CHARLES GUERNSEY
(Brown & Guernsey) was born in Wood county, Ohio, January 31,
1858; admitted to the bar July 11, 1879; located at Fostoria immedi
ately thereafter. On the 31st of January, 1880, he was married to Miss
Mina G. -Brown, of Fostoria. J. M. BEVER
(Rigby & Bever) was born December 9, 1853, in Eden township, in
this county; graduated at Otterbin University of Westerville, Ohio; he
was admitted to practice law April n, 1878, and immediately located
in Fostoria. He was married July io, 1878, to Miss S. J. Rugg.
DAVID H. EVERITT
Was born in Franklin county, Ohio, February 6, 1849; was admitted to
the bar in October, 187 1; located first in Kenton, Ohio, then in Fos-
.toria in 1.874, He was elected justice of the peace in 1878.
JOHN B. BARNES
Was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, June 20, 1846; admitted to the
bar May 3, 1870; located first at Letonia, Columbiana county, Ohio,
December 1, 1870 and in Fostoria October 18, 1877.
/ , JOHN A. BRADNER
Was born at Niagara Falls, New York, August 13, 1833. He came to
Ohio in 1849, and located in Fostoria in 1863. He was admitted to
the bar in 1879. During the past twelve years he held the office of
justice of the peace.
36

562 HISTORY OF , SENECA COUNTY.
DAVID HAYS
Was born December 19, 1819, in Beaver couety, Pennsylvania; admit
ted to the bar in i860 and located in Fostoria in 1837.
. > ¦ FOSTORIA ACADEMY.
This institution is in charge of the conference Of the United Breth
ren in Christ, in northwestern Ohio. At their conference, held in 1878,
the subject of locating an academy somewhere in northwestern Ohio
was suggested, and the Rev. Isaac Crouse, a minister of the order, re
siding in Fostoria, urged the propriety of, and succeeded in having the
Academy located at this place, on condition that Fostoria will sub
scribe and pay #20,000, or furnish suitable buildings and grounds for
such purposes to the value of #20,000. The people subscribed the re
quired sum, ' Governor Foster assuming one-fifth of the whole subscrip
tion. Thereupon the conference met and appointed the following
boards, viz: TRUSTEES.
President— Rev. L. Moore.
Vice-President— Rev. D. R. Miller. \
, Secretary— Rev. Isaac Crouse.
Rev. A. Rose, Rev. A. Powell, Rev. S. J. Harbaugh, Governor Poster, M.
Saltzman, J. M. Bever, R. C. Bennett, Jesse Bower and J. G. Oberholtzer.
' EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Rev. A. Rose, Captain F. Ii. Stewart, M Saltzman, J. M. Bever and Jesse
Bower. BUILDING COMMITTEE
Rev. A. Rose, Captain F. R. Stewart, Rev. R. French, N. Saltzman and
J. M. Bever. >
The architectural design of the academy is very creditable, in fact,
beautiful, and a great accession to Fostoria, indeed. The board of
trustees, at their late meeting, commended the executive and building
committees for their good management and economy.
The school was begun in the fall of 1879, with about sixty students.
Pending the completion of the academy building, the executive com -
mittee rented the old Union school house, where their school was con
tinued for one year. The next session will open in the academy August
31, 1880, and, promises to be well attended.
FACULTY.
Principal— Rev.W. T. Jackson, Ph.D.-Language and Higher Mathematics.
History and English— E. L. Shuey, A. B.
Science and Matriematics— Mrs. L. A. Macklin, B. S.
Principal Commercial Department— Rev. I. Crouse.
Vocal and Instrumental Music— A. W. Kelley, M. A.
Librarian— E. L. Shuey, A. B.

' LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 563
THE UNION SCHOOL BUILDING
Is a beauty in its appearance outside, situated on most eligible and
-delightful grounds, and trie inside arrangement is said to be one of the
best of any school house in northern Ohio. The Union schools of
- Fostoria are under the care of an efficient board of directors and the
superintendent is one of the distinguished educators of Ohio.
, Number of children enumerated  1,011
" " enrolled..-  694
" " in average monthly attendance  563
in " daily "  489
" " in trie Catholic school  70
The school grounds embrace five acres on the north side of High
.street, and were purchased at a cost of #7,500. The building was put
'.up at an expense of #22,500. The heating apparatus and furniture cost
;" about #5,000— $35,000 in all.
The following gentlemen constitute the present school board:
President^R. C. Caples.
Secretai|r— Simpson Jones.
; ."Treasurer— Jorin E. Wilkison.
William H. Grapes, A. S. Williams and J. F. Ricriart.
INSTRUCTORS. SALARY.
Superintendent— E . J. Hartley  $1 ,400
-Teacher in Higri school— 0. T. Abbott  600
Assistant teacher in High school — Tina Triomas  ,  342
Teacher in First Primary school— James Hays   405
Assistant teacher in First Primary school — Emma L. May  315
Teacher in Grammar school— ^-A. B. Hays  .-...'  300
SECOND PRIMARY. SALARY.
, F. W. Boley..v...v  $300
Kate Owen  300
Emma Shaw  300
Mary Gordon  ,300
Nelly Ballard  300
Mary Clark  300
L. V. H6ndershott  ,  300
THE OPERA HOUSE
In Fostoria adds very much to the appearance of the town and helps to
give it the air of a young, growing city. It was put up at a cost of #30,-
000. Its large hall, 66x100 feet, is lit by gas. The lower story is occu
pied by three splendid stores. The second and third stories form the
opera house proper.

564 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
, Mr. John Andes, the owner and builder, is a native of Seigelbach,
near Kaiserslautern, in the Palatinate of Germany; where he was born'
August 14, 1835. He came to Tiffin in 1852 and established himself
in the carriage business in Fostoria, in i860. In 1862 he was married
to Miss Philipina Reis. He is a fair specimen of a self-made man.
OTHER INDUSTRIES OF FOSTORIA.
Dry goods— Foster & Snyder, Weaver & Adams, L. J. Hissong, C. D. Scott
& Co., B. F. Fosty.
Clothing— John Wagner, J. F. Ensminget
Hardware— M. Kingseed, N. Poits & Co.
Stoves and tinware— F. R. Stewart, D. S. Boyd & Co., R. Alcott, Schatzell
& Faulhaber.
Groceries and provisions— R. Crocker, N. Burtcher, James Quinn, S.
Starn & Son, I. N. Mickey, John Lenhart, S. O. Slosser, G. A. Fall, D. M.
Snyder, G. A. Shrey, M. E. Morgan, Wilson Brothers, Wm. Fisher, John
Godfrey, Beamish & McCarthy, Weisbaugh & Guernsey, J. G. Strawman.
Bakeries— G. A. Fall, James Quinn, Wm. Fisher.
Drug stores— Eshelman & Harbaugh, Charles Hays & Co., Fritcher &
Shaufelberger, Mussetter & Wolfe.
Triere are also 12 saloons, 3 billiard rooms, 4 meat markets, 2 flouring mills,
2 saw mills, 2 planing mills, 1 spoke factory. *
Cunningham <fc Co. employ 25 men.
The Fostoria Stave and Barrel Co. employ 35 men.
Foundries and machine works— Ports, Mariecka & Co., T. B- Jacobs, Doe,
Evenbeck & Co.
Wagon and carriage works— B. M. Myers, John Andes, Wm. Mergun- .,*
thaler, Billyard & Huth, Ernest & Dale, A. T. McDonel, Doke & Ersig.
Fostoria Novelty Works— Tirigle & Bower, proprietors.
Cigar manufacturers— F. J. Kinnaman, Fred Schultz.
Restaurants— Lon. Cunningham, F. H. Gibbons; R. Cooper.
Dentists— Dr. C. E. Davis, Howell & O'Brien.
Banks— Foster & Co. (C. W. Foster, C. Foster, J. E. Wilkinson).
Elevators— Foster, Olmsted & Co., Brown, Nicriols & Co.
Livery stables— Daniel W. Musser, T. C. Heilman, S. J. Kintz.
Hack lines— R. E. Smitri, Doke & Ersig.
Andes Opera House— F. D. Kingseed & Co., lessees; 750 seats; folding
opera chairs; size of stage, 30x66 feet.
Liberty Hall— Seats 400.
Stone quarries— Bradner & Williams, D. P. Lloyd.
Fire Department— C. E. Davis, chief engineer.
Fostoria Tile Works— Overholt & Co., proprietors.
Jewelry stores— Smith & Scriaufelberger, E. Fisher, M. Mueller, Samuel
Ewing. Boots and shoes— Yunt & Norris, L. J. Hissong, Foster & Snyder, Weaver
& Adams, J. O. Albert, T. C. Simmons.
There are also 8 millinery shops, 7 insurance agencies, 6 tailoring estab
lishments, 1 marble works, 1 brass band, 1 company Light Guards, A. M.
Dildine, captain.

LOUDON TOWNSHIP.

LODGES.

56'5

Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, Grand ,
Army of the Republic. HOTEL'S.
Hays House— W. H. Grapes, proprietor.
Fostoria House— Jacob Bick, proprietor.
Central Hotel— Monroe Isenhart, proprietor.
American House— Peter Simonis, proprietor.
Hale House— Randall Hale, proprietor. NEWSPAPERS.
Fostoria Review, "Republican— O. J. & J. P. DeWolf , proprietors.
Fostoria Democrat, Democratic— Frank Hays, proprietor.
CHURCHES.
M. E. Criurcri— Rev. S. L. Beiler, pastor.
First Presbyterian— Rev. Josreph A. Hughes, pastor.
St. Wendlinus, Catholic— Rev. M. Arnoldi, pastor.
United Brethren— Rev. E. A. Starkey, pasfori
English Reformed— Rev. L. Casselman, pastor.
German Lutheran— Rev. G. A. J. Cramer, pastor.
Protestant Methodist— Rev. E. H. ScOtt, pastor.
FOSTORIA LODGE NUMBER 288, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
First communication July 30th, 1856. Charter members working
under dispensation:
C. R. Staley, Andrew Wiseman, Nathaniel Taylor,
R. C. Caples, C. R. Ferris, J. W. Griffith,
Jas. Lewis, - A. M. Blackman, J. S. Walding,
O. Welsh, James L. Mickey, Wesley Bradford.
Regularly organized under charter No. 288, dated October 23d, 1856,
' with the following officers:
W. M.-R. C. Caples.
S. W.— tJas. Lewis.
J. W-.-O. Welsh. - -
Treasurer— J. L. Mickey.
Secretary— B. L. Caples.
S. D.— A. M. Blackman. '
J. D.— P. D. Caples.
Tyler— Samuel Dale.
The following are the names of the past masters, all ofwhom are now
' living, excepting A. M. Blackman:
R. C. Caples, J. W. Bricker, George L. Hoege,
R. W. Hale, C. E. Davis, W. D. Robbins,
A. M. Blackman.

g66 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The lodge is in a flourishing condition, with a present membership of
ninety-eight. The following is the Calendar and list of present officers of the lodge:
CALENDAR.
Stated communications in Masonic Hall on trie first and third Mondays in
each month, as follows :
January  5-19 , May  3-17 September...  6-20
February  2-16 June,  7-21 October  4-18
'March..  ...1-15 July   5-19 November  1-15
April  5-19 August  2-16 December  -.. 6-20
Installation, 1880, January' 5. Election, November 1, Installation, 1881,;
January 3.
Officers: ,'
W. M— F. J. Schaufelberger.
S. W— - J. W. Schaufelberger. '
J. W — C. W. Thomas.
Treasurer— S. G. Malony. „
Secretary— A. M. Dildine.
S. D.— O. V. Wood.
J. D— Samuel Dale.
Chaplain— C. E. Davis.
Marshal— J. J. Worman.
Stewards— S. E. Newcomb, S. E. Hale.,
Tyler— J. C.. Springer.
Finance Committee— W. D. Robbins, J. P. De Wolfe, E. J. Cunningham.
Grievance Committee— J. A. Bradner, G. L. Hoege, F. R. Stewart.
FOSTORIA LODGE NUMBER 86, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Instituted June 2 2d, 1875. Twenty-eight charter members.
First officers:
P. C. and D. D. G. C— John J. Worman.
C. C— David Olcutt.
V. C.—C. C. Young.
P.— James M. Chamberlin.
K. of R. and S.— N. P. Robbins. - , .
M. of E.— Wm. Logan,
M. of F .—Simeon Yunt. . r ¦ - ',
M. at A.— George Enos.
I. G.— S. F. Kiser.
O. G— Peter Urcriel.
.Present number of members, forty.
Present officers:
D. D. G. C— J. A. Noble.
P. C— L. D. Mussetter.
C. C— Moses Smith.
V. C.-S.F. Kiser.

LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 567
P.— William H. H. Williams.
K. of R. and S — Charles E. Ruben.
M. of E.— William D. Robbins.
M- of F.— N. P. Robbins.
M. at A.— Peter Dennis.
I. G.— John True.
O. G.— T. L. Brown.
Trustees— John J, Worman, Alonzo Emerine, Frank Caples.
Meeting nights Tuesday of each week.
FOSTORIA LODGE NUMBER 305, I. 0. O. F.
Instituted June 6th, 1856. Number of charter members, five.
Names of officers when instituted:
P. G.— Samuel Gee.
N. G.— D. S. Luce.
V. G.— Simon Bricker.
Recording Secretary— O. 'Welsh.
Treasurer— Joseph Haines.
Present number of members (July ist, 1880), 100.
Names of present officers:
P. G.— Jno. Y. Calahan.
N. G— L. J. Esrielman.
V. G.— D. Gelmore.
Recording Secretary— Daniel Hunsecker.
Per. Secretary— Martin Adams.
Treasurer— John Wagner.
LOUDON ENCAMPMENT NUMBER 1 67.
Instituted June 16th, 1873. Charter members:
Jacob Newhouse, A. Georgia, G. A. Knight,
I. Wiseman, Samuel Ewing, R. Adams,
3. G. Ma'lony, J. C. Springer, G. H. Reece,
3. E. Hale, W. J. Seiple.
The following officers vfere then installed:
C. P.-S. E. Hale.
S. W.-S. G. Malony.
H. P.— Samuel Ewing.
J. W— Robert Adams.
Scribe— J. Newriouse.
Treasurer— J. Wiseman.
Present officers:
C. P.— D. W. Snyder.
S. W.— L. J. Eshelman.
H. P.— Martin Adams. s
J. W.  .

568 4 \ HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Scribe— G. A. Knight,
Treasurer— John Wagner.
FOSTORIA COUNCIL NUMBER 68, ROYAL ARCANUM.
Instituted March 29th, 1878. Twenty-four charter members.
First officers:
Regent— George L. Hoege. - ,
Vice Regent— L. D. Mussetter.
Past Regent— C. E. Davis.
Orator— J. W. Schaufelberger.
Collector— T. M. Garrison.
Secretary— D. R. Stiner.
Chaplain— A. T. McDonel.
Guide— L. G. Williams.
Warden— D. Asire,
Sentry— M. Smith.
Trustees— J. A. Woolf , P. T. Norris, W. H. Bannister.
Present membership, twenty-eight. :
Meets the first and third Wednesday evening of each month. .'.
SENECA COUNCIL NUMBER I72, AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR. ','¦'
Instituted April 27th, 1880, with twenty-two charter members.
Following is a list of officers for present year:
Commander — A. Weaver.
Vice Commander— W. D. Robbins.
Secretary — J. T. Yunt.
Past Commander — R. Alcott.
Collector— T. M. Garrison.
~ Orator— G. L. Hoege.
Chaplain— S. L. Beiler.
Treasurer— T. S, Green.
Guide— J. J. Breining.
Warden — Daniel' Hunsecker.
Sentry— Randall Hale.
Trustees— J. F. Richart, John Noble, John F. Heilman.
Present membership, twenty-three.
Among the German pioneers of Loudon were also
JACOB FRUTH.
He was from Beindershejm, in the Palatinate, and settled here in
1833. He died in 1872, at the age of eighty-two years. He wasaman
highly esteemed for his good sense and good morals.
CHRISTIAN SCHLEMMER
Was in the army of the great Napoleon. He came to Ohio in 1832,
and died here in 1874, at trie age of eighty-four years-

LOUDON TOWNSHIP.

ABRAHAM PETER

569

Was born in 1786; located in Loudon in 1840, and died here at the age
of eighty years. JACOB PETER
Was also over eighty years of age when he died.
JOHN GEORGE FRUTH
Was also one of the principal German settler, and sixty-eight years old
when he died. JACOB MERGENTHALER
Came here from Wurtenberg in 1833, and was high in the seventies
when he died. MELCHIOR HEISSERMAN
Also came in 1833 and lived to be seventy-eight years of age.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

T. 3, N. R. 15 E.
SO much has already been said of the scenes and incidents that
clustered around Fort Seneca in the beginning of this hook, and
many of the men and women who then attracted our attention there,
that now, when I am about to close and leave the kind reader to his
own meditations, there is nothing further to say about this grand, old
township, than to describe some more of the men who helped to make
it what.it now is.. And there is histpry in their, lives also that is well
enough to preserve. \
URIAH EGBERT.
The Reverend and~Venerable Father Thomas Thompson, who more
than fifty years ago preached to the people scattered through these
wilds, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and who is still living at his Old home
stead on the, South Greenfield road, sent to the Tiffin Tribune the fol
lowing communication, which was published on the second day of
November, 1876. It gives a short sketch of Mr. Uriah Egbert. It
reads: ,
A PIONEER GONE.
Uriah Egbert was born August 8, 1791, in Hunderton county, New Jersey.
His parents moved to Pennsylvania when their boy was but three years old, ',
and subsequently, in 1814, moved to Fairfield county, Ohio. Here he was
married to Susannah Williams July 6, 1815, and united with the M. B.
church under the ministry of the Rev. Michael Ellis, in 1816, and of which
churcri lie was an active member and officer for more than fifty years. In
1823 he founded a home in the woods of Seneca county, and his riome was
trie preacriers' home and a sanctuary for the Lord's people. He was devout
in worship, old school in his views and held his views with tenacity. To us
he was always kind, and some of our happiest moments were spent in com
munication with him and his family. He was a liberal supporter of the
cause of God. Our last intercourse with him was to receive $100 for the
American Bible Society and $100 for the Missionary Society, of the M. E.
churcri as the bequest of his late companion.

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 571
He departed this life October • 1, 1876, aged eighty-five years, two mqnths
and three days. .
His funeral was attended by a large concourse of neighbors and friends
on the following Sabbath. T. THOMPSON.
(The name of the county I have changed to the proper one. There
is no Huntington county in New Jersey).
Mr. Egbert's first settlement in thjs county was on the North Green
field roaa, where Samuel Rickenbaugh now lives. 'He sold to Mr.
David Rickenbaugh and moved to the ridge in this township, where he
and his wife spent the rest of their days. The most beautiful feature in
the life of father Egbert was his quiet, pious, peaceful disposition. He
was, indeed, highly esteemed by everybody that knew him. He was a
good manager, and with all his liberality, he accumulated property.
Egbert's was one of the best conditioned homes on the road between
Tiffin and Sandusky. He donated the land where the Ridge Road
cemetery now is, and where he and his wife lie buried
Mrs. Carl, trie youngest daughter of Mr.' Egbert, says that one revo
lutionary soldier, ten soldiers of the war of 1812 and fourteen soldiers
of the war of the rebellion are buried there. Col. Williams was a
brother-in-law of Mr. Egbert — his wife's brother. He served in the
war of the revolution five years and lies buried in Adams township
where he died in 1841.
Mrs. Egbert died May 13, 1875.
PHILIP STAUB
Was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1786. He was mar
ried to Margaret Kuhn on the 2d day of February, 1817. He moved
to Seneca county and settled in Pleasant township in 1834. He died
January 14, 1876. His wife died January 24, 1874. Both lie buried
in St. Joseph cemetery in Tiffin. Mrs. Staub was horn March 6, 1794.
Mr. Staub was a volunteer in the Hanover company and stationed
at North Point, in Baltimore, under Colonel Miller. He was eighty-
nine years and six months old when he died, and Mrs. Staub was
seventy-nine years, ten months and eighteen days old when she died.
Both lived to a fine old age and were very excellent people and good
neighbors. MRS. CALEB RICE.
The. subject of this sketch, who is still living near Castalia, in San
dusky county, with her son, M. B. Rice, Esq., was so kind as to send
me, by her son,, an interesting statement of early characters she knew
in this township, afid I copy without comment:

572 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. -•
Caleb Rice and'Daniel Rice were born respectively'in 1788 and 1791 in the
town of Clarendon, Vermont.
¦ Benjamin Barney and West Barney were natives of Savoy, Berkshire
county, Massachusetts. West was born in 1791 and Benjamin in 1795. They
were all living some five miles below Fort Ball when I (Annar Barney)
came here in 1819. We came here from Saratoga, N. Y. When we arrived
at Lower Sandusky my brothers, West and Benjamin, were in attendance
at a trial of some parties for robbing old man Spicer. Some four persons
had been arrested but only one was convicted. Spicer was a white man but,
was raised an Indian. The people liked him much.
The Chapmans, Shippys, Spragues, Cheneys, Harris's, Dumonds, Culver,
Anson Gray and John Eaton were here.
We were six weeks on the way from Saratoga hpre. I came with my
father, Benjamin, Barney and brother-in-law Friend Orr and Sedate Pad-
dleford. My father returned east with the intention of moving his family out here,
but he died before he reached his home. Paddleford also went back and
never returned.
On the 24th of October, 1820, West Barney and Sophronia Wilson were
married by Daniel Rice, who was a justice of the peace. This is the first
recorded marriage in Sandusky county.
Daniel Rice and I were married December 14, 1820, at Harrington's tavern
in Lower Sandusky. We had seven children. The two oldest were born in
Seneca county: Susannah in 1821 and Deborah in 1823.
In 1825 we moved to Townsend township, in Sandusky county, where I
still reside, at the age of 86 years. My husband died in 1872, aged 81 years.
Caleb went to Illinois in 1840, where he died in 1849. Barney West died
a few years ago in Missouri, I think. Benjamin Barney resides in Pike
county, Illinois, with his grand children. His own children are all dead.
He is a great talker and very much respected. He tells very many laugh
able old stories and incidents of olden times. He was a captain in the Black
Hawk war and was with Abraham Lincoln in trie service.
My husband cleared land where Columbus now stands before he came to
Seneca about the time the war closed, He was in a New Jersey regiment
in trie war of 1812. CORNELIUS -FLUMMERFELT
Was born in New Jersey July io, 1774, in Sussex county and was raised
on a farm. In 1804 he was married to Catharine Christman. On the
the 2d of May, 1826, they started for Ohio. It took them four weeks
to reach Seneca county.
He bought the west half of the southwest quarter of section sixteen.
Daniel Rice had a lease on this land from the commissioners of San
dusky county, which he also bought. Rice had built a cabin and Mr.
Flummerfelt moved into that.
Of the first wedlock there is but one child living. There were six
children of the second marriage and of whom Mr. D V. Flummerfelt,
of Pleasant township is one.

^PTf ryue£ou> ^lu^nJ^J^J^O' ,

; PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. c-,
Mrs. Flummerfelt died in 1847.
Caleb Rice was a neighbor of Mr. Flummerfelt and was the first
white settler in the township. He lived on the school section also.
His daughter, Uretta Rice, was the first white child born in the county.
Mr. Rice was a very decided-Universalist.
Mr. Cornelius Flummerfelt was six feet high, of fair complexion;, had
blue eyes arid was very straight and well proportioned. He was of
purely German type, very firm in his convictions, slow of speech and
fixed in his habits. He stuck to his old'clotheswith great tenacity and
refused to put on new ones until he was compelled to. He voted for
every Democratic candidate for president since Washington, always
I taking a very active part in politics. He died on the 20th day of Au
gust, 1871, at the high age of 97 years, 1 month and 10 days. He was
one of the positive men of the country. His word was his, bond and
to be relied upon. He was highly respected and esteemed wherever he
had become known.
BRIDGES IN PLEASANT TOWNSHIP  DEATH OF STACKHOUSE AND FIGGINS.
To give a full history of the bridges in this township would make a
little chapter by itself. A few facts connected with the subject can
only be attempted here.
In the building of each bridge much feeling among people on both
sides of the river was enlisted, and each time more as to the locality
than the propriety.
The first bridge built in the township was called the " Clark bridge,"
because Calvin Clark was one of the county commissioners at that time,
and instrumental in the project, living here at that time. The bridge
was located at the "Ludwig Ford" (so called).,. Mr. Ludwig owned
the adjoining land, in section nine. The location of the bridge created
such opposition against Mr. Clark that he was defeated in the conven
tion following, when he was a candidate for re-nomination. The peo
ple south of the location of the bridge, where the travel -was much
greater, felt wronged by it. The bridge is still there, and of general
use, It was built in 1854, at a cost of two thousand dollars.
The opposition to this bridge wanted it located at Pool's mill.
In 1870, while Mr. Thomas W. Watson was county commissioner,
another bridge was built across the river, called the " Watson bridge."
This bridge was located in section twenty-one. The people livingneaf
Fort Seneca and Pool's mill wanted the bridge near the mill, and' the
sarne old fight was, .renewed. Pool's mill isiri section twenty. A vigor
ous attack was made upon the commissioners to change the location,

574

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

but. Mr. Watson held the fort. The result was that Mr. Watson was
blamed very severely by those who were in favor of a bridge at Pool's
mill. Much bad blood was stirred up at these bridge fights in Pleasant,
and there was scarcely a citizen in the township that took no part in
the fight.
Mr. Watson's bridge was more of an experiment than a good job.
The timbers were left exposed, and the bridge was not anchored well.
When the great hurricane swept over the northern part of Seneca coun
ty in June, 1875, unroofed some of the houses and other buildings in its
track, blew down the M. E. church of Fort Seneca," throwing it ,fkt on
the ground, it- also blew the Watson bridge into the river in a body,^
leaving the abutments only. ¦
The people living near Fort Seneca (town), on both sides of the
river, now began a fresh agitation for a bridge. (The reader who is a
stranger in* Seneca county, must distinguish between this town of Fort
Seneca and the old fort; they are of the same name, but distinct places,
more than two miles apart. There is no town at the old fort at all.)
/The first petitioners wanted a bridge at the Pool mill — often called Fort
Seneca mill. Now new efforts were made to have a superstructure .put
upon the abutments, of the Watson bridge, and the conflict grew wirm
again. Both parties urged as a strong reason for a bridge the great
public demand, and cited a very sad occurrence that took place on the
3d day of April, 1848, when two citizens lost their lives in the river for
want of a bridge. On that day James M. Figgins, Joshua Stackhouse,
George Shannon and John Watson, who lived on the east side of the
river, were in a " dug-out " canoe, endeavoring to cross the river "to
attend the election that came off on that day at the township house, on
the west side Of the river. The place was near the present " Flummerfelt
bridge," now so called. When they were about the middle of the fiver,
the .hat of one of the men blew off, and in the effort to catch it the boat
upset, and all the men fell into the river. Shannon and Watson reached
the shore in safety, but Figgins and Stackhouse were drowned.
This circumstance, with many other reasons, were urged upon the
attention of the commissioners for a new bridge by both parties, and
especially by those who wanted a bridge built upon the old abutments.
In the height of .excitement the commissioners determined to build a
new bridge near the Pool mill.
The work is done, and trie bridge is an honor to the county commis-'.
sioners and a credit to the county. The friends of the lower bridge
were discouraged, and abandoned all hopes of having the old Watson
bridge re-built.

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. c^t
Those that know Mr. D. V.. Flummerfelt well and intimately need no
explanation about him. To strangers, however, it is sufficient to say
that he has inherited from his father a great deal of his looks and per
sonal appearance, but more so his German tenacity and perseverance.
While others fell back in despair, Mr. Flummerfelt, in his own familiar,
friendly way, attended the sessions of the county commissioners occa
sionally, and once in a while expressed his regret at the failure of the
project in re-building the Watson bridge, and while it seemed to have
been given up as a lost cause, Mr. Flummerfelt, in his own quiet way,
made inquiry amongst the contractors and ascertained the amount for
which a bridge could be built below, and then visited the commissioners,
iwho finally offered to pay Mr Flummerfelt #2,500, if he would put a good
superstructure upon the old abutments.
This offer was so low that the commissioners themselves had no idea
at first that it would be accepted. Lumber, labor and iron were low in
price at that time. Mr. Flummerfelt had made his figures; he accepted
the proposition, and the present beautiful Howe-truss, on the old abut
ments of the Watson bridge, is ample proof of the sagacity and perse
verance of Mr. Flummerfelt. He pledged his own responsibility for the
payment, furnished some 14,000 feet of oak lumber, iron and paint,
that cost him some #500 over and above the appropriation.
Mr. Flummerfelt is that much out of pocket, but Pleasant township is
the best bridged township in this county.
The bridge is now called the " Flummerfelt bridge," and very appro
priately so. It is a fair monument of perseverance and sagacity.
Mr. D -V. Flummerfelt is one of the old settlers here now. He was
born in Sussex (now Warren) county, New Jersey, October 13th, 1807.
He came to Seneca with his father's family. He married Melinda
Littler, of Hardy county, Virgiriia, on trie 12th of October, 1837. This
union was blessed with five sons and four daughters, all living but one,
who- died in infancy. George is married, and lives in Sandusky county,
Ohio; Matilda is the wife of M. T. Lutz, and resides in Kansas; Ann
M. is the wife of Dennis Deran, and lives in Pleasant. The balance are
at home with their parents. It takes both brain and muscle to manage
nearly a thousand acres of land successfully.
RASSELAS R. TITUS
Was born in New Milford county, Connecticut, on the 22d of July, 1819.
His father's family had previously resided in the state of New York, and
removed to Ohio in 1833, when they settled in this township, and where
the subject of this sketch has lived ever since.

276 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
On the 21st of April, 1844, he married. Miss Elvira S.. Clark, L.
Abbott, Esq., solemnizing the marriage. Their children are four living
daughters: Augusta P. is the wife of Francis J. Fry; Colena M- married
Lorenzo A. Abbott; Flora married Oliver S. Watson, and Littie married
Robert Watson. ,
Mr. Titus' father died in 1835; his mother lived to a fine old age, and
died in 1872, when she was eighty-three years old. R. R Titus started
the world on his own hook, when about twenty years of age, by work
ing among the farmers of Pleasant township, at #11 per month at first;
next year he got #12, and the next year #14 per month.
In 1859 he was elected a member of the state board of equalization.
In 1861 he was elected a member of the house of representatives of the
general assembly of Ohio, and re-elected in 1863, serving during the
whole war. He counts his wealth by the thousands, and his drafts are
honored in all the banks in the country. He is in California on a visit
at this writing.
Vincent Bell, Benjamin Seckman, John Brush, Nathan Littler, John
Siberal, John Houseman, the Watsons and others came into Pleasant
. later. The Sandusky river courses through the western part of trie township
in great meanderings df nearly twelve miles along its shores. East of
Fort Seneca'it takes a due east course more than one mile; then taking
ahorseshoe bend to the southeast, turns north, running more than one
mile along the section line between sections fifteen and sixteen. In
.section nine it turns due west three-quarters of a mile, and northwest,
leaving the large, rich bottom lands of Samuel Ludwig on the right bank. -
These bottom lands in Pleasant have made, and forever will make this
township justly celebrated. The uplands are rich in soil, butthe bottoms
are inexhaustible in fertility. Mr. G. W. Lutz was among the most ,
successful farmers in this townshjp for some time, and until within the
last few years. In 1859 he raised from 126 acres of land, 8,655 bushel's
of corn and 1,645 bushels of wheat. Estimating the corn at thirty cents
and the wheat at one dollar per>busnel, makes #4,241.50 on these two
articles alone for the year, and averaging over eighty bushels to the
acre. >
> Other farmers have done as well, no doubt, and a trip through the
township will convince any one of trie wealth and "beauty of the San
dusky bottoms in sumnjer time as lovely as "when first the Day God
looked upon a field of waving corn."
It is said that James Gordon, one of the pioneer commissioners,
, suggested the name of Pleasant for this township. He could not very

v PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 577
well have called it Richland township, for that would have meant them
all. . If the county had been called Egypt, it would have been very
appropriate, but such names as "Pleasant," "Eden" and"B10om,"
are very suggestive and do very well.
On the 14th of January, 1836, Erastus Bowe arid Vincent Bell caused
to be surved on the corners of sections nineteen and twenty, in this
township, a town to which they gave the name of Fort Seneca. Any
other name would have been more appropriate. It is calculated to
mislead the general inquirer and lead him to suppose that the fort had been
at or near this place, when, in fact, it was nearly three miles away.
McNutt's 01 Swope's Corners, either of these designated the same
town. Fort Seneca is situate six and a-half miles north of Tiffin and eleven
miles south of Fremont on the Columbus state road, and numbers about
200 inhabitants. A pike running from Tiffin to Fremont through Fort
Seneca would afford one of the most beautiful drives in northern Ohio.
Why not have one?
Pleasant township was organized on the 6th day of June, i83i,and
while the Senecas were still roaming over it. The early' settlers have
already been named and described. The population of the township
in 1870 was, 1,352, which increased only 65 in the ten years following,
making it 1,417 in 1880.
37

CHAPTER XXXIX.

REED TOWNSHIP.

T. 2, N. R. 17 E.
XT was very wrong that the county officers of Seneca county ever
consented to have the proper name ofthis township mis-spelled into
Reed, and be themselves guilty. The Read family, after whom the
township was named, were of Scotch descent, and invariably wrote their
name with an •¦' a," and so it ought to have been preserved.
£>eth Read and George Raymond came from Steuben county, New
York, and settled upon section twenty-four, in what now constitutes
this township, on the 18th day of January, 1825, and were the first
settlers in the township. They entered their lands at the Delaware land
office. . They were followed soon after by Edward Cassety and Elijah Read,'
Tunis Croukite, Thomas Bennett, Samuel Scotriorh, Isaac Bennett arid
others. ' ,
The township was organized December 5th, 1826. The first election
was held at the house of Seth Read, on New Year's day following.
The face of the land in this township- is generally undulating, and the
soil very fertile. There are no mill streams within its limits, and the
grist and saw mills are run by steam.
In 1S30 Reed had a population of 264; in 1840, 1,240, and it is riow
about 1,501. '
At a later period A. C. Baker, Benjamin Sanford, John B. Schuyler,
Jacob Cole, William P. White, Henry Ryno, James Harrison, Levi Read,
W. H. Croukife, John Clark, John Hoover and others were among the
distinguished farmers here.
On the 4th day of January, 1838, John Terry and Catharine Beard
caused to be laid out on sections five and six, a town, which they called
West'Lbdi. It was surveyed and platted by James Durbin.
The first postmaster was Lyman White, who for many years has lived

REED TOWNSHIP. 579
on College Hill, in Tiffin, where he lives now at his ease, cultivating
grapes and peach trees.
Robert P. Frazer was the first physician who settled in Lodi, and he is
still there in the practice of his profession, and highly esteemed.
Reedtown was made up of a few cabins on the Columbus and San
dusky turnpike. It was also called Cook's Gate, because a man by the
name of Cook kept the toll-gate on the pike at that place. It was sim
ply wicked to collect toll on a mud road. Some called it Kellytown
also, because a man by the name of Kelly kept a store there. Han-
ford's was another name for the same town, because Hanford's tavern
was the best between Attica and Bloomer's.
My dear old friend Dr. B. D. Williams settled here at an early day.
The place is now familiarly known as Reedtown. It was laid out by
Isaac Catlin. '
DR. B. D. WILLIAMS
Was born January 18th, 1812, in Orangeville township, Genesee coun
ty, New York. In 1821 his father located with his family in Sherman
township, Huron county, a few miles east of Reedtown. Here young
Williams grew up, and received his education and read medicine three
years with Dr. Moses C Sanders, in Peru township, in Huron county.
In 1835 he settled at Reedtown, and commenced the practice of
medicine, and here, in 1836, the writer made his acquaintance, which
grew into a friendship that has grown warmer, like wine; that grows
better with age.
On the 7th of November, 1835, Dr. Williams was married to Miss
Harriet Newel LaBarre, of Sherman township, with whom he lived
three years, until she died. On the 13th of June, 1841, he was again
married to Louisa L. Ludlow, of Norwich, in Huron county. This
union was blessed with three children, two boys, who are married and
settled in life, and one daughter, fong since dead. Here the Doctor
settled in the practice, and so near his old perceptor as to have the
benefit of his counsel and help in extreme cases,, and where he also met
Dr. Dresbach, of Tiffin, in consultation.
In a letter to me the Doctor says, speaking of his early practice:
Many times I had very severe cases among females, when I would have
given my horse, bridle, saddle, pill-bag and all I riad on earth to be safely
and honorably througri with my lady patient. Oh ! such anxiety ! such sus
pense ! I It did often seem as if my little bark would break and go under.
There was no help nearer than twelve to fifteen miles, nights pitch dark and
mud knee-deep. But God was with me, and I always came through with
my patient all O. K. Without boasting, I can safely say that during my
practice here of forty-five years, outof 2,200 parturition cases, I never lost one.

580 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Dr. Williams practiced medicine in Peru two years before he came
to Reedtown, making forty-seven years in all in constant practice with
out losing a day, except the time spent in attending lectures at Wil-
loughby University, at the Cincinnati Medical University, and at the
Cleveland and Western Reserve College, where he graduated. The
Willoughby became merged into the Starling at Columbus afterwards.
He is now the veteran physician in that part of the country, and I will
say, without flattery (for I never flatter), that the Doctor is highly es
teemed in all the country far and near, for his personal excellencies,
both as a physician and citizen.
Dr. Williams was so kind as to send me some of his early recollections
of Reed, from which I have collated the following: '
Captain Hanford was an early settler here. He was one of your plain,
outspoken men, swore a little at times, a little rough, but kind hearted. One
day while the Captain, with his dogi were out in the woods, and chased a
weasel into a, hollow log, and while they were trying to catch it, a Presby
terian preacher from Monroeville, whom the Captain did not know, came
througri trie woods and got off riis horse to help catch the weasel. So the
preacher took his post at one end of the log to watch, with his riding whip
held up to strike. The position did not suit Hanford, and he said to the
preacher : " You don't hold your whip right, by  , my friend, hold it so,
and strike quick, for they are trie d  1, quickest things you ever saw, b— -
 ." Sure enough ! The Captain scared the weasel out, and when the
preacher struck, he hit the ground about a rod behind the weasel. " There,"
says Captain Hanford, " I told you so, b  ." The preacher then asked
where Captain Hanford lived. The Captain gave him the information, and
they separated. The preacher stopped at the house, and Mrs. Hanford, who
was a Presbyterian, and had not seen a preacher since she had left the "land
of steady habits " about three years before j and was very glad to entertain
riim. After a while the Captain came home and was quite surprised to see
the weasel catcher. Captain Hanford said to riim : "I guess I must have
scared you witri my swearing." The preacher said: "Yes, I was fright
ened a little and greatly surprised to think that a man having such a
Christian lady for a wife would indulge in such language." The Captain
felt the effect of the rebuke, but entertained the preacher with his usual
hospitality. Thomas Bennett was the first postmaster in this township, and it was then
called Read postoffice. Mr. Catlin had this town surveysd, but never had
the plat recorded. It was then called " Catlinville." It was also called
" Readsburg." Tunis Croukite and Thomas Bennett were both old settlers
and members of the Baptist church at what is now called Omar. They had
some difficulty, and agreed that they would not be buried in trie same ceme
tery. Trie church at Omar has a very respectable cemetery. Bennett owned
the land in and around the grave yard, and Croukite owned the land across
the pike, adjoining. Croukite died first, and was buried on his land some
sixty rods east of the grave yard, then Bennett" died, and was buried in the

REED TOWNSHIP. -gr
graveyard. Now large monuments adorn the graves of both, in sight of
each other, as monuments of bad blood in life.
George Raymond, another old settler here, was the father of triplets, boys
which he called Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The last two live in our town'
the former has been dead twenty years.
Mr. Schuyler was also an early settler. His son is the celebrated mathe
matician at Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio.
Elijah Read, another good old pioneer, died about five years ago.
Samuel and John Cassaty were both poor when they came here from Steu
ben county, New York} but by hard labor and economy, had accumulated
quite a fortune, until some twelve years ago, robbers relieved them of about
112,000. John lias since died.
Williard Whitney, a merchant of our town, closed his business here with
a few hundred dollars left, with wriich he went to Michigan, bought land
got wealthy, and would have been happy, had he not become blind. His
wife had to feed him like a child ten years, wrien he died at eighty-five.
Dr. Amos Witter lost his wife here. He went west, was elected to Con
gress, and got rich.
Loren Knopp, a merchant, was quite well off. He had trie kidney disease.
He moved to Attica, wriere he soon died. He was to have been married
soon, so he willed much of his fortune to his affianced.
Dr. I. T. Gilbert became involved, sbld out, and went to-Bryan, Oriio.
There he invested what little means he had in real estate, whicri advanced
rapidly. The small-pox broke out in Bryan, and Dr. Gilbert having had
^them once, was allowed to take all the small-pox cas.es, which soon built
him up, but he was not allowed to see any other patients during that time.
The Doctor got into very comfortable circumstances, and died there at the
age of eighty-two years. He formerly lived here.
John Zeppermick had some bad luck here, but after he sold out and moved
to Wood county, he accumulated some property. He owns a good little
farm, and seems to be happy in praising God.
Captain Hanford died of apoplexy about twenty-five years ago. Edward,
the hotel keeper, died of dropsy, the effects of trying to look through the
bottom of a tumbler. James Hanford lived a roving life, and finally broke
into the Michigan penitentiary at Jackson for ten years.
Jas. Harrison, whom youalso knew, died at his son's house, atthe old place.
To show you how Reed looked in former times, let me tell you a short in
cident. I was called ope dark night to visit a sick lady. We had to go
through the woods, of course, and before we had proceeded far, the messen
ger and I both became entangled in trie top of a tree that had fallen across
the road. In the scrabble to get out, Host my hat. The messenger said it
would not do to hunt for it, had no time, was in a hurry, could lose no time,
"must bring you in a hurry, Doctor, so come right along." So I went bare
headed. It was warm weather, however, and there was no suffering, but
going home next day without my hat made a comical show. They said Dr.
Williams must have been tight last night.
The writer heard a good story told of Dr. Williams, which is too good
to be lost. Soon after he was married, and before they had gone to

582 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
housekeeping, his wife had her home at her father's, in Sherman town
ship, still. So one Saturday evening the young Doctor started, rather
late, however, to pay a visit to his father-in-law, and surprise the young
lady. It was in the fall, and the leaves had covered the road. Night
came on, and the road was no longer discernable. TheDoctor got out
of the saddle and felt around for the road or path, but could not find
it. He hitched his horse to a tree and gave the " bush hallo " several
times, but nobody responded only the owls. The Doctor came,to the
conclusion that the troubles of a married life, had commenced in dead
earnest. After crowing around through the woods for two or three
hours, a lady accidentally heard him and.answered. She got a man up
out of bed, and sent him after the strange voice. The man was afraid
that it might be a panther, but found the lost Doctor, and took him to
the house. It was the house of a stranger, however, and two miles
away from the house of the bride. In the morning the horse was found
and cared for, and a new start taken for the father-in-law. He took
breakfast with his wife's people, and they all had a good laugh at the
Doctor's night's adventure.
Seneca John, who was executed on the reservation, as already related,
used to hunt through' Reed, and had a wigwam on the knoll where Dr.
Williams' house now stands, in 1821-2. His visits continued up to'
1830, and he generally brought his whole family with him. At an
evening meal, and while a large kettle of hot water was suspended on a
pole over the fire, a daughter of Seneca John was lying on the ground
before the fire. The pole was nearly burnt through, and broke, spilling
the hot water over the child. They wrapped her in a blanket and took
her to the house nearby, where Dr. Williams attended her. In remov
ing the blanket the flesh -of the poor sufferer literally clung to it, leav
ing her almost a skeleton. Dr. . Williams did all in his power to relieve .
her sufferings, but death assisted him. ,
After her death William Williams made a sled, to be drawn by hand, '
and a nunfoer of Indian boys and a mournful cortege conveyed the
corpse to trie Seneca burying ground. Seneca John became a very
warm friend to Dr. Williariis.
In the summer of 1834 some movers passed through Reedtown, who,
had a son about sixteen years of age. In the night he was taken sick.
It was a clear case of cholera. He died, and was buried before morn
ing, and the mournful parents went on.
There are six very good church edifices in Reed. The township is
supplied with excellent school houses and a good corps of teachers.
When the M. E. church organized northern Ohio in 1830 or 1832,

REED TOWNSHIP. rg.,
they made the Fort Ball circuit extend east to include a part of Huron
county. The preacher appointed for this circuit was a very young man.
by the name of Arza Brown. He had a fine ridinghor.se, with which
he swam the creeks and rivers, tying a suit of dry clothes on his
shoulders. These he put on before he commenced preaching. His
widowed motrier lived at Sandusky. He was well liked and welcomed
everywhere, and among those also that did not belong to his church.
He became a very able preacher He afterwards lived in Cincinnati,
where he died soon after the rebellion, eighty-three years old.
One very happy feature in frontier life was the mutual enjoyment of
the society amongst the old and young. It was a common practice in
the winter time to visit some neighbor in the evening. A yoke of oxen
were hitched to a sled with a box full of straw, that held the family and
some neighbors also.
Arrived at the house, trie children and women were " thawed out" by
the large hickory fire, and after disposing of a meal of roasted pig, corn
cake, potatoes, turnips, squash, wild-grapes, honey, etc., the dance com
menced, which often lasted until the dawn of day in the east admon
ished the dancers that the cows, horses, sheep and hogs at home had
to be looked after.
At these dances it was often surprising to see the old men a'nd women
move over the pungeon floor with the spring and elasticity of youth,
and with a grace and gentle mean that would do honor to a ball room
of these latter days.
" Buck and Bright " hitched again to the sled — all aboard ! Some
with cold chicken or cold pork and cprncake for a -piece on the road;
all started for home, all happy in having had a good old time
In Dr. Williams' father's family there were five boys and two girls.
As the children grew up they needed education, and there was no school
in the neighborhood. ' The mother saw the necessity of a teacher, and
for want of another, she taught the oldest, and as they became ad
vanced, she compelled -them to teach the younger. Every stranger that
came into the house was induced to confer some useful knowledge to
the family, and thus the children became educated without a school
house to go to. • As they grew up, they were all qualified to teach
school. One of the Doctor's brothers commenced when he was only
sixteen years old, and taught school for forty winters in succession. So
much for a mother's resolution to have her children educated.
I have drawn very largely on the Doctor's kindness for the above
sketches, and for which I feel thankful, but the flattering remarks,
though very true, about myself, are omitted for modesty sake.

584 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Esquire T. M. Kelley was so kind as to send me some historic in
formation, from which I extract:
Friend Lang : r
My father, Benjamin Kelley [and whom you well knew), was born in New
Jersey, June 6th, 1793. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mother,
Mahitabel Travis, was born April 3d, 1793, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania.
They were married August 19tfi, 1813, in Seneca county, New York, and
lived in Steuben county, in that state, until the spring of 1834, when they
moved to this township witri a family of six boys and two girls, and settled
on the east half of the northwest quarter of section one, Triey bought the
land of a Mr. DaJvis,- who had entered it.
There were but a few trees chopped, and the body of a log cabin erected
Without a roof. Trie family stayed at Captain Hanford's riotel until father
and the older boys cut and split clapboards and hewed pungeon for the floor
and doors. Then we moved into the cabin.
The only place mother had to do her cooking was a kind of a fire-place
built of cobble stones, between two oak stumps, from about the 20th of
April until the 1st bf August that year. It t jok a barrel of flour and a
bushel of corn meal every four weeks to feed us all. The bread 'was baked
in a tin reflector between those oak stumps.
On the 12th day of April the cattle could get a, good living in the woods.
We worked them all day, and at night we put a bell on one of them and let
them go. Sometimes thje boys would have to hunt a week to find them
again, but generally they were in hearing distance.
The first wheat we .raised father took to Cold Creek with an ox cart to get
it ground. It took nearly a week to make trie trip. •«
My youngest brother was born after we came here, August 16th, 1836,
making a family of seven boys and two girls, all now living except the oldest
girl. Mother and the giris carded and spun trie wool and flax, wove 'trie cloth,
and cut and made our clothes ; trie tow-linen for .summer wear and linsey
woolsey for winter wear. They also made bags, towels, table-cloths, sheets
and pillow-slips of flax, raisect, pulled; rotted and dressed by the family. The
youngest sister, Mrs. J. P. Moore, spun flax at Fremont at the celebration
of the centennial tea party of Boston harbor.
Mother died May 31st, 1860, at Elmore, Ohio. Father died April 12th,
1863, at Reedtown.
Thomas Bennett was the first postmaster appointed here, but would not
serve, whereupon William Knapp was appointed. Knapp was a storekeeper,
and sold the store to a Mr. Ackley, who was killed by the falling of a bent in
raising a barn for Harrison Cole. John Emery had his' leg broken by the
same fall. My father framed the barn. Respectfully your friend,
T. M. KELLEY.
The town of Omar never flourished. Reed is altogether a farming
township. The soil is rich, and produces great crops, rapidly, increas
ing the wealth of the township. The beautiful school houses in Reed
show conclusively that the cause of education is not neglected.

REED TOWNSHIP. 585
There is a noticeable elevation running north and south through the
township, a little east of the center, but not high enough to be called a
ridge, yet sufficiently so to make a water-shed.
Attica station, on the Baltimore & Ohio road, is located in this town
ship, on section thirty-five. This railroad crosses and cuts the entire
southern tier of sections of this township, except section thirty-one.

CHAPTER XL.
SCIPIO TOWNSHIP.

T. 2, N. R. l6 E.
Nobody will now dispute the fact that the Anways were the first who
identified their names with the early settlement of Scipio township.
About the time of the land sales at Delaware, William Anway, from
Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, settled in the woods upon land that
is now embraced within the geographical limits of this township. It
is said that when Mr. Anway arrived and located here in 182 1, there'
were two families living upon the school section, who soon moved
away. The late Mr. Laughery, the father of my old friend, James Laughery,
was the first man who purchased land in this township, but the first ;
patent recorded for land purchased in the county Vas that mentioned
in the history of Clinton, by a Mr. Anway.
C. T. Westbrook, John Wright, Adam Hance, Abraham Spencer,
Isaac Nichols, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Os'born, Timothy P. Roberts, Morrison
McMillon, E. H. Brown, Seth F. Foster, Nathan Foster and William
B.'Mathewson may be mentioned as early settlers.
Mention has already been made of the time and manner pf organiz
ing the township, and that it then took in Reed and contained sixteen
inhabitants, etc. It was also stated that Mr. Anway named it after his
old home in New York. The time and manner of its survey was also
mentioned in chapter x.
The petition for the organization was presented to the county com
missioners on the 6th of December, 1824. The petition was granted,
of course, and an election ordered to be held on the following 25th day
of December, 1824 — Christmas day. At this election seventeen votes
were cast. Of those voting, thirteen received office, leaving but four
to make up what is called the "sovereign people," and the other thir
teen were their servants. Le^: us hope that this distinctive feature in
our peculiar American institutions may ever so remain; that our public

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 587
officers shall be regarded as-public servants only arid never be permit
ted to become our masters. So mote it be.
At this first election in Scipio William B. Mathewson was elected
clerk; John Wright, Seth F. "Foster and Jonathan Nichols, trustees;
Adam Hance and Joseph Osborn, overseers of the poor; William
Stevens and Ezecriial Sampson, fence viewers; William Anway, Jr.,
lister; William Anway, treasurer; Cornelius T. Westbrook and Mor
rison McMillen, constables;- John Anway and E. H. Brown, supervisors.
Both Rocky creek and Willow creek run through Scipio township,
yet Mr. Butterfield says in his history, on page 127: "There is not a
stream of water in the township."
In 1840 the population of Scipio was 1,55*6. The township has rapid
ly increased in wealth since that time, but less so in population. In
1870 it was 1,642; in 1880 it is 1,836.
In 1834 Sidney Smith caused to be surveyed in this township,- upon
the corners of sections fifteen, sixteen, twenty-one and twenty-two, a
town, which he called Republic. The place was known for a long time
as Scipio Center. R. M. Shoemaker (now in Cincinnati) was the sur
veyor. .Adam Hance and John Wright had entered the larger portion of the
land upon which the town was laid out, in the year 1822, Hance owning
the east and Wright the west part. John Wright built the first dwelling
house .upon the plat. The town did not improve very rapidly until the
prospect of a railroad from Sandusky began to agitate the people, and
when in 1841 the railroad did come, Republic became quite a trading
place. Stores and wearhouses, shops and factories sprung up as by
magic and the town looked like a bee-hive on a large scale. Such was
the importance of the place at our time that Melmore became so much
excited as to form a joint stock company for the purpose of building a
railroad to Republic. (See chapter xxxiii., Eden township).
It has already been incidentally mentioned that when, on the night
of the 21st of May, 1841, trie court houSe in Tiffin burnt, efforts were
made to remove the county seat to Republic. General Stickney can
tell something about that move. He is one of the most enterprising of
all the public men in the county of Seneca, and has, in a great measure, ,
stamped his individuality upon Scipio township and the history of
Seneca county generally. And while on this subject, let me say of him,
that he wa.s born August 31, 1811, in Franklin county, New York. He
came to Seneca county on the 4th of July, 1836. On the nth of Oc
tober, 1836, he married Emma, daughter of Timothy P. Roberts, Esq.,
of Scipio township. Their only child is a daughter.

c88 ~ HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
General Stickney has a large farm of about seven hundred acres, one
mile east of Republic, where 'he lives in comfort with plenty around
him. ,
He has been one of the leading men of the Democratic party of the
'county ever since he came here. He was justice, of the peace in Re
public, and held the office, of postmaster there for sixteen years. He.
was a member of the convention triat formed trie present constitution
of Ohio. In 1867 he , was elected a member of the house of represent
atives of the Ohio legislature, and was re-elected in 1869; was a mem
ber of the Ohio senate in 1875, and last winter was appointed by Gov
ernor Foster, a member of the board of directors. of the Ohio peniten
tiary. The .General is still vigorous and active. Mrs. Stickney is a
lady of refined mind, and both are highly esteemed.
' After the new line of the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland railroad.
was made straight through from Sandusky to Tiffin, Bellevue, Lodi and
Republic were left out in the cold, and, the change played mischief with
Republic. Business went all to pieces, houses were deserted and the
town soon' assumed an air of general dilapidation. It remained in that
condition until the making, of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, which has
irifused new life into Republic, and much business is done there now.
A little east of Republic is a large, three-story brick building that was
once the Seneca county academy. It was incorporated by an act passed
March 4, 1836, and organized February 8,, 1844. The capital stock
amounted to #3,000, and' was divided into 300 shares of #10 each.
There were nine trustees. Timothy P. Roberts was the first president.
E. T. Stickney was the treasurer; S.. W. Shepard, principal. The insti
tution flourished for many years and the name of Schuyler has given
it an almost undying fame. It is to be regretted that trie7 academy was
ever permitted to fail. It could and should have been saved. It was
a credit to Republic and to Seneca county.
TIMOTHY P. ROBERTS.
Mrs. E. T. Stickney was so kind as*to furnish me with- the following
sketch of her honored father, and I take pleasure in copying it here: -
Timothy P. Roberts was born at Middletown, Connecticut, June 11, 1784.
Two years later, his parents moved with, their family to Massachusetts and
located in Lee, Berkshire county. Timothy lived witri his parents at Lee
until lie arrived at trie age of eighteen years, when he was apprenticed to
Deacon Stone to learn the trade of a wheelwright. He moved with Deacon
Stone and his family to trie town of Locke, Cayuga county, New York.
On the 18th of January, 1808, he was intermarried with Rrioda Chadwiek,
formerly of Lee, Massachusetts, and settled in Scipio, New York., This

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 589
union was blessed with seven children, three of whom died in infancy.
Emma, now the wife of General E. T. Stickney, and Jane, the wife of S. S.
Dentler, are all that remain of the family, except grand children.
Mr. Roberts emigrated from Scipio, New York, to Scipio, in Seneca coun
ty, Ohio, with his family, in 1825, and entered 160 acres of land, upon one-
half of whicri he resided the balance of his days. The other eighty acres he
gave to his, oldest sOn, Ansel C. Roberts.
Mr. Roberts died at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 17 days, on the 28th
of Janilary, 1868. Mrs. Rhoda Roberts died at the residence other daughter,
Emma, March 31, 1872-, aged 80 years, 1 month and nineteen days.
Mr. Roberts was about five feet, seven inches high, stout and com
pactly built; he had a large, well balanced head, and a well propor
tioned, manly countenance. He was of fair complexion, slow of speech,
of clear judgment and strong in his decision. He was mentally, physi
cally and morally strong. „ '
When Mr. William Anway came to this township, in 1821, he had
eleven children; the oldest was twenty-one' years old, and the youngest
but tw.o years. He built the first cabin here, with the help of his fam
ily and one man — Benjamin Huntley, from Huron county. Mr. Anway
and his son cut the first road through the woods to Tiffin, winding along
on the highest grbund they could find. Anway's cabin stood near the
corner of the Marion state road and the South Tiffin road. The spot-
is now covered by a circle of pines planted there in memory of the first
home of the AnWay family. The children of William Anway were
John, Susan, William, George, Fanny, Austin, Erastus, Hannah, Harri
son and Phoebe.
Moses Smith put up a small frame building across the road from
Anways, in which he kept a store.
Robert Dutton was the first man that died in this township, and was
buried on his farm, which is now owned by Mr. Frank Fox. William
Pierce, a colored man, put up and carried on the first blacksmith shop
in the township. Mary, the daughter of John Anway, was the first
white child born in the township. She is now the' wife of Mr. John
Wilcox, living in Republic. Her father's was the first marriage in
Scipio township. John is still living at this writing. '
ARCHIBALD STEWART
Came here, from Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and settled on sec
tion twenty-nine, in 1824. He had two children when he came, and
on the 29th of August, the same year, his son James W. was born at
their new home here, where he still lives, having lived no other place
all this time. The old cabin stood about eighty rods from their pres
ent dwelling. The Indians used to camp near their cabin, on the east

590 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
bank of Rocky creek. There was a very old Indian among them, who
had large silver rings in his nose. He was in the habit of boasting that,
he had the tongues of ninety-nine white men, and needed just one more
to make one hundred. The Indians often stayed over night at Mr.
Stewart's. ,
Archibald Stewart was born on the 9th of June, 1797, in Lycoming
county, Pennsylvania. He was raised on a farm, and married Martha-
Johnson, who died here. He is about five feet nine inches high, has a
peculiar deep, sonorous voice, is well proportioned and well preserved;
has large blue eyes, a fine forehead; his heavy head of hair, which was
once a dark brown, has become white by the heavy frosts of Scipio
township, but he still walks erect, and is as good and interesting in
conversation as eyer, bidding fair to become a centennarian.
Mr. Isaac B. Witter tells me that in 1827 Jonathan Witter; Sr.> moved
from Ontario county, New York, into Reed township, near Captain ¦
Hanford's and Dr. Gilbert's. The writer knew Mr. Witter very well.
Isaac B. has now lived in Scipio over forty years.
Philip and Adam Steinbaugh, Humphrey Bromley, Michael Hendel,
John A. Gale, Chancey Rundell, J. H. Drake, Dr. Maynard, William
Parker, Sylvester Watson, the Neikirks, A. H. and R. G. Perry and
Michael Chamberlain may also be said to belong to the pioneers here.
N. P. COLWELL,
When about twenty 'years old, emigrated from Madison county, New
York, to Thompson township, in this county, where he arrived at his
step-father's, Joseoh Philo, on the 9th of October, 1831. In 1832 the
election was held at Esquire Knight's cabin, a few rods east of John
Royers, where Colwell voted for Jackson for president of the United
States. He lived in Thompson two years, and then went to Amsden's
Corners (Bellevue), where he built a wagon and carriage shop, and
carried on the business for five years, when he returned to New York,
where he married his wife, and returned here, located in Republic in
August, 1838, where he has lived on the same street ever since. Here
he built a shop, and carried on the wagon and ' carriage business until
failing health compelled him to quit. The.people electedhim township
clerk, and he opened the first office in the then new town hall, in the
spring of 1850. He continued in office for twenty years, until stricken
down by paralysis in 1870 He held the office of township clerk eleven
years, and was justice of the peace sixteen years; he was mayor of Re
public and member of the council all the time; a member of the board
of education seventeen years in succession. During these long years

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 59j
of official life he transacted a great deal of legal business, settling estates
of deceased persons and attending to guardianships. During and since
the war he attended, to soldiers claims free of charge, and until a
; license of #10 was required. This he paid for eight years, and his
work in that line increased until on the 27th day of December, 1870,
he was stricken with paralysis, when for several months he could not
write. He recovered sufficiently, however, to attend to notarial and
other office business in his room, where he is confined most of the time
Nervous rheumatism in his feet and legs interfere with his walking very
much, and he goes out only on clear, warm days.
, Friend Colwell said to me in a letter, describing the beauties of
Thompson in its wild state: ,
' *
All the land about Flat Rock (i. e., where it has been built since) was a
wild prairie. In the spring time large erops of herbage sprang up, and in
May and June ft was the most beautiful flower garden I ever saw— wild
flowers of all forms, shapes and colors, equal to any cultivated flowers, gave
a delightful fragrance to all that country. Snow's cabin, north of where
Plat Rook now stands, was trie only human habitation in all that region.
There were large herds of deer roaming over these prairies. Triey could be
seen almost any time of day swinging their antlers as they cropped the
herbage. The scenery was wild and grand beyond description, a perfect
Garden of Eden, except the apples. When frost killed the vegetation and
the grass had become dry, fires swept all over the country and left it bare.
The Indians set it on fire for hunting purposes.
' LANCE TODD
Was born on the 7th day of January, 1806, in Frederick county, Mary
land, the son of Thomas and Mary Todd. They arrived in Fort Ball
on the 8th of August, 1828, and the whole family soon thereafter set
tled in the northwestern part of Scipio township. There were, besides
the parents, three brothers and two sisters, and each had a piece of
land in that neighborhood.
. Nathaniel Norris was married to one of the girls in Maryland, and
the other married Lott Norris, after the Todd family came out here.
Lance Todd built a cabin iin the woods on his own land and after
wards put up a good, two-story log house, in which he still resides.
He was married here to , Mary Miller in 1834, and has two children.
The whole family is still living, but the parents, brothers and sisters of
Mr. Todd are dead.
When the family settled here on section eight, William Scoville lived
, on the south end of the same section. Evan Dorsey had a house raised
on his land also, but nobody lived in it. They had to make a road out
from their place every direction they wanted to go. Abraham Sriiith

592 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
came into this neighborhood soon after the Todds settled here; also
John Hall.
After the reservation came into market, the country settled up very
rapidly, and soon the land was all taken up. Then roads were opened,
land cleared, and houses put up, so that it began to look like an old
country. Mr. Todd has about seventy-five acres cleared and about thirty-five
acres in woods. He helped to open and start six farms in this neigh
borhood, and still lives on the place where he located, fifty two years
ago.

CHAPTER XLI,
SENECA TOWNSHIP.

T. I, N. R. 14 E.
IN some previous chapter mention was made of the township of Sen*
eca, when first organized, embracing all that part of Seneca county
lying west of the Sandusky river. Every township that was organized
in this territory afterwards reduced it in size until finally it was confined
to its proper geographical limits (See chapter x.)
The first election held in this township was on Monday, the ist day
of June, 1820, while Seneca county was still apart of Sandusky county.
-At the next annual election the following officers were chosen, viz:
West Barney, John Lay and David Risdon, trustees; John Eaton, clerk,
(it is said that he named Eden township after himself); Benjamin Bar
ney, treasurer, (he still lives in Pike county, Illinois,); Joseph Keller
and Daniel Rice, overseers of the poor; James Montgomery, Erastus
Bowe and Joel Chaffin, supervisors; P. Wilson, lister; Asa Pike, ap
praiser; Thomas Nicholson and Abner Pike, fence viewers; John
Boughton and Joel Lee, constables..
At the state election in the fall of the same year the whole , number
of votes polled in Seneca township, comprising about three-fourths of
the whole county, was twenty-six. (See chapter x.)
In 1830 the population had increased to 369; in 1840, to 1,393 (then
Seneca proper); in 1870 it numbered 1,580. It did not reach that
number in 1880, when it is only 1,537.
The early settlers in the township, as now constituted, were Henry
St. John, William McCormick, Alexander Bowland, John Galbreath,,
Peter Weikert, Joseph Canahan, William Kerr, Caleb Brundage, Daniel
Hoffman, John Yambert, David Foght, William Harmon, Jacob Staib,
Benjamin' Harmon, John Blair,, George Heck^ Jacob Wolfe, John Wag
goner, James Aiken, James Brinkerhoff, John Crocker, Gustavus Reini-
ger, Jacob Kroh, Amos Nichols, John Withelm and others.
There was also an Indian grant in this township to Catharine Walker,
38

594

HISTORY OF -SENECA COUNTY.

a Wyandot woman, and to John Walker, her son, who Was wounded in
the service of the United States. It was a section of 640 "acres lying
mostly within the present limits of Seneca township, and directly west
of the Van Meter section. This grant' was secured to these Walkers at
the treaty of 181 7, at the foot of the rapids of the Miami of the Lake.
The writer knew the old lady and William Walker, another of her sons,
when they kept store at Upper Sandusky. Judge Lugenbeel bought a
large part of the section when the Walkers sold it. t '
On the 15th of April, 1845, Henry F-^Kaesther, William Brinkerhoff
and John Campbell caused to be surveyed, on. section nineteen, a town,
to, which was given the name. of Berwick (Mr. Campbell came from
Berwick, in Pennsylvania, and named this new town after that old one.
The Berwick in Pennsylvania1 is also the birthplace of the wife of the
writer.) Berwick is a station1 on the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleve
land railroad, eight miles from Tiffin, and is the only village, in "the
township. Seneca is one of the wealthy townships in the county. The soil is
rich and under a good state of cultivation. Its citizens are intelligent
and enterprising. Their homes exhibit taste and comfort,
Mention should also be made of some otrierxjld settlers here, Ger
man pioneers that located in Seneca township about the time the writer
came to Tiffin: John Dockweiler, Conrad Schmitt, Ignatz Neumeyer,
John Houck, George Weisenberger, Michael Wagner, John Feck, Jacob
Kappler, Michael Stippich; Conrad Heirholzer and John Wank.
1 1 FRANCIS JOSEPH HIRT.
The reader must excuse the space occupied in the mention ofthis
subject. I would rather speak of men — yes, and of good men, than to
describe brutes. The event I am about to describe here took place
nearly forty years ago, and has almost been forgotten. A "logging"
meant the hauling together and piling up of logs to make a clearing,
preparatory to the burning of them. When the logs were cut to the
proper length to be haridled, and everything was ready for the work,
the neighbors were invited for a certain day to come to the " logging."
Some brought their ox, teams, others their axes, and worked hard all
day. The neighboring women came to help the housewife getting
dinner and supper fpr the men, and after supper it was very usual to
have a dance and a general good time. It was very customary in those1
days to have plenty of whisky at these loggings, raisings, sheep-wash
ings, harvests, etc., and sometimes a man would take too much.
A Mr. John Feck lived on a piece of forty acres in the southwest

SENECA TOWNSHIP. , $gc
quarter of section five, in this township; Francis J., Hirt also lived in
the neighborhood. Both were at the logging of somebody else in the
neighborhood, whose name has escaped me. This was early, in trie
spring of 1841. , . The man that had the Jogging, Hirt, Feck, andperhaps
the whole crowd were Germans. After supper a dance was started..
Hirt took part in the dance. Feck stood at one side of the room look
ing on. Hirt had a pocket-knife in his hand, and becoming very bois
terous, somebody tried to quiet him, and during the muddle Hirt
stabbed Feck in the belly, cutting a terrible gash, letting out his bowels,
and from which he died in a short time. Hirt was arrested and placed
in the log jail in Tiffin.
He was a man near six feet high,, well proportioned, and very mus
cular. His carriage was very straight. His pale face contrasted very
violently with his very black, bushy hair, large black eyebrows, and his
dark, flashy, large eye. ¦ He had a very low forehead, clenched lips, and
heavy lower jaw; thick, short neck, and very long, bony arms. His
nose was short and fleshy, and his teeth were regular and beautiful; in
fact, his teeth were the only thing beautiful about him. His whole
make-up presented the desperado.
On the 25th day of May, 1841, the grapd jury presented an indict
ment in the court against Hirt, for murder in the first degree, aind the
prosecuting attorney, Mr. Joel W. Wilson, was busily engaged prepar
ing the case for trial- Cowdery 'and, Wilson were law partners at that
time, and trie witnesses being nearly all Germans, the writer, then read
ing law in the office, was of some service to the prosecuting attorney in
ascertaining what the witnesses could testify.
Immediately after the occurrence, Dr. George W. Sampson, of
McCutchenville, was sent for, who arrived while Mr. Feck was still
living. He returned the intestines and sewed up the wound, but Feck
¦Jiad already become delirious. Hirt's knife was found with blood on
it, behind a big' German chest that stood in the room where the dance
took place and the murder was committed. It seems that Hirt trirew
the knife there after he had Cut the fatal wound.
The court commenced on the 24th day of May, 1841, a few days after
the fire of the court house. The court was held in the M. P. church,
on Monroe street, now fixed up for- a dwelling house by Mr. F. Mar-
quart, of Tiffin. When the case of the state of Ohio against Francis J.
Hirt was called, ft was continued for trial to the next term of the court.
It will be remembered that at the fire of the court house, trie old log
jail at the southeast corner of the court house lot, was saved. Hirt was
in this jail.

596 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The following named persons were subpoenaed as witnesses for the
state and put under their own personal recognizances for their appear
ances at the next term, -each in the sum of #100, viz: John Neumeyer,
John Wank, William Kabala, Joseph Keppler, Henry Naeth, John .
Weng, Joseph Meng, Joseph Smith, Francis Lerihart, Anthony Sanders,
Joseph Hunimell, Clements Marks, Jorin Baptist Ilchert and Alexander
Swartz (Schwartz).
Hirt broke jail and escaped to Canada, where he lived for many
years. His wife instituted proceedings in court, by which she became
the owrier of all the property of her husband, and it was supposed for
a while that she would follow him to Canada. She was a very pious
lady, and settled in New Reigel, in this county, near her church, where
she livea until about two years ago. She had no child, but her mother
lived with her. Hirt himself made his way to Ibwa City, Iowa, from
whence he kept up a regular correspondence with his wife, and finally
prevailed upon her to sell her property in New Reigel and meet riim in
Iowa City. She complied, and taking rier old mother with her, met
Hirt at Iowa City. The sight of her husband so horrified her that she'
could not consent to have him live with her, and finally --absolutely re
fused. She had already purchased a house andJot in the suburbs, of
Iowa City, where she lived with her mother.
One afternoon, when the two ladies were alone in the house, Hirt
came, drew a revolver, and shot his' wife and then her mother. It is
also said that he set the house on fire and hung himself.
Both ladies were killed, however, and the particulars in the closing
scene of the horrible life of this monster are no(j known here. If they
can be ascertained before these pages go to the printer, the proper
connections will be added.
My Old friend John Houck, the merchant, says the riiurder of John
Feck took place after the raising of a log barn,, and not after a logging; ;;
, I write from my own best recollections and those of others that knew of
the occurrence at the time. GUSTAVUS G. REINIGER
Is one of the German pioneers of Seneca county. The history of Sen
eca township would not be complete without a short sketch of him. He
was born in Vayingen, in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 9th day "of
April, 1 801; attended school at Attersteig, in the black woods (Schwartz-
wald), and was afterwards placed under the tutorship of Prof. Heller,
in Kalb, where he studied the languages. He next spent two years as
a student of the Agricultural Academy at Hohheim. After he left the

SENECA TOWNSHIP. > ' cgy
academy he became book-keeper (actuary) iA the office of the " Comp-
troleur of Forests " at Beutelsbach, in Wurtemberg. Here he made trie
acquaintance of Fraulein Rosalia Durr, and was married to her in
1822. He remained in this office until the spring of 1832, when he
moved, with his family to America, and settled in the woods of Seneca
township, in August of that year, and where he still resides. His oldest
son is dead;- and two others are in Iowa, one of wriomis a distinguished
lawyer there.
it is customary in Germany for all officers in the forest departments
to wear uniforms of dark green, cloth. The early settlers of Tiffin will
remember Mr. Reiniger with his green coat buttoned up to his chin with
yellow buttons, and his friendly face smoothly shaven, except the
familiar goatee, which he wears to this day.
It is no easy task to comprehend and bring up before the mind the
full scene in the change, when a man, with his family, leaves trie asso
ciation of friends and the scenes of his earlier days, and exchanges a
life of refinement in the classic hills and valleys of Gerrnany for that
of an American frontiersman in the forest. And is it not strange to see
so many of that class of men and women quietly embrace and enjoy the
free and independent life of an American farmer ? Such, however, is
the nature of our free institutions,, that any honest livelihood here is
preferable to the gilded wrongs of European oppressions, and a life
under them. The true man is the American nobleman.
There are three daughters and two-sons still living. Mrs. Reiniger
died on the 5th of May, 1869.
\ THE STAIB FAMILY
Were also among the pioneer settlers of Seneca township. My old
friend Mr. Jacob Staib prepared a sketch for me in,German, from which
I abstract the following:
I was born in Grosz-Heppach, in Wurtemberg, Germany.- In the year 1833
I came to America, and landed in Tiffin on the 28th of August, in that year.
I worked for Mr. Fellnagel awhile, but my first work here was for Mr.
Reiniger. I entered trie land -where we lived so long, and in 1834 1 com
menced chopping and clearing on the old Staib farm, and built a house, into
which I moved on the 1st day of April, 1835, and where I had no other com- >
pany than my dog. I bought a yoke of oxen, a cow and some chickens. In
May John Ellwanger came and worked with me until my father and the
family came on.< Father was born on the 6th of August, 1779, in Wurtem
berg, when it was yet a Duchy. He died March 28th, 1867. My mother, who
is still living with me, and whose maiden name was Elizabeth C. Kloepfer,
was born also in Wurtemberg, October 8th, 1783. The family arrived here
July 9th, 1835. Now we all worked together, but had many troubles to con-

598 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. . ¦' ,
tend with. Provisions became scarce, and we were compelled to grate un
ripe corn to make bread. I was lucky enough to buy a barrel of flour from
a team that came from the south for $7.00. The man sold the balance of the
load in Tiffin for twice that sum.
The German grape plants father brought with him began to bear in two
years from the time they were planted, and produced delightful fruit, -but in
1843 the mildew affected them, and finally destroyed them. We raised pines
frorn seed we brought with us, which became the firstever green trees in the
county. We also had the first grafted fruit in the county, cherries, plums,
apricots, peaches, etc. We partook of the work and hardships incident to
frontier life. The climate was very unfavorable ; great storms, heavy frosts,
and thawing weather, interchanging rapidly, was very destructive to wheat,
and we harvested more cheat than wheat: (What has become of the cheat
anyway ? Why are not farmers pestered with it now V— Whiter.)
In the spring of 1834 we had frosts from the 12th until'1 the 20th of May.
The fruit trees froze, vegetables, the wheat, and even the leaves on the trees
in the woods, so that on the 1st of June the woods looked like winter time.
The springs were very wet; the summers exceedingly hot and dry. In the
summer of 1834 we were pestered greatly with squirrels; the woods were
' literally filled with them. We could raise nothing within a few rods of the
fences. They often destroyed whole fields of wheat and corn. The woods
were full of ravenous animals also, that made it almost impossible to raise
poultry or hogs for a while.
In 1840 a cow belonging to Martin Spitler died, and the wolves devoured
Tier in two nights. Jn 1858 I found a nest of young wolves on my farm,
about forty rods from the river, in a hollow tree, where we burned them up.
The old one made the nights hideous with her. howling.
We also had our share of malarious fevers, and at times were not able to
wait upon each other. Sometimes we could not take care of our crops, hut
there is nothing like good neighbors. There were no rich' people, here then,
and therefore we had^no thieves ; there was nothing to steal. The greater
number of the old pioneers have passed away, and there are but a few of us
left who can look back upon those early days, which were, after all, among
our most happy times, in spite of all hard work and privations.
In December, 1833, we built a scriool house. Our district embraced nearly
all the township. We all met on the same day, criopped down the frees,
hauled the logs together, raised the house and put the clap-boards on before
we quit work. Even the floor was laid, the benches put up, the house
chinked and daubed. A few days after school was kept in it.
In 1838 Market street, in Tiffin, was cut out from the river to Julius Fell-
nagel's., on Sandusky street. Mr. Fellnagel had a lease from Mr. Hedges for
a piece of land near by, all covered with trees. My brother Louis and I took
the job of clearing it. When we cut down a big maple we found at a point
three inches from the center a notch that had been cut with a sharp instru
ment, about three inches wide. The notch was four inches deep and oblique.
We counted more than three hundred rings between this wound and the
bark. Some forest ranger more than three centuries befdre injured the tree.
It stood between Mr. Eid's residence and the river.
There- was a wedding in Seneca township one night. The clay' bake

SENECA TOWNSHIP. cqq
oven, near the house of the bride, stood on block. That night it was
full of bread, pies, roasted turkey, cakes, and other good things. Boys
are boys, they say, but it was a very ugly trick when they carried away
the whole bake oven, with its entire contents, and when the ceremony
at the house was over, and the supper to be served up, the bake oven
was gone.
I don't like to mention any names, but if any one will ask my old
friend G. W. Aulger, on the McCutchenville road, he may know some
thing about it. Who ever heard of stealing a bake oven ?
ELIJAH MUSGRAVE,
Who is- still living, was also an early settler in the county. He came
to Republic in September, 1824, and worked for Mr. T. Roberts clear
ing land, and soon earned money enough to buy eighty acres, near
Melmore, from Thomas West. He also worked for Frank Baker, Judge
Cornell and Major Stephens. He and John Burns took the job of
building the first M. E. church in Melmore, in 1833. He voted at the
first ejection held in Scipio township. Adam Hance was elected jus
tice of the peace. Mr. Musgrave has lived for many years on his
splendid farm, in section twenty-seven. He was deputy sheriff under
David Bishop in 1833. Mr. Musgrave says:
In trie spring, when I was 23 years old, I made 6,000 rails. They only paid/
25 cents per hundred for rails down in Cosriocton, but riere I got 50 cents.
I was born in Allegheny county, Virginia, March 4, 1804. In 1810 my father
moved to Coshocton county, Ohio. When I came here there was no house
between New Haven and Republic. I was married to Harriet, daughter of
Micajah Heaton, 17th of May, 1833. When the Toledo war broke out, I was
captain of a militia company. Dr. Gibson was our surgeon. Ezra Baker
had a. company also, and there was a company froin Findlay, too. We all
went to Toledo, but never got under fire. We riad a full battalion. Henry
C. Brish was our general. Governor Lucas was there. We all. came back
safe and sound.
Daniel Reis, Philip and Jacob Scheer, Andrew Burgderfer, Jonathan
Kirgis and Peter Miller were also early German settlers, and there were
also trie Arbogasts, Vannests, John Manges, John Kerr, E. Roley, the
Koenigsaamens, Caleb Brundage, George Robb, A. Yambright, Henry
Hepp, John Adelsperger, Joseph Lye, Joseph Lonsoway and others;
also the Davidsons and Blairs, the Spilters and others.
JOHN DOCKWEItER
Came here from Germany in 1833, and bought the northwest quarter,
section five, when it was all woods.. Here he built his home and
raised a large family. He was a very strong man and very decided in

600 HISTORY Of, SENECA COUNTY.
his opinion, which often brought him into conflict with others. He
was a good neighbor, however, very hospitable, and for many years a
sort of a leader in the vicinity He was born in Martinshoehe, now in
the Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany, then belonging to France, on the
26th Nivos, year 9 of the French Republic (January 16, 1801).
Mrs. Dockweiler's maiden name was Mary Schirk. She was born
January 6, 1805, at Niederset, Alsacea. They were married near
Easter,Tn 1828, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Dockweiler died March 7, 1880. His widow is still living. -
Christian Scherer, Philip Bauer, Theobald Wagner, Francis Bartz,
Frederick Becker, Franz Masson and John Brandt were also early Ger
man settlers in this tpwnship. WILLIAM ARNOLD.
Close by Seneca township, where, the state road crosses Thorn creek,
a little south of McCutchenville, William Arnold and his young wife
located in the spring of 1.823. They were married in the fall previous,
in 1822, in Fredericksburg, Maryland.
William Arnold was born in Fredericksburg, in 1802. Mrs. Arnold,
whose maiden name was Noel, and who was a sister of Michael Noel,
was also born in Fredericksburg, Maryland.
Michael Noel lived a short distance south of McCutchenville, also,
and was a man of good repute as a farmer and citizen. He raised a
family of interesting sons and beautiful daughters, two of whom were
married to citizens of this county, one beirig the wife of my good old .
friend, the distinguished hardware merchant, Martin Kingseed, of Fos
toria. /
Here at Thorn creek, Mr. Arnold entered a piece of land and put up
a cabin. The state road was surveyed close to his house, and this being
the only road running north and south, west of the Sandusky river, it was
the only thoroughfare for emigrants and others traveling portri and south.
Forty years agO, new as the country then was, there was more travel
on that road than there is now. The Wyandots were then still living on
the plains and became great friends of Mr. Arnold and his wife, who
had opened at their house a small beer and ginger bread stand; they
also sold carbonated mead, of all of which the Indians were fond.
Sometimes the Indians would get too much fire-water at McCutchen
ville, and going home, stop in at Mr. Arnold's, acting ugly. One time
an Indian named Spotted Tail wanted more beer, and the stock beirig
exhausted, beckme very boisterous and drew, a tomahawk to strike
Mrs. Arnold, who was alone in the house. For want of any other pro-

' SENECA TOWNSHIP. g0,
tection, she set her big dog on the Indian, who drove the savage away.
At another time, " Stokey," another Wyandot, became very insult
ing at the house and Mr. Arnold struck him with the end of his whip
handle over the head.
The Indian became very angry, jumped onto his pony and going
away, told Mr. Arnold that he would fix him. He was gone but a
short time when he returned with six other Indians. Meantime Mr.
Arnold prepared himself for an attack, and when the Indians rode up
to the door, where they were met at the small end of Arnold's old mus
ket and other persuasives, they desisted from "all further attempts to do
injury. Big Crow, Round the Lake and Black Snake were also cus
tomers at Arnold's beer shop, but were always of good behavior.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnbld were very devout Catholics, and being far re
moved from a church of their faith, experienced the want very much.
After their first child was born and the mother was able to travel
Mr. Arnold left his lone cabin in the woodsy hitched up his team and
took wife and babe to Lancaster, Ohio; to have it christened. It took
a whole week to make the trip. Soon, however, other Catholics settled
in the neighborhood, and Mr. Arnold was one of the prime movers in
the establishment of the first Catholic church at McCutchenville.
Mr. Arnold was as ingenious as he' was industrious. He was always
at work at something, and while he opened up a farm with great indus
try, he was ever busy making tools and implements for household and
husbandry. ' They raised a large family of children, and Mrs. George Strausbaugh,
who furnished the writer much valuable information of early life on
Thorn creek, and Mr. Anthony H. Arnold, of Tiffin, are two of them.
' The parents have both passed away and so have also Mr. and Mrs
Noel. The latter survived them all and died only recently in the enjoy
ment of comfort arid peace.
, GEORGE HECK.
The subject of this sketch is now the oldest settler, in the township.
The writer has not been able to trace any one who settled here before
Mr. Heck and is still living. Mr. Aiken was a very respectable pioneer
and he died but a few years ago. He came about the same time that
Mr. Heck arrived.
The grandfather of Mr. Heck came from Germany. George Heck
was born October 5, 1797, near the mouth of Hocking river, in Athens
county, Ohio. He grew up on his father's farm there. He married
Sarah Grelle, who was a widow with four' childreri. Samuel Grelle,
Esq., late county commissioner, is one of them. With her he had ten

0o2 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
children, of whom five are still living, the others having died in child
hood. The oldest one living is his daughter, Catharine, wife of Harry
Fiser; next, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Bowlin, and Maria, wife of John
Strebin, all living in the state of Indiana; Daniel G. Heck, the popular
superintendent of the Seneca County Infirmary, and John, the youngest
son, who is living near his fatrier on the old homestead. 'The children
all have families and are all doing well.
Soon after trie land sales, Mr. Heck's father bought, at the Delaware
land office, the southwest front quarter of section twenty-five, in this
township, and made a deed for it to his son GeOrge. Three years after
he was married he moved onto the land here. Mrs. Heck died on the
18th of December, 1840. About one year thereafter, he married Sarah,
the sister of John Kerr, Esq., now residing in Tiffin. She dropped dead
on the floor in 1875 after living on the Old homestead with Mr. Heck
thirty-five years At breakfast, on the morning of the day she died,
she told Mr. Heck her dream of trie previous night. She said she
dreamed that their, canoe got loose (their house stands near the
river), and drifted to the other side of the river; that she walked after
it on the top of the water, and' as she reached the other shore, she
stepped onto a log, and looking back saw her steps on the log.
Mr. Heck says:
I am my father's youngest son. I had one brother and four sisters, and
am the only one remaining of my fatrier's family. My parents talked Ger
man to each other, but always English to' us children, and therefore I never
learned the German. .
We hired a team and moved up here in the spring of 1823, by the way of
Upper Sandusky along trie Negrotown road, as it was then called. . It was
not the present Negrotown road, but a trail by that name that wound through
the woods in all directions. Anderson's and Crocker's were all the houses
between Mexico and Tiffin, and they were cabins in trie woods.
When we arrived here and found our land, we hunted for, and found, a
suitable place to locate near the bank of the river in the woods. We un
loaded and the team returned. I paid the man $20 to bring us here, and
"that left me but $5, all told, and here I was with a wife, five children, five
dollars, no house, no team, no neighbor and no friend near. Ieutfour
forks, put them into the ground .in a square, laid poles, across them, made
some clap-boards and covered the shed, and here we camped until my
brother-in-law, Petef Baum, who had married my wife's sister, helped me
cut some logs, which, for want of a team, we carried together and built a
cabin. For want, of other material to make a floor, I took the barls of large
elm trees and spread it on trie ground, wriicri answered very well. There
was a spring on the bank of the river, near this cabin, and here we lived
two years, when I built a better log house aud moved into it. There was
not a stick cut ori this land nor in the woods for miles around. There were
neither roads nor bridges. When I was ia boy grown up, my fatrier moved

SENECA TOWNSHIP. 60,
with his family to Perry county, where I was married. From there I came
here. We had a couple of cows, and after struggling along duringthat'sum-
mer, fall and winter as best we could, my father brought to me a yoke of
oxen the following spring. This was a sort of God-send and I began to take
courage. Some time afterwards I went back to Perry county and brought
home a young brood mare I had left there. My father brought me flour
p twice, which kept us from starving, and some of the other settlers also.
When they found out that we had flour, they came for several miles around
to borrow somevto be paid back some time in kind. We had good flour, but
some who returned flour brought a very inferior article. ,Foneannons never
brought theirs back until two years afterwards, and others never made re
turn at all. Then the clothes I brought with me were worn out, and how to
get'others I did not know. I killed two large bucks and took the skins to
the Mohawk squaws, on the Van Meter section, who tanned them for me.
I paid triem- for it with a few pounds of flour. I cut a pair of pants out of
these skins and my wife helped me sew them. For three years I wore these
every day, and they were the most serviceable pants I ever had. I got Jacob
Price to tan a skin also, out of which we made a pair of pants for Samuel
Grelle, but whenever they got wet and dry again, they became as stiff as
boards. Price did not understand tanning deer skins as well as the Mohawk
squaws. When James Aiken came here, he was a single man. William Anderson
came here also about the time we did, and Aiken married Andersori's
daughter. Triey lived on the Negrotown road. Aiken was a Virginian,
but lived at Delaware a short time before he came here. He was here when
I came. Anderson's land joined mine on the east.
The first wheat I raised I took to Moore's mill, near Lower Sandusky-to
get it ground. We all took siek and had a great deal of trouble with the
diseases incident to life in the forest.
Soon after my arrival here I became acquainted with Hard Hickory-, of
the Senecas. He was a very intelligent Indian and spoke English very
plainly. He prided riimself on his French blood. v
They camped near our house, and brought their camp equipage with them
in their canoes. 0ne night Hard Hickory and another Indian killed two
deers near my house. The Indians fixed a candle over their heads in the
canoes, and while the deers were feeding on the tender grass in trie river,
they would look at the light, while the Indians, sitting in the dark beneath,
could row almost up to them arid kill them. They put two forks into the
ground and a pole across them about four feet qp. , The meat was cut into
pieces, laid on this pole and dried by a fire -made beneatri. Trie meat was
salted a little before it was dried, and when thus well, cured, it was put into
a square pack, the skin of the deer wrapped around it and tied with strings
of raw riide. A crooked stick was fastened on the back of a pony and a
pack of triip dried venison, called "jerk," fastened to each end, to be taken
home. This drying and packing and cutting up of the meat was all done by
a squaw. One time when Hickory camped here, andbefore I had a team, I borrowed
one of his ponies to go to Tiffin for a half bushel of salt. He was always
kind- to me. There was also a Taway Indian througri here occasionally they

604 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV.
called Pumpkin, He was the biggest Indian I ever saw, and the most sav
age looking. Everybody, even the other Indians were afraid of him. He
was fully six feet high, had a glaring look, showed his teeth very much and
he must have weighed fully two hundred pounds.
Somewhere down about Cold creek a white man by the name of Snow, had
his cabin. One time, in the absence of Snow, Pumpkin came into the house
and killed Mrs. Snow. He then cut hex open and took out of her womb a
full grown babe, stuck it on a stick and roasted it over the fire in the house.
The white neighbors gave trie alarm and trie Senecas caught Pumpkin and
brought him to Snow, telling him that he should kill him or do anything
else he'pleased witri him. Mr. Snow, fearing the consequences, let Pump
kin run. Soon after triat, Pumpkin stole a corn ripe from my neighbor,
Aiken. Aiken told Pumpkin to leave the country and never show his face
again. It was not long after that, wrien Pumpkin got into a fight, with a
Wyandot and killed him. They made him sit on a log, when some six of
them plunged their tomahawks into his brain.
¦ Joseph Foncannon, two of his brothers and .his fatrier, settled near the
mouth of Honey creek, in Eden. Joseph was married. His wife was a
Poorman. Peter Lott, David Foght and Frederick Wagner also came in
soon. Peter Baum settled near Mexico. He moved to Missouri afterwards,
where he and his wife both died. Baum was never satisfied anywhere.
We raised hemp and flax and spun and wove tow-linen. Many a cold day I
chopped in the woods all day in tow-linen pants, my bare feet in shoes full
of water and ice. Sometimes the ice packed around my feet so tight that
when I came into the house I had to hold them to the fire a while before I
could get them off ; but I never had my feet frozen. I often had to goto
Tiffin on cold days in winter with tow-linen pants on. We lived very fine
after we could raise sheep and have the whole family dressed in linsey-
woolsey. Que time my father paid us a visit, and when he started back my wife
gave riim a loa£ of bread to take along on the road. He met a man on the
road hear Upper Sandusky, who was nearly starved. He had not eaten a
moutriful of bread for three weeks, and had lived on boiled nettles and milk.
He had a little hut near the road.
ANTON KOENMJSAMEN
Was born June 26th, 1796, in Dreyson, in trie Palatinate of Bavaria.
On the 26th of January, 1816, he' was married to Margaret Raufri, of
Boerstadt, in the Palatinate also. She was born July 28th, 1796.' They
settled in this town of Boerstadt, where he followed the trade of a cab
inet maker, until he moved with his family, then embracing six children,
to America, He landed in New. York in the forepart of October, 1832,
after a short voyage of thirty-two days, and soon after located in Ham
burg, Berks county, Pennsylvania, working at his trade
My old friend Martin Kingseed was noticed under the head of
Fostoria, in chapter xxxvu. He was the oldest son of the family, and
was born November 19th, 1817. The other five were Catharine, Peter,

SENECA TOWNSHIP. 60g
Christian, Magdalena and Margaret. From Berks county Mr. Koenigsa-
men, in April, 1833, moved to Pine Grove, in Schuylkill county, Penn
sylvania, where he located on a farm and undertook farming. Trie
, mountains and the stony fields were not congenial to him, and in 1834
he sold out and came to Ohio by wagons.
After a journey of six weeks he reached Tiffin, on the 18th of June,
1834. Here he stayed a few weeks, and bought ninety-four acres of
land six miles south of Tiffin, on the Sandusky river, in section fourteen.
Here»he opened up a farm, the land being all in the woods. He had
but few neighbors. William Hitt joined on the east of him, Richard
Connor on the north, Benjamin Peck on trieiwest, and the Sandusky
river on the south. Across the river lived Alex. Bowland and William
McCormack. Starting here in the woods he experienced, all the hardships of
foreigners who had no practical knowledge of clearing land, for this was
a peculiarly American science. Farmers in Europe are not compelled
to remove the forest in order to make a farm. The first year is gen
erally the hardest, because while you are not able to raise anything, you
are compelled to buy all y6u need, and live out of pocket. So with
Mr. Koenigsamen, but the next year he had cleared ten acres and begin
to raise provisions. Mr. Koenigsamen speaks very feelingly of the
kindness of his old neighbors in assisting^him with everything needful
until he got a better start in the world. The readiness and willingness
with which neighbors would come to a raising or logging has frequently
•been mentioned. So here. Help was never refused. Now the- open
ing grew larger, and grain was being raised in abundance. Everything
prospered, and the family were happy until, on the 19th of May, 1842,
Mrs. Koenigsamen died, a few days after giving birth to her tenth child.
The babe died six weeks thereafter.
Five years later, in 1847, Mr. Koenigsamen was again married, to
Catharine Bauer, of this township, with whom he had three children,
Joseph, Emelia and Catharine.
On the 26th day of October, 1862, his second wife also died. The
elder daughters then took charge of the household, and the youngest,
Emelia, is now the matron of the homestead.
For several years past his oldest son, Martin, has been in the habit
of arranging surprise parties at trie old homestead upon the anniver
sary of the old gentleman's birthday, when all the children would'meet
there, with their wives, husbands and children, and have a good
time all around. They had another big time there again this year,
when they celebrated his eighty-fourth birthday, showing him all honor

606 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. '
and filial affection possible, and gladdening the evening of his life with
renewed assurances of their love and devotion.
Mr. Koenigsamen is still in the enjoyment, of good'health, arid rather
robust for his age.' He enjoys his old pipe and a good joke as much as
ever, and promises fair to so continue for many years yet to come. His
son Anthony lives with him, and has charge of trie farm.

CHAPTER XLII.
THOMPSON TOWNSHIP.

T. 3, N. R., 17 E.
THE name of this good old township is especially dear to the writer,
for among its best men and prominent citizens many years ago,
he counted many true and. devoted friends. Its early settlement and
organization, etc.. have already been mentioned, and it remains only
to refer to several subjects not previously touched upon.
.' The first township election was held on the 6th day of May, 1820,
at the house of Joseph Parmenter.
Among the first settlers in the township were William and Nathan
Whitney, Joseph Parmenter, H. Purdy, David Underbill, James Whit-
more, James Underhill, Eh Whitney, Jasper Underhill, Benjamin, Clark,
Solomon Dimick, Benjamin Murray and A. H, Twiss, most ofwhom the
writer well knew. They are all dead but Jasper Whitney, of whom
mention will be made hereafter.
There were several squatters upon the openings in Thompson, who,
owing to the scarcity of water at that time, left the country.
In 1830 the population of the township was 362; in 1^840 it was 1,404,
and has increased to about 1,900 now.
The face of the country is beautifully undulating and the soil remark
ably rich and fertile. The very many improvements all over the town
ship, the latge. barns, splendid farm houses and excellent stock, indi
cate comfort and wealth, industry, economy and intelligence, The
German element predominates very largely, both in the old Pennsyl
vania and the European stock. There is a large settlefnent of German
Catholics in the southeastern portion of the township, where they have
a splendid church and a nunnery, under the auspices of the Precious
-Blood Society, mentioned in the chapter on Big Spring township.
These German Catholics were among the first settlers in that part of the
township and had organized a society as early as 1832-3. Among
those early pioneers I will mention Anthony Krupp, John Host, Michael

608 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Reinhart, John Glassner, Anthony Zahm, George Zahm, J. M. Zahm,
Franz Hen, David Umlor, Peters Schoendorf and John Gerhartstein.
Among the prominent men of later years may be mentioned Jacob
and John Bunn, Samuel Stewart, Jacob and Peter Karn, John Royer,
John Decker, Daniel Close, M, Good, John Heter, Peter Dewalt, arid
others; also the Schochs, the Douglas's the Manleys, the Purdys, the
Murrays, the Bloomers, John Hobbes, Elder Jackson and others.
The soil in Thompson, as elsewhere in trie county, is drift, resting
upon a sub-stratum of loose, shaley limestone, which is full of fissures,
forming numerous sink-holes, which are found all over the township.
A 'little stream called Sink creek runs into one of these, where it dis
appears.. Many years ago a saw mill was erected upon this stream,
with sufficient water to run it about three months in the year. There
is a similar creek with a small saw mill a little west of this. Whenever
there is a heavy or continuous rain, these' sink-holes overflow; doing a
good deal of damage sometimes.
The greatest natural curiosity in Thompson is, its celebrated cave.
The entrance to the cave is near the south end of the east half of the
northwest quarter of section one, on the land once owned by Mason
Kinney, one and one-half miles from Bellevue; and. three-quarters of a
mile from Flat Rock. The discovery of the cave is generally attri
buted to George and Henry Hasson. It was probably first discovered
by Lyman and Asa Strong. It was known as early as the year 1815
by the settlers on the Fire land, and visited frequently by the hunters
for the purpose of killing rattle snakes, which were found here in great
numbers, and which gave the name of Rattle Snake's Den to the cave.
The mouth of the cave is six feet long and three feet wide. Upon
examining the land in the immediate vicinity, it appears that about
five acres, from some unknown cause, have sunk several feet. Some
have conjectured that the limestone rock once rested upon a bed of
soap-stoner which being washed away in course of time, left a cavity
that swallowed up the whole mass above. There is no doubt but that
sometime in the world's history a great convulsion has racked the sub
stratum here, for as you descend the cavity, you find the rocks on one
side in a horizontal position, while on the other side they incline to
angle of 45 ° .
Upon entering the cave a natural passage leads downwards, gradu
ally in a northeasterly direction. At a depth of about thirty feet, the
light from above is obstructed, below which, darkness forever reigns,
unless driven away by the torch of trie curious explorer, who examines
wonders ofthis gloomy place. After a descent of about forty feet, you

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 609
enter a large cavern, and riere, as the eye surveys the lofty ceiling and
penetrates the recesses all around, the mind is peculiarly impressed
with the awful grandeur and magnificence of the scene. Proceeding
onward, water is observed dripping from the rocks above, which is
found, upon examination, to be impregnated with sulphur and not dis
agreeable to the taste. Beneath are discovered the tracks of harmless-
animals that roam about in places inaccessible to man; while overhead
bats are seen suspended from the rocks, apparently lifeless, but when
brought to the sun, they soon recover, and immediately direct their
course to the cave.
After a descent of nearly two hundred feet, the passage is interrupted
by a stream of pure cold water, which is very pleasant to the taste, and
has a slow current .to the northward. This stream' rises during the
wettest season of the - year about eighty feet, and again recedes upon,
the recurrence of dry weather. In 1844, a year remarkable for rains,
the water rose in the cave 176 feet, and within thirty feet of the surface
of the earth. When at its minimum height, the stream presents only a
few feet of surface, but its bottom has never been reached.
This cave is certainly an object of interest to all who admire the
works of nature or delight in subterranean wonders, and were the rocks
excavated around the mouth, so as to render the ingress less tedious,
it would doubtless be visited by thousands.
I have taken the foregoing description of the cave from Butterfield,
and copy also a communication signed " W." to the Sandusky Clarion
of August 17, 1S44. It is so intimately connected with the subject that
the reader will peruse it with interest:
Messrs. Editors: I have seen going the rounds of the papers, as a " sin
gular phenpmena," the flowing of the water from a well about eleven miles
from this. place.
Singular, I think it is not, and new I know it not to be. Neitrier as rep
resented did it commence '• all at once to flow," for it was known to rise
many days before it commenced to overflow, and had been daily watched.
Some days it rose a little, and some days it fell a little, until the last violent
rain, when it commenced running over.
But perhaps you will better understand the subject if I give you the result
of my observations, and wriat I have learned concerning the subterranean
waters of that region, for the last quarter of a century.
Cold creek, probably the principal outlet of the water, rises in Margaretta
township about three and a half miles from Sandusky bay (and at an eleva
tion of fifty feet above Lake Erie), into which it flows in a northerly direc
tion, and in that distance supplies the water for four large flouring mills.
The spring that the creek flows from was originally about an acre in
extent, but by damming it close to the head, the course of the water was
39

610 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
crianged under ground, so as to divert a part of it, wriich again bursts out at
about two hundred rods distant, from a great depth in the earth, forming a
hole about ten feet across, which was afterwards partially surrounded by a
circular dam, with the. intention of forcirig the water back to the old creek;
but as the water would not run up hill, the dam was extended and a canal
dug, uniting trie springs in one level. Trie new spring -is now about 100 feet ¦'
across, bowl-shaped and from 40 to 60 feet deep, with the water so clear that
a person looking from a boat on its surface, can see small objects floating at
the bottom, and seem themselves to be floating in the air.
These springs rise less than two miles trom, the Fire lands, which is also
our county line,, west, within which distance another rises, called the Rock
well spring, which flows west into Sandusky county, and supplies water to
a saw mill.
The water that supplies these springs is supposed to come f rofn trie exten
sive swamps and marshes that lie from 25 to 30 miles in a southern direction,
and about five miles north, of the dividing ridge that separates the waters
flowing into the Ohio river and those flowing into Lake Erie at this point,
and at rather a gradual elevation of about 400 feet above the level of the
. lake. From Cold creek to these swamps, there is. strong evidence of large quan
tities of water running under the surface of the earth. Trie first is about
fifty rods from trie head of the creek, where the breaking put of a few stones
at the bottom of a small ledge, exposed a large and deep stream of water,
constantly running, the bottom of which cannot be reached at twenty feet -
in a slanting direction, and the surface can be seen ten feet wide. At an
other place, some two miles south, water can always be obtained by sinking
a bpttle from 40 to 60 feet in trie crevices of the rock. Then, again, about
five miles south of Cold creek, is a dishing prairie, of from one to two hun
dred acres of land, which, after a series of rainy seasons, fills by the water
rising from its bottom, thrqugh trie alluvial soil that forms the surface of
the prairie. Then about one mile furtrier south, is a similar prairie, from
the south side of which, at about ten feet elevation from its bottom, is the
flowing well. The first account of the flowing of this prairie1 readies back
about twenty-seven years. A man who had settled on the north bank for
the purpose of cultivating the lands below, which he found ready for the
plow, was in the night alarmed by a1 loud report and the shaking of the
earth, and upon going to the door of his cabin, he heard a sound as of run
ning water. Upon going towards the spot from whence the sound proceed
ed, he found the water rushing from the surface of the earth with tremendous
force, on the south bank of the prairie, in a volume larger than a hogshead,
which continued to flow until the prairie was filled, and the water ran off
from the northeast side of trie basin. After this, the prairie filled several
different seasons, through the alluvial soil on its sides and bottom, but not
always so as to run over, until about twelve years ago, when the flowing. ,
well burst out about 60 rod's east of the first one! After' it had ceased flow
ing, a man living near thought to follow trie water as" it settled down, so as
to have a well, it being difficult to flnd water in this neighborhood. After
digging about eighteen feet in a perpendicular direction, trie course diverged
to trie westward; in a descending direction, about as much further; then

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. (j! r
• after removing trie rubbisri ¦ about twenty feet further in a perpendicular
direction, it was abandoned at a distance of fifty ,feet from the surface of
the earth. Since that time water could always be' found at the bottom in
the spring of the year. Eight years ago it overflowed again, since which
time there has occasionally been higri. water in it during a wet season, wrien
it filled trie prairie to trie extent of about seventy-five acres, floating off trie
fences and destroying the crops. It lasted about ten days, when it ceased
flowing, and ran back, so that the prairie was dry within a week, notwith
standing trie bottom of the basin is eight feet below wriere the water was
drained to the well, the water settling away through the soil at the
bottom. While the water was at its higriest point at this time, the f ahaily upon the
farm where the " flowing well " is situated, heard a loud report in the night,
which seemed to come from the earth, during a thunder storm. In trie
morning it was found to have come from the " blowing out " of another hole
about three-quarters of a mile in a northwesterly direction, from which the
water was flowing in a stream as large as a hogshead. Around all the " blow
holes," as they are called, the broken limestone is scattered for many feet,
thrown out by trie force of the water when it first burst out.
From this spot for ten miles or more, towards the dividing ridge, trie face
of the country is indented in numerous places, with flowing prairies, and
" sink holes," from a few rods to many acres in extent. Many of the " sink
holes" are mere bowl-shaped depressions of the surface, occasioned probably
during periods of riigh water, by trie wasting away of the earth below, into
the cavernous region, through some crevice in the compact limestone, imme
diately beneath. I am led .to this conclusion, from the fact that in some
.places wells riave been dug into tr^e compact limestone, that have furnished
water, untilsome dry season, when it has become low, and in blasting for
more, triey riave broken trirough into trie loose limestone, and lost what triey
had. ,
Others of the " sink holes " have openings at the bottom, througri wriich
the water rises in a wet season, whilst through the bottom of others the
surplus water from trie surface of the country runs off.
Advantages have been taken of some of these depressions to form trie pond
of a saw mill near Bellevue, that runs from two to four months in the spring
of the year, carried by water that is accumulated from the draining of a large
tract of country above, which after supplying the mill, runs off through, a
sink hole.
I think if it, were not, for the sink hole to carry off the water, in many
places the country would be full of ponds and swamps rendering it un
healthy. The citizens of Bellevue riave beeri compelled, this season, for the
second time, to drain a pond caused by the overflow of a sink-hale.
About two miles, still south of Bellevue, there is an opening into a caver
nous limestone, that can be traversed about two riundred feet, at trie extremity
of wriich runs a large stream of water, at more than 130 feet from the sur
face of trie-earth, and this season the cavern was filled to withinfrom twenty
to thirty feet of the surface.
A few miles still further south is a sunken prairie, in -the bottom of which
stands a black i walnut tree that holds a rail cut eighteen incries through

6l2 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
amongst its branches, more than twenty feet from the ground, floated there
when the water was at that height.
In connection with the "above I will mention a circumstance that took
place a few years ago in the region of the sink holes: A man well known to
myself had a team of three yoke of cattle plowing in the spring. When it '
commenced raining he stopped his work and turned his cattle loose in the
field. The rain proved to be a long storm, lasting- several days. When it
held up and the cattle were looked after, one of triem was missing, and sup
posed by trie owner to liave jumped the fence and strayed off, until more .
than three weeks afterwards the ox was found in the lot, where he had
settled down through the soil into a crevice of a rock below, and nothing but
his head and shoulders out. He was taken out and lived, with no other in
jury than the loss of hair from the buried part. Another ox was lost three
weeks, and found at the bottom of a sink hole in the woods, the sides of ,
whicri he had browsed clean.
I will f urtrier state that when some parts * of , the country I have been de
scribing were first settled, they were very much infested with rattlesnakes, .
* which were sometimes found early in the spring in large numbers upon the
surface of the earj;h in their torpid state, driven from the rocks below by
the' rising of the water, before the sun was sufficiently powerful to warm
them into active life.
I have written-so much more than I had intended when I commenced that
I will finish by adding, that, notwithstanding the immense quantity of water
in the country above, Cold Creek is never affected by the rising or falling of
the water (in Thompson) to the extent of six inches. Yours respectfully, W.
I have thus copied at length for the purpose of directing the atten
tion of some geologist to the investigation of the subject. The old
notion that Cold creek is the outlet of the subterranean stream in
Thompson,' might as well be abandoned.
Esquire Sherk, of Bellevue, tells me that whenever the water was
high in Thompson after a freshet, and running into the sink holes, great
quantities of water came out of trie ground in the southeast corner of-
Sandusky county — York township, and in Groton also, in Erie county—
and overflowed great tracts of land there, showing that Thompson has
a higher altitude than, either of the other places named. In 1872 the
great " Royer ditch " was constructed, which now carries away all the
surface water in its vicinity, and since this time the overflowing in
York and Groton has ceased.
On the ist of January, 1841, Jonas Harshberger, the surveyor,^
platted a town on sections eleven and twelve, in Thompson. George
Schock, Frederick Harpster and Jacob Korner were the proprietors.
It is a pleasant little village, but Bellevue absorbed it, and checked its
growth. The town, was named Lewisville, but the name of its postoffice
is Flat Rock, and the name of the town is heard but seldom. The

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. gj,
country about the town is rich and beautiful. Two of the proprietors
Harpster and Korner, have gone to their long homes. Mr. Schock is
still living.
The Orphans' Home, under the care of the Evangelical church, is
situated here, and under the care of its present gentlemanly and intelli
gent superintendent, the Rev. Mr. Dresbach, will do great good, as it
has already established a reputa'tion for itself, to the honor of the
church and the county alike.
Thompsontown was surveyed and platted on the corners of sections
fourteen and fifteen and twenty-two and twenty-three, on the 14th day
of November, 1840. William McCauley, Abraham Sherk and Samuel
Sherk were the proprietors. The survey was made in the same month
when General Harrison was elected President of the United States.
That ended the "hard cider" campaign, but it was no reason why
Thompsontown never prospered. 'JASPER WHITNEY
Was one of the early settlers in Thompson.. He and old father Royer
are, perhaps, the only survivors of that class of pioneers. Mr. Royer
still resides in Thompson, but Mr. Underhill lives in Wood county as I
am'informed. It is said that many years ago Mr. Whitney, while living in Thomp
son, near Nathan Whitney, was taken sick very suddenly and, after a
short illness, died and was laid out on a cooling-board. The neighbors
rendered every assistance possible and the doctor assured them all that
Mr. Whitney was dead. A coffin was made and brought to the house
and preparations made for the burial. Mrs. Whitney could not per
suade herself to believe that heir riusband was dead, and the funeral was
put off to an indefinite time. A consultation of physicians was held at
the house and no trace of life ¦ could be discovered. The doctors,
neighbors and all, tried to prevail on Mrs, Whitney to let the funeral
take place, but she was unmoved and insisted that her husband was not
dead. Some people now began to doubt whether she had her right mind,
and matters began to look serious as to her. She cared but little, how
ever, about the gossip of the neighbors, but kept her sleepless watch by
the side of her dead husband, occasionally applying restoratives. In
the forenoon of the ninth day she discovered signs of life, and in a short
time she succeeded in bringing Mr. Whitney to life. *
With prompt medical aid and good nursing, he was restored to good,
vigorous health in a short time. He heard, while lying in this trance,
everything that was said, near him, and when he recovered sufficiently

614 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
to express himself, he sajd a great many ugly things of those who want
ed to bury him alive.
The undertaker refused to take the coffin back, and the family put it
up into the loft of the cabin, where for many years thereafter, it was
used to keep . dried apples in. Several years , thereafter the father of
Mr. Whitney died and was buried in the same coffin. His name was
Gunworth.. Mr. Whitney is still living near, and west of, Woodville, in Wood
county, Ohio.
The father of my old friend, Samuel Horner, lived on a farm 'about
one mile east of Flat Rock, which had a little spring on it. All. the
neighbors came there for water, and kept the spring in bad condition.
Mr. Horner thereupon made up his mind to have a well for his own
family use, and dug down some six feet, when he came upon a rock.
He took a crow-bar and struck the rock; when a stream of water burst
up that overflowed the well and formed a constantly running stream.
Mr. John Burman lives on the farm now.

CHAPTER XLIII.
VENICE TOWNSHIP.

T. I, N. R. 17 E.
WHEN, on the ist day of June, 1829, Ezra Gilbert presented a
petition to the county cOrhmissioners from the citizens of
this township, praying for its organization into a legal township, to be
known by its present name, they and he had' very small hope, that by
this time it would be the rich and beautfful township it is. The prayer
was granted, and the first election took place on the 13th of June in
-that year.
• The following ticket was#ieri elected, viz :
h Township Clerk— Philip E. Bronson.
Trustees— Thomas West, Ezra Gilbert, Moses Smith.
, Treasurer— James Halsted. .'
¦t. .' Overseers of trie Poor— Henry Speaker, Elisha Fair.
Fence Viewers— Cornelius Gilmore, Ezra Gilbert.
Constable— Warren Blakesley. '
In addition to these officers there were also among the early settlers:
Governeur Edwards, John Woollet, David Kemp, Jacob Cook, Andrew
Moore, William McPhprson, Johnson Ford, Philip Muck, James
McKibben. Mr. Ford and Mr. McPherson are living at this writing.
In i84o,Venice had a population of 1,222; in 1870 .it had increased
to 1,781, and in 1880 to 2,231.
Its soilis excellent, and itis now in the enjoyment of great agricultural
wealth. Of late years such farmers as George Ringle, Thomas Ben
nett, David Ringle, Samuel Shade, James D: Stevens, John McKibben,
Henry Meyer, Z. Bretz, the Sourwines, the Labolts, the Steigmeyers
and others added greatly towards its development.
Venice has two towns — Attica and Caroline. The former has, to a
great extent, absorbed the latter, especially since the Baltimore & Ohio
railroad has a station, near Attica Botri towns are situate on the old"
Columbus and Sandusky turnpike, which at one time promised to be
come macadamized, and'be a general north arid south thoroughfare.

616 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Colonel Kilbourn, who has been often mentioned as one of the pioneer
surveyors here, on~the 28th day of February, 1828, surveyed andplatted
Caroline, on sections ten and eleven, and named it after a daughter of
Cornelius Gilmore, the first settler in the town and one of the proprie
tors; Hector Kilbourn and Byron Kilbourn being the others.
Andrew Moore settled in this town in 1830, on the first day of April,
and resided there to the time of his deatri, which occurred on the 6th
of August, 1846. (His widow died at this writing.)- ' He was county
commissioner one time, and a most excellent citizen. James McKibben
located here on the 17th of June,' 1830. There were but fifteen families
in Venice at that time.
On the ist day of May, 1833, William Miller and Samuel Miller, two
brothers, from Pennsylvania, laid out Attica. David Risdon was the
surveyor. The name was derived from the postoffice by that name,
which had been located there before the survey of the town. Ezra
Gilbert named the postoffice 'after the town in New York, where he
formerly resided. Mr. Gilbert kept the first public house here, and
Nathan Merriman kept the first store! In 1836 Attica contained twen
ty dwellings already, and a population of o#e hundred. In 1840 it haci
eighteen more. It is now a very lively country. town, and has a fine
trade. A lawyer, Mr. Lester Sutton, is located here, and1 some six
physicians. -The Attica Journal is a very readable weekly newspaper,
and very ably edited by my old friend Dr. J. C. Myers. The rich farm
ing community surrounding Attica will always make the town a good
trading post. The town has a splendid school house, a healthy situa
tion and a good moral community of intelligent people.
At the centennial 4th of July celebration in Attica (1876) my vener
able old friend Mr. Johnson Ford, had read tp the assembled multitude
an abstract history of this township, which my friend Dr. Myers was so
kind as to place at my disposal, and from which I quote. It was ably
prepared by his son. Attica, December 29, 1879.
Judge Lang:
Dear Sir: I send you the history of Venice township and Attica, as
prepared for the celebration of the 4th of July, 1876. If you find any matter
to help you in your riistory, I shall feel amply rewarded. My best wishes
for your success. j. c. MYERS.
N. B. — It should be mentioned here that the address as delivered
was prepared by Mr. H. J. Ford, but I will insist that uncle Johnson
Ford furnished much of the material.

VENICE TOWNSHIP. gxy
A CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF VENICE TOWNSHIP AND THE VILLAGE OF
ATTICA.
Arranged and written by H. J. Ford, and delivered at the celebration in Attica July 4
3876.
For the names, dates, and all facts pertaining to the earliest record of the
then new township of Venice, I am indebted to the two veteran pioneers,
Father McPherson and Father Ford, whose heads, whitened by the frosts of
more than four score years, are permitted to sit to-day on this platform .
(Still living at this writing, May 28th, 1880.)
All honor to them and the other pioneers, to whose perseverance, priva
tions and self-denial we to-day are blessed with a home in as beautiful, pro
ductive and wealthy a township as any in the grand old state of Ohio.
Looking over our rich rolling, farms, it is hard to realize that only fifty
years ago these same fields were an extended and unbroken forest. In the
memories of the few whose silvered heads appear among us to-day, those
scenes are distinct and real still, while we, the younger generation, must re
sort to fancy to catch a view.
I wish it were possible to portray the dark forest, the roving Indians, the
howling wild beasts, the pioneer hardships met and endured by our fathers,.
and make the impression go with us through life, so that we might be
taught thereby to respect with a proper degree of veneration the gray hairs
of the few who remain.
A fact in the history of this township should not be overlooked in refer
ence to the Columbus and Sandusky turnpike. Each alternate section of
land was granted by the legislature of the state to a company as an induce
ment to undertake its construction. Colonel James Kilbourn, of Wor
thington, Ohio, in 1827, was employed by the company to survey and locate-
this road. In the same year Cornelius Gilmore built for riimself a cabin on
the south bank of Honey creek, where the residence of O. J. McPherson
now stands,- and he was thus the first settler in Venice townsriip. Being a.
blacksmith by trade, his services were required by customers far and near.
Ezra Gilbert settled here in 1829. In August, 1828, Samuel Halsted built a
cabin house on the present site of Rininger and Silcox's store. In September
of the same year Johnson Ford moved into riis cabin, erected where the res
idence of Dr. Barber now stands. In October, the same year, Triomas West
built east of the pike, pear Honey creek. In November William McPherson
built his house in the center of the township, and in "December Elisha Fair
settled on the site of L. O. Green's present residence.
' In the month of November, 1828, at the instance of Ezra Gilbert, a petition.
was presented to the commissioners of the county, asking for a road com
mencing at the township line road, two and one-half miles west of Attica,
and running diagonally to trie south of east, to- intersect the road leading to-
New Haven, near trie Huron county line, three and one-half miles east of
Attica. The petition was granted, and David Risdon, the county surveyor,
located the road, and immediately Samuel Halsted, Ezra Gilbert and John
son Ford took their axes, and in six days they underbrushed the whole line,
takingtheir dinners with them, and returning home at night to enjoy their
frugal suppers of corn bread and crust coffee. Thus these pioneers, looking,-

618 HISTORY OF SENECA CQUNTY.
ahead to the future, gave us these important cross-roads, which proved the,
nucleus of our fair village. , ,
Ezra Gilbert, early in the spring, of 1829, erected a cabin on the corner
where Ford and Strannler's hardware store now stands, and opened a public
tavern. Shortly thereafter, Natrian Merriman, from Bucyrus, opened. oiit a
small stock of dry goods and groceries in a log buildingon S. A. Ringle's
corner. , '
On the 19tri of March, 1829, Esther, the wife, of Johnsori Ford, died, leav
ing her husband alone to his sorrow. A neigribor went to Republic to assist
in the preparation of a cherry coffin. At the funeral the remains were placed
on a.rude sled drawn by oxen. Samuel Halsted drove the team and Ezra
Gilbert walked by the side of the lone husband eight miles, to the cemetery
in Scipio township. It had been arranged that a funeral discourse should
be preached at the House of Etrian Smitri, near , the place of burial, and the
settlers gathered triere, but no minister came, and without so mucri as a
Christian prayer, the body was put to rest. The pioneer returned to his lone
cabin, and although nearly a half century has passed away, he is with us
here to-day. , ,
The second death was a child of Samuel Halsted* Mr. Ford donated an
acre in the center of his farm for a burial place, and cleared the same. The
remains of a child of Philip Muck was the first interment there and the third
death. .,
During 1829 trie following persons settled here : Nathan Merriman,
Governeur Edwards, Philip Muck, John Armatage, Jacob Cook, Henry
Speaker, Jr., James Willoughby, David Roop, David Kemp, John Woolet,
Samuel Woolet, Samuel Oroxton and Jollier Billings. 'Men were also em
ployed on the turnpike.
On the 1st day of June, 1829, this township was a pArt of Bloom, and the
three-qualified voters residing here went to the polls of Bloom townsnip to
Cast their votes for John Quincy 'Adams, opposing candidate to Andrew
Jackson in the autumn of 1828. .
On the same day Ezra Gilbert presented a petition to the county commis
sioners for the organization of this township as originally surveyed. The
name was suggested by Johnson Ford, beirig the name of the township in
Cayuga county, N. Y., from whence he came.
It is a fact worthy of note that up to 1840 no township officer made any
charge for his services. The postoffice at Caroline was taken away by Gil-
more, and the government refused to make other appointments for Caroline.
Then the Attica postoffice was established.
' From this time forward the settlement of the township and village was
rapid. In ',1830 or 1831 Jacob Newkirk, from the state of New York, erected
the first frame house in the township, on the present site of F. H. Steig-
meyer'sstore. Many of us remember the old Huddleson liouse. It was re
moved only six years since, when it was the property of David Ayres. -
The first saw-millin Venice township was erected by Henry Speaker, Sr.,
about trie year 1831, on his farm, between Attica and Caroline. The, motive
power was a yoke of oxen and an extra steer in a £read7wrieel. It was after-
Wards converted by trie owner into a grist mill, with one run of small stone
and a carding machine.

VENICE TOWNSHIP. 619
In 1836 Ebenezer and George Metcalf, with some local aid, erected a stearri
saw-mill near the present site of the Heabler grist mill, in Attica. In the
month of March, 1840, this mill was destroyed by fire,, entailing a heavy loss
on both the owners and the community.
John and Frederick Steigmeyer were the owners of the next steam saw
mill erected on this site. In course of time a grist mill was connected there
with by them, arid after a few changes in owners we now have our excellent
flouring mill owned by J. Heabler &; Bros. Early in our history a steam
saw mill and also a grist mill were built at Caroline by Peter Kinnaman,
both of which were afterwards swept away by fire.
[Note.— In 1857, one morning in the winter, a boy named Ephraim Groves,
while standing in front of the boiler warming his feet, was scalded to death
by -the bursting of the boiler of this mill. He lived a few days after the acci
dent, but never spoke from the time he was hurt.]
After the completion of trie school house an invitation was sent to the .
Rev. Mr. Robinson, a Presbyterian minister living at Melmore., wrio came
and preached to the pepple, it being trie first sermon delivered in the town
ship. After this his services were secured for one year, he preaching every
third week on a week day.
In the spring of 1833 a union Sabbath school was organized by Rev. Mr.
Patty, an agent of the American Sabbatri School Union, and Mr. Martain
was chosen superintendent for one year, but he moving away before the ex
piration of that time, Johnson Ford succeeded riim, and riis services were
retained in that capacity for twenty-five consecutive years, when he resigned
on account of defective hearing.
A Presbyterian church was organized in October, 1833, with thirteenmem-
bers, by Revs. E. Conger and E. Judson, of Huron Presbytery, and John'
Holmes and J. Ford were ordained elders thereof.
The Episcopal Methodists organized a small class in 1835, and in 1838 the
English Lutherans formed a church, and in 1840 or 1841, with the help of the
community at large, erected trie criurcri now owned by trie United (Brethren.
This house triey were unable to finisri, and the writer well remembers the
rude slab benches without backs, which, for a number of years, furnished
the sittings.
This society, failing to pay for their building, were compelled to sell it,
and fearing it might be devoted to other uses and the community be deprived
of a place for public worship, Johnson Ford shouldered the burden of its,
purchase, and obtained a clear title thereto. In a short time thereafter it
was reseated and improved, and for a number of years the three above
mentioned denominations worshiped therein, and in harmony conducted Sab
bath school and .church services. This is the history of the first religious
denominations, and church building in our township.
About the year 1840 a one story brick school house was built on the spot
where toe one in present use now stands. The interior was arranged with
desks running along trie side walls and seated with slab benches. In the
year 1841 the Attica Baptist church was organized with nine members, and
on the 2d day of April, 1842, Rev. S. M. Mack became its first regular pastor.
In the year 1852 this denomination built its present house of worship. In
the winter of 1849 and 1850, as neatly as can be conveniently ascertained, the

620 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
village of Attica was duly incorporated, and on trie 6th day of April, 1850,
the first election of city officers was held, resulting as follows :
Mayor— John L. LaMeraux.
Clerk— Samuel Miller. ,
Councilmen— Samuel Crobaugh, David K. Burg, Benjamin Kelley, John
Heckman, John Ringle.
Board of Education— Samuel Miller, M. R. Moltz, John Lay, Ebenezer
Metcalf , Orlando Miller, James H. Brisco.
At the first council meeting on the 15th of the same month, S. E. Martin
was appointed marshal, and William Rininger treasurer.
Thus was our village launcried f ortri to rank among trie small cities of our
land. In the winter of 1853 trie buildings then occupying the southeast corner of
Main and Tiffin streets were consumed by fire. William Rininger then
bought the vacant lot and erected thereon his present storeroom.
Two or three years' later a«onflagration occurred on trie northwest corner
of said streets, and the large frame hotel building erected then by William
Miller, early in Attica's history, and then owned by H. M. Chandler, was
swept away. Chandler then caused to be erected trie brick block we see here
to-day. Attica has been visited by several smaller fires, of which we have
not time to speak.
In trie year 1856 or 1857 the school house still in use in our tpwn was built,
trie contract riaving been let to Levi Rice, for which he received $1,328.42.
The Universalist society erected their house of worship in the year 1860.
Attica has not been without her sensations, prominent among which are
the great fraudulent failures of Higley1, Chandler, Schuyler. and others in
1856 or 1857, and the discovery of the den of counterfeiters, and the subse
quent conviction of one of our citizens for the crime.
Perhaps it would not be out of place, as we draw our history to a close, to
give the names of those, and the years in whicrf triey served, who have had
the honor to serve the village as chief. '
John L. LaMeraux served as inayor in 1850 ; William Miller in 1851 ; Wm.
Rininger in trie years 1852, 1853, 1854, 1858, 1860, and 1865 ; P. Kinnaman in
1855 and 1859 ; R. H. Blodget in 1856, 1857, part of 1861 and all Of 1862 ; J. R.
Buckingharn was elected in 1861, but resigning, R. H- Blodget was appointed
to fill his place. The record of 1863 and 1864 does not show who served as
mayor during those years. William M. Miller was elected in 1866, April 2d,
and resigned May 14th, when H. M. Chandler was appointed to fill the fin-
expired term. Chandler was elected in 1867, and again in 1868, and during
the latter year the burden of the purchase of the town hall was imposed
¦ upon the people. H. J. Ford served in 1869 ; J. C. Meyers was elected in
1870 for two years, and re-elected in 1872 for the same time. J. W. Simpson
was elected in 1874, but failing health incapacitated him for the service, and
his death occurred in the following winter. Our present honorable mayor,
James L. Couch, was appointed to act during the unexpired term.
The peoples' voice at trie ballot-box a short time since proclaimed James
L. Couch mayor for 1876 and 1877.
In conclusion, we have only to add trie number of public buildings in
township and village, and trie population, as nearly as it can be ascertained

VENICE TOWNSHIP. 62 1
in this centennial year of our nation and semi-centennial of our township.
In the township we have eight criurclies and thirteen school houses, and
a population, including Attica, estimated at 2,300.
Attica, within her corporate limits, contains three churches, one school
house, three dry good stores, two hotels, two hardware stores, two tinshops,
two drug stores, two provision stores, two furniture stores, one cabinet shop,
two undertakers, one clothing store, one marble shop, two harness shops,
two blacksmith and carriage shops, two carriage painters, one gunsmith,
one flouring mill, sash and blind factory, one foundry and machine shop,
one shoe factory, two boot and shoe shops, three millinery stores, one photo
graph gallery, two Trooper shops, one grist mill, one ashery, one carding
machine, one confectionery and ice cream room, two billiard and drinking
saloons, three village groceries, three tailor shops, one livery stable, one
jewelry store, one printing office, one express office, two meat markets, one
attorney, four practicing physicians, one dentist, one barber shop, one Odd
Fellows lodge, one Masonic lodge, one Grange lodge, one weekly newspaper.
Our village has increased materially in population, and trie number of
, dwellings since the completion of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and the
establishment of a station bearing the name of Attica, whicri occurred on
the 1st of January, 1874.
This centennial year finds us in the midst Df prosperity and healthy
growth, with a bright business future before' us, and our corporate limits
expended, giving ample room for those who desire to purchase building lots,
and locate among us. We will not attempt to scan the future with proprietic
eye and declare what our township and^ village will be fifty or one hundred
years hence, but we may safely say the historian of the second centennial '
of our nation's life will record as great changes as any we can chronicle to-
to-day. We must not overlook the part our aged mothers took in this war-fare of
pioneer life. Side by side they stood with riusbands,- enduring dangers and
privations like heroes, as they really were. Many of them left homes of
comfort and even luxury, at trie east, to follow the fortunes of the one to
wljom they had given their heart and hand.
All unused to trie solitude of the western forests, and its attendant dan
gers, they faltered not, but putting their trust in their father's God, and
leaning on the strong arm of their husbands, they came, and we fo-day have
reason to bless their coming. \
Let us respect and love them while they live, and when they are gone, may
our recollections of them be as sweet incense to their memory.
With uncovered head, and bated breath, let us always speak the sacred
name of "Mother."
And now, friends and fellow citizens, while we are called upon to-day to
review the past and to celebrate trie words and deeds of those who, one
¦ hundred years ago, declared us a nation of freemen, and whose blood bought
the precious boon, let us remember also those who saved our country when
"rebels sought its life. Some we have laid to rest, and their graves are
honored year by year.
Let us cherisri trie gift of freedom while we live, arid transmit it unim
paired to coming generations.

622 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
May our love for God and our own kindred alone, take deeper root. in our^
hearts, than our love of country and our country's flag.
On the 4th of March, 185 1, an act was passed by the general assem
bly of Ohio authorizing 'the establishment of a grammar school in
Attica, and which provided for the levying of a tax for that purpose,
not to exceed twenty cfents on the #100 valuation in the district-
Philip Bollinger, who this day, June ist, 1880, is ninety-two years'
old, and perhaps the oldest inhabitant- of this township, ' was born
in Homburg, in the Palatinate of Bavaria, arid came to this country in
1843. He is healthy and vigorous, and can walk fifteen or twenty
miles a day. He is lively and cheerful, and has an excellent memory.
He enjoys the comforts of the home of his son, Louis Bollinger, a re
spected citizen of Venice township, JOHNSON FORD
Was born in Rensselaer county, New York, June 9th, 1796. His father
died when he was but eight years old; his father was poor and had a
large family, and consequently the most, of the children h^d to be bound
out. Young Johnson was one of them, but fortunately he found a good
home, where he remained until he was twenty-one years old, getting all
his education while he was yet bound. After he became pf age he
worked with his brother on a farm they had bought, in the same coun
ty, for eight years, when he sold his 'interest in the farm and married,
and immediately removed to Venice township, Seneca county. Ohio,
he being the first settler in trie township. He entered a. quarter
section of land, upon a part of Which the village of Attica now stands,
and built one of the first log cabins, . in trie year 1828, fifty-two years
ago this June, 1880.
He helped to clear off the land and lay out the village of Attica,
giving it its name, having come from Attica, New York. For several
years he was engaged in clearing up his farm, and assisting in building
the Sandusky and Columbus turnpike, which was being built at that
time, to develop the res6urces of the unbroken forest. He cleared the
first land, ploughed the first furrow, and raised the first wheat in Venice
township. He is ' in reality the pioneer of this township. His wife
died during the first year of his pioneer life from over exertion and ex
posure, to which her constitution had not been accustomed, and. she
failed from £he trials incident to early life in the woods.
He returned to the state of New York and married, again, and re
turned to his new home, where he has lived to see trie forest melt away
like the morning dew, and the ground to be cleared from all traces of

VENICE TOWNSHIP. 623
the old monarchs that forrherly stood thickly oyer the face of the
country, the pride of all Americans.
Twelve years ago he sold his farm and retired from active work, and
now his means are invested in a large hardware store in Attica, in the
firm of Ford and Strandler, a son and . son-in-law, from which he de
rives his support at present.
He has always been an active, hard w'orking, industrious man. He
has always been religiously inclined, having united with the Presby
terians in his youth. For twenty-five years he conducted a Sabbath
school in Attica, the first and for many years the only one in the town
ship. He raised three children by his second wife^two daughters and
a son. , One daughter is now living in Great Bend, Kansas.
The wife of James W. Brown is the other daughter.
Young Ford and Brown are partners in the hardware store. Mr.
Johnson Ford is wonderfully preserved, having been born June 9th,
1796, which at present, July 22d, 1880, makes him eighty-four years,
one month and thirteen days, and from present prospects, he is good for
another decade. For the last ten years he'has received a second sight,'
being able at present to read, fine print without his glasses, a. thing he
was unable to do for thirty yaars.
The following sketches were kindly furnished by Prof. S. McKetrick,
of College Hill, Tiffin,i Ohio:
History and literature are practically useful only so far, and to such a
degree, as they inspire those who read their pages to aspire to the noble
example triey portray; whether it be in mental discipline or physical execu
tion. History should be nothing but truthful facts, and therein differ from
.flctiori. History is the truth of the past. Fiction is fancy, and belongs
neither to time or place. The one is healthful and invigorating, the other
weak and debasing.
The page we present here shall be. history. We present this page not to
relieve memory of its burden, but to recall deeds and their actors, as we all
love to do; to live again a few moments with friends of the past; to be
enlivened again by their association, though they come but from memory,
and from it I draw 'the most hallowed associations of my life, wriich were
acted in Venice township. 1
The men who first impressed upon my mind trie realities of living, lived
and toiled upon its soil. The one who ranks first there was James D.
Stevenson. I know little of his early life. He was born in the state of Ver
mont; served as a soldier in the latter part of the last war with Great
Britain. A part of his life was spent as a sailor upon our northern lakes.
About the year 1838 he left a wife, and five children and came to Ohio. He
traveled over the greater part of the state in search of a spot where he might
make a home in the new country.
' ' He found, and entered into a contract with, Mr. Zacriariah Betts for the

624 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
farm he owned until_1863. The contract between the parties was that he
should chop and clear one hundred acres of land, and for this service he was
to receive the full and free title for the one hundred acres whicri he owned.
All in the world he possessed was a strong body and a willing heart. He
. -earned his living by threshing out grain with a flail by the light of a lantern.
His board bill was not extravagant, for he told me of many days of hard toil
with nothing to eat but batter, baked upon an iron griddle, and maple
syrup. After such riard life for. several years, he received trie title for his land,
and had a few acres cleared and a log house upon it. He then returned and
removed his family (who knew nothing of his whereabouts all these years of
toil) to their new home in the west.
A few years of such severe toil and the deepest privation and he has
changed his forest to a beautiful farm, producing abundance. But in those
few years death has visited their circle and taken riis wife, and so6ri after >
fire consumes his house and its contents, save himself and children, but
soon upon the ashes of that house is built a better one, and his second wife
makes cheerful its riearth. Another farm is added to the first, and prosperity
smiles on every effort..
About the year 1850 he commenced to shake with the palsy. Triat strong
frame was wrecked. It grew weaker and still less able to battle with the
realities it had known so well in life, and fell to its last resting place in
Ionia county, Michigan, in the spring of 1865.
In politics my subject was an Abolitionist, a Republican and a true Union
man during the dark days of trie rebellion.
In religion he was a member of the Baptist churcri.
Trie riard circumstances through which he had past made him a close
dealer, though in money, weights and measures, strictly, honest. He was
naturally noble, kind-hearted and true.
MAURICE MOORE
Was born in Germantown, Huntington county, New Jersey, July 15,
1798, and is therefore eighty-two years old. He was raised on a farm/
and when twenty-five years of age, he was married and then moved'to
Harrison county, Ohio, where he located near the county line of Tus
carawas in 1823. Here he lived three years, and being dissatisfied
wrih this hilly country, he left it in the spring of 1834, and packing his
household into a covered wagon, he arrived in Venice township with/
his wife and two children early in June, the same year. Here he
immediately entered a quarter section of land in the east part of the
township, where he pitched his tent. On the 19th of June he moved
into his cabin, and on the following night a heavy thunderstorm drove
the rain through the clap-boards and the open spaces between the logs,
drenching the family in their beds, spoiling their goods and making
them wish to be back on the sand lots of New Jersey. On the next
morning the woods were a lake. Intercourse with neighbors was com- ,

VENICE TOWNSHIP. 625
pletely cut off, and there were none nearer than three miles. Inuring
this summer one of the children died of billious fever, then very com
mon among the new settlers. They raised twelve children, six boys
and six girls, who, togethet with grand and great- grand children, num
ber about seventy at present. Among this number are some of the
most valued of the citizens of the township and their interests in busi
ness affairs -are so much interwoven with the progress of the township,
that to separate them now from Venice township, would be a great and
serious loss to the community.
Mr. Moore and his wife are still in the enjoyment of good health,
and promise fair to remain with us many years yet to come.
WILLIAM M'PHERSON.
This venerable pioneer came from the highlands of Scotland, where
he was born at Vernesshire, on the 6th day of February, 1793. He
is a descendant of the family of William Wallace, who were so justly
celebirated for their love of country and liberty, and for their bravery.
His family being educated people and of the nobility, young William
had the advantage of refinement in education, morals and religion.
Mr. McPherson became dissatisfied with both country and govern
ment, despising England's rule, and being- of an adventurous turn of
mind, at the age of twenty-three years, he followed his inclinations to
visit America. In the year 1816, in company with a young friend of
about his age, they set sail and arrived at Halifax on the nth of Sep
tember of that year. Finding no "suitable employment here, they went
' to Baltimore, where they arrived in October and engaged in the mer
cantile business, which they conducted several years with success, but
Mr. McPherson becoming tired of the confinement of a store, sold out
and started for the west with a view- of speculating in land. The In
dians had sold their reservations and' the new purchase had come into,
market. Mr. McPherson arrived in Tiffin in October, 1828, and by
the advice of Abel Rawson and Joseph Howard, the land agents, he
followed up Honey creek and selected a tract on the south bank and
where the Columbus and Sandusky turnpike was then being built,. and
purchased it. It contained 800 acres and embraced the present vil
lage of Caroline.
Fearing the effects of miasma along the creek, he built his cabin one
mile farther south. The cabin, however, was a very large house built
of hewed logs, intended for a tavern and was the third house in the
township. There was one shanty in Attica and one in Caroline, built
by John Gilmore, for the purpose of boarding the hands that worked
,40

626 , HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. .
on the pike. After the turnpike was finished, the company put a toll-
gate in front of McPherson's hotel and arranged with him to keep it'
whicri he did until the time when it was destroyed by a. mob that
' cleaned out the gates all along the road. The traffic on railroads had
now supplanted travel on the public roads and hotel keeping in the
country becomipg slow business,- Mr. McPherson -removed to Caroline,
and' again engaged in the mercantile business. Here -he practiced that
strict honesty and correctness in dealing that have characterized his
whole life. He bought for cash 'and sold for ready pay only. He was
so careful in giving proper measure that it was said of him, " he would
,bite'a grain of coffee in two to balance the scale." He never changed
the price of his goods, and sold them Els they were marked, often hold-
. ing them until they were out of fashion. •
. His old tavern is still standing and] was used as a residence in 1879,
but Mr. Ph. Schimp, its present owner, has built a fine residence near
to it, and the old house is destined to go into decay. It is now used as
a shop and tool house. It should be preserved as the first house built
in Venice township, being erected in 1828.
After he kept store in Caroline- eight years, he sold his stock of goods
and moved about five miles further south; to near the edge of Crawford
county, wriere he owned large tracts of land and which he wished to
bring into market. He lived here eight years and until he had sold all
his land, when he again returned to Caroline and took his old store'
room. , ,
The Seneca County Academy was -then- in a prosperous condition,
and the children of Mr McPherson being of such an age that required
attention to their ' education, he moved to Republic and placed therri
under the tutorship* of Professor Aaron Schuyler, whose name has be
come celebrated among- educators since.
He resided in Republic until about i860, when he again returned to
Caroline, where he had built for himself a new house. Here he still
resides (July 29, 1880) and will stay uiitil called to go riigher. He is
quite feeble now, but for a man of 88 years, his mind is still vigorous
and clear. He divided his handsome fortune among his children, re
serving enough to retire into a warm corner while the shades of even-.
ing chill the atmosphere, around.
My friend, McKitrick, was so kind as to furnish the author with the
following additional statement pertaining to Venice township in rela
tion to the war of the rebellion and matters pertaining to the general
charity of the people:

VENICE TOWNSHIP. 627
VENICE TOWNSHIP IN THE WAR.
, It was rialf past four o'clock, Friday morning, April 12,1861, when trie
first roar of cannon broke the quiet in whicri our nation had rested many
years. We had, enjoyed peace and prosperity and were unused to war, and
its first sound aroused trie nation like an electric shock. Strong men left
their quiet homes to join the ranks of war, and every worthy citizen bore a
common share in the sacrifices, toils and cares required to preserve the in
tegrity of the Union. " i
Venice townsriip bore her part manfully, and many of her sons were killed
upon the battlefield, died of wounds received in the defence of their country
or in rebel prison peris.
And the women of Venice were as patriotic as the men. They started
aid societies for trie relief of trie sick and wounded soldiers, and for triat
purpose met at the Baptist churcri in Attica, on the evening of the 22d of
October, 1861, when trie organization was completed, a constitution adopted,
Mrs. Sarari Blodgett elected president, Mrs. Elizabeth. Brown secretary and1
Mrs. Mary Bennett treasurer.
Nearly every family in the community is mentioned in the secretary's
report as having contributed something to the society. * Great quantities of
elothing, provisions, hospital stores, etc., were sent forward from time to
time to aid and relieve. The last meeting of the society took place May 29,
1867, when, all the money yet remaining on hand, was donated to trie order
of Good Templars.
The following is an incomplete list of the volunteers from this township
for the Union army. 7th regiment o. v. i.
Stephen Rice, Joshua Creglougri (wrio were both killed at Strassburg,
Virginia), Jacob Hines, Lon Jones, Ira Grimes, James Smitri, J. Harbaugri.
COMPANY H, 14TH REGIMENT O. V. I.
Sergeant Jorin Brown, Frank Bartholomew (wounded September 19,
1863), Lyman Carpenter, Ambrose C. Croxton, John Goodman, R. J. Jami
son, George Metcalf , William H. Miller (who were also wounded on the
same day), Henry D. Cain, T. B. Carson, Philip Carothers, W. Deitficri,
John Holmes, William Kemp, Maurice Kemp, Henry McDonald, James D.
Stevenson, Jonathan S. Philo,. George Ringle, Samuel Spencer, Joseph
Wheatpn and George H. Rice (who was wounded September 1, 1864).
COMPANY B, 49TH REGIMENT O. V. I.
M. B. Todd, V. J. Miller, John Bennington, W. H.1 Miller, John Todd,
Mark Shade, George Bennington, Jehu Weaver, H. B. Courtright, D. M.
Miller. James Courtright. 55TH REGIMENT O. V. I.
Otto Hull, Frank Smeltz and Stephen Howland.
66TH REGIMENT O. V. I.
Samuel Croxton, August Tanner (wounded at Kennesaw Mountain, June

628 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
19, 1863), Lafayette Parmenter and Henry Ames (wounded at Peach Tree
creek and died in consequence in July, 1863).
COMPANY I, 123D REGIMENT O. V. I.
William Bartholomew (wounded at Farmville, Virginia, April 6, 1865), A.
W. Hoffman, Josepri Hoffman, Sylvester Ostmer, Joseph Spencer, John
Spencer, M. B. Todd, M. W. Mitchner (died from wounds, September 3,
.1864), William B. Henry (died from wounds received June 15, 1864, at Win
chester, Virginia), J. L. Henry, W. Sheely, Samuel Carpenter, Wright
McKibben, John Hillis, David Hillis, James Hillis, Wilson W. English, L.
Gibson, Isaac Funk (killed July 18, 1864), Henry Ebersole (killed June 15,
1863, at Winchester Virginia), John Fink, Isaac Seavault, John W. Rogers,
John B. Shaffer, David Thompson (wounded June 15, 1863), S.S.Carson,
Hugh M. Cory, John H.' Carpenter and J. F. Schuyler, lieutenant. This
company was discharged at Columbus. Ohio, June 15, 1865.
Moses, John, Jeremiah, Peter and David Cassner were also members of
said company.
Quite a number of men served under Captain W. M. Miller in the O. N. G.
Anson and Harvey Bartholomew, F. M. Seed, E. Crow, Joseph Harbaugh,
Mr. Shade and W. B. Olds were stationed on Johnson's Island (Sandusky
Bay) guarding rebel prisoners.
Samuel Brown, J. Foster, John Huddleson, William Millon (killed in bat
tle), Fred. Thompson and John Thompson served in regiments whose num
bers are riot known. Many men from Venice also enlisted in other states.
FIRST OHIO HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Clarkson Betts, James Courtright, H. Courtright, S. Grove, Isaac Seppard,
Silas McDougal, Alex. McKitrick, W. Shoup and James Pangbom.
In November, 1874, the people Of Venice sent to the sufferers by grass
hoppers in Kansas, in cash, clothing and provisions, $387.72, all raised in
Attica and vicinity. Mrs. Moltz was secretary of the association.
A similar society in the town of Attica | and vicinity sent to the sufferers
by fire in Chicago, in 1871, $975.99.

CHAPTER XLIV.
COUNTY OFFICERS TO 1880 AND CONCLUSION.

OFFICERS OF SENECA COUNTY", NOW IN OFFICE, JULY 1, 1880.
Probate Judge— Jacob F. Bunn.
Clerk of Court of Common Pleas— Jeremiah Rex.
Treasurer— John W. Barrack.
Auditor — Victor J. Zahm.
Sheriff ^LlOyd N. Lease.
Recorder — Thomas J. Kintz.
Prosecuting Attorney— G. B. Kep'pel.
Commissioners— William T. Histe, Solomon Gamby and James H. Fry.
Surveyor— Samuel Nighswander.
Infirmary Directors— George Heabler, Lewis Spitler and Joseph E.
Magers. Superintendent of the Infirmary— Daniel G. Heck.
Coroner— William Smith. " JOHN W. BARRACK
Was born July 28, 1833, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In 1834
his parents moved to Ohio and settled near the base-line in Crawford
county. His father's name was John and his mother's' maiden name
was Jane Dunlap.1 -The father was a carpenter by trade, and when
John W. was big enough to learn a trade, he helped his father at his
work and became a carpenter. The family lived on a farm and con
ducted that also at the same time. John W. married Miss Catharine
Shoemaker on the 17th of June, 1857. They had nine children, of
whom six are living. Mr. Barrack was elected treasurer of this county
in 1877 and re-elected in 1879. JEREMIAH REX
Is a son of William Rex and Susan Sloss. He was born in Stark
county, Ohio, on the 9th day of October, 1844. His father located
with his family in Seneca county soon thereafter.
Jeremiah was married to Miss' Laura J. A. Barrack on the 25th of
October, 1865. This union was blessed with seven children, of whom

63o- . HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY .
five are living. Mr. Rex served in nearly all trie offices of Seneca
township for a number of years, and was elected clerk of the court ofv
common pleas, in October, 1875, and re-elected in 1878. Every trust
reposed in his hands was filled with promptness and fidelity.
LLOYD N. LEASE
Was born at the Van Meter section, in Eden township, Seneca county,
on the 2d day of April, 1838. His father, Otho Lease, came from
Harford county, Maryland. His mother's maiden name was Belinda
Street. Lloyd lived with his father on the farm until he grew, up to
man's estate. He then kept a livery stable in Tiffin for about twelve
years, when he bought the old Evan Dorsey farm of 356 acres, in Scipio
township. Here he' remained two years, wh6n he sold his farm and ,
again moved to Tiffin in 1876. In 1878 he was elected sheriff. On
the 1 ith day of March, ,1859, he was married to Miss Maria L. Kridler,
a daughter of Samuel Kridler. They have but one child living, a son,
growing up to be a young man.
Mr. Lease has a passionate fondness for harness and always has a
fine horse. He used to deal in riorses, and in 1873, when he took a
lot of horses to Boston, he met with an accident at a collision in West- "
field. Massachusetts, that crushed his left leg and crippled him for life., -
victor j. ZAHM
Was born in Tolford, Huron county, Ohio, March 7, 1837. His parents,
J. M. Zahm and Henrietta E. Lang, came to America in 1832 and 1833
respectively, and were married in Tiffin in May, 1836. In 1838 they
left- Tolford, going to Buffalo, New York, where they remained until
the year 1846, when they returned to Tiffin.
Victor attended the public schools part of the time, alternately assist
ing his father, who engaged in mercantile pursuits. At the age of 15
years he entered the Advertiser office in Tiffin, as an apprentice to>the
printing business, which business he followed with success until the fall:,
of 1875.
In October, 1 861, he was appointed first lieutenant in the 3d Ohio1
cavalry, and assigned to duty as adjutant of the 6th battalion of said
regiment, and camping and drilling with the regiment, followed it
through its various duties until September, 1862, when, owing to re- '
organization of the cavalry service, the position held by him beipg.
abolished, he was honorably discharged the service and returned
'home. Upon his return, he resumed his former vocation, and in 1868, be-

OFFICERS OF SENECA C6UNTY. 6^1
came the publisher of the Vnsery Fla'gge, a German paper, published
in Tiffin, by his father, which, however,! meeting with poor encourage
ment, he suspended at the, expiration of the year, and then devoted his
whole time and attention to "job printing, -working up a considerable
' business. In 1870, being offered an opportunity to purchase an interest in the
Ohio Eagle, published in Lancaster, Ohio, he sold his job printing
establishment, purchased an interest in that paper and assumed con
trol, but his health failing soon thereafter, he was compelled to dispose
of his interest, and return 'to Tiffin. In 1872 he again ventured in the
printing business, this time in Toledo, where he remained several years,
and again- failing in health, he was obliged to relinquish his pursuits at
' printing. ,
In February, 1875, he was married in Tiffin to Janet C. Lamberson,
daughter of William Lamberson and Mary A., his wife
In January, 1876, he was employed as clerk in t,he auditpr's office
and soon after appointed deputy In the summer of 1876 he received
the nomination by the Democracy of the county as their candidate for
auditor and was duly elected. In the fall of 1878 he was. re-elected for
the term of three years, the legislature, having, in the meantime, fixed
the term of the office at three years, instead of two, as formerly.
The. office of aluditor of Seneca county has ever been characterized
by marked ability of the officers, but it is doubtful whether any of his
predecessors have shed more credit upon it than the present incum
bent. .For personal descriptions of Judge Bunn and G. B. Keppel, Esq.,
prosecuting attorney, the reader is referred to the chapters on "Bench'
and Bar," numbers 22 and 23. .
POPULATION OF SENECA COUNTY LN l88o.
The census enumerators of Seneca county have made their returns to
the clerk's office just in time to record the population of Seneca county
for 1 880 into this chapter.
The following is clipped from the Seneca Advertiser of July 15, 1880:
CENSUS RETURNS.
At last the census enumerators have completed their work, and we are
now able to give the population of trie county by townsriips, as below, and
with them the population of 1870 ; also the loss and gain made during the
past ten years : ' \

632 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
1870. 1880. Loss. Gain.
Adams  1,537 1,624 7
Bloom  1,492 2,162 670
Big Spring  .i. 2,084 2,048 36
Clinton  1,526 1,701 75
Eden  1,483 1,598 115
Hopewell  1,370 1,635 265
Jackson  1,131 1,394 263
Liberty  t.....  1,668 2,159 491
Loudon  .-...'.  1,400 1,277 127 ,
Fostoria  1,733 3,045 1,312
Pleasant  1,352 1,417 ' 65
Reed  1,334 1,501 167
Seneca..  ,  1,583 1,537 46
Scipio  ,..:... 1,635 1,836 • - 201
Thompson  2,070 '1,900 170
Venice  1,781 2,231,
Tiffin— First Ward:  3,275 1,330
Second Ward  2,373 1 ,538
Triird Ward^  1,997 2,234
Fourth Ward  1,378
Fifth Ward  1,639
Total.....  ,  30,827 36,947 379 < 6,395
POPULATION OF TOWNS, VILLAGES, ETC.
1870. 1880.
Greenspring  746
Bloomville  689
New Reigel  236 368
¦ Adrian  ;  257 214
Alvada  -. . '.  ' 63
Bettsville  ;  518
Kansas  -...»,  204
Berwick  188 i69.
Republic  481 7i5
Attica...'  375 663
fostoria  :  1,743 357s
POPULATION OF TIFFIN, 7,882.
The revised figures give Tiffin a population of. 7,882, as follows, by wards :
, First Ward  1 330
Second Ward  l'g38
Third Ward  ...i! ."!."" ! lW ¦ ¦ -
Fourtri Ward  l'37g
FiftriWard  .....'.'.','.'.'.".'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.': i;639
Total  .'  7,882 ,i:.

OFFICERS OF SENECA COUNTY. 633
It will be noticed that Seneca county has made trie handsome increase of
6,l20 during the past de.cade, of whicri our city is to be credited with about'
thirty-six per cent. The towns seem to have made the most gains, and, in
fact, all of the increase. Over one-half of the population of the county is in
the towns. Trie population of our county since its formation rias been as
follows: 1830,5,159; 1840,18,123; 1850,27,104; 1860,30,868; 1870,30,827;
1880,36,947. Tiffin had a population of 2,663 in 1850 ; 3,974 in 1860 ; 5,648 in
1870, and 7,882 in 1880.
This shows a healthy and steady growth, of which the citizens of the
county may well be proud." Name of
Township. Enumerator.
Adams. v  Christian Hoeltzel
Big Spring  James V. Mage'rs
Bloom  -•  ¦-<  Oscar M. Holcomb
Clinton  '• .Virgil D. Lamberson
Eden..  •  ¦•  H. C. Pitman
Hopewell  ¦  John Corrigan
Jackson  Hugh W. A. Boyd
Liberty....;  J. D. Reese
Loudon  George D. Acker
Fostoria Precinct  >.->  J. C. Millbine
Pleasant  J. H. Davidson
Reed  •  James Ford
Scipio  '¦  William Bogart
Seneca  '.  ¦ — .vRolla W. Brown
Thompson  James A. Feese
yenice  •  David Sanford
Tiffin— First Ward.  Henry J./Weller
Second Ward  Jorin B. Scriwartz
Third Ward    Albert Beilharz
Fourth Ward  :  Ephriam Messer
Fifth: Ward   -  Frank H. Lang
p. s. — To Fostoria should be added 158 persons in Jackson town
ship and 375 in Hancock county— 4,1"' in all.
OFFICERS OF SENECA COUNTY TO JULY, 1880.

PROBATE JUDGES.
William Lang was elected in 1851.
lohn K. Hord was elected in' 1854.
T. H. Bagby was elected in 1857, and re-elected in 1860.
W. M. Johnson was elected in 1863, and re-elected in 1866 and 1869,
U.'f. Cramer was elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1875.
Jacob F. Bunn was elected in 1878.
COUNTY CLERKS.
Neil McGaffey was appointed in 1824.
Joseph Howard was appointed in 1830.

634 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Luther A. Hall was appointed in 1834.
C. F. Dfesbacri was appointed in 1840. '
Henry Ebbert was appointed in 1846.
Philip Speilman was elected in 1851, and re-elected in 1854.
George S. Christlip was elected in 1857, and re-elected in 1860.
William M. Dildine was elected iri 1863, and re-elected in 1866.
Jacob C. MiUhime was elected in 1869, and re-elected in 187,2. .
Jeremi.ah Rex was electqd in 1875, and re-elected in 1878.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
David Smith was elected in 1824, and served by re-election until 1832.
David E. Owen was elected in 1832, and re-elected in 1834.
Levi Davis was elected in 1836, and re-elected in 1838.
G. J. Keen was elected in 1840, and re-elected in 1842.
F. W. Green was elected in 1844, and re-elected in 1846 and 1848.
Richard Williams was elected in J850.
John J. Steinerwas elected in 1852.
James M. Stevens was elected iri 1854, and re-elected in 1856. <
E. G. Bowe was elected in 1858.
Isaac Kagy was elected in 1860, and re-elected in 1862.
John F.Heilmari was elected in 1864, and re-elected in 1866.
Walter F. Burns was elected in 1868.
Gus. A. Allen was elected in 1870.
Levi D. Kagy was elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1874.
Victor J. Zahm was elected in 1876, and re-elected in 1878. •
COUNTY TREASURERS.
Milton McNeal was appointed in 1824, and elected in 1826.
Agreen Ingraham was elected in 1827. ,
Jacob Plane was elected in 1828, and re-elected in 1829 and 1831.
John Goodin was elected in 1833, and re-elected in 1835 and 1837.-
Josriua Seney was elected in 1839, and re-elected in 1841.
Richard Williams was elected in 1843, and re-elected in 1845. •
George Knupp waselejcted in 1847, and re-elected in 1849.
George H. Heming was elected'in 1852, and re-elected in 1854.
Thomas Heming was elected in 1856, and re-elected in 1858.
Samuel Herin was elected in 1860, and re-elected in 1862.
Silas W. Shaw was elected in 1864.
Jacob M. Zahm was elected in 1866, and re-elected in 1868.
William Lang was elected in 1870, and reTelected in 1872.
Francis Wagner was elected in 1874, arid re-elected in 1876.
John W. Barrack was elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1879.
It should be remembered that under the new constitution^ the treas
urer is elected at the October election and his term of Office com
mences in September following. The above figures, therefore, show
the years when the term of service .commenced, not the year really
when the treasurer was elected. Mr. Barrack was re-elected in Octo-'

OFFICERS OF SENECA COUNTY. 635
ber, 1879, and his second term of office will not commence until next
September. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Rudolphus Dickinson was appointed in 1824.
Abel Rawson was appointed in 1826.
Sidney Smith was appointed in 1833.
Selah-Chapin was elected in 1835.
John J. Steiner was elected in 1837.
Joel W. Wilson was elected in 1840, and re-elected in 1842.
William Lang was elected in 1844, and re-elected in 1846.
W. P. Noble was-elected in 1848, and re-elected in 1850.
W. M. Johnson was elected in 1851, and re-elected in 1853. ,
L. A. Hall was elected in 1855.
R. L. Griffith was elected in 1857, and re-elected in 1859.
A. Laudon, was elected in 1861, and re-elected in 1863.
John McCauley was elected in 1865, and re-elected in 1867.
Prank Baker was elected in 1869, and re-elected in 1871.
George W. Bachman was elected in 1873, and re-elected in 1875.
G. B. Keppel was elected in 1877, and re-elected in 1879.
SHERIFFS.
Agreen Ingrariam was'elected in 1824, and re-elected in 1826.
" William Patterson was elected in 1828.
David Bisriop was elected in 1830, and re-elected in 1832.
Joel Stone was elected in. 1834, and re-elected in 1836.
Levi Keller was elected in 1838, and re-elected in 1840.
Uriari P. Coonrad was elected in 1842, and re-elected in 1844.
Eden Lease was elected in 1846, and re-elected in 1848.
.Stephen M. Ogden was elected in 1850, and re-elected in 1852.
E. C. Wells (K. N.) was elected in 1854.
Jesse Wurick was elected in 1856, and re-elected in 1858.
Levi Wurick was elected in 1860.
Edward Childs was elected in 1862, and re-elected in 1864. •
Peter P: Myers was elected in 1866, and re-elected in 1868.
John Werley was elected in 1870, and re-elected in 1872,
George D. Acker was elected in 1874, and re-elected in 1876.
Lloyd N. Lease was elected in 1878.
RECORDERS,
Neal McGaffey was appointed in 1824.
Abel Rawson was appointed in 1828, and elected in 1836.
William H. Kessler was elected in 1839, and re-elected in 1842 and 1845.
Robert C. Martin was elected in 1847, and re-elected in 1850.
William Kline was elected in 1853, and re-elected in 1856.
Albert Beilharz was elected in 1859, and re-elected in 1862.
James T. Martin was electedjn 1865, and re-elected in 1868.
William DeWitt was elected in 1871, and re-elected iri 1874.
Thomas J. Kiritz was appointed in 1874, elected in 1875, and re-elected in
1878.

636

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Year

Name. Elected.
Thomas Boyd  1824
Benjamin Whitmore.  1824
Doctor Dunn  1824
Thomas Boyd  1825
Timothy P. i Roberts  1826
James Gordon  1826
Case Brown  1827
James Gordon  1828
Timothy P. Roberts  1829
Case Brown  1830
David Risdon  1831
John Keller  1832
John Crum, one year  1833
Marcus Y. Graff, two years  1833
John Seitz, three years  1833
Lorenzo Abbott  1834
Benjamin Whitmore  1835
John Seitz  1836 ,
Lorenzo Abbott.  1837
John Terry  \. 1838
Andrew Moore  1839
George Stoner  1840
Jorin Terry  1841
Josepri McClelland  1842
Morris P. Skinner  1843
Jacob Decker  1844
Josepri McClelland.  1845
Morris P. Skinner  1846
Jacob Decker  1847
Samuel Saul  i  1848
Barney Zimmerman  1849
SURVEYORS.
David Risdon was appointed in 1824, reappointed from time to time and
served until 1836.
James Durbin was appointed in 1837.
Jonas Harshbager was elected in 1839.
Thomas Heming was eletced in 1842, and re-elected in 1845:
— Schuyler was elected in 1847, and re-elected in 1850.
George Holts was elected in 1853.
George Heming was elected in 1856, and re-elected in 1859.
Dennis Maloy was elected in 1862, and re-elected in 1871.
Patrick H. Ryan was elected in 1871, and re-elected in 1874.
Samuel Nighswander was elected in 1877.
CORONERS.
By the laws of Ohio, the office of a coroner is a sinecure, and the officer

Year
Name. Elected.
David Burns  , 1850
Samuel Saul  iggi
Calvin Clark. -.  1852
David Burns  1853
Isaac Stillwell.  1854
James Boyd  1855
Enoch Trumbo ,  1856
Henry Opt  1857
Robert Byrne  1858
Michael Beard   1859
Henry Opt.  -.-  i860
Robert Byrne.. .. .....:  1861
Peter Ebersole  1862
Samuel Grelle  "  1863
Thomas W. Watson.  ]864
Peter Ebersole  „  1865
Samuel Grelle..'  '.  1866
H. B. Rakestraw  1867
J. E. Magers  1868
S. M. Ogderi..  1869
H. B. Rakestraw    1870
J. E. Magers. ..'.."  1871
S. M. Ogden  1872
Robert McClelland  1873
Solomon Gambee  1874
Nathaniel G. Hayward,. . , :  1875
Robert McClelland  1876
Solomon Gambee  1877
William T. Histe  1878
James H. Fry  1879

OFFICERS OF SENECA COUNTY. 637
performs the office of a sheriff only when the sheriff dies, or is himself made
defendant in a suit. At the death, removal or resignation of a sheriff, then
the coroner discharges the duties of that officer and becomes -sheriff, ex-
officio, a thing triat never came to pass in this county.
Christopher Stone was appointed in 1824, and elected in 1826.
William Toll was elected in 1828, and re-elected in 1830.
George Flack was elected in 1832.
Eli Norris was elected in 1834.
Levi Keller was elected in 1836.
Henry McCartney was elected in 1838.
Darnel Brown was elected in 1840. ,
George H. Shaw -was elected in 1842, and re-elected in 1844.
Samuel Herrin was elected in 1846, and re-elected for -many years in suc
cession. Sylvester B. Clark was elected in 1866, and re-elected until 1872.
James Van Fleet was elected in 1872.
Charles Mutschler was appointed in 1873.
George Willow was elected in 1873, and re-elected in 1875.
William Smith was elected in 1877, and re-elected in 1879.- •
ASSESSORS.
David Risdon was elected in 1827, and re-elected in 1829.
John Wright was elected in 1831.
Reuben Williams was elected in 1833.
John Webb was elected in 1835.
John W. Eastman was elected in 1836.
Robert Holley was elected in 1837.
Samuel S. Martin was elected in 1838.
Benjamin Carpenter was elected in 1840.
• ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
. Triese officers were elected by the legislature for seven years, as already
stated in the chapters on " Bench and Bar." Of all these, Judge Benjamin
(Pittenger is the only survivor.
William Cornell, Jaques Hulburt and Mathew Clark were elected in 1824.
. Agreen Ingraham, Benjamin Pittenger and Selden Graves were elected in
1831. Henry C. Brish, Andrew Lugenbeel and Lowell Robinson were elected in
,1838. Andrew Lugenbeel, Williarri Toll and Henry Ebert were elected in 1845.
i Thomas Lloyd was also elected to fill a vacancy.
The constitution of 1850 removed the office.
- It may be well to say, here, that the office of county assessor ex
pired' about 1840, when. a law was passed creating the office of town
ship assessors. The county assessor, in early days, had no more work
to perform than a. township assessor has now. It should be remem
bered, also, that the land bought at trie government land offices was
exempt from taxation for five years from the date of the sale. At the

638 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
expiration of these five years, the. land was- prrt rrporf the duplicate.
To do this correctly, was the principal work of the county'assessors.
CONCLUSION.
In conformity with the' plan I had laid out in the beginning of this
work, as to the manner and order of introducing subjects, where to
begin and where to, stop, I am admonished that this is a very good.
place to close. I have described a great number of old settlers of
Seneca county, and. I am fully aware of the fact that very many dis
tinguished men and women of the old pioneers have not been mentioned
and were overlooked. I had very little aid in that line.
Nearly all my pen-pictures of persons are from my best recollec
tions. The editors of the newspapers of Tiffin were so kind as to call
upon the people of Seneca county during last fall and winter. very
frequently, to furnish me with such material as might aid in this enter
prise. A few have responded Others saw proper to ignore the call.
It would have been a very easy task to have told, me of some worthy
ancestor, who drove his stake in these Seneca woods for a honie, and
where he came from, what family he had, who his neighbors were,
when he died and how he had lived.
I described triose I could remember. If others have not been
noticed, will you just be so kind as to blame yourself? My purpose
was history more than biography, and I picked out such characters as
connected history with their lives. In writing of these, it was a pleas
ure, and like living again with friends I loved, and whose memory I am
still left to cherish.
Now, dear reader, you and I are about to part. If the perusal of
the preceding pages has instructed, amused or entertained you, it is
well. If I have failed to warm up in your heart a feeling of love ! or
veneration for your worthy, ancestors, who selected the woods of Seneca
county to build horhes for themselves and their children; if a glance
over Seneca's past and the efforts and struggles of the frontier settler
to redeem and build up this heaven-blessed country, will not wake up'
in the bosom of the living generation, the love and gratitude so nobly
earned and so highly due your ancestors, J shall regret that I have
' failed in my mission, and will hope that I may never find it out.
Oh! that we had the capacity to comprehend the toils, sufferings
and hardships, the deprivations arid distresses these pionee'rsof the new
civilization endured, in rescuing this land from the grasp of the British
lion and his savage ally through two bloody wars; could we but recall
the manly strife, the fortitude, the patriotic devotion to country and

CONCLUSION. 639
cause that inspired those men to actions and deeds of noble daring and
doing, how much more trian we do, would we revere their' memories
and carry, within our bosoms, hearts more grateful for all we enjoy.
Let me, in conclusion, quote the language of Dr. C. G. Comyges, of
Cincinnati, in closing a short biography of Governor'Tiffin.
Scattered here and there in our primitive settlement, a few venerable men
and women are found, the remnants of a glorious race and an heroic age.
The wild solitude of nature, the wild animals they hunted, trie savage men
who .disputed their settlements, the companions of their joys and sorrows,
are all gone, and they appear like strangers from a distant land. What
Ohio is to-day in her majestic strength; what are her extensive and various
benevolent institutions; what is her superb system of education; what is
the sublime patriotism that rallied her sons to the dread conflict, growing
brighter and stronger to the end, giving the great names that shine brightest
in the dark splendor of war; what she is in conspicuous statesmanship,
and in the yastness of her material forces and moral power, comes from the
noble race of pioneers thus passing away.
Crown their deeds with praise; crown their memory with gratitude; let
their hardiriood, labors, self-denials and deep piety excite trieir descendants
and triose who occupy the fields of their conquests, to emulate their courage,
their toil and their public virtue.
A people, to be truly free, must be both virtuous and intelligent.

APPENDIX.

NO. I: -

THE EARTHQUAKE— THE GREAT HURRICANE- THE JERKS— THE MORMONS
VAN BURENITE SALUTATORY— THE OLD STATE HOUSE.

OCCURRENCES of great importance at the time, but seldom, if ever,
mentioned in these days, are recorded ; here for several reasons : First
of all, to add to the general interest of this enterprise, and secondly, to pre
serve, as much as possible, records of events' that at one time or other at
tracted the attention of the entire country, and defied the power of science
to account for some of these wonderful manifestations.
A quantity of other matter is added here for trie convenience of the student
of history, and for ready references to the subject embraced ; some of these
are statistical, and others are historical in their nature. These are rioped
will' prove a benefit as well as a pleasure to the reader, though, in fact, form
ing in themselves no part of the history of Seneca county.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PHENOMENA.
THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE.
On the 15th day of December, 1811, the first great shock of an earthquake
occurred, that shook the whole majestic valley of the Mississippi to trie cen
ter, and made trie Allegheny mountains "tremble beneath its gigantic throes.
Its convulsions agitated even the waves of the Atlantic ocean. The sub
terranean forces which produced such results must have been of inconceiv
able magnitude.
The region on the west bank of the Mississippi and in the southern part
of the state of Missouri seems to have been the center of trie most violent
shocks. They were repeated at intervals of two or three months. These
shocks, in trieir terrible upheavings of the earth, equal any phenomena of
the kind of which history gives any record. The country was very thinly
settled, and there were but few educated men in the whole region who could
philosophically note the phenomena -which were witnessed. Fortunately,
most of the houses were very frail, being built of logs. Such structures
would sway to and fro with the surgings of the earth, but they were not
easily thrown down. Vast tracts of land were precipitated into the turbid,

' APPENDIX. 64I
foaming current of the Mississippi. The graveyard at New Madrid was at
one swoop torn away, and with all its mouldering dead, swept down the
stream. Most of the houses in New Madrid were destroyed. Large regions of f or-
,est, miles in extent, suddenly sank out of sight, while the waters rushed in
forming, upon the spot, almost fathomless lakes. Other lakes were drained,
leaving only vast basins of mud, wriere, apparently for centuries, in the
solitudes of the forest, the waves had rolled.
The whole wildepess of territory extending from the mouth of the Ohio,
three hundred miles, to the St. Francis, was so convulsed as to create lakes
and islands, ravines and marshes, whose numbers never can be fully known. '
Some of the effects produced were very difficult to account for. Large trees
were split through trie* heart of the tough wood. The trees were inclined in
every direction, and were lodged in every angle towards trie eartri or the
horizon. The undulations of the earth resembled the surges of a tempest-
tossed ocean, trie billows ever increasing in magnitude. Atthe greatest ele
vation these earth billows would burst open, and water, sand and coal would
be ejected as high as the loftiest trees. Some of the chasms thus created
were very deep.
Wide districts were covered by a shower of small white sand, like the
ground after a snow storm. This spread of desolation rendered the region
around quite uninhabitable for a long time. Other immense tracts were
flooded with water from a few inches to a few feet deep. As the water'sub-
sided a coating of barren sand was left behind.
Indeed, it must have been a scene of horror in these deep forests, and in
thegloom of the darkest night, and by wading in the water to trie middle to
fly from those concussions, which were occurring every few hours, with' a
' noise equally terrible to beasts and birds and to man. The birds themselves
lost all power and disposition to fly. and retreated to the bosoms of men —
their fellow sufferers— in this general convulsion. A few persons sank in
these chasms, and were providentially extricated. A number perished who
sank with their boats in the Mississippi. A bursting of the earth just below
the village of New Madrid arrested the mighty Mississippi in its course, arid
caused a reflux of its waters, by which, in a little time, a great number of
boats were swept by the ascending current into the mouth of the bayou,
carried out and left upon trie dry earth when the accumulating waters of the
river had agairi cleared the current.
The following is from "The Great West." "There were a number of severe
shocks, but the two series of concussions were particularly terrible, far more
so than the rest. The shocks were clearly distinguished info two classes —
those in which the motion was horizontal, and those in which it was perpen
dicular. The latter were attended with explosions, and the terrible mixture
of noises that preceded and accompanied the earthquakes in a louder degree,
but were by no means so desolating and destructive as the other. The
houses crumbled, the trees weaved together, the ground sunk, wriile ever
and anon vivid flashes of lightning, gleaming through the troubled clouds
of night, rendered trie darkness doubly horrible. After the severest shocks,
a dense, black cloud of vapor overshadowed the land, througri which no
struggling sunbeam found its way to cheer the heart of man. The sulphur-
41

642 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ated gases that were discharged during the shocks tainted the air With their
noxious effluvia, and so impregnated trie water of the river for one hundred
and fifty miles as to render it unfit for use. -.
In the intervals of the earthquake there was one 'evening, and that a
brilliant and cloudless one, in whicri the western sky was a continued glare
of repeated peals of subterranean thunder, seeming to proceed, as the flashes
did, from below the horizon. The night, which' was so conspicuous for sub
terranean thunder, was the same period in whicri trie fatal earthquakes at
Caracas, in South America, occurred, and it is supposed that these flashes
and those events were part of the same scene.
One result from these terrible phenomena was very obvious. The people
in this region had been noted for their, profligacy and impiety. In the midst
of these scenes of terror, all, Catholics and Protestants, the prayerful and
the profane, became one religipn, and partook of one feeling. Two hundred
people, speaking English, French and Spanish, crowded together, their
faces pale, the mothers embracing their children. As soon as the omen
which preceded the earthquake became visible, as soon as the air became a
little obscured, as soon as a certain mist arose from the east, all in their dif
ferent languages and forms, but all deeply in earnest, betook themselves to
the voice of prayer. The cattle, much terrified, . crowded about the people,
seeking to demand protection or community of danger.
The general impulse, when the shocks Commenced, was to run. And yet,
when they were at the severest points of their motion, the people were
thrown upon the ground at almost every step. A French gentleman told
me that in escaping from his house, the largest ip the village, he found that
he had left an infant behind, and he attempted to mount up the raised
piazza to recover the child, and was thrown down a dozen times in succes
sion. The venerable lady in whose dwelling we lodged, was extricated from
the ruins of her house, having lost everything that appertained to her estab
lishment which could be broken or destroyed. Trie people at the Little
Prairie who< suffered most, had their settlement, which consisted of a hun
dred families, and which was located in a rich and f ertile bottom, broken up.
When I passed it and stopped to contemplate the, traces of the catastrophe,
which remained after several years, the crevices, where the earth, had burst,
were sufficiently manifest, and the whole region was covered with sand to
the depth of two or three feet. The surface was red with oxydized pyrites
of iron, and the sand.blows, as they were called, were abundantly mixed
with this kind pf earth and with pieces of pit coal. But two families re
mained of the whole settlement. The object seems to have been iri trie first
paroxysms of alarm,to escape to trie hills. The depth of water that soon
covered the surface precluded escape.
The people, without exception, were unlettered backwoodsmen, of the
class least addicted to reasoning. And yet it is remarkable how ingeniously
and conclusively they reasoned, from apprehension sharpened by fear.
They observed that the chasms in the earth were in the direction from south
west to northeast, and they were of an extent to swallow up not only men,,
but houses, down deep into the pit. And these chasms occurred frequently,
within intervals of half a mile. They felled the tallest, trees at right angles
to the chasm, and stationed themselves upon trie felled trees. Meantime

APPENDIX. 643
their cattle and harvests, both there and at New Madrid, principally per
ished. The people no longer dared to dwell in houses. They passed that winter
and the succeeding one in^bark booths and camps, like those of the Indians,
of so light a texture as not to expose the inhabitants to danger in case of
their being thrown down. Such numbers of laden boats were wrecked
above the Mississippi and the lading driven into the eddy at the mouth of
the bayou at the village, which makes the harbor, that the people were
amply provided with provisions of every kind. Flour, beef, pork, bacon,
butter, cheese, apples, in short everything that is carried down the river,
was in such abundance as scarcely to be matters of sale.. Many of the boats
that came safely into the bayou were disposed of by the affrighted owners
for a trifle, for trie shocks continued daily, and the owners deeming trie
country below sunk, were glad to return to trie upper country as fast as pos
sible. In effect, a great many islands were sunk, new ones raised, and the
bed of the river very much changed in every respect.
After the earthquake had moderated in violence, the country exhibited a
melancholy aspect of chasms, of sand covering the earth, of trees thrown
flown or lying at an angle of forty-five degrees, a split in the middle. The
Little Prairie settlement was broken up. The Great Prairie settlement, one
of the most flourishing before, on the west bank of the Mississippi, was
much diminished. New Madrid dwindled into insignificance and decay, trie
people trembling in their miserable hovels at the distant and melancholy
rumbling 'of trie approaching shocks.
, The general government passed an act allowing the inhabitants of the
country to locate the same quantity of land that they possessed here in any
part of the territory where the lands were not yet covered by any claim.
These clairhs passed into the hands of speculators, and were never of any
substantial value to the possessor. When I resided there, this district, for
merly so level, rich and beautiful, had the most melancholy of all aspects of
decay. The tokens of former cultivation and habitancy were now memen- '
tos of desolation and desertion. Large and beautiful orchards were left un-
inclosed, homes were deserted, and deep chasms in the earth were obvious
at frequent intervals. Such was the face of the country, altriougri trie peo-
- pie had for years become so accustomed to frequent and small shocks, "Which
- did no essential injury, that the lands were gradually rising again in value,
and New Madrid wag slowly rebuilding with frail buildings adapted to the
apprehensions of the people." THE GREAT HURRICANE.
Another very wonderful phenomenon that occurred a few years after the
great earthquake is also worthy of special record.
On the 18th of May, 1825, and after quite a number of new-comers had
settled in Seneca, there occurred one.of the most violept tornadoes of which
history gives any account. It has usually been called the "Burlington
storm," because its greatest severity was experienced in that township. It
commenced between one and two o'clock in the afternopn in Delaware
county, upon the upper waters of the Scioto, and in the very heart of the
state. It seemed for a time to sweep trie surface of the earth with indescrib-

644 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. I
able fury. It then apparently rose in the air, rushing along above the tops
of the riigriest trees. Soon it descended witri increased violence, and tore its
destructive way through Licking, Knox and Coshoeton counties. Its gen
eral course was a little north of east.
Trie force and violence of the wind, which accompanied this tempest, have
probably never been equalled in a northern latitude. Gigantic forests were
instantly uprooted, and enormous trees were riurled like feathers through
the air. Some Were carried several miles. There was no strength of trunk
' or root which for a single instant could withstand the assault. Cows, oxen,
and horses were lifted bodily from the ground and carried to the distance of '
one or two hundred rods. There was a creek, flooded with recent rains,
over which the tornado passed. The gale so emptied it of /its flood that in a
few minutes there was only a small, trickling stream to be seen in its bed.
There had been so much rain that trie roads were very muddy, and the
fields were like sponges saturated with water. The tornado seemed to dispel
every particle of moisture, and both roads and fields were left dry and almost
dusty. The track of the torriado through Licking county was about twor
thirds of a mile in breadth, gradually increasing as the blast advanced. The
air was so, filled with trees, buildings, and every kind of debris, whirled^
as riigh af the clouds, that the spectacles resembled immense birds pressing
alorig In hurried flight.
The very ground trembled beneath trie gigantic tread of this terrific, storm.
Many persons who were at a distance of more than a mile from the track of
the tornado, testified that they distinctly felt the earth to vibrate beneath
their fee);. Those who experienced the fury of the tempest state that the
roar of the wind, the darkened sky, the trembling of the earth., the crash of
falling timbers, and trie air filled with trees, fragments of houses and cattle,
presented a spectacle awful in the extreme.
The cloud from whicri this terrific power seemed to emerge, was black as
midnight. It was thought by some careful observers that it rushed along at
the rate of about a mile a minute. It sometimes seemed to sink low to the
ground, and again to rise some distance above the surface. Tremendous as
was the velocity of the storm, sweeping in one continuous course, it is re
markable that no one could tell from trie fallen timber in which direction
the wind had blown, for trie trees were spread in every way.
There were well authenticated incidents which seem almost incredible. An
iron chain about four feet long, and of the size of a common plow chain,
was lifted from the ground and hurled through the air with almost the veloc
ity of a shot from a gun, for the distance of half a mile, and was there lodged
in the topmost branches of a maple tree. A* large ox was carried eighty rods
and was then so buried beneath a mass of fallen trees that it required several
riours' chopping to extricate the animal, which, strange to say, was not ma
terially injured. From the same field with the ox, a cow was carried forty
rods and was lodged in the thick branch of a tree. The tree was blown
down, and the cow was killed. An ox cart was carried througri the air forty
rods, and was then dashed to the ground with such violence as to break the
axle and to entirely demolish one of the wheels.
Colonel Wright had a house strongly built of heavy logs. His son was
standing in the doorway when trie gale struck him, and hurled him across

APPENDIX. 6-e
the room with such violence as to kill him instantly. The house was torn
to pieces. A coat, which was hanging up in the same house, was found six
months afterward in Coshocton county, more than forty* miles from the de
molished building. It was taken back to Colonel Wright's, and was clearly
identified. Many light, articles such as shingles, books and pieces of furni
ture were carried twenty and thirty miles. A little girl, Sarah Robb, twelve
years of age, was taken from her father's house, lifted several feet from the
earth, and carried more than an eighth of a mile, when she was gently de
posited upon the ground, unharmed as the gale left her. Fortunately, the
tornado passed over a wilderness region very sparcely settled, and but three
lives were lost. THE JERKS.
Having thus ,alluded to remarkable physical phenomena, we ought not
pass in silence a mental phenomenon, totally inexplicable upon any known
principles of intellectual philosophy, and yet thoroughly attested by com
petent witnesses.
The Rev. Joseph Badger was the first missionary on the western reserve.
He graduated at Yale college about the year 1785, and was trie highly
•esteemed pastor of the Congregational church in Blanford, Massachusetts,
for fourteen years. He was a man of enterprising spirit as well as fervent
piety, and became deeply interested in the religious welfare of the Indians
in northern Ohio. Aided by a missionary society, he visited trie country,
and was so well satisfied that a field of usefulness was opened before him
there, that he returned for his family and took up his residence among the
Wyandots of Upper Sandusky, extending his labors to the tribes on the
Maumee. His work amongst the Indians and the scattered inhabitants of the re
serve, was very arduous, but interesting and valuable. He was appointed
by Governor Meigs, chaplain in the northern army as war broke out with
England. He was in Fort Meigs during the memorable seige of 1813, and
was afterwards attached to General Harrison's command. Mr. Badger had
a high reputation for sound judgment, energy of character and superior
intellectual endowments. He died in 1846, at the age of eighty-nine.
Quite a powerful revival of religion commenced under his preaching in
the towns of Austinburgh, Morgan and Harpersfield, where, at that time
(1803), he was alterpately preaching. The revival was attended by a strange
bodily agitation called trie jerks. We find in " Trie Historical Collections of
Ohio " a very graphic account of this strange occurrence.
It was familiarly called jerks, and the first recorded instance of its occur
rence was at a sacrament in East Tennessee, when several hundred of both
sexes were seized with this strange and involuntary contortion. The sub
ject was instantaneously seized with spasms or convulsions in every muscle,
nerve and tendon. His head was thrown backward and forward and from
side to side with inconceivable rapidity. So swift was trie motion that the
features could no more be discerned than the spokes of a wheel can be seen
when revolving with the greatest velocity. No man could voluntarily ac
complish the movement. Great fears were often awakened lest the neck
should be dislocated.

646 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The whole body was often similarly affected, and the individual was
driven, notwithstanding all his efforts to prevent it, in the church over pews
and bences, and in the open air over stones and trie trunks of fallen trees,
so that his escape from bruised and mangled limbs seemed almost miracu
lous. It was of no avail to attempt to hold of restrain one thus affected.
The paroxysm continued until it gradually exhausted itself. Moreover, all
were impressed with the conviction that there was something supernatural
in these convulsions and that it was opposing the spirit of God to attempt,
by violence to resist triem.
Triese spasmodic convulsions commenced with a simple jerking of the
fore-arm, from the elbow to the hand, violent, and as ungoverned by the
will as what is called the shaking palsy would be. The jerks were very sud
den following 'each other at short intervals.' Gradually and resistlessly
they extended trirough. the arms to trie muscles of the neck, the legs and all
other parts of the body. The convulsions of trie neck were the more fright
ful to behold. The bosom heaved, the features were greatly distorted and
so violent were trie spasms triat it seemed impossible but that the neck must
be broken. When the hair was long, as was frequently the case with these
backwoodsmen,- it was often thrown backward and forward with such velo
city that it would actually snap like a whip-lash. We are not.informed'
whether the victim suffered pain under these circumstances or not.
An eye-witness gives the following graphic description of the inexplicable
phenomena: " Nothing in nature could better represent this.strange and
unaccountable operation than for me to goad another alternately on one side
with a piece of red hot iron. The exercise commonly began in the head,
whicri would fly backward and forward and from side to side witri a quick
jolt, which the person would naturally labor to suppress, but in vain; and
the more any one labored to stay himself and be sober, the more he stag
gered and the more his twitches increased. He must necessarily go as he
was inclined, whether with a violent dash on the ground arid bounce from
place to platee like a foot-ball, or hop arbund with head, limbs and trunk
twitching and jolting in every direction, as if they must inevitably fly asun
der. And how such could escape without injury, was no small wonder
ampngst spectators.
" By these strange operations the human frame was commonly so trans
formed and disfigured as to lose every trace of its natural appearance.
Sometimes the head would be twitched right and left to a half round, with
such velocity that no feature could be discovered, but the face appeared as
much behind as before; and in the quick, progressive jerk, it would seem
as if the person was1 transmuted into some other species of creature.
" Hiad-dresses were of little account among trie female jerkerg. ; Even
handkerchiefs, bound tight round the head, would be, flirted off almost with
the first twitch, and the hair put into trie utmost confusion. This was a
very great inconvenience, to redress whicri, the generality were shorn, ,
though contrary to their confessions of faith. Such as were seized with
jerks, were wrested at once, not only from their own government, but that
of every one else, so that it was dangerous, to attempt confining them or
touching triem in any manner, to wriatever danger they were exposed. Yet
few were hurt, except it were such as rebelled against the operation through

APPENDIX. g-7
wilful and deliberate enmity, and refused to comply with the injunctions
which it came to enforce.
" All who witnessed this unaccountable movement, agree in the declara
tion that the convulsions were not only involuntary, but resistless. Stout
burly, wicked men, would come to the meetings to scorn and to revile'
Suddenly the paroxysms would seize them, and they would be whirled about
and tossed in every direction, though cursing at every jerk. Travelers pass
ing by, and who, from curiosity, looked in upon trie religious meetings,
would be thus seized. These facts are apparently as well authenticated as
any facts can be from human testimony. There is no philosophy which can
explain them. The faithful historian can only give them record, and leave
them there."— [Abbott's Ohio, 683.
THE MORMONS.
A short history of the Mormons is added to these pages riere; not because
Seneca county has in any wise been connected with them, but because a dis
tinguished character, who was once identified with the order, was for several
years a respected citizen of Tiffin. A man, also, who now holds a higri posi
tion among the Mormons at Salt Lake City, is a native of Tiffin.
. Mormonism is about to undergo a great change. Public sentiment is
opposed to it. The Mormons have but this alternative, viz: either to aban
don polygamy, or remove beyond the boundaries of the United States, as
they-did once before. WhileJ therefore, the sect is in this transitory condi
tion, a sketcri of their past history may be' found of interest to the reader:
MORMONISM.
New" England fanaticism always found a large field of familiar spirits on
the western reserve, and the jerks were followed by a movement for a new
religion in Ashtabula county. •
Mr. Solomon Spaulding moved to Conneaut in 1809. He preached some
times, but with very little success. He was regarded as a worthy man,
however, and having turned his attention to the mercantile business for a
while, he also failed in that. Some people at that trine advocated the idea,
that the American Indians were the lost tribe of Israel. Spaulding being a
man of eccentric tastes and habits, and of considerable antiquarian lore,
''became quite interested in the subject of trie origin of our country's abori
gines. Conneaut was rich in monuments, fnounds and fortifications of a past
race ; and as trie past was buried entirely in obscurity, he undertook to write
an imaginary narrative of the wanderings of 'the lost tribes. The book was
intended as a historical romance, written in the style of the Bible, and
founded upon the supposition that the American Indians were descendants
of the Jews. Mr. Spaulding's brother, John, visited riim while he1 was
writing the book, whicri he entitled, " Manuscript Found." John writes :
"It gave a detailed account of the journey of the.Jews from Jerusalem,1
by land and sea, till they arrived in America. They afterwards had quar-.
reis and contentions, and separated into two distinct nations. Cruel and
''.bloody wars ensued, in wriich great rnultitudes were slain. They buried
their dead' in large heaps, whicri caused the mounds so common in this

648 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
country. Their arts, sciences and civilization were brought into view, in
order to account for all the curious antiquities found in various parts of
North and South America."
Mr. John Spaulding testifies that the Mormon Bible, so called, is essen
tially this book. Mr. Henry Lake, of Conneaut, also corroborates this tes
timony in the following emphatic words ^
" I left the state of New York late in the year 1810, and arrived at Con
neaut the 1st of January following. Soon after my arrival, I formed a co
partnership with Solomon Spaulding for trie purpose of rebuilding a forge,
whicri lie had ftommenced a year or two before. He very frequently read
to me a manuscript wriich he was writing, which he entitled the " Manu
script Found," and which he represented as being found in this town. I
spent many hours in hearing him read said writings, and became well ac
quainted with their contents. He wished me to assist him in getting his
productions printed, alleging that a book of that kind would meet with a
rapid sale. I designed doing so, but the forge not meeting our anticipa
tions, we failed in business^ when I declined having anything to do with the
publication of the book.
'' This book represented the American Indians as the descendants of the
lost tribes ; gave an account of their leaving Jerusalem, their contentions
and wars, whicri were many and great. One time when he was reading to-
methe tragic account of Laban, I pointed out to him what I considered an
inconsistency, whicri he promised to correct. But by referring to the Book
of Mormon, I find to my surprise, that it stands there just as he read it to
me then. Some months ago I borrowed the Mormon Bible, put it into my
pocket, carried it home and thought no more about it.
1 " About a week after, my wife found the book in my coat pocket as it
hung up, and commenced reading it aloud, as I lay upon the bed. Sheriadread '
but a few minutes till I Was astonished to find trie same passages in it that
Spaulding had read to me more than twenty years before from the " Manu-
cript Found." Since then I have more lully examined the Mormon Bible,
and have no hesitaricy in saying that the historical part of it is principally,
if not wholly, taken from the " Manuscript Found." I well recollect telling
Mr. Spaulding that the so frequent use of the' words : ' And it came to pass,'
rendered it ridiculous. Spaulding left here in 1812, and I furnished him
means to carry him to Pittsburgh, where he said he would get the book print
ed and pay me. I heard nothing more from him."
The testimony of six other witnesses is equally clear on this' point.
Spaulding was vain of his writings and was continually reading them to his
neighbors. > It is much easier to write such a book than to get any one to
publish it. It is not known what use he made of trie manuscript. He re
mained in Pittsburgh two or three years and died in Amity in 1816.
Several years afterwards, wrien this manuscript, with sundry additions
and alterations, appeared as the Mormon Bible, Spaulding's widow testified
that it was her impression that rier husband took the manuscript to the
publishing house of Messrs. Patterson & Lambdin, but that she did not
know that it was ever returned. Lambdin died. The establishment was
broken up. Patterson had no recollection of the manuscript.
About trie year 1823, a man by the name of Sidney Rigdon came to. Pitts-

APPENDIX. 649
burgh. He was a very eccentric character, with an unbalanced mind and
somewhat of a mono-maniac on the Bible. He had been a wandering
preacher without any ecclesiastical affiliation. He became very intimate
with Lambdin and was often in the office where the manuscripts were kept.
He quit preaching for three years to study the Bible. He was fond of dis
putations and was a sort of religious Ishmaelite. Here in Lambdin's office
Rigdon fourid Spaulding's manuscript and read it with great interest. His
crazy mind absorbed it all. He copied the whole thing and claimed the
authorship in himself.
In his wanderings, he made the acquaintance of another singular man,
named Joe Smith, who professed to possess the art of divination, by, which
were revealed to riim treasures hidden in the ground. Smith was at that
time digging for money on the banks of the Susquehanna. He is represent- "
ed by those opposed to his pretentions as a man of low associates, averse to
all regular industry, very voluble in speech, having great self confidence,
and with unusual power of duping others. He had some seer-stones, by
which he could look into futurity as well as into the bowels of the earth.'
Smith dodged around the country, from place to place, sometimes attend
ing revival meetings, praying and exhorting with great exhuberance of
Words. It was hard to tell whether Joe was a hypocrite or a fanatic, or a
mixture of both. Smith and Rigdon just suited for company. These mono
maniacs took the " Manuscript Found " for their guide, and originated
MOrmonism. No doubt they felt themselves guided by the Holy Ghost to
form a new religion. Smith was cunning and versatile and had the seer-
stone, in which the illiterate had faith. Sidney was a printer and a preacher,
full of words and full of Spaulding's manuscript. Smith had brass and self-
confidence that knew no blush. He took trie lead'.
Writes Mr. Ferris : " A portiori of inankind have been looking for the last
days for trie past eighteen hundred years, and at the period in question were
¦ ready to run into Millerism or any otrier "ism," where their notions could
be accommodated in this respect. A prophet, therefore, who- could super
add to the discovery of the golden Bible a proclamation of a speedy destruc
tion of all mundane thirigs, a power of attorney for the restoration of an'
authorized priesthood and the gathering of the saints, and make a formidable
display of miraculous powers, was the most acceptable gift which could be
made to popular superstition. Here, then, would seem to have been com
bined the elements of an atmosphere, which has since branched out and
gathered strength, until it has become the most noted instance in modern
times of trie development and growth of religious fanaticism."
Joe Smith's story is as follows : He says, in the year 1820, as he, in a re
tired place, was earnestly engaged in prayer, two angels appeared to riim.
They informed him that God had forgiven all his sins, and that he was the
chosen instrument to introduce a new dispensation ; that all the then reli
gious denominations were in error ; that the Indians were the descendants
of the lost tribes ; that they had brought with them to this country, inspired
writings ; that these writings were safely deposited in a secret place, and
that he was selected by God to receive them, and translate them into the
English tongue.
' There was considerable negotiation before the angel condescended to put

650 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the plates into his hands. At lerigth the angel told him where they were
to be found, About four miles from Palmyra, New York, there was a small
hill or mound. Smith dug down on trie left side of the mound and found a
large stone box, so carefully sealed that no moisture could enter it. Here
the plates were found. Orson Pratt, one of the first converts to Mormon-
ism, and one of its most distinguished advocates, gives the following account
of trie plates as then found :,
'• These records were engraved on plates whicri had the appearance of
gold. Each plate was not far from seven by eight inches, in widtri and
length, being not quite so thick as common tin. They were filled on both
sides with engravings, in Egyptian characters, and, were bound together in
a'volume, as the leaves of a book, and fastened at one edge with three rings
running through the whole. This volume was something like six inches in
thickness, a part of which was sealed.
" The characters or letters upon the unsealed part were small and beauti
fully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks of antiquity in its
construction, as well as much skill in the art of engraving. With the record
was found a curioiis instrument, called by the ancients trie Urim and Thum-
min, which consisted of two transparent stones, clear as crystal, set in the
two rims of a bow. This was in use in ancient times by persons called seers.
It was an instrument, by trie use of which, they recived revelations of
tbin'gs distant or of things past or future."
Is it not provoking that a boy who had ever attended a school in Tiffin
should embrace such humbug as religion ? ¦¦ '
Joe Smith boldly exhibited these apparently golden plates, but no'unsanc-
tified hands were permitted to ' touch them. He also showed a very highly
polished marble box, which/he said had contained the plate's, and which, in
that case, must riave miraculously retained its lustre for countless centuries.
But it had been observed some time before that Joe Smith, his brother,
Hiram and another man by the name of McKnight were very busily em
ployed in some secret work, Which particularly engrossed their time in the
hours of darkness. It was suspected that they were engaged in some count
erfeiting operations. ' According to Joe Smith's account, they were engaged
in lonely vigils and in prayer.
It was emphatically true of the new prophet that he had but very little
honor in his own country. His peculiar claims excited ridicule and con
tempt. Mobs beset his house, demanding a sight of the most famous plates.
At length, the annoyance became so great that he fled 'from Palmyra and
took refuge in the northern part of Pennsylvania, where his father-in-law
resided. He secreted his plates for the journey in a barrel of beans. Being >
quietly housed in his retreat, he commenced, by divine inspiration, trans
lating the Egyptian hieroglyphics. As he scarcely knew how to write him
self, he employed a scribe, one Oliver Cowdery. Stationed behind a screen,
where Cowdery'could not see him, he professed to look through the Urim
and Thummim, and thus translated trie unknown symbols, sentence by sen
tence. Trie work proceeded very slowly, and morith after month passed away
while it was in progress. During this time, John the Baptist appeared to
them, having been sent by the Apostles Peter, James and John, and or-

APPENDIX. 0rj
dained first Smith and trien Cowdery into the priesthood of Aaron. The
family of the prophet's father became converts, and then an individual by
the name of Martin Harris. The character of this man's mind may be in
ferred from the fact that he had been a Quaker, Methodist, Baptist and
finally a Presbyterian. Harris riad some property and Smith importuned
him to furnish funds to publish the book, assuring him that it would pro
duce an entire criange in the world and save it from ruin.
Mr. Harris, a simple-minded, well-meaning man, was very anxious to see
the wonderful plates, but the prophet avowed that he was not yet holy
enough to enjoy that privilege. However, after much importunity, he gave
Mr. Harris a transcript of some of the characters on a piece of paper. As
Mr. Harris was parting with riis money, lie evidently felt some solicitude
lest he might be deceived, since all around him were speaking contemptu
ously of the proprietic claim of Joe Smith, and he adopted the wise precau
tion, probably urged to it by some of his friends, of submitting the paper
with the hieroglyphics to Professor Charles Anthon, a distinguished Oriental
scholar in New York. '
Mr. Howe, in writing a history of Mormonism, subsequently wrote to
Professor Anthon, making inquiries upon this subject. He received a reply
under date of February 17, 1834, from which we make the following ex
tracts :
" Some years ago a plain, apparently ^simple-hearted farmer called on me
with a note from Dr. Mitchell, requesting me to decipher, if possible, the
paper which the farmer would hand me. Upon examining the paper, I soon
came to the conclusion that it was all a trick, perhaps a rioax. When I asked
the person who brought it, how he obtained the writing, he gave me the
following account :
' A gold book, containing a number of plates, fastened together by wires
of the same material, had been dug up in the northern part of the state of
New York and along with it an enormous pair of spectacles. These spec
tacles were so large that if any person attempted to look through them, his
two eyes would look through one glass only, the spectacles being altogether
too large for trie human face.' 'Whoever,' he said, ' examined the plates
through the glass, was enabled not only to read them, but fully to under
stand their meaning. '
" Although this knowledge was confined to a young man, who had the
trunk containing the book and spectacles in his sole possession. This
young man was placed behind the curtain, etc., etc.
" The farmer had been requested to contribute a sum of money towards
the publication of the golden book, and that he had intended to sell his farm
and give trie amount for that purpose.
" On hearing this old story, I changed my opinion about the paper, and
instead of viewing it any longer as a hoax, I began to regard it as a scheme
to cheat the farmer of his money, and I warned him to look out for rogues.
" The paper was a singular- scroll. It contained all kinds of singular,
characters, Greek and Hebrew letters, crosses and flourishes. Roman letters
inverted or placed sideways were ranged and placed in perpendicular col
umns, etc.
, Sometime after, the farmer paid me another visit. He brought with riim

652 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the ' gold book ' in print, and offered it to me for s^le. I declined purchas
ing. T adverted once more to the roguery whicri, in my opinion, had been
practiced upon him and asked him what had becorne of trie gold plates. He
informed me that they were in the trunk with the spectacles. T advised
him to go to a magistrate and have the trunk examined. He said the curse
of God would come on him if he did. On my pressing him, however, to go
to a magistrate, he told me lie would Open the trunk if I would take the
curse of God upon myself. I replied that I would do so witri the greatest
willingness and would incur every risk of that nature, provided I could only
extricate him from the grasp of a rogue. He then left me, etc.
" Yours respectfully, CHARLES ANTHON."
Again the community became clamorous to see the plates, and it was re
vealed to Joe, to show them to three witnesses chosen by the Lord. These
were Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and David Whitmer, a new convert,
who subsequently getting into a quarrel with some of the Mormons, was
accused, together with Cowdery, of being connected with a, gang of counter
feiters, thieves, liars and blacklegs of the deepest dye, to deceive, cheat and
defraud the saints. This tirade of abuse was set on foot, however, only after
the Mormons had finished their temple at Nauvoo, and Joe Smith found
Cowdery to be very much in his way for the leadership, when he resorted to
all manrier of violence to drive Cowdery out of his way.
The Elders' Journal also spoke of Martin Harris in the following disre
spectful terms :
" Martin Harris is so far beneath contempt, that a notice of him would be
'too great a sacrifice for a gentleman to make."
These were the apostles to testify to the golden plates. Their meagre tes
timony was as follows :
" An angel of God came down from heaven and brought and laid before
our eyes, that we beheld^and saw, trie plates and the engraving thereon."
No one doubted that Joe had prepared these things, yet he was accepted
as a divinely appointed prophet. On the 1st qf June, 1830, he' organized, a
band of thirty followers at Fayette, Ontario county, Pennsylvania, but these
saints were held in sucri slight repute where they were known, that their
leader concluded to remove them to Kirtland, Ohio. Here they assumed the
name of the Latter Day Saints. Three thousand persons gave in their ad
hesion to Joe Smith. Some of these had wealth. Now it was revealed to
Joe that they should build for him a house and give him food and raiment
and all rie,needed, which was done. Joe became rich and established abank
Whicri, he said, could never fail, as it was instituted " by the will of God."
But it did fail— and badly. ' •
The losers by trie failure of the bank procured process for Joe and Rigdon,
who both ran away. For this runaway Joe excused himself afterwards upon
Bible grounds : And as Jesus said, when they persecute you' in one city,
flee to another. Joe said, " these persecutors followed them more than two
hundred miles, armed with swords and pistols, seeking their lives."
Thereupon the Mormons moved to Independence, Jackson county, Mis
souri, where they bought a large tract of land. Converts were multiplied, a
newspaper established and a town sprang up as by magic. Soon they num
bered twelve hundred.

APPENDIX. 6c-.
Ere long trie disgust of trie people of Missouri was excited against them.
People did not wish to live near them, and their presence diminished the
value of property in the surrounding country. The Mormons became de
fiant, raised a large military force and declared that they were a law unto
themselves, and spt trie public authorities at defiance. Trie governor mar
shalled a force of four thousand militia to keep order and probably to intimi
date the Mormons and actuate them to leave the State. There had already
been a conflict, in which eight Missourians were wounded and twenty-five
Mormons were killed and thirty wounded. The enraged Mormons burnt the
small towns of Gallatin and Millport. They ravaged the country in mid
winter, driving the women and children from their homes and laying the
farm houses in ashes. '
General Clark was in command of the governmental forces, who wrote to
the governor : " There is no crime, from treason down to petit larceny, but
these people, or a majority of them, have not. been guilty of ; all, too, under
counsel of Joseph Smith, the prophet. They have committed treason, arson,
burglary, robbery, larceny and perjury. They have societies formed: under
the most binding covenants and the most horrid oaths to circumvent the
laws and put them at defiance, and to plunder, burn and murder and divide
the spoils for the use of the church."
The governor issued an order, which was worded very unfortunately :
" The ringleaders of this rebellion, should be made an example of. If it
should become necessary to the public peace, the Mormons should be exter
minated, orexpelled from the State."
The people of Jackson county offered to buy them, out and to have the
prices of their property fixed by three commissioners, with one hundred per
cent, in addition. They refused to leave. The militia disarmed the Mor
mons and took about forty prisoners, Joe Smith amongst them. They were
compelled to enter into a treaty, by which triey agreed to withdraw from the
state. Five commissioners were appointed to sell their property, pay their
debts and aid them in removing. The state appropriated two thousand dol
lars for their relief. Still there was much suffering, as, in mid-winter, these
numerous families traversed nearly the whole breadth of Missouri, and
crossing the Mississippi river^ entered the state of Illinois.
The cry of persecution had preceded them, and trie people of Illinois re
ceived triem very kindly. Trie American people are very prompt in trirow-
ing trieir sympathies on the side of those that are persecuted for opinion's
sake. /
The Mormons settled down in Hancock county, on the eastern bank of the
,Mississlppi. Here they commenced' rearing a new city, which they called
Nauvoo. Missionaries of the new faith had been sent abroad in all direc
tions. Converts were multiplied. They flocked to Nauvoo. In a short time
they increased to fifteen thousand inhabitants. Smith had a new revelation.
The faithful were enjoined to " bring gold and precious materials for the
building of a temple for the worship of God, and a house for the dwelling-
place, of the- prophet,"'
Ere long it was estimated that by the labors of the missionaries in this
country and Europe, the Mormons numbered 150,000. Nauvoo assumed a
thriving aspect. A military band was organized, consisting of 4,000 men,

654 HISTORY! OF SENECA COUNTY.
well armed and disciplined. Joe had another new revelation, not only au
thorizing the saints to take more than one wife, but enjoining it upon them
as a duty to take several maidens to wife, and thus lead triem to heaven.
This step shocked quite a number of the- simple-minded victims and led
them to withdraw, butmore were lured to join them by the license, and, con
vert's were multiplied faster than ever. Joe was accused of seducing the
wife of a Dr. Foster. The injured husband published affidavits, clearly
proving the charge. A warrant from a neighboring magistrate was secured
for the arrest of the culprit. Joe called out his armed men and drove the
sheriff from the city. This caused great excitement and trie state militia
was called out to enforce the laws. There was every prospect for civil War.
The governor came to Nauvoo. Joe knew what was coming, and he and
his brother, Hiram, surrendered to the warrant under a pledge of personal
safety. They were both taken to the jail at Carthage, where they were hpid
under the charge of 'treason. Popular excitement and indignation were in
tense. A guard was placed around the jail to protect the prisoners, from an
exasperated community. The cry was loud for the destruction of Nauvoo,
and the expulsion of all the inhabitants.
At six o'clock on the evening of the 27th of November, 1844, two hundred
men in disguise approached the jail, thrust the guard aside, broke open the
doOrs, and shot the two Smiths. Joe's last words were, as the balls pierced
his body, " O, Lord, my God."
The governor was deeply aggrieved by triis violation of the public faith.
He issued a manifesto, in which he said :
" I desire to make a brief statement of trie affairs atCarthage, inregard to
the Smiths. They have been assassinated in jail ;; by whom, it is not known,
but it will be ascertained. I pledged myself to their safety. Upon this
assurance they surrendered themselves as prisoners. The Mormons sur
rendered the public arms and submitted to the command of Captain Single
ton, of Brown county, deputed for that purpose by me. I had secured a
pledge of safety for trie Smiths, by the unanimous vote of all trie officers and
men under their command.* * * * * When I had marched
about three miles a messenger informed me of trie occurrence at Carthage. '
I hastened on to triat place. The guard, it is said, did their dutyj but were
overpowered." The news of trie death of the prophet created the wildest excitement at
Nauvoo. In their organization a man by the name of Brigham Young was
president of a band called " the Twelve Apostles." These chose Young as ,
the successor of Joe Smith, and to be the head of the church. Sidney Rigdon
rebelled, demanding trie position for himself. Brigham arrested him; de->
clared him to be an emissary of trie devil, excommunicated him, and '" de
livered him over to the bufferings of the devil in the name of trie Lord."
All was quiet for a wriile, and the Mormons built a temple one hundred
and twenty-eight feet long by eighty-eight feet wide: The Mormon Times
and Seasons said of it : " Our temple, when finisried, will show more wealth,
more art, more science, more revelation, more splendor and more God than
all trie rest of the world."
During the calm outside of Nauvoo, all sorts of rumors were in circulation
as the great number of crimes being constantly committed within the city.

APPENDIX. 655
A convention was called and a resolution passed that the Mormons must.
leave. Brigham Young saw that it was useless to resist, and at orice made
preparations to leave and move beyond the boundaries of the United States
into the territory of Mexico. Young displayed great skill in removing
15,000 souls many hundred miles, over an almost pathless wilderness, in the
midst of winter, to a new home, yet to be made, many hundred miles away.
The first band crossed the Mississippi on trie ice in February, 1846.
The Nauvoo Times and Seasons said : "To see such a large boijly of men,.
women and children compelled, by the inefficiency of the law, to leave a
great city in the month of February, for the sake of the enjoyment of pure
religion, fills the soul with astonishment and gives . trie world a sample of
fidelity and faitri brilliant as trie sun, forcible as the tempest, and enduring
as eternity."
This journey occupied nearly three months. Colonel Thomas L. Kane,,
brother of Doctor Elisha Kane, who became so illustrious by his polar tour,
witnessed this emigration, and writes of it in the most glowing terms for its
strict order, the devotional exercises of the people, their quiet endurance,
and he concludes : " Every day closed as every day began, with an invoca
tion of the Divine favorj without which no Mormon seemed to dare to lay
himself down to rest. With the first shining of the stars laughter and loud
talking were husried". The neighbor went his way. You heard the last
hymn sung, and then the thousand voice.'murmur of prayer was heard, like
bubbling water falling down the hill."'
The war with Mexico brought Utah, with Salt. Lake City, within the en
larged boundaries of the United States. Brigham Young was a man of un
doubted ability and great sagacity, but with an exceedingly coarseiand
vulgar mind. Upon their arrival at Salt Lake, he issued a proclamation to
all the world, from whicri the following is extracted :
" The kingdom of God consists in correct principles, and it mattereth not
wriat a man's religious faith is, whether he is a Presbyterian, a Methodist, a.
Baptist, a Latter Day Saint, a Mormon, a Campbellite, a Catriolic, an Epis
copalian, a Mohammedan, or even a Pagan, or anything else. If he will bow
the knee, and with his tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ, and will
support good and wholesome- laws for the regulation of society', we hail him
as a brother, and will stand by him as he stands by us in these things, for
every man's faith is a matter between riis own soul and riis God alone. But
if he shall deny trie Jesus, curse God, sriall indulge in drunkenness, de- '
bauchery and crime, lie, swear, steal, etc., etc., he shall'have no place in,our
midst, etc., etc."
With the flood of emigration into Utah, trie enforcement of the laws of the.
United States over the territory, what will become of Mormonism ?
SALUTATORY
In the first issue of the Van Burenite, by Joshua Seney :
" We shall advocate with a becoming zeal, and dignifiedly in manner, the
great Democratic Republican principles, as established and taught by
Thomas Jefferson. That ours is a government of specified and limited— not
general— powers, and ought so to be strictly observed, to attain the ends for
which it was established, all must admit.
" The few and venerable patriots, who, when our government dated its.

656 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
existence, were upon the bright summit of glory, and have lived till this late
day, are willing to exclaim that our system of government has eminently ex
ceeded the most sanguine expectations of those who acriieved trie glorious
victory upon wriich it was established, and became an object, not only of
admiration, but of envy and emulation by all the world.
" It is therefore our duty, rendered imperious by the position we occupy
as a nation, to preserve for its' character as pure and untarnished as the
bright and illustrious spirit of liberty, whicri dictated its existence amdng
its framers, and still serves as a beacon light to the benighted, and a home
for the oppressed of mankind, the object for which the blood of our fore
fathers and heroes— and labor of our ages have been bestowed to obtain.
" In regard to trie present federal administration, we unhesitatingly- de
clare that we will wage against it and its measures an unyielding opposition.
We wpuld banisri from us all prejudice— cast off all party predilection, and
admonisri the American people to view the awful and deplorable condition
¦of our country, brought about by the short federal predomination of one
year, and ask themselves if this is the ' change ' to whichjthey were invited.
" The Democracy, who, in trying times, have been entreated to rally and
rescue our government, must appreciate trie present as a crisis equally im
portant, and prepare to restore her from the dominion of an unprincipled
and reckless political party, wrio are now plunging rier into debt, disgrace
and dishonor, regardless of consequences. We shall endeavor to maintain .
a courteous but decided position in regard to the principles we intend pro
mulgating, and in discussion have a strict Observance for the truth of what
shall appear in our paper. * * * ' * * *
" With these remarks we throw ourselves upon the support of our friends
in the cause of Democracy, and by an honest, fearless and independent
course, we hope to merit the support which they shall be pleased to bestow
upon us." THE OLD STATE HOUSE.
The reader will find no fault with the writer for preserving for him a short
history of the old State House, and I am sure he will value the " Dirge on
the State House Bell." Governor Chase's speech must not be lost.
Columbus took great pride in this occasion of welcome, and the historic
data referred to by Governor Chase are so important, and the " Dirge " so
beautiful, that they are attached without further comment :
On the evening of the 6th of January, 1857, there was a superb banquet
given at the Capitol by the citizens of Columbus to the members of the legis
lature, heads of departments, judiciary, citizens and strangers— a mighty
throng. Visitors were seen from all parts of the state, male andfemale, and
some besides— a prodigious crowd. In fact almost everybody seemed to be
triere, and they were welcome.
Trie " Cleveland Grays," a fine looking company, arrived at one o'cloek,
and were received by the " State Fencibles," of Columbus, whose guests
they were. The two companies, when marching, made a splendid appear
ance. During trie day, trie State House was duly prepared for the great convoca
tion. All chairs and furniture were removed from the halls.. The rotunda
had been arched, and was handsomely decorated with tri-colored muslin,

APPENDIX. 6^ 7
evergreens, etc., the tables for the feasting being within it, and placed in a
semi-curcular form. ,
At night the whole edifice was brilliantly lighted, including the dome,
which was finely illuminated, and showed to great advantage. " The crowd
at one time inside the Yard," says the Ohio State Journal, " must have num-
bered'4,000, while about 1,000 were outside at the door of the old office of the
secretary of state, which was the only open place of entry to the inside of the
square." '
About nine o'clock a. m., the exercises commenced in the hall of the house
of representatives. Prayer was offered and addresses made.
At the conclusion of Mr. Kelly's address, Governor Chase arose and
said: EXTRACT FROM THE ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR CHASE.
" It is made my very agreeable duty to respond, in behalf of the people of
the state, to the cordial welcome whicri you, sir, in behalf of the citizens of
Franklin county, have just extended to them.
s "It was very fit that the citizens of the county— within whose limits the
seat of the state government is established— should distinguish the occasion
upon, which the state capitolis first opened for occupancy, by an invitation
to their fellow citizens of other counties, to join with them in their festival
of congratulation. The multitudes who now throng these halls, attest the
cordial promptitude with which the invitation has been accepted. Only the
words of welcome wriicri you have uttered were needed to complete their sat
isfaction. " In their name, sir, I thank you. In their name I thank the citizens,
whose organ you are ; in their name I thank the committee, under whose
care this pleasant festival has been provided. I only wish that all the peo
ple of the state could be here tp participate in it.
" We dismiss, to-night, all memory of party divisions. We forget the
things wherein we differ; we remember only trie things wherein we

" Over the gates of a city in Scotland once appeared, and perhaps, appears
now, this inscription, " Let Glasgow Flourish /" In the heart of every son
and daughter of Ohio, native or adopted, in this city or in the country, at
home or abroad, lives and shall live, ever fresh and ever fervent, the warm
aspiration, "Let Ohio Flourish.".
" A century ago, Ohio was a French dominion. French forts— at Sandus
ky ; on the Maumee, then the Miamis ; at Erie, then Presqu' Isle ; at Pitts
burg, then Duquesne— commanded. its whole extent, and connected it with
the great line of French possessions, extending througri the interior, from
trie mouth of trieSt. Lawrence to the mouth of the Mississippi. The appar
ent destiny of Ohio, was to Frencri civilization and despotic govern
ment. " But though England, careless of interest or possessions, actually offered
to yield to France all the territory West of New York and the Alleghenies,
there were Americaris who better understood its immediate value and future
importance. Conspicuous among these were Washington and Franklin.
The former, in-1754, led a military expedition to the banks of the Mononga-
' , 42 ?

658 ¦ HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
hela ; trie latter, indefatigable, in riis endeavors to rquse attention to the im-
portanceof extending English colonization beyond the Allegriariies, confi
dently predicted that the country between the Lakes and the Ohio would
' become, perhaps, in less than another century, a populous and powerful
dominiop.' " The efforts of Franklin were partially successful, Nine years later the
French dominion had passed away forever. By the treaty of Paris, of 1783,
France'ceded to Great Britain all her North American possessions east of
the Mississippi.
"But the substitute for French civilization proposed by Great Britain was
barbarism. Already jealous of the increasing strength of her American
colonies, or believing triaf. they would be, commercially, more' profitable if
confined to the Atlantic slope, she, attempted to restrict their westward ex
tension by a Royal Proclarriation prohibiting • settlements west of the Alle--.
ghanies. "Under the effect of this proclamation Ohio remained a wilderness for
twenty years, until, in 1783, another treaty of Paris annihilated British do
minion within its limits, and transferred its possession to the American Re
public, then first acknowledged as an Independent member of the CJommuni^
ty of Nations. •
" A new era was now to begin its course. Anglo-Saxon civilization and
Republican institutions were now to take the place of savage barbarism.
Plans of emigration and settlement were promptly devised and adopted. At
trie mouth of the Muskingum, between the Miainis, and on the borders of
Erie, trie noble old pioneers of the west, many of them distinguished officers
and soldiers of the revolution, commenced the work of subduing the wilder
ness. Regular institutions of government were organized under the ordin- "
ance of 1787, and triat grand' career of development and progress, which has
so far outstripped anticipation, was fully inaugurated. ;
" Another twenty years passed away, and Ohio was_a state of the Ameri- ;
can Uniori. Her first public act recognized the inviolability of personal
rights ; the sacredness of private obligations ; the absolute freedom of con
science, and the indispensable necessity to good government, of religion,
morality and knowledge. Upon these stable foundations she has, built
wisely and prosperously. I need not recite her recent history ; you know it
well. Nor need I remind you of her great works of improvement, of her
liberal provision and organization of education, or of her noble charities. It
is enough to say that ' a century ' has passed and the prophetic anticipation,
Of Franklin is more than fulfilled.
" Permit me now to turn from this brief retrospect of our general history
to that which forms the special interest of this occasion.
" Forty-five years ago the spot oniwhich we now standwas covered by the
primeval forest. The general assembly of 1811-12, ordained the establish
ment upon it of the seat of government for the state.
" The foundations of the old State House were laid the next year. Three
years later it was ready for occupancy, and was actually occupied by the
legislature whicri assembled in December, 1816.
" In that edifice for thirty-five years, the general assembly, invested not.
only- with the whole power of legislation but witri the whole power of appoint- .

APPENDIX. geo
ment also, directed the government of the state. The new constitution was
adopted in the fall of 1851, arid six months later, the old State House, as if
unwilling to survive the old constitution, perished by fire.
" Of the stone tablets which were inserted in the wall over each door of
entrance, two have been' preserved. The inscriptions upon them curiously
illustrate the honest manliness and straightforward principles of the
pioneers. " The inscription over the western entrance was this :
" ' General good trie object of Legislation,
perfected by a knowledge of man's wants, and
Nature's abounding means applied by establisriing
principles opposed to Monopoly.'' "—Ludlow.
" Over the southern and principal entrance, were inscribed several lines,
by the poet of trie Columbiad, perhaps, copied from that very patriotic but
most unreadable epic, the sentiments of which will be admitted to be ex
cellent, whatever may be said of the poetry :
" ' Equality of Right is Nature's plan,
And following Nature is the march of man.
' Based' on its rock of right your empire lies,
On walls of wisdom let the fabric rise ;
Preserve your principles ; their force unfold ;
Let nations prove them, and let Kings behold.
Equality, your first firm grounded stand ; * '
Then Free Election ; then your Federal Band :
.;..-'- This holy triad should forever shine,
The great Compendium of all Rights Divine.
Creed of all schools, whence youths by millions draw
, Their themes of Right, their decalogues of law ;
Till men shall wonder (in these codes inured)
How wars were made, how tyrants were endured.' "—Barlow,
" It seems that our sturdy fathers thought that the word ' Federal ' was
liable to misconception ; for they caused it-to be erased by painting over it
the word ' Union.' In process of time, however, the paint washed off — whq>t
a warning this to politicians ! — and the word ' Federal ' reappeared,, as orig
inally engraved.
"With the Old State House, and the Old Constitution, terminated an
epoch in the history of our state, to which her children will ever look back
with patriotic pride. Even now there seem to pass before me the forms of
the noble men who made it illustrious. There moves Putnam, honored with
the confidence of Washington ; there Harrison, magnanimous in thought and
heroic in deeds ; there Worthington, the friend of Jefferson ; there Burnet,
wise in legislation and upright in magistracy ; there the honest and unselfish
Morrow ; there Vance, faithful to every trust ^there trie generous and elo
quent Lytle, too early lost ; there the accomplished Hamer, spared by the
sword, but felled by disease in a foreign land ; there Morris, the fearless
tribune of the people ; there Sherman, exchanging, before life's noon, the

660 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
ermine for the shroud ; there Hitchcock, clear in judgment and inflexible in
integrity ; and there — -but I must break off the enumeration. Time would
fail me were I to attempt to name even half of those whose elevation of
character, purity of purpose, sagacity in council and vigor in action distin
guished that period. Happy shall we be if we prove ourselves worthy suc
cessors of such men."
Those who remember the clear and oft admired tones of the old capitol .
bell, will not regret the insertion of the following appropriate dirge, taken
from one of the Columbus papers, as an appendix to this book :
| For the Elevator.[
DIRGE OF THE STATE HOUSE BELL.

BY J. M. D.
Columbus, farewell ! ho more shall you hear,
My voice so familiar for many a year—
Triose musical sounds which you recognized well,
As the clear-sounding tones of your State House Bell.
Ere' the red man had gone, I was mounted on high,
When the wide-spreading forest which greeted mine eye,
Gave forth from its thickets the panther's wild yell,
As he heard the strange sounds of your State House Bell.
Unaccompanied, unanswered,1 1 sounded alone,
And mingled my chime with its echo's deep tone ;
Till spire after spire, rising round me, did swell
Their response, to the sound of your' State House Bell.
I called you together to make yourselves laws,
And daily my voice was for every good cause ;
When aught of importance or strange was to tell,
You were summoned full soon by your State House Bell.
As a sentinel, placed on the watch-tower's heigrit,
Columbus, I've watched thee by day and by nighty
, Triougri slumb'ring unconscious, wrien danger befell,
You were roused by the clang of your State House Bell.
But while I watched o'er you, the Fire King came.
And enveloped my tower in his mantle of flame';
Yet, true to my calling, my funeral knell
Was tolled, on that night, by your State House Bell.
Your sons of trie Engine and Hose, ever brave,
And prompt at my call, quickly hastened to save ;
But alas ! their besjt efforts were fruitless to quell
The flames that rose over your State House Bell.

APPENDIX. 66 1
When my Cupola trembled, I strove but to sound
One peal of farewell to your thousands around ;
But you lost, as 'midst timbers and cinders I fell,
The last smothered tone of your State House Bell.
Columbus, February 10, 1852.

APPENDIX.

NO. 2.

THE TIFFIN PAPERS-JOURNAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION— FIRST
MESSAGE OF THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF OHIO— MESSAGE OF 1S03-MESSAGE CONCERNING THE ARREST OF THE
BURR-BLANNERHASSET EXPEDITION— TIFFIN IN THE UNITED STATES
SENATE-ELECTION OF SPEAKER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF,
OHIO.

THE TIFFIN PAPERS.
THE following records, papers arid documents pertaining to the life and
. public services of Governor Tiffin, were collected with great care.
They are so full of historic data and record so many interesting events, that,
while the careless reader may treat them lightly * the author feels sure that
the thinker and lover of history will value them highly, and for his especial
benefit has called them the " Tiffin Papers."
THE FIRST CONSTITUTION OF OHIO.
In July, 1787, the congress of the United States, acting under the provi
sions of the " Articles of Confederation," enacted trie widely known " Ordi- ,
nance of 1787," for trie government of trie territory of the United States
lying tb the northwest of , trie Ohio ; and this may be said to have been the
first movement towards the establishment of civil government within that
vast region.
For the purpose of carrying that ordinance into effect and of organizing a
territorial government, on the 5th of October, 1787; congress appointed Gen
eral Arthur St. Clair governor and Winthrop Sargent secretary of the terri
tory ; and a tew days thereafter, Samuel Hplden Parsons, John Armstrong
and James Mitchell Varnum were appointed its judges. ,
During the summer of 1788, without respecting the- opinions prevailing at
that time, when the states, as such, were supposed to possess more dignity
and more political rights than belonged or could possibly belong to an unor
ganized community, even when acting under supposed Federal authority, •
the governor and two of the judges of the territory assembled at Marietta, and
commenced what they conceived to be their duty of legislating for the resi
dents of the territory, but their enactments were, disallowed by congress,;;
because they riad been framed without warrant in law by those who pos- ''
sessed no power to enact a law.

APPENDIX. 66v
The organization of a new administration under President Washington
was followed soon after by a re-organization of the government of the north- *
western territory, General St. Clair and Messrs. Sargent and Parsons having
been re-appointed, and Messrs. Symmes and Turner caried to the bench as
judges. In July, 1790, the secretary, then acting as governor, with Judges Symmes
and Turner, met at Vincennes, and repeated the folly of the. previous gov
ernment by enacting other laws for the government of the inhabitants of
the territory, none of which, however, were approved by the congress, be
cause they had been enacted as original laws, and had not been adopted
from the existing codes of states under the provision of the " prdinance of
1787," whicri was trie organic law of trie territory.
In the summer of 1795 a code of laws was adopted unanimously from the
codes of the several states, and in 1799, under the provision of the ordinance,
and the territory, having five thousand white male inhabitants, the first
general assembly of the territory was convened at Cincinnati.
, In 1800 the territory was divided, and soon after, measures were taken to
organize a state in the eastern portion of it, not, however, without so strong
an opposition, both in trie general assembly and in various parts of trie ter
ritory, that the overthrow df the scheme would riave been complete and
emphatic, had those who promoted it, for trieir own purposes, submitted trie
proposition eitrier to the territorial assembly or to the body of the inhabi
tants. An act was crowded through the congress, however, notwithstand
ing the general opposition which was known to exist both in the assembly
and amongst the people, " to enable trie people of the eastern division of the
territpry, northwest of the river Ohio, to form a constitution and state gov
ernment, and for the admission of such state into the UnkSn, on an equal
footing with the original states, and for other purposes,;" apd on the 1st of
November of that "year, the convention whicri that act assumed to authorize
met at Chillicothe and framed and enacted the first constitution, all of
which was done in defiance of the known will of those it was designed to
¦govern, and was thrust upon them by force, without their consent, in order
that those who plotted it might be spared from the shame, which its inevi
table and contemptuous rejection by " the people " would have brought i
upon them.
Edward Tiffin was the member from Ross and the speaker of that assem
bly. The " Journal " of that convention has been considered one of the rarest,
as it is one of the most interesting tracts connected with the history of the
west ; and there is but one copy of it, and that is in the state library at
Columbus, Ohio. It is a thin octavo of forty-eight pages, shabbily printed,
and bears the following title :
" Journal of trie convention of the territory of the United States, north
west of the Ohio, begun and held at Chillicothe, on Monday, the first day of
November, A. D. 1802, and of the independence of the United States the
twenty-seventh. Published by authority, Columbus : George Nash, state
printer, 1827."
" In order that it may become better known, and as the first of a series of
papersillustrative of the constitutional history of the several states, we re-

664 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
produce this very important western document, complete, and we. assure
ourselves that pur readers will be glad to see it."— [Editor Historical Maga
zine : JOURNAL OF THE CONVENTION.
Begun and held at the town of Chillicothe, in the county of Ross arid ter
ritory aforesaid, on the first Monday in November (being the first day there
of) in trie year of our Lord, one thousand,, eight hundred and two, and of
the independence, of the United States of America, the twenty-seventh.
On which day, being the time and place appointed for the meeting of the
convention for trie purpose of forming a constitution and state government,
by .the act of -congress entitled : " An act to enable the people of the eastern
division of the territory, northwest of the river Ohio, to form a constitution
and state government and for the admission of such state into trie Union on
an equal footing witri the original states, and for other purposes," the}fol-.,
lowing members appeared, wrio produced certificates of their having been
duly chosen to serve in the convention, and having severally taken trie oath
' of fidelity to the United States and also an oath* faithfully to discharge the
duties of their office, took their seats, to wit : (See thenames of trie mem- ¦'-
bers as sigped to the constitution). , .
On motion, the convention proceeded to the choice of a president pro, tem, -
when William Goforth, Esq., was chosen and took the chair.
On motion, the convention proceeded to the choice of a secretary pro tem,
whereupon Mr. William McFarland was chosen and proceeded to the duties
of his office.
On motion,
Resolved, That a standing committee of privileges and elections', to consist
of five members, be. chosen by ballot, whose duty it shall be to examine and
report upon the credentials of the members returned to serve in the conven
tion, and to take into consideration all such matters as shall or may be re
ferred to them, touching returns and elections, and to report their proceed
ings, witht their opinions thereon, to the convention.
And a committee was appointed of Messrs. Worthington, Darlinton, Smith t
Milligan and Huntington.
On motion, trie convention proceeded by ballot to the choice of a door- ,
keeper, to serve during the pleasure of the convention, and upon examining
the ballots, a majority of the votes was found in favor of Adam Betz.
On motion, ordered that a committee of three be appointed to prepare and
report rules for the regulation and government of trie convention, and triat
Messrs. Reily, Milligan and Worthington be the said committee.
And then the convention adjourned until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.
Tuesday, November 2d, 1802. . '
Several other members appeared, who severally produced certificates of
their having been chosen as members of the convention, and having taken
trie oath of fidelity to the United States and also an oath faithfully to dis
charge the duties of their office, took their seats.'
Mr. Worthington, from the committee of privileges and elections, to whom
was referred trie several returns of elections of members to serve in trie con
tention, made a report, wriich he delivered in at the secretary's table, where
trie same was read in trie words following,, to wit :

I APPENDIX. 66^
" The committee of privileges and elections, to whom was referred the
certificates of the election of the following members : (named in the " Jour
nal") having carefully examined the same, find them regular and agreeably
to a law of the territory, entitled : ' An act to ascertain the number of free
male inhabitants, of the age of twenty-one, in the territory of trie United
States, nortriwest of the river Ohio, and to regulate the elections of the rep
resentatives for the same, and that trie members aforesaid, from the certifi
cates to us referred, appear duly elected.'
The said report was again read and on the question thereupon, agreed by
the convention.
On motion,
Resolved, Thattrie convention proceed by ballot to the choice of a presi
dent. The convention accordingly proceeded to choose their president, and upon
examination of the ballots, it was found that Edward Tiffin, Esq., was duly
chosen, who accordingly took trie seat in the chair and delivered the follow
ing address :
" Gentlemen : I beg you to be assured that I duly appreciate the honor
you have conferred in selecting me to preside over your deliberations on this
important occasion. The duties of the chair will, I presume, be pleasing
and easy, for, from the known characters of the gentlemen who compose the
convention, there can be no doubt but triat the utmost propriety and decorum
will be observed, without the aid of interference from the chair. Whatever
rules you may adopt for the government of the convention shall be strictly
observed, and in every decision which may be required from the chair, the
utmost impartiality shall be evinced."
On motion,
Resolved, Triat' trie convention proceed by ballot to the choice of a secre
tary, and upon examining the ballots, it was found that Thomas Scott, Esq..
was duly chosen, wrio thereupon took the oath of fidelity to the United
States and also an oath faithfully to discharge the duties of his office. -
On motion,
Resolved, That the convention proceed by ballot to the choice of an assist
ant secretary, and upon examining the ballots a majority of the votes of the
whole number was found in favor of Mr. William McFarland, who there
upon took the oath of. fidelity to trie United States and also an oatrif aithf ully
to discharge the duties of his office.
Convention adjourned until to-morrow. Wednesday, November 3d, 1802.
Another member, to wit : from trie county of Hamilton, John Mitchell,
who appeared, produced certificate of his having been duly chosen as a
member in the convention, and having taken the oath of fidelity to the
United States and also an oath faithfully to discharge the duties of his
office, took riis seat.
Mr. Reiiy, from trie committee appointed to prepare and, report rules f or
the.regulation and government of trie convention, made a report, which was
received and read, whereupon,
Resolved, That the 'same be established as the standing rules and orders of
the convention. Then follow the standing rules.

666 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
n motion, leave was given to lay before the convention a resolution on
the subject of forming a constitution and state government,- which resolu
tion was received and read the first time. . ,
On motion, the said resolution was read the second time, whereupon,
Resolved, That the convention will immediately resolve itself into a com
mittee of the whole on said resolution.
The convention accordingly resolved itself into the said committee, Mr.
Goforth in the chair, and after some time spent therein, Mr. President re
sumed the chair, and Mr. Goforth reported that the committee had, accord
ing to order, had. trie said resolutiori under consideration, and made no
amendments thereto. ,
Trie said resolution was then amended at the secretary's table, and read
trie triird time, and on the question that the convention do agree to the same,
in the words following, to-wit :
Whereas, congress did by the law, entitled " an act to enable the people
of the eastern division of the territory northwest of the river Ohio, to' form
a constitution and state government, and for the admission of said, state into
/the Union, on an equal footing with! the original states, and for other pur
poses, (provided that the members of trie convention .thus duly elected,
agreeably to the act aforesftid, when met, shall first determine by a majority
of the whole number elected, whether it be or be not expedient, at this time,
to form a constitution and state government for the people within the said
territory ;) therefore, .
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention that it is expedient at -
this time to form a constitution and state government. ,
It was resolved in trie affirmative— yeas, 32 ; nays, 1. . ,
The yeas and nays being demanded, the vote' in the negative was Mr.
Cutter. " Sec. 7.— No negro or mulatto shall ever be eligible to any office, civil or
military, or give their oath in any court of justice against a white person, be
subject to do military duty or pay a poll tax in this state ; provided always,
and' it is fully understood and declared, that all negroes and mulattos now
in, or who may hereafter reside in this state, shall be entitled to all the priv
ileges of citizens of this state, not excepted by the constitution."
And on the question thereupon it was resolved in the affirmative— yeas,
19 ; nays, 16. *
Ayes— Messrs. Abrams, Baldwin, Blair, Byrd, Caldwell, Carpenter, Don-'.
alson, Grubb, Humphrey, Kirker, Mclntire, Massie, Milligan, Snaitri, Mor
row, Tiffin, Woods and Worthington. .
Nays— Messrs. Abbot, Brown, Cutter, Dunlavy,'Gatch, Gilman, Goforth,
Huntington, Kitchel, Paul, Putnam, Reify, Sargent, Updegraph, Wills and
Wilson. On motion the fourth article of the constitution designating the qualifica
tion of electors, was taken up and read the third time, in order for its final

A motion was made to amend the said article by striking out after the
word " elector " in the seventh line of the first section the words following :
" Provided, that all male negroes and mulattos, now residing in this terri
tory, shall, at the age of twenty-one years, be entitled to the right of suffrage,

APPENDIX. gg.
if they shall within one year make a record of their citizenship with the clerk
of the county in whicri they may reside ; and, provided also, that they have
paid or are charged witri a state or county tax."
Resolved in the affirmative -yeas, 17; nays, 17. The convention being
equally divided, and Mr. President declaririg himself with the yeas.
Sec. 19.— The legislature of this state shall not allow the following officers
of government greater annual salaries than as follows, until the year 1808.
to wit :
The governor not more than one thousand dollars; the judges of the su
preme court not more than one thousand dollars each ; the secretary not
more than five hundred dollars; the auditor of public accounts not more
than seven hundred and fifty dollars ; trie treasurer not more than four hun
dred and fifty dollars ; no member of the legislature shall receive more than
two dollars per day during his attendance on trie legislature* nor more for
every twenty-five miles' travel in going to and returning from the general
assembly. It was resolved in the affirmative— yeas, 21 ; nays, 13. November 27, 1802.
Mr. Goforth, from the committee appointed to prepare an address to the
president of trie United States, and both branches of the. federal legislature,
expressive of the high sense trie convention entertain of the cheerful and
philanthropic manner in which they made provision for the adpiission of
this state into the Union ; and expressive of trie approbation Of the present
administration of the general government, made a report, which was re
ceived and read trie first time.
On motion the said report was read the second time, and -agreed to by the
convention in the words following :
To tlie President and both Houses of Congress of the United States :
The convention of trie state of Ohio, duly appreciating the importance of a
free and independent state government, and impressed, with sentiments of .
gratitude to the corigress of the United States for the prompt and decisive
measures taken at their last session to enable the people of the northwestern
territory to emerge from their colonial government and to assume a ranji,
among the sister states, beg leave to take the earliest opportunity of announc
ing to you the important event ; on this occasion trie convention cannot help
expressing their unequivocal approbation of the measures pursued by the
present administration of the general government and both houses of con
gress, in diminishing the public burdens, cultivating peace with all nations,
and promoting the happiness and prosperity of our country.
• Resolved^ That trie president of trie convention do enclose to the president
of the United States, to the president of the senate and to the speaker of the
house of representatives of the United States the foregoing address.'
On motion resolved, that the constitution be ratified by'the convention,
and thereby the following members ratified and subscribed their names to
the constitution, to wit : EDWARD TIFFIN,
President and representative from the county of Ross.
From Adams county— Joseph Darlintori, Israel Donalson and Thomas
Kirker. From Belmont county— James Caldwell, Elijah 'Woods.

668 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. , ' ,
From Clermont county— Philip Gatch, James Sargent.
From Fairfield county— Henry Abrams, Emanuel Carpenter.
From Hamilton county— John W. Browne, Charles William Byrd, Francis
Dunlavy, William Goforth, John Kitchel, Jeremiah Morrow, John Paul,,
John Reiley, , John Smith, John Wilson.
From Jefferson county— Rudolph Bair, George Humphrey, Jorin Milligan,
Natrian Updegraph, Bazabel Wills.
From Ross county— Micriael Baldwin, James Grubb, Nathaniel Massie,
Thomas Worthington.
Prom Trumbull county— David Abbot, Samuel Huntington.
From Washington county— Ephraim Cutter, Benjamin Ives Gilman, John
Mclntire, Rufus Putnam.
William Creighton, jr., secretary of state ; salary, $500.
THE FIRST MESSAGE OF THE FIRST GOVERNOR OF OHIO TO THE FIRST
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OHIO.
To the General Assembly of the State of Ohio :
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representa
tives : We now exhibit another sovereign, free and independent state, or
ganized northwest of the Ohio, which is about to be' added to the confederate
government, emphatically styled^' trie world's best hope ;" many of our citi- ;
zens have looked forward to 'that period, and not without reason, when they
should become a free people, and I sincerely congratulate you and them,
that they have now an entire legislature of their own choice, assembled
under a constitution sacred to liberty ; a constitution which rests upon equal
rights and displays a pure representative system, a constitution whereby
the rulers are derivable from, and amenable to the people; a constitution
calculated to excite in all our citizens a patriotic zeal, by giving each indi
vidual an Opportunity, by merit, of being called upon to participate in the
government, that all may strive habitually to feel and distinctly understand
its first principles.
The period wherein we commence our national existence is peculiarly
auspicious,; the government of the United States respected' abroad, strong
;n the confidence of its citizens at home, and by a wise and prudent policy in
lopping off all extraneous excressences from the body politic, requires less
fiscal exactions to preserve it in its pristine health and constitutional vigor ;
the good effects resulting therefrom to us, in our first essay towards self-gov
ernment are evident; and it is a pleasing reflection that the sons of Ohio,
conscious of the tender solicitude and lively interest manifested for the happi^
ness and welfare of every portion of the American people as well, are fast
progressing with their fellow citizens in the other states towards a union of
sentiment and affection.,
DEMAND FOR A FREE PASSAGE TO THE SEA.
The recent embarrassments to our infant commerce , occasioned by the irreg
ularities at New Orleans; we have every reason to believe, will soon be removed
by the prompt and efficacious measures taken by the president of the United
States, and which has been aided by the minister of his Catholic Majesty, '
and from the embassy, whicri has been wisely adopted, we may further hope

APPENDIX. 669
that our situation will be bettered, by placing our commerce on a footingnot
liable to similar interruptions in future. If, however, the just and natural
expectations of government should; be frustrated, we are consoled by the
lively sensibility excited in the general gpvernment, and in every part of the
Union, for the situation of their western brethren, and although every friend
to humanity may have to regret the dernier resort, yet it is as much impos
sible to prevent the Mississippi from discharging its vast contents, swelled
with the numerous navigable rivers with which it is flourished, into the
bosom of the ocean, as to prevent, at trie call of government, of whose mag
nanimity I have no doubt, those brave and intrepid citizens who are every
where settled on their banks and fertile plains from asserting their natural,
and acquired rights, and forcing with the stream 'the fruits of their industry
to every part of the world.
In giving to the general assembly information of the state of the govern
ment and recommending to their consideration such measures as may be
deemed expedient, a wide field of action must necessarily be opened, and
discover the important duties devolving on the first legislature ; trie founda
tion of the government is laid ; to you, gentlemen, it is committed to raise
the superstructure, and carry iri a greatmeasure into effect the national will.
It will, no doubt, afford you much consolation, 011 receiving from the proper
officers, a statement of our finances, in discovering that the present revenue,
if wholly reserved for state purposes, is adequate to all the necessary exi
gencies of government, and that by a true economy, devoid of parsimony,
the public faith and credit may be maintained without any additional aug
mentation in consequence of that change which has taken place.
The constitution having assigned to the legislature the appointment of all
the principal officers in the government, that instrument will consequently
pass in review, and in due time occupy the serious attention of both houses.
Under the constitution of the United States, you will also riaye to select two
of our citizens to represent the state in the senate of trie United States for
six years, and to provide-by law for the election of one member of the house
of representatives.
The laws levying a tax on land, the principal source from'whence the rev
enue has proceeded, expiring of themselves, you will discover the necessity
of taking that subject under consideration ; and as experience has pointed
out the defects.which have heretofore existed, you will be hereby aided in
devising a system of taxation which shall operate equally on all, and be in
capable of misconstruction in favor of any, who either from design or neglect,
may fail to comply with the just and necessary requisition of government.
It may also be proper to add, that under existing laws, great neglect has
been manifested by those who have alienated their lands in making the
propertransfers on trie books of taxatfon ; triat considerable locations have
been made by individuals in the United States military tract, in the Virginia
military tract, and at some of the United States offices, and which having
never been entered for taxation, to provide for bringing all lands under the
law, which are subject thereto, and to prevent embarrassments in the col
lections in the future, are amongst the several objects which will naturally
present themselves to your minds when deliberating upon this subject. The
return of the special agent sent by the convention to Congress, instructed

670 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
with certain propositions, is daily expected, and which, if acceded toby
them, will affect this subject. As soon as official information is received it
shall be immediately communicated.
Trie constitution having made an entire change in the judiciary system
necessary, it will be proper to direct your particular attention to the third
article of that instrument upon this subject. To erect and establish courts
with common law and chancery powers, with civil andcriminaljurisdiction,
at whose bar, life, reputation, property and everything dear to freemen may
be at stake,. as weir as to fill the benches witri proper characters to pronounce
the law, and to provide for an impartial selection of juries, are of such vast
importance in every Well regulated government as to require the utmost de
liberation and caution. Under trie same article it will be necessary to pro
vide by law for the election of a competent number of justices of the peace
in each township, in the several counties ; and it may be an object worthy
your enquiry, whether it would not be economical and judicious to establish'
each county into a court to manage its internal concerns and regulate its
.general police.
Within one year after trie meeting of the first legislature it is required that
an enumeration of all the white male inhabitants above twenty-one years of
age shall be, made ; it will therefore be necessary to provide by law for the
accomplishment of that object, in-order that a due apportionment of.sena-
tors and representatives may be assigned to each county or district. .
A Well regulated and disciplined malitia, being justly considered in every
republic as its safeguard for protection and defense, I cannot but recommend
to your consideration a review of the existing laws relative thereto. The
first, passed in the year 1799, is a good system, but as it was adapted to the
state Of the district, when the Indiana and northwestern territory was one,
and much injured by a subsequent act, passed in trie year 1801, which .MM
pealed that part relative to the appointment pf general officers, and whicrP
the constitution now recognizes, it is suggestive whether it would not be ,
best to revive the former law, with such alterations as will make it applica
ble to our present situation, aided with such other improvements as you may
find it susceptible of, as well as to provide for the election of its officers.
The season of the year in whicri you were necessarily convened to carry
trie government into operation, being inconvenient to many of you, will
doubtless excite a wish, to curtail the present session, and devote yburimmer
diate attention to such objects as are most pressing, and more especially as
there is reason to believe you will be much importuned with business of a
local nature, from different parts of the state ; otherwise it would have been
advisable to have taken a review of all trie present existirig laws, many of
whicri'were adopted iri the first and enacted under the second grade of the
territorial governments, requires much revision ; one, riowever, adopted at
an early period, " regulating marriages," whereby the governor is exclusive-,,,
ly authorized to grant marriage licenses, and which rias been justly com
plained of, will, I hope, now be expunged from our code,, and one better
adapted to the object of its institution, and more congenial to the spirit of
the government, enacted in its stead.
When we consider the present prosperous situation of the United States,
and contemplate our own present and future prospects, situate as we are, in

I I APPENDIX. gyr
a country where nature has been lavish of her favors to every part ; where
our soil, climate, and navigable waters present to the mind of observation
and contemplation the most pleasing view and prospects of the future great
ness and importance of this part of the American empire, we haveWch
reason to render the sincere homage of grateful hearts to that Being who has
so highly favored us, and every inducement for the exercise in improving
these means now within our reach towards the happiness arid prosperity of
our country.
" Religion, morality and knowledge are necessary to all good g&vernments,"
says trie excellent constitution under which you are convened, and to this .
great truth we must all subscribe. The liberal grants of land made by the
United States for trie purposes of erecting and endowing universities and
other seminaries of learning, and for the support of religion, are advantages
in these respects superior to those which, perhaps, any other new country
can boast of; to Improve those means. With advantage towards -the noble
ends for which they were given ; to preserve the public faith unimpeached ;
to practice economy in all public expenditures ; to impose no taxes upon our
citizens for state or county purposes but what are really necessary for their .
honest wants ; to cultivate peace and harmony with our Indian neigribors,
and to exemplify both in our public acts and private life. Every disposition
towards discountenancing idleness and dissipation, and by "encouraging in
dustry, frugality, temperance and every moral virtiie are objects of such im
portance to our rising republic, that they cannot fail, if attended to, of pro
ducing the best effects in forming for us a national character, whicri may be
the admiration of all. On my part, gentlemen , you may rest assured it shall
be no less my honest pride than it is made my constitutional duty, cordially
to co-operate with you in every measure your united wisdo'm and experience
may devise for' the public good. EDWARD TIFFIN.
Chillicothe, March 5, 1803.
GOVERNOR TIFFIN'S SECOND MESSAGE.
To the General Assembly of tlie State of Ohio :
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representa
tives : We have met together to consider the situation of our political ¦ so
ciety, and under circumstances the most auspicious, both as it respects pur
exterior and interior relations, and sufficient to excite in all bur hearts the
most sincere effusion. of gratitude to that Being in whose hands are the des
tinies of nations and of man.
THE PURCHASE OF LOUISIANA.
At the close of the last session of the general assembly, our fellow citizens 1
were anxiously concerned at the prohibition of an invaluable acquired right
which was unjustly withheld by the officers of trie Spanish government at,
the port of New Orleans, and which threatened to annihilate the commerce
and becloud the best prospects of this and the neighboring western states ;.
yet, anxiously concerned as they were, and conscious of the great injury
they "belabored under, they sustained it with a fortitude and prudence whicri
has done triem honor— wisely confiding in the general government, to whom
alone it belonged to have the evil remedied, and to provide against similar

.672 " HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
events in future ; and herein we havfe an additional inducement for triat eon- "
fidence which the legislature expressed at their last session in the executive
of the United States, and in the measures which were pursuing to accom
plish those objects, and which have succeeded beyond our most sanguine ex
pectations. The right of depositing the produce of exportation of all that extensive,
fertile country, wriose waters are tributary to the Mississippi, either at New
Orleans or anywhere else on the banks of the river near its mputh, although \
a great object, yet, would have been held at best,, but a precarious tenure,
while both sides were subject to a foreign government, but by a wise and
magnanimous policy, war, ever to be deprecated; with all its inconceivable
attendant horrors, has been averted, and expenses to support that war, which
might have been incalculable, and could not fail to have been heavily felt,
are rendered unnecessary, whilst by a friendly negotiation, and in the most
just and honorable way, the city and island of New Orleans, with the whole
or Louisiana, are added to the American empire, an acquisition incalculable^
to the United States, whether considered as a territory, rich in natural re
sources, as a_means of securing the uncontrolled and peaceable navigation of
the Mississippi, by possessing its key, or as a great and increasing source of
national revenue.
In our own state we have, this year been favored with abudant crops, less
visited by affliction than heretofore, and strengthened with a greatly in-
creased and still increasing population. We have exhibited the pleasing-
spectacle of a free .people, assuming the right of self-government, purely
elective in all its branches, and conducting those elections and organizing
that government with a temper, moderation and caution becoming a people
capable of enjoying those political and religious liberties, which are their --.;
inherent rights.
The present state of the militia calls aloud for your particular attention.
When t.he government was first organized a return to trie militia was required
of the then adjutant-general, who was directed by the 12th section of the -
" act establishing and regulating the militia," to make a return to the com
mander-in-chief annually. His answer to that request showed that the
militia law had been rieglected, and that not a single regiment in the state
was either officered or organized, believing that our safety and freedom de-
/ pends on this class of our fellow citizens, and finding that the only proper
safeguard for protection and defence was in this lamentable situation, itwas
thought expedient, as the existing militia laws from the change of govern
ment which had taken place, were not applicable to our present situation, to
"issue general orders, requiring trie senior officers wrip were in commission hi'
such county, to hold elections agreeably to the constitution, to fill the vacan
cies in their regiments arid make report to the adjutant-general, that the
militia might be placed on as respectable footing as existing circumstances
would permit. These orders were attended to by some of the commandants
with a zeal and activity highly honorable to them, arid a few regiments have.
been completely officered and disciplined, with light companies annexed to
them. A return of the effective force, a communication from the president
-of the United States on this subject, a requisition from trie general govern
ment to assemble with the least possible delay, and hold in readiness five1

APPENDIX. 673
hundred of the militia, including officers, to compose a regiment, to march
to take possession of the lately ceded country of Louisiana, should the qffi-
-cers of the Spanish government either refuse or delay fogiye it up, agreeably
to treaty, with the measures taken to raise this force, and other documents
relative thereto, is hereunto annexed. See exhibit No. 1, and from which
you will discover the necessity of taking into early consideration an institu
tion on w.hieri every free state should place its greatest reliance for repelling
aggressions from without, for maintaining order and good government with
in its own borders, and Which tends to keep alive that spirit which effected
our independence and gave the United States a name amongst trie nations
of the earth.
The laws laying a tax on lands will, I hope, this session undergo a revisal
and the remedies whicri time and experience have pointed out, be applied
particularly, it is suggested, whether it would riot be advisable to have all
the lands of resident proprietors listed anew, provision made from the sev
eral-officers a list of all lands which riave been located or acquired by indivi
duals, and wriich. are subject to, but have never been entered forv taxation.
The public weal also requires that a more expeditious and certain way of
obliging delinquent collectors to account for and pay into trie treasury their
respective balances due the state, should be devised ; and it will further be
a proper subject for yOur inquiry, whether it is not necessary that the rev
enue arising from this source should be wholly reserved for state purposes.
Trie act regulating trie public salt works, etc., etc., etc.
EDWARD TIFFIN.
Chillicothe, December 5, 1803.
MESSAGE ON THE BURR-BLENNERHASSET EXPEDITION.
The speaker laid before the senate the following Written message from his
¦excellency the governor of this state, viz:
To the General Assembly of the State of Ohio :
I now communicate to the representatives of the people sucri operations
as have taken place, under trie act passed this session, to prevent certain
acts hostile to the peace and tranquility of the United States, within the
jurisdiction, of -this state, that they may be fully possessed of, what lias
already occurred and is still in transit.
Immediately -upon receiving the law, after its passage, I dispatched an
express to Marietta, with orders to arrest the' flotilla on trie Muskingum
river and the agents engaged in its preparations, and to make due inquiry
after such proof as would lead to trieir cdnviction, as alsp to prevent any
-armaments proceeding that might be descending the Ohio, if possible.
- The execution of the operation at Marietta was entrusted to Judge Meigs
and Major-General Buell. I also dispatched orders to Cincinnati to plant
one or more-pieces of artillery on trie banks of the Ohio, to keep'patroles up
the river, at proper distances, in order to give notice, in due time, of the ap
proach of the boats, either singly or in numbers, and to call out a sufficient
force to be able to meet 300 men, the number I expected might probably be
with Blennerhasset's and Comfort Tyler's flotillas, if triey sriould effect a
junction ; and lest they might attempt to pass in detachments of one boat at
43

674 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
a time, not to suffer a single boat to pass without an arfest and examination"
Trie execution of these operations was entrusted to Generals Gano and
Findley and Judge Nimms. I have also given authority to Jacob Wilson,
Esq., of Steubenville, to act, if occasion offers, for his interposition, in that
quarter, and it gives me great pleasure to inform you that I last night re
ceived a communication from Judge Meigs, of Marietta,' announcing the
complete success of the operations intrusted to him and General Buell, and
whose patriotic efforts entitle them both to my warmest thanks.
It is suspected notice was conveyed to Blennerhasset's island of trie pas
sage of the law, and the preparations making here to carry it into immediate
effect ; for it appears that on the- night of the 9th instant, Comfort Tyler
passed Marietta with a number (not yet ascertained) of fast rowing boats,
with men armed indiscriminately with muskets, pistols and cutlasses, and
anchored at the island, and immediately sent an express after Blennerhas-
set, who was hurrying on his flotilla ; that upon discovering the move
ments of our militia, they fled Tull speed to the island, wriich was guarded
at night by sentinels and lighted lanterns at proper distances, and none suf
fered to p'Stss except by countersign or watch-word. Sides were also placed
at Marietta to give notice of the movements there. In the meantime, Gen
eral Buell, by direction of Judge Meigs, with a detachment of militia, pror-
ceeded up the Muskingum river in the night, and arrested, ten of the
batteaux as they were descending the river to join Tyler's forces ; they were
so hurried that four more of the batteaux were not got ready to embark and
would also be seized, which is, I believe, the whole of trie Muskingum flotil
la. There were near -100 barrels of provisions seized on board, and which, I
e-xpect, he also seized with the same remaining batteaux ;. these batteaux are
each forty feet long ; wide and covered and calculated to carrj one company
of men. It is believed notice was immediately given to the island of this
seizure, for in about three hours afterwards, on the same night, Blennerhas-
set and Tyler made their escape from the island, and riave pushed, it is said,
through Kentucky. Colonel Phelps, of Virginia, with a few mounted men,
is in pursuit of them.
I expect Tyler's boats will descend trie Ohio, to meet him and Blenner-
hasset at some point low down on that river, and I have no doubt but that
General Gano will render a good account of them as triey attempt to pass
Cincinnati. I also received last night a communication from the secretary of war of
the United States, by direction of the government, requiring me, without
delay, to raise 150 or 200 volunteer militia, to be formed in companies with
one field officer, one captain, two subalterns and 70 men, commissioned offi
cers, privates and musicians to each company, in the pay of the United
States, and direct them to march to Marietta, with orders to seize the Mus
kingum flotilla, and prevent it from being removed until further orders from
the president. But finding that this service was in part effected, I have
ventured, from the necessity of the case, to vary in some degree from these
instructions, and which, I hope, will meet the approval of the general gov
ernment and also of yours. I sent on orders last night to Marietta to raise
one company of volunteers, to be composed of one major, one captain, two
subalterns and sixty men, commissioned officers, privates and musicians,.

APPENDIX. 675
which I have thought sufficient to guard and keep safe the flotilla and stores
already , arrested. I have also dispatched an express to Cincinnati, with
orders to raise two companies as above, each, as I thought the most force
wanted there, to relieve the militia previously ordered out, and to secure
Comfort Tyler's flotilla white descending the Ohio, if it was not already done.
I have no doubt that triese three companies will be instantly underarms,
¦ and that this hitherto mysterious enterprise will be completely frustrated,
and the intended evil levelled at the peace and tranquility of the United
States will fall with all its weight on its projectors.
EDWARD TIFFIN.
Chillicothe, December 5, 1806. -
President Jefferson, in a message to congress, dated January 22, 1807, on
this subject, amongst other things, said :
"Our confidential agent, who had been diligently employed in investiga
ting the conspiracy, had acquired sufficient information to open himself to
. the governor of the state of Ohio and apply for the . immediate exertion of
the authority and power of the state to crush the combination. Governor
Tiffin and the legislature, with a promptitude, an energy and patriotic zeal,
which entitle them to a distinguished place in the affections of their sister
states,, effected the seizure of all the boats, provisions and other preparations
within their reach, and thus gave a first blow, materially disabling the enter
prise in its outset."
GOVERNOR TIFFIN ELECTED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
January 1, 1807.
The two houses then proceeded in like manner to the choice of a senator
to represent this state in the congress of the United States for the term of
six years, from and after the 4th day of March next, in the room of Thomas
Worthington, whose term of office then expires, and the ballots being col
lected and counted, showed trie following result : 1
Candidate. " , Votes.
Edward Tiffin  25
Philemon Bucher  12
John Bigger  2
Return J. Meigs, Jr  '.  2
Tom Tuff.  ._  1
Thomas Konkey   1
Edward Tiffin having a majority of the whole number of votes given, was
thereupon declared by the speakers of both houses duly eleqted. December, 1809.
Duringthe recess, Mr. Tiffin resigned his seat in the senate of trie United
¦States. GOVERNOR TIFFIN IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The first session of the tenth congress commenced October 26, 1807.
Mr. John Adams presented the credentials of Hon., Edward Tiffin, who
took the oath and was seated.
The president communicated to the senate a letter from the governor of
the Indian territory, together with certain resolutions of the territorial Iegis-

676 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
1
la ture, on the expediency of suspending the sixth article of -the compact
contained in trie ordinance passed July 13, 1787, concerning the admission of .
slaves ; also a remonstrance against the same, from citizens of .Clark county,
whicri was read and ordered to be referred to Messrs. Franklin, Kitcriill and
Tiffin to consider and report thereon. Upon th^e report, of the committee,
the senate resolved that it is not expedient to so suspend.
, On the 27th of November, 1807, the following resolution was passed in the
senate :
¦Resolved,. That a committee be appointed to inquire whether it be com
patible with the honor and privileges of trie house that John Smith, a sen
ator from Ohio, against whom bills of indictment were found in the circuit
court of Virginia, held at Richmond in August last, for treason and mis
demeanor, should be permitted any longer to have a seat therein ; and that
the committee do inquire into all trie facts regardingi the conduct of Mr.
Smith as an alleged associate of Aaron Burr, and report the same to the
senate. During the discussion, Mr. Tiffin, by permission, read in riis place a letter
from Mr. Smitri, as follows : " Washington, November 27, 1807.
" Dear Sir : Just having heard that a motion is pending in the senate to
appoint a committee to inquire into certain charges exhibited against me at
Richmond by the late grarid jury, I beg you, sir, to assure trie senate in my.
name, that nothing will afford me more pleasure than to have a public in
vestigation of the said charges ' and an opportunity to vindicate my inno- :
cence, and I beg. you from your seat to make this statement. ;
" I am, dear sir, respectfully yours, etc.,
" JOHN SMITH.
" Hon. Mr. Tiffin."
Smith was not expelled, however.
In a letter to trie autrior on triis subject somebody remarked: "In the.
case of John Smitri, I think there were not quite enough votes to insure his
expulsion and Pa., I believe, voted against him. D. M. T"
Amongst the numerous measures that Mr. Tiffin supported with his influ
ence and his vote were the following, viz :
A bill for the preservation of peace and maintainance of the authority of
the (Jnited States in the ports, harbors and waters under their jurisdiction.
A bill extending the rights of suffrage in the Mississippi territory.
A bill authorizing the president of the United States, under certain1 con-.
ditions, to suspend the operation of; the act laying an embargo on all ships
and vessels in the ports and harbors of the United States.
An act making provision for arming and equipping the whole body of the
militia of the United States.
An act fo authorize' the president of the United States to cause to be pre
pared for service the frigates and other armed vessels of, the United States.
January 19, 1809.
Mr. Tiffin presented sundry petitions from purchasers of public lands in .
the state of Ohio, stating, " that from trie various incidents to wriicri new
settlers are liable, and more especially from the great uncertainty! of com- "

APPENDIX. ' g--
manding cash for produce at the present time, they will not be able to make
up the' final payments 'for their lands at the time they will respectively be
come due," and praying that congress will so modify the present land laws
as will guard triem from the embarrassments and ruin they otherwise ap
prehend may fall upon them. The petitions were, referred to Messrs. Tiffin
Gregg and Bradley, to consider and report thereon. February 14, 1809.
The senate resumed the consideration of trie motion made on the 8th
instant : " That the several laws laying an embargo on all ships and vessels
in the ports and harbors of the United States be repealed on the 4th day of
March next, except as to Great Britain and France and their dependencies ;
and that provision be made by law for prohibiting all commercial inter
course with triose nations and trieir dependencies and trie Importation of
any article into trie United States, the growth, produce, or manufacture of
either of said nations, or of the dominions of either of them."
On motion of Mr. Bayard to strike out the following words : " Except as
to Great Britain and France and their dependencies," etc., it was deter
mined in the negative. Mr. Tiffin voted no. On the question to agree to
the original motion— ayes 22, nays 3, Mr. Tiffin voted aye. February 28, 1809.
The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the house of rep
resentatives entitled : " An act to inderdiCt the commercial intercourse
between the United States and Great Britain and France and trieir depen
dencies, and for other purposes."
On the question to agree to trie amendment of section 11, as follows :
strike out the words, " and to cause to be issued, under suitable pledges
and precautions, letters of marque and reprisal against the nation thereafter
continuing in enforcing its unlawful edicts against the commerce of the
United States," it was carried.'
Mr. Tiffin voted in the affirmative. Ayes 17, Nays 14.
. This was in 1809. Tfie war spirit already kindled, broke out into a flame
three years later.
After Mr. Tiffin resigned his seat in the United States senate, he was
elected a member of the house of representatives of the Ohio legislature,
from Ross county, in 1809. first ballot for speaker.
Edward Tiffin  20
James Richard  15
Mathias Corwin  4
Abraham Shepherd  2
Othneil Looker  ^  1
George Jaekson  ,  1
-Samuel Dunlap  :  1
Neither of the persons havirig a majority of trie whole number present,
the house proceeded to a second ballot, whicri resulted as follows :
¦Tiffin  ,  24
Ricriard  ;  19
Shepherd  .'  :  1
Looker.  1

678 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.,
Mr. Tiffin having received a majority of all the votes of the members pres
ent, was declared by the clerk to be duly elected speaker.
The general assembly begun and held at the town of Zanesville, on Mon
day the 3d day of December, 1810, being the first session of the ninth general
assembly of Ohio.
Members from Ross— Edward Tiffin, Abraham Claypool, James Manary,
Henry Brusri and William Creighton, Jr.
Mr. Tiffin was again elected speaker.

APPENDIX.

NO. 3.

THE END-CENTENNIAL ORATION AND CELEBRATION OF FOURTH OF JULY
1876, IN TIFFIN.

(From the Tiffin Tribune of July 6th, ,1876.) " ,.
ONLY AtID ORIGINAL CENTENNIAL!
HOW WE CELEBRATED IT!
, NQISE, DISPLAY, PATRIOTISM,, ETC., ETC.
THE FOURTH IN TIFFIN.
OUR- PEOPLE certainly acquitted themselves patriotically on the Fourth
of July, 1876. Early Monday afternoon the work of decoration began,
and by night nearly all the business houses and many private residences
Were finely decorated. There was a supply of flags large enough to satisfy
the'mpst enthusiastic lover of trie Stars and Stripes. The decoration of some :
of our business places was worthy of mention, but our space will not per
mit. At twelve o'clock .Tuesday morning, the Centennial Fourth was inaugur
ated with trie ririging of bells, the shrieks of whistles, the firing of guns,
pistols, etc. Taking it altogether, it was the most enthusiastic noise ever
listened to, and probably fully as patriotic.
The Fourth proper was inaugurated by a National salute by Captain '
Spier's battery at five o'clock a. m.
The day did not open auspiciously. It was rainy until nearly ten o'clock,
whicri fact delayed carrying out the programme as arranged. Notwithstand
ing the bad weather, the- people began to gather at an early hour, and by
nine o'clock an immense crowd were present to take part in the grand occa
sion. Every one seemed to. feel that he had a part in the celebration, and
the greatest good feeling, prevailed. v
The procession was formed at as early hour as possible. The. appearance
made by it was very fine and far beyond all expectation. It was formed in
trie following order :

68o - HISTORY OF 'SENECA COUNTY.
i '
FIRST DIVISION— CAPT AI«T F; K. SHAWHAN COMMANDING
Marshal C. Mutchler, and Tiffin Police.
Tiffin Light Guards.
Harmonia Band.
. St. John's Benevolent Society.
President, Orator, and Mayor. (
Reader and Criaplains.
Vice-Presidents.
Decoration Wagon.
Centennial Choir.
SECOND DIVISION— MAJOR W. W. MYERS COMMANDING.
St. Patrick's T.' A. & B. Band and Association.
Fort Ball Cadets.
¦• Tiffin Fire Department.
THIRD DIVISION— CAPTAIN A. W. SNYDER COMMANDING.
Boos' Band.
Independent Zouaves!
' Turners.
Bruderbund.
Druids of Humbolt, Grove.
t Knights of Pythias.
Knights of Hurrah.
C. Mueller's Brewery Wagons.
Theil & Gassner's Stone-Quarry Wagon.
Citizens in Carriages. '
t ' •
The procession paraded through the most important streets, after which:;
the people gathered at trie court riouse yard to listen to the other exercises, "'
Mayor Bachman introduced the president of the day, R. W. Shawhan, who
made the following brief and very appropriate remarks : '
Fellow Citizens : The pleasant duty now devolves upon me of calling
this large assemblage to order ; and in doing so I may be permitted to state
that we have come together to celebrate and commemorate one of the great
est of all historical events. Go back through all the traditional and historic
ages of the past, from Adam, to Moses, and then down to the ushering in of
our Christian era, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six years ago-
saving and excepting that mysterious birth at Bethlehem— the birth of our
nation by the Declaration of Independence, one hundred years ago to-day,
Was the grandest event ever enacted on the face of the globe. And now with
fervent thanks to God for all who have lived to witness and to celebrate this
Centennial anniversary, and thanking you all for the honor conferred' upon
your presiding officer, we will now proceed with the exercises of the day."
Mr. Shawhan's remarks were followed by a patriotic, song by trie centen
nial crioir, which was executed in a highly creditable manner. Rev. G. A.
Hughes then made a most fervent prayer, whicri was followed by trie read
ing of the Declaration of Independence by D. C. Tunison, who delivered it
in a clear, strong voice, and in a most impressive manner. At its.closethe
bells of the city were rung, and the bands played a patriotic piece. The

APPENDIX. 6g r
choir sang again, when Mr. Shawhan said : " I 'now have the pleasure of in
troducing to you our worthy citizen and, ripe scholar, Judge Wm. Lang, who
will now address you." Judge Lang came forward and spoke as follows :
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : One hundred years have
come and gone ; a century has flown off into the ocean of time, with all its
epochs for weal or woe to the human race, since the old bell at Independence
Hall, in Philadelphia, called together a small band of patriots, who had as
sembled, to represent the people of thirteen colonies under the government
of Great Britain, to consult together as to. the best mode for the redress of
the grievances the people of the Colonies were then suffering. The result of
their deliberations was that declaration of principles just read in your hear
ing ; a production that brightens with age and glows With a fire of patriot
ism that shines forth and points out to the oppressed of all nations the path
way to justice, independence and equality. It is like trie leaven that leaventh
the whole loaf. It has aroused the pride and patriotism of intelligent men
everywhere, and to-day thrones that claimed their power by the grace of God'
exist simply by the permission of the people. Man has learned to know his
rights, and knowing, will maintain them. England, Germany and Italy have
, removed many oppressions and compelled their governments to rule in con
formity with the will of the people. Spain struggled, but failed for a season,
while France enjoys a new life under a republican form of government of
their own, having nobody to rule over them by the " Grace of God." Even
: flerzegovinia, in rier might of abject despotism, has caught a ray of the light
that burst forth on triat day, arid she struggles like a hero for independence.
The days of inspiration did not close with the end of Holy Writ, arid I
mean no sacrilege when I say that every holy, noble, generous thqught, mo
tive of action, is inspiration, and proves the better part of man, the spark of
the deity that is within us, and I claim the right for myself to believe that
the work of those great and good men on that day, the fruit of their deliber
ations in trie form of the declaration of those principles of human rights,
With the glorious results of a century gone, was the work- of inspiration in
which God's rioly purpose seems manifest. Now while we meet and have
just cause to rejoice, every heart should give thanks to Almighty God for
the blessings we have enjoyed as a people under the sun of freedom, and
pledge anew our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor that we will, for
ourselves and our posterity, preserve and maintain that same fprm of'gov-
ieTnrnent in its purity so vouchsafed to us by those noble men of 1776.
Time will not permit me here to give you anything like even a synopsis of
the achievements of these one hundred years. Permit me only to say that
the thirteen colonies have increased to thirty-eigrit prosperous states ; the
three millions of inhabitants that struck for freedom riave increased to 44,-
000,000, enjoying trie same, spreading from ocean .to ocean, and from'the
lakes to tjie gulf ; triat trie ship of state during this period breasted the
storms of two terrible wars with foreign powers, and a most lamentable fra
ternal one, and safely sailed home into the harbor of the constitution, and
came out of trie fire as' triose youths did out of the fiery furnace, without
even the smell of smoke upon their garments.
The form of government is all-important wrien man claims his natural
rights. Perhaps the best interpretation that can be given to the word free-

682 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
dom is " that form of government where man is left free to do as he pleases,
except where the rights of his neighbor and public safety need restraint."
(Blaclistone.) Now if that be freedom, the form of government must be
shaped to meet all its d'erriands. Nothing but a republic with democratic
institutions can secure that degree of liberty. And I desire here to be strict
ly understood that I shall use the words " Democracy " and " Republican-
ism " in no party sense, for both terms are synonymous, mean and express the
same thing. " Demos " (people) and "Kratos" (government,) put together
make " Democracy," which is trie people's government, or a "Republic,."
and " Republicanism " in its best sense is nothing more' than an attachment
to a republican form, of government. If Alexander Pope had lived in the
present age and observed the spread of the principles, expressed in the
Declaration of Independence— man' everywhere claiming his rights— had no
ticed the progress of events ; the demands of humanity and human rights
throwing their storm-waves against thrones that are simply permitted to
exist while they reel and totter before they fall— he would not now say again :
" For forms of government. let fools contest,
Whatever's best administered is best."
It is not true, A bad ;form of governrhent cannot be well administered.
You can enjoy no right as a free man under a despotism. Talk about free
speech, free press, freedom to worship God in accordance with the dictates
Of your own conscience, Where the crude will of a Czar is the supreme law
of the land. The form of government is all-important for the preservation
of human rights in their purity. What a spectacle to the patriot, the organ
ization and form of trie government of these states ! Thirty-eight free and
independent states, each witri its own Republican form, of government,
making up in its municipal organization a free and independent government
of its own, surrendering for unity only such of its natural rights as are ab
solutely indispensable for the purposes of the general government, and
reserving all other rights " to trie state and the people." This principle
kept intact and cherished and loved as the fathers did, will forever protect
and defend the constitution in its purity, make succession and centraliza-i,
tion both alike impossibilities. Such a form of government requires for its
perpetuation and perpetuity a people who are both intelligerit and virtuous;
intelligently moral. People well educated in letters and figures, but vicious^
are no more capable to preserve and maintain a Republic than a people
merely moral but abjectly ignorant. Intelligence, embellished by all the
virtues of religion and morality, alone qualifies man for the ricriboonof
freedom. And if triis Republic sriall ever suffer trie fate of Republics that
have flourished in time past.and are no more, it will be because the people
shall; by corruption, luxury and vice, make themselves unfit for the enjoy
ment of it.
As a man wears clothes that fit him, so does si nation wear just such a
form of government as it is capable of maintaining. Now, if we claim to
have, and glory in the possession of, the best form of government ever con
ceived by man, a government just grown out of its childhood tp manhood,
triumphantly preserving its' integrity through a thousand trying ordeals in
its history, how necessary and indispensable, that we, to preserve it, should

APPENDIX. 6g,
also be inspired with a just appreciation of the responsibility resting upon
us. Judge Marshall, in the Virginia convention of 1788, said : " What are the
favorite maxims of Democracy ? A strict observance of justice and public
faith, and a steady adherence to virtue. These, sir, are the principles of
good government." (Elliot's Debates, vol. in., p. 77). This form of govern
ment is best because its standard of moral requisition is the highest. It
claims for man a universality of interest, liberty and justice. It is Chris
tianity with its mountain beacons and guides. It is the standard of Deity
based in the eternal principles of truth, passing through and rising above
the clouds of ignorance into the region of infinite wisdom. The great ob
jects of knowledge and moral culture of the people are among its most
prominent provisions. Practical religion and religious freedom are the sun
shine of its growth and glory. To say that an ignorant and immoral people
are capable of self-government, is to say that government may be adminis
tered without knowledge and without justice. I am speaking of the inhabi
tants of trie United States as a people, not as a nation.
Whether we possess the attributes of a nation, or whether our general'
government be a national government, I riave neitrier the time nor inclina
tion to discuss.. Enough for me to know, and believ,e that the ends of knowl
edge, freedom and riappiness can be promoted by a proper appreciation and
preservation of trie form of government we have, and to which we, eith er by
virtue of birth or adoption, all owe allegiance ; and who for himself will not
say:' " In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now."
Having been born and raised under a bad form of government, and hav
ing made the government of these free states mine by free choice, I can but
feel the thrill that this occasion sends througri my being while I may not be
able to express trie emotions triat prompt a renewal of the vow of allegiance
given in my early manhood. And I will not try. From every city, town
and hamlet of our land, shouts and rejoicings rend the air at the ciose of a
century since trie " Declaration of American Independence " first saw the
light of day. The young shout and cheer with sounds of glee and hilarity
the middle-aged man feels a just pride in trie discharge of ever duty pertain
ing to a citizen, and due and owing to trie state. The aged pioneer joins
the throng with a heart full of gratitude and praise to the Giver of all good,
for the preservation of a government he perhaps helped to protect with his
treasure and his blood. Triese emotions are proper and patriotic and holy.
None but a slave could to-day feel indifferent, and there are none to be
found within bur borders, thank God.
.'. The beginning of our government does not date from the 4th of July,
1776, but from the adoption by the states of the constitution in 1788. So as a
government we are not 100 years old, but as a people. For the declaration of
independence at once and forever separated the allegiance of the colonies
and opened fully the war of the revolution. The end of seven long and
bloody years of war made England acknowledge, while our people rejoice in,
our independence. How, fortunate for human rights and freedom that at
that epoch, when we were weak and exhausted, when it would1 have been

684 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ,
easy for some military chieftain to have grasped the reins of power and to
have established here a monarchy — that with Washington and his compeers
not a man was to be found who would do and , dare. Man, prone to love of
power as he riis, did you ever triink of it, my friends, how little it would have
required to have lost all that was won by trie blood of the revolution ? Does
it not seem that the hand of Providence was in all this? . The spirit that
opened the war seemed to close it, and commence the Republic. The spirit
that appealed to God for trie rectitude of trieir conduct, moved the men in
power, when the war was over, to return their swords and lay them upon the
altar of their country.
History never produced such a spectacle since the world began.
And how they shouted and sang of the. liberty triey had thus acriieved :
" In a chariot of light from the regions of day,
The Goddess of Liberty came ;
Ten thousand celestials directed the way,
And hither conducted the dame.
» A fair budding branch from the gardens above,
Where millions and millions agree, v
She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love, '
A plarit she named Liberty Tre^.
This glorious exotic struck deep in the ground,
Like a native, it flourished and bore ;
The fame of its fruit drew trie nations around
To seek out its peaceable shore:
Regardless of name of distinction, triey came— .; .
For freemen, like bro triers, agree—
Witri one spirit endued they one friendship pursued,
And their temple was Liberty Tree." <
They sang of Columbia thus :
" Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise, ,
The queen of the world and the child of the skies, *l
Thy genius commands thee, witri raptures behold,
While ages on ages thy splendor unfold ;
Thy reign is the last and trie noblest of time, ,
Most fruitful thy soil, most inviting thy clime.
Let crimes of the east ne'er crimson thy name,
Be freedom, and science and virtue thy fame."
The French revolution: produced a despot— trie American revolution, liber
ty and free states. Liberty fails when sovereigns become tyrants' The
American citizen is the sovereign of the land and makes and enforces his
own laws. So long as wisdom and humanity shall be his guide and counsel,
lie cannot fail of success.
If time would permit, I sriould be glad to indulge in a few passing remarks <
on many of the events that have characterized our history as a people hith
erto, but I must abstain while I will invite your attention to things and sur
roundings at home. Let me speak to you a little while on the rise and pro-

APPENDIX. 685
gress of our own immediate neighborhood— of Seneca county, rier history,
her resources, and rier people.
As the triumphs of liberty constitute the way-marks of the world, triey
have guided and directed the pioneers in opening and developing the re
sources of this vast1 country , to labor, to commerce, to knowledge and to
greatness. The pioneers of Seneca county found here a vast unbroken wil
derness, run over by savages and wild animals hunting their prey. The
silence of the forest broken only by the crack of the Indian's rifle, and the
nights made hideous by the howlings of the wolf and the panther. The
wqodman's axe-brought the first sound of the approach of civilization. West ,
of the Sandusky river was an almost unbroken swale, but the eastern and
some portions pf the southern parts of the county offered localities better
' adapted for settlements and homes, and these were selected as the first home
steads in this county. Trie western portion was taken up much later.;
Seneca was formed from old Indian territory, April 1st, 1820, organized
April 1st, 1824, and named after a tribe of Indians who had a reservation a
short distance north of Tiffin, near the river, and north of, the farm owned
by the late John Keller. The county was formerly a part of Sandusky
county. It extends eighteen miles north and south, and ttrirty miles east
and west, witri the base line on the 41st parallel.
There were two general surveys made by the authority of trie United States
in northern Ohio. The first one established the base line, counties and ,
townships of trie " Western Reserve," so called, the fire-lands, etc. It
started on the west line of Pennsylvania, running west,, and ended at the
southwest corner of Huron county. - The second survey started at trie east
line of Indiana, and ended at the southeast corner of Seneca, making the
south line of Seneca trie base line. This survey made townships and ranges.
The townships in Seneca number one, two and three, and the ranges run
from 13 east to 17 and 18 east inclusive, making each township contain thirty-
six square miles, being six miles square ; each section— thirty-six in num
ber—one mile square arid containing six hundred and forty acres. Fort
, Seneca was also named after the Indians, and was situated on the left bank
of the Sandusky river, near ,the village of Fort Seneca, six miles north of
Tiffin, and about eleven, miles south of Ft. Steprienson, afterwards Lower
Sandusky, now Fremont, where the Republican, party of the United States,
in their deliberations at Cincinnati, have lately, for the choice of a proper,
person for the presidency, found our distinguished neighbor, Gov. Hayes.
General Harrison's troops occupied Ft. Seneca at trie time the British and
the Indians made an attack on Ft. Stephenson, on the 2d day of August,
1813. General Harrison, while at Ft. Seneca, narrowly escaped being mur
dered by an Indian.
The circumstances are highly interesting, but I 'have no trine to relate
triem. Let me refer you to -the memoirs of General Harrison for particulars.
The Senecas, of, the Sandusky, so called, owned and occupied 40,000 acres
of choice land on trie east side of the, Sandusky river, being mostly in this
and part of Sandusky county. Thirty thousand acres of this was granted to
them on the 29th of September, 1817, at the treaty held at the foot of the ,
Maumee rapids, Hon. Lewis Cass and Hon. Duncan McArthur being the
United States commissioners. The otrier 10,000 acres, lying south of the

686 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
otoer, was grarited by the same commissioners at the treaty of St. Mary, on
the 17tri of September, the following year. On the 28th of February, 1831,
these Indians ceded their lands to the general government and agreed to re
move southwest of Missouri, on the Neosho river.
At that time their principal chiefs were Coonstick, Small-Cloud, Spicer
(whom our esteemed friend, Dr. H. Kuhn, of this city, welLknew, as well as
some of the others), Seneca Steel, Hard Hickory, Tall Chief and Good
Hunter. General Henry C. Brish, now deceased, was the sub-agent of this band,,
whicri numbered about 400 souls at triat time, and were considered to be a
remnant of the Logans. ' I remember well in several conversations I had
with the General about these Indians, in each'Of which the General expressed
his sui;prise why they were called Senecas, as he said he never found a Seneca
amongst them. He said they were Cayugas— who were Mingoes ; that they
had amongst them some Oneidas, Mohawks, - Onondagas, Tuscarawas and
Wyandots. They believed in witchcraft, and while here executed one of
their best men for that crime. Time will not permit me to give the narrative
of the execution.
If you had been present at a meeting of the " Seneca County Pioneer As
sociation," about two years ago, and listened to the address of our esteemed
friend, Isaac I. Dumond, near Ft. Seneca, you would have heard an inter
esting narrative of the annual dog dance and feast of these- Indians.
While speaking about the Indians, let me say to you that a question of
title to a portion of these lands is still pending and undisposed of. I men
tion this fact only as a matter of riistory >
It is very doubtful whether any remnant of that tribe sees this day... The
greater probability is, that triey have all fallen to the law that seems to rule
the general destiny of tfie race. All we have of them is their name, their'
lands and their short history. The hew purchase, so called, included the
lands of the Seneca Indians. In 1820 and 1821 the other lands of the " new
purchase " were laid off into townships and sections, but the Seneca Reser
vation was not surveyed until 1832. Speaking of the new purchase, I desire
to record an incident in connection with it, too important to be lost. My
venerable friend, Isaac I. Dumond, of Pleasant township, built a house near
the left bank of the Sandusky river, northeast of Ft. Seneca, in 1820, (a cabiri
rather,) wriich is still fit for human habitation and occupied by a family,
while Mr. Dumond lives close by in more comfortable quarters.
A few tracts of these lands were sold when the lanij office first opened at
Delaware, at the government price, $1.25 per acre. The greater portion of
our county was entered at the same price, after trie sale and about trie time
the land office was removed to Bucyrus, and later still to T/ffin, when Mr.
David E. Owen held the office of receiver at this place. The government re
ceived nothing but specie for the land. The receiver was provided with a
strong iron chest, in which the books and money were to be kept. Trie
chest was about twenty inches wide and twenty deep, and about two feet
long. I remember on several occasions when Mr. Owen was about to make
his quarterly report at Columbus, Ohio, that quite a number of men were re
quisite to' move the chest from the house into the wagon. The late Daniel
Dildine was the teamster generally, who hauled the coin to Columbus Mr.

APPENDIX. 687
Owen had his office in the frame building belonging to Esq. Keen, on the
north side of East Market street, near the stone bridge. It generally took
from three to four days, with, a good team of, horses, to haul the little iron
monster to Columbus. Without any guard or other protection the two men
started, and winding their way alone through the forest, found Upper San
dusky, Little Sandusky, Marion, Waldo and Delaware, their stopping places.
I remember hearing father Owen relate his troubles with the chest at one
time at Waldo, I think. Night overtook them when they got there, and trie
cabin hotel was full of people. As a general thing, they would back the
wagon up to the door and take the chest into the house. But Mr. Owen did
not like the looks of -the men about the premises, so he concluded to leave
trie chest, with its contents of about $50,000, in the wagon and cover it with
straw. They did so and went to bed. It rained all night, and when they
got up in the morning they found everything all right.
It was fortunate for Seneca county that her lands did not fall into the
hands of speculators. The men who entered and located, did so for the pur
pose of acquiring homes, and the purchases were made in conformity with
the pjle of gold and silver. These piles were usually very limited, and,
although but fifty dollars would buy forty acres, many of the new-comers
did n't have the fifty dollars. All the most valuable lands were soon taken
up, however, and when the war with Mexico was over and our soldiers had
land warrants to locate, several tracts were still found in Liberty township-
and taken up by these warrants. Those were the last of the entries and the
time for cheap lands in Seneca county has long since passed away, never to
.. return. —
The early settlers here came from Maryland, Virginia, New York, Penn
sylvania, New Jersey, etc., Germany and Ireland, and made up as com
pletely a mixed population as you see them, or their descendants, to this day.
Differing in language, habits and customs, and almost everything pertaining
tp civilized life, a more generous,. kind, hospitable, frugal, industrious peo
ple never lived anywhere. Whether niutual poverty and dependence made
them so " wondrous kind " I will not stop to deeide, but it is enough to say
that the latch-string was always out. The inmates of the cabin were ready
to cbVvide the best they had with the hungry stranger. No night was too
dark or stormy, no swale too wide or deep, when distress ot sickness called
for help. When a man wanted a cabin raised or needed help, a simple
notice, was sufficient to make the neighbors all around leave their own work
and go, often as far as four-or five miles. And go they would and did with
out asking about the man's religion or politics, nor upon what part of God's
green earth he was born, work all day faithfully without price or reward
other than that such kindness, if needed, should be returned. I sometimes
wished triat the primitive life in Seneca had continued all along. Now in
these days when you need material help to secure a riome, wrio will volunteer
and stand by you until you have one ? Now ask a man to help you work
one day and when evening comes he wants his pay. Those days are gone,
and trie men and women that brought here and established the first land
marks of civilization, are fast passing, away withmany of their primitive
virtues that characterized their lives in those days. That generous and
open-hearted hospitality of the pioneers has given way to the struggle after

688 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the mighty dollar. Even the tales of the trials, difficulties and hardships,
the deprivations and sufferings of the early settlers, when told and repeated
to the present generation, are received with doubts or indifference. "Yet will
I venture to call to mind the life in the cabin with some of its ineidents.as I
saw it. There were but few of my German countrymen in Seneca when, in ,
the summer of 1833, 1 came to this place- with my father's family. The large
number by far came and located afterward, and as you pass througri the
-county now, and observe a vast "Dutch barn," with v many well cultivated
fields round about, and a stately mansion with orchard, gardens and every
thing denoting and speaking of the comforts of life, you ask who lives
there ? and perhaps you will be told, that that gray-headed venerable look
ing old man sitting on, yonder porch, "smoking his pipe of clay," entered
; forty acres of land "when he first came from Germany, for which he paid
fifty dollars, all the money he had, and perhaps a part of that was borrowed
from a friend. Right back of where his brick house now is he built for him
self a small cabin' and made a little opening round about it for, a garden, a
little truck path for corn and potatoes. He was young then, and his young
wife assisted him in his hard work, all^ she could, to fix up their home in
the forest as best they could under the circumstances. Now their money
was all gone. More was needed to get a cow, some hogs, tools, a wago
oxen, etc., and without which no fprther progress upon the forest could be
made. The chances to earn money in trie neighborhood were very bad.
Nobody had any to pay with as a general thing,, and the few that had could
hire a laborer very cheap. At $5 and $6 a month it took a lofag time to buy
those necessaries, and to live and nof die of despondency under sueh circum
stances took more moral courage than we, in these degenerate days, possess.
The endurance and self-denial of the men and women of those days is be
yond the power of a pen to describe. Imagine, now, that cabin, miles away
from any neighbor, with only a very crooked road, marked! by blazed trees,
leading to it ; dark forests all around and a small opening made by the little
clearing to see God's blue sky.
The nearest public work where money could be earned was the Dayton <&
Michigan canal, 100 miles away. Here necessity compelled him to leave his
wife and little ones and work on the canal all summer, returning home in
the fall, when public work was stopped, and thus economizing with" riis earn
ings, improved the condition of his family, from time to time, until the
clearing had enlarged enough: to produce the support of life, and perhaps ;
something for market.-
Did you ever think, my friends, how those pioneer women must have felt
to be thus left alone in the wild forest, for weeks' and months, all summer.
and fall, with their little ones, and nobody to see to and protect them ? You
ladies, who live in the lap of luxury and refinement, enjoying the products
of nature and art, did you ever think how those noble pioneer mothers lived
through those weary years of hardship 't Trie only way that can be account
ed for is, they put their trust in God. But to return. After several sum-
.mers' work on the canal, and having a team of oxen, the little clearing be-
came'larger, and the comforts of life gradually increased. Other families
settling closer by, all hands joined to open out a road to some mill or market.
The oldest of the children grew up large enough to be of some help at the

appendix; 689
house, or to chop. They^all worked, young and old, and trie little entry of
forty acres increased in size to a quarter section, all paid for, with all these
fine improvements you see all around. No one asked a favor of him in vain.
Ever ready and willing to help where he could, he has the love and respect
of the entire neighborhood, while he enjoys, in his declining' years, the fruit
of a well spent life.
This little picture hits but few now. The larger number have long since
gone to their long home. Don't despise the little cabin that you may yet see
remaining as you glide along your nice roads, in your easy pheaton. It was
once the home of love and happiness. Little feet danced cheerily over that
puncheon floor, and the great log fire in that chimney cheered the inmates
on many a long winter evening, and witnessed the baking of corn bread on
the back of an old shovel many years. The hominy block was as indispens
able as the rifle. Their meat was game, and their bread of corn meal was
made upon a plan as rural as the corn was reduced to meal. How do you
suppose, now, that having neither a horse nor an ox to take a little corn
away off to some mill to get it ground, the family got meal to make bread
with ? Take an ola shovel or a piece of sheet iron, punch it full of holes ,;
then take an ear of dry corn and roll it over it, like over a grater, and meal
is produced slowly but surely, and then— corn-dodgers, Johnny cake, hoe
cake or pone. Hunger may be a good cook, but your fine pastry never
1 tasted nicer than trie corn bread made by the pioneer mothers.
Ladies, how would you now like to get up a dinner for a large family with
out a cooking stove, or any other of the modern conveniences in housekeep
ing, over a big log Are, with nothing but a long-handled skillit, Dutch oven,
and - iron kfettle ? It would puzzle you some, I think. Yet it was a long
time- after the first settlers came here before anybody saw a cooking
stove. ~ '. . -
Settlers from the eastern states, who had a little money and talked English,
fared. better ; stayed at home and worked their way through. Those that I
have- described were my countrymen, and the Irish settlers, who took up the
land west of the Sandusky river, and- settled in the Wolf creek.
I would be pleased to give you some of the incidents of early life in our
good old county and short sketches of the lives of the men and women who
first located in each township, but must abstain.
I would like to mention the names of the first settlers of each township.
•I have collected many of them, but for fear that I migrit miss some of triem
I will not name any. Amongst them was one soldier of the revolution and
many that were in the war of 1812.
So' rapid was the increase of population that from the time those lands
were first brought into market arid up to 1830, Seneca contained 5,157 souls,
including Tiffin, about one-half of the present population of this city. The
influx of emigration in the next ten years was so great triat in 1840 we had a
population of 18,139. It seems like a dream of fancy that in the short life of
one man a county like ours should be turned from a howling forest to the
state of improvement, of wealth and refinement that Seneca now presents.
Vast fields in a good state of cultivation, fine residences all over the county,
mills, factories, railroads, school houses and churches, printing presses and
newspapers, postofflces and telegraphs, and everything that nature and art
44

6go ' HISTORY OF, SENECA COUNTY.
can contribute to elevate our people higher and still higher.in the scale of
humanity, and I feel justified when I say that on the score of wealth, health,
morals arid intelligence, old Seneca has no superior amongst her neighbors.
Let me say a few words about Tiffin. Josiah Hedges laid out Tiffin proper
in 1821. Fort Ball had already been located by Mr. Spencer. The postoffice
was over there and some of the most influential of the early settlers lived in
Fort Ball. The troubles between the rival proprietors of these villages were
at times very severe, but ended in the purchase by Mr. Hedges of the entire
plat of Fort Ball, and the location of the court house on the Tiffin side of
the river. Fort Ball was named after Lieutenant-Colonel James V- Ball,
the commander of a squadron of cavalry under General Harrison. Tiffin
was named after Edjvard Tiffin, who was the first governor of Ohio after
her organization as a state, and a particular personal and political friend of
Mr. Hedges. Your humble servant had the honor of being the last mayor
of the old town of Tiffin and the first mayor of the city of Tiffin upon the
union of the two villages. Let me remind you of the old sycamore that
stood on the rigrit bank of the river now in Mechanicsburg. The boundary
line of the city, as then organized, ran through the sycamore southwardly.
Forty-three years ago a couple of exiled German boys formed a closer ac
quaintance and friendship under that tree — one that lasted for life. When
the city council entrusted the description of the boundaries of the new city
to me, I described that tree as a land-mark. The tree and one of those boys
have long since, passed away. The residence of Dr. Hovey, in the second
ward, covers a part of trie ground where the old fort stood.
In 1840 the population of the several villages in Seneca was as follows :
Attica  '.  :.'...  148
Bascom   34
Bettsville  23
Bloomville  ¦  13
Caroline..  .'  27
Fort Ball  .'  129
Fort Seneca  52
Green Springs  29
Lodi  30
Melmore  12T
Risdon  _  39
Rome  ,  <  80
Republic  .161
Springville  35
Sulphur Springs  ;  29
Time will not permit me to give you. anything like a statistical stateinent
of trie resources of the county. Allow me only to say that Seneca in the
scale of wealth, population, etc, is an average county amongst the eigrity-
eigrit counties of the state.
In 1870 she had a population of 30,828. In 1875 she harvested the crop of
54,000 acres of wheat. In 1876 she pays $244,000 taxes. Her public buildings-
may not be of the best, but her schools and other institutions of learning are-
not surpassed in any courity around her. She is one in only eighteen coun
ties in the state that is not in debt. Her people commit less crime compared

APPENDIX. 6qi
with her population than any other county in the state. We have no paupers
running at large. In all departments of life, her citizens who have acquired
honorable distinction are self-made men. She enumerates 12,000 children
entitled to the benefits of the common schools, and pays $79,000 'per year for
their education. The personal and real property of trie county for taxable
purposes increased from about $6,000,000 in 1850 to nearly $18,000,000 in 1874.
In 1826 her taxes did not exceed $300.
But I must close, and in so doing let me rehearse a short ode on the Fourth
of July, by an unknown author. It is so very much in harmony with the
spirit of this festive occasion :
" To the sages who spoke, to the heroes who bled,
To trie day and the deed strike the harp-string of glory ;
Let the song of the ransom'd remember the deed,
And the tongue of the eloquent hallow the story.
O'er the bones of trie bold,
Be that story long told.
And on Fame's golden tablet their triumphs unfurled,
Who On freedom's green hills freedom's banner unfurl'd,
And the beacon fires raised that gave light to the world.
'Twas for us and our children to conquer or die,
. Undaunted they stood, when the war storm burst o'er them ;
; , Each blade drew a thunderbolt down from the sky,
Till the foeman turned pale and lay withered before them.
Then from Liberty's band
Went a shout through the land,
As the rainbow of peace their fair heritage spanned,
Where the banner of freedom in pride was unfurl'd,
And the beacon fire rose that gave light to the world.
They are gone— mighty men ! and they sleep in trieir fame ;
Sriall we ever forget them ? Oh, never I no, never !
• Let our sons learn from us to embalm each great name,
And the anthem send down " Independence forever 1"
Wake, wake heart and tongue,
Keep the theme ever young ;
Let their deeds througri the long line of ages be sung,
When on freedom's green hills freedom's banner unfurl'd,
And the beacon fire raised that gave light to the world."
At the close of trie oration Rev. W. A. Samson fervently addressed the
Throne of Grace, after which the choir sang the doxology, the audience
joining. The benediction by Rev. Mr. Samson closed the exercises, which
had been very interesting and impressive, and had stamped themselves in
delibly upon the memories of all present. Trie balance of the day was spent
in the usual manner.
The celebration was a success in every particular, and redounded to the
credit of the different committees and officers having it in charge.
At night, on the pubbic square, the display of fire-works took place.
Everything passed off satisfactorily, and it was a good ending of a memor
able occasion.

ERRATA.

Page 5— 7th line from top read Captain " Bagby."
" 141— 12th line from top read " John Keller."
" 243 — 10th line from bottom read '" Grummel."
" 367— 10th line from foot read " Q. M. General."
" 377— 5th line from top read " tiissuc " for " tissue."
" 387— 3d line from top read " Winweiler."
, " 412— 6tri line from top read " Stalter."
'• 419— 11th line from bottom read " Feldkuemmels hocrizeitstag.'
" 424 — Last line read " base drum."
" 432— lOtri line from bottom read " Tecumseri."
" ' 450— 12th line from top read " people."
" 474— Bottom line read "of " after the word " lines."
" 499— 3d line from bottom read " Shants."
" 506— 15th line from bottom read "chiefs."
" 506— 2d line from bottom read "southwest quarter." ,
" 507— 22d line from top read " camel-back bridge."
" 511— 10th line from bottom read " Levi Creasey."
" 521— 8th line from bottom read " Yingst family."
" 564— 8th line from top read " N. Ports & Co."
" 614— 6tri line from top read " Mrs. Wriitney."
" 635— In " sheriffs " read " Weirick " for " Wurick. *'

INDEX.

A Page.
Abbott, Rush  384
Academy, Fostoria  562
Adams, Perry M  384
Adams township  169, 174—475
Agricultural works  .399
¦ Agricultural society  401
Ague  '  ,^214
Albrecht, Andrew  ,  251
Anway, William  149
Ancient Order of Hibernians  '.  349
„ Appendix No 1  639
No. 2  662
No. 3  '.679
, Army roads  89
Armstrong, Robert  : . .145
Armstrong, William W  *  412,
Arnold, William  *.'.  600
Arrival in Tiffin  247
Assembly, members of  ,  438
Attica  616
" Journal  '.  616.
B
'Backlogs.  .••••'  193
Ball, Colonel  142,523
Ball, game of  •'  96
Bagby, Captain  50
Banks . . . 1  337
.Baptist churcri  276
Barrack, J. W  628
Bar festival  '.  379
Bartoe, General  8
Battle Island  <.  11
Beaver, trie  '  -  87

ii INDEX. Page.
Beard, Jorin  ¦  ••  507
Bencri and Bar  : — 351
Between trie logs  ;••¦•  73
Big Spring township  ,¦ • ¦  ¦ — 174
Big Odle  425
Big Spring  486
Bishop, David.  ........174 ;
Birchard, Judge  ¦  -.133
Blackman's Corners  149
Blackstrap....  246
Bloom township  .'...;.,  165, 492
Bloomville  495
Bluejacket  86
Boyer's family, Dr  ,  ...250
Bourne, S  ¦'¦  • .157
Bog iron  : —  235
Brillinger, Philip..:  622
Boyds  ;  492 ,
Bowe, Erastus  ,  ;  144
Bredoon's death:  , . .250 '¦
Brohl, Henry  ...334
Brewer, N. L  ...383
Brish, Henry C  505
Bridges in Pleasant,  ....:  573
Bridges  259
Brickyards  ....'.  \ .-  244
Brick buildings  ,  ':  244
Bridge, first  :  173
Brown, Ezra and Casel  ,  144
Browse  , . . 210
Brush dam case  'j  :  208
Brownell, Thomas  ,  62,
Bruderbund, der:  419
Butler's rangers  11
Butcher shop  245
Building stone    234
Bunn, J. F  '.  \,  383
c
Cabin building  ,....'    186
Canal, work on the.  .216
Canal tax  221
Caroline.  616
Candidates  '.  85
Cat swamps  213
Catholic chapel  *  244
Campbell, William  „  248

INDEX.

Ill

Page.
Cass, Lewis, letter of  ;  54
jCave, the   6og
Centennial in Attica  617
Centennial in Tiffin  ¦  g79
Census of 1880  631
Change  240
Charlieu  137
Chills  214
Cholera  261
Churches  ;  ;  191,274,283
Church directory  <  .•  r  294
Christmas, J. W  ,  .'. . . .'  158
Churn factory  400
Clark's expedition  28
Clinton township  163, 166, 504
Colwell, N. P  ,  590
Cold creek  009
Conneaut  :   [  34
i.Gonclusion  638
Constitutional convention. . ,  662
Coirimissioners  '.  165
Court house  '  175
Court house burnt.  180
Coon cooking  ,  '.  .211
Counties organized  ;.. 35
Council with Indians  82
Cpunty officers to 1880  .'...>.  633
Cowdery, Oliver  364
Combstock's death..  ,  131
Corwin, Thomas  '.  89
Cook's, Elutherus, speech  56
Crawford, William  11
Crawford township  172
Cramer, U. F.  385
Cramer, Charles H  "... .385
Cramer, Frederick  515
\ Crawford, Mrs. Harriet  ,  :  422
^Creeks, the  :  '.  ,  -  222
Creeger family, the  248
Cronise, Henry  253
Cronise, N. and F  384
I ;Croghan's letter  84
Crouse, Rev. Joshua  283
i,Crum,John.  508
iCrow  115,126
Crowell, Samuel.  98

IV INDEX

D

, Page.
Dalton 's speech  23
Davis, William  499
Dawalt, John  ,  543
Deer hunting  118
Dildirie, Frank. . ,  ,   383
Dildine, Daniel  '.  513'
Dickinson, R  .x. ..167
Dirge of the State House Bell  ,  ?  66Q
Ditto, John  524
Dog dance  97
Dockweiler, John  '  549
Drake  ,  143,
Dresbach, Dr. Ely...  .'  ,  389
Drift  233
Drunkenness, cure of  245
Druids, U. A. O  t   349
Du esel  249
Dugout  ;  245'
Dumond's, Isaac I., speech.. ,  94
'"¦ E
Earthquake, the  640
Ebenezer church  291
Eden township  525
Egbert, Uriah  570
Elections in townships  7  163
Election, first county  ,  I65
English Lutheran church  .\  287
F'
Ferry, the  ;  245
Fiege, John and Louisa  310
Fire, the great    311
Finley, Revs  127
Fisher, Dr. James  393
Flummerfelt, Cornelius. s  572
Flummerfelt, D. V  *.'.'•  ....575
Flat Rock (see Thompson).
Ford, Johnson  ,  622 ;
Fort Lawrence  g
Fort Recovery  32
Fort Meigs  39
Fort Stevenson  ,  44
Fort Seneca  81
Fort Ball  ,  142

INDEX. y
Page.
Fort Ball artillery  448
Forest culture  212
Fortifications, ancient  145 150
Foster, C. W  ...'.555
Foster, Charles  j  557
Fostoria lawyers  ,  559
Fostoria academy  562
Fostoria schools  563
Fostoria lodges   565
Frink, Theodore M.  490
G
Gas lightcompany  39g
General muster  449
Geology  226
German Ev. church  278
German Reformed church  279
Gerhart, Rev. E. V  ,  270
German settlers  251
Girls, pioneer  -.-.-  192
Girty, Simon  ,  11 , 138
Glasgow  157
Goetschius, N. and J  514
Good Hunter  '.  ;  us
Goodin, John  294
Good, Dr. J. H   273
Greenville, treaty of . .".  33
Gross, Henry, sen  247
Gross, Henry, jun  403
H
Hall, Luther A  362
Harris, Mark A  110
Hard Hickory  118,134,136
Hampton, J. C  501
Harmon, General  27
Hamilton, Henry  9
Hedges, Josiah  .'  237
Heck, George  ¦ — ;...,  601
Heaton, Micajari  532
Heidelberg College  ,267
Higgins, Judge D  132
Hirt, Frances J  594
Hominy block  189
Hoffman's, Fred., family  :  262
Honey creek  150

vi INDEX. Page.
Hopewell township  166, 540
Hottal, J. K  :  .:...,..  383
Hossler, Jacob  ,  500
Holtz, Jacob  522
Hotels  '.  245
Horse race  '  .,  120
Howard, Joseph  373
Hubbard, Dr. E. B  ,  333
Hulburt, Judge  .-  125
Hull, General  40
Hunter's mill  —  -....'.  146
Hurons, legend of the  ,  ,  76
Hurricane, the  643

I

Infirmary  :421
Ingham, Mrs. Sally...  123, 128
Insurance companies  x.  340
Irvine, General  ...-.'  .7 9
Islands of Erie (ode)  .53
J
Jackson's proclamation  .-..  161
Jackson township.  175,546
Jail  169,173
Jaqua, Richard  151
Jerks, the.  '. — ' . ;  645
Jiggers  .'  216
Johnny cake  188
Johnson, Colonel  48
Judge Tappan  38
Judicial districts  ,  ,  353
Judges  351
Jury, first  !   ....210

K

Keller, John  ...505 7
Kelley, Benjamin  J.,  ^584
Kelley, Charles  521 *
Kellogg, P. F  i§5||
Keppel, G. B  .........383
Keppel, H. C  ...384
Kershaw, W. L  ,  385
Kilbourne, Cplonel  150
Kilbourne road  162
Kitchen furniture  ,  188

INDEX. vjj
-rr. „ i. I. * Page.
Kingseed, Martin  g5g
-Kniseley..:  •  ••••¦• ..'.'.'.'. '.'.v.".'.'.'.'.'.'.'. '.21,115
Knigrit, Dr  16
Knights of Pythias  344
Knights of Honor. . .1  '344
Knepper, Prof. O. C  ' '334
Koenigsaamen, Anton  604
Kuhn, Dr. Henry  391
L
Landon, Alfred  38g
Land law  <.  159
Land districts  158
Land sales  16i
Lang's, Henry, family  .251
' Lang, William  386
Lang, Lafayette L  :  ,  335
' Lamberson, Daniel  '  508
Law students  386
Leahy, James F  .385
? Legislature of territory  36
Lease, Lloyd N  629
Liberty townsriip  ,  175, 54s
' Life in the woods  '.  192
, Library, public  400
Little Turtle  30
Logan, General  26
•Logantown  9
Logan's speech    .'.80
Logan's death  80
Loomis, J. D  , . .402
Loudon township  174, 552
Loudon township pioneers  ^  569
Louisiana purchase  671
Lucas, Governor. . ,  428
Lugenbeel, Andrew.  306
Lutes, N. B..  :  384
M
Marsh, Peter   523
Martin, Samuel S  ,  533
Martin, Robert M. C  534
Mason, Governor  ,  430
Masons, F. arid A  345
Maule, John  541
Mcintosh, General  1  8

Vlll INDEX. Page.
McKinley  13
McMeens, Dr. Robert  50, 470
McEwen, William  522
McCutchen, Joseph  72
McCulloch, William  .145
McNeal, Milton  165
McCauley, Jorin  383
McPrierson, William. .'  625
M. E. church  ,  274
Medical society  394
Melmore (a poem)   .,  148
Metzger family  482
Message, the first  668
Mexican war  '  446
Miasma.  214, 243
Militia  ,449
Mohawk Indian  .7  307
Monumental association  50
Mound builders  120
Money, scarcity of  ;  215
Montgomery, Rev. James  90
M. P. church  289
Moore, Maurice  624
Mormons, the  ;  647
Morrison road  ,  162
Mueller, Christ  :  310
Musgrave, Elijah  599
Myers, James  ,  515
N
Naylor, J. M  403
New Fort Ball  ,.  .146
Noble, Harrison  '.  323, 384
Noble, Warren P  380
"No precious gem," etc  ,  .185
Noel, John  '.  433
o
Oakley  140, 170
O'Connor, Dr, J. D  ,  395
Odd Fellows  v  342
Officers, county  -.  .629
Ogle, Joseph  ,543
Old, Betsey  .',:  43
Olentangy  .10, 17
Old man, the  '  194

, INDEX. IX
Page.
Old state house, the  656
Organizing territory  23
Organizing county   #  164
Orphans' home  613
, Osceolas  '.  446
Owen, David E  302
p "
Page, H. Nr, letter of  55
Parson's Dr. Usher, speech  62
, Perry's victory  :  47
Pennington, R. G  ,  374
Philip's family  '. . .249
Philharmonic society  .420
Piankeshaw's speech.  23
Pillars, James  386
Pioneer association  415
Pioneer residences  247
Pipe, the  ,  13
Pittenger, John.   '  307
/'Pittenger, Benjamin  '.  \ . .'  :308
¦ Pittenger, J. H  ".....-  384
"• Pleasant township  '  :  174, 570
Plank roads  '. . . ,  J  .317
„ Plane, Jacob    248
Politics  317
,' Pork, Peter  116
Population, 1880  631
Protestant Episcopal  ,  276
Presbyterian churcri   277
Press, the  .406
Purdy, Major James  376
Putnam, R  ,  25
:'.-. R
i -Railroads  265
., Ranges  156
Rawson, Abel.  355
Reed township  p  174, 578
Reid, John T  500
Reid, R. W  ,.¦•¦'  113
Rebellion, war of trie  ',  452
Regiments raised. . . .'  ".  ..„,...  457
Reiniger, Gustavus G  596
;', -Representatives  • — 441
;Rex, Jeremiah  628

X - INDEX.
Page.
Reservations, sale of  ,  — . —  160
Revenues, surplus  '. —  316
Revolutionary soldiers  444
Rice, Caleb,  571
Rickenbaugh, David  513
Risdori, David  '  144, 165
Ridgley, J. H  384
Rpberts, Timothy P   *  588
Roenunas  73
Roller, Frederick.  ,  :  50
Robinson, Lowell.  493
Rule, Daniel  484
Rummell, George  301

s

Salem churcri  .•   290
Saw mill  244
Scalps, invoice of  121
Schools of Tiffin.  —  '  328
Scipio township.  165, 586
Schwartz, J. B  385
Sea, Sidney  , . .366
Searles, John  .534
Sections  , . . '  157
Senators  439,
Seneca, John Steel  ;  118, 131
Seneca townsriip  163, 593^
Seneca Blues  :  446
Seitz, Elder Lewis  496
Seney, Mrs. Ann  -.296
Seney, Josriua  ,  366
Seney, George E  .»   375
Seewald, Philip,  .255 ,
Shawhan, R. W  297
Shakes  213
Silva, Captain  ,  50
Sink holes  ,  . .  616
Slavery  25
Slover  22
Slosser, George and Peter  -.  .542
Snyder, John and Christ  251 299
Smith, Samuel  541
Soldiers of the war of 1812  .7 . . ;  44.5
Soldiers in. the war with Mexico  :. ..  .'  446
Soil, the.  225
Souder, Rev. John. . . . ,  509
Sow-dows-ky  104

INDEX. xi
Page.
Spencer vs. Hedges  . . .-  208
Spencer, Jesse  ;  171
Spicer's robbery  *  m
Spink, James    146
St. Clair's expedition.  28
Staib family  597
State organized  37
Stanley, Mrs. Tabitha  107
St. Jago's letter...  \  56
St. Joseph's Catholic churcri  289
St. John's B. S  :  M8
Staub, Philip.  ,  ,. :  571
St. Mary's Catholic church  .289
St. Patrick's T. A. society  .'  345
Stevens, Guy  249
Stevenson, James T  623
Stickney, Edson T  587
Stores  243
Stove works.  399
Sugar making  , .210
Sullivan, G. E  ¦  385
^Survey  156
Swander family  517
Symmes, John C  25
s Sum-mon-de,-wot  :  74
-'Sycamore township  173

T

Taxes  '.  ,  441
Tallioferro, Isaac, letter of  '.  55
^Tecumseh  ,38
Telegraph  327
. Thames, battle of trie  48
^Thompson township  607
Thompson town  613
Tippecanoe  39, 49
Tiffin  146
Tiffin, first plat of  ,  242
Tiffin, additions to.    242, 259
Tiffin corporation  320
Tiffin papers, the  *  662
Tiffin, officers of  .'  322
Tiffin, Governor Edward  196
Tiffin light guards. . :  449
Titus, R. R  575
Toledo war, trie  ,  424
Todd, Lance  591

Xll INDEX. Page.
' Topography  222
Township lines  157
Townships organized  163
Toucey's, Isaac, letter  ,  ,  55
Traub, Captain Louis  50
Turner, Mrs. Rachael  ;  .550
u
United Brethren churcri  287

V

Van Burenite salutatory  :  655
Van Metre reserve  158
Van Matre.  529
Venice townsriip  :  ,  :  : . . .615
Venice township in the war  627
w
Warner, Benjamin F   136
War records  400
War of 1812  -....-  :.39, 445
War with Mexico  446
Washington's sympathy  ,   .... 16
Washington Guards  .447
Watson, Cooper K  372
Water works  ......'.  400
Wayne's, General Anthony, expedition  31
Well, flowing  610
Welch, Hugh  ,  537
Weller, H.J  38g
Western reserve  155
Western exchange  247
White Crow  116
AVhitney, Jasper  613
Williams, Dr. B. D  :   579
Williard, Dr. G. W  ....,  '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'273
Wilson, James P  i.  ;  502
Wingenund  .,  '  ..[..'. 13
Wind mills  -.  190
Wipingstick  44
Witches, killing of  '. . ' . .119
Woodchopper, 'the  -  ]  :.......... .182
"Woolen mills  [ . . .399
Wolf scalps  171
Worthington, James  ,  91
Wrigrit's Brothers  113
Wyandot treaty ;  ;  ° 71
• Y
Young America  195
Young, John  " ....... 488

z

Zahm, Victor J  630
Zouaves  !!!!!!!!.'!'.'!!!!! ^449