USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 1
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1800
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HISTORY
742
OF
COSHOCTON COUNTY,
1
OHIO:
ITS PAST AND PRESENT,
>*1740-1881 .*<
CONTAINING
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF OHIO ; A COMPLETE HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY; ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, VILLAGES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, INDUSTRIES, STATISTICS, ETC .; A HISTORY OF ITS SOLDIERS IN THE LATE WAR; POR- TRAITS OF ITS EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN; VIEWS OF ITS FINEST BUILDINGS AND VARIOUS HISTORIC AND INTERESTING LOCALITIES; MISCELLANEOUS MAT- TER; MAP OF THE COUNTY; BIOGRAPHIES AND HISTORIES OF PIONEER FAM- ILIES, ETC., ETC., ETC.
COMPILED BY N. N. HILL, JR.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS . IR' ihr IOL 19 188> 0 OF WASH NO
ILLUSTRATED.
NEWARK, OHIO: A. A. YRAHAM & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1881.
0
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by A. A. GRAHAM & CO., In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
F49? - CJ HO
CARLON & HOLLENBECK, PRINTERS AND BINDERS, INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
·
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PREFACE.
This work is presented to the reader with a due sense of its shortcomings, but a hope that it may not utterly fail of its mission to please, and satisfy whatever desire may have been created for a com- plete history of Coshocton county. The work has been accomplished with much difficulty and labor, but we are not unaware of the criticism that may be in store for it, largely due to the fact that almost every reader is personally cognizant of the facts it contains. The student of general history grants the truth of its statements without question, for the reason that he personally knows nothing of the events themselves ; had he this knowledge, he would quickly see the imperfections of the work, and at once understand that the production of a county history, if the work be conscientiously done, is a most difficult and thankless undertaking.
The publisher and compiler have labored faithfully to produce a true history, and feel under ob- ligations to the people of the county for the generous patronage extended, and especially so to Messrs. James R. Johnson, Colonel E. L. Pocock, T. C. Ricketts and Dr. S. H. Lee, of Coshocton ; James Le Retilley, of Roscoe ; Colonel Pren Metham, of Jefferson township; J. C. McBane, of Frank- lin township; Joseph Love, James Magness, Thomas Platt and Joseph Heslip, of Linton township, and others who freely and generously gave their aid, information and influence in the prosecution of the work. To the county officials, Messrs. John Crawford, recorder, John W. Cassingham, auditor, Israel Dillon, clerk, John Beaver, treasurer, and William Walker, deputy treasurer, our grateful ac- knowledgements are also due for courtesies extended. Among the many publications and other printed material used in the compilation, we are indebted to " Historical Collections of Coshocton County," by William E. Hunt (a very valuable aid); "Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio :" " His- torical Sketches of Coshocton and Vicinity," published in 1850, by Rev. H. Calhoun; " The Practical Preacher," a Coshocton publication, as well as " Reid's Ohio in the War," and others. The war history was gathered largely from the old files of Coshocton papers, and from the lips of the surviving veterans, to many of whom the manuscript was submitted prior to publication, and by them pro- nounced correct.
A. A. Graham's history of Ohio occupies the opening chapters, as it seems necessary to a com- plete county history, so closely are the interests and history of State and county connected. The early history of the county was largely the work of Hon. Isaac Smucker, of Newark, who has spent the greater portion of his long life in historical research, and is especially well versed in the early history of Ohio. The chapters on the townships and the town of Coshocton are due to the faithful labors of John B. Mansfield, a careful writer, and now a promising attorney, who personally visited every portion of the county and conversed with the citizens, thus gathering from the pioneers facts of importance not otherwise attainable. He was ably seconded by Mr. Frank J. Longdon, to whose faithful work and general supervision much of the success of the enterprise is due.
The field of labor has been one prolific of great events, especially in the years immediately pre- ceding the white settlement. The valleys of the Muskingum and its tributaries teemed with human life in pre-historic times, as the numerous mounds and earth-works clearly attest; and, later, a great host of Red Men were here; and, at the confluence of these beautiful streams, whose musical names will forever perpetuate their memory, stood the capital city of one of the most intelligent of these tribes of the forest.
We trust the reader will get from the following pages a faithful account of their occupation, as well as the principal facts of the settlement and work of the race that succeeded them.
N. N. H, JR.
CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. PAGE.
CHAPTER I .- Introdnetion, Topography, Geology, Prim- itive Races, Antiquities, Indian Tribes. 11 CIIAPTER II .- Explorations in the West. 19
CHAPTER III .- English Explorations, Traders, French and Indian War in the West, English Possessions ...... CHAPTER IV .- Pontiac's Conspiracy, Its Failure, Bou- quet's Expedition, Ocenpation by the English.
37
CIIAPTER V .- American Exploration, Dunmore's War, Campaign of George Rogers Clark, Land Troubles, Spain in the Revolution, Murder of the Morovian Indians 52
48
CIIAPTER VI .- American Occupation, Indian Claims, Early Land Companies, Compact of 1787, Organiza- tion of the Territory, Early American Settlements in the Ohio Valley, First Territorial Officers, Organiza- tion of Counties. 60 CHAPTER VII .- Indian War of 1795, Harmar's Cam- paign, St. Clair's Campaign, Wayne's Campaign, Close of the War 73
CHIAPTER VIII .- Jay's Treaty, The Question of State Rights and National Supremacy, Extension of Ohio Settelments, Land Claims, Spanish Boundary Ques- tion . 79
CHAPTER IX .- First Territorial Representatives in Congress, Division of the Territory, Formation of States, Marietta Settlement, Other Settlements, Set- tlements of the Western Reserve, Settement of the Central Valleys, Further Settlements in the Reserve and elsewhere .. 85
CIIAPTER X .- Formation of the State Government, Ohio a State, The State Capitals, Legislation, The "Sweeping " Resolutions. 121
CHAPTER XI .- The War of 1812, Growth of the State, Canal. Railroads and Other Improvements, Develop- ment of State Resources. 127
CHAPTER XH .- Mexican War, Continued Growth of the State, War of the Rebellion. Ohio's Part in the Conflict 132
CHAPTER XIII .- Ohio in the Centennial, Address of Edward D. Mansfield, LL. D., Philadelphia, August 9, 1876 138
CHAPTER XIV .- Education, Early School Laws, Notes, Institutions and Educational Journals, School Sys- tem, School Funds, Colleges and Universities. 148
CHAPTER XV .- Agriculture, Area of the State, Early Agriculture in the West, Markets, Live Stock, Nur- series, Fruits, Etc .; Cereals, Roots and Cucurbita- ceous Crops, Agricultural Implements, Agricultural Societies. Pomological and Horticultural Societies .... 151 CHAPTER XVI .- Climatology, Outline, Variations in Ohio, Estimate in Degrees, Amount of Variability .... 163
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. PAGE.
CHAPTER XVII .- TOPOGRPHY AND GEOLOGY .- Topo- graphy-General Geological Structure of the County- Loeal Geology 163
CHAPTER XVIII. - ARCHEOLOGY. - Mound Builders and Indians-Antiquities-The Different Classes of Mounds, Effigies and Inelosures-Lessous Taught by These Works - Implements used by the Mound Builders and Indians ISO
CHAPTER XIX .- INDIANS .- Geographieal Location of the Varions Trihes-The Delawares-Their Towns in this County-Brief History of the Tribes of Ohio- Captain Pipe-White Eyes-Wingennnd and Kill- buek-Netawatwees -- Manners, Customs, Feasts, etc .- Cabins, Wigwams, Food, ete .- Amusements and Hunting-Removal Beyond the Mississippi. 193
CHAPTER XX .- BOUQUET'S EXPEDITION .- The Causes Which led to the Expedition-The Pontiac War- Bouquet Ordered to the Reliel of Fort Pitt-His March From Fort Pitt-Incidents of the March- Indian Trails-March Down the Tuscarawas-Coun- cil with the Chiefs-Bouquet's Camp at the Forks of the Muskingum-The Treaty of Peace-The Recovery of Prisoners-Sketch of Colonel Bouquet's Life ......... 205
CHAPTER XXI .- COLONEL BRODHEAD'S EXPEDITION .- Causes of the Expedition-The Objective Point- March of the Army-Arrival at the Forks of the Mus- kingum-Destruction of Indian Villages-Return of the Army-War of Extermination-Col. Brodhead's Official Report-Biographical Sketches of Col. David Shepherd and Col. Daniel Brodhead 213
CHAPTER XXII .- WETZEL AND BRADY .- Lewis Wetzel- Ilis Character-The Wetzel Family-The Murder of Lewis' Father-Capture of Wetzel by the Indians- Ilis Adventures in the Muskingum Valley-Tragedy at Indian Spring-The Expedition to the Muskingum under McMahon-Wetzel takes a Sealp-The Turkey Call - Various Adventures-Imprisoned - Wetzel's Personal Appearance and Death.
Samuel Brady-Ilis Expedition to Walhonding-A Brief Sketch of his Life and Services. 217 CHAPTER XXIII. - MORAVIAN MISSIONS. - Establish- ment of Lichtenau-Religious Services-Moravian Towns on the Tnsearawas-Abandonment of Lich- tenau-Biographical Sketches of Rev. David Zeisber- ger and Rev. John Heckewelder. 228
CHAPTER XXIV. - FIRST WHITE OCCUPATION. - Mary Harris-Christopher Gist-George Croghan-William Trent -James Smith - Bouquet's Army-Chaplain Jones-David Duncan- Murder at White Eyes- William Robinson-John Leeth-Brodhead's Army-
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
John Stilley-The Moravians-The Gertys and Oth- ers-Heckewelder's Ride .. 236
CHAPTER XXV .- SCRAPS OF HISTORY .- Name-Forma- tion-First Settlers and Settlements - Population -- Flora and Fauna-Early Roads and Transportation- A Pioncer School-House-Prices for Produce-Early Taverns-Starting a Town-Character of the Pioneers -Social Gatherings-Trapping-Wild Pigeons .. 254
CHAPTER XXVI .- JOHN CHAPMAN 264
CHAPTER XXVII .- PIONEER TIMES,-Where the Pio- neers Came From-Their Condition and Character- What They Lived On-The " Truck Patch "-Hominy Blocks - Mills -Cooking -Cultivation of Domestic Animals- Wild Turkey's - Whisky- Superstitions- Dress of the Men-The Flax Wheel and Loom-More About Clothing-" Kicking Frolieks"-Dress of the Women- White Kid Slippers-Dyeing-Fourth of July and Militia Musters-Cabins and Their Construe- tion-Furniture of the Cabins-Hoosier Poem-Early Land Laws-Tomahawk Rights - Ilunting - Early Weddings-Dancing and " House Warming"-School- ing, School Teachers, etc .- Spelling Schools-Couclu- sion 267
CHAPTER XXVHI .- THE CANALS,-A Great Work-Cel- ebration of the Opening of the Ohio Canal at Lieking Summit-Work on the Canal-First Boat-Walhond- ing Canal- Length, Capacity and Business of the Canals. 283
CHAPTER XXIX .- RAILROADS .- River Transportation- The Pan Handle-Extracts from Hunt's History and the Zanesville Courier .. 2SS
CHAPTERXXX .- AGRICULTURE .- Agricultural Features of the County - Present Condition - Crops - Corn, Wheat, etc .- Fruit Culture-Stock Raising-Sheep- Cattle-Hogs-Horses-County Agricultural Society ... 290
CHAPTER XXXI .- COUNTY BUILDINGS AND OFFICERS .- First Jail-First Court House-The Present Court House-Other Public Buildings-List of County Offi- cers-Commissioners-Auditors-Clerks-Treasurers -Recorders-Sheriff's - Prosecuting Attorneys-Sur- veyors-Coroners -Infirmary Directors-Representa- tives-Congressmen, etc ... 297
CHAPTER XXXII .- BENCH AND BAR. - First Courts- Early Judges - Associate Judges - Judge Sample- Early Bar-First Lawyers-David Spangler-Present Members 306
CHAPTER XXXIII .- WAR OF ISI2 .- Companies Raised in Coshocton County-IIull's Surrender-Muster Roll of Johnston's Riflemen-March of Colonel Williams' Command-Their Services on the Frontier-Defense of Fort Meigs-Rev. II. Calhoun's Communication .... 310
CHAPTER XXXIV .- WAR WITH MEXICO .- Causes of the War-Muster Roll of Captain Meredith's Company- The Third Ohio Regiment-Its Operations in the Field-The Fourth Ohio Regiment and its Services- Close of the War. 314
CHAPTER XXXV .- WAR OF THE REBELLION .- Prepara- tions in Coshocton-Three Months' Men-Muster Rolls -Operations of the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. 321
PAGE.
CHAPTER XXXVI. - WAR OF THE REBELLION, CON- TINUED .- Organization of "Given's Rangers"-Their Assignment to the Twenty-fourth Ohio, and Depart- nre to the Field-Sketch of Josiah Given-Organiza- tion - Captain W. M. Stanley's Assignment to the Thirty-second Ohio, and Departure for the Field- Twenty-fourth and Thirty-second at Cheat Mountain -Twenty-fourth in the Field and Mustered out- Thirty-second in the Field and Mustered out .. 326
CHAPTER XXXVII - WAR OF THE REBELLION, CON- TINGED .- Fifty-first Regiment-Muster Rolls-Its Ope- rations in the Field 337
CHAPTER XXXVIII. - WAR OF THE REBELLION CON- TINUED .- Eightieth Ohio-Time of Enlistment-Mus- ter Rolls of Coshocton Companies-Paducah and Cor- inth - On to Vicksburg - Resignation of Captain Mathews - Battles of Jackson and Mission Ridge- Defense of Resaca-Sherman's March to the Sea- Closing Scenes of the Eightieth's History 345
CHAPTER XXXIX. - WAR OF THE REBELLION, CON- TINUED .- Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-SIus- ter Roll-Services in the Field-Seventy-sixth Ohio- Muster Roll and Record. 356 CHAPTER XL .- WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED .- The Ninety-seventh-Rosters of Companies II and I- Review by John M. Compton-Historical Record of the Regiment-Correspondence and Reminiscences ... 362
CHAPTER XLI .- WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED .- One Hundred and Twenty-second-Muster Rolls- Record of its Services-Seventy-eighth Regiment-Its Services in the Field. 368
CHAPTERXLII .- WAROF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED .- Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Its Operations in the Field-Thirty-seventh Ohio-A Record of its Ser- vices. 379 CIIAPTER XLIII .- WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED. -Sixty-ninth Battallion, or One Hundred and Forty- second O. N. G. and One Hundred and Forty-third O. N. G .- Review of the Sixty-ninth Battallion -- Rosters of Five Companies-Record of the One Hundred and Forty-second and One Hundred and Forty-third- Correspondence from the Front. 390
CHAPTER XLIV .- WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONCLUDED. -Cavalry and Artillery-History of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry - Roster of Company M -Correspondence from the Front-Ilistory of the Twenty-sixth Battery -Its Organization from the Thirty-second Infantry- Petition of Veterans, and endorsement of Coshocton County-Military Committee for New Organization ... 396
CHAPTER XLV .- EARLY HISTORY OF COSHOCTON .- Its Site an Indian Village-Early Settlement-Colonel Charles Williams-Ebenezer Buckingham-Dr. Sam- uel Lee-Tradition of Louis Phillippe-The Cold Plague-A Lost Child - The Whoo-whoo Society- The Journal of Colonel Williams. .. 411
CHAPTER XLVI .- GROWTHI OF COSHOCTON-PRESS-FRA- TERNITIES .- Location of Tusearawa-Description of Original Plat-Additions to Coshocton-Increase of Population - Incorporation - List of Mayors-Post- masters-City Hall-The Press-The Coshocton Re- publican-Spy-Democratie Whig 421
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
CHAPTER XLVII. - MERCANTILE AND OTHER INDUS- TRIAL INTERESTS .- Early Taveras-Present Hotels- First Store-Early Merchants-James Calder-Hedge and Ilammond-James Renfrew-Benjamin Ricketts -Robert Hay-Present Business Directory-Banking -The Johnson Brothers-Ricketts Bank-First Na- tional Bank-Commercial Bank-Savings and Build- ing and Loan Association-Ferries-Coshoction Iron and Steel Works-Paper Mill-Various Other Indus- tries-Past and Present. 429
CHAPTER XLVIII. - SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES OF CO- SHOCTON .- Early Schools-First School Houses and Teachers-Election of Buildings-Progress and Statis- tics - Churches - Early Preaching - Presbyterian- Methodist Protestant-Methodist Episcopal-Catholic -German Lutheran-Baptist-Episcopal. ..... 538
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
CHAPTER XLIX .- ADAMS TOWNSHIP .- Location-Phys- ical Features-Its Military Sections-Organization- First Officers-Early Justices-Indian Encampments -Early White Occupation-Settlers-Mills-Oil-Phy- sicians-Schools-Churches-Bakersville .. ........ 453
CHAPTER L .- BEDFORD TOWNSHIP .- Location-Organi- zation-Name-Topography-Early Settlers-Indians -First Road-Schools- Mills - Distilleries - Cannel Coal Oil Operations-Churches-West Bedford., ......... 461
CHAPTER LI .- BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP .- Name-Boun- daries-Streams-Surface -Soils-" Denman's Prai- rie "-Name of the Killbuck-Legend of the White Woman-Hunting Grounds -. lounds-The Morrisons -Mrs. Kimberly and the Dec. - Other Early Settlers -Squatters-Saw Mill-Bridges and Canal-Schools -Churches. 470
CHAPTER LII .- CLARK TOWNSHIP. - Location - Topo- grahical Features-Organization-Name-Early Set- tlements-Indians-First Schools-Mills -Helmick- Bloomfield-Churches-Population 476
CHAPTER LIII .~ CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP. - Location- Survey-Soil -Settlers-Population - First School- Industries-Churches-New Bedford-Chili .. 486
CHAPTER LIV .- FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP .- Boundaries- Physical Features-Canal and Railroad-Early Set- tlers and Settlements-Major Robinson's Captivity- Indians-Schools and Churches-Taverns-Distiller- ies and Mills-Postoffices-Coal-Oil 491
CHAPTER LV .- JACKSON TOWNSHIP .- Size-Location- Organization-Streams-Canals-Settlement-Mills- Roscoe-Its Growth-Business-Schools-Physicians -Fire Losses, etc .- Fourth of July Celebration- Churches .. 500
CHAPTER LVI. - JEFFERSON TOWNSIII. - Primative Race-Flint Mining-Other Remains-Topography- Organization-Early Settlers-Whisky-Mills-Schools -Coal Oil Speculations-Warsaw-Mohawk Village- I'ostoffices-Churches. 510
PAGE.
CHAPTER LVIII .- LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP .- Organiza- tion-Name-First Officers-Location-Topography- Early Settlers-School Section-Prominent Men- Taverns-Mills-Schools-West Lafayette-Churches -Birmingham-Bridges-Mounds-War Matter ......... 531 CHIAPTER LIX .- LINTON TOWNSHIP .- Location-Name -Topography-Primative Races-Indians-Doughty -Early Settlers and Settlements-Soldiers - Wills Creck-Early Navigation-Ferries and Bridges-Mills - Distilleries-Salt-Tanneries-Schools-Churches - Villages-Population. 540
CHAPTER LX .- MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP .- Boundary- Streams-Survey-Organization-Settlement -Popu- lation-Postoffices-Mills-Schools-Churches. 555
CHIAPTER LXI .- MONROE TOWNSHIP .- Boundary Topo- graphy-Population -Settlers-Mills -New Prince- ton-Spring Mountain-Churches. 559
CHAPTER LXII .- NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP .- Location Physical Features-Scenery-Indian Mound-Indian Villages-Reminiscences-Block House-Early Nurs- ery-Thomas Butler- Panther Hunt-Robert Giffen -Other Early Settlers-Mills-Distilleries-Other In- dustries-Bridges-Schools~Churches-New Castle- Walhonding-Mount Airy. 565
CHAPTER LXIII .- OXFORD TOWNSHIP .- Location -- Phy's- ical Features- Organization -Settlement - Mills - Distilleries-Taverns-Bridges-Schools-Millsville - Evensburg-Orange-Postoffices-Churches 576
CHAPTER LXIV .- PERRY TOWNSHIP .- Name-Organiza- tion -Physical Features- Early Settlements - East Union-Churches-Schools-Mills 580
CHAPTER LXV .- PIKE TOWNSHIP .- Boundaries-Topo- graphy-Settlers-Slab Camp-Bear Story-Distiller- ics-Mills-Schools-Churches-West Carlisle ............ 586
CHAPTER LXVI .- TIVERTON TOWNSHIP .- Name-Loca- tion-Streams-Physical Features - Aboriginal Re- mains-Johnny Appleseed-Early Settlers-Popula- tion-First School-Churches-Tiverton Center- Rochester. 594
CHAPTER LXVII .- TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIP .- Boundar- ies-Soil-Railroad and Canal-Military Sections- Early Settlements-Fulton's Mill-Early Milling- Indian History - Bouquet's Expedition - Indian Towns-Burial Ground-Mounds-Murder of the In- dinn, Phillips-Mining, its Development in the Township-Canal Lewisville-Churches. .....
599
CHAPTER LXVIII .- VIRGINIA TOWNSHIP .- Survey's- Organization-Description-First Settlers-Churches -Schools-Industries-Moscow-Willow Brook. ......
610
CHAPTER LXIX .- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP .- Early Set- tlers-Location -- Topography-Early Justices-Indian Camp-First Road-Mills and Distilleries-Wakatom- ica Postoffice-Schools-Churches. 614 CHAPTER LXX .- WHITE EYES TOWNSHIP .- Organiza- tion and Original Boundaries-Topography-Ancient Fort-Settlement-Population-Postoffices -- Avondale -Mills-Churches GIS
CHAPTER LVII .- KEENE TOWNSHIP .-- Boundary -- Streams -Springs-Soil-Military Land-Archeology-Settle- ments-First Physicians-Mills and Distilleries- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 627 Early Schools-" Loud Schools"-Early Preaching- ADDENDA 8:25 Keene-Newport-Churches 523 ERRATA 833
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HISTORY OF OHIO. BY A. A. GRAHAM.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY -TOPOGRAPIIY - GEOLOGY -PRIMITIVE-RACES -ANTIQUITIES -INDIAN TRIBES.
THE present State of Ohio, comprising an extent of country 210 miles north and south, 220 miles east and west, in length and breadth- 25,576,969 acres-is a part of the Old Northwest Territory. This Territory embraced all of the present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and so much of Minnesota as lies east of the Mississippi River. It became a corporate existence soon after the formation of the Virginia Colony, and when that colony took on the dignity of State government it became a county thereof, whose exact outline was unknown. The county embraced in its limits more territory than is com- prised in all the New England and Middle States, and was the largest county ever known in the United States. It is watered by the finest system of rivers on the globe; while its inland seas are without a parallel. Its entire southern boundary is traversed by the beautiful Ohio, its western by the majestic Mississippi, and its northern and a part of its eastern are bounded by the fresh-water lakes, whose clear waters preserve an even temper- ature over its entire surface. Into these reservoirs of commerce flow innumerable streams of limpid water, which come from glen and dale, from mountain and valley, from forest and prairie-all avenues of health, commerce and prosperity. Ohio is in the best part of this territory-south of its river are tropical heats; north of Lake Erie are polar snows and a polar climate.
The territory comprised in Ohio has always re- mained the same. Ohio's history differs somewhat from other States, in that it was never under Ter- ritorial government. When it was created, it was made a State, and did not pass through the stage incident to the most of other States, i. e., exist as a Territory before being advaneed to the powers of
a State. Such was not the case with the other States of the West; all were Territories, with Terri- torial forms of government, ere they became States.
Ohio's boundaries are, on the north, Lake Erie, and Michigan ; on the west, Indiana; on the south, the Ohio River, separating it from Kentucky; and, on the east, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It is situated between 38° 25' and 42º north latitude; and 80° 30' and 84° 50' west longitude from Greenwich, or 3° 30' and 7º 50' west from Washington. Its greatest length, from north to south, is 210 miles; the extreme width, from cast to west, 220 miles. Were this an exact out- line, the area of the State would be 46,200 square miles, or 29,568,000 acres; as the outlines of the State are, however, rather irregular, the area is estimated at 39,964 square miles, or 25,576,960 acres. In the last census-1870-the total num- ber of aeres in Ohio is given as 21,712,420, of which 14,469,132 acres are improved, and 6,883,- 575 acres are woodland. By the last statistical report of the State Auditor, 20,965,3712 acres are reported as taxable lands. This omits many aeres untaxable for various reasons, which would make the estimate, 25,576,960, nearly correct.
The face of the country, in Ohio, taken as a whole, presents the appearance of an extensive monotonous plain. It is moderately undulating but not monutainous, and is excavated in places by the streams coursing over its surface, whose waters have forced a way for themselves through cliff's of sandstone rock, leaving abutments of this material in bold outline. There are no mountain ranges, geological uplifts or peaks. A low ridge enters the State, near the northeast corner, and crosses it in a southwesterly direction, emerging near the inter- section of the 40th degree of north latitude with
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HISTORY OF OIIIO.
the western boundary of the State. This " divide" separates the lake and Ohio River waters, and main- tains an elevation of a little more than thirteen hundred feet above the level of the ocean. The highest part is in Logan County, where the eleva- tion is 1,550 fcet.
North of this ridge the surface is generally level, with a gentle inclination toward the lake, the ine- qualities of the surface being caused by the streams which empty into the lake. The central part of Ohio is almost, in general, a level plain, about one thousand feet above the level of the sea, slightly inclining southward. The Southern part of the State is rather hilly, the valleys growing deeper as they incline toward the great valley of the Ohio, which is several hundred feet below the general level of the State. In the southern counties, the surface is generally diversified by the inequalities produced by the excavating power of the Ohio River and its tributaries, exercised through long periods of time. There are a few prairies, or plains, in the central and northwestern parts of the State, but over its greater portion originally existed im- mense growths of timber.
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