USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 1
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ISTORY
DEFIANCE COUNTY
OHIO. ILLUSTRATED 1883.
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R
Y
1865
ED
D
A.
Cornell University Library
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924006137578
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ELEREMODEL215
COURT HOUSE AND JAIL, DEFIANCE, OHIO.
HISTORY
OF
DEFIANCE COUNTY,
OHIO.
CONTAINING A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY ; ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, ETC .; MILITARY RECORD; PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN; FARM VIEWS; PERSONAL REMINISCENCES, ETC.
CHICAGO: WARNER, BEERS & CO. 1283.
PREFACE.
"THE history of Defiance County, Ohio, which has been for some time in course of preparation, is herewith presented to the patrons of the work, in a form which it is confidently believed will prove satisfactory to all, being in strict accordance with the announcements made in the prospectus issued some two years ago.
The work was undertaken in the belief that there is a proper demand that the events which relate to the early times should find a permanent record, and with what fidelity to facts and with what patience of research we have accomplished the task we leave to the judgment of our patrons, in whose keeping the traditions of that day remain, and for whom the work was undertaken. Fully aware of our inability to furnish a perfect history from meager public documents, inaccurate private correspondence and numberless conflicting traditions, we make no pretension of having prepared a work devoid of blemish. Every important field of research has been minutely scanned, and, while we acknowledge the existence of unavoidable errors, we claim to have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our promises, and as accurate and comprehensive as could be expected under the circumstances.
To the citizens of the county for the co-operation we have at all times met with, and to all who in any way contributed to the work or aided us in its preparation, we tender our thanks ; we especially desire to mention the names of Jacob J. Greene, William C. Holgate, H. N. Prentice, William Carter and Alfred P. Edgerton, who furnished us with many facts and events of by-gone days.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
CHAPTER I .- HISTORY OF THE TERRITORY NORTHWEST OF THE OHIO -The Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the Unit- ed States Northwest of the Ohio-Surveys and Grants of the Public Lands-Treaties made with the Indians-First Officers of the Terri- tory-The Second Grade of Territorial Government-Early Laws of the Territory-Local Courts and Court Officers-Organization of Counties-Early Territorial Villages and Towns-Territorial Officers -- Hostility of Indian Tribes-Military Expeditions-Organization of the Second Grade of Territorial Government-Members of Ter- ritorial Legislature of 1799-1800-First Council and House of Rep- resentatives 9-20
CHAPTER II .- GEOLOGY-Our Sedimentary Rocks-Our Drift Geology -Glaciation - Erosion - Modifications - The Great Scandinavian Glacier-Lake Beaches Due to the Shifting of the Earth's Center of Gravity-Glaciers and Glacier Movements .. 21-27 CHAPTER JII .- AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES OF DEFIANCE COUNTY ..... 27-29 CHAPTER IV .- THE MIAMIS-Little Turtle. .30-33
CHAPTER V .- THE HISTORY OF THE SHAWNEES-The Sale of Their Reserves-The Final Removal-Their Great Chiefs. .33-55 CHAPTER VI .- BRITISH EXPEDITION UP TIIE MAUMEE IN 1780-Early Indian Councils-Defiance, the Heart of the Indian Nation-John Brickell's Captivity-Spencer's' Indian Life at Defiance ... 55-60 CHAPTER VII .- GEN. WAYNE'S EXPEDITIONS -Daily Journal of Wayne-Gen. Wayne-Treaty of Greenville. .. 61-78
CHAPTER VIII .- DEFIANCE COUNTY IN 1812-The Death and Burial of Capt. Logan-(ten. Winchester's Order Book-Winchester's De- parture .79-83
CHAPTER IX .- SURVEYS. .83-84
CHAPTER X .- ORGANIZATION OF WILLIAMS COUNTY-Early Proceed- ings of the Commissioners-Court House-First Election .. 84-85
CHAPTER XI .- ORGANIZATION OF DEFIANCE COUNTY-Full Text of the Bill Organizing Dehance County-Rejoicings at Defiance-Court House. .. 85-87
CHAPTER XII .- COUNTY OFFICIALS-List of County Officers .. .. 88-89
CHAPTER XIII .- THE COURTS-The Bench .... 90-91
CHAPTER XIV .- THE BAR-The Present Rar-Horace Sessions-John Beaston Semans-William Scmans-Samuel H. Greenlee-Gilbert L. Myers-Erastus H. Leland-Maj. Samuel A. Strong-Thomas Cowan
-Thomas T. Cowan-Hamilton Davison-George W. Killey-John
F. Deatrick-Silas T. Sutphen-Henry Hardy-William Carter ..... 91-106 CHAPTER XV .- CANALS. .. 106-107
CHAPTER XVII .- TOWN SITE VAGARIES-Johnny Appleseed-Pioneer Home-Pioneer Wedding-Navigating the Maumee-First County Fair-The Hebrews-Table of Population by Townships .. .. 108-111 CHAPTER XVIII .- THE MEXICAN WAR. ... 112-113
CHAPTER XIX .- MILITARY RECORD OF DEFIANCE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION-The Call for Troops-Fourteenth Ohio Infantry-Twenty-first Ohio Infantry-Thirty-cighth Ohio Infan- try-Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry-Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry-One Hundredth Ohio Infantry-One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Infan- try-One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Infantry-Additional List of Detiance Soldiers. .113-155
CHAPTER XX .- DEFIANCE-Population-Post Office-Incorporation -Hotels-Banking-Industries-Newspapers-Schools of Defiance- Pioneer Physicians -Societies-Churches of Defiance-Cemeteries -Defiance Township-Personal Sketches .. .. 156-253
CHAPTER XXI .- ADAMS TOWNSHIP -- Voters in 1845-Personal Remin- iscences. 254-257
CHAPTER XXII .- DELAWARE TOWNSHIP-Village of Delaware Bend -Dunkard's Church-United Brethren Church at Sherwood-Per- sonal Reminiscences 257-266
CHAPTER XXIII .- FARMER TOWNSHIP-The Village of Farmer Cen-
ter-First Voters-Personal Reminiscences .. .. 267-277 CHAPTER XXIV .- HICKSVILLE TOWNSHIP-Roads-Sales of Land- Mills-Voters in 1845-Hicksville-Village of Hicksville-Schools- Churches -Secret Societies -Physicians-Attorneys-Press-Busi- ness Industries-Personal Reminiscences. 278-308
CHAPTER XXV. - HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP -Ayer>ville-Churches- Ayersville (irange-Voters in 1845-Personal Reminiscences ....... 308-317 CHAPTER XXVI .- MARK TOWNSHIP-Schools-Mark Center-Person- al Reminiscences. .317-324
CHAPTER XXVII .- MILFORD TOWNSHIP -Churches - Arrowsmith Mill-Personal Reminiscences ... 324-334 CHAPTER XXVIII .- NOBLE TOWNSHIP-Personal Reminiscences ... 334-340 CHAPTER XXIX .- RICHLAND TOWNSHIP-The Village of Independ- ence-Voters in 1845-Fort Defiance Grange, No. 267-Personal Reminiscences. .. 340-346
CHAPTER XXX. - TIFFIN TOWNSHIP - Early Voters - Village of Evansport-Evansport Lodge, F. & A. N., No. 511-Personal Remin- iscences. 347-369
CHAPTER XXXI .- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP-Georgetown-Voters in 1845-Personal Reminiscences .... .669-374 CHAPTER XVI .- RAILROADS. .. 107
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
DEFIANCE TOWNSHIP.
Adams, Nathaniel B 218
Ashbaugh, Samuel S. 235
Austin, Mrs. Ruth 201
Brubaker, John ... 221
Brubaker, Mrs. Eliza 234
Heatley, James B
Hively, John. 232
Haller, J. S.
234 Iliggins, William.
235
Blanchard, Ludger.
Blanchard, Joseph .. 236 Blanchard, Gideon 236
Blair, Enos. 237
Hoffman, William G.
250
Hall, Henry B 250
Hilton, Jesse. 252
Harley, Christian 253 210 Holston, Maurice S 252 Kiser, Mrs. Julia A
Kettenring, Peter
214
Killey, Daniel H
223
Kahlo, Joseph J. 246
Kniss, John. 249
Lewis, William, Jr. 215
Lindenberger, Edward F 215
218
Lauster, Peter William.
200
Davis, Z. H. 218 Levi, Joseph I 248
Foust, John A 226
Felton, Rev. Truman 232
McFarlan, Mrs. Hannah
211
Flickinger, Charles Andrew 246 Miller, John. 221
Gorman, Michacl 212
Gorman, John W 252 Greene, Jacob J 233
Graper, John D. 247
Geiger, Christian L 249
Hæffel, Michael, Jr. 216 227
Bauer,-Joseph, Jr. 223
Brown, William A. 230
Bronson, Charles E 235 Harris, Henry B
Bechtold, Dr. Anthony
245
Bechel, George W.
2.47
Beardsley, Livingston E. 25:
Corwin, Isaac .. 216
Carroll, Thomas R 222 Carroll, William. 222
Cary, Robert 226
Cascheer, Capt. J. E. 233
235
Culley, Frank C 244
Downs, Mrs. Sophia 211 Lehman, John
Dickman, Peter 217
238
Holgate, William C .. Holgate, Curtis,
239
242
Blymycr, William Gaylord. 244
Carter, William.
McCollister, John 237
PAGE.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Miller, Charles L.
222
Miller, Horace P ..
224
Miller, Abijah John 235
Marquardt, Conrad. 235
Newton, Townsend 232
Oliver, Mrs. Elizabeth
251
Preiseodorfer, John M
237
Powell, Dr. W. S.
245
Royce, Charles V.
212
Richardson, Lay Whitney
225
Stevens, Frederick F.
212
Schneider, John Jacob ..
219
Squire, Virgil ..
220
Shead, Frank J.
224
Shirley, Philip.
209 224
Stow, Rev. William B
231
Sauer, Henry.
232
Scott, John Lawrence.
2:14 236
South worth, Burr B
248
Tuttle, John
213 220
Thacker, Dr. I. N
215
Viers, A ..
Weisenburger, G. M ..
Weisenburger, Francis J.
215 216 223
Wilhelm, Adaın
229
White, Hon, Elmer. 243
Widmer, Daniel 245 Loveland, Luther,
Widmer, John. 245
Ziegler, Peter.
222
Ziegler, Michael.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
Diehl, Aaron 254
Hornish, John 255 Hall, Emannel 256
Lehman, Henry .. 255
Markel Ephraim. 254
Shrimplin, Joha. 255
Swartz, Jacob 255
Tubbs, Charles 255
Tittle, T. J.
Wisda, John
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
Armstrong, George C 266
Blair, Nathaniel M 263 Tracht, Michacl
Brown, David Benton. 265 Tracht, Georgc.
Coffin, Orlando. 265
Frink, Henry 265 Tannehill, C. V.
(fillespie, F. R. 260
260
Haver, Moses M 264
Kintner, George.
262
Lewis, Catharine 262
261
Platter, Jacoh.
26G
Snook, U. R., M. D.
258 261 262
Smith, E. B.
Smith, Charles 262
264
Smith, E. T.
264
Slough, Henry
263
265 Shook, Simon P
FARMER TOWNSHIP.
Alexander, Thomas M 270
Allen, Mrs. Harriet M. 270
Eariston, Mrs. Susannah 273 Farmer, Enoch, 268
Foot, Orley N 271 273
Gardaer, James ....
Haller, William M
269
Huber, Anthony
279
Frederick, John P 319
Frederick, Peter. 320
318
Ilutchinson, William C. 318
Kleckner, Samuel 320
271 Kyle, Josiah 321
Knight, William J. 322
319
Rice, George N.
321
Spealman, G. W
321
MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
Battershell, Rudolph J ... 330
Barry, Charles W 331
Crary, Nathaniel 327
Chapman, George W. 332
326
Gingery, Ava
Ilenry, John.
#28
Babbage, William 290 Hulburt, C. M. 330
Brinker, Simon P 293
Babb, Mark W 301 Hootman, John
PAGE. 302
Bunnell, Joseph ..
304
Bunnell, Joseph S
305
Butter, Ephraim
Clemmer, John. 289
299
Clemmer, George.
295
Casebeer, James.
Clay, J. C ...
Edgerton, Alfred B.
298
Elliott, Hugh
290
Edson, Ptolemy
307 301
Forlow, Benjamin
29.4 301 305 290
Gingrich, Jacob.
Griffin, L. E.
Gale, Lucius.
Greer, Mrs. E. R
Hill, Hon. W. D .:
Hilbert, Peter.
Ilenning, Frederick
Henry, Abram.
307
Huffman, D. G.
Hoffman, Michael.
237 Hoffman, John A
Hoffman, G. W.
Kerr, Robert Filmore
296
Kinmot, William
Kinmot, Dr. T. C
302 302 293 806
Lawson, John ...
Maxwell, William R.
Maxwell, James ..
Miller, John A ..
Norick, George.
Osborn, Ransom
Otis, E. D.
Otis, Dr. William D
297
Parker, Allen
293
Pettit, B. S.
296 298
Putnam, L. R
305 293
Ryan, .John
300
Richards, Dr. W. H.
297
Bakestraw, Dr. B. M
305
Scott, George W ..
296
Swilley, John ....
300 301 291 291
Thompson, F. M
300
Thoman, Conrad
30€
Warner, Amos
304
308 Warner, George
IHIGHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Ayers, Joseph Prudden. 312
Ashton, James ...
313
Brechbill, Henry .. 309
Brechbill, Abram Troxell
311
Boutell, N. A.
Boutcll, John. 316
Fullmer. A 316
Hill, H. J. 316
314 313
Kraft, Jacob.
Mix, E. B 316
Myers, Jacob K 312
Poveumire, Abraham 317
Sanford, John M. 313
313
MARK TOWNSHIP.
Crawford, Thomas. 319
Haller, Mrs. Cassandra 268 Colby, Dr. Levi 320
Critchfield, Lyman R 322
Hill, Horace W 273 Dovore, E. H. 318
Hopkins, Oney Rice. 276
Knight, Richard.
271
Lord, Randall.
271
Lord, William.
271
Miller, Dr. B. E
273
Norway, Jolin
272
Price, William
274
Price, John
274
Ridenour, Susaonah
270
Rice, Mrs. Lydia.
270
Reynolds, Dr. J. J. 271
Tharp, Elisha .. 272
279
Waltz, Gicorge
278
Wolford, Emanuel
274
271 Wilder, Levi W
THICKSVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Ainsworth, Johu M 505 Haller, John F.
Hootman, John Jackson.
330
330
Crook, Edward W
297 300 287
Donafiu, Isaac
Ralston, Joseph Rowe, John .
228
249
Forlow, Amos ..
Forlow, J. B Fish, Simon W.
299 30€ 308 289 291 292 295
IJenry, William J
299 304 304 304
291
Kleck ner, William J.
293 299 307 305 292 295
Phillips, Asher P
25€ Ryan, J. C
256
Summers, A ..
301
Hill, George W.
Miller, Elias .. 260
Musselmao, John
Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth
315
Heltzel, Philip George.
Skiver, Augustus.
Haver, Robert.
Martin, Henry.
Onstott, Samuel 318
Green, Jacob, Jr
Martin, William.
Sinith, James M.
222
Schlosser, Peter
Strong, Charles Carroll
Trampe, Frederick
Wood, Harvey.
Neill, Lewis. 239
Welden, Ethan R
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Hall, George, Sr.
353
Hall, Adam C.
353
Serrill, Jacob D 327 Key, Francis L ... 357
Stone, Alpha Wartenhee, Isaac 331 Kihble, William Nelson
Wilcox, A. W
NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
Hilton, Brice. 334 Moon, Jacob, Jr.
Langdon, Lyman 337 Partee, Lewis
Perkins, John 335
Partee, John 335
Plummer, John. 335
Purtee, Enos
Rath, William ..
357
Rethmel, John H.
363
Rethmel, Ezra ...
365
Rogers, Alexander, Jr
362
Russell, Dr. Houston.
358
Russell, John J.
360
Schlosser, Samuel.
360
Shuter, Samuel
354
Skinner, Charles A
357
Snider, John.
353 355
Snider, Amos.
35!
Snider, Samuel
355
Spangler, Abraham.
360
Spangler, Peter 361
Spercer, Frederick. 357
Stever, John G. 363
Strawser, John 362
Sullinger, Adam
:: 05 308
Walter, John N.
Wissler, John W.
Wissler, David
856
Black, George 360
Bohn, Alexander 359
360
Brown, John Wesley 30G
Cameron, John. 350
Cameron, Lydia (Stenger).
350
Cameron, John P
351
Cameron, Robert B
351
Cameron, Samuel P
359
Churchman, William
361 349 348
Coy Family, The
368 Garver, Isaac ..
371
Dieden, Jacob.
366
Erman, Jacob
362
Figley, Jacob.
367
Figley, Simon.
367
Fribley, Daniel
359
Garber, Brice H.
359 Mason, John
372
Garher, DeWitt Clinton
359 Moon, Samuel Perry
373
Gares, Peter
362 Pearce, William, Sr. Persin, Christopher.
372
Gurwell, Martin 365 Ridenour, George.
370
Hall, Jacob ..
Hall, George C. 352 Strawser, Philip
Hall, Adam
352 Struble, Martin.
369
Hall, William
370 Hall, Jesse
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. G. C ..
facing 264
Harley, C.
facing 120
Henning, Fred, residence
facing 288
Higgins, William
facing 56
Ainsworth, J. M., residence
facing 104
Hill, H. J.
.. facing 360
Bahhage, William
facing 40
Holgate, William C. facing 24
Beardsley, L. E
facing 200
Hoeltzel, P. G. facing 360
Huber, Mr. and Mrs. A.
facing 232
Boutell, N. A.
.facing 136
Kerr, R. F., residence
facing 104
Braucher, Isaac ....
facing 248
Knight, Richard and Harriet facing 264
Mix, E. B.
Preisendorfer, J. N.
Prentice, H. N.
Price, Mr. and Mrs. John facing 272
Price, Mr. and Mrs. William
facing 272
Clemmer, John
Ridenonr, George, .facing 368
Conrad, Mrs. Mary
Rohn, Mrs. Sarah ... .facing 312
Rohn, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
facing 344
Deatrick, J. T.
facing 88
Sutphen, S. T. facing 96
Skiver, Augustus facing 360
Snider, Mr. and Mrs. John, portraits and residence .. facing 352
Struble, Martin facing 368
Swilley, John facing 296
Thompson, F. M. .facing 136
Ufer, William facing 368
Wilhelm, Adam .facing 120
Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. O. U. .. facing 344
Haller, Jesse ..
.facing 184
Haller, Cassandra
.facing 184
Haller, Mr. and Mrs. J. F., portraits and residence
facing 328
Hall, Mr. and Mrs. George (., portraits and residence facing 72
Hardy, Henry
facing 56 Map Defiance County.
7
Elliott, Thomas
343
Elliott, J. B.
346
Elliott, A .. 346
Hill, John 343
Kepler, Samuel 344
Ort, Henry. 345
Rohn, Samuel 342
Taylor, John, Jr. 344
Weidenhamer, Benjamin. 343
Woodward, Orestus U.
345
TIFFIN TOWNSHIP.
Andrews, William F. 358
Barnhart, Mrs. Martha. 363 Weiland, John G 360
Bennett, Aaron 36-1
Bergman, Solomon 360
365 Brown, Henry.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Beattie, S. K .. 374
Benner, George W
370
Bostater, Andrew 371
Donley, Henry. 373
Donley, William. 374 371
Earlston, John
374
Craine, John T
365 (toller, George.
374 372
Gorrell, James.
Ilanna, Mrs. Mary. 37:
Hartshorn, Dr. N. W
374
Keller, Mrs. Mary
373
358 Kintner, John.
373
Lorah, Henry.
373
Gurwell, James S 864
352 Scott, Andrew.
373 372
Beattie, S. K ...
facing 368
Brechbill, Mr. and Mrs. A. T.
facing 312
Brechbill, Mr. and Mrs. John ..
.facing 312
Bronson, C. E.
.facing 56
Cameron, John and Lydia
facing 296
Casebeer, J. E ...
.. facing 200
Casebeer, James
.. facing 40
Court House and Jail
facing 296
Crook, E. W., residence
.facing 136
Forlow, Amos
.. facing
Flickinger, C. A.
facing 200
Fullmer, A.
facing 360
Greene, Jacob J.
facing 120
Gares, Peter, residence
facing 352
.facing 288
Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Albert
facing 40
Forlow, Benjamin
facing 168
Foust, John A.
.facing 184
Arrowsmith, M.
facing 232
Miller, Mr. and Mrs. David, portraits and residence facing 152 facing 248
.facing 200 facing 248
frontispiece
Ralston, Joseph facing 120
371
353 Ufer, William. 353 Ury, George W ..
331 Kibble, Parmenas 306 367 351
332 Kuhn, Christopher
McCaulery, Philip. Miller, David.
361 357
360
Purtee, Ohadiah,
Purtee, George.
Statler, Barnett G 336
Travis, William.
336
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Brancher, Mrs. Mary. 341
Braucher, Isaac F. 346
Evans, Pierce .. 341
325
331 Pierce, William G
PAGE.
Hootman, Christopher.
363
352 355 355
Snider, Solomon
Yeager, Thomas.
334
Yeagley, B
Dond, Mrs Clarinda.
Collins, Joseph.
Enneking, Frederick
Garher, John A
372
Allen, Mr. and Mrs. D
.facing 216
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY, OHIO.
CHAPTER I.
HISTORY OF THE TERRITORY NORTHWEST OF THE OHIO.
A HUNDRED years carries us back to Ohio in a state of nature; its forests unbroken by the labors of civilized man; its rich mines un- opened; its beautiful lakes and rivers free from all navigation save the Indian canoe. The si- lence of solitude rested over its whole extent, ex- cept where the Indian villages gathered the sparse population, or the shout of the hunt or battle broke the stillness. A hundred years ago the Northwestern Territory that now comprises the great and prosperous States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, with a population of 9, - 000,000, was an almost unknown wilderness, with a few French settlements scattered among large tribes of roaming Indians. Great Britain had received this territory by her treaty with France in 1763, but she did not encourage its settlement by the American colonists. Her policy was to leave the Indians in undisturbed possession of it, and keep up a profitable commerce with them. Such was its condition on the 4th of July, 1776, when our independence of Great Britain was declared. During the war of Indepen- dence, Great Britain used these Indian tribes against the United States. By the treaty of 1783 between the United States and Great Britain, this territory west to the Mississippi and south to the Ohio was re- luctantly granted to the United States. It is said that it was only by the firm purpose of John Adams in negotiating that treaty that the Ohio River did not become the southern boundary of the British posses- sions, instead of the present Canada line. It is a matter of history that Great Britain maintained trad- ing posts and forts within this territory long after it was ceded to us, and is believed to have aided and sup- ported the Indian tribes in their deadly hostility to the first settlements of Ohio. During the Revolu- tionary war, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia and Connecticut had each set up claims to this territory under royal charters, although to the other colonies their claims seemed unjust, their assertions for a time seriously affected the formation of the American Union.
It required all the patriotism and wisdom of the fathers of the republic to deal with this delicate ques- tion, so as to secure for the common good this vast empire, and not alienate any of these powerful colo- nies from the Union. The differences were finally adjusted, Virginia ceded her rights in 1785, reserving the territory between the Scioto and Little Miami Rivers, which amounted to over 3,700,000 acres, and Connecticut ceded her rights in 1786, reserving out of her grant all north of latitude 41, extending for a hundred and twenty miles west of Pennsylvania, since known as the Connecticut Western Reserve, amounting to a little less than 3,700,000 acres. Mass- achusetts and New York ceded their rights with no other condition than that the territory should be held for the benefit of all the States of the Union.
Large bounties of land had been promised by Congress to the officers and soldiers of the line. Vir- ginia, who regarded herself as the owner of the un- limited territories of Tennessee and Kentucky and northwest of the Ohio, had also made magnificent promises of bonnties to her soldiers and officers. These bounties, in case of Brigadier Generals, were 10,000 acres; and to Major Generals, 15,000 acres; all other officers less, in proportion to their rank. Those who were entitled to these bounties became im- patient to receive them. By the war their business had been broken up, the commerce and manufactures of the country were of little value, and the small and sterile farms of New England and the Atlantic coast offered small attractions for agriculture compared with the rich lands of Kentucky and the Ohio country, of which accounts found their way to these Eastern States. Congress was pressed by them to provide for the settlement of these territories, particularly the great region northwest of the Ohio River. Believing that the Indian tribes who had been at war with the United States were to be treated as defeated enemies, with no absolute rights in the lands they occupied, Congress made the treaty of Fort Stanwix in October, 1784, with the Six Nations, fixing their boundary west
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
by the west line of Pennsylvania, and giving to the United States all north and west of the Ohio. The treaty of Fort McIntosh was made on January 21, 1785, with the Delawares, Wyandots, Ottawas and Chippewas, who were then supposed to represent the Indians in actual occupation of Ohio, fixing their boundary by the Cuyahoga River on the east, and a line from the portage between the Cuyahoga and Mus- kingum to the head-waters of the Miami at the old French Fort, thence along the east side of the Mau- mee to Lake Erie, as a southern boundary of the lands of the Indians of Ohio. As soon as this was done, surveys were ordered by Congress, and preparations for immigration to the Ohio country were discussed. But northeast of the Ohio was yet unoccupied under authority of the United States. The Moravians had a successful mission on the Tuscarawas River, where civilization had made its home, and white families and Indians were enjoying comparative comfort and prosperity. This mission was in charge of Brothers Ziesburgen, John Heckewelder, Jengman, Senseman and others. Mary Heckewelder was born at this mis- son, April 16, 1787, and is supposed to be the first white child born in Ohio. The history of this mis- sion is one of the most interesting and saddest in Ohio history. It would be pleasant, did space per- mit, to pay a deserving tribute to the love and faith- fulness of those devoted men and women and recall that scene of peace and Christian civilization which found its temporary home among those savages of the wilderness. Here they founded their villages, beauti- fully called Shoenbrun, the beautiful spring; Guaden- hutten, tents of grace; and Salem, peace. But the want of space compels us to turn to other scenes, to learn from them, if we may, the source of Ohio's strength and glory.
On the 20th of May, 1785, Congress considering the United States to be the rightful owners and in possession of the lands ceded by the treaty of Fort McIntosh, passed an ordinance for ascertaining the mode of disposing of the lands in the "Western Ter- ritory," directing therein how surveys should be made. In these surveys, Section 16 was reserved for the use of schools, and four other sections were re- served for further disposal by Congress. Although many changes were made in the laws relating to lands in Ohio, this policy of providing for schools was continued throughout.
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