USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02402 6723
VANDERCOOK-GO. CHI.
Respectfully W. B. Beardsley
HISTORY
OF
HANCOCK COUNTY,
FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME.
TOGETHER WITH REMINISCENSES OF PIONEER LIFE, INCIDENTS, STATISTICAL TABLES, AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Gc 977,101 119b
By D. B. BEARDSLEY, FINDLEY. O.
SPRINGFIELD, O .: REPUBLIC PRINTING COMPANY. 1881.
DEDICATION.
TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN, WHO, FORSAKING HOME, FRIENDS, AND THE COMFORTS OF CIVILIZATION, EMIGRATED TO THIS COUNTY, AND BY THEIR SELF-SACRIFICING INDUSTRY AND UNTIRING PERSEVERANCE, LAID BROAD AND DEEP THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PRESENT PROSPERITY, AND LEFT TO THIER DESCENDANTS SO RICH A HERITAGE, THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1881, hy D. B. BEARDSLEY, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
Republic Printing Co., Printers, Binders and Stationers, Springfield, Ohio.
PREFACE.
851227
In presenting this volume to the public, I do so with much hesitation, and embarrassment. Making no preten- sions to being an author, and this book being the result of an accident as it were, I ask from the reader a kindly con- sideration, and generous criticism. Some eight years ago, I, for my own amusement, furnished to the press a series of articles entitled " Our Early Settlers," in which I endeavor- ed to truthfully detail some of the many reminiscences of pioneer life in this county. As these articles progressed, they had the merit of attracting some attention, especially from the old settlers, who took the matter in earnest, and steps were taken to form a Pioneer Association, which re- sulted in the formation of such a society. At the meetings and re-unions of this Association papers appropriate to the occasion were prepared and read by myself and others. I was then requested by many of the old frontiersmen, for whom I have the profoundest respect, as well as by many of the descendants of those who had " gone home " to pre- pare and have published a history of the county.
Upon this earnest solicitation, and with a due apprecia- tion of the labors and responsibilities of the undertaking, I consented. The work has been one of great labor and re- search, of continual inquiry and thought. And now, with the assistance I have received from many kind friends, who have cheerfully furnished all the information in their pow- er, when requested, and by the courtesy of the various county officials to whom I have applied for permission to
1
4
Preface.
examine the records, and their assistance in such examina- tion, this work is completed, and offered for your amuse- ment and possible instruction.
There is no pretence in its preparation to rhetorical flour- ish, choice phrases, or finish of diction, but I have endeav- ored to
"Tell a plain, unvarnished tale,"
in a plain homelike manner. Of course absolute verity can not be claimed for all here related. But I do claim that there is nothing herein written, which has not the sanction of either the public records, or of the best recollection of those who were actors in the scenes related, or of those who had them directly from these actors, hence this work is as nearly a truthful history in all its parts, as is possible, under the circumstances. Nothing has been introduced by way of embellishment, at the expense of truth. The ar- rangement of the work may be somewhat desultory, but this does not interfere with its historical value, or under- standing, and may be a source of relief to the reader.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I .-- Before the Organization of the County 9 CHAPTER II .- First Organization of the County. 23 CHAPTER III .- Independent Organization of the County 27
CHAPTER IV .- General Description of the County. Its Soil and Products 33
CHAPTER V .- Relating to a Few First Things in the County. 38
CHAPTER VI .- Early Appraisement and Assessment of Property .. 45
CHAPTER VII. - First Jail and First Court House .. 52
CHAPTER VIII .- Early Courts. First Judges. First Juries 58
CHAPTER IX .- The Country Shoemaker. The Schoolmaster. Log
Rolling 69
CHAPTER X .- First Roads and Bridges. 73
CHAPTER XI .- County Records. First Census. General Election 1828. 80
CHAPTER XII .- An Incident. General Muster.
85
CHAPTER XIII .- Railroads 90
CHAPTER XIV .- Common Schools.
97
CHAPTER XV .- Some Other Things of Interest. 101
CHAPTER XVI .- Our Associates in the General Assembly of Ohio,
in Senatorial and Representative Districts. 106
CHAPTER XVII .- Matters of Interest in Brief Paragraphs. 114
CHAPTER XVIII .- Murders and Murder Trials. 120
CHAPTER XIX .- The Deer Lick. Plum Orchard. Johnny Apple- seeds 131
CHAPTER XX .- Present Court House. New Jail. Infirmary 136
CHAPTER XXI .- Early Sports. Corn Huskings. House Raisings Grain Threshing and Cleaning .. 143
CHAPTER XXII .- Our Judicial Associate Counties and Judges. 146
CHAPTER XXIII .- Hancock County in the War 151
CHAPTER XXIV .- Hancock County Agricultural Society. 164
CHAPTER XXV .- County Officers 167
Statistical Tables 169
Table of Distances 173
Land Surveys. 175
Allen Townships. 180
Van Buren
192
Amanda Township. 194
Capernaum 200
Vanlue 200
Blanchard Township 205
Benton 214
6
Contents.
Louisville
215
Big Lick Township. 217
Freedom 225
West Independence. 225
Cass Township.
228
Frankford 230
Delaware Township.
236
Mt. Blanchard
242
Eagle Township
246
Martinstown
250
Findley Township
254
Findley.
269
East Findley
274 276
Industries of Findley
316
Churches
331
Schools
341
Benevolent Societies
345
Newspapers
350
Hotels
362
Banks
365 367
Fire Department.
Maple Grove Cemetery.
369
Jackson Township
372
North Liberty
379
Liberty Township
382
Madison Township
395
Williamstown
402
Arlington
402
Marion Township.
404
Orange Township.
412 421
Olney
McComb. 427
Portage Township.
430
Lafayette
439
Union Township.
141
Rawson.
448 450
Cory
450
Van Buren Township
453
Washington Township. Risdon
466
Arcadia. 466
Social Statistics
470
Pleasant Township.
426
Cannonsburg
457
North Findley
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Alspach, George W 250
Algire, Rev. Geo 423
Barnd, John. 190
Baldwin, David M
207
Fishel, Michael 208
Ford, John T $56
Bonham, Robert.
261
Byal, John. 261
Beardsley, Barna 263
Baldwin, Dr. W. H 298
Blackford, Price 299
Byal, Henry
307
Bishop, Henry 351
Brown, Henry
352
Balsley, A. H
358
Boylan, Rev. John 388
Bright, Major.
406
Błakeman. Charles 124
Burrs, James.
443
Burket, George.
443
Burket, Jacob.
144
Biggs, Rev. Richard
445
Carson, Diek
211
Chamberlain, Jol, Sr. 259
Carlin, Squire
.300
Cory, Judge D. J
311
Coffinbury, J. M
357
Comer, Isaac.
389
Cusac, Daniel 390
Cooper, Judge John 435
Cramer, Philip
442
Church, William
463
Dukes, Richard
206
Dukes, Louis, Sr
206
Dukes, John 207
De Wolfe, Eli G 360 Davis, William 410
Dalley, Henry L.
416
Dulin, Sandford F
431
Ensminger, George
191
Engle, Jacob. 211
Eckles, John. 234
Elder, Josiah 238
Burman, John
231
Fountain, Wm 389
Folk Nicholas 144
Goode, Judge P (; 149
George, Peter.
196
Gilbert, Aquilla 196
Goit, Edson, Sr
315
Glessner, Lewis.
353
Glessner, Wm. L 353
Huff, Abraham
61
Hardy, John.
189
Hughes, Owen
211
Hedges, Josbua
260
Hamilton, John P
260
Henderson, Wm. L
08
Henderson, F.
311
Hollabaugh, A. M.
353
Hurd, Robert.
399
Howard, Samuel
436
Johnson, Joseph
134
Jordan, Charles E
165
Karn, Ezra
232
Kilpatrick, Wm.
423
Kalb, John.
423
Lake, Asa M
238
Lamb, Henry
303
McKinnis, Judge Robert
60
Moffit, Thomas.
208
Moore, John
223
McAnnelly, Moses
Moreland, Wm
260
Morrison, J. H.
.303
Mungen, Wm
35
McKinnis, Philip
391
Martz, Napoleon B.
400
8
Biographical.
Miller, William B.
480
Shoemaker, John
224
Marvin, Willam, Sr 409
Sampson, Levi 376
Mckinley, John
415
Showalter, Levi
443
McConnell, J. T
418
Taylor, Washington
188
Thompson, Thomas .. 195
Morris, Mahlon
432
Taylor, William 313
Moorehead, Samuel
438
Treece, George. 378
Newell, Hugh
309
Thomas, Lewis 406
Todd, Benjamin
422
O'Neal, Charles W
297
Thompson, John
431
Potter, Judge E. D
148
Vickers, James
233
Vance, Wilson
292
Van Emon, Rev. Geo
389
Wilson, Judge Ebenezer 61
Walters, John 251
Wilson, James H.
305
Watson, Richard.
388
Williams, John W 399
Welty, Christ. 39 )
Wiseley, Allen 406
Wade, Wenman 442
Wiseman, James G
463
Rollor, Judge Wm 225
Reightly, Mathew
260
Rawson, Dr. Bass.
296
Rosenburg, B. F
352
Ralston, Alpheus
376
Rickets, Andrew
399
Reed, John.
432
Newell, Joseph.
377
Powell, Rev. John
210
Parker, Jonathan
294
Patten, Dr. David.
308
Poe, Jacob.
388
Moorehead John
431
HISTORY
-- OF-
HANCOCK COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
BEFORE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.
I
NEED only remind the reader, that as a part of Ohio. Hancock County was a part of that great "North-west Territory," ceded by Virginia to the United States Govern- ment, and which territory has since been carved up into States, which have rose to the first rank in this Union of States, none of which are more prominent than our own beautiful Ohio. Her military chieftains are no less promi- nent that her statesmen, and the highest judicial honors of the nation have been conferred on more than one of her distinguished sons. Every citizen of this free Republic, is proud that he is an American, and we may be excused for the feeling of pride. that in addition to being an Ameri- can citizen, we are also a native " Buckeye."
Of course not much, if anything, was known of this wild region, perhaps not even of its existence, except by the Indians, until about 1812, or during our second war with Great Britain. In common with all the great west, this
2
10
History of Hancock County.
was an unbroken wilderness, and far from civilization. June 21, 1785, a treaty was concluded at Fort McIntosh, with the Wyandotte, Delaware, Chippewa and Ottowa Indians, by which the boundary line between the United States and the Wyandotte and Delaware nations, was declared to begin " At the mouth of the river Cuyahoga and to extend up said river to the Portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum; thence down the branch to the crossing place above Fort Laurens ; thence westerly to the Portage of the Big Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French in 1752; thence along said Portage to the Great Miamee or Omee (Mau- mee) river, and down . the south side of the same to its mouth; thence along the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cuyahoga river where it began." In this boundary Hancock County was included.
In 1796 Wayne County, Ohio, was established, including all the north-western part of Ohio, a large tract in the north-eastern part of Indiana, and the whole Territory of Michigan. As late as 1816, this, with the counties of Hardin, Wood and some others, was embraced in Logan County, Bellefontaine being the county seat. It was not until after 1505, that by treaties with the Indians, all the country watered by the Maumee and the Sandusky and their tributaries, was acquired by the United States.
The first white settlement in the territory now embraced within the limits of Hancock County, so far as we have any authentic account, was made at the present site of the town of Findley, in about the year 1815. It is possible, how- ever, and indeed, we have a tradition to that effect, that a man by the name of Thorp or Tharp, came here with the
11
First White Settlement.
soldiers, who occupied Fort Findley in the war of 1812-15. and remained here after its evacuation, and either lived alone, or with the Indians. Not much, however, is known or remembered of him.
The first white family settling here, was that of Benjamin Cox. Upon their arrival, nought but an unbroken forest. save in the immediate vicinity of the old Fort, greeted them. Indians and wild beasts roamed the woods. No neighbors within many days journey perhaps. All was new, all was solitude, and it must have been a most trying time for that one lone family. After making this their home for a few years, the family removed to Wood County, where some of them are still living. On their removal, one of the daughters acted as an interpreter between the whites and the Indians, she having a knowledge of the language of both the Wyandotte and Ottowa tribes, who frequented this part of the country.
But not long did they remain here alone. Others. through a spirit of adventure, or restless desire for new scenes, came and formed settlements. Emigrants were attracted by the richness of the soil, and the abundance of game. Or perhaps with imaginations reaching out to the future, they pictured to themselves the exceeding loveliness, and fruitfulness of the lands, when redeemed from the wilderness, and were constrained to make this their abid- ing place.
True it is, that from whatever motive they were actua- ted, they came here and formed settlements, cleared up the forests, built themselves cabins and roads, and laid the foundations, deep and permanent, for our present great prosperity and wealth, and transmitted to their children a rich and beautiful inheritance.
3 1833 02402 6723
12
History of Hancock County.
About the middle of June, 1812, the army, under Gen. Hull, left Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, and passed north through the present counties of Logan, Hardin, Han- cock and Wood, over what was known during, and after the war, as "Hull's Trail," into Michigan. This army cut a road through the unbroken wilderness, uninhabited except by hostile Indians and wild animals.
On this route they built Fort McArthur, on the Scioto River in Hardin County, and Fort Findley, on the Blanch- ard River, in Hancock.
In the same summer (1812) General Edmund W. Tup- per, of Gallia County, enlisted about one thousand men for six months service, mainly from Gallia, Lawrence and Jackson Counties, who, under orders of General Winches- ter, marched from Urbana north by " Hull's Trail" to the foot of the Maumee Rapids. The enemy attacked Tupper's forces, but were driven off with considerable loss. They then returned to Detroit, and the Americans, under Tupper, returned back to Fort McArthur.
The Fort at Findley was erected by Col. James Findley, under orders from Gen. Hull, and was named in honor of the Colonel. It was a stockade of about fifty yards square, with a block house at each corner, and a ditch in front. It stood on the south bank of the Blanchard River, just west of the present iron bridge, and was used as a depot for military stores.
The Fort was garrisoned by a company under the com- mand of Captain Arthur Thomas, who lived at King's Creek, three miles from Urbana. So far as known, there were no battles fought at Fort Findley, and garrison duty was no doubt monotonous and irksome. But little to excite or amuse the men, they no doubt longed for peace
13
Adventure of Col. William Oliver.
and a release from duty, that they might again join their families.
Colonel William Oliver, late of Cincinnati, left Fort Meigs, on the Maumee River, about 8 o'clock on a dark and stormy night, during the war, in company with a Kentuck- ian, on an errand of importance to Fort Findley. They had proceeded but a short distance on their perilons journey, through the wilderness, surrounded with enemies, when they unexpectedly came upon an Indian camp, around the fires of which the Indians were cooking their suppers. So near had they got to the camp, that the noise of their approach alarmed the savages, who at once sprang to their feet and ran towards them. Oliver and his companion reined their horses into the branches of a fallen tree. The horses, as if conscious of danger, as were their riders, remained perfectly quiet, and the Indians passed around the tree without discovering them. At this juncture, the daring messengers put spurs to their horses and dashed forward into the woods, through which they passed to the Fort, where they arrived safely, but with the loss of their clothing, which had been torn from them by the brush through which they had passed -- their bodies bruised and lacerated. Nor were they a moment too soon in their arrival, for the Indians, enraged at their escape, had pur- sued them so closely, that Oliver and his companion had scarcely been admitted into the Fort, when their pursuers made their appearance on the opposite side of the river. After giving vent to their disappointment at the loss of the scalps of the pale faces, in hideous yells, they very wisely retraced their steps toward the Maumee, on the lookout for some unsuspecting but less fortunate white man.
After the close of the war, Captain Thomas' company
14
History of Hancock County.
returned to Urbana. On their journey home, the Captain and his son lost their horses, and separated from the rest of the company in search of them.
They encamped at the Big Spring, near Solomonstown, about five miles from Bellefontaine, and the next morning were found murdered and scalped. Their bodies were taken to Urbana by a deputation of citizens.
In connection with this account of the fate of Captain Thomas, I will give a copy of a letter received by me from one who speaks knowingly of the matter, and although he is unknown to me, yet I have no doubt but his statements are correct, and as a matter of history, are of great inter- est. But to the letter :
MARION, IOWA, Dec. 6, 1875.
D. B. BEARDSLEY, Esq .;-- DEAR SIR :-- I saw in a sketch of the early history of Hancock County, Ohio, as read by you at the Second Annual Pic-nic and Reunion of the Pioneers of your county, published in the Findley Jeffer- sonian, an account of Captain Arthur Thomas and son, that was killed by the Indians at the Big Springs, some five miles from Bellefontaine, and thinking I might furnish you an item or two, concluded to drop you a line. My father was stationed at a block-house called Menary, about two miles north-west from Bellefontaine, there being a small company of soldiers, I think commanded by Lieut. John Kelly. The object seemed to be to guard and keep in bounds some pet Indians that the Government had in care, and was furnishing supplies through an Agent by the name of McPherson.
On the morning after the murder of Thomas and son, the word was brought to the company, and a deputation was sent out after them, among whom was my father (John
15
Rathbun Letter.
Rathbun) and when they reached the spot, and found them in the broiling sun, being scalped, and the blood oozing from their heads, he thought it the most sickening sight he ever beheld; and made him declare vengeance against the tawny tribe. pet or no pet. He always said that it was the pets that done the deed, for as they were returning with the men to the block-house, three of the half-breeds came in sight armed and painted, contrary to orders. The horsemen took after them, and succeeded in stopping them, but the Commander would not let the Post Guard come up in shooting distance, tor he knew there would have been three red-skins less in double quick.
The officers let them go with some good promises on their part, not to be found there arrayed again. After reaching the block-house, they (the Thomas') were put into the hands of the citizens, that conveyed them to their homes and final resting place, as you have it recorded, At Roundhead there was a large village of those pets or friendly Indians, as they were called, and an order was sent out from the Post, to have them come in on a certain day, but the day came and none made their appearance; the second day none. The third day a deputation started after them, but they met them in squads coming in. They were old men, women and children, all the warriors had gone to fight for the British, except a few young men that had charge of affairs. When they reached the village, all had left but one, and he dodged out of sight in a moments time. About all that was accom- plished, was to show that while we were taking care of their families, the warriors were fighting against us.
Time passed on, the war ended, and when I reached my fourteenth year, I went to visit an uncle that lived on what was called the Block-house farm. The house was in rather
16
History of Hancock County.
a dilapidated condition, the roof off and half the upper story had been removed. It brought to mind many inci- dents that I had heard my father relate thirty-six years ago. I left the place of my nativity and settled in what was called the Black Hawk purchase. or Iowa. Had not been here long before I heard of the Thomas family having settled at Cascade, where the son of a brother of the Captain, and son alluded to, owned a fine mill property, and in the course of some three years I went to his mill, where I saw the whole family, the widow, her son and three or four daugh- ters, all married except the widow. She never married, or at least not to that time. Thomas sold his mill and went further west, and I have lost sight of him. I always like to cherish in memory those who have suffered in their coun- try's cause.
But I will close.
Yours in Pioneer Friendship, NELSON RATHBUN.
The Lakes, and Greers, and Elders, and Hamlins formed a settlement at the present site of Mt. Blanchard, in one of the most beautiful and fertile portions of the county. And today, around the town of Mt. Blanchard, are some of the most valuable farms in the county.
Wilson Vance, and Carlin, and Hamilton and Johnston and the Chamberlains, with others, formed the settlement of Findley and vicinity, and in casting their lots bere, they were not disappointed, in the fertility of the soil, in the natural advantages of the location, or in their estimate of the future of the town.
The McKinnis, the Poes, the Fishels and other kindred spirits, formed a settlement down the river from Findley, in a most beautiful part of the county, and it was not long
17
The McKinnis, Dukes, and Todd Settl'm'ts.
until these families of hardy stalwart men and women were known for their hospitality and bravery.
Moreland and Helms and a few other families formed a settlement in the south part of the county, where their in- dustry and energy enabled them to soon open up the coun- try, and where they resided many years, respected by all who knew them, for their honesty and fair dealing.
A little later along perhaps, a settlement was formed still further down the river than was the McKinnis settle- ment, by the Dukes brothers, John, Richard and Lewis, and by the Moffitts, and the Downings, and Groves, and Davis. These men, all farmers, were fortunate in the se- lection of their lands, and to-day there is not a richer region of country in north-western Ohio than is this same Dukes settlement. Farms of unsurpassed loveliness ; acres of most productive lands, bordering on the Blanchard River on either side ; first-class farm buildings; lands in the high- est state of cultivation, all tell of the industry, economy and good managament of these broad acres.
Todd, and Kalb, and Algire and other families settled at or near the site of the village of McComb. These families, true pioneers, made for themselves homes, and where was one unbroken wilderness, now stands the prosperous vil- lage of McComb. And a few of these first settlers, these frontiersmen of half a century ago, are still alive, and look with just pride upon the results of their labor.
And as it is in all new countries, so here the bold emi- grant bought his land, built his cabin, and then addressed himself to the more serious business of reclaiming the lands, and making for himself and his family a home.
At this time no one thought of any law but that of doing to others, as they would others should do to them, and of
18
History of Hancock County.
dealing honestly with all men, of fulfilling every promise, of redeeming every pledge, of rendering to his neighbor, without hope of fee or reward, that assistance which was necessary. But of course this state of affairs could not
last long. The time would come when these settlements must be organized into political divisions, and when rulers must be elected. Not so much perhaps by reason of any real necessity, on the part of the inhabitants, but because the state had some claims on the people. For the protec- tion it threw around them, it must be paid, and hence taxes must be levied and collected, and the rights of the people must be respected, and this could not be done without ofli- cers, and officers must be paid for the time they devoted to the public good, so the county must be organized, and of this organization we will speak in the next chapter.
But before doing so I deem this the proper place to relate an interview I had with a daughter of Benjamin Cox, spoken of before as the first white settler in the county. In the summer of 1880, I visited Mrs. Eberly, the daughter before spoken of, at her home about one mile east of Port- age, Wood county, and spent a few hours in conversation with her, and from her learned many incidents of the earliest history of the county. But I will give the sub- stance of what she said to me in the shape of a narrative, and as nearly in her own words as I can. I was warmly received by Mrs. Eberly and her worthy husband, who seemed to be delighted in talking over the wild scenes of fifty years ago.
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