History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 1

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088


USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 1


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GEN


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY


3 1833 02484 1592


REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION


Gc 977.101 Se5h 385421


HISTORY


OF


SENECA COUNTY,


OHIO.


CONTAINING A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, VILLAGES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, INDUSTRIES, ETC .; PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN; BIOGRAPHIES; HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY; HIS- TORY OF OHIO; STATISTICAL AND MIS- CELLANEOUS MATTER, ETC., ETC.


ILLUSTRATED.


1


CHICAGO: WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1886. *


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886, by WARNER, BEERS & CO.,


In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C.


.


385421 PREFACE.


A S one who to some long-locked chamber goes, And listens there to what the dead have said, So there are moments when my thoughts are led To those dull chronicles, whose volumes close Epochs and ages in the same repose,


That shall the future as the past o'erspread;


And when but memory may tend the dead,


Or prune the ivy where once grew the rose; And as there, to me, from their pages streams The incoherent story of the years,


The aimlessness of all we undertake. I think our lives are surely but the dreams Of spirits dwelling in the distant spheres, Who, as we die, do one by one, awake!


A written memorial of the Past and a record of the Present are works which civilization demands. In local history, alone, are found the ways and means to comply with this demand; because the page of history is carried down the years, and is read and analyzed centuries after the inscription on iron is effaced by rust, and Old Time has destroyed the marble monu- ment. Many of the men and women who settled in the wilderness of the San- dusky Valley a half-century ago, have gone to join the Church Triumphant. One who was here sixty-seven years ago is still a resident, and not more than a dozen who were here sixty years ago still dwell in this garden land whichi they helped to raise out of the wilderness. The well-kept places of interment throughout the county tell the simple tale of death; but it is remarkable that of the great majority who have been laid to rest in the soil, comparatively few claim the temporary record which the grave-stone offers. A look through the cemeteries, particularly the old ones, will convey the writer's idea more clearly; for here, a tablet, sunk deep in the dank earth; there, one broken with its face downward on the grave of the departed one whom it battled to memorialize; beyond, a little mound, where grasses wave over an unknown grave-all point out unmistakably the transient character of every record, other than the printed page of history.


In presenting this volume to the people, we feel that some contri- bution to National history has been made. The First Part deals with the estab-


1


MAY 2 3


iv


PREFACE.


lishment and progress of the Northwest Territory, and contains many direct references to the Sandusky Valley. The Second Part, treating on the civil and military history of Ohio, deals with Indian and political life within the State. The history of Seneca County, forming the Third Part, contains the story of the county, its townships, cities and villages, each chapter reviewing the subject to which it is devoted. The thirteen chapters of general history and fifteen chapters of township history contain a record of names and events connected with this division of Ohio from the earliest times. The material for these twenty-eight chapters was collected and compiled by M. A. Leeson, from State, County, Township, City, Village, Church. Society and other written record books, and from the files of the Sandusky Clarion and other pioneer journals. A great fund of history was obtained from the invaluable collection of local newspapers (1832 to 1885) in possession of the proprietors of The Seneca Advertiser, and from the files of the Tiffin Tribune, Fostoria Democrat, Fostoria Review, and other journals.


The Fourth Part is devoted to Personal History and Reminiscences. Its value can scarcely be overestimated; for in its pages are found a thousand records, each containing the minutiæ of history, not only bearing on this county but also relating to other parts of the Union. This important branch'of his- tory has claimed a great share of attention from the gentlemen engaged in its compilation. The Appendix contains a complete list of the original land entries in the county, as copied from the official records.


With all the attention which has been bestowed on this volume, some errors in chronology and some in nomenclature may have crept in. The difficulties attendant on the publication of a work of this class, the number and variety of names and incidents, and the many avenues open to mistakes, preclude the pos- sibility of absolute perfection. We trust. however, that the work will be received in that generous spirit which applauds conscientious effort, rather than in that captious mood which is satisfied only with unattainable accuracy.


To the gentlemen of the press and public officials of the county, who aided the general historian so cordially, as well as to all the people who made the publication of the work possible, we tender our sincere thanks with an expres- sion of hope that the history of Seneca from 1782 to 1885 may prove itself authentic, and be acceptable.


CHICAGO, February. 1886.


THE PUBLISHERS.


CONTENTS.


PART I.


HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.


PAGE.


PAGE.


Geographical Position ........ ....


17


American Settlements ........ 53


Early Explorations.


17


Division of the Northwest Territory ............ 58


Discovery of the Ohio .. 26


Tecumseh and the War of 1812 61


English Explorations and Settlements. 28


Black Hawk and the Black Hawk War. 64


PART II.


HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.


History of Ohio. 73


Organization of Counties. 122


French History ..


76


Description of Counties 122


Ordinance of 1787, No. 32


87


Early Events. 122


Governors of Ohio. 143


Ancient Works 157


Some General Characteristics 160


Outline Geology of Ohio. 162


Ohio's Rank During the War of the Rebellion .. 165


A Brief Mention of Prominent Ohio Generals ... 172


Some Discussed Subjects 177


Conclusion 181


PART III.


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


CHAPTER I .- TOPOGRAPHY-TOWNSHIPS AND CITIES-NATURAL HISTORY-ARCHEOLOGY 187-196


Boundaries-Population-Altitudes-Rivers and Creeks - Townships - Cities - Postal Towns-Villages-Review of Surface Features and Soil-Wells and Springs-Gas Wells- Zoology - Botany - Climatology - Ancient Relics-Old Fortifications-Indian Mounds- Curios-Fossils-Human Remains.


CHAPTER II .- SENECA'S RED PIONEERS ...... .. 196-217


The Shawnees-The Wyandots-The Dela- wares-The Seneeas of Sandusky-Indian Christianity and Early Preachers-Two Early Treaties-Indian Treaties Affecting Seneca County-Cession and Recession-Tecumseh- Elsquata -- Leather-lips-Roundhead-Logan- Pumpkin -- Witchcraft - Death of Seneca John-Comstock-Wiping Stick-Tequania- Peter Pork-Buek-ong-a-he-las-Blue Jacket -Beaver-Soo-de-nooks-Grey Eyes-Lolla- way - Between-the-Logs -Warpole - Other Chiefs and Braves-White and Colored Cap- lives and Breeds-Conclusion.


CHAPTER III .- PIONEERS OF SENECA COUNTY- PIONEER ASSOCIATION-OLD TIME INCIDENTS. CUSTOMS, ETC .. 218-238


Pere Rasles. - Moravians-Sanduski-C'apt. Elliott, John Leith and Others-Treaty of the Miami of the Lake -Actual Settlement-Eras- tus Bowe, Welch Family and Others-Early Town Builders-Pioneer Meetings-Pioneer Reminiscences-Jacksonian Days and Man- ners-Land-hunting and Cabin Building- Temperance Raisings-Old Time Grist-Mills- Wolves-Deer Hunting-Toledo War-Indians and Pioneers-Pioneer Weddings-Matrimon- ial Peculiarities-Pioneer Women-Tobacco Smoking Fashionable-Female Costume.


CHAPTER IV .- ORGANIC HISTORY - PUBLIC


BUILDINGS .238-259


Organization-Transactions of the Commis- sioners' Board-Meetings from 1839 to 1866- Treasurer Heabler-Recorder's Office-Seeon 1 Jail-Court Houses-New Court House-


County Poor Institution.


CHAPTER V .- POLITICAL HISTORY ..... .259-289


Review of Early Elections-County Elec-


Comments upon the Ordinance of 1787, from the Statutes of Ohio. Edited by Salmon P. Chase, and Published in the year 1833. 91


The War of 1812 .. 107


Banking ... 111


The Canal System. 113


Ohio Land Tracts 114


Improvements. 119


State Boundaries. 121


vi


CONTENTS.


PAGE.


PAGE.


tions from 1821 to 1885-County Conventions, 1885-October Elections and the Liquor


Question-Conclusion.


CHAPTER VI .- JUDICIARY 290-311


Courts and Bar of Seneca County-Early Criminal and Civil Cases-" Judge Lane's Gang " - Reminiscences-Pioneer Courts - Judicial Districts-First Judges-Early and Modern Lawyers-Associate Judges-State Bar Association.


CHAPTER VII .- PHYSICIANS-MEDICAL ASSOCI- ATIONS .. .311-319.


Pioneer and Modern Disciples of Esculapius -Army Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons- Fostoria Medical Society -Seneca County Medical Society-Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Association.


CHAPTER VIII .- THE PRESS 319-328.


Tiffin Newspapers-Seneca Patriot-Inde- pendent Chronicle and Seneca Advertiser-Tiffin Gazette and Seneca Advertiser -- Gazette-Van Burenite-Chasseurs' Own-Sunday Advertiser -Seneca Advertiser-Star-Seneca County Fair Bulletin-Whig Standard-Western Whig Stand- ard-Tribune-Seneca Adler-Northwestern Con- tinent - Evening Herald - Journal - Unsere Flagge-Die Tiffin Presse-Gazette-News- Monthly Trade Review-Heidelberg Monthly Journal - Daily Courier - Enterprise-Reporter and Advertiser. Fostoria Newspapers-News -Review-Observer-Democrat. Attica News- papers-Journal-Medical Compend-Noonday Sun. Green Spring Newspapers-Sentinel- Times - Mutual Underwriter - New Academy. Bloomville Newspapers-Enterprise-Banner- Seneca County Record-Record-Daily Record. Bettsville Newspapers - Optic - Enterprise- Other Publications-County Histories-Sen- ey's Code-Conclusion.


CHAPTER IX .- MILITARY HISTORY .. .328-371.


British Occupation-War of 1812-Build- ing of Fort Ball-Building of Fort Seneca- Harrison at Fort Seneca-Toledo War-Pio- neer Militia of Seneca County-Mexican War -War for the Union-Organization of Com- panies and Regiments-Relief Associations- Drafting-Military Statistics, etc .- Record of Officers-Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infan- try - Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry - One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer In- fantry-One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Roster-Soldiers' Monu- ment.


CHAPTER X .- SOCIETIES .372-379.


Seneca County Agricultural Society Grange Organization-Stock Breeders' Associ- ation-Short-horn Breeders' Association Meet- ing-Bee Keepers' Association-Clinton Pro- tective Society-Seneca County Teachers' In- stitute.


CHAPTER XI .- RAILROADS. .380-386.


Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad-Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad-Melmore & Republic Railroad-Ohio, Miami & Wabash Railroad-Fort Ball & Lower Sandusky Rail- road-Tiffin & Fort Wayne Railroad-Cleve- land, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad-Colum- bus, Tiffin & Toledo Railroad - Pittsburgh, Canton & Chicago Railroad-Baltimore & Ohio Railroad-Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad-Ohio Central Railroad-Mansfield, Cold water & Lake Michigan Railroad-North- western Ohio Railroad-" Nickel Plate " Rail- road-Lake Erie & Western Railroad-Akron & Fort Wayne Railroad.


CHAPTER XII .- BANKS AND INSURANCE ...... 386-387 First Bank-Bank of Tiffin-National Ex- change Bank-Tiffin Savings Bank-Com- mercial Bank-Foster & Co .- Emerinc & Co. -Seneca County Mutual Fire Insurance Company-Farmers' Mutual Relief Insurance Company-Tiffin Mutual Aid Association -- Golden Rule Aid Company-Mechanics Mu- tual Protection Society No. 25-Union Aid Society-Foreign Insurance Companies.


CHAPTER XIII .- STATISTICS ...


388-398


Early Surveys-Schools in 1847-School Sta- tistics-Census, 1830-1880-Taxes, 1826-1884-


Valuation of Real and Personal Property- Agricultural Statistics-Abstract of Personal Property, Moneys and Credits for 1885-As- sessors' Returns-Wheat Crop of 1884-85- New Structures-Births and Deaths-Asses- sors-Conclusion.


CHAPTER XIV .- ADAMS TOWNSHIP .. 398-417 Surveys -Geological Notes-Topography- Railroads-Organic and Official-School Lands -Pioneers-Common Schools-Statistics - SULPHUR SPRINGS VILLAGE-ADAMSVILLE VILLAGE-LOWELL VILLAGE-COOPERSTOWN VILLAGE-TOWN OF GREEN SPRING-Settle- ment-Survey-Additions-Organic and Offi- cial - Business Interests - Churches - Green Spring Academy - Cemeteries - Postoffice - Banks. Bankers, etc .- Secret and Benevolent Societies-Green Spring Cure and Health Re- sort-Statistics of Corporation-Conclusion.


CHAPTER XV .- BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP ........ 418-429 Surveys-Indian Reservation-Topography -Organic and Official-Schools-Statistics- Pioneers and Old Settlers-ADRIAN VILI AGE Survey - Postmasters - Business Circle - Schools- Societies-Churches- NEW RIEGEL VILLAGE-Surveys and Additions-Organic and Official -Business Circle-Churches- Schools - SPRINGVILLE VILLAGE - FRENCH TOWN VILLAGE- ALVADA VILLAGE - Rail- roads in Big Spring Township-Conclusion. CHAPTER XVI .- BLOOM TOWNSHIP .... ....... 429-445


Population-Physical Features-Cornifer- ous Formation-Dynamite Explosion-Soil- Organic and Official-Pioneers-BLOOMVILLE VILLAGE-Surveys and Additions-Organiza- tion and Officers-Postmasters-Churches- Schools - Newspapers - Societies - Business and Professions-Manufacturing Industries- ST. STEPHEN VILLAGE-Catholic Church- ELIZABETHTOWN VILLAGE -Survey - Loca- tion and Population-Railroads in Bloom Township-Statistics.


CHAPTER XVII .- CLINTON TOWNSHIP AND TIF- FIN CITY. 446-536


Boundaries-Origin of Name-Establish- ment-Rivers and Creeks-Topography-Set- ment by Pioneers, and Old Residents-Official History-SWANDER VILLAGE -- VIONA VILLAGE -General Statistics-TIFFIN CITY-Location- Sandusky River and Rock Creek-Population (White), 1817-85-A Reverie-Origin of the Town-Fort Ball, or the Second Ward-Origi- nal Survey of Tiffin, and Additions-Incidents of First Settlement-Postmasters-Municipal History-City Solicitors-Assessors, 1885- School Census Enumerator - Councilmen- Corporation Statistics-The Police Force- Fire Department-Churches- Schools-Ursu- line Convent, Schools and College-Heidel- berg College-Cemeteries-Hospital and Asy- lum-Societies-Libraries-Banks, Insurance, etc .- Pioneer Notes-Pioneer Manufactures -Manufacturing Industries, 1885-Coal Yards -Hotels-Telegraph, Telephone and Express Companies-Railroads-Tiffin Waterworks- Places of Amusement-Tiffin Board of Trade- Conclusion.


CHAPTER XVIII .- EDEN TOWNSHIP. 536-550


Introductory-Survey-Van Meter Reserva- tion-Topography-Organic and Official-Gen- eral Statistics-School Statistics-Pioneer His- tory-Personal Mention of Pioneers-MEL- MORE VILLAGE-Postmasters-Mills and Mill- ers-Business and Professional Circle-Socie- ties-Churches-Cemeteries-Conclusion.


CHAPTER XIX .- HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP ....... 551-560


Survey-Early Ilistory-Population-Rail- roads-River and Creeks - Topography-Or- ganic and Official-Pioneers and Incidents of Pioneer Times-BASCOM VILLAGE-Location and Additions-Its Brief IIistory-Business Circle-Lodge-Churches-Cemetery Associa- tion - HOPEWELL VILLAGE - STEINERVILLE VILLAGE-Statistics Hopewell Township- School Statistics-Conclusion.


CHAPTER XX .- JACKSON TOWNSHIP. .560-567


Survey - First Purchases - Population - Railroads-Physical Characteristics-Organic


vii


CONTENTS.


PAGE.


and Official-Small Settlements-Churches- Assessment Roll, 1841-Valuation and Taxa- tion, 1884-85-General Statistics-School Sta- tistics-Conclusion.


CHAPTER XXI .- LIDERTY TOWNSHIP ... .568-579


Survey - Organization - Population-Rail- roads-Physical Features-Topography-Or- ganic and Official-Pioneers and Old Residents -BETTSVILLE VILLAGE - Its Boundaries- Survey and Additions, Incorporation and Or- ganization - Churches - Societies - Business Circle of Bettsville-KANSAS VILLAGE-Its Survey and Additions, Location, Business Houses,etc .- Small Settlements-C'emeteries- General Statistics-School Statistics.


CHAPTER XXII .- LOUDON TOWNSHIP AND FOS- TORIA CITY. 579-625


Survey and Topography - Streams - Rail- roads-Population-Organic and Official -Pio- neers and Pioneer Incidents-Schools of Lou- don-General Statistics-Predial Statistics- Review - FOSTORIA CITY - Introduction- Location and General Description-Geology- Climatology- Statistics - Railroads-History of Location-Original Survey and Additions -Additions to Fostoria-Organic and Official History of Rome-Organic and Official His- tory of Fostoria-Settlement and Progress- Old Consumers and Producers-Tiffin and Findlay State Roads-Post Offices and Post- masters - Physicians -Early Manufacturing Industries-Risdon-Beginning of the Brick Building Era-Churches -- Cemeteries-Soldiers Buried at Fostoria - Societies-Fire Depart- ment-Banks-Fostoria Opera House-News- papers-Modern Manufacturing Industries- Hotels-Livery Establishments.


CHAPTER XXIII .- PLEASANT TOWNSHIP ..... 625-637


Introduction and Population - Streams- Topography-Railroads-Organic and Official -Pioneers and Pioneer Events-Churches- Schools and School Statistics - Cemeteries- FORT SENECA VILLAGE-TOWN OF SULPHUR SPRINGS - OLD FORT SENECA VILLAGE -


SHEDENHELM'S STATION VILLAGE-Bridges- General Statistics.


CHAPTER XXIV .- REED TOWNSHIP ............ 638-647 Survey-The " Gore"-Seneca John-Ori- gin of Name - Population - Topography- Streams and Ponds-Railroads-Organic and Official-Pioneers and Pioneer Events-LODI VILLAGE-REED TOWN VILLAGE-TOWN of OMAR - DETROIT VILLAGE - Churches- Schools-General Statistics-Conclusion. CHAPTER XXV .- SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. .. 648-664 Description-Organization-Origin of Name -Population-Survey-Streams and Wells- Topography - Railroads - Organization and Officers-Pioneers and Pioneer Incidents- Schools-School Statistics-General Statistics -REPUBLIC-Early History-Pioneer Inci- dents-Original Town and Additions-Organ- ic and Official-Churches-Cemetery-Schools -Fire Department-Societies-Roll of Busi- ness Men-Railroads and Highways-Conclu- sion.


CHAPTER XXVI .- SENECA TOWNSHIP. ........ 664-674.


Its Establishment - Streams - Railroads- Topography - Organic and Official - Pioneer Tax Payers-Pioneer History-BERWICK VIL- LAGE-MCCUTCHENVILLE VILLAGE-Churches -Cemeteries-Schools-Valuation and Taxa- tion-Predial Statistics-Conclusion.


CHAPTER XXVII .- THOMPSON TOWNSHIP .... 675-683. Survey-Population-Geology-Sink Creek - Singular Phenomena -Topography-Rail- road Facilities - Organic and Official - Pio- neers - THOMPSONTOWN VILLAGE - LEWIS- VILLEVILLAGE-Churches-Schools-Orphan- ages-General Statistics.


CHAPTER XXVIII .- VENICE TOWNSHIP ...... 684-696. Survey, Organization and Population-Ori- gin of Name-Streams-Pike Roads -Rail- roads-Organic and Official-Pioneers-Early Industries-ATTICA VILLAGE - Organic and Official-Business Interests-Churches-Ceme- teries - Societies - Review - CARROTHERS VILLAGE - CAROLINE VILLAGE - Schools- General Statistics-Conclusion.


PART IV.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


Adams Township ..


699


Loudon Township and Fostoria City 887


Big Spring Township


715


Pleasant Township. 934


Bloom Township.


732


Reed Township 953


Clinton Township and Tiffin City 752


846


Seneca Township ..


987


Hopewell Township ...


854


Jackson Township.


868


Venice Township


1016


Liberty Township ..


877


APPENDIX.


ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES.


Adams Township. 1064


1047


Pleasant Township 1059


Reed Township .. 1066


Scipio Township 1062


Seneca Township 1052


Thompson Township. 1067


Venice Township.


1065


Liberty Township. 1055


Loudon Township. 1049


Big Spring Township.


Bloom Township ... 1061


Clinton Township 1058


Eden Township .... 1056


Hopewell Township. 1053


Jackson Township


1050


The Gore. 1069


Scipio Township 969 Eden Township ....


Thompson Township 1003


PAGE.


viii


CONTENTS.


PORTRAITS.


PAGE.


PAGE.


Arbogast, Michael, Seneca Township. 493


Armatage, John, Venice Township 523


McClellan. Robert, Seneca Township 273


Ash, William, Jackson Township. 433


McClelland, A. B., Bloom Township 393


Baldwin, A. C., Tiffin .. 313


Bosworth, George R., Adams Township 213


Brunner, L. A., Tiffin . 233


Cassety, Samuel, Reed Township .. 513


Noble, Warren P., Tiffin ..


223


Creeger, Laurence, Hopewell Township 503


Crocker, Roswell, Fostoria ..


Crocker. Sarah Ann, Fostoria . 204


333


Detterman, John H., Bloom Township.


373


Fauble, Michael, Thompson Township


303


Seitz, John, Eden Township. 423


Foster, Charles W., Fostoria ..


81


Seney, George E .. Tiffin 115


573


Fry, Philip H., Pleasant Township.


463


Skinner, Morris P., Fostoria ..


193


Hedges, Josiah, Tiffin.


47


Stackhouse, Silas J., Liberty Township.


243


Holmes, David, Venice Township.


473


Teare, Cæsar, Adams Township .. 583


Titus, R. R., Pleasant Township ... 363


Huffman, J. W., Venice Township 593


Keppel, George, Hopewell Township. 323


Watson, T. W., Pleasant Township. 383


Yambert, Aaron, Seneca Township 453


MISCELLANEOUS.


Map of Seneca County 10-11


Population of the United States 69


Area of the United States .. 69


Area of the Principal Countries in the World 69


Population of Principal Countries in the World ... 69


Population of Ohio by Counties 70


List of Governors of Ohio. 72


Population of Seneca County, by Townships. 389


Myers, Conrad, Jackson Township. 283


Myers, John, Adams Township 343


Niebel, Levi, Loudon Township. 533


Noble, Montgomery, Jackson Township. 413


Cooley, Orange, Scipio Township .. 553


Pennington, R. G., Tiffin


293


Pultz, Jacob, Pleasant Township .. 563


Reid, J. T., Bloom Township 253


Cupp, William, Hopewell Township. opp.


204


Rosenberger, Henry, Hopewell Township 149


Seitz, Daniel, Bloom Township 403


Foster, Charles, Fostoria ..


183


Signs, John, Loudon Township


Hubbard, E. B., Tiffin 353


Valentine. T. G .. Bloom Township 483


King, George, Liberty Township .. 543


Lawhead, J. W., Big Spring Township 443


Leonard, Samuel H., Venice Township .. 263


PART I.


THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.


1


3 1833 02484 1592


THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.


GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.


When the Northwestern Territory was ceded to the United States by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the territory lying between the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi River ; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National domain, and subsequently opened to settlement, has been called the " New Northwest," in contradistinction from the old " Northwestern Territory."


In comparison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles ; being greater in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States, including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected eleven sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate popula- tion, at the present time, of 18,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one-third of the entire population of the United States.


Its lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial valleys and far- stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent on the globe.


For the last twenty years the increase of population in the North- west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States.


EARLY EXPLORATIONS.


In the year 1541, DeSoto first saw the Great West in the New World. He, however, penetrated no farther north than the 35th parallel


17


18


THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.


of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and that of more than half his army, the remainder of whom found their way to Cuba, thence to Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. DeSoto founded no settlements, produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that he awakened the hostility of the red man against the white man, and disheartened such as might desire to follow up the career of discovery for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by DeSoto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer took advantage of these discoveries.


In 1616, four years before the pilgrims "moored their bark on the wild New England shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had pene- trated through the Iroquois and Wyandots (Hurons) to the streams which run into Lake Huron ; and in 1634, two Jesuit missionaries founded the first mission among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from the discovery of the Mississippi by DeSoto (1541) until the Canadian envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at the Falls of St. Mary, below the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent result ; yet it was not until 1659 that any of the adventurous fur traders attempted to spend a Winter in the frozen wilds about the great lakes, nor was it until 1660 that a station was established upon their borders by Mesnard, who perished in the woods a few months after. In 1665, Claude Allouez built the earliest lasting habitation of the white man among the Indians of the Northwest. In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two years afterward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor Gen- eral of Canada, explored Lake Illinois (Michigan) as far south as the present City of Chicago, and. invited the Indian nations to meet him at a grand council at Sault Ste. Marie the following Spring, where they were taken under the protection of the king, and formal possession was taken of the Northwest. This same year Marquette established a mission at Point St. Ignatius, where was founded the old town of Michillimackinac.




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