USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
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D 417,137
ERSITY
FMI
UN
11
CHIGAN
A.
SCIENTIA
1817
IBR
-
Digitized by
Digitized by
Digitized by
HISTORY
OF
SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
WITH
Illustrations and Biographical Sketches
OF
SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
PHILADELPHIA, PA .: R. SUTTON & CO. 1883. .
COLLINS, PRINTER, PHILADELPHIA.
Digitized by
F 49. , 55 HGT
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.. 1. -
PREFACE.
DURING the past few years a marvellous interest has developed in historic research. In the physical world geologists have explored the depths, and astronomers the heights, while archaeologists have revelled in the intermediate fields. Step by step investigation has advanced, sometimes pausing to learn of a plant, and yet again wringing infor- mation from a world. An uncouth skull tells its story to the oste- ologist, a mound to the archaeologist, the bashful rocks to the geolo- gist, and a distant world to the astronomer. Naturalists have found
"Books in running brooks; sermons in stones."
Everywhere historic research has been pushing backward and farther backward, until each plant and fossil and rock has been compelled to tell something of the story of its being. This tendency, so manifest in the physical world, is also observable in the world of man.
While a fossil is exhuming in the one field, a Troy is unearthing in another, and each is asked for a narrative of its past. While one specialist seeks the development of organized life, another traces the development of organized society. The one went downward through the scale of animal life to find a protoplastic base. The other traced backward through enlightenment, civilization, semi-civilization, and away backward still to find a race type in barbarism. By patient research the student follows the development of man from the indi- vidual on through the family, the clan, the community, the State, the nation, and back again to a foundation in the family. The muta- tion of nations taught the rise and fall of empire, for the ruins of one became the foundations of others. So with rulers, regardless of the power they exercised, or the splendor of their reign, for over the grave of one the sceptre of a successor was uplifted. At this point history became complex, and specialists entered the field to treat of particular races or independent States or nations. Even then classi- fication became necessary to avoid incompleteness on the one hand, or unwieldiness on the other. National history was next treated by periods, until political divisions suggested the local rather than the epochal method. Under this method the Republic furnishes a national history, each division a State history, and, finally, each subdivision a county or local history. This method brought with it pioneer socie- ties, these created a demand for county histories, and the demand in turn gave rise to the publication of local works.
This unassuming volume only dares announce itself as an effort to satisfy this home demand. The plan adopted naturally suggested itself, because of its chronological simplicity, and will be found to embrace four general yet distinct departments.
Ist. A general Introductory; Discovery; The Indians; Indian Treaties; Indian Tribes; Titles to Ohio; Military Expeditions; Mound Builders; Indian Wars; Life of Wayne; Greenville Council; The Shawnees; Prominent Indians.
2d. The Northwest Territory; Title of Virginia; Ordinance of 1787; Population ; Ohio Land Company; Settlement; Officers; Forts; Moravian Missions; Friends at Wapakoneta; Post-Offices.
3d. Ohio .- Ratification by States; Constitution; Incidents of 1812; General Harmer; Stephen Johnston ; John Chapman; Post-Offices; Counties; Territorial and State Governors; Statistics of Population and Elections.
4th. Shelby County .- Introductory; Civil Organization; Political Review; Geology; Soldiers' Record; Official Roster; Sketch of each township, with its towns, schools, industries, and churches, supple- mented by many biographical notices of leading men and deceased pioneers.
In the presentation of the general matter which antedates the for- mation of Shelby County, it has been sought to present only such events as appeared to sustain a close relationship to the county par- ticularly under consideration. With this object in view, it was found necessary to glance back to the period of discovery, in order to trace out something of the chain of causes which brought about the forma. tion and development of this section. In treating of the settlement it was necessary to consider the Indian tribes which held possession of the lands, and to do this rendered necessary at least a hasty glance backward to the discovery of America. In this research almost every step was attended by incidental events and characters which dared not be ignored. Each step, too, in search of the Indians revealed the imprints of another race so distinct that if not treated to some extent it might be confounded with the present race of Indians, and unfounded assumptions obtain. So a chapter is devoted to the mound builders, and this chapter necessitated another devoted to archeology and osteology. So it has been almost impossible to cir- cumscribe the work, and, at the same time, preserve consecutiveness, relationship, and cause and effect, even if the ideas of completeness and symmetry were completely ignored. The work, therefore, although ostensibly and really a narrative of the principal events which have characterized the formation and development of Shelby County, is necessarily much more comprehensive than its mere title indicates. In fact, it has been no easy matter to determine just what material should be received and what rejected. In purely local affairs, it was difficult to determine upon a satisfactory limit, and even when this
( iii )
197224
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iv
PREFACE.
was done such material as was generally acceptable required rare scrutiny to separate absolute truth from colored fancy, or absolute exaggeration. The object in view was the presentation of a volume which would do justice to the several features of the community by tracing its growth from the period of its infancy. In doing this we found much more tradition than history. " The memory of the oldest inhabitant" is not always reliable enough to be considered absolute authority. Although every endeavor has been put forth to render the volume complete and reliable, we are conscious that defects and errors will be discovered. . Every intelligent reader will appreciate the difficulty of preparing a work of this nature which will prove even approximately perfect, while absolute perfection need neither be demanded nor assumed. Dependent largely upon the memory of the older citizens, in the absence of any historical society's records, it will not appear surprising if every incident of settlement and growth does not find itself recorded in this volume. No pains have been spared in an earnest effort to attain accuracy and completeness. The material has been gathered from every available source, and
compiled with a view to the presentation of valuable matter in an attractive manner.
Without daring to indulge the belief that this aim has been realized in every feature, it is still hoped the effort will meet the approval of those readers, who, knowing the fallibility of every endeavor, do not demand absolute perfection, especially where it is least to be attained. To such readers the volume is submitted without further comment or apology.
In this connection we return our thanks to all those who in any manner assisted in the collection of material, or otherwise contributed to the success of the work. Especially are our thanks due the officers of the county for their many courtesies and the valuable assistance rendered by them throughout the prosecution of the work.
-
Hoping the volume will not prove altogether unworthy of the effort it las cost, it is placed in the homes of the people for whom it was designed, and whose liberality rendered it a possibility.
THE PUBLISHER.
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CONTENTS.
PAGE
PAGE
Preface
3
Life of Harrison. 118
Biographies . .
202
Introduction
17
Life of Colonel Johnston. 120
Perry Township :-
Discovery
17
Life of Stephen Johnston 121
'Trustees' Proceedings
210
The Indians
18
Life of John Chapman (with portrait) 121
Officers
210
Indian Nations
22
Post Offices in Northwest Ohio 122
Justice of the Peace 214
Habits and Implements
22
County Organization 124
List of Votes Polled from 1817 to 1825
214
Treaties
23
Governors 124
Statistics
124
Titles to Ohio
28
United States Senators
126
Early White Men in Ohio
29
Presidential Elections 126
Churches
215
Biographies 216
Jackson Township :-
Settlement 227
List of Officers 227
Mills
228
Bourneville Fortification
37
Elevation of the County 133
Carlisle Fortification
37
Topography of the County 133
Sacred Enclosures.
38
The Loramie Reservoir 135
Business Interests
228
Newark Works 38
The Drift 136
Church 228
Jackson Centre
229
Implements
39
Settlement . 138
Osteology
40
Permanent Settlement 140
Paleontology :-
Indian Murders 140
Mastodon Giganteus
41
Mammoth
43
Indian Wars :-
Todd's Defeat 45
45
Education
144
Harmar's Expedition
45
St. Clair's Defeat 46
Statistics of Wealth
146
Anna 238
Incorporation Petition 238
Business Interests
238
Wayne's Life (with portrait)
54
Tax Duplicates
149
Bodkins
239
Greenville Council .
56
Surrender of British Posts
70
The Shawnees
71
Prominent Indians
73
Treasurer's Report
162
Van Buren Township :-
Early Settlement 251
Organization 251
Kettlerville
251
Character of Population
80
Wolf Scalps
176
Rumley
252
Ohio Land Company 81
Record of Townships
177
Pulaski .
252
First Settlement 81
The Infirmary
178
Surveys and Grants 82
Political Parties
178
Justice of the Peace 252
Biographies 252
McLean Township :-
Organization 254
Officers 254
Justice of the Peace 257
Schools 257
Berlin 257
Business Interests
258
Military Expeditions
84
Biographies 185
Churches
258
Legislators.
85
Green Township :-
Biographies
263
First Council
85
Early Settlement 196
Streams
199
Moravian Missions
90
Mills
199
·· Organization 270
The Friends at Wapakoneta
98
Officers
199
Settlement
270
Post Office
102
Schools . 199
Official Record 270
North Port 270
Newport.
270
Incidents of the War of 1812. 114
Plattsville 201
Cynthian
270
(v)
Digitized by
238
St. Clair's Life 48
Expenses
148
Wayne's Victory
49
Land Entries
148
Personal Property
153
Churches
240
Sawmills 240
Biographies 241
Northwest Territory :- Virginia 'Title 78
Court Proceedings
169
Ordinance of 1787.
79
Early Marriages
175
Treaties 82
Statistics 178
County Officers 180
Second Grade Government
83
Early Laws
83
Early Events 183
Organization 183
List of 'Township Officers 184
Kirk wood
184
Officers
84
Churches 185
Cynthian Township :- Soil 270
Early Forts
86
Ohio
103
Churches 200
State Constitution
106
New Palestine 200
Dinsmore 'Township :-
Settlement 237
Schools 237
Churches 238
Estey Grange 238
Religious Institution
145
Justice of the Peace
Mounds. 39
Bedded Stone 137
Churches 229
Special Land Titles 229
Biographies 229
Organization 141
The County Seat 141
The Survey of Sidney 143
Public Highways 144
Early Military Expeditions
29
Population by Counties 127
Organization of Illinois County
33
Shelby County :-
Western Expeditions
34
Introduction 131
The Mound Builders 36
The County 132
Archæology 36
Geology -
Churches 228
Montra 228
Early Boundaries 215
Tribes of the Upper Ohio
27
Early Settlement 215
Pemberton 215
Court House and Jail 153
Commissioners' Journal
153
Treasurer's Report
165
First Officers 83
Orange Township :-
Local Courts
83
Organization of Counties
83
Villages and Towns 84
Officers 252
1
-
,
Clarke's Expedition
vi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Basinburg
273
Officers
309
Churches
Churches
273
Records.
309
Lodges
333
Ear-marks
310
Biographies
333
Biographies
273
Washington Township :-
Early Settlement
276
Officers
279
Churches
279
Lockington
279
Houston
311
Surveyor's Notes
346
Incorporation
280
Mount Jefferson
312
Buildings
347
Officers
280
North Houston
312
Hotels
348
Mills
280
Russia. 312
Massena
312
East Sidney
348
Biographies 312
City Officers
349
Streams
290
Franklin Township :-
Surface 321
Churches
350
Settlement .
290
Churches 321
Swander's Crossing 322
322
Church Histories
352
Treasurer's Report Officers
293
Way-marks
294
Schools
295
Officers
322
Churches
295
Biographies 322
Hardin
296
Early Events
296
Location. 331
Churches
297
Mills
297
Officers 332
Hardin Station 297
Port Jefferson 332
332
Loramie Township :-
North Salem
332
Settlement
306
Schools
332
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Portrait of General Anthony Wayne.
54
Jonathan Chapman.
121
ORANGE TOWNSHIP.
Residence of John Hart (with portraits).
181
:
John A. Voress (with portraits) 181
Wm. C. Valentine (with portraits). 182
= J. B. Francis
192}
Noah Rhinehart (with portraits) 192}
Daniel V. Dingman (with portraits). 193}
James M. Caven ..
292
Portraits of W. B. Lefferson and wife 324}
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Residence of S. F. Dorsey 197 D. Brelsford. 197
and saw-mill of J. P. Hageman. 198
and nursery of W. Branson & Sons 198
Jacob Shuler
256
H. S. Ailes .. 130
= J. S. Laughlin 130
130
A. J. Robinson Hudson Gartley.
130
F. Amann. 3644
S. Alex. Leckey 364
= Peter Goffena 364}
John Wagner. 3644
Residence of J. E. Wilkinson 344
=
W. B. Spencer.
344
Tile Yard and residence of Mrs. S. S. Wells.
344
Grocery and residence of C. Wolf.
319
MAPS.
Ohio
.9 and 10
Residence of Joab Glick
"
P. Hunt.
236 Port 242}
" H. C. Lenox 276
Portraits of Jacob Rasor and wife. 284}
292
=
Thomas Shaw and wife .
2843
SALEM TOWNSHIP.
G. E. Allinger
330
Port Jefferson High School . 330
Portrait of Father Wm. Bigot .. 267 S. C. Burton. . 337
Store and residence of J. H. Lohman 272
Residence of Henry Menke 272
and store of Leander Northeis .. . 262
= Dr. W. H. Hopkins. 272
John Brucken.
256
= Hon. Benjamin LeFever 368
Maxwell Page. 392
Wells Page
382
and office of Dr. J. C. Leedom 2023
= B. S. Chesler.
256
" of I. C. Dorsey. 2023
" P. F. Verdier 203}
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
Residence of John Valentine (with portraits)
212
John Key.
212
" U. M. Stiles. 292
Portraits of George Sturm and wife.
284}
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
W. W. Ginn 292
= J. W. Akin
307
= I. S. Cox. 307
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Kah House
236
Residence of J. T. Bailey 276
310
Clinton Township
342
Schools
311
Records
345
Churches
311
Officers
346
Mills 311
Sidney
346
Biographies
281
Turtle Creek Township :-
Lodges
350
Industrial Institutions
350
Trustees' Proceedings 293
293
Mills .
Secret Society
357
Tile Yards
322
Woodstock
322
Monumental Building
359
Public Institutions
362
Agricultural Society 364
Business Institutions 365
Newspapers Biographies
369
Military Record
394
Addenda-Constitutional Convention
405
Biographies
297
Tileton
Conclusion
406
Residence of Mrs. Lucretia Baker. 319
Tile Yard of Killian & Ludlum 242}
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
Residence of Phillip Maurer.
250
McLEAN TOWNSHIP.
St. Michael Church 260 and 261
Bailey W. Gilfillen.
337
Glenn Cemetery
338
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Portrait of Judge Hugh Thompson.
353
=
Martin Brucken
256
Joseph Rieger.
256
Store of J. H. Rottinghaus
256
" J. D. Inderrieder
256
S. H. Quartman 256
= J. H. Wellman 256
Hotel of Joseph Vondrell
319
Residence and store of Joseph Vockes 319
LORAMIE TOWNSHIP.
Residence of James Clark 250
Residence and office of Dr. J. M. Carter (with portraits) 226 Portrait of George Hawver.
3244
DINSMORE TOWNSHIP.
Balser Hagelsberger
2424 | Lockington High School.
PAGE
PAGE
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
Portraits of George Fridley and wife
3244
Salem Township :-
366
Settlement 331
Schools
352
Stores
348
Pikes 290
PAGK
PAGE 332
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
INTRODUCTION.
LESS than nine centuries since, the historic period of the Western Continent-the new world-was ushered in. Let us pause a moment and recall the achievements of the actors in the great drama of dis- covery, settlement, colonization, and nationality. With our own terri- tory extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the great cool lakes to the broad warm gulf, it also embraces a separate territory bor- dering the Frozen Ocean and clasping hands with the great Asiatic Continent, almost linking that continent with British North America. With an area of more than three and a half million square miles, it em- braces a population of more than 50,000,000 human beings, which num- ber is annually augmented by accessions from all quarters of the globe. This domain comprises all varieties of climate, soil, productions, rivers, lakes, and natural scenery, and forms the material for many States yet to form, which under the indissoluble bond of union now existing will make of all a Nation, under a government the best the world has ever seen, with institutions of which the race may be proud, and in the enjoy- ment of liberties of which the old world has never even dared to dream. "A government of the people, for the people, and by the people," it has become the model to which all governments are slowly but steadily fashioning themselves. "Westward the star of empire took its way," until in the new world was solved the great problems of government, of liberty and equality, for these institutions have been found equal to any test, and able to resist every strain. Resting upon intelligence, its superiority has been demonstrated, its adaptation to the wants of man attested until it gives promise of a solution of the great problem of the social, political, and civil destiny of man.
But all this is the growth and development of less than three centu- ries, and a review of that period, extending from savagery to enlighten- ment is the task we undertake. What is the story of the years?
DISCOVERY.
.
Nearly nine centuries ago, Eric the Red, a Norwegian sailor,* settled in Iceland, from which he navigated the seas, until discovering Green- land, he concluded to make it his home. His son Lief, fired by ambi- tion, purchased a vessel, and undertook a voyage of discovery. With a stout little craft, sometimes moved by wind and again by oars, just such a vessel as the sea-kings of Europe used, he prepared with twenty-five men to make a voyage of the unknown sea. He had prevailed upon his father to become the commander of the expedition, but on the way to the vessel the animal ridden by Eric stumbled, and the old navigator thinking it an ill omen said, " I do not believe it is given to me to dis- cover any more lands, and here I will abide."
In the summer of 1002t Lief and his companions sailed south westerly, until they saw land, flat along the shore, with snow-capped mountains at a distance from the sea. Farther south they found another country of heavy timber and no mountains. Here they rested a few hours, and
* Something of the wayward life of those old sea-kings may be obtained from the following verse, taken from one of their old ballads :-
"He scorns to rest 'neath the smoky rifter, He plows with his boat the roaring deep ; The billows boil and the storm howls after-
But the tempest is only a thing of laughter- The sea-king loves it better than sleep !"
t A Norse navigator, Herjulfson, sailing from Iceland to Greenland in the year 986 was driven by a storm to Newfoundland or Labrador, but after being driven about at length reached Greenland, without having landed in the new country of which he related marvellous stories.
.
again sailed southward. The next land was gently hilly and mostly wooded, with a northern shore sheltered by an island. Here small but delicious fruits were found in abundance, and some burnt wood and bones of fishes were the only traces of human beings. Finding a harbor at the mouth of a river, their vessel was carried by the tide into a bay, where they landed, and finding a delightful climate, the woods abound- ing with deer and the waters with fish, they concluded to spend the winter. A German of the company discovered an abundance of de- licious grapes, and the country was then named Vineland by Lief.
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