USA > Ohio > Hardin County > The history of Hardin county, Ohio > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126
بارية
子生A
G. 977.101 H21h 8 1200039
M.
GENEALCCY COLLECTION
E
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00825 2691 m
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofhardinc00warn
THE
HISTORY
OF
HARDIN COUNTY,
OHIO,
CONTAINING
.
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. ; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS; MILITARY RECORD; PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN ; HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY ; HISTORY OF OHIO; MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, ETC., ETC.
ILLUSTRATED. .
CHICAGO : WARNER, BEERS & CO. 1883.
average Moyne 22. OS PRINTERS 18 &120 MONROE SP LIG
CHICAGO O
1200039
PREFACE.
T THE writer of history, as a general thing, deals wholly with the affairs of past generations, and his aim is to pause when he arrives at that realm bounded by the memory of men now living; but the principal field of our inves- tigation lay this side of that boundary line, and there are many who will doubt- less peruse this work who, from the first, have witnessed and taken part in most of the events related.
After giving a synopsis of the history of the Northwest Territory and the State of Ohio, we begin the history of Hardin County with a chapter on the Mound-Builders, followed by a similar sketch of the Indian tribes, and their conquest by the white race. The struggle for possession of Ohio is related, and the first white settlements planted on its soil briefly spoken of as they gradually pushed north up the valleys of the Scioto, Mad River and Miamis, until they reached the beautiful forests of Hardin County. Then comes a record of the worthy pioneers, together with their trials, hardships, manners and customs; the early surveys, civil organization, topographical and geolog- ical outline of the county, etc., are followed by a description of the institutions and improvements of civilization, all being treated under separate headings. The gallant part borne by those brave boys who went forth to fight the Nation's battles in' lier hour of peril, is not forgotten, but a "roll of honor " preserves their names for the praise of generations yet unborn. We next present the town, township and village history, in which a more detailed account is given of the early settlers, of the material progress made, and of the churches, schools, societies, manufacturing interests and other concomitants of the civilization that has in the past fifty years worked such a marvel in the wilderness, and flourished to such full fruition upon the very ground which, within the recol- lection of those still living, was the abode of wild beasts and savage men.
R. C. Brown prepared the general history of the county, with the exception of Chapter X, which was furnished by William L. Walker, a well-known attor- ney of Kenton; the history of the Catholic Church, kindly contributed by Rev. A. S. Siebenfoercher, and the article on the Normal School at Ada, by H. S. Lehr. Cessna and Marion Townships were written by O. P. Ralston, and the remaining thirteen townships are from the pen of N. B. Holder. Our sources of information have been State, county, town, township, village and private records, newspaper files, printed publications, and the testimony of liv- ing witnesses; and, while it has been our aim to compile a reliable, full and at- tractive history, were it devoid of all inaccuracies, that perfection would have been attained, which Macaulay once said never could be reached. In our
SURNAME FILE
27.50
PREFACE.
efforts to collect reliable data, we have, with a rare exception, met with the earnest co-operation of all classes, but to the following gentlemen, to wit, Alexander Given, Harvey Buckmister, Daniel Barron, Luther Furney, Samuel Campbell, David Goodin, Dr. A. W. Munson, Anthony Banning, Gen. J. S. Robinson, J. A. Rogers, J. W. F. Williams, Benjamin R. Brunson, Thomas Espy, J. C. Stevens, Nathan Ahlefeld and Curtis Wilkin, we return sincere thanks for their courteous endeavors to assist us in our labors. The county officials, too, we found ever ready to lend a helping hand in culling material from the records in their respective offices, while members of every profession and calling assisted in rendering our task a pleasant one. Pioneers in differ- ent portions of the county furnished much of the information from which the township histories were compiled, and to these also we return thanks for the kindness received at their hands.
To each and all of our patrons we come with the satisfaction of knowing that we bring what we guaranteed, and in the belief that they will appreciate the work, and that their children will regard it as a valuable heirloom.
THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRRITORY.
PAGE.
PAGE.
Geographical Position ........... .......
19
American Settlements. 59
Early Explorations 20
Discovery of Ohio. 32
-
Tecumseh and the War of 1812. 69
English Explorations and Settlements ... 34
Black Hawk and the Black Hawk War
73
PART II. HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
History of Ohio 93
French History 96
Ordinance of 1787, No. 32. 105
The War of 1812. 122
Outline Geology of Ohio .. 179
Ohio's Rank During the War
182
The Canal System 128
Ohio Land Tracts
129
Improvements. 132
State Boundaries. 136
Organization of Counties 137
Description of Counties. 137
Early Events. 137
Governors of Ohio. 160
Ancient Works 174
Some Genera! Characteristics. 177
Banking 126
A Brief Mention of Prominent Ohio Generals. 191
Some Discussed Subjects. 196
Conclusion 200
Comments upon the Ordinance of 1787, from the Statutes of Ohio. Edited by Salmon P. Chase, and Published in the year 1833. 204
PART III.
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER I .- Archaeology - Mound-Builders and Indians - Antiquities - The Different Classes of Mounds, Effigies and Inclosures- Sepulchral Mounds-Sacrificial Mounds- Temple Mounds-Mounds of Observation- Memorial or Monumental Mounds-Effigies or Animal Mounds - Inclosures-Covered Ways-Sacred Inclosures-Lessons Taught by These Works-The Implements Used by the Mound-Builders and Indians-Mounds of Hardin County-Their location, Class and Size. 215
CHAPTER II .- The North American Indians-
Their Life, Language, Places of Abode and Character-The Medicine Man-The Indian Squaw - Marriage and Social Relations- Religious Belief-Original Ohio Tribes- Miami Confederacy-Six Nations-Location of Tribes and their Strength-Indian Wars and Expeditions - Sites of Villages-Vic- tories and Defeats-Final Defeat of the In- dians-Leading Chiefs-Simon Girty-Peace of 1795-Teenmiseh and the War of 1812- Subsequent Treaties-Indian Reservations- Extinction of Indian Title in Ohio - Re- sumé from 1754 to 1794-Hardin County as a IIunting Ground-Indian Camping Places -Shawnee Trace-Villages and Chiefs 233
CHAPTER III. - First White Men-Catholic Missionaries-French and English Trading Posts-Fort Laurens-Attempted Settlement at the Mouth of the Scioto-Salt Works- French and English Claims-English Agents -American Possession - Ohio Company's Purchase-Symmes' Purchase - Fort Har- mar-Pioneer Settlements Along the Ohio -Fort Washington-First Settlement in the Virginia Military District-Nathaniel Mas- sie-French Settlement at Gallipolis-Erec- tion of Wayne County-Territorial Legis- lature-Ohio becomes a State-Tlic Lands embraced in this County opened for Settle- ment-Division of the Indian Territory into Counties-Fur Traders-Hull's Trail-First Settlers in Hardin County
CHAPTER IV .- Pioneer History-Capture and Captivity of Simon Kenton-Capture and Escape of Dr. John Knight-Pioneers of Hardin County prior to 1828-Alfred Hale -The McArthur Family-Daniel Campbell -Samuel Tidd-James E. Hneston-Samuel and Andrew Richey and James Hill- Charles W. and Samuel Stevenson. 277 CHAPTER V. - Principal Land Divisions of Ohio-The Virginia Military Lands-Con- gress Lands-Early Surveys-Pioneer Days
259
Division of the Northwest Territory .. 65
vi
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
and Trials - Pioneer Cabin - Furniture, Food and Medicine-Habits and Labor- Clothing and Books-Early Manners and Customs, etc. - Mills - Teamsters -Store Goods 298
CHAPTER VI .- Hardin County Erected and At- tached to Logan-Organization of Hardin County-Col. John Hardin-Elections and Electors of 1833-34-Public Buildings-Pio- neer Jail - First Court House - Present Court House and Jail-County Infirmary ... 314 CHAPTER VII .- Boundary Lines, Erection of Townships, Area and Location-Topography -Natural Drainage - Surface Features- Geological Structure-The Niagara, Water- lime, Lower Corniferous and Drift-Mate- rial Resources-Reclaiming Marsh Lands- Wild Animals and Reptiles-Timber and Sickness 331 CHAPTER VIII .- Public Officials-Members of ('ongress and Presidential Electors-Sena- tors-Representatives-Judges of the Court of Common Pleas-Associate Judges-Pro- bate Judges-Prosecuting Attorneys-Coun- ty Commissioners-Auditors-Treasurers- Recorders - Clerks-Sheriffs -Surveyors- Coroners-Vote of Hardin County at Vari- ous Periods-Population and Other Statis- tics 344
CHAPTER IX .- Territorial Judiciary -State Judiciary Prior to 1851-Supreme Court- Court of Common Pleas-Justices of the Peacc-Circuits-Judiciary since 1851-Su- preme Court-Court of Common Pleas and Judicial Districts-District Courts-Justices of the Peace-Pioneer Courts of Hardin County-Jurors, Tavern Keepers and School Examiners from 1833 to 1835. 359
CHAPTER X .- The Bar of Hardin County- Visiting Lawyers during the Pioneer days- Past and Present Resident Attorneys. 372
CHAPTER XI .- Pioneer Systems of Medical Practice-Hardin County Medical Society- Pioneer Association of Hardin County- Roll of Membership. 380
CHAPTER XII .- Military History of Hardin County-War of 1812-Opening of Hull's Trail, and Erection of Fort McArthur-Inci- dents Connected with that Fort, and its subsequent abandonment-Gov. Shelby's March over the Shawnee Trace-Mexican War-Civil War - Patriotism of Hardin
County-Roll of Honor-Return of Peace ... 394 CHAPTER XIII .- Education -School Lands- Pioneer Schools-Growth of Education- Schools for Colored Youth-Present Govern-
ment of Schools.
PAGE. 447
CHAPTER XIV .- Agriculture During the Pio- neer Days-Its Growth and Progress-Build- ings, Implements and Crops of the Early Settlers-Pioneer Farming and Teaming- Laborers, Stock and Markets-Fine Stock- Hardin County Agricultural Society-Roads and Pikes-Railroads. 460 CHAPTER XV .- Kenton-Location and Nam- ing of the County Seat-Sketch of Simon Kenton-Original Town Plat and Subse- quent Additions-Names of Original Lot Owners-First Settlers of the Town Site- Pioneers of Kentou-Post Office and Post- masters-Reminiscences of Kenton in 1857 .. 474 CHAPTER XVI. - Religious Organizations- Methodist Episcopal Church - Catholic Church-First Presbyterian Church-Unit- ed Presbyterian Church-St. John's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church - First Baptist Church - Church of Christ or Disciple Church-Reformed Church of the United States-St. Paul's Episcopal Church-First Universalist Church - African Methodist Episcopal Church-Second Baptist Church (Colored)-United Brethren Church-Public · Schools . 497
CHAPTER XVII .- The Press-Whig and Re- publican Papers-The Hardin Intelligencer- Weekly News and Hardin County Republican -Kenton Republican-Democratic Papers- The Kenton Democrat-Kenton, Herald- Democratic Expositor-Nor' western - Western Courier-Hardin County Democrat - Demo- cratic Advocate- Kenton Democrat- Inde- pendent Papers-The Kenton News-Kenton Wochenblatt-Catholic Local News-The Med- ical Profession of Kenton-Secret Societies -City Officials-Fire Protection and City Buildings-Cemeteries 518
CHAPTER XVIII .- The Leading Past and Present Manufacturing Interests of Kenton -Flour Mills-Kenton Foundry and Ma- chine Works-Saw and Woolen Mills-Coop- er Shop and Stave Factory- Breweries- Carriage and Wagon Shops-Marble Works -Pork Packing House-Planing, Scroll Mills and Lumber Yards-Tanncries-Iron Fence Companies-Scioto Straw Board Company- Kenton Gas Company - Kenton Water Works Company-Dickson's Grand Opera House-Banks-Telegraph-Telephone and Express Offices-The Scioto Improvement --- Hotels-Descriptive Review of Kenton in 1883-Conclusion 542
PART IV.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
ROUND HEAD TOWNSHIP. 567
Streams, Surface, Soil and Products. 567
Roads and Pikes 568
Pioneers 568
Schools 573
Towns and Villages 573
Churches. 594
DUDLEY TOWNSHIP. 599
Streams, Surface, Soil, Products and Timber 600 Early Settlers. 601
Elections and Officials 609
Roads and Pikes 610
Schools 610
Churches. 611
Cemeteries. 612
GOSHEN TOWNSHIP 613
Physical Features 613
Early Settlers. 614
Elections and Early Officials. 619
Mills
621
Early Settlers .. 587
Elections and Officials. 589
Mills. 590
Schools. 591
Towns and Villages. 591
Secret Societies 593
Churches
574
Cemeteries
577
TAYLOR CREEK TOWNSHIP
578
Surface, Soil, Streams and Timber 578
579
Roads, Railroads, Towns
581
Saw Mills. 581
Schools. 581 Churches. 582 Cemeteries 583
BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP
Surface, Streams, Soil, Timber, Roads, etc. 584
584
Pioneers
vii
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Roads and Pikes
621
Secret Societies
681
Churches 682
Churches 1
622
Grange
624
CESSNA TOWNSHIP 627
Soil, Timber, Productions, etc.
627
Pioneers
628
Political History
631
Churches
632 633
Cemeteries
633
Societies
633
Pioneer Reminiscence 633
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries, Surface, Rivers, Soil, Timber, etc
634
Pioneers
637
Roads and Pikes.
640
Schools
640
Churches
641
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
708
Streams, Soil and Timber.
708
Pioneers
708
Railroads, Roads and Pikes
714
Mills.
651
Schools.
714
Northwestern Ohio Normal School
717
Cemeteries 651
Churches.
723
Towns and Villages
652
Secret Societies.
657
Churches
658
MARION TOWNSHIP
661
Early Settlers
662
Soil, Climate, Products
667
Political History 668
Churches.
743
Schools
743
Cemeteries
744
Elections and Officials.
744
Cemeteries.
670
JACKSON TOWNSHIP 670
Pioneers ..
671
Early Settlers.,
750
Roads and Public Highways. 677 Mills. 752
Officials 677
Schools
752
Churches 752
753
PART V.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Pleasant Township. 759
835
Jackson Township. 956
Taylor Creek Township S54
Washington Township. 968
Blanchard Township 865
McDonald Township. 975 Dudley Township .. 892
Liberty Township 989
Buck Township .. 1034
Lynn Township .. 1054
PORTRAITS.
Simon Kenton, 115 ^
Thomas Hueston
134 .
Lewis Merriman 296
Lemuel Wilmoth
151
John Saylor. 305 ·
Samuel Mentzer. 170 .
Henry G. Johnson 187
James Young. 325
R. S. Wilson ... 345
Samuel Stewart 356 ·
Simon A. Reid 365 .
David Obenour 376
236 Jane Espy .. 236 . J. B. Pumphrey 385
David Snodgrass 245
I. E. Wilson 396
J. S. Robinson
256 +
J. R. Dunlap. 405
J. A. Rogers .. 265
Samuel Detwiler 416
Lewis Rutledge 276 . John Pfeiffer 425
Jane Rutledge .. 276 . Rev. Samuel Patterson ... 436
688
Pioneers
689
Towns
693
Schools 693
Churches 694
Cemeteries. 697
MCDONALD TOWNSHIP
697
Boundaries, Streams, Surface, Soil and Tim-
ber. 698
Pioneers
699
Mills 703
Schools.
704
Churches
704
Cemeteries
707
HALE TOWNSHIP 642
Surface, Streams, Soil, Timber, Roads, etc .. 643
Pioneers
644
Schools 651
Cemeteries
732
Mills 733
Towns and Villages 734
Secret Societies 737 739 740
Timber 667
Streams, Surface, Soil, etc.
Pioneers
740
Villages, Roads and Railroads. Churches
669
669 Schools
670
LYNN TOWNSHIP
748
Streams, Surface, Soil, Timber, etc.
748
Schools 678
· Towns and Villages 678
PAGE.
Schools 621
Cemeteries 684
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 687
687
Streams, Surface, Soil and Productions Roads and Pikes
Schools
634
Cessna Township 891
Hale Township. 930
W. H. Philips 316 .
Joseph HI. Robinson 206
Dr. U. P. Leighton.
211 ·
A. W. Munson.
226
John Espy
Marion Township. 948
Round Head Township.
Goshen Township 908°
BUCK TOWNSHIP
Societies
B. F. Cessna 285
viii
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Samuel Patterson ...
446
Robert Sloan.
615 ·
Jane Patterson ..
446
J. L. Turner
626
W. D. Patterson 455
G. W. Williams. 635
J. W. Dempster
466
Elias Converse. 646
W. R. Mathews.
475
Samuel Wilson. 655
M. V. Gilbert 486
J. C. Rainsburg 666\
John J. Garlinger 495
J. R. Gunn .. 675.
A. Dirmeyer. 506
G. W. Burnworth 515
526
R. D. Millar
535
J. A. Stansell. 715
C. B. Drum 555
566
George C. Borders 735
Paul R. Sieg.
575
Peter Borders ... 746
Thomas Sloan
586 . Alonzo Harvey 755
P. H. Hisey 595
606
John Austin
775
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Source of the Mississippi .. 22
La Salle Landing on the Shores of Green Bay 24
26
Lake Bluff. 62
Trapping 28
Tecumseh, the Shawnee Chieftain. 68
Mouth of the Mississippi ..
31
Indians Attacking a Stockade.
71
High Bridge .. 33
Black Hawk, the Sac Chieftain 74
Pontiac, the Ottawa Chieftain. 42
Perry's Monument, Cleveland. 91
Indians Attacking Frontiersmen
55
Niagara Falls.
92
MISCELLANEOUS.
Map of Hardin County 10-11
Population of the Principal Countries of the
World
203
Area of the United States 203
Population of Ohio by Counties. 202
Population of Hardin County. 358
Area of the Principal Countries of the World .. 203
Present Site Lake Street Bridge, Chicago in 1833 58
Pioneer Dwelling. 60
Buffalo Hunt
William Hempy 726
W. H. Brown
J. R. Trissler. 695
C. A. Guider
William Stewart 686
A. F. Stanley 706
S. H. Cook 766
J. S. Rice
PAGE.
Constitution of the United States 79
1
R.9E.
R.10E
6
5
4
3
2
$ 7
6
5
4
5
3
2
7
P
P
7
10
110
,12
7
8
9
10
11
12
DE
18
Ir B
16 H
15R
13Y
18
WASHING
O
19
20 PITTSBURG
21
22
23
24
19
20
21
22
23
N 24
ARI
3
29
28
2/7
26
BLOCKTOWNE
쇼
31
32
33
34
3/5
36
31
32
34
35
36
MAYSVILLE DEMPSTER
P.6.
5
5
4
3
2
1
6
5
3
2
1
HU
INTERSVILLE
7
8
9
10
11
12
7 C
8
9
11
12
Run
A
JAGGER P.O.Y 18 17 M
16
15
14 N
18 MCGUFFEY BO.
6
2 1,5
14.
13
12
ARIO
119
21
22
24
E
OAKLAND FORAKER P.O.
25
16563
10057
25
3
30
29
28
27
Riven
12291
AT! AN.
37
321
33
34
35
13950
13938
13036
12097
10
13950
10/09
10973
6373
6513
4180
245
4
3
10974
-
10919 N
10274
1436
7
-
9
10 t
10812
10276
Kenton
Pike
INDIANA
T.5S.
19
20
21
10310
Round Read
12246
to
30
28
360
14068 1219 8
74632
-
13182 SILVER
10024
10295
13181
15926
TAYLOR
100:
76059
61
5
10009
12335
Houn.
Head
8
12277
12 747
12276
74573
10337
172277
13403
12279
9999
999
11015
13334 13341
3694
12181
13079
14033
9989
9 2
9 9
BELLE
CENTER
Kanton
I.4S.
19
20
21
22
23
24
23
100 53 CHICAGO
12291
15026
02095
36 Mc. AI
13433
10973
14864
13242
108
6
5
HEAD
15
12106
18
16
13360
10056
10312
12376
12106 10 278
JUMBOZ P.O.
121093.
11073
133 26
10037
10035
10036
MC.DONALD
5550
10026 CREEK
10027
Pike
31
32 3 R ROUNDHESAID
12247
--
10013
10012
YELVERTON
10300
10011
10302
.48
'8185
13167
10100
100
72184
14940
Vetvertou
10014
13932
10010
North
12 51
Bellefountainep
10050
-
10 5 0 1
12113
192614
AGRANGE
10068
10045
L
10344.10678 70677.1
9935
i
10664
10525
10046
10
. Creek
10246 90
silv
+ E
Z
2$
4106
Borders
12202
10784
12296
Bettel
17476 9
10353 9991
10
CAGO
Lex
N. WASHINGTON 17 16
15
14
13
ET WAYNE
1 +T. 3 SI
25/
30
29
28
27
26
25
3
PRESTON
S
Four MY 10 S
SCIOTO
17
SawM272
&
26
13078
-
10801
10972
2
11067
3 676 $170
11074
15477
.
26
18
ADALET
Marsh
&
1E.
RIZEA
3
2
6
5
10
7-
REST
8
12
7
18
17
15
JPATTERSON
MAP OF C JARDIN
BlancEN
26
25L
30%
29
OHIO
:
3
2
1
6
5
GRANT STATION
7
ee
R.12E.
8
75K
14
13
22/20)
18
17
75
14
E
T
24
19
Pike
20
21 S
H
23 E
0
ANT
& Marseilles
30
28
27
25
27
H
125
nton!
Ke
34
35
36
31
32
33
34
35
36
I Grove Cem.
3
12K
6
5
4
3
2
1
10030
$400
003X
12092
100312
100/37
1203
13038
13
35
C
10171 ₼
vict
40
48
12030
9857
11080
5783
12340
R
101 16
GRASSYPOINTAND
reek-
10006
10899
10+75
10005
MT VICTORY 6.16.5
10706
6440
6437
10839
0076
Pan
AF
E
--
10899
12280 70578
109 00
102 39
RIDGWAY
10:
-
112343 0
-
12/23/
9960 10042
13360
3
K1219
Creel
106 9 110
13237
10234
.8
1247
12 29 &c.
10818
10964
12212
Ridgeway
10665 10666
10019
700 20
11079
10 32
14910 BIR.
012180
Pilke
10004
10536
il
13535
her
Pike
1322?
0.7.
1/2 779
121921
-
L
Marysvi
PFEIFFER PO.
DUDLEY
Larue
10
11Pile12
HEPBURN
17/0064
Kenton &
entor & Mt.
Wolf
113360
10687
4061
10016
w Lizzle mochtee 29
22
24
22
23
w Forest
31
32
34
35
WESTER!
19
23
JACKS 24
N 20
ARD
1
10
7/11/12
8
ton
16
Paw
.
- 261
42.6 Run
11
1
nto
7
.8
101 76
G
Run
100
5
cat
n/Run
15523
10032
RiverSH
13
R. R.
PART I.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Acı
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 13,000,000 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.
(19)
20
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
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 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.
During M. Talon's explorations and Marquette's residence at St. Ignatius, they learned of a great river away to the west, and fancied -as all others did then-that upon its fertile banks whole tribes of God's children resided, to whom the sound of the Gospel had never come. Filled with a wish to go and preach to them, and in compliance with a
21
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
request of M. Talon, who earnestly desired to extend the domain of his king, and to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the expe- dition, prepared for the undertaking.
On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assist- ant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade. them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. But, nothing daunted by these terrific descriptions, Marquette told them he was willing not only to encounter all the perils of the unknown region they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which the salvation of souls was involved ; and having prayed together they separated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox River and Lake Winnebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Mar- quette was delighted to find a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the town ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, or God, to thank him for the pity he had bestowed on them during the Winter in giving them an abundant " chase." This was the farthest outpost to which Dablon and Allouez had extended their missionary labors the year previous. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed in the secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake. He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to Joliet, said : "My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new coun- tries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths of the Gospel." Two Miami guides were here furnished to conduct them to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Indian village on the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever yet ventured. The' guides, having conducted them across the portage, returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin, which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down its unknown waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck out into the broadening current and became conscious that they were now upon the bosom of the Father of Waters. The mystery was about to be lifted from the long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June must have been clad in all its primeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.