USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Fremont > A guide to the local history of Fremont, Ohio, prior to 1860 > Part 2
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To protect the government stores at this point.
Where was this fortification, and by what name is the place known ?
On the hill west of the river ; since May 1813 known as Fort Stephenson. in honor of the colonel then in command.
Who garrisoned the Fort?
Troops came and went. July 3. 1813, Kentucky mounted rifle- men under Col. Richard M. Johnson, afterward known as "the man who killed Tecumseh," and the future Vice President, marched from Fort Meigs to Lower Sandusky. Independence Day was celebrated by garrison and guests: and first mention is made of the historic cannon, "Old Betsy," which fired Fourth of July salutes.
Who is the hero of Fort Stephenson, and when did he take command of the Fort?
. Major George Croghan, a Kentucky youth of twenty-one years. arrived with part of his regiment to garrison the fort, prior to July 16, 1813.
Who was in command of the Northwestern Army?
William Henry Harrison, with general headquarters at Fort Seneca, nine miles up the river from Lower Sandusky.
When was the battle of Fort Stephenson fought, and with what force and commanders ?
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August 1 and 2, 1813. Croghan's gallant force of 160 men and one cannon, "Old Betsy," held the Fort two days and finally vanquished 800 British Regulars, veteran troops of Wellington's Peninsula campaign, commanded by General Henry Proctor and about two thousand Indian allies under Tecumseh. Croghan lost but one man ; the British lost Lieutenant-Colonel Short, Lieu- tenant Gordon, and several score of regulars, besides many In- dians.
(This section presupposes a general knowledge of the War of 1812, the chain of -forts along the Sandusky and Maumee rivers, the commanders and armies on both sides, and such decisive bat- tles as Perry's Victory and the Battle of the Thames. For detailed accounts of the Battle of Fort Stephenson and of Croghan's life, see McAfee's History of the Late War; Everett, Howe ; articles in the Ohio Arch. and Hist. Pubs., Vol. X. p. 49, by Miss J. M. Haynes, and Vol. XII, P. 375. by Chas. R. Williams.)
What was the effect of the battle of Fort Stephenson ?
It was the first serious check to the land forces of Great Brit- ain. The disparity in numbers of the opposing sides, the youth of the hero and the decisive triumph created great enthusiasm throughout the country. This battle was the turning point of the war.
Outline the history of "Old Betsy."
It was probably an old French cannon captured from the French in the French and Indian wars of 1756-1763. Our first knowledge of it is at the Fourth of July celebration of 1813 (see above.) After the war in which the gun did such valiant service, it was removed to Pittsburg arsenal. Later Congress ordered its return to Lower Sandusky. Owing to the duplication of village names, the cannon was sent to Sandusky City, so named in 1818, which at the time of the battle was called Ogontz's Place, and later Portland. The authorities wished to keep it, and for better con- cealment buried it. Mayor B. J. Bartlett, of Lower Sandusky. traced the gun and sent men and a wagon to bring it home. "Old Betsy" now stands in the center of Fort Stephenson, on the scene of her great triumph.
Where were the British soldiers, killed at the battle of Fort Stephenson, buried?
A pit for the enlisted men was dug west of the Fort, extending over into the school yard. Lt. Col. Short and Lieut. Gordon. of the 4Ist Regiment, were buried side by side, near the present High School building, corner Park and Garrison streets.
(Students of the Battle of Fort Stephenson should examine two fac-simile gold medals in Birchard Library, presented by Congress, one to General Harrison in commemoration of the Bat- tle of the Thames, the other to Major Croghan in commemoration
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of the battle of Fort Stephenson. The Library also has photo- graphs of the sword presented by Congress to Ensign Joseph Duncan who bore a conspicuous part in the defense. There is also a portrait of William Gaines, last survivor of the bat- tle, with a special military order signed by President Hayes, Sec- retary of War Ramsey, and General Sherman, awarding him an honorable pension. Also original letters from Croghan to Har- rison a few days before the battle; fine oil portraits of Harrison and of Croghan ; a large drawing of the Fort blockhouses ; also. pieces of the Fort pickets showing bullets in them.)
F. Old Buildings.
Describe the home of the Lower Sandusky pioneer.
The one-story log cabin was built of round logs, the cracks. filled with mud liberally mixed with leaves. The floors were of puncheons, as were the ponderous doors, hung on wooden hinges. The chimney was built of poles imbedded in mud mortar, on a foundation of stones placed outside the cabin. and a large open- ing cut through. A window was made by cutting out a piece of one or two logs and pasting greased paper over the opening.
Furniture was equally simple. A bedstead made of two poles was built into the corner, with bark tied on for mattress. Benches were made of wide puncheons, with long pins driven in for legs. Baking was done in a Dutch oven - a shallow kettle placed over the coals, with coals heaped over the cover. Babies were rocked in maple sugar troughs, made of large logs. At house raisings there was plenty to eat but little to eat with. All comers brought thei- own knives and spoons.
Where was the first frame building in Lower Sandusky ?
Near the corner of Front and Croghan streets, on the site of Dorr's and Hamilton's store rooms. It was built by Israel Har- rington and used as a tavern. It was erected in 1815. Col. R. M. Johnson and other Kentucky soldiers stopped here on their way home from the Battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813. It was kept for a time by Gen. Otho Hinton, the stage line proprietor.
What was the second frame building in the village?
The store of Olmsted Brothers, erected in 1817 near the pres- ent Price Lumber Company office. It was two stories high, with 60 feet front on the river. Dormer windows jutted out above, with pulleys and tackle for raising goods. After the store was built quite a pile of lumber was left which Judge Olmsted gave- away from time to time to make coffins.
Where was the first brick building in town ?
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The old Beauregard residence, between the present Wheeling 'station and the bridge.
In 1820 how many houses were there in the village?
Some ten or twelve of brick or frame, and about thirty log ·cabins.
Who occupied the buildings on the Fort?
After the war, the blockhouses were used as stopping places for pioneers till cabine could be buildt. Three families, the Morri- sons, Pattersons and Bakers occupied the three room cabin built . near the northeast corner of the square for officers during the war. The blockhouses were sold and removed in 1818. About 1832 Jaques Hulburd, who had purchased the Fort, erected a low frame dwelling which stood until 1877, when the place passed into the hands of the Library trustees.
When was the first school house erected ?
In ISio, on the site of the present Central School House. It was built of logs, with puncheon floors and benches, and oiled paper windows. A deep ravine ran east of it, and south were the graves of the British officers and soldiers.
What were its successors ?
The first house was replaced in 1817 by a more substantial log house. In 1834 this was burned down because a cholera patient had been ill and died there the previous August. A rough stone house took its place and stood until 1853, when the old brick building on the site of the present High School building was erected. The old stone school house was used for church pur- poses and for public meetings as well as for schools.
What and where was the first church in Fremont ?
The M. E. Church, first services of which were held in the old log school house. In 1834, after this building was burned, the congregation built on the southwest corner of Arch and Garrison streets, land therefor being donated by David Gallagher. It was a two-story frame building, not large, and was occupied in 1835. This was the only church in the place and was used till the brick building, corner of Birchard and. Park Avenues was completed in 1850. The parsonage was west of the church on Garrison street. After the brick church was finished the old property was sold and the present residence of Chas. Fouke. on High street, purchased for a parsonage.
Where were early Presbyterian services held?
On the east side of the river, where the Herbrand works now stand. in a house built by the Prior brothers, and by them con- tributed for church purposes.
Where was held the first Common Pleas Court of Sandusky County ?
Croghansville had been selected by the Ohio General Assembly
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as the temporary seat of justice. There, May 8, 1820, in a small log house on the northwest corner of Ohio avenue and Pine street, court opened with George Tod as president judge; Israel Harrington, David Harold and Alexander Morrison as associate judges.
Where was the second seat of justice ?
The log school house, near the corner of Park avenue and Croghan streets. Thither on May 23. 1822. court adjourned from the log house on Croghansville hill. For ten years thereafter both Common Pleas and Supreme courts were held here. The chairman of the Committee on Permanent Location, which secured the court house for the west side of the river, was Charles R. Sherman, who with Judge Jacob Burnet opened the first term of the Supreme Court of Sandusky County July 30, 1823. Judge Sherman was the father of Gen. Wm. T. Sherman and Senator John Sherman. Judge Purnet had been United States Senator, as the successor of William Henry Harrison. At the August. 1845. term of this court, Stanley Matthews, later appointed to the U. S. Supreme Bench by President Hayes, was admitted to the bar. (See articles by Basil Meek on Courts and Bar of Sandusky County. )
Where was the first Court House of Sandusky County ?
On the present site of the M. E. Church, corner Birchard and Park avenues. It was "in the woods," and was moved, in 1831 or 1832, by twenty-five yoke of oxen to a more convenient site, north of Croghan street. This court house, after ten years in building, was used but eleven years. Since 1845, when the pres- ent court house on Park avenue was completed, the earlier struct- ure has been the parsonage of St. John's Lutheran church.
Where was the first local jail?
On the river bank between Croghan and State streets. It was built of logs. a story and a half high.
Name and locate some of the early taverns of Fremont.
· The earliest taverns were primitive structures of logs, in which the landlady roasted fat coons, wild turkeys and half saddles of deer before the glowing fire of the common room, in the presence of the hungry guests. Rates were twenty-five cents a day, dinner for a man and his horse being six and a quarter cents.
Harrington's tavern has already been mentioned. (See First Frame Building above. )
A building, erected in 1818 north of State street, was moved in 1831 to the northeast corner of Front and Croghan streets. by Thomas Ogle, and converted into a tavern kept by Isaac Knapp. In 1839 the front parlor was fitted up as a storeroom by J. P. Haynes. In 1854. O. L. Nims wished to build a brick block on that corner, and gave the old building to Thos. L. Haw-
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kins, who moved it to Water street south of Garrison, where it stood till 1900 as part of J. P. Moore's carriage shop.
In 1820 William .Andrews built a tavern on a little wharf at the foot of Garrison street. . In its third story was the first Masonic Lodge in this town. This building, and one built by Nicholas Whitenger about the same time, were the only two listed in 1820 as worth one thousand dollars. Whitenger's house was the orig- inal part of the famous corner tavern, known as the Ohio Man- sion House, later as Kessler's, where the Wheeling station now stands. As early as 1822, Thos. L. Hawkins converted the upper story into a theatre. In the early '4os, board and lodging at this: tavern were $2.50 per week.
A few doors north of the Mansion House, on the river bank,. stood the Northern Exchange, built about 1836, a good, three- story building. Here for a time was the office of the Ohio Rail- way. Here were held many of the town meetings. The second. story was devoted to the Ohio Institute kept by Dio Lewis. In 1840, when P. Fusselman was proprietor. he rigged up a steel bar in a frame outside the door. This was struck at meal time,. and became practically the village clock.
The Western House. built in 1830, on the site of the old Buck- land block, was in its day the leading hotel of Northwestern Ohio. It was a frame building with a great two-story piazza with large pillars. Its old barn long remained, being demolished for the: building of the Christy Knife Works.
Macklin's, the present American House on West State street,. was built in 1837.
The present Hotel Fremont, long the Croghan House, was. erected as a store by an Englishman named Weiler, who lived in the big brick house on Croghansville hill.
On the east side of the river. Morris A. Newman kept a tavern in very early times. On the site of the late Tell House was Harp- ster's tavern, famous as Democratic headquarters. The Goose House, with a wild goose sign, was the big frame building still standing on the north side of East State street. Capt. Samuel Thompson kept a famous hostlery on the present Thompson property where was held the notable Democratic meeting dur- ing the campaign of 1840. (See Miss Keeler's "Sandusky River.") Rutherford B. Hayes lived at Thompson's from 1845- 1849.
Name and locate some of the old residences of Fremont.
The old Dickinson house, corner Arch and State streets, now the site of the Opera House, was built by Morris A. Newman on the hill east of the river, and about 1828 it was moved by yokes of oxen. It got stuck on the bridge, then an open one,
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and a hole had to be cut through the house to allow teams and passengers to cross.
In 1828, Capt. Morris Tyler set up a frame for a barn on the southwest corner of Front and State streets. In the fall he fin- ished the frame for a dwelling in which he and his family lived many years. When the Buckland block was built, this house was moved to North Center street and is now the residence of D. S. Blue, probably the oldest building in town.
The residence of Christopher Smith on North Justice street was built by J. S. Olmstead, our first merchant, on the present site of Buchman's store. It was moved when the old Opera House block was erected.
In 1815 Jeremiah Everett, one of the earliest settlers, built a 'log house at the northeast corner of Arch and Ewing streets. One of the first frame houses on south Arch street was built in 1839 by Andrew Morehouse, where the Win. B. Sheldon resi- dence now stands. It was moved north on the same street, and is now occupied by J. Youngman.
The original part of Dr. Robert Rice's residence was built by Elder Skinner, minister of the Baptist congregation whose church 'stood about where the Jackson Underwear factory is now. The site was long occupied by the residence of Theo. Clapp.
In 1837 three brick residences were begun, those of Dr. D. Brainard. now owned by the Croghan Bank; the Rawson house on State street ; and the Macklin house ( American House) oppo- site. Dr. Brainard's house, finished in 1840, was opened with a housewarming, one of the society events of the early days. The whole town was invited, and a great collation served. This house was the finest in the place, four stories high, with beautiful walnut finishings, colonial stairways and mantels
The house at the northeast corner of Hayes and Park avenues, formerly stood near the center of that square. It was built by Azariah Eddy, who sold it with his whole surrounding farm to John R. Peasc. Mr. Pease lived there until he built the house standing, with many outbuildings, on the Pcase estate - the square southwest of Park and Hayes avenues. The main part of the Pease house has been moved to face Clover street.
In 1853, one of the finest residences in northern Ohio was built by R. P. Buckland, the well-known house on Birchard and Park avenues. He sent to Georgia for pine to finish the house, using magnificent black walnut for the barns. Plumbing, hot water pipes, and furnaces were introduced into town for the first time. The same year Mr. Buckland erected the Buckland Block, on Front street, between Croghan and Garrison streets; and a few years later the one on the southwest corner of Front and State ·streets.
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The house at Spiegel Grove was begun by Sardis Birchard in 1859 for the permanent home of his nephew, Rutherford B. Hayes, who, owing to his service in the army, in Congress and as Governor of Ohio, did not occupy it until 1873. Mr. Birchard lived there until that time. General Haves made many additions and alterations and the fine old house has been the scene of many notable gatherings and has sheltered many distinguished guests. Where were the carly stores of the village?
Along the river front. on Front street and State street. (For a description of the early business houses see Everett, pp. 421-5.) Where were public meetings held in the early days ?
In the school house, Hawkins' theatre, the offices of the West- ern House, Mansion House and Northern Exchange, and the M. E. Chapel. Then came Social Hall, now Masonic, at the open- ing of which R. P. Buckland presided as floor manager ; Birch- aru Ilall, bahtt int 1356, to seat one thousand persons, and "soon to be lighted with gas." Mammoth Hall, in the old Opera House block was the largest public hall prior to the opening of the new Opera House.
What was the first banking house in Fremont ?
A small one-story brick building where the Colonial Bank now stands, where on New Year's Day, 1851, Sardis Birchard and Lucius Otis opened a private bank. Twelve years later it became the First National Bank of Fremont, standing fifth on the list of National Banks of the United States.
What buildings were along the west bank of the river before 1850, most of which gave way to the Wheeling tracks?
Near the bend of the river below town were a dozen ware- houses : south of that the ship yard. The big two-story frame house of Colonel Hunt stood on the river bank opposite the present office of the Price Lumber Company : south of that the Northern Exchange, Lysander Ball's blacksmith shop, Fis house, the Ohio Mansion House ( Kessler House ), and the Beaugrand residence. South of the -bridge were the Anderson Hotel, near the present June's foundry : the old flour mill built by Hawkins and Boswell in 1818; the residence of Thos. L. Hawkins ; Bidwell's flour mill ; the flax seed oil mill at the foot of Birchard avenue, later used as a carding mill ; the Gallagher Woolen Mill where Mr. Ford's house now stands on Bidwell avenue, and the old pin factory where the wooden pins for the Ohio Railway were manufactured.
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G. History of Transportation and Routes of Travel.
What was the principal route of travel through Fremont?
The Sandusky river. The Indians as well as the Jesuit mission- aries and French traders came from Canada by way of the St.
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Lawrence river and Lakes Ontario and Erie, ascended the San- dusky river by canoe to the portage (in Crawford county) and carrying their boats and canoes a short distance to the headwaters. of the Scioto floated down to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
(For the story of the Sandusky River, its fish, floods, famous boats and the important history of its valley, see "The Sandusky River," by Miss Kecler, Ohio Archaeological and Historical Pub- lications. April, 1904.)
How did the British forces come hither to the Battle of Fort Stephenson ?
By Lake Erie and the Sandusky river. Mistaking Mud creek for the main channel of the river, the British were delayed a full day, thus allowing Croghan at Fort Stephenson invaluable hours for preparation.
What part did the river play in the early development of the. village ?
The ease of transportation by boat made Lower Sandusky the center of trade for one hundred miles about. It was a port of entry, with a customs collector, and was the head of navigation for large boats. In the early '4os, four and five hundred loads of wheat were often in our streets at one time, awaiting ship- ment. A row of warehouses opposite Brady's Island were re- quired to receive the grain.
What were the principal exports ?
Fish, furs, wheat, black walnut crotches, oak staves, potash, butter and eggs.
What were the principal imports ?
Salt, groceries and merchandise.
What was the first steamer to come up the river, and when? The Walk-in-the-Water, 1818.
(A picture of this interesting boat hangs on the walls of Birch- ard Library, and is reproduced in our frontispiece.)
Describe the boat Pegasus.
The Pegasus, or horse boat, was built in 1819, by Thos. L. Hawkins, for the Sandusky river traffic. It consisted of two large canoes, side by side, separated by a platform large enough to carry a superstructure of machinery, a large amount of freight. and several passengers. The machinery was operated by four horses which moving treadmill fashion, worked paddles at each side of the boat.
What was the Dog Ferry ?
The inventive genius of the Pegasus constructed a ferry boat antedating the first village bridge. This ferry boat was propelled by paddle wheels driven by dog power, after the style of a dog churn.
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Give the names and dates of some early river boats built at Lower Sandusky.
The Nautilus, a 20-ton sloop, 1816; the schooners Cincinnati and Ohio, 1828. In 1830 Sardis Birchard owned the Cincinnati and paid ten cents a bushel for corn with which to load it.
When did river commerce fall off, and why?
Prior to the Civil War, before the swifter transportation of the railways.
When was the first bridge constructed across the river at Fre- mont, and by whom ?
In 1828, by James Birdseye.
What were the principal land trails ?
Hutchin's map of 1764 shows a trail from Fort Pitt ( Pitts- burg) to Lower Sandusky. "This was the great trail made by the buffaloes first and used by the Mound Builders next, then by later races of Indiaus in going to and returning from the San- dusky country and lakes." A second trail led around the western end of Lake Erie to Detroit ; a third followed the western banks of the river to Upper Sandusky. During the War of 1812 this last named trail became the military road for supplying General Harrison's forces. It has been preserved, with Harrison's name, as the main road through Spiegel Grove, the residence of Presi- dent Hayes.
Sketch the history of State street.
The only wagon road through Lower Sandusky was cut through the dense forests of the Black Swamp. In 1808 the Indians ceded to the United States a strip of land for a road from the Western Reserve (Bellevue) to the rapids of the Maumee river ( Perrys- burg.) In 1811, Congress provided for a survey of the projected highway; and in 1822, turned the building of the road over to the State of Ohio. Te road was known as the Western Reserve and Maumee Turnpike. In 1838 the Ohio legislature voted to im- prove and macadamize it.
Western Reserve Turnpike. In 1838, the Ohio legislature voted to improve and macadamize it.
Before macadamizing. what was the condition of this road?
It was an almost continuous mudhole. Over some of the worst places logs were laid forming a "corduroy."
( For amusing tales of rights to mudholes ; the taverns along the way and details of building the turnpike, sce Everett. p 145, et. seq., and pp. 441 and 654; also Miss Keeler's "The Sandusky River.")
What called attention to the awful condition of the old road, and how ?
The Ohio and Michigan War, called also the Toledo War, in 1835, was over the boundary line between the State of Ohio and
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Michigan Territory. The Governor of Ohio, his staff, commis- sioners and surveyors, with 600 troops and influential men, met at Lower Sandusky and traveled toward the disputed territory by way of the Western Reserve and Maumee Turnpike. After wallowing through thirty-one miles of mud and water, and realiz- ing that this was the only route between the east and west, the officers of the State hastened to lend their aid to the permanent improvement of the road.
What was the result of this boundary dispute ?
The disputed strip of land along the northern boundary of Ohio, including the town of Toledo, was awarded to Ohio; and Michigan was compensated by the gift of what is now her north- ern peninsula, a tract of inestimable value in copper and timber. It is worthy of note that the innumerable military titles of early residents of Ohio were by-products of this Toledo War.
What was the first carriage in Lower Sandusky ?
After the Battle of the Thames, in Canada, October 5, 1813. the spoils of the victory were brought by General Harrison to Fort Stephenson, among them being General Proctor's carriage. Thos. L. Hawkins, who was in charge of the government prop- erty at the Fort, used to hitch oxen to the coach and take drives in it. It was probably very old even then, as Hawkins' jack- knife uncovered at least twelve coats of paint upon its sides. General Proctor had brought it over from England.
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