USA > Ohio > Fulton County > A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. I > Part 42
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"When Michigan became a territory, the people living between the two lines of Michigan and Ohio, known as the Fulton and Harris lines, found it more convenient to be attached to Michigan. The ter- ritorial lines were extended over the disputed territory.
"In 1833, it become important that the boundary lines be settled The matter was brought before the legislature, which passed a resolu- tion asking Congress to act upon the subject. In 1835, the matter came before Congress, and J. Q. Adams made an elaborate report against the claims of Ohio, through a committee consisting of A. Palm- er, I. W. Comstock, and others. Mr. Palmer was despatched to Co- lumbus with a petition, signed by most of the inhabitants, asking the extension of the laws of Ohio over the disputed territory. An act was soon passed, and the territory was attached to the counties of Wood, Henry, and Williams. This aroused the ire of Michigan, a double set of officers were created, troops were organized under the Monroe county sheriff, and would-be citizens of Ohio were carried off as prisoners of war. Ohio then levied troops, under Governor Lucas.
"Early in 1835, while Governor Lucas was camped at Fort Miami, eight miles above Toledo, Mason (General of the Michigan army)
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marched into Toledo, overran the melon patches, devasted the poultry yards, burst in the door of Major Stickney's residence, and carried him off in triumph, a prisoner of war, to Monroe, Michigan. At that time arrived from Washington two ambassadors, with power to negotiate between the belligerents. These were Richard Rush, of Pennsylvani, and Col. Howard, of Maryland. They were successful in their mission, chiefly because Michigan was satisfied with her laurels won, and Ohio was willing to stand on her dignity.
"At the next session of Congress the matter was taken up, and Michigan received as her portion the large peninsular between lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior, now so well known for its rich deposits of copper and other minerals. Ohio received the harbor at Toledo, and a narrow strip of land, extending westward. The importance of this harbor is well-known, for Toledo has become the largest and most prosperous commercial center in northwestern Ohio.
"The existing territory then became the property of Ohio. Lucas county, which adjoined a large portion of the land transferred, was by an act of the Legislature of Ohio, June, 1836, given jurisdiction of same on north limit, and organized the township of Royalton from South Fairfield Township to northern line. All the territory south of Fulton Line included in Pike Township was of Ohio survey, and was for a long time included in the township of York.
"Erection of Pike Township. In March, 1841, the township of Pike was officially organized, by taking from Royalton all of T. 10 south, range 3 east, of Michigan survey, and all of fractional T. 8 north, range 7 east, and one tier of sections off of the north side T. 7 north, range 7 east, and so remained until 1846, when an addition was made by taking from Royalton the south tier of sections of T. 9 south, range 3 east.
"Pike Township, as it now exists, contains about 28 full sections of land, or an area of 17,839 acres. The township's average elevation is 200 feet above Lake Erie. Much of it is an elevated plateau, portions of which are prairie.
"There are no rivers in the township, but a system of ditching and tiling began in 1859, and today about a hundred miles of ditching is done every year, thus converting the soil into a garden susceptible of a high state of cultivation. The soil is well adapted to agriculture, pro- ducing wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, and clover in abundance, raising horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, especially cattle for dairy purposes. There need not be a foot of waste land in Pike Township. The real and personal value of property in 1904 was $294,840 and $61,430, respectively. The number of horses 404; cattle, 1350; sheep, 809; hogs, 1352.
"The eastern portion of the township was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, including white and burr oak, elm, hickory, black walnut, cotton wood, and ocassionally a buckeye may be found along the watercourses. In the western portion, upon which is known in geology as the second beach, has grown, since the land was under- drained, an immense forest of oaks, so that if the present generation will allow it to grow, the oncoming race will not suffer for timber, as in many other localities where the timber has been cut to the last tree.
"Prehistoric Pike. The first inhabitants of this region, many years before the 'Paleface' came, or Pike Township existed, were the
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Indians, and presumably their more ancient brethren, the mound builders, whose camping ground was on the bank of Bad Creek, near what is known as Aetna, or Winameg, on the home farm of the late Dresden W. H. Howard. Its fine springs furnished an abundance of pure water, in its mellow soil they could raise their corn; to its creek banks came the beautiful deer and other game; and upon the high ridge was a suitable place for their dead to rest. Here, it might be mentioned that, Chief Winameg, the last of the Pottawatomies, was buried, in this historic soil, near the gigantie Council Oak, at the foot of the hill.
"Arehæologieally, this locality is of much interest, as the researches by Judge Wm. Handy, in 1892, proved beyond a doubt. There are mounds located on the farm containing the house, orchard, and im- mediate grounds of Dresden W. H. Howard, in extent about five acres; and these mounds when opened showed evidences in their construc- tion .and material of a race long since passed out of existence. The Indians told my father: 'No man knew when they were built, or by
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PIKE TOWNSHIP WAS GOOD SHEEP COUNTRY.
whom;' and they used the ground as a burial place, because of its dry and elevated location.
"The First Trading Post. The first trading post was built for the protection of the fur trader, and his goods, against drunken In- dians, for even then whisky was used as an element of destruction by renegade whites, or half-breed outlaws. These posts were usually built very strongly, of hewn logs of large size, with puncheon floors and roof and heavy doors. This one was built in 1831, or 1832, by Edwin How- ard, father of Dresden W. H. Howard, and was located near the Indian village of Winameg. It was furnished with a stoek of goods of British manufacture, consisting of red and green blankets, with black stripes across the ends, Turkey red calico, with merrimae blues, large cotton handkerchiefs of gay colors, guns, tomahawks, butcher knives, powder, shot, lead balls, brass trinkets, rings, wampum, beads, silver brooches, nose and ear rings, Turkish vermilion, to paint their faces, fine sad- dles, and silver ornamented bridles. These were the chief articles of
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exchange for the beautiful furs of deer, bear, wolf, otter, muskrat, raccoon, red and silver-gray fox and an ocassional beaver, these last- named having nearly all disappeared, the last one being caught by a Pottawatomie chief, on the banks of the little St. Joseph, in 1837, and for which he was paid twenty dollars in goods.
"The prices paid for these furs were : bear, $4.00, otter, $4.00; deer, $1.50; silver fox, 25 to 75 cents; raccoon, fox and mink, from 30 to 50 cents.
"For several years the post carried on a flourishing business, but when the government began to agitate the removal of the Indians west- ward, trade fell off, and the old house became a tavern, for the ac- commodation of the traveller on his westward journey, and was one of the best-known land-marks of northwestern Ohio until it was destroyed by fire, in 1879.
AT WINAMEG TRADING POST, THE PELT OF A FOX WAS WORTH FROM THIRTY TO FIFTY CENTS.
"Another store was kept at the home of Robert A. Howard, by one Jennings, in 1835, afterwards sold to 'Jaek' Hobart, and run in con- nection with an ashery. This was abandoned in 1850. Dan Knowles also had a store and ashery at an early date. A store was established at Winameg in 1861, and has continued until the present time (1904), although run by different parties, viz: Hinkle and Downer, of Lyons; Frank Knosco, who at one time had a stock valued at $7,000; W. L. Campbell; and LaSalle Brothers.
"The First Settlers. The first settlers were Valentine Winslow, Eli Phillips, and David Hobart, who came in the spring and summer of 1833. Valentine Winslow located on what was known as the Chet Herrick farm, later owned by Fred. Knapp, where he lived about two years. He then moved about two miles farther east, where his son, Valentine, still lives. He died in 1858. Valentine is supposed to have
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built the first log house, located on the Chet Herrick farm. It was a double log house with roofed driveway between, and was afterwards used a short time as a schoolhouse.
"In conversation with an old settler, I find there is quite a difference of opinion as to name and date of first white settler, in what is now Pike Township. The first white man who settled in the, then, wilder- ness was John Grey, who came in 1824, and built a log cabin on what is now the Herman Tappan farm. It is not known whether he had a family, but he built the cabin, and traded whisky to the Indians for their furs as is usual in such cases, and it brought about it own punish- ment. He got into trouble with the Indians, who threatened his life, and he left the country in 1833. It is doubtful if he was anything more than an adventurer, who in order to live in disregard to all law and order, wandered into the, then, wilderness, without any desire to make a home, or becoming a law-abiding citizen. A drawing of the log cabin is owned by Jacob H. Tappan, of Toledo, and is quite picturesque as being the first log cabin in Pike Township.
"David Hobart is said to be the next settler, coming in the fall of 1833, or the spring of 1834. In 1834 came A. Knight, Nathan Wilson, Daniel Knowles, John Sindel, George Wiers, and Whitefield Tappan.
"In 1835 Peter Scott, William Griffin, Sewel Gunn, Thomas Silsby, the 'village blacksmith,' Robert Howard, and Jack Hobart.
"In 1836, Peter Salsbury located a large tract of land in the south- east part of the township, where many of his descendants still live.
"In 1837 came a still larger immigration, Alva Wilson, Henry Slagle, Joseph Walters, Emery and Martin Wilson, Pcola Allwood, Ephraim K. and Joseph Allwood, Thomas Cole, George Megarah, Andrew Faylor, George and Jacob McQuillin, David and Joseph Sals- bury, James Viers, Adam Klein, Wm. Cox, Samuel Allen, one Graham and one Thompson, with quite large families. This addition soon be- gan to take interest in the welfare of the young township, by establish- ing churches, schools, and roads.
"From 1837 to 1840 came David McQuilling, George Gallagher, David Zimmerman, John Miller, Lucius Taylor, Chester Herrick. William Fewless, Thomas Hoxie, David Pelton, Boyd and Robert Dun- bar, Michael Handy, Moses Tappan, Andrew and Samuel Dennis.
"In 1843 came Dr. William Holland, the first physician, Simeon Elliott, first Protestant Methodist minister. William Mullen. Joseph Shaffer, and John Whittaker.
"These are among the principal pioneers who endured dangers and privations and made for themselves and families homes of comfort and luxury.
"The Court House in Pike. In 1850, the county was organized, with the seat of justice at Robert A. Howard's. Many were the Indi- crous and pathetic scenes enacted there until 1851, when the county seat was established in Ottokee. Robert A. Howard was the first justice of the peace, holding the office for fifteen years.
"Township Records. The township was organized in 1841, but the first record of officers of which we can get a list is as follows: The annual clection of Pike Township was held at the house of William Mullen, April 4, 1853. The judges of election were Andrew Faylor, Valentine Winslow, and Whitefield Tappan. Election clerks were A. A. Howard and Wm. Graham. Township trustees were Andrew Fay-
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lor, Whitefield Tappan, and Erastus Cowles. William Critz was elected clerk; Daniel Knowles, treasurer; David Salsbury, assessor; David Fairchilds and James Viers, constables.
"The First Frame House. The first frame house in the township was built by Dr. Holland in 1837, or 1838. It is still standing, al- though it has been somewhat remodelled. The second and third frame houses were built in 1840 by J. Sindel and Dresden Howard, respec- tively, also the house on the Isbell farm, by Jacob Cox.
"Church History. In the third farm house built were held the first religious gatherings in the township, conducted by the Rev. John- son, a Presbyterian. These meetings were held in different houses of the neighborhood, as most convenient, the homes of Thomas Silsby and of Widow Graham being oftenest used. Primitive indeed were these meetings, but true Christian hearts beat beneath the coarse home- spun; surely, 'where a few are gathered together in My name, there will I be also.' Ministerial work in those early days was pursued under much difficulty and small salary, if any. They were circuit ministers, at a salary of perhaps a hundred dollars a year, travelling on horseback under all conditions of weather, blinding storms, and ford- ing swollen streams, without road or guide but they 'blazed trees' through an unbroken wilderness. They preached in the log cabins, often carrying a package of quinine or other medicine, and a log salt, to relieve the 'ague-shaking' sufferers on their journey.
"As new settlers came, the need of a church grew greater, so the first church in the township was built in 1846, on the farm of William Mullen, near Winameg, now owned by Estell L. Sindel. It was a neat frame structure, quite commodious, only without seats, except as boards were laid across poles. Later, Dresden Howard furnished the lumber, Jesse Taylor the paint; and Theodore Johnson, a carpenter of early date, was employed to construct good high-backed seats, much more comfortable than the first. All through the winter, I can well re- member, as a little girl, searching in vain for a soft spot in which to go to sleep during the long preaching hours. This church, dedicated as a Presbyterian, was for many years used as a Union church until it was destroyed by fire in 1868, or 1869. Many were those weary with life's long journey, or those whose tiny feet grew tired by the way- side, carried through its wellworn doorway. There was but one wed- ding which ever gladdened the hearts in the old church. This was the marriage of Edward Sindel and Miss Nancy Tappan, January 17, 1864, Elder L. L. Carpenter performing, in his impressive manner, the solemn ceremony.
"The first trustees of the church were James Dickson and Whitefield Tappan, long since passed away, and Lucius Taylor still living, al- though quite aged.
"School History. The schoolhouse and church go hand in hand, The first school was taught in 1835, in the log hut located on the Thomas Silsby farm, by Elizabeth Trowbridge, who afterwards be- came the wife of William Fewless. She is remembered as a woman of strong character. She believed in social advancement, and the in- fluence of religious living. The schoolhouse was later removed to where the Salsbury cemetery now is, afterwards returned to Thomas Silsby's Corners, where it now remains, under the name of the Pike Center school.
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"The first winter school was taught by Michael Handy, a young and rising attorney. He had been admitted to the bar in 1850, and was a lawyer of good standing until his death, in 1886. He was at one time prosecuting attorney of the county.
"The first frame schoolhouse in Pike Township was built in 1850, by Jacob Tappan. It was situated a quarter of a mile east of Wina- meg, and many of the grey-haired men of today remember it as the place where they first imbibed the 'rule of three' and 'hickory oil,' within its ink-stained and whittle-marked precincts. It was destroyed by fire sometime in the 70's.
"The schoolhouses of today are neat and commodious, fitted with every convenience for the instruction of the descendants of those hardy pioneers. But there is still room for advancement. There are six schoolhouses in the township, but it is to be hoped that the enact- ment of new laws, and the development of the county will bring within the next five years to the the youth of the country schools, the ad- vantages of the graded school.
"Transportation. The oldest established roads in the county were the Toledo and Angola, the Maumee and Angola, each running west- ward. They were the most direct emigrant roads leading to the un- developed country farther west. The automobilist who glides through our beautiful country in his electric machine, over roads smooth as a floor, little thinks that not many years ago these delightful highways were miles upon miles of impassable roads, over which the pioneer wended his weary way with white-covered wagons which sank with every turn of the wheel to the hubs. Then, years afterwards, came the improvement known as the 'Corduroy' road, formed of logs laid side by side, which soon left their alignment, and sank into the mud, in places making the road as uneven as before, although somewhat more passable. Afterwards came the improved 'plank road,' which for a number of years was considered sufficient. As the country improved, and the demand for better roads became necessary, it was thought best to call a meeting in the court house, at Wauseon (about 1877 or 1882), for the discussion of the subject. The call was answered by a large and enthusiastic gathering of the best and most influential farmers in the county. The discussion was very long, heated, and many-sided. At last, one of the active farmers, and one who always held the best interests of the county at heart, arose quietly, and said : 'Gentlemen, you may not live to see it; I may not live to see it; but your children and your children's children will live to see in Fulton county, every roadway and every byway gravelled, from north to south, and east to west.' Like many others, he was only a few years in ad- vance of his time. We of today know the results of the prophesy. Pike Township is not behind the rest; within her borders are fine gravel pits, and as a result her roads are smooth and solid, suitable for the finest phaeton, or rushing automobile.
"Early Taverns of Pike. There are no taverns in Pike, nor never as yet a saloon; but the necessity in those early days for a stopping place for the weary emigrant, in his long and tiresome journey west- ward, was supplied by the genial and warmhearted Robert A. Howard, and his ever-willing wife, some time in the 'thirties. At times, it was necessary for the traveller to spend several days resting and repairing. The 'latch string' was ever out, and a bountiful table and needed
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rest were ever to be found beneath that hospitable roof. Later, George Wier kept 'open house', followed by Michael Handy in 1840, who fed the hungry and thirsty until about 1851. After the trading post at Winameg was abandoned as a store, William Mullen opened it as a hotel : then necessity ceased, and it was abandoned in 1853 or '54.
"Early Postoffices. As the township became settled, the demand for a postoffice and mail route became more necessary. The first office was established at Lyman Parcher's, known as 'Parcher's Corners' (about 1837), but was later removed to the Shute farm, where it re- mained some years. The mail route was from Toledo to Angola, by horseback over almost impassable roads, and through an unbroken wilderness, of miles upon miles, without a cabin, through storm and flood, freezing cold and blinding snow.
"Another office was established at Robert Howard's called Essex. It was abandoned in 1851, when the county seat was established at Ottokee. This office was on the line from Maumee to Angola, and accommodated Ottokee, Spring Hill, West Unity and other settle- ments. When not prevented by storm or flood, the mail was delivered weekly.
"In 1848 an office was established at Daniel Knowles' house and named by Dresden W. H. Howard 'Winameg', in memory of an Indian chief of the Ottawa tribe, whose village was near the place. In 1861 it was removed about three-fourths of a mile north, where it remained until abolished, in 1902, in favor of the system of rural delivery. In all these years, which included the exciting period of the war and events following, the office only had two postmasters, namely Edward Sindel, appointed by Abraham Lincoln, in 1861, serving till only lacking one month of thirty years, the longest period of any postmaster in the United States. He was succeeded by Frank Knosco, who served until the office was abolished in 1902.
"The mail, from being weekly, was changed to a tri-weekly, and in 1861 a new route was established, from Adrian to Wauseon. But the old stage coach, which brought the mail daily, is gone, and in its place is the new and shiny mail wagon of Uncle Sam's, which daily deposits the mail at our door. Thus are the foreign news, or the happenings in our nearby towns, brought to the farmers nearly as soon as it is flashed from city to city, over the telegraph wire.
"The First Fourth of July Celebration in Pike. Another cir- cumstance of interest to the lover of historical events in Pike is how the first Fourth of July was celebrated by our grandfathers, and great- grandfathers. The first Fourth of July ever celebrated in Pike Town- ship was held under the massive white oak at the foot of the hill near the homestead of the late Dresden W. H. Howard. Could this old monarch of the forest open its silent lips to our listening ears what bits of history it could relate, of years when, perhaps, the mound builder lived his uneventful life within sound of its waving branches, or, later, the redman, in his wild carefree life, hunting and feasting, and performing his war-dance upon the hilltop; or how they carved upon its trunk the figure of a human being, then fastening their unwilling victim to its body, stood on the hilltop and shot their arrows and bullets around their defenceless heads. Again, of that eventful In- dependence Day, so many moons ago (probably 1848 or 1849) .when
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the patriotic spirits of the new settlement gathered together under its spreading branches, and ate the first Fourth of July dinner. There . could not have been more than forty or fifty people, all told, but their hearts were filled with the spirit of the day. There were no grand speeches, or cannonading; but it is recorded that Lucius Taylor read the Declaration of Independence, and one large firecracker, brought from some unknown region, was exploded. The best and largest part of the day was the dinner. Should we ask of what it consisted? An abundance of deer, bear, or wild turkey, corn bread and wild fruits prepared by careful hands. Lemonade? Iced tea? Oh, no! Plenty of clear cool sparkling water, from the nearby springs. This accom- panied by a cordiality and hospitality growing less as the years pass by. All were neighbors; all were friends, although living twenty miles, perhaps, apart. We cannot help but feel that the, then, large tree waved its branches and rustled its leaves in happiness, upon so peaceful a gathering, that strife and contention were in its past, and that the 'paleface' was enjoying a happy laughter beneath its boughs. It has locked the events of the day within its giant breast, and as we of a later generation listen to its rustling branches, we can but conjecture the story they would tell.
"An Indian Reminiscence. Another interesting incident, recent- ly related by a pioneer resident, was the burial of the last Indian of this section. After the removal of the Indians westward, a few strag- glers, who had hidden away at the time in the vain hope of being allowed to die in peace in their beloved haunts, gathered together in a small camp in the woods, near Winameg. Among the number was Wyoxie, Pottawatomie chief, the last successor of Chief Winameg, "He died in 1840, and a rough hewn box (sawmills were unknown) was made by John Sindel and Moses Tappan, in which the chief with his blanket, gun, ammunition, and hunting acquirements, with a lit- tle gourd, to aid him in his journey to the 'happy hunting grounds.' By the request of the Indians, no nails were used in the cover lest, according to their belief, when he came forth from the grave to con- tinue his journey, he would have great difficulty in getting out, if the cover were nailed fast. He was carried in an ox cart, driven by oxen, to the grave, and buried in what is now Aetna cemetery. For many years his grave was visible to residents of the locality.
"The Telephone. It does not seem inappropriate to mention the coming of the telephone, as one of the great elements of change and civilization. It is one of the inventions that write pages of history very rapidly, and one whosc influence is felt by a community ; and its introduction into Pike Township came with its advancement into other localities, bringing with it attendant changes.
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