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 45

Author: Reighard, Frank H., 1867-
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 546


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 45


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 (link on the Part 1 page).


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


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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


developed near the Trowbridge settlement received a name. Another postoffice, on the south, was that of Beta, which strictly was in Henry county until 1850, it being within the two mile strip then ceded from Henry county to Fulton.


DELTA


The village of Delta for many years was a keen rival of Wauseon, and it is still the second in importance of the incorporated places of Fulton county. It is probably the oldest village in the county, its beginning dating back to 1834, when the Trowbridge family settled nearly a milc west of the present village. In 1838 there were two families living on the banks of the creek: that of James McQuilling, on the south side of the state road; and that of G. B. Lewis on the north side. McQuilling ran a saw and water mill, and Lewis seems to have catered to travelers. He opened what probably was the first temperance hotel in the county ; and he conducted a certain amount of trading in tea and tobacco, and maybe in other stores; although he is not con- sidered to have been the first merchant of Delta. That honor seems to have been allotted to Eli Kitts, or James Trowbridge. James Trow- bridge's store was on his farm, but Eli Kitts came from Maumee City, in 1841, and opened a store on, or near, the present site of Delta. In the next year he died, and at that time the families of Delta numbered four, the McQuilling, McKaskey, Zedaker, and Woods; and in that year, by the removal to it of the Delta postoffice, before-mentioned, the little hamlet became recognized under that name. The next store- keeper, after Kitts, was a man named Griswold. Next came Dan Cummings.


By 1850, the community had undoubtedly grown to such a point that those who lived in it were justified in laying its claims to con- sideration before the State Commissioners, who were then in the county for the purpose of locating the seat of justice for the new county. The geographical center, where at that time no community had settled, was selected, but with the coming of the railroad, in 1854, Delta, rapidly forged ahead, and another determined effort was made in the '60s to secure the county seat. At that time, however, Wauseon had become of even greater importance, and Delta was again denied. It has, however, always been an active town; and it comes rather as a surprise to find that the 1920 census records a decrease during the last decade.


The first white child born in Delta was Mary Augusta Wood, who was born in 1841. She became a talented authoress, internationally- known.


The first marriage was of William Spencer, son of Rev. Uriah Spencer, to Enima, daughter of James Donaldson.


The first election was held at York Center on June 30, 1836. One of the first justices was Alfred B. Gunn, who later became a county commissioner.


Dr. Erastus Lathrop was the first physician, and he lived in the first frame house built in the township. Dr. Lathrop, however, only lived in it for a few months, both he and his wife dying in 1841, the Lathrop property then passing to J. T. Gates and George Wood.


In 1850, when the laying of a plank road through the township


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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


gave good communication east and west, it spurred on the growth of Delta, but within a year after it was completed, the Lake Shore Railroad came. Thereafter, the rapid growth of Delta seemed certain. The "Delta Independent Press," which was founded in 1854, stated in its tenth issue, that of June 7, 1854: "A connection is now formed by railway between this place and Toledo. A daily train leaves Delta at 12 noon, and returns at 7:30. It is a new era in our history. ..... The station buildings are in process of construction, and will be ready for the reception of goods by the 15th inst ...... The rails are being rapidly laid, and soon, Wauseon, the next station, will be reached." There surely was need for better marketing facilities at that time, for, from the "Delta Market" report published in the same issue of the "Delta Independent Press," one learns that: fresh pork then sold at 4 cents a pound; salt pork at 7 cents; hams at 8 cents; butter at 10 cents; lard, 8 cents; eggs, 8 cents; corn at 50 cents; oats at 37 cents; beans, $1.25 a bushel ; and other prices equally low.


COUNCIL RECORDS


Unfortunately, the first council records are not available. Still, from the Ordinance Book it is clear that the first mayor of Delta was William Critzer. And, through the courtesy of Editor Waltz, of the Delta "Atlas," it is possible to embody in this history of Delta, an important initial record, that of the original election of officers in the incorporated village. The paper gives the "Names and number of persons voting, and votes cast, at an election for one mayor, one recorder, and five trustees, for the incorporated village of Delta, held on the 10th day of October, 1863." The voters were: L. H. Upham, George Wood, B. Sanger, Peter Zimmerman, O. Waters, Wm. Zimmer- man, Simon Elliott, Michael Carr, G. W. Miller, A. M. Carpenter, James Trowbridge, S. Zimmerman, J. S. Trowbridge, B. Zimmerman, W. H. Brinkham, J. D. Colt, Thomas Martin, E. W. Cleveland, G. W. Elwell, Wm. Critzer, John Odell, Thomas Gleason, Wm. Brown, T. C. Brown, Robert Hatton, D. B. Mack, J. K. Crockett, Peter Hancock, Ansel Pease, R. S. Merrill, R. J. Lee, R. Steadman, J. J. Cash, Cyrus Abbott. The judges of election were Robert Hatton, George Wood, James K. Crockett; and they recorded the voting as follows:


"For Mayor: Wm. Critzer received 16 votes; James Trowbridge received 12 votes; Charles Cullen, 4 votes; L. H. Upham, 1 vote; for recorder, Charles Cullen, 29 votes; Wm. Critzer, 4 votes; for trustees, O. T. Clark, 30 votes; Simon Zimmerman, 30 votes; J. T. Gates, 21 votes; A. M. Carpenter, 19 votes; D. H. Pettys, 18 votes." A lesser number of votes for election to office of trustee were cast in favor of : Peter Hancock, Thomas Kelly, J. S. Trowbridge, L. H. Upham, Thomas Martin, George Wood, Wm. Ramsey, John Frounfelter, Wm. Critzer, and William Baker.


Wm. Critzer was therefore the first mayor of the incorporated village of Delta; and Charles Cullen, the first recorder, or clerk.


As far as the record can be compiled from the first Ordinance Book of the Delta corporation, the succession of mayors is as follows:


"1863. William Critzer; 1864, L. H. Upham ; 1868, D. N. Poe; 1870-71, L. H. Upham; 1872, Robert Hatton; 1873-75, William H. Gavett;


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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


1876, L. H. Upham; 1877, W. H. Gavett; 1878, W. W. Williams; 1879, W. W. Williams : 1880, L. H. Upham ; 1881-83, Simon Zimmer- man; 1884, L. H. Upham; 1888-89, Chas. Blake; 1890-93, L. H. Upham; 189-1-99, N. E. Bolles; 1900-02, Wm. E. Fowler; 1903-05, George A. Everett; 1906-07, A. Y. Montgomery; 1908-09, N. E. Bolles; 1910-11, John A. Wilkins; 1912-13, F. M. Planson; 1914-17, R. C. Holloway ; 1918-20, N. F. Carmon."


The Delta Council now consists of M. W. Casler, N. S. Newill, F. J. Shumaker, F. E. Snyder, George Waldeck, B. M. Williams; clerk, C. F. Bower; treasurer, A. T. McComb.


The first village ordinance was passed on March 14, 1864. On February 13, 1865, an ordinance was passed calling for the election of a treasurer and street commisisoner. The latter was to have specific duties, being required "to keep the streets clear of all wood and other encumbrances." The first ordinance regarding sidewalk construction was passed on May 8, 1865, and called for the construction of a board sidewalk on Adrian Street, the sidewalk commencing six feet north of south line of West Street, and extending to lot No. 74. On March 11, 1874, an ordinance was passed "to provide for the cutting down, or mowing, of all thistles and weeds, growing on the streets, or public highways, of the village." Another ordinance forbade the slaughtering of cattle before the stalls of butchers in the streets of Delta.


FIRE COMPANY


The Fire Department of Delta seems to have had its inception in the action of the village council in appropriating, or in authorizing the appropriation of two thousand dollars "to provide for the pur- chasing of a hand fire engine, hose, hose cart, and ladder wagon" for the use of the incorporated village of Delta, "or any regular organized fire department that may hereafter be formed." That ordinance was passed on September 18, 1873. A brick fire station was eventually occupied, but it cannot be determined whether the brick fire station had any connection with the action of the village council in appro- priating $3,500, on November 11, 1878, "for the erection of a village hall." In March, 1880, an ordinance "to regulate the Fire Depart- ment was passed." The next reference to the subject in the Council Record Book was under date of March 30, 1885, when it was recorded that the village had purchased from Edward C. Crile, lot No. 97 in Gates' Addition for $750, with improvements thereon, "to house Fire Engine and Hook and Ladder implements." It is understood that the brick fire station (which may have been the "improvements thereon" purchased with Lot No. 97) collapsed in 1893, and that the present Town Hall was built on its site.


THE TOWN HALL


The collapse of the Engine House was attributable to damage sustained in the great fire which devastated the business section of Delta in 1892. But it cleared the way for the building of a town hall more in keeping with the importance of the place. On March 17, 1893, $12,000 was appropriated "to provide for purchasing a site, and


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erecting a town hall thereon"; and on April 23, 1894, the council authorized the acquirement "of lot No. 96, and twelve feet off lot No. 97, in J. T. Gates' Addition," for the sum of $1,950.00.


The Delta Town Hall is a well-constructed public building, and provides for township as well as town offices. There is also an audi- torium, and quarters for the fire station.


LIGHTING


On November 23, 1885, an ordinance "to allow the- Delta Natural Gas Company to lay gas pipes along the streets and alleys of the village of Delta" was passed. An ordinance passed on December 16, 1889, provided "for lighting of Adrian, Main, Delta, Wood, Mill, Providence, and Short streets by gasoline or oil lamps." Eventually, of course, came the electric lighting.


The telephone system was established in Delta in 1899; and on


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TOWN HALL, DELTA.


August 31, 1901, right was granted to "the Toledo-Bryan Air Line ยท Railway Company to lay and operate a line of railroad along and upon Main Street."


REMUNERATION TO OFFICIALS


An interesting entry in the Council Records is that of April 25, 1881, when the salary of the mayor was fixed at $50.00 a year. At the same time it was decided that the clerk should receive $75.00, and the marshal $50.00, and fees. The present marshal has held office for almost twenty-five years, and the remuneration is still the same as it was in the old days. However, since Prohibition became the law of the land his fees have fallen to practically nothing; his work, like- wise. In fact, whereas under the old order, the marshal was customarily


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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


called out twice or thrice nightly, to settle some brawl, a call after nightfall would now be most unusual. Nowadays, the cell at the Town Hall is very rarely occupied.


DELTA IN 1867


Interesting information as to the business section of Delta is con- tained in "Brown's Gazetteer of the Michigan Southern Railroad" for the year 1868, the compilation thus presumably having been made in 1867. Summarizing the village, as then developed, the "Gazetteer" stated that:


"Delta contains a population of about 2,000. . There are many good farmers, yet they have not arrived to that perfection of those along the main line.


. Of mills there are 1 flour mill, 1 saw mill, 1 shingle mill, 1 tannery, 1 pearl ashery, 1 brick vard, 1 hotel, and about 18 stores of all kinds. Nearly three years ago it was discovered that oil could be had here by boring for it. At length a company was organized and operations commenced. After arriving at a depth of 275 feet they struck oil, coming to the top, meanwhile their tools became fast, and unable to extricate them, they were forced to abandon their enterprise, for want of energy and means. In its present condition, enough water flows from it to drive, or rather supply one steam flour mill. At a later date, the citizens, by subscription, have succeeded in boring, and have an excellent artesian well at a depth of 70 feet. This supplies the public highway with water. Churches there are three, Episcopal Methodist, Protestant Methodist, and Presbyterian; the two latter are about erect- ing a large brick house for worship. Of schools, little can be said praiseworthy, except that all are schooled; $5,000 have been raised towards erecting a new brick school building to be a graded school. Delta is a great stave station, manufacturing and shipping a large amount, some of which go to New York and Europe. Eggs and butter come next, as one of the principal exports. Of eggs alone, Messrs, Moore and Howard ship from 60 to 80 barrels every week during the season, averaging 80 dozen to the barrel."


The directory showed that:


"Chas. Cullin was the proprietor of the Delta Flour Mill, on Mill Street ; J. T. Gates and William S. Schlappi conducted the saw mill and pearl ashery; John M. Hall ran the shingle mill, and was also a splint seat chair maker; Bates and Miller were the tanners; John H. Sheffield was the brickmaker; Christopher M. Watkins was landlord of Watkins' (or the Exchange) Hotel, on Main, corner Adrian streets ; the following were grocers, or general store keepers: J. Allman and Co .; Wm. Baker, Abner P. Brainard, Chas. Canfield, Orris V. Crosby ; Chas. W. Hatton, Wm. R. Huntington, Jacob Huth, Alex G. Mont- gomery, John R. Parker. Jas. W. Patterson, Calvin Taylor, John S. Trowbridge, Richard M. Watkins; the following were druggists: Frank Briggs, W. B. Brinkham and Dr. Wm. Ramsey, the three trading as Brinkham, Briggs and Company; Jas. W. Hatton ; Brinkham, Briggs and Company also dealt in tinware, and stoves; and Thomas Martin in the same; Miss Helen Masker was a hoon skirt manufacturer; Mrs. J. M. Butler, Mrs. Marv Hancock, Miss Millie O. Merrill, anl Mrs. S. J. Stillson dealt in millinery and straw goods; Brinkham and Kohl


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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


were saddlers; Michael Carr and Simon Zimmerman were wagon mak- ers ; J. N. Cleland was a painter; Chas. C. Crile and Henry H. Reighard were in partnership as blacksmiths, other blacksmiths being Geo. E. Elwell and Co., Wm. Matley; Wm. H. Garrison was the village barber; Rufus S. Merrill was postmaster; J. Denham Mosey was station agent ; D. W. Poe and L. H. Upham were attorneys; S. P. Bishop, John Odell, Wm. Ramsey, and W. S. Webb were physicians, Dr. Ramsey being listed as 'physician for county ;' Miles S. Pray was a watchmaker; Ansel Pease a butcher; Peter Hancock, a cooper; Daniel Lilly a shoemaker; Lyman Riley, a marble worker; N. H. Simmon a stave and lumber dealer; and Wm. W. Williams the owner of a billiard saloon. There ap- parently was not a drinking saloon in Delta at that time."


THE GREAT FIRE


In 1892 the main business section of the village of Delta was almost wiped out by a destructive fire which started in the livery barn of John P. Holt, on Mill Street, just south of the Hotel Central, and swept rapidly up Main Street. The newspaper headings described it as "the most destructive fire that ever visited Fulton county" making "the beautiful village of Delta a sea of seething flame." Describing it, the Delta "Atlas" reported :


"The fire was discovered in the livery barn of John P. Holt .. The flames rushed out of the front doors as if from a huge furnace. Almost immediately the hotel barn across the alley was on fire, and the flames reaching across the street east, and the Masonic Hall, in which was the 'Atlas' office, was doomed.


"The firemen did all that men could do but the fiery fiend was master. Despatches were sent to Wauseon and Toledo, from which engines were immediately sent, which did noble work. The Delta and Wauseon engines very nearly exhausted the water supply, but fortunate- ly the Toledo steamer had hose enough to reach the creek south of town. The sun was fast sinking before the fire was under control.


"The following is, as near as possible, a list of the losses. On Mill Street, the Hotel Central barn, Holt's livery barn, H. H. Reighard's dwelling, Reighard and Reed's blacksmith shop, and A. B. Thompson and Son's office ;


"On south side of Main Street, the residence of Mrs. Hon. O. Waters, Sam Henrick's real estate and insurance office, Masonic hall and Atlas Printing Co., Hotel Central, J. Y. Casler's barber shop, Sherm Trow- bridge's saloon, building owned by E. O. Newell, Riley Allen's saloon, building owned by Snellbaker, C. A. Scott, and Son's grocery, build- ing owned by John Thompson, W. L. Smith's grocery, building owned by H. H. Quiggle, Zelner's restaurant, Pease's meat market, and Breck- enridge's barber shop;


"On the north side (of Main Street), the Engine House, Houghton's grocery, Mrs. Thompson's dwelling, Dr. Bishop's residence and office, Mrs. Griffin's millinery store and Zimmerman's grocery, buildings owned by Dr. Bishop, O. A. Walker's Art Gallery, Hatfield's meat market, Montgomery's grocery, and U. S. Express office, John Atkin- son's grocery and warehouse, Mrs. Casler's residence, Sargent Bros. & Saxton's dry goods store, Fowler Bros' clothing and Crisman Bros. Hardware. All the warehouses and packing houses in the rear of these also went;


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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


"On Front Street, all of the Briggs' warehouses. Dr. Worden's barn, J. W. Davis' brick building, Dr. Wilkins' office, Bolles' livery barn, Gilbert's dwelling and barn, C. Zerman's residence, buildings owned by Montgomery and MeGurer's livery barn.


"The loss will run to nearly $200,000. Very little contents were saved."


The "Atlas" printing plant was completely destroyed, and some of the issues of the following weeks were printed on the press of the "Tribune", at Wauseon. The fire occurred on August 18, 1892.


The Masonic Hall was one of the first buildings to be destroyed. However the Masonic bodies are very strong in Delta, and ere long an imposing new brick temple took the place of the old Masonic Hall. It stands on the south side of Main Street, almost opposite the town hall, and is used by the Fulton Lodge, No. 248, of Delta F. & A. M .; by the Octavius Waters Chapter, No. 154, R. A. M .; and by the Aurora Chapter, No. 75, Delta, Order of Eastern Star. The original


HOTEL LINCOLN, DELTA.


charters of two of these Masonic bodies were destroyed in the fire, but the following information is on record :


"Fulton Lodge, No. 248, F. & A. M. was organized on October 19, 1854, with the following charter members: Daniel Knowles, Octavius Waters, Robert Bloomfield, Daniel W. Fashbaugh, Martin H. Butler, W. D. Herrick, Myron Williams, Julius N. Marsh, Isaac Springer, Elisha Williams, Chester Scott. It was thus the first Masonic Lodge organized in Fulton county, and as will be noted, it drew members from other townships than York.


"Octavius Waters Chapter, No. 154, of Royal Arch Masons, was formed on October 8, 1886. The charter members were: Octavius Waters, N. E. Bolles, S. B. Skeels, Frank Briggs, Ed. E. Harris, A. Y, Montgomery, D. W. Fashbaugh, John W. Crisman, E. R. Bowerman, James Fenton, John Shoffner, Thomas B. Waters, L. D. Boyer, C. W. Hatton, II. S. Isbell, W. J. Clizbe, S. G. Aumend, C. J. Wilford, S. P. Bishop, A. L. Sargent, Chas. Blake, Frank Hatton, R. N. Murray J. C. Vaughn, J. B. Fashbaugh, Eli Timbers, J. A. Wilkins, Ozias Mer-


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rill, A. B. Thompson, S. T. Worden, M. S. Sargent, Henry Knepper, and A. Q. Price. By the consent of the Fulton Chapter, of Wauseon, a dispensation was granted for the organization of the Octavius Waters Chapter, on April 26, 1886. The first officers were: Frank Hatton, high priest; A. B. Thompson, king; Frank Briggs, scribe; S. T. Worden, c. of h .; Jacob Pratt, r. s .; N. H. Keiser, r. a. c .; N. E. Bolles, 3rd v .; A. Y. Montgomery, 2nd v .; C. J. Willford, 1st v .; J. A. Wilkins, treas .; W. H. Gavitt, sec .; John Shoffner, guard


"Aurora Chapter, No. 75, Delta Order of Eastern Star, was organized in October, 1897, with the following charter members: Z. Maud Ramsey, W. E. Ramsey, Hattie Thompson, Addison B. Thompson, Ira Thompson, Dora Thompson, Eva Grandy, Fred Grandy, Carrie Miller, Louisa Quiggle, Clarence C. Quiggle, Meda Longnecker, Grace Waltz, C. R. P. Waltz, Mary E. Montgomery, Mary J. Huntington, Julia Hatton, Emma Crisman, Minnie Sargent, Octavia Saxton, W. T. Sax- ton, A. B. Thompson. The first officers were: Z. Maud Ramsey, w. m .; A. Y. Montgomery, w. p .; Hattie Thompson, assoc. m."


CHURCHES


The present churches of Delta are the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, United Brethren, liberal branch, the United Brethren, original constitution, and the Church of Christ.


The Presbyterian Church of Delta has the right to the first place in the record, for it was the first to be established in the village, and township. The Presbyterian Society was active in York Township almost from the bginning of its settlement, and meetings were un- doubtedly held in log cabins before the church was built. The first Presbyterian Church was built on Adrian Street, Delta, "at a very early date", stated Historian Verity; and the present fine brick church building, which stands on the opposite side of Main Street, near the Delta trolley station, was built more than thirty-five years ago. It suffered during a recent storm, and it was thought at one time that it would be abandoned, but it is now in comparatively good repair, and in constant use for the strong Presbyterian society of Delta. The present pastor is the Rev. Addison V. Wilson.


Methodist Episcopal Church. What follows has been extracted, mainly, from the "History of the Central Ohio Conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church," which stated regarding the Methodist Epis- copal Society of York Township, and Delta:


"In May, 1834, at the residence of Sidney Halley, located in what was known as the Six Mile Woods, now Delta, was held the first Methodist prayer meeting. The meeting was led by Sidney Halley. There were present at this meeting Halley and his wife, William Meeker and his wife, Willard Trowbridge, Lydia Trowbridge, William Fewless, Caroline Fewless, Eccles Nay, and Elizabeth Nay. In August 1834, the second public service was held, at the Eccles Nay residence.


"In 1835, at his residence, Rev. Elisha Trowbridge ...... a local preacher ...... organized .... the first Methodist Episcopal society ... The first Methodist Episcopal Church built in this section was built on ground donated by Rev. Elisha Trowbridge, located about one mile west of Delta. In this church, Rev. Elisha Trowbridge spent his life in faithful work for humanity, he being the only preacher in the sec-


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tion for many years. The second church was built just north of the first church, on the farm of Thomas Bayes, and was ever afterwards called the Bayes appointment.


"William Fewless was the original class leader. The first local preachers were Rev. Elisha Trowbridge, George Wood, and Russell Kimbel. The first regular itinerant Methodist preacher in the Delta district, which was in the Waterville circuit, was the Rev. C. Brooks. He was followed by Shortiss and Coleman, Brooks and Flem- ing being on the year before. Presumably, the first presiding elder, after Delta became an appointment, was John James, a good preacher, and a very sharp debater. The next preachers were A. Coleman, Chas. Thomas, and Hatch James was followed on the district by John J. Kellam. Afterwards, a man named Campbell travelled the circuit; then Liberty Prentiss and Cushman; then William Thatcher and Samuel Mower. J. J. Kellam was succeeded on the district by Wesley Brooks. The next preacher, on the then Waterville circuit, was T. J. Pope, 1845, Rev. Thomas Barkdull, presiding elder.


"In August, 1847, the North Ohio Conference formed a new mis- sion, called Clinton (Wauseon) Mission, consisting of the following ap- pointments, viz: Delta (then called Bayes Meeting House, about one mile north-west of the village of Delta), York Centre, William Bayes, Clinton Township, Lutes, in German township, Gorham, and Chester- field.


"In 1847, B. Herbert was the preacher on the mission, with T. Barkdull presiding elder, Barkdull was a very fine preacher and long lived in the affection of the people. When B. Herbert travelled Clinton Mission, in 1847, the most prominent villages west of Maumee and Toledo, and north of Defiance, were Bryan, West Unity, and Hicks- ville. There were but few brick or frame houses west of Maumee River, and Maumee City then was the place where the principal milling and trading was done as far west as Wauseon.


"In 1848, the Rev. A. Foster was sent to the Mission. Geo. W. Breckenridge was presiding elder in 1849, and Octavius Waters in 1850. "In the Bayes Church, the Rev. Octavius Waters held one of the greatest revivals of religion ever witnessed in this section. In 1849, the name was changed from Clinton Mission, to Chesterfield Circuit. In 1851 James McKern was the preacher-in-charge, and Wm. C. Pierce was presiding elder. In 1852, John Crabbs and A. Hollington were the preachers; in 1853 James Evans and John Frounfelter. In 1854, James Evans and J. W. Thompson, with David Gray, presiding elder. In 1855, the circuit was first named Delta Circuit, with Martin Perky, pastor, who also travelled the circuit in 1856.




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