USA > Ohio > Hardin County > A twentieth century history of Hardin County, Ohio : a narrative account of its historical progress its people and principal interests, Vol. I > Part 45
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There are four public cemeteries in Roundhead township and several private ones. The Roundhead cemetery lying near the town is a well kept little burying place containing about one-fourth of an acre of ground. As it was used as a burying place in 1836 it contains many of the bodies of the pioneers of that section. This is the old grave yard and might almost be said to lie in the village. While not now used as a burial place, it is fenced and carefully kept up.
The new Roundhead cemetery lies about one-fourth of a mile east of the village on a fine high piece of ground, and contains about two acres. This cemetery was laid off about 1880 and is well arranged and well kept. It contains many bodies of soldiers, as well as citizens who have died since the old burial place was abandoned.
The Henkle cemetery was laid out in pioneer days by Reuben Henkle and was in use as early as 1826. At first it was a private burial place, but in time was deeded to the trustees of the township for public purposes. It is located near the Henkle church, on the Ada and Roundhead pike.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
Pleasant Hill cemetery is located near the church of that name also on the Ada and Roundhead pike, and is a beautiful little rural place to lay away the dead. Like the Roundhead cemetery, it was used in pion- cer days, and the little plot soon became filled. Then the trustees gave the same name to a new location south of the church, which they pur- chased in 1879, and since then the dead have been deposited in this grave yard. It contains about two aeres and is well kept up by the trustees and lot owners.
TAYLOR CREEK TOWNSHIP. The eight schoolhouses of Taylor Creek township are located as follows: Taylor Creek, on Taylor Creek pike, near St. Paul's church, about six miles south of Kenton; Hickory Grove, south of Taylor Creek school on same pike; Sycamore, on Wallace road; Yelverton, at Yelverton; Silver Creek, at Silver Creek; Derr, on pike one and one-half miles north of Yelverton; Kings Corners, five miles south of Kenton on Bellefontaine pike; Stephenson, on Bellefontaine pike ; and Lauger Head, a joint sub-district, on Lisles pike in the western part of township.
The Silver Creek Grange Hall, which was erected several years ago, is at the junction of Lisles and Richland pikes and is the home of that organization.
There are two cemeteries in the township. The Seig cemetery was laid out in 1851 by P. K. Seig as a private burying place, but in 1865 Mr. Seig made it free for all on condition that an association be formed to keep it up. This was done in 1883, and ever since the cemetery has been well looked after and many have buried their dead there. It lies at the junction of the Porter and Yelverton pikes and is well located.
The Yelverton cemetery is one-half mile south of that village, and in it are buried the bodies of many of the early settlers.
There are three churches in this township, but only two are noted here. The United Presbyterian church at Silver Creek is so intimately associated with the work of the same denomination at Kenton, that the two are given together under the head of the Kenton church, elsewhere in this volume. The other two are both Methodist Episcopal; one at Silver Creek, and the other at a point about six miles south of Kenton, and known as St. Pauls. The history of the Silver Creek M. E. church is given in connection with that village.
St. Paul's church was organized in 1836, with six or eight members, at the home of John Collins, but this early organization does not seem to have continued without a break until the present. In 1843 it was reorganized with eight members, and services were held for a time at the home of the class leader, Silas Stevenson. Afterwards they held services in the schoolhouse and the society had a fitful existence from that time until about 1853, sometimes having services and sometimes not, according as the circuit riders could reach them. It was again revived in 1853 and
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
Rev. John K. Ford placed in charge of it. In 1877 the present brick church was built and dedicated December 13, 1877. by David Rutledge. This building cost about $1,700 and bids fair to last many years. A Sunday school is kept up that adds much to the spiritual life of the com- munity, and there are services regularly, St. Paul's being on a circuit with a larger church. At present the congregation consists of about sixty members and the minister is Rev. Horn of Rushsylvania. Ohio. The Sunday school in charge of Edward Wallace as superintendent has between forty and fifty members. Some of the ministers who have served this charge since the beginning of its history are: Revs. Thomas John K. Ford, J. S. G. Reader, Lemuel Herbert, S. Roberts, Taylor, J. Bower, David Bull, A. J. Frisbee, J. M. Longfellow, Enos Holmes, Morrison, Samuel Boggs, H. J. Bigley, Hiram Shaffer, P. Webster, Leonard Richards, David Rinehart, L. O. Cook, Douglas, Boyer, Morri- son, V. Pond, W. R. Shultz, J. S. G. Reeder, Whiting, T. I. Jagger, John Parlett, W. T. Stockstill, Houser, Keupper, L. C. Webster, Simms and Horn.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. Counting the schoolhouse in the village of Dola, Washington township has 11 rural schools and 12 teachers. The twelfth district has been petitioned for and is now in court. No. 1,
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
Dola school (two teachers), is located in Dola ; No. 2. Pees school, on the southeast quarter of section 14; No. 3, Hawkeye, on southwest corner of section 25; No. 4, Eagle, on northeast corner of section 23; No. 5. Elm Grove, west half of section 1; No. 6, Stumptown, on northwest corner of
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
section 32; No. 7, Summerville, on southeast corner of section 6; No. 8, McKinley school, on east half of section 4; No. 9, Maple Grove, on south- west corner of section 23; No. 10, Oak Grove, on northeast corner of section 19; No. 11, Bee Ilive, on northwest corner of section 16. If the petition for No. 12 is granted, it will be located on the northeast corner of section 29.
There are five churches in Washington township: Presbyterian church and Methodist Protestant, in Dola, descriptions of which are given under the head of that village; Salem United Brethren church near the center of section 3; Evangelical Lutheran on the northeast corner of section 34, and Oak Ridge Methodist Protestant, on the northeast corner of section 19.
There are two Granges in this township, one mecting in its own building on the northeast corner of section 27-the Washington Grange No. 576-and the other in the Mckinley schoolhouse, and known as the Sandusky Roads Grange.
Washington cemetery is located on the south half of section 14; Smith cemetery, on the township line, and used jointly by Cessna and Washington townships, on section 33, and the Jones cemetery on section 4. All of these are public burying grounds.
CHAPTER X.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
MEMBERS OF NATIONAL CONGRESS FROM HARDIN COUNTY-PRESIDEN- TIAL ELECTORS-MEMBERS OF CONGRESS-STATE SENATORS-STATE REP- RESENTATIVES-JUDGES OF COMMON PLEAS COURT-ASSOCIATE JUDGES- AUDITORS-PROBATE JUDGES-HARDIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS-RE- CORDERS-CLERKS OF COURT-PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS-SHERIFFS-SUR- VEYORS-CORONERS-INFIRMARY DIRECTORS-SUPERINTENDENTS HARDIN COUNTY INFIRMARY.
Ever since the formation of the county the elections have shown that no particular organization could claim it. It has always been in that healthy, uncertain state that forces every party to be on the alert to select good men for candidates. The "Independent Voter" is in evidence at every election, and it is owing to the uncertainty that Hardin county has an almost unbroken record of good officials. Most of the early records are lost, but from memory and old newspapers the dates have been collected. so that the lists of officials are reasonably correct. The burning of the courthouse destroyed much of the early recorded history of the county, but as far as can be learned the names and dates are as given in this chapter.
Hardin county has had but two representatives in the National Con- gress-General James S. Robinson, in 1881, when he represented the Ninth Congressional District, and Colonel L. M. Strong, who was chosen to represent the Eighth Congressional District, the one in which Hardin county is now included.
The presidential electors, who have been chosen from Hardin county, are given below: 1860, Hon. John F. Henkle, Lincoln and Hamlin; 1864, Hon. W. L. Walker, Lincoln and Johnson; 1868, General David Thompson, Grant and Colfax; 1892, Hon. John Stillings, Harrison and Reid; and 1908, Hon. Joseph Timmons, Taft and Sherman.
In the old days political excitement ran high, and there were wonder- ful torch light processions and tremendous crowds at a number of meet-
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
ings each presidential campaign. Those were the days of great free dinners, long speeches and intense partisan feeling, and the newspaper that did not call all the voters in the opposite party thieves and liars would have been in the hands of the sheriff in a short time. Happily for all concerned the voters of Hardin county look upon political matters in a saner manner than they once did, and everything along this line is improving. Generally speaking, worthy men fill the offices, and really hold them as a "publie trust," so that the government is all that good citizens could desire.
In the fall of 1908 the best citizens of all parties united in a temper- ance campaign that resulted in a complete victory for the "drys" and Ilardin county is now without saloons.
Members of National Congress from Ninth and Eighth Congressional Districts since 1881. (Hardin county was formerly in the Ninth Dis- triet, but since 1887 has been in the Eighth District.) : 1881, James S. Robinson, Kenton ; 1885, William C. Cooper, Mt. Vernon; 1887, Robert P. Kennedy, Bellefontaine; 1891, Darius D. Hare, Upper Sandusky ; 1893, Luther M. Strong, Kenton; 1897, Archibald Lybrand, Delaware; 1901, William R. Warnock, Urbana; and 1905, Ralph D. Cole, Findlay. (present member of congress from this district).
STATE SENATORS. 1820-21, (Clark, Champaign, Logan, Wood and IIardin counties) George Fithian.
1821-22 and 1822-23 (same counties), James Cooley.
1823-24 (same counties), George Fithian.
1824-26 (Miami, Shelby, Logan, Hardin, Allen, Hancock and Wood counties), Robert Young.
1826-28 (same counties), Daniel M. Workman.
1828-30 (Logan, Shelby, Allen, Hardin, Union and Madison coun- ties), William Fielding.
1830-32 (same counties), John Shelby.
1832-34 (Madison, Union, Logan, Hardin, and Hancock counties), Philip Lewis.
1834-36 (same counties), Samuel Newell.
1836-37 (Lucas, Wood, Henry, Hancock, Van Wert, Allen, Shelby, and Hardin counties), John E. Hunt.
1837-39 Lucas, Wood, Henry, Hancock, Van Wert, Williams, Allen, Paulding, Shelby, and Hardin counties), Curtis Bates.
1839-41 (Hancock, Wood, Lucas, Henry. Williams, Putnam, Pauld- ing, Van Wert, Allen, Hardin and Shelby counties), John E. Hunt.
1841-43 (Lucas, Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Allen and Hardin counties), Jacob Clark.
1843-45 (same counties), John W. Waters.
1845-47 (Logan, Champaign, Union and Hardin counties), Ira A. Bean.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
1847-49 (same counties), Joshua JJudy.
1849-51 (Logan, Hardin, Union and Marion counties), William Lawrenee.
In 1851 Logan, Union, Marion and Hardin eounties were erected into the Thirteenth Senatorial District, and have ever since so remained.
1852-54, John J. Williams 1878-80, Ilylas Savine
1854-56, William Lawrence 1880-84, Luther M. Strong
1856-58, Cornelius Hamilton 1884-86, John J. Hane
1858-60, C. H. Gateh 1886-88, Duncan Dow
1860-62. T. B. Fisher
1888-90, James Cutler
1862-64. John Hood
1864-66, William H. West
1890-92, James B. Pumphrey 1892-94, John Bain
1866-68, P. B. Cole 1894-96. Walter S. Plun
1868-70, Solomon Kraner
1896-98, G. B. Hamilton
1870-72, John Bartram 1898-1900. Ilenry J. May
1872-74, Isaac S. Gardner 1900-04, Warren G. Harding
1874-76, M. C. Lawrenee 1904-08, Samuel E. West
1876-78, W. W. Beatty 1908-10, Richard L. Cameron
HARDIN COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES. 1820-24, (Logan and Wood). John Shelby.
1824-28 (Logan, Hardin, Haneock and Wood). John Shelby.
1828-29 (Logan, Madison, Union and Hardin). Reuben P. Mann.
1829-30 (same counties). Lanson Curtis.
1830-31 (same counties), John T. Chenoweth.
1831-34 (same counties), Samuel Newell.
1834-36 (same counties), Nicholas Hathaway.
1836-37 (Champaign, Logan and Hardin), Samuel Newell.
1837-38 (Shelby, Allen, Hardin, Putnam, Paulding and Van Wert) James Cook.
1838-39 (same eounties), Robert J. Skinner.
1839-40 (same counties), Edwin Fisher.
1840-41 (Lueas, Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam. Allen, Van Wert and Hardin), George B. Way and John F. Henkle.
1841-42 (same counties), John W. Watters and James B. Steedman.
1842-43 (same counties), J. B. Steedman and Gilman C. Mudgett.
1843-44 (same counties), Sidney S. Spague.
1844-45 (Hardin and Logan), John F. Henkle.
1845-46 (same eounties), Richard S. Canby.
1846-48 (same counties), William Lawrence.
1848-50 (same counties), Samuel Watt.
1850-51 (same counties), Oden Hayes.
1852-54 (Hardin and Wyandot), David Snodgrass.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
1854-56 (same counties), Peter A. Tyler.
1856-58 (same counties), Elias G. Spellman.
1858-60 (same counties), Chester R. Mott. 1860-62 (same counties), James M. White. Since 1862 Hardin county has been entitled to its own representa- tive, chosen every two years.
1862-66, Jonathan H. Seig 1886-88, William C. Ingman
1866-68, Solomon Kraner 1888-92, M. F. Eaggerman
1868-70, Thomas Rough 1892-94, Charles H. Workman
1870-72, William T. Cessna 1894-98, John S. Rice.
1872-74, Benjamin Waddle
1898-1900, N. R. Piper
1874-76, A. W. Munson
1900-04, Frank B. Willis
1876-80, John Haley
1904-08, James B. Pumphrey
1880-82, Sutton E. Young
1908-10, J. B. Stanbaugh
1882-86, A. K. Rarey
JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. 1833-38, Joseph R. Swan 1839-43, Emery D. Potter 1883-93, John H. Ridgely
1844-45, Myron H. Tilden 1890-95, A. B. Johnson
1845-51, Patrick Goode
1898-1903, J. W. Schaufelberger
1852-56, Benjamin Metcalf
1895-1902, Charles M. Melhorn
1857-64, William Lawrence
1898-1903, Frank Taylor
1864-71, Jacob S. Conklin
1902-03, C. C. Lemert
1872-76, Philander B. Cole
1903-08. E. M. Fries,
1877-79, John L. Porter
1903-08. G. B. Schroth
1880-85, John McCauley 1903-10, W. F. Duncan
1878-88, Henry II. Dodge 1908, Frank A. Baldwin
1885-90, George F. Pendleton 1908, William P. Henderson
ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 1833, William McCloud and Joseph Bowdle. 1833, Jas. E. Hueston (appointed).
1834, Jas. E. Hueston.
1834, Joseph Cessna (appointed)
1836, Portius Wheeler.
1840, David Goodin, Henry Adams and Portius Wheeler.
1841, David Goodin, Conrad W. Shaw and Portius Wheeler. 1842. Jonathan Cessna, David Goodin and C. W. Shaw.
1846, Jonathan Cessna, David Goodin and Daniel Baldwin. 1847, Alexander Thompson, Jonathan Cessna and Daniel Baldwin.
1849. John Goodin, David Cempbell and Daniel Baldwin. (In that year the office was abolished.)
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
HARDIN COUNTY AUDITORS. 1833, Charles W. Stevenson.
1844, Alexander L. Ballentine.
1872, Robert F. McConnell.
1848, Samuel Mentzer. 1874, G. H. Zugschwert.
1850, Gilbert Seamon. 1878, Jasper N. Welch.
1858, James Bain. 1884, George W. Rutledge.
1860, Samuel Smith. 1890, Madison M. Thompson.
1862, Robert D. Millar. 1896, James Bastable.
1868, William D. Edgar.
1902, Justin Brewer.
1870, Nathan Ahlefeld. 1908, Elmer Carey.
PROBATE JUDGES OF HARDIN COUNTY. 1852, James Bain.
1855, Hugh Letson.
1882, James E. Lowry.
1858, Samuel Watt. 1888, Jas. E. Wood.
1867, Anthony Banning. 1894, Frank Given.
1870, Benjamin Eglin. 1900, Byron P. Wentz.
1873, Solomon Kraner, 1903, Eurotus S. Neely.
1876, John R. Selders. 1909, Willis W. Bowers.
HARDIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 1833, John McArthur, Chas. Scott, Cyrus Dille.
1835, Chas. Scott, Richard Anderson, Cyrus Dille.
1836, Cyrus Dille, Richard Anderson, Chas. Scott. Anderson re- signed ; John McArthur appointed (1836).
1837, Peter Johnson, Charles Scott, Cyrus Dille.
1838, Chas. Scott, Peter Johnson, John McArthur.
1839, Peter Johnson, John McArthur, Joshua Cope.
1840, Joshua Cope, John McArthur, Peter Johnson.
1841, Joshua Cope, Peter Johnson, Jonathan Mathews.
1842, Peter Johnson, Jonathan Mathews, Thomas Hitchcock.
1843, Jonathan Mathews, Thomas Hitchcock, John Rice.
1844, Thomas Hitchcock, John Rice, Robert McCloud.
1845, John Rice, Robert McCloud, Joshua Dicus. Robert McCloud resigns; Ethan Terry appointed (1845).
1846, Jonathan Mathews, Joshua Dicus, John McVitty. 1847, Joshua Dicus, John McVitty, Jonathan Seig.
1848, John McVitty, Jonathan Seig, David Kirkpatrick.
1849, Jonathan Seig, David Kirkpatrick, John McVitty. 1850, David Kirkpatrick, Jonathan McVitty, Jonathan Seig.
1851, John McVitty, Jonathan Seig, David Kirkpatrick. 1852, Jonathan Seig, David Kirkpatrick, Thomas Hueston.
1853, David Kirkpatrick, Thomas Hueston, Thomas Rough. 1853, John F. Henkle appointed to succeed David Kirkpatrick. 1854, John F. Henkle, Thomas Rough, Thomas Hqueston. 1855, Thomas Rough, John F. Henkle, Samuel Wood. 1856, John F. Henkle, Samuel Wood, Thomas Rough.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
1857, Samuel Wood. Thomas Rough, Samuel Mccullough.
1858, Thomas Rough, Samuel McCullough, Samuel Wood.
1859, Samuel Mccullough, Samuel Wood, Ephraim McClain. Samuel Mccullough resigned; Thomas Rough appointed (1859).
1860, Samuel Wood, Ephraim McClain, Peter Marsh.
1861, Ephraim McClain, Peter Marsh, Samuel Wood.
1862, Peter Marsh, Samuel Wood, Thomas Rough.
1863, Samuel Wood, Thomas Rough, Peter Marsh.
1864, Thomas Rough, Peter Marsh, Samuel Wood. Peter Marsh resigned ; succeeded by Alonzo Bogardus (1864).
1865, Almon F. Stanley, Samuel Wood, Thomas Rough.
1866, Samuel Wood, Thomas Rough, Almon F. Stanley.
1867, Thomas Rough, Almon F. Stanley, Samuel Wood. 1868, Almon F. Stanley, David Snodgrass, Samuel Wood.
1869, Samuel Wood, David Snodgrass, Benjamin R. Brunson.
1870, David Snodgrass, B. R. Brunson, George W. Fritz.
1871, Benjamin R. Brunson, George W. Fritz, Samuel Stewart.
1872, George W. Fritz, Samuel Stewart, Thomas E. Hueston. Thomas E. Hueston died; William A. Edwards appointed (1872).
1873, Samuel Stewart, W. H. Baldwin, John Shanks.
1874, W. HI. Baldwin, John Shanks, James R. Dunlap.
1875, John Shanks, James R. Dunlap, John McElree. 1876, James R. Dunlap, John McElree, II. H. Wilson.
1877, John McElree, H. H. Wilson, James R. Dunlap.
1878, HI. HI. Wilson, James R. Dunlap, Jas. B. Pumphrey. 1879, James R. Dunlap, Jas. B. Pumphrey, Moses Kennedy.
1880, Jas. B. Pumphrey, Moses Kennedy, Samuel Detwiler. 1881, Moses Kennedy, Samuel Detwiler, Jas. B. Pumphrey. 1882, Samuel Detwiler, Jas. B. Pumphrey, Moses Kennedy. 1883, Jas. B. Pumphrey, Moses Kennedy, Chas. W. Runser. 1884, Moses Kennedy, C. W. Runser, and Wm. M. Neville. 1885, C. W. Runser, Wm. M. Neville and Philip Schindewolf. 1886, Wm. M. Neville, Philip Schindewolf and C. W. Runser. 1887, Philip Schindewolf, C. W. Runser and W. F. Pierce. 1888, C. W. Runser, W. F. Pierce and Andrew Dodds. 1889, W. F. Pierce, Andrew Dodds and John L. Clark. 1890, Andrew Dodds, John L. Clark and John Young. 1891, John S. Clark, John Young and J. B. Bailey. 1892, John Young, J. B. Bailey and R. S. Latham. 1893, J. B. Bailey, R. S. Latham and J. W. Louthan. 1894, R. S. Latham, J. W. Louthan and T. J. Dickinson. 1895, J. W. Louthan, T. J. Dickinson and F. G. Hursh. 1896, T. J. Dickinson, W. C. Harvey and J. M. Long. 1897, T. J. Dickinson, W. C. Harvey and J. M. Long. 1898, W. C. Harvey, J. M. Long and J. B. Stambaugh.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
1899, J. M. Long, J. B. Stambaugh and Samuel Pfeiffer. 1900, J. B. Stambaugh, Samuel Pfeiffer and John A. Ewing. 1901, Samuel Pfeiffer, John A. Ewing and J. B. Stambaugh. 1902, John A. Ewing, J. B. Stambaugh and Frank Rosebrook. 1903, J. B. Stambaugh, Frank Rosebrook and John A. Ewing. 1904, Frank Rosebrook, Jno. A. Ewing and Jno. C. Johnson. 1905, Jno. A. Ewing, Jno. C. Johnson and Frank Rosebrook. 1906, Jno. C. Johnson, Frank Rosebrook and James Carman. 1907, Frank Rosebrook, James Carman and Jno. C. Johnson. 1908, James F. Carman, Jno. C. Johnson and James V. Hill. 1909, Jno. C. Johnson, James V. Hill and James Carman. 1910, James V. Hill, George Smith and John W. Crooks.
HARDIN COUNTY RECORDERS. 1833, Daniel Campbell.
1840, Daniel Barron.
1845, Jolın O. Fox. John O. Fox resigned and Samuel Smith appointed (1846).
1847, Gilbert Saamon.
1849, Samuel Ballentine. Samuel Ballentine left county before
taking office. Conrad W. Shaw appointed (1849).
1856, Daniel Barron.
1875, George W. Armstrong.
1857, Robert F. McConnell. 1881, W. W. Stevenson.
1863, David Stanford. 1886, Dennis W. Kennedy.
1866, Robert F. McConnell. 1889, Frank P. Carey.
1869, Charles Collier. 1896, John I. Wood (appointed)
1897, Jolm I. Wood. Iran N. Kelly appointed March 14, 1900 to fill vacancy caused by death of John I. Wood.
1901, Francis L. Runser.
1907, John Patterson.
CLERKS OF COURT, 1833, Alexander Thompson (appointed).
1839, John Stevens.
1847, Elias G. Spelman.
1855, William W. Nixon.
1861, Gordon A. Stewart.
1864, W. D. Dean.
1870, John M. Pearce.
1873, William H. Fleming.
1879, Joseph Timmons.
1885, James C. Howe.
1891, Horton Park.
1897, James L. Moore.
1903, J. Q. A. McClurg (resigned).
1904, John Y. Thompson (appointed).
1906, John Y. Thompson (elected).
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, 1833, William Bales.
1836, Hiram McCartney.
1868, A. B. Johnson.
1837, John Lawrence. 1872, James Watt.
1840, Andrew Doods.
1876, Frank C. Dougherty.
1848, William L. Walker.
1878, Sutton E. Young.
1852, Lyman C. Hurd.
1880, John H. Smick.
1854, Sewell Coulson.
1884, C. M. Melhorn.
1856, C. H. Gatch.
1890, Chester D. Kelly.
1858, John Stillings.
1893, Charles C. Lemmert.
1860, John Absten.
1896, Thomas C. Mahon.
1862, Lester T. Hunt.
1902, H. E. Hoge.
1866, James Bain
1908, James Ray Stillings.
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFFS, 1833, H. D. Tharp.
1835, J. Snoddy.
1870, N. S. Weaver.
1836, John Ryan.
1874, I. Bolenbaugh.
1841, Obed Taylor.
1878, George W. Darst.
1842, David Kinnear.
1882, L. H. Wells.
1844, R. F. Holmes.
1885, J. S. Scott.
1848, Jacob Holmes.
1889, W. M. Neville.
1854, D. Pugh.
1891, A. S. Ranney.
1858, William Pool.
1895, L. A. Ansley.
1860, James E. Nelson.
1900, C. J. Griffith. 1
1862, J. L. Stevenson.
1904, B. F. Scott.
1866, A. K. Rarey.
1908, J. H. Wagner.
IIARDIN COUNTY SURVEYORS, 1833, John Terry.
1835, Jacob Kimberlin. 1870, F. M. Childs.
1838, John H. Ross.
1872, W. A. Strong.
1840, Alex. Templeton.
1875, J. R. Gunn.
1842, David Ross.
1876, W. H. Brown.
1844, John R. Gunn.
1883, N. H. Caldwell.
1845, C. Arendtsheld
1888, S. F. Moore.
1848, W. D. Gunn.
1892, W. H. Brown.
1851, R. D. Millar,
1894, W. E. Myers.
1857, Joseph Weldon.
1898, A. R. Taylor.
1860, W. D. Gunn.
1904, J. W. Gilmore.
1864, W. C. Hampton.
1907, J. C. Poling.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
HARDIN COUNTY CORONERS, 1833, Henry Stamatz.
1836, Elias Clark.
1869, N. S. Weaver.
1837, Henry Garrett. 1870, John Howe.
1839, Daniel Barron.
1874, William Pool.
1840, Horace Church.
1876, John Kanel.
1842, E. Shoard.
1878, G. Sutermeister.
1844, C. Koontz.
1880, H. Kettle.
1846, F. W. Yoe.
1885, John Watters.
1848, R. Huff.
1889, H. E. Heistand.
1850, Harris Pool.
1891, B. K. Jones.
1851, L. Furney.
1895, John Watters.
1853, Horace Church.
1897, B. L. Johnson.
1863, Fred Fogle.
1900, N. G. Vassor.
1864, John House.
1902, E. S. Protzman.
1865, S. Collins.
1909. A. W. Tittsworth.
1867, John Howe.
HARDIN COUNTY INFIRMARY DIRECTORS, 1869, Thomas Espy. Arch- ibald Davis, Bernard Mathews.
1871, Benjamin Beamer, John Elder, Jacob Sponsler.
1874, John Elder, Theodore Schrader, Ben Beamer.
1875, John Elder, D. W. Benton, T. Schrader.
1876, Paul Castor, D. W. Benton, Theodore Schrader.
1877, Conrad Kahler, Paul Castor, D. W. Benton.
1878, David Obenour, Paul Castor, C. Kahler. 1879, C. Kahler, John Pfeiffer, D. Obenour.
1880, J. Pfeiffer, S. Stevenson, D. Obenour. 1882, S. Stevenson, Valentine Eccarius, John Pfeiffer. 1883, S. Stevenson, Valentine Eccarius, John Pfeiffer. 1884, S. Stevenson, John Pfeiffer, Valentine Eccarius. 1885, S. Stevenson, V. Eccarius, Samuel Andrews. 1886, V. Eccarius, Samuel Andrews, Samuel Utz. 1887, Samuel Utz, Samuel Andrews and V. Eccarius.
1888, Samuel Utz, John Wilson, V. Eccarius. 1889, S. Utz, John Wilson, S. Andrews.
1890, S. Utz, J. Wilson, S. Andrews.
1891, S. Utz, S. Andrews, A. G. Tidd.
1892, S. Utz, A. G. Tidd, S. H. Cook. 1893, A. G. Tidd, S. H. Cook, Michael Seedle.
1894, S. H. Cook, A. G. Tidd, M. Seedle. 1895, S. H. Cook, A. G. Tidd, M. Seedle. 1898, A. G. Tidd, M. Seedle, Leonidas Richeson. 1897, A. G. Tidd, L. Richeson, T. M. Finch. 1898, L. Richeson, T. M. Finch, J. D. Felty.
1899, T. M. Finch, J. D. Felty, William Strahm.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
1900, William Strahm, J. D. Felty, Jonas F. Foit. 1901. Jonas Foit, W. II. Detwiler, W. Strahm. 1902, Jonas Foit, W. H. Detwiler, E. F. Crawford. 1903, E. F. Crawford, W. H. Detwiler, Otis M. Hopkins. 1904, W. II. Detwiler, O. M. Hopkins, E. F. Crawford. 1905, W. HI. Detwiler, O. M. Hopkins, E. F. Crawford.
1906, W. Il. Detwiler, E. F. Crawford, O. M. Hopkins.
1907, W. HI. Detwiler, O. M. Hopkins, E. F. Crawford.
1908, E. F. Crawford, W. F. McGinnis, O. M. Hopkins. 1909, W. F. McGinnis, P. A. Eaton, George W. Seott.
SUPERINTENDENTS HARDIN COUNTY INFIRMARY, January 1871, A. W. Fisher.
March, 1872, Isaae E. Wilson.
March, 1876, Joseph Nevitt.
March, 1878, Leander King.
March, 1879, Isaac E. Wilson. Edward Dickson. James Carman
April 1, 1902, William Elsasser (present superintendent).
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A TYPICAL HARDIN COUNTY FARM HOUSE
CHAPTER XI.
A GLANCE BACKWARD
POPULATION FROM 1830 TO 1900-PROGRESS OF DRAINAGE-OLD TIME HUNTS AND WILD ANIMALS-ROADS AND MARKETS-PRICES OF FARM PRODUCTS AND LAND-PAST AND PRESENT.
Less than one hundred years ago Hardin county was a vast, marshy wilderness, with only a few Indian trails through the forest, and scarcely a trace of the white man's occupancy. A few adventurers, the soldiers of the war of 1812 and the intrepid fur traders, were the only white men who had penetrated this section, and, while rich in natural resources, it was an unpromising place in many ways for pioneers. Diseases lurked in the boggy forests, Indians still claimed the territory, it was out of communication with the civilized world, and the heavy growth of timber, for which there was at that time no market, rendered the work of clearing up a homestead exceedingly difficult. But in spite of all these difficulties the sturdy pioneer and his brave wife took possession of the land, and in this brief space of time have made the wilderness to "blossom as the rose." Indeed, nearly every trace of the pioneer's work has been lost, if we must count that work by the buildings he reared. The log cabin, the log church and the log schoolhouse have vanished, and only the tilled fields and roads and ditches and a few landmarks remain to speak of the energy and success of our forefathers.
The population of Hardin county at various dates is given below to show something of the growth. Some of the old settlers estimate the population between 1830 and 1840 at about eight hundred, but that is merely guess work, as it may have been more or less. We do know, however, that about the latter date a great number of settlers moved in, and Hardin county enjoyed a substantial boom.
The population of the county from 1830 to 1900, inclusive, was as follows: 1830, 210; 1840, 4,583; 1847, 5,000; 1850, 8,127; 1860, 13,570; 1870, 18,714; 1878, 28,885; 1880, 27,023; 1890, 28,939, and 1900, 31,187.
In 1832 Hardin county had not a single rod of tile underground, nor had any of the streams been improved and straightened. Today the Scioto river is an entirely different stream from the crooked, wind-
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
ing eurrent of water retarded by undergrowth and refuse, for it has been dredged and deepened and widened at great expense, and the boggy plaees along the banks plaeed under cultivation. Many of the more important creeks have been converted into open ditches, and others have been elosed forever by placing tile under the ground to carry off the surplus water. It would be impossible to give the number of miles of important underground drains in this county, while every farm has its private system of ditching to free the land quickly from the excess of moisture. Of course the draining of the Scioto and Hog Creek Marshes gave the county its greatest gain in reclaimed land, but the smaller ditches are exceedingly important. Within the past few years the Tymochtee and Taylor creeks have been improved, and many other streams deepened and cleaned out. The manufacture of tile is one of the most important of the county's industries and at present so mueh ditching is being done that tile are engaged before they are manufactured.
When the pioneers eame to this eounty they found plenty of game, such as deer, bear, wolves, wild hogs, and many smaller animals. Oeca- sionally a big hunt would be organized partly for sport, and partly to rid the country of destructive animals, and hundreds of animals would be killed; but there were always enough pests left to keep the farmer busy protecting his live stock and erops summer and winter. Or December 30, 1847, there was a notable hunt in the Hog Creek Marsh, during the course of which many wolves lost their lives, while enough game was slaughtered to supply the community with meat for almost the entire season. As late as 1850 a large black bear was killed near the Six Mile schoolhouse by Robert Green and his paek of dogs, and in November, 1853, Thomas Austin killed a wolf near his home west of town that measured six feet and eight inehes from tip to tip. So de- struetive were the wolves that the county had to offer a bounty for their sealps before it was safe to raise much live stoek. Hawks and other birds of prey destroyed the poultry belonging to the farmers, and at different times a bounty was paid for their heads. Oeeasionally a deer wandered through the rapidly disappearing forests, and even as late as 1872 they were killed in this county. However at present all danger from wild animals, or even annoyance has disappeared, and the hunter finds only rabbits and quail for his day's shooting at present.
Most of the schoolhouses and churches dotting the country have sprung up during the past fifty years, and practically all the fine city and country homes. The first brick building in the county was erected about seventy-five years ago, and for the next twenty-five years few brick buildings went up, compared with those of the present. The towns were feeble hamlets and only connected by almost impassable roads with the outside world, but at present fine pikes, good railroads, the telephone and telegraph plaee every part of the county in touch with every other part of the world. Five good railroads and hundreds of miles of pike
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
have taken the place of the old Shawnee trail and the Ft. McArthur road, which were all the county possessed in its infancy, and the conven- ient shipping places have had much to do with the steady increase in prices of farm products. In 1847 eggs were five cents per dozen and butter eight cents per pound, while chickens sold for fifteen cents per pair, but with the advent of good markets, facilities for shipping, cold storage houses and creameries the prices rose steadily until at present they seem to have reached the high water mark. Just after the war prices were much inflated and about 1867 wheat reathed the top notch in the history of the county bringing $3.00 per bushel, but wheat is not a perishable product like butter and eggs and other farm produce.
With the advent of good roads, good markets, manufactories and growing towns, civilization went forward with great strides. At present Hardin county is noted for its progressive, intelligent prosperous citi- zens. The pioneers had little time for leisure or money making, as they were busy clearing their land and providing for their families, but they laid the foundation for the future prosperity of their children, and the country owes them a debt of gratitude for their wisdom in planning so well the future of the county. In the early days land varied from $1.25 to $5.00 per acre, the average appraisement in 1860 for the whole county being $9.00 per acre. At present, land ranges from $70 to $150 per acre, according to location and improvements, with very few farms for sale in the whole county.
But the citizens of Hardin county are not content with the present prosperity. They are on the alert for better things, and improvements are being made every day. Farm houses are rapidly adding the luxuries of bath, furnaces and all modern improvements, automobiles are more common than carriages were in pioneer times ; the scrub animal is vanish- ing from the farms ; improved machinery is solving the labor question in country communities, and altogether everything is moving forward at a rapid rate.
In the prosperous present, with the prospects of a still greater future before us, we would not forget to occasionally glance backward at the work of the pioneers. Most of these sturdy, hard working, God-fearing men and women are now resting under the soil their hands helped to clear, but their memories will ever be cherished. It is hard to realize that so much has been accomplished in less than a century, and in the light of all that is past, it "doth not yet appear" what Hardin county shall be in the future. If the men and women who have passed away accomplished so much in the short time the county has been organized, it is safe to say their descendents will never fall behind in the work so well begun. Hardin county has had a noble past and its present is more remarkable than the founders of it dreamed, so it is safe to predict that the future holds still greater things.
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