Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 1, Part 72

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1060


USA > Ohio > Wood County > Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 1 > Part 72


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 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101


1896 -- S. N. Sloan, A. J. Fowler, C. Eckert, O. W. Delo, C. Whalen and H. Hartman.


The question of water supply was discussed in 1894, and adopted in 1895. In May, 1895, the bid of the Bradner Supply Co., for furnishing 10,000 feet of water pipe, was accepted. The system of fire protection embraces an Soo-barrel tank; a Howe chemical engine; a pump with steam engine; a hose-cart; and an active fire de- partment.


The names of the members of the school board, elected in 1896, are J. H. Westerfield, M. M. Fowler, J. E. Ladd, David Edmonds, J. C. Hartman, and A. W. Reese.


Schools .- The records of the special district of Bradner date back to April 11, 1876, when William Hartman, A. Earl and John H. Steph- ens were elected members of the board of direct- ors. Among the teachers named in the record book are Helen and Alice Canfield, Nancy Bierly, A. J. Munsell, Alma Adams, Nora Peoples, Han- nah Mason, Clara Mahoney and L. C. Merchant. In 1879, E. A. James, James Peebles, J. F. Huff- manand William Brown wereelecteddirectors; M. L. Stephens and Daniel Stahl are named in later years. On September 22, 1883, an election was held for directors of the special district, and John Edmonds, Abram Hyter and J. F. Huffman were chosen directors. Wiley Peterson was treasurer of the district in 1884, and John T. Shippey, teacher. In 1889, M. L. Stephens, A. Hyter, D. Stahl, J. Hartman, J. Walters and J. Hutch- inson formed the board. In 1883, M. M. Fow- ler was appointed teacher; Gilbert Benton in 1886; J. E. Ladd succeeded him in 1887, and taught here until 1892, and F. H. Bowers from 1892 to 1895. In April, 1893, there were sev-


enty-nine votes cast for and thirty-five against the question of building a school house, and March 5, 1894, six bonds for $1,000, one for $2,000, one for $1, 500. and one for $500, were issued. The present two-story building, 57 x 84 feet in ground area, was erected and equipped at a cost approximating $15,000, to meet which a tax levy of seven mills in 1894, and eighteen mills in 1895, was made. The board of 1895 comprises J. H. Westerfield, M. M. Fowler, E. A. James, J. C. Hartman, David Edmonds and J. E. Ladd. There are 281 children in the district.


Accidents .- The development of the place has not been carried forward without some rude shocks. The explosion of the Bradford Glycer- ine Company's magazine, a half-mile south, on January 9, 1891, damaged several buildings in the village. The collision, on the C., H. V. & T. railroad, one and one-half miles south, No- vember 9, 1893, resulted in the death of S. H. Jones, engineer of the passenger locomotive; Charles Jones, his fireman: James C. Gresh, ex- pressman; and W. Kerlin, engineer of the freight locomotive. Three others were injured. The oil field has furnished a full quota of accidents, but little notice is taken of them.


A Big Shot .- The field aims at large things. In August, 1895, 400 quarts. or 1, 3333 pounds, of glycerine were used in shooting the Van Vleck & Stowe well. This is said to have been the largest shot ever used in the Bradner field, or, as far as known to the writer, in any other divis- ion of Wood county oildom.


Churches .- The Methodist Protestant Society of Mt. Prospect, is said to have been the first religious organization in the Bradner neighbor- hood, and the builder of the first house of wor- ship, Rev. A. D. Horney. is pastor. Since the little society came into existence, wonderful changes in the temporal and spiritual affairs of the people have taken place, so that to-day there are at least four denominations and representa- tives of many more.


The Methodist Episcopal Society erected their present house of worship in 1891, at a cost of $3,000. Rev. I. N. Kalb, named in the history of the Church at Freeport, is pastor.


The Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Rev. Mr. Gamertsfelder was pastor in 1895, is an off-shoot of the older Lutheran classes of the vicinity. Many of its members belong to the pioneer families of the Bradner district.


The Presbyterian Church was organized June 14, 1895. by Rev. Dillon, of Bowling Green. Elder Ward, of New Rochester, and Rev. Syl. Haupert, with F. Kirk, T. Martin (elders), E.


311


WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.


M. Kirk, J. M. Cubbs, and their wives, Mattie, Jennie and Pearl Kirk, Charles Kirk, Mrs. Delo, Mrs. Black (Risingsun), and Geo. Murray. This society purchased the old school building for a nominal sum, and fitted it up as a place for wor- ship. Rev. Sylvanus Haupert was pastor at the beginning of 1895.


Union Church, on Chestnut Ridge, east of Bradner, may be considered a local institution. The original deed of the land was made to the Reformed Presbyterian Society, which merged into the German Lutheran Society some years later. Among the early members, as remem- bered by Mrs. Minkler, were Jacob Plantz, Ben Plantz (who died in 1895), Peter Bovie and son, and William Cox. Mrs. Minkler, who has resided near the church for over forty-eight years, states that the log house of worship was torn down sixteen years ago to make place for the present church house, which is now used only on funeral occasions.


Cemetery .- Chestnut Ridge Cemetery may be said to have been established in IS36, as related in other pages. It is certain that the Shevely child was buried there in 1837. The oldest headstone observed by the writer is that which tells of the death of Christina Zimmerman, July 26, IS46.


Societies .- Bradner is well endowed with secret and benevolent societies, the greater num- ber in working condition and thoroughly alive to the interests of members.


Acme Lodge, No. 676, I. O. O. F., was char- tered May 16 and instituted July IS, 1878, with fourteen charter members, of whom Morris Reese was noble grand. The lodges at Risingsun, Freeport and Pemberville are offshoots of No. 676. The first members were C. Bryan, M. Ashley, W. C. Glover, Tobias Hanline, John Peoples, J. F. Hutchinson, Elverson Peoples, G. W. Foster, A. W. Reese, W. Bell, M. Reese, and S. W. Smead.


The Daughters of Rebekah organized here in later years with thirty members, of whom Hattie E. Ayers was noble grand.


Hamilton Post, No. 90, G. A. R., was char- tered June 15, ISS1, and named in honor of a soldier, who, in 1861, enlisted at Perrysburg in Co. K, First United States Chasseurs, afterward known as the 65th N. Y. V .; was wounded at Spottsylvania, and died in 1872. The original members of this Post were: Richard Angus, E. R. Beach, W. Crossinan, H. Dobson, M. Eckert, E. Evans, Geo. D. Evans, William Ensminger, T. M. Hill, Caleb Minkler, J. Fry, J. S. Ma- honey. J. F. Hutchinson, J. M. Jones, J. Heath,


J. W. Hoiles, William Gregg, J. Timmons, W. Peterson, C. Walters, A. Shively, E. A. James and J. M. James. E. A. James was the first commander, and John Mahoney the first adjutant: J. Hutchinson succeeded James: J. F. Huffman was the third to command; B. Langell, the fourth. Wm. M. Basore succeeded adjutant Mahoney in 1883, and I. V. Shell succeeded him in 1884, the number of members at that time being fifty-four.


Hamilton Women's Relief Corps is made up of the wives, daughters and sisters of the mem- bers of Hamilton Post, G. A. R.


Bradner Lodge, No. 429, K. of P., was chartered May S, ISgo, with thirty-six members, namely: J. W. Wyant, E. Evans, M. O. Ladd, V. B. Langell, A. A. Stump, J. F. and J. V. Huffman, John Edmonds. J. E. Ladd. Martin Eckert. J. P. Evans, J. M. Stephens, J. E. Furste. M. Hathaway, M. J. Cleary, W. G. Nicholls. B F. Hart, G. W. Walters, C. E. Cornman. M. M. Fowler, T. J. Sullivan, G. W. Eckert, T. J. Clements, M. H. Brasher, C. E. Hyter, H. G. Hartman, C. L. Broyles, R. Timms, David Edmonds, A. J. Fowler, W. B. Gregg. J. J. Pratt, W. L. Dunn, S. H. Curry, J. F. Nepton. and J. M. Cribbs. The office of chancellor has been filled by the following named members: WV. B. Gregg and J. W. Wyant, 1890; J. E. Ladd and J. E. Furste, 1891; C. E. Hyter and A. A. Stump, 1892; J. M. Cribbs and D. H. Youngs, 1893; G. W. Walter and J. V. Hufi- man, 1894; and N. L. Covell and C. L. Broyles. 1895. The keepers of records and seals, since organization, are named as follows: J. E. Furste, 1890; C. E. Hyter, ISg1; W. B. Gregg. 1892; J. M. Stephens, 1893; W. B. Gregg, 1894: and A. A. Stump, 1895.


I. O. U. A. M. Council, No. 270, was char- tered May 4, 1892, with W. W. Stevens, N. J. Hartman, E. F. Huffman, John M. Williams, J. O. Ladd, J. L. Fleming, Fred Huffman, M. P Colt, W. White, J. W. Meek and J. S. Newman.


Shuey Hive, No. 100, L. O. T. M., was chartered September 8, 1894, with Lucy Furste. L. C., and the following named officers in Tent rank: Carrie Lamb, Etta Graham, Ida Collins, Emma Morris, Anna Fowler, Ada McHenry, Blanche Rhoades, Adda Ladd and Fannie Lail


Bradner Tent, No. 119, K. O. T. M., was chartered December 13, 1892, with the following named officers in Tent rank: C. E. Hyter. W. S. Morris, William Clark, F. H. Lamb, William White, Thomas Daily, J. E. Furste, Charles Allen, Robert De Witt, William Knowles, F Sheffer, William Daily and Frank Daily, with


342


WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.


twelve unofficial members. The Tent now claims sixty-five members, the names of the twelve members referred to being J. F. Miller, A. Leslie, B. W. Graham, E. J. Horton, G. A. McAlpine, C. E. Herriff, E. L. Bordner, T. Clements, W. M. Chamberlain, J. F. Turk and J. H. Lapp.


White Division, No. 5, U. R. K. O. T. M., was organized March 19, 1895, with the follow- ing named members: F. B. Allen, George Coyle, W. White, D. H. Runneals, M. H. Overocker, F. H. Lamb, C. E. Allen, William Summers, J. O. Wiles, E. T. Welsh, W. Gaines, George McAlpine, R. DeBrant, E. A. North, M. P. Long, M. H. Murray, George Murray, B. W. Graham, C. A. Herriff, John H. Lapp and Patsie Molchy. The officers were George Coyle, past captain; F. B. Allen, captain; D. H. Runneals, record keeper, and W. White, finance keeper. There are twenty-one members.


The Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized in May, 1895, with Mrs. F. H. Bower, president; Mrs. A. L. Bordner and Mrs. F. Kirk, vice-presidents; Mrs. Beam, secretary; Mrs. M. Ashley, Mrs. E. James and Mrs. D. I. Dale, superintendents.


The Y. M. C. A. was organized in May, 1895, with F. H. Bowers, president; Rev. Syl- vanus Haupert, secretary, and W. S. Frees, treasurer. The association's hall is in the second story of the old school house, now used as the Presbyterian church.


RISINGSUN.


The first settlement made within the vicinity of this village was that by Benjamin Wollam, who purchased land in Sec. 25, in 1834, built a pole shanty with the aid of an Indian, and then fled from the wild animals which infested the place. Within a few years, Benjamin and Arch- ibald Wollam are found here. In 1837, Straub located on the site of the village, where he con- structed a log cabin. A cabin for school purposes was built prior to that time, and Arnold Moon installed as teacher. David Phillips settled in the village in 1844; Conrad Shefler, the same year, while Adam Bates, David Shoe, David Bierly and others, named in the history of the township, must be considered among the pio- neers of the district. In 1849, George Strause built the first frame dwelling house, and in 1851 the first frame barn. In 1866, William Shoup erected a small house for mercantile purposes, near the Prentiss sawmill (constructed in 1857, and, later, operated by J. W. Blessing). The


place was at first known as St. Elms, but this being too polite for a spot in the wilderness, the residents went to the other extreme and named it "Coon Town." The limestone outcrop sug- gested "Stony Battery," which name it bore until July 4, 1874, when David Earl's motion to baptize the place " Rising Sun " was adopted. It is now spelled as one word - " Risingsun."


The village was surveyed by W. H. Wood, in June, 1876, for Luther Wineland, John Mervin, J. W. Bonawit, Adam Grover, J. W. Blessing, John Carey, E. Bolinger, Conrad Shefler and their wives, and E. F. Day and Thomas Mervin. Henry Baker, John Mervin and John Carey were the original owners of the land; John W. Bless- ing was the first postmaster, and Enos Williams the first carrier of the mail between the village and Fostoria in the ante-railroad days.


Prior to the close of April, 1877, there were established here: Frankfother Bros.' general store, Gregg, Wyman & Co.'s lime kilns, John Baker's hotel, and two drug stores. The school house then sheltered about fifty pupils, while a brick house, for church purposes, was in process of building, and ground was broken for over twenty dwellings. In 1886, there were three hotels, two dry-goods houses, two hardware houses, one flour and feed store, one grocery, one saloon, two schools, two physicians, four preachers. the lime works, and two churches, found here.


Village Officers .- In November, 1878, a pe- tition was signed by forty-one inhabitants asking the commissioners to incorporate them as a vil- lage. This was presented December 16, 1878, but the order creating the village was not signed until March 13, 1879.


The mayors were E. F. Day, 1879; Charles E. Sabin, 1882; W. S. Sutliff, ISS3; Chauncey E. Houston, 1890; A. H. Emerson, 1893; G. C. Shefler, appointed in July, 1893: E. F. Day was elected in 1894, and was the presiding officer of the village in October, 1895, when the records were summarized. In 1896, he was re-elected.


The office of clerk has been held by Ray Gil- more, 1879; S. G. Sheller, 1879; Martin Shively. 1881; J. H. Ream, 1888; Charles R. Shefler. 1889, re-elected in 1896.


The office of treasurer has been filled by Con- rad Shefler, 1879; E. F. Day, 1886; George H. Baker, 1892; and H. C. Sass, 1896.


The councilnien elected since the beginning are named as follows:


.


1879 -H. B. Houston, J. W. Miller, J. W. Reese, J. W. Bon- awit, Daniel Ragon, I. M. Mosely.


1880-John Mervin, M. C. Mowen, J. W. Blessing, H. B. Houston, A. Graber, J. W. Bonawit.


343


WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.


1881-G. M. North, John Mervin, M. C. Mowen, E. H. Kirk, A. Graber, J. W. Bonawit.


1882-Lewis M. Mosely, W. Bates, A. Graber, M. C. Mervin,


C. Heplir, G. M. North. 1883 -- G. M. North, L. M. Mosely, A. Graber, J. H. Miller, D. F. Myers, J. W. Bonawit. 1884-William Wolfam, E. F. Day, H. L. Byington, L. MI. Mosely, G. M. North, A. Graber.


1885-William Wollam, E. F. Day, H. L. Byington, J. H. Burnett, J. W. Blessing, G. M. North.


1886-J. W. Reese, Conrad Shefler, H. K. Byington, J. H. Burnett, J. W. Blessing, G. M. North.


1887-G. H. Baker, Conrad Sheffer, H. L. Byington, J. H. Burnett, Ed. Bollinger, J. W. Reese.


1888-G. G. Myers, N. Wirebaugh, H. L. Byington, J. H. Burnett, Ed. Bollinger, J. W. Reese.


1889-G. H. Baker, Charles Day, H. L. Byington, J. H. Bur- nett, L. C. Windull, G. G. Myers.


1890-G. H. Baker, Charles Day, George Buck, J. H. Bur- nett, Noah Swope, G. G. Myers.


1891-Martin Shively, Charles Day, E. S. Shefier, Noah Swope, B. F. Bates, G. G. Myers.


1892-Martin Shively, Charles Day, E. S. Shefler, E. F. Day, B. F. Bates, W. Wolf.


1893 -Jesse Graham, Charles Cook, E. F. Day, J. H. Bur- nett, W. Wolf.


1894-Jesse Graham, J. H. Burnett, H. Voglesang, E. Gra- ham, S. Hengsteler.


1895-J. M. Koons, Jesse Miller, H. Voglesang, E. Graham, S: Hengsteler. - 1896-C. S. Shefler, J. F. Myers and William Wolf were elected.


Common School .- The school directors of 1876 employed L. C. Edgar to take charge of their schools, established two rooms in a public hall, and guarded the interests of the district so well that in 1880 they were enabled to build two brick school houses. At that time the graded system was adopted, and G. C. Shefler employed as superintendent. In 1892 the present modern school house was erected, at a cost of $12,000. On May 11, 1891, Risingsun organized as a separate district, with J. W. Blessing, L. C. Win- chell, W. W. Long, John Phillips, William Myers and E. E. White, directors. An election on the question of building a new school house was held June 5, 1891, when sixty-four votes were recorded for and twenty against, and August 28, 1891, the contract for building was awarded to Ricker & Mayer. On September 3 the sum of $10,025 was received from the sale of bonds. In Octo- ber, C. A. Kline succeeded J. W. Blessing as president, and in April, 1893, G. G. Myers suc- ceeded him. E. E. White has served as clerk of the district since its organization. G. W. Hengsteler and Emma Byington have been members of the board in later days, and Mr. Shetler has held the position of superintendent since 1891. The enumeration made in July, 1895, shows 103 male and seventy-two female pupils.


Post Office .- The records of the post office date back to July 17, 1873, when Jolin W. Blessing was commissioned postmaster. H. B.


Houston was appointed in 1876; J. K. Plantz, in September, 1881; C. E. Sabin, in 1883; F. J. Aldrich, in July, 1884, to succeed W. H. Wight, who served a short time. In May, 1887, Samuel Milligan was appointed; on May 1, 1889, O. A. Biglev was commissioned; and in August, 1893, G. H. Baker was appointed. When the name was remodeled, in September, 1894, a new com- mission was issued to Mr. Baker. L. L. Pop, his courteous deputy, attends to postal affairs.


Faith post office, four miles southeast, was discontinued in 1893, Wm. L. Shupe, the post- inaster, losing a sinecure of small value.


Fires .- The fire of October 30, 1894, re- sulted in the destruction of the Arcade, and a few small buildings. It was the introduction to the greater fire of February, 1895, which reduced to ashes the Phillips-Shefler building ( occupied by C. E. White's drug store, and J. D. Good- man's grocery ), and Miller's blacksmith shop.


Churches. - The United Brethren Society was organized in 1854, under the name " Mont- goniery U. B. Church." On January 30, 1858, the Union Church trustees purchased a small tract of land from Benjamin Wollam, in the S. W. corner of Sec. 25, but what interest the U. B. Society had in it then is not known. It is, however, understood that the frame building. used by them down to 1878, made way for the brick house of worship. The first pastors were Samuel Essex and George Stewart. The society signed articles of incorporation February IC, 1881, H. E. Smith, John Carey and Amos Big- ley, trustees, representing the seventeen mem- bers then belonging. Rev. A. H. White is pas- tor, and E. E. White, superintendent of the Sunday-school.


The Radical U. B. Society is a recent organ- ization, of which Rev. J. W. Witham, of Fos- toria, is pastor. The thirty-five members pur- chased one of the two old brick school houses, filled it up as a place of worship, and dedicated it January 27, 1895.


The Church of God was organized, in 1860, by J. W. Wilson and R. H. Bolton. The mem- bers worshiped in the Basswood school house until 1876, when they purchased a house from the school district, in which they hield meetings until 1881, when their present frame building was erected on the Sandusky side of the county line. Rev. W. E. Fuller is pastor, and G. W. Hengsteler, superintendent. There were eiglity- five members reported in October, 1895.


Societies .- Onward Lodge, No. 329. K. of P., was chartered January 29, 1839, and insti- tuted March 7 of that year. The original mem-


344


WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.


bers were James Carmichael, P. Stump (3), Joseph Riegler, J. W. Bierly, S. S. Mowen (4), F. Bower (2), G. H. Baker, William Wolf (5), C. G. Myers, C. R. Shefler, G. W. Dunlap (6), E. E. White, W. S. Lyon, H. L. Byington (1), S. B. Vandersol, HI. Rubart, P. Byers and L. Swope. The chancellors have been the charter members after whose names the figures I to 6 are given, with A. C. Wolf, N. Rinebold, J. H. Ream, H. A. Blackman, G. C. Shefler, A. L. Ferster, A. F. Plantz, and C. E. Pew, who was serving in June, 1895. C. G. Myers was the first keeper of records and seals, M. Shively the second, and F. Bower the third. The number of members in June, 1895, was sixty-three.


Rising Sun Lodge, No, 788, I. O. O. F., was chartered August 15, 1890, and instituted August 20, with the following named members: J. H. Ream, C. G. Myers, C. A. Houstin (1), J. M. Koons (5), W. S. Sutliff, L. A. Taylor, William Wolf (4), F. Glasscott, J. H. Rease, S. Bodie, N. Rinebold (2), P. Byers, G. Gephart, J. H. Burnett (6), and L. Swope (3). The members, after whose names the figures are placed, served as noble grands in the order given, with William Myers the seventh, and E. L. McCrory the eighth, incumbent. J. M. Koons was the first secretary; W. Myers, the second; J. H. Ream, the third; and E. M. Martin, the fourth. There were forty-four members reported in June, 1895.


The P. O. S. of A. was organized here Jan - uary 15, 1889, with thirty-nine Sons, and had at one time seventy members, but in recent years the membership has fallen very low.


Whitman Post, 604, G. A. R., was organized in September, 1888, but not chartered until 1892. The original members were O. A. Bigley (2 and 4), and Samuel Plantz, Stephen Shoe, Conrad Shef- ler, Henry Voglesang (3), Jesse Miller, Jacob Phister, Martin Shively (1), Adam Miller. A. N. Byers, A. Putman, Daniel Ragon, Enos Williams, Jacob Sidile, Titus Beck, B. Inman, Joseph Stohl, Moses Wymer, Jacob Boyd, Thomas Mervin, W. L. Shupe. Three of the number have served as cominanders, while Henry Vogle- sang is the adjutant. There were sixteen mem- bers reported in October, 1895.


Whitman Relief Corps, No. 179, was char- tered February 12, 1893, with the following named members: Lizzie Wirebaugh, Ida Ferster, Jane Bollinger, Sarah Voglesang, Clara Cook, Angie Bower, Nettie Miller, Lizzie Burnett, Mary Rouglet, Catherine Miller, Hattie Klotz, Minnie Graham, Anna Bigley, Emma Inman, Cynthia Cline, Ida Day, Ida White and Rose Aldrich. The office of president has been filled by Mrs. L. Burnett, Lizzie Burnett and Tina Covill, and that of secretary by Ida Ferster and Minnie Graham, Mrs. Ferster being secretary in 1895. There are twenty members.


CHAPTER XXXIX.


PERRY TOWNSHIP.


SURVEY - POPULATION - TOPOGRAPHY - A PIONEER WEATHER BUREAU - ORGANIZATION-EARLY OFFICERS -TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS - FIRST LAW-SUIT - PIONEERS -EARLY LAND BUYERS- EARLY MILLS-MEN OF 1839-COUNTERFEITERS-THE STONE HOUSE-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES ; WEST MILLGROVE -HATTON, FOSTORIA AND LONGLEY -SURVEYS -VILLAGE HISTORIES --- POST OFFICES - VILLAGE OFFICERS -TRADERS, ETC. - CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, CEMETERIES, SOCIETIES, ETC.


T HE survey of the exterior lines of this township was made by Alexander and Samuel Holmes, in 1819, and that of the interior or sectional lines, in 1821, by S. Bourne.


The population in 18440 was 559; in 1850, 888; and in 1860, 1,292. The increase during the thirty years, ending in 1890, cannot compare


with that of the tri-cennial period, ending in 1860. In 1870 the population was 1, 323; in ISSo, 1, 474; and in 1890, 1,449, or a fraction over forty per- sons to each square mile. The decrease in the last Census period must be ascribed to the fact that the oil fields of the neighboring townships won many of the young men of Perry, while Fos- toria, Bowling Green and other thriving towns


.


315


WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.


won over a large contingent of both young and old, who preferred urban to agricultural life.


The village of West Millgrove, near the north- west corner, was credited with 207 inhabitants in 1890, while the northwestern addition to Fostoria, in this township, was left unnoticed, though surveyed as early as 1887, and built up within a few years.


The soil, derived from the drift and from the decomposition of geologic conformations, is rich in everything that constitutes good land. It is a durable soil, which has made large returns to its cultivators, and is still capable of yielding greater rewards to the laborers.


A Pioneer Weather Bureau .- The weather of pioneer days is well described in a record kept by John Crocker, of Fostoria, from January, 1826, to January, 1838. The little book, as summarized in 1884 by the writer, gives the fol- lowing data :


January 26, 1826-Twenty-one degrees below. April 10, 1826-Five inches of snow. April 23, 1826-Maple buds green.


January 20, 1827-Thirty-one degrees below; squirrels destroyed wheat and corn in 1:27.


October 30, 1827-Snow fell six inches. March 29, 1828-Great flood.


April 25, 1829-Two inches of snow.


February 2, 1830-Snow thirteen inches deep.


December 22, 1830-Forty-one degrees below.


February 7, 1831-Forty-two degrees below.


April 8, 1831-Two inches of snow fell.


May 3, 1831-Apple trees in bloom. July 25, 1831- Portage high; wet summer.


October 10, 1831 -High food.


November 21, 1831-Winter commenced. January -, 1832 -- Great thaw.


February 14, 1832 -- High water; price of corn, 3 shillings; wheat, 6, and rye, 4 shillings. May 8, 1832-Apple trees in bloom; some planted corn three times.


June 1, 1832-Cold summer; corn barely ripened.


January 25, 1833-Wild geese going toward lake; for- ward spring.


April Il to 26, 1834-Heavy frosts.


February, 1835-Coldest weather ever known here; hay $10 a ton.


February 24, 1836-Snow eleven inches deep. May, 1836-High water.


February, 1837-Fifteen inches of snow fell; great pro- duction of sugar.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.