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 86
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The treasurer's office has been administered, since 1883, by H. G. Condit. 1883; S. W. Whit-
more, 1885; F. Yost. 1886; R. J. Collins, 1887; P. H. VanValkenburg, 1895; William Waugh, 1 896.
The clerks of the village are named in the order of service: T. J. Klussman, 1875; W. H. Wood, appointed in January, 1877: R. J. Col- lins, 1879; O. Beverstock, ISS7; W. H. Leaker, appointed January 7, 1889; F. A. Boor, 1890; R. W. Johnson, 1892-95; John S. Matthews, elected in 1896.
The marshals were William Crom, 1875; L. S. Pair, 1877; Henry Champion, 1879; Al. Wick- liam, -1881; G. A. Repass, 1884; J. C. Wickham, 1885; William Van Valkenburg, 1889; Charles Challin, 1890; C. R. Crom, 189 -; and William Crom,. 1896.
School Trustees. - In 1896 William Heyman and Peter Whitmore were elected.
Post Office .- The first postmaster was E. Pennock, appointed September 12, 1857; the second, S. W. Whitmore, followed by Abrahan Edgerton, George Lewis, George Moore, Fred. Foote (1868). H. L. Thorndyke, Luther Black, William Crom, A. D. Foote (1885), C. C. Gundy (1889), Frank Yost (1892) and A. D. Foote (1893-97).
Trade and Traders. - The C. H. & D. rail- road was completed to Tontogany June 17. 1859, and the last rail placed by Superintendent R. M. Shoemaker. August 18, when the train from Cincinnati ran over the road to Toledo. After the war, the Bowling Green people dis- cussed the subject of building a branch line to connect their village with the C. H. & D .; but the project did not take proper shape until May. 1874, when a route was surveyed by David Don- aldson. As told in the pages devoted to Trans- portation, and to Bowling Green, this branch line was constructed, and in April. 1875, was dubbed "The Slippery Ehn Road." by the rail- roaders at Tontogany. The completion of the trunk line, in 1859, gave an impetus to trade. and the village became a thriving little town. In 1862, it boasted of a good hotel kept by A. C. B. Drury; two grain houses with a capacity of 50, - ooo bushels; two church buildings; one sawmill. and four or five stores. In 1859, S. W. Whit- more established a general store, which, in 1862. as in later years, was the center of village trade ..
The Tontogany fire of December 31, 1870, destroyed Black & Ingraham's drug store, Will- ianı Allen's store, George Reed's store, and the Masonic hall above it; Cooley's grocery and Ridgeway's tailor shop. The burned territory was rebuilt, and within a few years there were estab- lished Black's grocery store, Davis & Collins'
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and Dr. Eddmon's drugstores, E. J. Matthew's livery, Champion & Son's implement warehouse, William Moore's harness shop, William Ladd's harness shop, Merkley's furniture store, Van- Valkenburg's general store, Jacob Huffman's ele- vator, W. D. Herrick's saw and planing-mill, and the Tontogany gristmill. The gristmill was burned in 1893, while the planing-mill is operated by George Gill. Royce & Coon's elevator, built by S. W. Whitmore sixteen years ago, and the steel grain tanks constructed in 1895, tell at once that the village is in the center of a great grain region.
Churches .- The Methodist Episcopal Church of Tontogany received a deed to lot 124 on May 18, 1861, from James T. Skinner and others. The building was completed later that year, and dedicated by Thomas Barkdull, an uncle of Rev. T. N. Barkdull, then supply in the Bowling Green Circuit. He was preacher-in-charge from 1869 to 1872, and noted the Tontogany choir as the best in his five appointments. J. S. Skinner was then superintendent of the Sunday-school; the church house was refitted, and the membership in stanclı order. The class in 1866 comprised Thomas B. and Sarah Smith, Walter, Olive and Lucy Cummings, Jonathan and S. M. White, Nancy Green, Andrew J. and Ellen Ketchum, Nevin and Ann Custar, and Mrs. S. Parks, with Sarah and James L. Curry. The officials of Ton- togany charge, in 1873, were J. T. Skinner, W. Cummings and A. S. Condit. stewards; William Alien, J. S. Skinner, S. E. Clark and Josephine Wood, class leaders: Henry Warner and A. Taft, local preachers; A. Taft, H. Warner, W. Cum- inings and S. W. Whitmore, trustees. The second quarterly Conference of the Weston Cir- cuit was held at Tontogany January 31, 1874, W. W. Winters presiding, with A. S. Condit, secretary. A. C. Barnes signed the records in 1874 as pastor. In 1881, R. J. Collins was ap- pointed secretary of the Conference of Tontogany and Weston charges. The first quarterly Con- ference of the Tontogany and Portage Circuit was held at Mount Pleasant church, October 21, 1882, Rev. J. R. Henderson being then pastor, with R. J. Collins, J. J. Black and J. T. Skinner, stewards. The pastor's salary was then $550, Tontogany class contributing $215, Mount Pleasant $135. Portage $150, and South Liberty, $50; while the total revenue of the four Churches was $675. 50. In the records of the Gilead Society, references are made to this Church in common with others in the old circuit.
The First Presbyterian Church of Tontogany was incorporated in 1867, with Martin Warner
and George Reed, trustees, and Elliott Warner clerk. It was organized September 4, 1861, with Elliott# and Amelia, Martin" and Hannah and Nancy Warner, Harriet Tupper, J. W. " and Sarah Condit, George S. and Charlotte Warner, Henry Pierce, William, Rhoda and Mary Binn, William and Sarah Feathers and Nelson and Eliza Kuder. The members whose names are marked thus". with H. G. Condit, A. D. Foote, R. M. Skinner and C. W. McColley have served as elders, while Elliott Warner and A. D. Foote have been the clerks. No less than eleven pastors have been called since 1861, namely: Revs. Perry C. Bald- win, G. R. McCarthy, William McLaren, James E. Vance, Chauncy Taylor, Sherman Taylor, N. C. Helfrich, John R. Fevey, H. G. Dennison, H. W. Cross and C. L. Herold. The present house of worship was erected in 1861, at a cost of $1,600, and in it the sixty-three members worship to-day.
The German Reformed Congregation of Beaver Creek was organized by Rev. A. Tusmeire May 21, 1868, with John Niehoff, clerk.
The Evangelical Association is represented here, but the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches claim as members the larger portion of the church- going population.
Old Masonic Lodge. - In 1843 Emilius Wood, Martin Warner, David Maginnis, Sr., Sylvanus Hatch, Morrison McMillen, Jairus Curtis. Mor- ris Brown and Leonard Pierce organized the first lodge of Free Masons in Wood county, ex- cepting the military lodge formed at Fort Meigs in 1813, and for several years they held their meetings in an upper room of Wood's log house, on Tontogany creek, about one mile north of the present village. It was moved to Mt. Ararat above Bowling Green, and thence to Bowling Green, where it is now working.
Tontogany Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M .. was organized U. D., January 10, 18;0, with seventeen members: L. W. Moe, Luther Black. Fred Foote, J. T. and J. S. Skinner, C. C. Bur- ton, H. L. Thorndyke, George Pitcher. R. In- graham, J. M. Cumming, Myron Legalley. E. C. Ketchum, Hiram West, J. H. Stadden, P. J. Feagles, and George S. Kuder. The charter was issued October 22, 1870, and under this the lodge was instituted, November 30, 1870. Rev. G. A. Adams, of Perrysburg, delivering the ad- dress. L W. Moe was the first master, fol- lowed by Luther Biack, 1871 to 1873; Myron Legalley, 1874 to 1883; John Q. Adams, 1884 to 1886; G. S. Kuder, 1887-89; George R. Mat- thews, 1890; G. S. Kuder, 1891. S. L. Irwin. 1892 to 1893, and O. C. Peinert, 1894-96. The
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first secretary was J. S. Skinner, followed by Edwin Tuller, 1872-1874; Frank Yost, 1875; E. C. Ketchum. 1876; C. C. Whitmore, 1877; Edwin Tuller, 1878-80; J. S. Matthews, ISSI to 1887; W. R. Marwick, 1888; J. S. Matthews, 1889; C. W. Whitmore, 1891; Frank Yost, 1892-93; J. C. Freeman, 1894-96. There were thirty-seven members on August 23, 1893, to whom four have been added, but one has been demitted, making forty members.
Tontogany Lodge, No. 755, I. O. O. F., was chartered May 20, 1887, and instituted August 4, 1887, with the following charter members: A. D. Foote, H. C. Daniels, J. W. Van Valkenburg, Jacob Douster, D. C. Bemis, C. W. McColley, W. M. Cobley, M. Wilcox, A. Eddmon, R. W. Johnson, G. E. Matthews, Henry Goodenough, John A. Mason, W. M. Sly, and Henry Hughes. The roll of past grands is as follows: A. D. Footc, G. E. Matthews, 1888; A. Eddmon and C. W. McColley, 1889; J. M. Gundy and L. C. Potter, 1890; C. L. Cook and .C. C. Kuder, 1891; E. P. Lee and R. W. Johnson, 1892; U. E. Coen and James Gillespie, 1893; A. E. Battles and Frank Adams, 1894; Ed. Hemelspeck and Ezra Hoyt, 1895. The secretaries were A. Eddmon, C. W. McColley, J. M. Gundy, L. C. Potter, R. W. Johnson, (1S90), A. D. Foote (1890), F. A. Boor (1891), F. Adams (1892), and E. G. Gill (1893 to January, 1896). Thc past grands who held that office prior to coming here are Jacob Dauster, Moses Wilcox and D. C. Bemis. There are sixty-six members.
Oriana Lodge, No. 400, Daughters of Re- bekah, was chartered June 28, 1894, with the fol- lowing members: Della Kuder, Ella Battles, Mollie Gill, Sophia Hemelspeck, Catherine Bobel, Jennie Gundy, E. G. Gill, Ed. Hemel- speck, C. C. Kuder, A. E. Battles, C. C. Gundy, Adam Bobel, and Jacob Dauster. The chair has been filled by Mrs. Della Kuder, Mrs. Ella Battles, and Mrs. C. C. Gundy, the present noble grand. Mrs. Mollie Gill, the first secre- tary, was succeeded in 1895 by Mrs. Waugh. There are about thirty members.
Walter Wood Post, No. 48, G. A. R., was formally organized March 23, 1881, with the fol- lowing members: William Crom, A. R. and J. C. Wickham, J. H. Kuder, D. Murdock, P. H., W.
M. and I. B. Van Valkenburg, F. Franklin, J. Bobel, C. C. Burton, A. McCombs, P. S. Whit- more, D. W. Wright, B. S. Aldrich, Bernard Phillips, J. L. McColley, Charles Champion, C. W. Hollis, G. S. Kuder, B. F. Davis, Luther Black, George R. and John S. Matthews, E. B. Beverstock, W. D. Herrick, D. C. Bliss and C. C. Gundy; the seven last named by transfer from Neibling Post. The past cominanders are: C. C. Gundy, L. Black, C. B. Beverstock, W. D. Herrick, 1884-85; C. C. Gundy. 1886; Albertus Russell, 1887; Bernard Phillips, 1889; S. L. Irwin, IS91 : C. C. Gundy, 1893; J. S. Matthews. 1894-96. The past adjutants: George S. Kuder. 1881; John S. Matthews, 1884; George S. Kuder, 1886; D. V. Gundy, 1887; George S. Kuder. 1889; I. B. Van Valkenburg, 1892; and Albertus Russell, 1893-96. There are sixteen members in good standing of the forty-four ex-soldiers residing in the township.
Women's Relief Corps, No. 87, was char- tercd June 10, 1885, with the following members: Frances S. Burton ( 1. 2. 3.), Mary E. Herrick (B. ), Sarah Wickham, Caroline Barger. Olive Peany. Julia Russell, Eunice Matthews (A. C.), Sarah Davis, Elizabeth Johnson, Alcina Card, Jennie Gundy, Augusta Kuder (8. 9.), Elizabeth Phillips, Caroline Benn, Belle Matthews, Sarah Van- Valkenburg, Ida Irwin (4. 5. 6.), Helen Repass. Charlotte Parsons, Katie Phillips, Belle Bever- stock, Katie Creps and Ella Beverstock (7.), Frances S. Burton was secretary in 1888-96, and Mrs. E. B. Hines elected president in 1895, with Mary Whitmore, secretary. The figures denote terms as president, and the letters as secretary.
John B. Kreps Camp, No. 61, S. of I'., was chartered March 9, 1884, with R. W. Jolin- son, W. N. Davenport, A. D. Herrick, T. D. Rice, U. E. Coen, D. Rice, Lewis Kuder, G. A. Repass, J. Repass, John S. Phillips, E. B. Wright, C. R. Crom, C. Benn, C. Champion and D. Jeffers. The captains in order of service are: G. A. Repass, J. W. Van Valkenburg, J. S. Phillips, R. W. Johnson, J. A. Mason, L. A. McCombs, and C. E. Gundy, the present cap- tain. R. W. Johnson served as adjutant from 1884 to 1889, followed by J. S. Phillips, L. A. McCombs, C. Berry, and L. A. McCombs, the present adjutant. There are seventeen members, with quarters in the Grand Army hall.
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CHAPTER XLVI.
WEBSTER TOWNSHIP.
SURVEY-POPULATION-GROWTH-ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWNSHIP-ORGANIZATION-TOWNSHIP OF- FICIALS -- TAX LEVIES-SCHOOLS-EARLY LAND BUYERS-FENTON'S REMINISCENCES-CEME- TERIES-FENTON-TEN MILE HOUSE-SCOTCH RIDGE.
T HE survey of the exterior lines of the southern part of this township was made in 1819, by Alexander and Samuel Holmes, and of the interior lines, in 1821, by S. Bourne. The northwestern part was surveyed by the Holmes brothers, in 1819, and the interior lines run in 1821, by I. T. Worthington, while Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 were sur- veyed in 1820, by Charles Roberts.
The United States Census enumerator cred- ited the township with 237 inhabitants in 1850. In 1860, there were 674 inhabitants reported; ten years later, 922; in 1880, the population was 1, 197, and in 1890 it was found to be 1,420.
As related in the reminiscences of the pio- neers, the first impressions of civilization on the wilderness were made in 1833. Within a decade the industry and labor of the settlers had inade several clearings in the forest, and within thirty years a number of well-cultivated farms were to be seen by the traveler; while a greater number of little clearings showed, unquestionably, that the people who located here knew that they found land worthy of their best efforts, and were in earnest in its reclamation.
Establishment of Township .- This division of Wood county was established December 8, 1846. The territory so named included Sections 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34 and 35 in fractional T. 6, R. 11, formerly attached to Per- rysburg; Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, for- merly belonging to Troy; Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 18, formerly attached to Freedom, and Sec- tions 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14, detached from Cen- ter. The inhabitants of the territory named, petitioned for this change, and the justice of their claims being unquestionable, the commissioners were prompt in granting their prayer.
Organisation .- The first meeting was held at the cabin of Joseph Kellogg, on January 2, 1847, with John Fenton, Thomas Jolley and John Muir, judges, and Thomas Thompson and
Hugh Stewart, clerks. The trustees and clerks named in the following lists, with John Muir, treasurer, were then elected. On March I. the board held a meeting at Kellogg's house, when seventy-five cents were granted to Stewart and Bushnell for services as trustees; $t.S; to Thompson for his services as clerk, and $1.75 to John Muir for his services as treasurer and judge. Bonds were accepted from Muir as township and school treasurer, and the township was divided into four school districts. The annual election of 1847 was held April 5. John Muir was re- elected treasurer: Daniel Hathaway, Jr., assessor; Robert Fenton, Daniel Hathaway, John House- holder and Robert Forrester, supervisors.
On June 19, 1847, two justices of the peace, named hereafter, with John Muir, Jr., and Rob- ert Fenton, constables, were elected. The order for that election was made April 5, when a one- mill tax for township purposes was ordered.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
Trustees .- The trustees of Webster town- ship, so far as records in possession of the town- ship clerk, or in the auditor's office, show, are named as follows:
1847 - Hugh Stewart, L. Bushnell, W. Zimmerman.
1847 ( April )-Hugh Stewart, W. Zimmerman, J. W. Phillips. 1848-George Loomis, W. Zimmerman, J. W. Phillips.
1849 -Hugh Stewart, William Burgess, Robert Davidson.
1850-51-James Muir, John Fenton, Jr., William Zimmerman. 1852-53- James Muir, George Loomis, William Zimmerman. 1854-Robert Forrester, Guy Caswell, George Loomis. 1855 56-Robert Fenton, J. W. Phillips, Robert Davidson. 1857-58-A. Ordway, Dudley Loomis, Alanson Bushnell 1859-60-James Mir, Dudley Loomis, Robert Fenton. 1861-James Muir, James Waugh, W. S. Hurlburt. 1862 -- James Muir, Dudley Loomis, Robert Fenton.
1863-65 - Robert Dunipace, Dudley Loomis, Robert Fenton. 1866-Adam Hinds, John Muir, Jr., Robert Fenton. 1867 -Robert Dunipace, John Muir, Robert Fenton. 1868 -- Hugh Stewart, John Muir, William D. Muir. 1869-Hugh Stewart. L. H. Forrest, Henry Clagne. 1870 Hugh Stewart, E. 11. Hopper, Henry Claque. 1871 Hugh Stewart, Robert Forrester, Adam Hinds. 1872 - Hugh Stewart, John Muir, John A. Mcken. 1873 Johann Landwehr, James H. Muir. John A. Mckean.
1874 Robert Dunipace, James H. Muir, John A. MeKean.
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1875-Robert Dunipace, James II. Muir, Hugh Stewart. 1876- Robert Dunipace, Charles Roper, Charles W. Russell. 1877-E. M. Holden, Henry Lang, Charles W. Russell. 1878-E. M. Holden, Adam Hinds, Charles W. Russell. 1879-80-W. D. Richardson, Garrett Hebler, Enos Bellville. 1881 - C. W. Russell, David Main, Robert Dunipace. 1882 -- G. A. Hebler, David Main, Robert Dunipace. 1883 -- G. A. Hebler, David Main, Robert D. Forrester. 1881-Robert Shanks, David Main, James Waugh. 1885 -- Robert Shanks, Thomas Clague, James Waugh. 1886-Robert Shanks, John Landwehr, James Waugh, 1887-Robert Shanks, E. H. Hopper, Briton Russell. 1888 -- Robert Shanks, E. H. Hopper, Briton Russell. 1889-E. H. Hopper, J. D. Muir, Briton Russell. 1890 -- E. H. Hopper, J. D. Muir, Fred. Bushman.
1891-J. D. Philo, J. D. Muir, Fred. Bushman.
1892-93 -- J. D. Philo, John McConnell, Fred. Bushman. 1894-Phayon E. Shaburg, John McConnell, J. D. Philo.
The election of April, 1895, is recorded as follows: Trustees -- R. D. Forrester ( R.), 105; Antony Seifert (D.), 96; A. Philo ( Pro.), 16. Treasurer-R. S. Davidson ( R.), 114; Charles Roper ( D.), SS. Assessor-Milan Jameson ( D.), 106; Gordon Duncan ( R.), 95. Constable-Jo- seph Fuller (D.), 104; F. Hinds ( R.), 95. In 1896, W. Mckean and W. H. Williamson were elected.
Clerks .- The clerks of the township since its organization are named as follows: Thomas Thompson, 1847; Daniel Hathaway, 1849: N. Brewster, 1850; Robert Fenton, 1851-55; G. C. Phelps, 1855; S. S. Canfield, 1859; G. M. Bell, 1862; George C. Phelps, 1863: John Wight, 1869; W. W. Dunipace, 1872; W. Zimmerman, 1877-79; Thomas S. Forrest, IS81: Andrew Ickes, 1884; T. A. Davidson, 1885; James Rogers, 1891-96; C. W. Greiner, elected in 1896.
Treasurers .-- The treasurers are named as follows: John Muir, 1847; Robert Forrester, 1849; J. Muir, re-elected, 1850; Dudley Loomis, 1858; George Loomis, 1859-66; Robert Stewart, 1866; John W. Phillips, 1867; Robert S. David- son, 1868; William S. Forrester, 1884; Robert S. Davidson, 1888-96.
Assessor .- Samuel Muir was elected assessor in 1896.
Justices. - The justices were Thomas Thomp- son, 1847; Jolin Fenton, 1847, elected June 19, resigned in October, 1848; reappointed in 1849; John W. Phillips, 1849 (did not qualify): N. Patch, 1852; Walter Davidson, 1853 to 1874; Amherst Ordway, 1856; James Wangh, 1859; G. R. Tifft, 1862; Robert Fenton, 1864-69; George C. Phelps, 1866; David Philo, 1872; William Wed- dell, 1873 to 1882; Albert Marks, 1877: A. Philo, 1879; E. M. Holden, 1882; Thomas S. Forrest, 1884: David Main, 1885, 'S8; Charles W. Rus- sell, 1888, resigned in 1890; James Rogers, 1890; William H. Williamson, 1891; and Myron Cham- berlain, 1894.
School Trustees .- In 1896, Jane Dunipace, Charles Wight, Marion Goodell and William Fletcher were elected.
Tax Levics .- The trustees, as a rule, have exercised great economy in their dealings with the public purse. From 1874 to 1876, the an- nual levy for township purposes did not exceed 2.4 mills. In 1877, it reached five mills, lowered gradually until, in 1883, it was one mill. In 1884. a levy of 2.2 mills was made, but not until 1892 did it again reach the two-mill mark, since which time it has been kept above two mills. The figures are based on a report by W. and J. M. Forrester and R. B. Moore, a committee that examined the records in June, 1895, under au- thority of the trustees.
Schools .- The records of the board of edu- cation of Webster township, date back to April II, 1853. when John Fenton, Jr., Robert Fenton and Guy Caswell were elected directors for Dis- trict 1; Robert Dunipace, John W. Phillips and Rufus Austin were elected for District 2; Walter Davidson, John Forrest and John Householder, for District 3; John F. Butler, John Muir, jr., and William Zimmerman, for District 4. The board organized April 18, 1853, and ordered a levy of two mills on the assessed value, for school purposes. Ellen C. Bradley taught in District 2; and Mary Jane Hannon, in District 4, west of Scotch Ridge. In 1855, the State appropriated $292.97, while the local school-house tax amounted to only $96.51. A school house was erected in Sub-District 3, in 1854, and one in District 4, in 1855. There were 1 30 school chil- dren in the four Districts in that year, exclusive of the number enumerated in the joint districts. In June, 1856, Geo. C. Phelps furnished the house in District 4, for $81, and. during the en- suing few years, marked progress was made in school matters. In 1858, there were six districts and 236 pupils; in 1861, there were 288 children, and in 1863 there were 349. There were eight districts in 1864, when 366 children were enumer- ated.
Among the early teachers, not already named. were Louisa Caswell, Sarah Kemmel, Helen Willard, Margaret Birdsall, Aurilla Borden, George Weddell, Mary Conrad, Phoebe E. Os- burn, Elizabeth Kelley, Byron Pember, Mary Jane Fox, Martha (Scott) Householder, Mary M. Wilson, W. H. Gorrill. Pamelia Smith, Emiline Benedict, Louisa Lowell, Matilda Gorrill, Calista Hatch, Geo. C. Phelps, Mary Peck, Chauncy Stephens, Catherine Muir. Jane Buel, Jennette
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Forrest, Lewis Morse, S. S. Canfield and Emma J. Fox. They were the teachers of this township from April, 1853, to the close of 1859.
Early Land Buyers .- The first land buyers in the sections of T. 6, R. 12, now included in Webster, were Joel Munn, S. E. 19, Dec. 5, 1835; Enoch Jones, N. W. 19, Mar. 8, 1836; Michael Houseman, N .. S. E. 20, Aug. 6, 1834; Jesse Stone, S. N. W. and N. S. W. 29, April 5. 1836; A. M. C. Smith, S. 3 30, Jan. 25, 1836; Orrin Kellogg, S. W. 31, Oct. 31, 1835; Daniel S. Cash, S. E. 31, Jan. 25, 1836.
In the sections of T. 6, R. II, Nos. 22 to 36 inclusive, the following named settlers purchased lands at Bucyrus, in 1834 and 1835: Hugh Stewart, N. S. W. 23, Sept. 3, 1834; John Fenton, parts of N. E. and S. E. 23, Sept. 3, 1834; John P. Pifer, N. S. E. 31, May 2, 1834; Henry Pifer, S. S. E. 31, May 2. 1834; Isaac McKim, S. S. W. 33, Aug. 6, 1836; Henry Hood, Jr., N. E. S. E. 36, Feb. IS, 1836; James Shanks, S. S. W. 36, Feb. 29, 1836; Jennette Muir, N. E. S. W. 36, Feb. 29, 1836; John Pearson, N. W. S. W. 36, Mar. 23. 1836.
The early buyers in T. 5, R. 12, within the present limits of Webster, were Robert Duni- pace, pt. N. W. 5, Sept. 7, 1836; William Muir, S. pt. N. W. 5. Sept. 7, 1836; Thomas For- rester, S. S. W. 6, Aug. 21, 1834; Levi Loomis, N. W. 7, May 9, 1834; Adam Householder, E. S. W. 7, June 17, 1834; Jacob Myers, W. N. E. 17, May 28, 1834; Adam Householder, E. N. WV. IS, June 17, 1834; William Muir, S. N. E. 5, April 16, 1836.
In the sections of Webster with T. 5. R. II, the following named settlers purchased lands: Henry Graber, S. pt. N. E. 2, Jan. 23, 1836; Alex. Vass, N. N. E. 12, Aug. 21, 1834; Robert Reid, S. S. E. 12, Aug. 21, 1834; William Zim- merman, S. W. 13. June 17, 1834.
Fenton's Reminiscences. - The story of the etnigration, arrival and settlement of the Scotch colony in Webster township is valuable, not only in its descriptions of the trials and sticcesses of its personnel, but also for the lessons which it teaches. It is given here, as told by Robert Fen- ton, before the pioneers assembled, at Bowling- Green, in September, ISS3:
On the 19th day of April, 1834, a hardy little band of Scotch people started from the city of Glasgow, Scotland, for America. A more robust, healthy, determined lot of people seldom have left Scotland. We took shipping at Greenock. As it was when Columbus started on his first exploring ex- pedition in such sinall vessels, it does seem as though it was too much risk to brave the Adantie in such small crafts, so it was with some of the oldest residents of Webster. Our little brig, when she turned her prow westward for the land of promise, registered just 284 tons. Vessels of far greater
tonnage could be once seen at the dock at Perrysburg. After forty-two days buffeting the billows, we were brought safely into the bay of New York.
No person, unless one who has been similarly situated can have any idea the anxiety the head of a family has in going to a land of strangers, and more especially a person in the situation of my father. He was a shoemaker by trade, not having done one day of out-door labor in his life, with a family of small children and still smaller capital. I have heard him say that after our passage was paid he had one hundred sovereigns left- - a sum equal to $484. As to miatter of wealth, all of us were about on equal footing. As it now is, so it was then; every one is ready to take the advantage of emigrants. It was not as to the matter of comfort we had to consult, but the way we could be taken the cheapest. After two days we came to Albany. One incident occurred in that city, and I sometimes have to recall it, when I get in company with your townsman, Robert Stewart, and Robert Davidson, who were two of us. As I said before, emigrants have a great many rogues to deal with; so we had. It used to be a trick for three or four rascally canal boatmen to buy an old water-logged canal boat and get her afloat, and agree, at a cheap rate, to take a load of emigrants on the canal to Buffalo. They would hire some old canal livery horse and. after going a few miles on the canal, commonly in the night, abandon her, first getting mostly all the passage money. By such were we victimized. We called these fellows smooth- tongued Yankees, and so they were. One of the sailors who came with us across the ocean came with us to Albany, he having more knowledge of water-craft than we had. After our luggage was aboard we discovered that the boat was in a sinking condition, and only by vigorous pumping could she be kept afloat, and that she had no rudder that she could be steered by. He informed us that we had better get our stuff out, or we would soon lose all we had; and he was right. Now came the tug of war, when we began to get our luggage ashore, and the boatmen saw their plans to cheat us frustrated. Our sailor was a regular John I .. Sullivan. and Hugh Stewart was a man whose rights could not be trampled on without testing them. I will say that I never saw two men defend their rights against so many, and come off vic- torious. Any way, we got our luggage ashore, and some blood was spilt. Then those fellows went and swore out a warrant, and most all the heads of the families were arrested We hired a pettifogger, and were cleared. We thought this a pretty rough introduction into this land of promise. We got along well enough on the raging Erie canal except the seeing of those what we thought monster snakes, and hear- ing the blood-a-nouns of the bull-frogs, something we had never seen or heard of before. So at length we arrived at Buffalo.
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