USA > Ohio > Williams County > County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical > Part 37
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SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP.
mill-dams could not have been constructed, had they been objected to as interfering with the free navigation of pirogues or flat-boats ; but the early settlers on the river, while they availed themselves of the use of its navigable waters to float down to Fort Wayne their peltries and furs, and obtain in return necessary household goods for family use, did not for many years, object to the construction of mill-dama, because the mills conferred upon them blessings that overshadowed all damage. The nearest mills at which the early settlers of Superior Township could be accommodated were distant and inconvenient of access-either on the River Raisin, Mich., Brunersburgh, on Bean Creek, near Defiance, or at Fort Wayne; hence, every possible encouragement was offered those who would engage in mill enterprises by use of the St. Joseph, although, in low stages of water, they did seriously interfere with the movement of water craft. It may be added here that the river, from its navigable source to Montpelier, has never been of as much impor- tance to the town as now. Without its use, the large manufacturing establishments would find it difficult and expensive to obtain the raw material necessary to keep their works in motion; but now, timber in abundance is floated down at cheap rates, and in quantities ample to meet the demands of the mills ; thus, by obtaining cheap raw material, and having convenient facilities for shipment of their mill products, the Montpelier manufacturers possess unusual advantages.
THE SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse was of logs, built in 1841, and known as the " Bible Schoolhouse," and located near the east line of the township, on George Wisman's farm. The second was built in 1845, and situated near the central part of the township; the walls of this were also of logs, and in the midst of the place known as the Scholl settlement.
SCHOOLS AT MONTPELIER.
During two or three months of the summer of 1849, a young woman taught a school of youths in a shanty, and this was the first school undertaking on the ground where Montpelier is now located, according to the recollection of the earliest settlers. Jacob Leu, merchant, and Dr. Mercer, a practicing physician, both of whom located in Montpelier in 1863, and both of whom have honorably served as members of the Board of Education, state that when they made their first appearance in the town there was only one schoolhouse, kept in a room 24x30 feet, by a Miss Morris, and that she had ample room for more pupils. The old schoolhouse was purchased jointly by the township and town, as a place for holding township and town elections and official meetings,
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
and removed to the more central place in the town, where it now stands. In 1874, a new house, about 30x40 feet, was built, having two stories, and a school-room on each floor. Mr. Collister, a young lawyer, had management of this school, but only one of the school rooms was required to accommodate himself and pupils. In the years 1875 to 1878, inclusive, W. Dustin had management, and one assistant, and both floors were occupied. In 1878 and 1879, H. H. Calvin, now a lawyer in Bryan, was Superintendent, and graded the schools, and in 1879 and 1880, E. E. Bechtol, now Clerk of the District and Common Pleas Courts, had superintendence. Population had so increased that, in 1881, it became necessary to erect another and larger building, and W. A. Saunders was made Superintendent and Principal. Those interested believe him an able educator, and he has been fortunate in securing a competent corps of teachers.
CHURCHES IN THE TOWNSHIP AND TOWN.
There are nine church buildings in the township, three of which are in Montpelier. The first regular house of worship was built in 1849, known as the Eagle Creek Church, and the denomination that built it were Methodist Episcopalians. The walls of the building were of hewn logs, and its location near the northwest corner of the township.
The second was built by the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and situated two miles north of the south line of the township, and one mile from the east line. The house was a frame, and built in 1850, its dimensions being 30x50 feet. The location is near the center of what is known as the Brannon settlement. In 1873, the congregation, not having adequate seat- ing room, built another and larger one upon ground nearly adjacent, and made sale of the vacated building to parties who removed it. The grounds upon which both buildings were placed were donated by James Martin. who also gave a liberal quantity of land for a graveyard, in which his own body, after his decease, was buried. The last building cost $2,000, and the church is known as " Bethesda."
The Disciple Church, on the south line of the township, and one mile west of the east line, was built in 1850.
Union Chapel is situated two miles north of the south line, and one and three-fourths miles of the west line of the township. Denomination, United Brethren.
The Lutheran Reformed, or Zion's Church, situated about one and a half miles from the west line of the township, was built in a year not ascertained; but this and the Disciple are the only congregations that have church edifices constructed of brick.
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BRADY TOWNSHIP.
The German Lutheran, in Montpelier, was built in 1880, at a cost of $1,700.
The United Brethren Church, at Montpelier, was built about 1869, according to the memory of some of the members. The United Broth- ren Church, on the southwest line of the township, has a large congrega- tion and well-attended Sunday school.
The Methodist Episcopalians, at Montpelier, have a commodious church building, and a Sunday school that is held regularly every Sunday.
Much difficulty was encountered in obtaining the statistics of the churches of the township and town, arising chiefly from the fact that there are no resident pastors of any of them as yet, and, in most cases, official records are utterly unattainable. The time is doubtless near at hand when all the above churches will have resident ministers.
MORAL AND BENEVOLENT AGENCIES.
In addition to her churches and efficient school system, Montpelier has a large force of Good Templars, who are sotive workers, and the Masons and Odd Fellows have each completed arrangements for the or- ganization of lodges representing their respective orders. Louden Post of the G. A. R. has very recently been established, but promises to be- come a strong organisation.
And thus concludes reference to the features deemed of historical value relating to the commercial birth and growth of Superior Township and the town of Montpelier-a growth which, in rapidity, the history of only a few localities in Ohio furnish a parallel.
BRADY TOWNSHIP.
BY C. F. GRISIER.
In endeavoring to give some of the early history of Brady Township, we find ourselves in the very start confronted by the fact it is hard, even for the most florid imagination, to conjure before the mind's eye the wil- derness where now lies the populous and flourishing community. When we look back into the dim vista of long ago, and see the pioneer, who, around his cabin home,
Exempt from public haunts, Found tongues in trees, books in running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything
and honest work everywhere to do, we can then have a partially just con- ception of the real history of those earlier years ; of the hardships the pio-
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
neers endured, and of the labor required to make this wilderness-and it was then indeed a wilderness-to blossom as the rose.
Brady Township was named, at the suggestion of Gilbert Dunscomb, in honor of Capt. Brady, whose exploits are so well known to every one familiar with the pioneer history of this part of the Western country. The township, when organized, was six miles square, but the two tiers of sections on the east side were afterward set off to Fulton County.
PIONEERS AND INDUSTRIES.
The first settlers in the township were John Miller, John Rings, Gil- bert Dunscomb, Jacob Bohner, Abner Ayers and Warren Hancock. In the month of April, 1834, John Miller entered a piece of land near where West Unity now stands. Gilbert Dunscomb entered land in May, and Abner Ayers in August of the same year. Jacob Bohner, Warren Han- cock and John Rings also entered land in 1834. William Miller, Sam- uel Snyder, H. F. Flowers, David Loutzenhizer, William Stubbs and William H. McGrew settled in 1836 and 1837.
From that time on the township was gradually filled up by other set- tlers moving in and entering land. These settlers met with many diffi- culties, and endured many hardships. The great difficulty was in getting merchandise and grain. The old settlers know the depths of all the ways to Defiance-the market town of the county-and that they were not improved by any voluntary aid in money from that place. During a great portion of the year, the only way anything could be brought into the township was from Defiance by water, a route eighty miles long. Grain and other merchandise came up by this route-the Bean Creek -- in a pirogue or large "dug-out." In this they could carry fifteen or twenty bushels of grain, and the trip took ten or twelve days to accom- plish. The grain, or whatever was brought into the country, was taken off at Lockport, and brought with much difficulty by land to the homes of the settlers. Their fare consisted principally of corn bread and wild game, dishes, by the way, which but few would refuse to partake of to-day. In 1836, Walter Coleman built the first grist-mill in the township. This mill was run by ox-power; and we are informed that the first wheat that was ground in the township, was ground in a saw-mill near Pulaski, be- tween two "nigger heads." It was at this place that Isaac Ritchey, at the age of fifty-five, took his gun, and, sbouldering two bushels of wheat, carried it to the Pulaski Mills without once laying down his burden. On his return trip he killed a deer, which he also shouldered, and brought home with his grist.
Mr. Ritchey died in West Unity at the ripe old age of ninety-one, in the year 1879.
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The first marriage in the township is believed to have been that of George Johnson and Hannah Donutt, although Theron Landon and Har- riet Bates were married at about the same time. Jabez Jones tied the matrimonial knot in both cases.
The first birth in the township was that of Charles Coleman, and the first death that of Mariah L. Dunscomb.
The first schoolhouse was built in Section 5, and the first school taught by William L. Smith.
Augustus F. Hull sold the first goods in the township, and Rev. Lil- libridge was the first preacher.
The first saw-mill and the first post office were located at Lockport.
The oldest settler now living in the township is George Rings.
WEST UNITY.
West Unity was laid out and platted in the year 1842, by John Rings, who at that time owned the greater portion of what is now the town. It was named after Unity, Penn., the birth-place of Mr. Rings. It is surrounded by as good a section of country as the West produces. The boundary line between Michigan and Ohio, established by the ordi- nance of 1787, known as the "Fulton line," passes about eight miles north of the town. In the year 1835, quite an excitement was created as to the survey of the Ohio and Michigan line, and a war was commenced in order to settle the disputed territory. A squad of soldiers, under the command of Zachary Taylor, were encamped where the West Unity Graveyard is now situated, and there was a pretty fair prospect of a lively war. But Congress passed an act, June 15, 1836, establishing the "Harris line " as the permanent boundary, and peace was again estab- lished.
The following account of the conclusion of the war was furnished by an actor in the scenes which " he depicts," and published in Howe's His- torical Collections :
"About this time appeared from the court of Washington two ambas- sadors, with full power to negotiate with the belligerents for an amicable settlement of difficulties. These were Richard Resh, of Pennsylvania, and Col. Howard, of Maryland. They were successful in their mission- chiefly because Michigan was satisfied with the laurels won, and Ohio was willing to stand on her dignity-eight miles from the grounds of dispute."
The growth of the town was rapid, and, in 1846-47, West Unity had become quite a village. Jeremiah Cline, who came here in the winter of 1843, was one of the first inhabitants. The first lot sold was Lot No. 1, and was sold for $50. The first frame building was erected on this lot.
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
It was built by Henry Cline, and used as a residence. The building has been removed to a back street, and is still used for the same purpose.
The first store building put up in the place, is the one now occupied by E. C. Charpiat as a hardware store. It was then occupied by a Mr. Hasting as a general store.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
The first saw-mill was built by John Rings and Mr. Baker. They ran the mill for about a year, when it was burned down. This was a great loss to the town, as well as to the owners of the mill.
A Dr. Veers taught the first school in a log cabin, which was situated on the property now owned by Dr. J. N. Runnion.
The first frame schoolhouse was built on the lot now owned by Henry Clay, on south side of Jackson street. The building has since been re- moved, and is now a part of Denman's drug store.
The first hotel was kept by W. S. McGarah, in a building now a part of the McIntire House.
John Rings was the first Justice of the Peace, and the first Post- master in the town.
The first marriage was that of Allen Spencer and Jane Rockwell. They are still residents of West Unity.
The first child born was Susan Rings, and the first death that of Catharine Rings.
The first lawyer was Jared C. Parker, who came here in 1845. He was Prosecuting Attorney of the county for several years, and in 1848-49 went into the dry goods business. In 1852, he sold out to Samuel Hunt and removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he died.
The first physician who located here was Dr. T. W. Hall.
The first blacksmith shop was run by George Pifer.
The first pearl-ash was made by G. H. Nitchey.
Chancey Wells burned the first kiln of brick ; and Nathan Edwards made the first pair of shoes.
The merchants of the town in 1847 were Plummer & Cline, G. H. Nitchey and Ayers & Co.
Hotel-keepers-W. H. McGarah.
Boot and shoe makers-Nathan Edwards.
Physicians-G. W. Finch, T. W. Hall and J. H. Groves.
Tailors-H. H. Peppard and G. W. Juelrat.
Blacksmiths-George F. Pifer.
In the spring of 1848, Rings & Benson started a store on the lot now occupied by T. M. Ritchey, and did a flourishing business up to the year of 1855, when Rings died. A few years previous to 1855, Rings,
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BRADY TOWNSHIP.
Benson, Dawson, Calvin and Vail erected a flouring-mill in the east part of town. Mr. Dawson is still living here and is at present head miller in the Unity Mills. The mill was subsequently removed to Bryan by J. A. Simon, and is now in operation there.
Plummer & Cline quit business in the summer of 1848, and in the fall, S. Walker, of Adrian, moved into the building vacated, and did a good business, employing two clerks-A. L. Murray and Seth Lindsley. In the spring of 1849, he put up a store building on the lot where Ritchey's buildings now stand. The first floor was divided into two rooms; the east room Mr. Walker filled with dry goods, and the west room was occupied by H. P. Sanger for a hardware store. The upper room was used for a Sons of Temperance and Masonic hall.
There was quite an interest manifested in the cause of temperance in those early days, and the interest is still kept up to the present day. In the summer of 1848, the citizens of West Unity organized a society called the Sons of Temperance. The leaders in the movement were such men as Dr. Grove, H. H. Peppard, W. Azier, H. P. Sanger, George Rock- well and others. The society held their meetings in a house on the lot now owned by David Holtzberg until the summer of 1849, when they moved into their new hall over Walker's store.
The credit of organizing the first Masonic Lodge in Williams County, from which all the Lodges, Chapters and Encampments are outgrowths, is due to West Unity. The lodge was organized in August, 1849, by W. A. Hunter, who had the honor of being first Worshipful Master. and the order has been in a flourishing condition ever since. H. H. Peppard, who still lives in West Unity, was the first man who joined the order. In 1858, the hall then occupied by the Masonic Lodge was destroyed by fire, and they moved into the room over A. J. Tressler's store, and to their own building in 1865. In the year 1881, this building was destroyed by fire, and the lodge have just erected a fine brick building, two stories high.
ADDITIONAL FACTS OF INTEREST.
There are still remaining of the old recidents of 1849, at this time, G. H. Nitchey and wife, Abner Ayers and wife, Jerry Cline and wife, H. H. Peppard and wife, Mrs. Jacob Bohner, Nathan Edwards, George Rings, D. E. Rockwell and perhaps others.
In April, 1849, W. A. Hunter, now of Oskaloosa, Iowa, commenced the publication of a newspaper called the Equal Rights, under which name it sailed till 1852, when it was changed to the Republican Standard. The paper flourished until the winter of 1855, when it was removed to Bryan.
The plank road running west of Toledo was built in 1850 and passed
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
through West Unity. For several years thereafter large numbers of movers' covered wagons could daily be seen going "West" over this route. The road was of great benefit to the town and to all the country through which it passed.
In the year 1850, Seth Lindsley opened a dry goods store, and in 1851 A. J. Tressler opened a store in the room now owned and occupied by Jerry Cline. Mr. Lindsley was in business only about a year when he broke up. He then removed to Stryker, where he still lives. Mr. Tressler remained here until 1859, when he removed to Bryan, having, it is said, made about $15,000 during his sojourn here.
We believe the first church organization in the town of West Unity was the Universalist. Rev. N. Crary, now, and we believe then, of Hicksville, preached here as early as 1846. He organized a small con- gregation, among whom were some of the best citizens of the place and vicinity, to which he preached at stated intervals. Rev. A. L. Wood, then at Bryan, was the first Presbyterian minister that ever preached in West Unity. He came here in 1851 and organized a congregation con- sisting of about twenty members, among whom were R. G. Ely and wife, Frank Smith and wife, W. A. Hunter and wife, and G. H. Nitchey and wife. The church services were held over Colberth & Rockwell's iron foundry. In addition to these, there were regularly organized Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren Churches, with regular circuit services. The United Brethren was the first church building erected here, and the bell in the tower the first to call the people to the house of worship. But the M. E. Church followed closely in the wake in each and all the enter- prises named. The homes of some of the members of these churches were two, three, and even four miles from their places of worship, and it was no uncommon thing in that day for people to walk, or ride after an " ox-team " to church, while others, more fortunate in being the possessors of horses and lumber wagons, were enabled to drive in very good style!
When the Air-Line Division of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad was completed as far as Stryker, a hack line was estab- lished at once between that place and West Unity. S. Wynn was the first hack-driver over this route. In 1864, a contract was made with D. C. Hamilton, and for sixteen years carried the United States mail be- tween the two points. In 1880, Jacob Shultz was the successful com- petitor for this route and will hold it for four years. Mr. Hamilton still carries the freight from Stryker to this place.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Union Agricultural Society of Williams, Fulton and Defiance Counties was organized in this place in 1857, the first fair being held in
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the fall of the same year. The officers of the association were Dr. G. W. Finch, President; Swain Pierce and John Kunkle, Vice Presidents ; N. S. Snow, Secretary ; Benjamin Borton, Treasurer; J. S. Prickitt, Asher Ely, John Miller and G. R. Richardson, Board of Managers; R. G. Ely, Chief Marshal; D. M. Webb and T. S. Webb, Marshals of Stock. At the time the society was organized, there had been one fair at Bryan, and every effort was made by the citizens of West Unity to surpass it. Dr. Finch and others devoted a great deal of time and money to make the new undertaking a success. The fair grounds were a part of the farm of Jacob Bohner. The fair was held three days, in the latter part of September, and the price of admission was 10 cents. Competition for trotting was extended to three States-Ohio, Michigan and Indians. The first premium was 850. Prof. Burrows, at that time a school teacher at this place, afterward Principal of the High School at Hillsdale, Mich., and now a resident of Kansas, delivered an address the first year of the fair. In 1861, an address on agriculture was delivered before the society by Buckeye Broad-axe, and it is said the only time he touched his subject was when he brought his hand down on the head of one of the officers and said " cabbage head." On account of the war breaking out in 1861, it was thought best not to hold a fair in 1862. In 1863, the officers met to make arrangements for holding a fair the same year, but Mr. Bohner re- fused to allow the further use of his land for a fair ground, as his agree- ment was to the effect that if the association failed to hold the fair any one year, the ground reverted to him. This was a death-blow to the association, as it was not deemed advisable to procure new grounds and erect new buildings.
INCORPORATION.
West Unity was incorporated in 1866. At the election held on the 24th day of February, the following officers were elected : Mayor, H. H. Peppard; Clerk, C. W. Skinner ; members of Council, Dr. G. W. Finch, Dr. J. N. Runnion, J. M. Webb, George Rings and J. Cline. The Judges of the Election were Jacob Bohner, William H. McGrew and D. M. Webb; Clerks, E. H. Derby and John Mondy. On March 29, E. S. Davies was elected Treasurer, and Alfred F. Stoner, Marshal. The first ordinance passed by the Council was for police regulations in the incorporated village, and was passed April 23, 1866.
HORSE-THIEF SOCIETY.
In 1867, the Franklin Vigilance Horse Committee was organized. The object of this association is to capture horse-thieves and, in fact, any other thieves who may steal property of any kind from its members. The first officers were Capt. John Shilling; First Lieutenant, George
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Shetler; Second Lieutenant, William Geesey ; Treasurer, Benjamin Borton ; Secretary, Daniel Mclaughlin. George Shetler was elected Captain in 1870, and held this position three years; then Dr. J. N. Runnion was elected and has held the office ever since. Mr. Borton has held the office of Treasurer ever since it was organized. The officers are elected each year. The members are from West Unity and Brady Township. with a few from Franklin Township, Fulton County. They have had to make several raids for thieves or stolen property, and have always been successful in making captures. The association has over $600 in the treasury, and it would be best for horse-thieves to keep clear of this "Neck o' Woods." But we must bring this brief sketch of the early history of Brady Township and West Unity to a close, and speak of its progress and business at the present time.
GENERAL PROGRESS.
It is the natural and laudable desire of every place, and of every man in it, to attract emigration, and in that, as in all bargains, both parties should know the points of the trade. The history of the business of a community is a mirror of the town, and we have undertaken the task of thus portraying the town of West Unity, and giving a true pen-picture of Brady Township, based upon actual observation of our industries, and our commercial as well as our professional business houses and their managers, so far as this be necessary to present to outsiders the true inwardness of the town and surrounding country. Although Lockport was the first town started, West Unity is really the only town in the township, and is surrounded by thriving and industrious farmers, who own the best land found in Northwestern Ohio. West Unity is the second largest town in the county, having a population of nearly one thousand souls, and has the reputation, far and near, of being a live business town, and for its size cannot be equaled by any town in the State ; and for energy and life is far ahead of many of larger population. The whistle of the locomo- tive does not disturb the citizens of the town, but they live in expecta- tion, and hope to have a road built and in operation before many years.
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