County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 45

Author: Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885

USA > Ohio > Williams County > County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical > Part 45

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DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION.

In about 1843, a small log schoolhouse was built on Section 32, in the northwestern part of the township. Lawyer Welch, of Bryan, was one of the first teachers. This house was used about ten years, when it was

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destroyed by fire, and a small frame was built near there to take its place. The present house in that district was built about six years ago. Among the families that sent children to the old log house were those of George Perkey, S. Martin, Moses Tomus, Solomon Parker, James McClarren, and perhaps others. At New Berlin was a log schoolhouse as early as 1846. Those who were interested in this school were the Arnolds, Edwin Wells, William Van Fossen, George White and others. It is said that the Arnolds had several terms of school before the first schoolhouse was built, the sessions being held in their cabins as early as 1843. Benjamin Arnold opened a store, and also manufactured potash. Godfrey and others kept store there. John Lake kept an ashery there also. A post office was established at the residence of Judge Martin Perkey in 1843, he being the Postmaster. The little village thus formed was called New Ber- lin, from a place in the East where the Arnolds came from. Henry and Joseph Dittenhaver built a steam saw-mill there in about 1854. It has been idle for the last eight or ten years. In the summer of 1842, a term of school was taught in the cabin of Samuel Cain, near Union Corners, by Miss Olive Thompson, who afterward became Mrs. Ferrier. Cain had five or six children, and Charles Allman sent two, and that, so far as recollected, constituted her enrollment. She was paid about $1 a week, and taught for two months. In about the year 1844 or 1845, a school- house was built near B. C. Pickle's. Abigail Gordon is said to have been one of the first teachers in this house. It was used a few years, when a frame school building was erected on land donated by B. C. Pickle. Among those who sent children in this district early were B. C. Pickle, Samuel Cain and Levi Campbell. Some fourteen years ago, a frame schoolhouse was built about half a mile south of Union Corners. Daniel Singer, Sr., had built a log cabin where Mrs. Singer, Sr., now lives, for his father, an old man who had come to the county with him. The old man did not remain there long, and the house was used for school and church purposes. The first term of school was taught in this house in about 1843, but about the year 1847, a small log schoolhouse was erected about half a mile east of the Singer Corners. Enoch Thomas and Theo- dore Beeso taught in the old Singer cabin. Hannah Miller taught the first school in the log schoolhouse near the first old M. E. Church, east of Singer's Corners. In about 1850, this large school district-which included about twelve square miles-was divided, and schoolhouses were built a mile west of what is now Edon ; a mile east of Edon ; two miles northwest of Edon ; two miles northeast of Edon ; and, about the same time, schoolhouses were built in two or three places in the southern part. It was about 1850 or 1852 that the township was divided into school dis- tricts, much as it is at present, except the school at Edon. This gave to

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Samuel P. Cameron

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FLORENCE TOWNSHIP.

about every district a schoolhouse of some kind. In the summer of 1881, the first term was taught in the village of Blakeslee, in a building belong- ing to Peter Hewart, by Mrs. Englesaw, but before the expiration of the term, this lady was taken sick, and Cora Shell was employed to finish the term. The term was three months, and each scholar paid the teacher 75 cents for the entire time.

THE SCHOOLS OF EDON.

Previous to the winter of 1874-75, the children of Edon went east and west one mile to the country schools ; but, at the latter date, Solomon Metzler was employed to teach in a large room in the Sheline House, which he did to the satisfaction of the citizens. During the following sum- mer, Mrs. Hattie Miller taught a select school, and the succeeding winter William Holmes taught in what is now the Masonic Hall. On the 10th of March, 1876, the following men were elected members of the first Board of Education : J. G. Cameron, James Robinett, James Gar- side, Andrew Sheline, William Latimer and Jonathan Burke. J. G. Cameron became President of the Board, and James Garside, Clerk. On the 10th of April, 1876, the Board authorized the levy of a tax of three mills for tuition and contingent fund, and four mills for building fund. May 13, 1876, pursuant to a notice to that effect, the citizens of the cor- poration voted upon the question of raising the sum of $1,500 by three annual assessments, the same to be used in the construction of a school- house. Thirty-one votes were polled for the levy, and thirteen against it, showing that only about half the strength of the town turned out to the election. May 29, bonds for $1,500 were ordered prepared and sold. About this time, it began to appear that trouble would ensue over the ques- tion of the location of the schoolhouse. Citizens in the western part want- ed it built on the Garwood lots, while those in the eastern part wanted it on the Gearhart lots. Finally, after considerable maneuvering, the ques- tion was submitted to vote, and carried by a majority of seven in favor of the Garwood lots, in the western part. Specifications for the house were drawn up, and sealed proposals for the contract of erecting the building were solicited, with the following result: Peter Rake (frame), $1,900; Andrew Sheline (frame), $1,780; Hiram Merchant (frame), $1,795; Pe- ter Rake (brick), $2,425 ; Andrew Sheline (brick), $2,425; J. Kalter- bach (brick), $2,500. The Board at first accepted the proposal of Andrew Sheline to build a frame house for $1,780 ; but, later, reconsidered the acceptance, to consider a new proposal from Mr. Sheline to construct a brick school building, much after the style of the specifications, for $2,000. The contract was closed at this price, and the Garwood lots, four in num- ber, were purchased for $200 ; $1,500 were to be paid on the building

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as soon as the bonds could be negotiated, and the balance as soon as the house was completed. Three bonds, each for $500, were issued, bearing interest at eight per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, and were purchased by Mr. Sheline at their face value. It is said that the bonds were really owned by Eastern capitalists. The building, a two-storied brick, was erected during the following fall and winter, and has since been in use. In September, 1877, the enumeration was fifty-four males and sixty-eight females ; and at this time, R. A. Heritage was employed as Principal, and Miss Emma Fulton as Assistant, to teach the school. T. J. Saunders and wife were the next teachers, remaining two or three years. The present Principal is F. B. Monosmith. Among the assistants have been Miss Nellie Starr, Rufus Isenhart and Miss Jennie Bowman. In June, 1880, it was voted, sixteen for and two against, to levy sufficient tax to pay the remainder ($650) of the schoolhouse bonded debt. This was accomplished, and the house is now free from debt. In December, 1879, the Board decided to grant diplomas to students who finished the course in the grammar department. In 1880, the first class, as follows, graduated : Fen Rice, Edward Brooks, David Holmes, Herbert Kerns, William Ruse, Emma Kuster, Della Bratton, Clara Fetters and Nellie Hine. In 1881, the following class graduated from the same department : Viola Osfall, Dosia Luke, Henry Myers, Clement Wagner and Walter Cory. In the meantime, a high school department had been erected, and in 1881 the following class was graduated from this department: Nellie Hine, Clara Fetters and Herbert Kern. The village schoolmen are ap- parently as much in favor of red tape as the average Congressman.

CHURCHES.

One of the first religious organizations in the township was established at the house of James Coon, in the northern part. Afterward, the class met at the old Tomus Schoolhouse, but finally moved to Columbia. Full account of this society will be found in the chapter on Northwest Town- ship. An old log cabin, which had been built by David Singer, Sr., for his father, was the first church edifice in the central part of the township. It was located on the Singer farm, and at first there were two classes, which met there-English Methodists and German Methodists. Among the leaders of the former were George Donutt and Mr. Webb, and, among the latter, Singer, Newman, Estey, Allomong, Solecaver and others. Among the first ministers were Revs. Havener and Cline; the latter conducted a revival in the old Singer cabin ; and, among those who joined them, were Gahn, Baker and Shutt. In about 1848 or 1850, both classes united means, and built a hewed-log church about half a mile west of the Singer Corners. Those who helped build it were Singer, Allo-

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mong, Donutt, Burke, Palmer, Willibee and others. David Singer, Jr., then about thirteen years old, carried water for the men to drink. It was a very warm day, and, while the work was rapidly progressing, & severe hail storm swept over, driving the men into the schoolhouse near there for shelter. George Donutt was one of the most prominent mem- bers ever in this house. He was a minister, and, while preaching or praying, had a peculiar habit of gesticulating with one hand, and grasping his ear with the other. He would change hands frequently, apparently to give fluency to his tongue and precision to his thoughts, and, it is even asserted that, when he wished to say something unusually impressive, he would stop gesticulating, and clasp both ears with his hands, and then his genius of scorching sinners was most brilliant and phenomenal. The hewed-log church was used until about 1864 or 1865, when the small frame church, one mile north of Edon, was built. Wonderful meetings and revivals were had in this old house. Judge Bowersox taught singing school there. Three or four years ago, a Dunkard society, which had been organized a few years before, purchased the church, and yet own it. The remnants of the Methodist class meet at Edon to worship. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Edon was built four years ago, and cost about $3,500. The class is in prosperous condition. The German Methodist Church, in the northwest corner of the township, was erected about twenty years ago, and cost about $2,000. This class was formed about twenty-five years ago, and was really an offshoot of the Singer class, re-enforced by citizens in the northwestern part. The class was unable to build a church until as stated. It met in schoolhouses ; but is now in a fairly prosperous condition in the church. The German Re- formers, in the northwestern part, organized a class about thirty years ago in the Tomus Schoolhouse. Thirteen years ago, a small church was built, the cost being about $900. Among the members were Gerhart, Boisier, Coleberger, Miller, Rapp, Myers, Stoneberger and Weigel. Rev. Wendel Wasnick attended the class for about twenty-five years. The new church was built three years ago, under the ministration of Rev. John Rubl. The class now numbers about twenty. The Disciple class at Edon was organized about 1856, in the residence of John Luke, with about the following members : George Kintner and wife, A. Sheline and wife, John Luke and wife, Silas Luke and wife, Sirenus Palmer and others. Their church, which cost $1,500, was built some fourteen years ago. At that time, the membership was about fifty. Sunday school was started then, and has been conducted ever since. Elder M. M. Gleason conducted a revival four years ago, at which time about twenty- five new members joined the class. The present membership is about fifty. St. Paul's German Lutheran Church was erected in 1872, and

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

cost 81,800. The building committee were Martin Myers, George Zebt and Jacob Kalterbach. Peter Rich was the contractor. The class was first organized in 1866, by Frederick Grimm, pastor. Among the early members were Martin Young, Paul Metzler, William Rockey, Jacob Kalterbach, Martin Myers, Jacob Kiser, Conrad Zeiter, Conrad Baker, John Allomong, George Kiser, George Kurtz and John Lump. The class met in the Lash Schoolhouse for a time. The ministers have been Fred- erick Grimm, Frederick Muschman and William Wacky, the present pastor. The present membership is about forty-five. The class have a sectarian school, the pastor being teacher, but only a few terms have been taught. The St. Joseph Catholic Church, north of Blakeslee, was built about seventeen years ago, and cost 84,000. Seven families consti- tuted the first class; now there are about fifty families. The priests have been Cary, Baker, Eiler, Bruschler, Fockt, Peters, and Mattis at present. Among the present members are Thill, Calbly, Fry, Ley, Houser, Hewart and Blinzler. A year ago, the fine church was destroyed by fire, and the incendiary was detected and sent to the penitentiary for fifteen years. He had no excuse for his crime. The class is at present erecting a large brick church on the same site. A Catholic schoolhouse was built near the church a number of years ago, though but few terms have been taught. The new brick church is expected to cost, when fully completed, about $8,000, and will be by far the finest in the township.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

BY M. B. PLUMMER.

Beaver Creek is the only stream of any importance in the township of Jefferson. Its course is almost due south, and affords water sufficient to run mills.

OLD TOWNSHIP OF BEAVER.

In 1834, Beaver Township was organized, including the territory now contained in Jefferson and Pulaski Townships. The first election was held at the house of Alonzo Rawson, in the villiage of La Fayette (now called Pulaski), and Joseph Moss and Jabez Jones were elected Justices of the Peace, and their commissions are dated October 16, 1834. At the March session, 1835, the Commissioners attached the lands lying north of the Fulton and south of the Harris lines to Beaver Township.

ORGANIZATION OF JEFFERSON.

March 6, 1837, Jefferson Township was organized, embracing Town-

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ships 7 and 8 north, Range 3 east, and containing about forty-three square miles, being the largest in territory in the county. The first election was held July 2, 1837, at the house of Andrew Ferrier, Jr. Thomas Reid was elected Justice of the Peace ; Joseph Engle, Thomas Reid and An- drew Ferrier, Sr., were elected Trustees; David Wilson, Clerk, and Andrew Ferrier, Constable.

FIRST SETTLERS.

John Perkins and family were the first settlers in this township. They moved from Brunersburgh in the spring of 1833, and settled near where the village of Pulaski is now located. Mr. Perkins was born in the State of Virginia about the year 1770; came to Ross County, Ohio, and married a Miss Dawson. The fruits of said marriage were three sons and four daughters. Isaac Perkins and Malinda Plummer, son and daughter, are now living in the county. Isaac Perkins came to Williams County in 1818, and, with his father, settled at Brunersburgh, and has been a resident of the county sixty-five years. Mrs. John Perkins died in Ross County, and he married Abigail Jones, daughter of David Jones, and sister of Jabez Jones, now of Bryan, to whom were born seven chil- dren, three sons and four daughters. Dr. Jazeb Perkins, of Michigan ; Elijah Perkins, living near Pulaski, and in this township; Mrs. Nancy Rawson and Mrs. Susana Masters, of Pioneer, and Abby Hester of said township, are still living. Mr. Perkins built the first mills at Bruners- burg, and in 1833 sold his property to a Mr. Bruner, who subsequently laid out the village of Brunersburgh. He built the first mill in this county ; he laid out the village of La Fayette (now called Pulaski), and sold the undivided one-half to John Patterson, of Columbus, Ohio. When the county seat was removed from Defiance, it was generally supposed that it would be located at La Fayette.

Eli Oliver moved from Pickaway County, Ohio, in the fall of 1833, and settled on the lands now occupied by his children, Virginia Beer- bower and James Oliver, who have resided in Jefferson Township the longest time, coming here in 1834.

Jabez Jones was born in Hampshire County, Va., June, 1792; while young, he, with his father's family, came to Ross County, Ohio. He came to Jefferson Township in the spring of 1834; was elected the first Justice of the Peace in Northwestern Ohio, and he is now living in Bryan, at the advanced age of ninety years. He was a soldier of the war of 1812; was at Upper Sandusky (now Fremont), with Gen. Har- rison. At the celebration at Bryan, July 4, 1876, Mr. Jones, with six other soldiers of 1812, sat on the stand ; these have all passed on before him. G. W. Myers, now living in Bryan, moved from Huron County, Ohio, to Jefferson Township, and was one of the live working men. He

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

landed September 13, 1837, and settled on the farm now owned by the county, and known as the " Infirmary Farm." In 1838, he was elected Township Clerk, and held that position for many years. In 1840, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected for three terms.

Albert Opdycke, another of the soldiers of 1812, with R. H. Gilson, moved from Trumbull County, Ohio, and settled in Jefferson Township. He was one of the hardy pioneers and reared a large family of boys, of whom John and Heman are still living in the county. He cleared up a large farm, was loved and respected by all, and was twice elected Commis- sioner of Williams County. He lived more than fourscore years, and was one of the pillars of the M. E. Church. His house was the home of wearied itinerant preachers, who were always welcome. Many yet remember the name of "Pap " Opdycke. He has passed over Jordan and his works do follow him. Jacob Boyers (now of Clinton, Mo.) moved from Crawford County, Ohio, in 1835, and settled on the farm now owned by George Arnold (and known as the Andrew Smith farm). Mr. Boy- ers was energetic, loved to give and take a joke, full of fun and enjoyed himself in the company of his friends. George W. Perky came from Hancock County, Ohio, and settled on the farm now owned by the heirs of Jacob Folk. He was smart, but an oddity. Once, as one of his neighbors was passing, Perky was chopping out the road in a cat swamp. He remarked that "we read that God divided the land from the water, but here is a place He forgot." Andrew Ferrier and his sons moved from Coshocton County in 1835, and erected the first mill in this township on Beaver Creek, in 1837. His wife and self built the dam of cobble stones. The building was of logs. The wheat was ground, and conveyed to the second story by hand. The miller put the unbolted flour in a hole in the floor, while the patron turned the reel with the bolt on. In this way the early settlers procured their flour. The old man was a Presbyterian minister of the Gospel. Andrew Smith (now of Bryan, Ohio) moved from Coshocton County in 1837, and erected the first saw-mill. Henry Newman erected the second saw-mill. Joseph Moudy moved from Pick- away County, Ohio, in 1835, and settled in Pulaski; thence removed to Jefferson Township, and was there at the organization of the same and was elected Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. For fun, jokes and satire, his equal could not be found. Ephraim Plummer came from Ross County in the fall of 1834. Jolin Shankster and sons moved from Ross County in 1835, and settled on the lands now occupied by him. Joseph Bush (now of Florence Township) was one of the early settlers. John Snyder, John and William Barger, George Dorshimer, Jacob Andrew, Joseph Engle, Turner Thompson and Isaac Fickle were among the first settlers of this township. Henry Miller moved from

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Stark County, Ohio, and settled on the land now owned by Martin Burns, at which place he subsequently started a carding machine run by horse-power. The first settlers of this part of the county had to go to Brunersburgh for their flour and corn-meal and pirogue it up Bean Creek, making their headquarters at Daniel Colgan's, in Springfield Township. It would take from four to six days to make a trip, and when they did arrive, at times the flour made "sick bread." Many of the first settlers commenced to clear their lands and plant corn by making a hole in the ground with an ax. Jabez Jones, Andrew Smith, George W. Myers, George Dorshimer, John Shankster, Jacob Boyers and Jacob Andre are the only ones living of the old settlers. It is true that many of their children and grandchildren are still living.

PRODUCTS OF FIELD AND FOREST.

Wheat, corn, oats, rye, buckwheat, hay, clover-seed, flax-seed, pota- toes, turnips, sweet potatoes are the principal crops produced in this town- ship ; horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep are raised in abundance ; apples, peaches, pears and small fruits are generally a sure crop. Orig- inally the lands were covered with large trees, consisting of black and white walnut, poplar, blue and gray ash, sugar-maple and red elm. The forest abounded with bear, deer, wolves, turkeys, raccoons, minks, foxes, squirrels and rabbits, and from these the tables of the early settlers were supplied with meat. One of the old settlers once informed me that Williams County could not have been settled had they been deprived of basswood bark and coonskins. The skins were traded for tea, coffee, sugar and clothing. The log-chain and bed-cord were made from the bark of the basswood. Venison, corn or johnny-cake, and rye coffee or spice- wood tea were considered a good meal. Wild bees were plenty, and in the fall of the year honey was obtained in large quantities.

EFFORT FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT.

After the division of the county in 1845, there was much dissatisfac- tion on account of the county-seat being located at Bryan, and petitions were put in circulation for its removal-one being for its location on lands now owned by Jared Graves, of Jefferson Township.

GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT.

The financial condition of the county was poor, the indebtedness being some $20,000. The future prosperity of the township did not look favorable. But with a strong arm the early pioneers went to work with a will, emigration came into the township, and in 1850 she had doubled her population. The completion of the Air-Line Branch of the Lake

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad through the county gave new life to the farmers, and to-day the citizens of this township feel proud that they have one of the best townships in Northern Ohio.

FIRST BIRTH, DEATH AND MARRIAGE.

Eliza Hood, daughter of Andrew Hood, was the first person born in this township. Mary Perkins, daughter of John Perkins, was the first person who died. January 1, 1837, Andrew Hood and Elizabeth Reid were married, they being the first.

EARLY MARKETS.

Before the building of the railroad through the county, the farmers had to haul their wheat to Maumee City or Defiance, and sell for 50 cents per bushel.

NEIGHBORLY KINDNESS.

No domestic difficulties ever existed among her citizens, but all seemed anxious to help one another in rollings, house and barn raisings, and would go four and five miles to help each other.

EARLY TAVERNS.

The first tavern in this township was built by Jonathan Tressler, in the year 1851, in the village of West Jefferson ; it was one of the largest buildings at that time in the county, and cost $4,000 or 85,000. O. Dolph built the second in the same village, and was the landlord for sev- eral years.

VILLAGE OF WEST JEFFERSON.

West Jefferson is the only village in this township, and was laid out and platted by Jonathan Tressler, George Dorshimer, Elias R. Brown and Jonathan Gilbert. John Richart started the first store; Samuel Sharon the second; Brownwell and White the third; John Tressler started the first grocery and saloon. The annual trade was not large. The village contained one store, one grocery, one saw-mill, one black- smith shop, one hotel, two churches, and, at different times, four physi- cians-but at present there is but one, and there are but two in the township. The inhabitants of Jefferson Township have never been blessed or even cursed with a lawyer residing within her limits. It has been said that it is a bad place for doctors and lawyers. Durbin's Corners (now called Karle) is the only post office in the township, and is at the village of West Jefferson. John Tressler was the first Postmaster, Will- iam Brown, second, Samuel Sherran, third, and Fred White, fourth. The trade and business of the township have been done principally at

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County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 45

Author: Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 885

Author: Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885