County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 46

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 46

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

Bryan, Pulaski, West Unity, Stryker and Montpelier; this accounts for their not having any village of note within her borders.

CHURCHES.

The same may be said in regard to her churches. The Methodist and German Reform Churches are located at Pulaski Village, while many of their members live in Jefferson Township.

About twenty years ago, the Evangelical Lutheran (English) built a fine church in the village of West Jefferson, at a cost of some $3,000. They have a fine congregation, and quite a number of mem- bers. George W. Walker was their first pastor. About the same time, the German Reformers built a good church at West Jefferson at a cost of $2,000. Rev. Mr. Butt was their first pastor. The house is at present occupied by the Methodists, there being no pastor of the Ger- man Reformed connected therewith. The United Brethren in Christ built a fine church, one mile north of George Dorshimer's, at a cost of about $2,000. They have regular meetings and some good members. The Church of God built a good frame church near " Bunker Hill," in 1858, at a cost of some $2,000. It was subsequently burnt-supposed to be the work of an incendiary. In 1874, the German Reformers built a fine brick church at Bunker Hill, at a cost of $4,000 or $5,000. Rev. Hasler, Pastor. In 1881, the German Reformers built another good brick church, on lands formerly owned by B. S. Foust, at a cost of $3,000. Rev. Hasler, Pastor.

VARIOUS PREACHERS.

Rev. Simeon H. Alderman was the first Methodist preacher. He preached at Bunker Hill Schoolhouse the winter of 1842-43. John J. Hagerman was the second, J. L. Terris the third, and W. W. Winter the fourth. William L. Smith preached at Bunker Hill Schoolhouse in the winter of 1842-43, and was the first Brethren preacher. Jonathan Thomas was the second, and preached at the same house in 1843. R. R. Saulter preached at the same place in the summer of 1844, and was the first German Reformed preacher. Andrew Ferrier was the first Presby- terian preacher.

SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.

In the winter of 1839, Joel F. Pool taught the first school in the township in an old house on the land of Thomas Reid, now owned by Ja- cob M. Hester. This was before the township was organized into school districts. In 1840, George W. Durbin (now of Pioneer) taught the sec- ond school in a log schoolhouse near where the Centre Schoolhouse now stands. The logs were small and the door was made of clapboards. Some time during the winter, the scholars barred the teacher out, and asked of

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

him to treat them to something. The teacher procured a rail, and with it broke open the door. The scholars were glad to sue for terms.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

In 1841, the Trustees divided the township into twelve school dis- tricts, but no record can be found of the amount of money or the number of scholars there were in the township. The amount of money was kept on sheets of paper, and not until the year of 1845, do we find any correct amount of money or number of scholars. In that year, the township had three hundred and five scholars, and drew, from all sources, $299.89. From that time until the present the funds have been correctly kept, al- ways plenty, and enough to keep their schools the time required by law. The following figures show the amount of moneys drawn each year for school purposes, to wit :

1845

$299 89|1858.

$1,910 10||1871.

2,500 00

1846.

284 44

1859

1,709 10

1872.

2,650 00

1847

818 19

1860.

1,952 14

1878

2,828 75

1848

232 46

1861

2,046 10

1874

2,681 15

1849.

565 28

1862.

2,080 47

1875

8,584 09

1850.

570 04

1868.

2,846 74

1876.

4,256 00

1851

5:28 80

1864

2,467 12

1877

8,408 64

1852.

644 84

1865

2,288 50

1878

2,921 54

1858

1,176 26

1866

2,156 50

1879

2,498 82

1854

946 15

1867

2,146 00

1880

2,161 61

1855

1,454 55

1868

2,300 00

1881

2,152 54

1856

1,854 72

1869

2,465 50

1857

1,907 78

1870

$2,488 50

In 1842, James Welsh taught the first school in District No. 5; in 1843, he taught the second school. In the summer of 1842, M. B. Plum- mer taught the first school in District No. 6; in the winter of 1842-43, be taught the second term ; in the winter of 1843-44, he taught the third term. In the winter of 1844-45, John W. Porter taught the fourth term. Seth B. Hyatt taught the first school in District No. 7, in the winter of 1843-44. Jacob Reid taught the first school in District No. 8, in 1845. J. Engle taught the first school in District No. 9 in the winter of 1845. Miss Brundydge taught the first school in District No. 3. Henry Sheets taught the first school in District No. 4. Lewis J. Baldwin taught the first school in District No. 1. Miss Powell taught the first school in Dis- trict No. 2. Annette Hart taught the first school in District No. 12. From 1840 to 1846, the population of the township was small, and fre- quently two districts were joined together for school purposes, and, con- sequently, it is very hard to ascertain who were the first teachers in some of the districts.

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

MISCELLANEOUS SCHOOL ITEMS.

The amount paid teachers per month was from $12 to $20, and, as a general custom, they had to board with the parents of the scholars. The books used were Elementary Spelling Book, Emerson's Readers, Olney's Geography and Kirkham's Grammar; the teacher had to set the copies on blank paper for the scholars. There was no particular method of in- struction inaugurated at that time; scholars were apt to learn, and teach- ers took great pains to instruct them in the rudiments. Spelling schools were held in the different schoolhouses. Scholars would go for miles to get to a spelling school, and frequently would stand on the floor and spell during the entire evening. Many joyful meetings were had during the winter evenings by old and young, lads and lasses. The old have passed away, the young have become old and taken their places. Corporal pun- ishment was practiced by all the teachers, and certainly there was better order in schools at that time than now. It was seldom that the teacher used the "rod," but the scholars knew if they misbehaved they would be punished.

SCHOOL LANDS.

As a general thing, the first schoolhouses were built of logs, and the cost was nominal ; but the buildings are now all brick, and cost from $900 to $1,200, and are built at the center of every four sections, except the north two or three. The State of Ohio set apart Section 16 in each sur- veyed township for school purposes, and by an act of the Legislature authorized the Trustees of said township to sell said lands at public auction, giving the purchaser ten years to pay for the same. Said moneys were paid into the State Treasury, and called the "irredeemable fund," the State paying six per cent interest to the several townships. In 1848, Jefferson Township sold her land, and from the proceeds of the same de- rived a part of her school fund. By some mismanagement or neglect of her Trustees, she lost & quarter section of land set off to her from frac- tional Township 8. This piece of land was situated in the township of Madison. The Trustees failed to complete their entry, and Harvey Wil- cox, former County Recorder, entered it. Brady Township had a piece in Florence Township and lost it. I have been informed that the Gov- ernment will give the several townships their quota in some other State. Would it not be well for the Trustees to make application to the General Land Office ?

A CASE OF MURDER.

But one crime of any magnitude has occurred within our borders. That was the murder of the son of Peter D. Schamp by Daniel Hecker- thorn and A. J. Tyler as accessory, which occurred about the 20th day

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

of June, 1847, on the farm now owned by John H. Schamp. Tyler pro- fessed to be a fortune teller, and came to the house of Mr. Schamp and told him his fortune; thence he came to where Heckerthorn lived, told his fortune and made inquiry if Schamp was not a man of money. Re- ceiving an affirmative answer, he told Heckerthorn if he would kill Schamp's boy and hide him in a secret place (known to Tyler), that Schamp would come to him and pay him a large sum to tell him where the boy was, and he would give him money enough to go back to Wayne County, Ohio. On the next Sunday morning, according to previous arrangement, Heckerthorn came to Schamp's, and, decoying the boy from the house (he being but six years old), took him to the large woods north of Schamp's. He there took the boy by the heels and struck his head against a knot on a beech tree and killed him. The knot was subsequently chopped out of the tree and brought to court. The boy's hair was seen on it. He then placed him in a hollow tree, put old rotten wood on him, and then placed green brush on it. Sunday afternoon the search commenced by some of the neighbors, and on Monday it became general. At night Schamp went to see Tyler, to ascertain if he could tell of the whereabouts of the boy. He said he was near water, and under rotten wood and green brush. The excitement became general. On Tuesday, men and boys came for miles to hunt, but obtained no tidings. On Thursday, the woods for miles were full of people. In the afternoon, suspicion fastened on Heckerthorn and Jacob Bohner, and the writer found Heckerthorn at his brother's house, concealed. He was taken into custody, and finally con- fessed the guilt of himself and Tyler. The same day, George Ely, then a Justice of the Peace for Brady Township, issued a warrant for the arrest of Tyler and Heckerthorn. An examination was had, and they were com- mitted to jail, were taken to Bryan at the fall term of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and were separately indicted. Tyler elected to be tried by the Supreme Court. The jail at Bryan was not safe, and they were taken to Maumee City and remained there until the fall of 1848, when Tyler was tried for murder in the first degree, was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged January 26, 1849. J. Dobbs was Prosecutor, assisted by C. Case. S. E. Blakeslee was attorney for defendant. Daniel Langle was at the time Sheriff, and made an inclosure in which to hang Tyler. On the evening of the 25th, the people came and found there was an inclosure set up in the night. They demolished it, and Tyler was hung in public. At the spring term of the Court of Common Pleas, Heckerthorn was tried and found guilty of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to the penitentiary for life.

LAND ENTRIES.

The original plat of Jefferson Township has not been changed. Most

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of the lands were entered and settled by the early pioneers, and are now owned by their children. The log cabin and log barns were the first buildings. Some were so constructed that the fireplace took one end of the building. But they have given place to fine brick and frame houses and frame barns.

THE POPULATION BY DECADES.

The census returns for the years named gave: 1840, 263; 1850, 810; 1860, 1,586; 1870, 2,236; 1880, 2,246.

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

The territory comprising the present Centre Township was at first included within the limits of Delaware Township, which had been cre- ated by the County Commissioners June 7, 1824, and which embraced all the land bounded on the north by the Harris State line, east by the line separating Ranges 3 and 4 east, south by the line separating Townships 3 and 4 north, and west by the Indiana line, or the First Principal Meridian. Centre was known as Township 6 north, Range 2 east, and remained a part of Delaware until December 3, 1833, at which time it was set off and made a part of St. Joseph Township. The latter was bounded north by the Harris line, east by the line dividing Ranges 2 and 3 east, south by the line dividing Townships 4 and 5 north, and west by the Indiana line. On the 7th of March 1836, the Commissioners or- dered " that the original surveyed Townships 6, 7 and 8 north, in Range 2 east, be erected and incorporated into a township to be called Centre ; and further, that the inhabitants of said Centre Township meet on the first Monday in April next, at the house of Jacob Dillman, and proceed to elect, according to law, the necessary officers to organize said township, and that the Auditor advertise the same according to law." No other change was made with Centre until March, 1839, when Township 7 north, Range 2 east, and fractional Township 8 north, Range 2 east, were set off and created as Superior Township, thus leaving Centre as it is at present. The names of the first officers who were elected at the res- idence of Jacob Dillman in April, 1836, are no longer remembered.

THE EARLY SETTLERS.

During the summer or autumn of 1833, Mrs. Mary Leonard, a wid- owed lady, came with her family to Centre Township. She was accom- panied by James Overleas, Sebastian Frame and John Heckman, all three

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

of whom were her sons-in-law. The four families located in the south- eastern part of the township, and began to prepare homes from the heavy woods. Mrs. Leonard had a large family of nearly grown-up children, and with the assistance of her sons and sons-in-law, encountered no seri- ous drawbacks in the creation of a comfortable home. These families came from Montgomery County, Ohio, with three or four wagons, each drawn by two yoke of oxen, and loaded with such household goods as would be needful in the new home. Members of the family had come to the township some time before to select and enter suitable tracts of land, upon which they designed to locate ; this was very probably done during the spring of 1833, and were, so far as known, the first tracts entered in the township, though not the only ones entered during the same year. Sebastian Frame was a man of considerable ability, and had been ordained an Elder in the Dunkard Church. Unquestionably, the first religious exercises in the township were conducted by him, either at his own cabin, or at the cabin of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Leonard. The members of the four families often met during the severe winter of 1833-34, to wor- ship, and to talk over the means of meeting successfully the difficult problems of pioneer life. Upon their arrival in the township, the fami- lies had at first lived in their wagons, under the shelter of rude temporary abodes built of poles, brush and blankets, while the men went to work to construct rough cabins of round logs. Pleasant was the task of remov- ing to these cabins, humble though they were. These . were probably the only persons residing in Centre during the year 1833. In Jan- uary, 1834, Joel Kinsey came from Montgomery County, Ohio, entered the northwest quarter of Section 35, erected on the same a small log cabin, and began the destruction of the timber on his land. Two or three months later, George Skinner appeared, and entered the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 34. He likewise built a log house, and made some improvements ; but in October of the same year, sold his land to Jacob Dillman, and removed from the township, going no one knew whither. Mr. Dillman, a man who afterward during his life was very prominent in township affairs, had come from Stark County, Ohio, dur- ing the spring of 1834, and had selected a tract of land in the eastern part of the township, upon which were favorable facilities for a fine water- power. He returned to Stark County, but the sudden death there of a man whom he expected would operate his prospective mill altered his plans somewhat, and when he again came to Centre Township he pur- chased the Skinner farm. A few acres had been underbrushed by Mr. Skinner, who had sown thereon what he thought was clover seed, but which soon proved to be Canada thistle seed. The ground was soon cov- ered with these pests, which have not been wholly eradicated even to this day.

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CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

SUBSEQUENT SETTLERS.

On the 1st of January, 1837, there were living in the township the following persons, or their families : Zebulon Britton, S. L. Boughton, Samuel Crocker, Jacob Dillman, Lewis Fritch, Jacob Fetters, Daniel Filson, Sebastian Frame, William Hill, Samuel Hill, Joel Kinsey, Abner Lovejoy, Mary Leonard, Martin Lloyd, Frederick Miser, James Overleas, Banister Pool, Almon Stinson, Horace Stinson, Seth Stinson, Jacob Spangler, Isaac Sufficool, John Heckman, Prescott Sawyer, Daniel Weaver, Abraham Weaver, Phillip Yockey, Mr. Brant, and perhaps a few others.

In 1837, 1,080 acres, valued at $2,700, were taxed. The total tax that year for State, canal, county, school and road purposes was 847.25. A considerable portion of this tax was paid by the proprietors of the villages of Centre and Freedom, which had been laid out the year before. By the 1st of January, 1839, there had come in Alfred Church, M. G. Frock, Lorenzo Garton, John B. Kimmell, Joseph Mckean, Isaac Neihart, Jacob Neihart, Thomas Punches, Amasa Shafer, Peter Yockey and others. A year later, there were in-Jacob Swartzcope, Jacob Bowman, John D. Martin, Robert Baird, John Dinsmore, Stephen Hungerford, John McDowell, William Prouty, Robert Smith, William Sheridan, Sr., Freder- ick Webber and others.

In 1839, there were in the township 13 horses and 102 cattle; in 1840, there were 34 horses and 130 cattle; in 1842, there were 59 horses and 177 cattle ; in 1843, 72 horses and 228 cattle, and in 1844 80 horses and 252 cattle.

HUNTING INCIDENTS.

Perhaps the most successful hunter ever in the township was Frederick Miser, who came from Coshocton County, Ohio, to the township in the spring of 1834. He was a very large man-possessing enormous strength-and was a dead shot with the rifle. He loved to hunt, and would often be gone several days at a time, taking with him in his pro- vision bag a plentiful supply of bread and meat. He would always return loaded down with skins and game. It is said that he was so strong that he could carry in two or three deer on his back. He went dressed in a complete suit of buckskin, as did also his boys. He was one of the few early settlers in the township who succeeded in killing bears. It is related that, one dark night, a great commotion was heard among the swine that were in the woods some distance north of his house. The night was so dark that Mr. Miser knew it was useless to sally forth. The swine squealed terribly for some time, and then all became silent. At daybreak, Mr. Miser and his sons went out where the squealing had occurred ; and, after looking around a short time, found the half-eaten carcass of a hog covered with leaves. Mr. Miser knew enough of the

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

habits of the bear to be aware that the animal would very likely return the following night to gorge itself again with fresh pork ; so he resolved to be present on that occasion to act as a reception committee of one. Accordingly, about two hours before dark, he went to where the carcass lay, dressed in an appropriate fashion for the reception of so distinguished a guest. He concealed himself behind the roots of a large tree, and patiently waited for the development of events. A little while before dark, he heard a rustling of leaves, and, peering out, saw, a moment later, a large black bear stepping leisurely along, and approaching the " supper table." At a favorable moment, the hunter took careful aim and fired, and the animal fell shot through the heart. A few feeble spasmodic movements-a few feeble kicks-and all was over. The dead animal was carried to the house, on a handspike, by the boys. The next morning, the family ate bear steak for breakfast. The near neighbors were pre- sented with portions and fared likewise. Bear meat is said to be excel- lent. It tastes much like veal, and can be fried in its own fat like pork.

A MOTHER BEAR AND THREE CUBS.

One morning Mr. Miser started out for a long hunt down in the pres- ent townships of Defiance County. While moving through the woods in Milford Township near the residence of Mr. Mann, keeping a careful lookout for game, his attention was attracted to a large opening in a gi- gantic tree, many feet from the ground. Closer examination revealed the fact that the trunk of the tree and the opening in the same were scratched by the claws of some large animal. The hunter resolved to wait awhile and see what transpired; so, without noise, he seated himself at the foot of the tree. The minutes passed away, and at last a great noise was heard high up in the hollow tree, a scratching and clawing, interspersed with numerous whines and snarls, which, after a few minutes, ceased, and all became still again. Mr. Miser immediately started for the cabin of Mr. Manu, who, with ax in hand, came back with him. The tree, though large, was hollow, and was soon cut down. Mr. Miser stood near with his rifle ready, and when the tree fell with a great crash, out through the open- ing came a large bear, with open mouth and eyes .of fire. The animal was instantly shot dead. The tree was examined, and three cubs about as large as cats were found. They fought and scratched when taken out, but were too small to do much damage. Mr. Mann took one of them and Mr. Miser the other two. The latter were taken home, and became great pets in the family of Mr. Miser. They grew rapidly, and soon became large and a nuisance generally. They were up to all sorts of capers, and could eat as much corn as swine. The family kept maple sugar and wild boney in the cabin loft. The bears were very fond of anything sweet, and

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David Holmes

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could smell it if it was anywhere about the house. They soon became aware of what the loft contained, but were unable to reach it until one day, after they had become quite large, when they climbed upon the cabin roof, knocked off the weight poles, scattered the clapboard shingles and descended into the loft, where they helped themselves to the store of sweets. Sometimes they would snap and bite the children, but this was done only in sport. They loved to souse themselves in a tub of water, and were a pest to the women on washing day. At last they became so troublesome that they were killed.

A BEAR TRAP.

Traps were made by fastening across some path a small log, into which many sharp pins were driven. Above this, a much larger and heavier log was partly suspended in such a manner that when the animal stepped over the lower log, the trigger was struck and the heavy upper log came down, pinning the animal fast. Mr. Miser often set these traps. One stormy night a large bear attacked a hog belonging to Mr. Miser, and weighing nearly two hundred pounds, and threw it over an eight rail fence that constituted the pen. The unfortunate Sus scrofa was dragged off in the woods despite its squeals, where it was killed and partly con- sumed. A trap like the one above described was set, but the only thing caught and killed was a valuable dog belonging to the family. The bear was not seen, but must have been a very large one. On still another oc- casion, while Mr. Miser was hunting in the western part of the township, and while he was trying to force his way through a tangled and almost impenetrable swamp, he saw off at some distance to one side a suspicious- looking heap of leaves and dried grass. While standing observing it, he suddenly saw the head of a large bear emerge from the covering, and a pair of small bright eyes peer about, though the animal still remained lying in its nest. Mr. Miser cautiously raised his rifle without being seen, took deliberate aim at the exposed head and fired. The sharp re- port was followed by a sudden and tremendous scattering of the leaves and grass of the nest, accompanied by a torrent of growls and snarls, though in a minute or two the death struggles of the animal ceased. Upon going forward, Mr. Miser found two young cubs sprawl- ing among the grass and leaves. He took them home, where they' were kept some time, but were afterward killed. One night Mr. Miser heard the screams of a panther in a swamp west of his house, but, although he went out the next morning, nothing of it could be discovered.

A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

David Leonard and James Overleas were one day hunting in the P

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

woods north of Miser's cabin. They were walking along some distance apart, when Overleas discovered a fresh deer track. He followed it a short distance, and soon saw the deer quietly feeding. He cautiously approached and shot the animal, which fell upon the ground, and the hunter went forward to cut its throat. As he stooped over it with knife in hand, the animal, having been merely stunned by the shot, suddenly leaped to its feet, and with bristles erect along its spine, and antlers lowered, charged furiously upon him, knocking him down and pinning him to the earth like a vise. He seized the angry animal by the antlers, and endeavored with all his strength to free himself, but without success. The deer gored him with its sharp-pronged antlers, and struck him with its cutting hoofs, until he was covered with wounds and bruises, and his clothing was torn into ribbons. At the first of the attack he had begun calling loudly to his companion for assistance; but, although the latter heard the cries, he was unable to reach the spot until Overleas had been severely punished for his carelessness. Leonard came panting up to the scene, and immediately ended the struggle by shooting the enraged ani- mal dead. Had it not been for his timely arrival, Overleas would have probably been killed. He went home a wiser man.

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County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 46

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