County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 48

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 48

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

factures per day, during the warmer months, from six to fifteen cheeses, each weighing from twenty-five to forty pounds.

SCHOOLS.

The first schoolhouse in the vicinity of Melbern was built on the pres- ent site of the saw-mill, about the year 1837. It was a small log cabin. with a huge fire place in one end, which fed a tall chimney built on the outside. The desks were rough boards placed on wooden pins driven in the wall, and the seats were clapboards, with legs made of wooden poles. Old man Barney was the first teacher in this primitive schoolhouse, re- ceiving his pay by subscription. Mr. Barney was an odd old fellow, with peculiar habits, but he was a good teacher, though his education at this day would be designated mediocre. Mr. Fritch remembers that one night the teacher said " school is dismissed," but suddenly recollecting that he had not called the roll, he told the scholars, who had started up, to take their seats again. Mr. Fritch, then quite a large boy, did not hear the order of dismission countermanded, and kept on toward the door, until suddenly, without warning, the master's long whip came down across him like a sword. No further explanation was necessary, as Fritch saw the point, and went to his seat at a Rarus gait. This house was used about two years, when another log structure was built half a mile south of Mel- bern. Barney taught here also, as did Thomas Hill. This was used five or six years, when the third one for the neighborhood was erected at the geographical center of the township. A short time before the last war, this log building was replaced with a neat frame house, which was used until a few years ago. It is now the township hall. It stands a short distance north of the center, as, when it was built, land at the center could not be obtained, owing to an unsettled estate. William Nea- vill, Edgar Hubbard, Sarah Washburn and J. B. Kimmell, were early teachers in this neighborhood. It is said that Mr. Kimmell used to pun- ish by tying boys and girls together, and then standing them on the top of seats. Such a procedure would be a source of supreme joy to the average scholars of to-day. The Pool Schoolhouse in the southwastern part was not built until about 1844. It has been replaced by several others. An early log schoolhouse was erected about a mile northwest of Melbern. Log schoolhouses were built in the northern part as early as 1840, and possibly as early as 1837 or 1838. The Yockey School Dis- trict had its first log house about 1840. A log school cabin was built at Centre, on the south side of the creek, on the hill, about the year 1838. Old man Barney, the Yankee, was one of the first teachers. The house was used until about 1844, when a small brick structure was erected at a cost of about 8500. It was largely due to the energy of Jacob Dillman

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CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

that this house was built. He paid half or two-thirds of the cost himself, and gave out the contract for the manufacture of the brick. The district was taxed to pay for the house; and this, as stated several pages back, was the cause of the refusal of Brown and Phelps to pay the heavy taxes upon their town lots, as the tax soon amounted to nearly as much as the lots were worth. This building was used until a few years before the last war. Religious services were held in it, public assemblages gathered there, and the ' old brick " will not soon be forgotten. In about the year 1852, the Maumee Presbytery began the project of constructing a semi- nary at the village. The citizens, without regard to religious convictions, were asked to assist in the cost of constructing the house ; and all did so without seriously thinking that the school was to be strictly denominational. The frame building (now the district schoolhouse), in the western part of the town, was immediately built at a cost of about $2,500. Jacob Dill- man gave the land (west of the present site), upon which the house was built, with the understanding that the land was to revert to him in case it was no longer used for school purposes. A thorough Presbyterian organ- ization was effected, the following men being elected Trustees of the Mau- mee Presbytery : John M. Layman, D. S. Anderson, J. P. P. Stockton, John Kelley, Milo Rockwell and Joseph S. Grim. James Anderson, a man of fine character and culture, was given charge of the school. A fair attendance of scholars was secured, and the seminary began to attract attention. The house was used by the Presbyterian society on Sundays, and the class was under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Crabb, an excellent man, and a very ardent Presbyterian. James Anderson died in about three years, and his brother David was then given charge of the school. As the years advanced, and the rigidly orthodox tenets of the Presbyte- rian ritual were more or less taught to the assembled scholars, considerable comment and criticism were indulged in by those whose children were in attendance, and whose religious views were not Presbyterian. Such par- ents soon found that they had made a mistake in supposing that their children could attend the school without coming within the strong influ- ences of Calvinistic teachings. Matters went on thus for some time, until, at last, such parents kept their children from the school. This led to the downfall and abandonment of the seminary. The land went back to Mr. Dillman, and the house was moved to its present position, and became the property of the district.

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

When many of the citizens withdrew their children from the Presby - terian school, their feelings of resentment became paramount. While in this disturbed condition they instituted movements for building a high

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

school structure. The building was designed to cost about 83,000; and, in order that not too severe a burden should fall upon any person's shoul- ders, the amount to be raised was divided into shares of $10 each. Men bought as many shares as their means allowed. Mr. Dillman headed the subscription by taking fifteen shares, and others did nearly as well. The plan, or project, was highly successful, and the house was immediately built. The structure is a large, two-story, frame affair, about 35x50 feet, and school was begun in it immediately, J. H. Omo being the first teacher. This was about the year 1857 or 1858. The sessions were held eight or nine months of the year, and from forty to seventy young ladies and gentlemen were in attendance. The school flourished exceedingly until the war broke out, at which time many of the young men entered the army, and went to Western Virginia for six months, saying that they would return in the fall to be ready for the winter term. They expected, dear reader, to whip the rebels soundly by that time, and avenge the insult offered the old flag. Mr. Sherwood was one of the early teachers. During, or after, the war were Messrs. Chapman, Harris, Zeigler, Greer, Bowersox, Kirk, Irish and Lewis. Many good terms have been taught since the war. The building is at present unoccupied. The ownership of the house and the lots upon which it stands is uncertain, as the associ- ation was not incorporated, and some technical mistakes were made in the transfer. The courts will ultimately be called upon to settle the case.

CHURCHES.

At the time the Presbyterians built the seminary, they organized a class which met to worship in that building. Rev. Crabb was their first pastor. Many of their members lived in Defiance County. The society was disorganized at the time the school stopped. As early as about 1844, the Methodists had formed a small class at Centre, and by 1848 they were strong enough to build a small frame church, about 24x32 feet, at a cost of $400. Among the early members were some of the Dillmans, the Nobles, the Ensigns, the Crockers and the Lloyds. The house was used until a short time before the war, and finally passed to the ownership of G. H. Tomlinson, in whose possession it yet is. Among the early min- isters were Revs. Money, Thompson, Lindsey, Ray, Boyer, Miller, Perky, Henderson and Barkdoll. The present Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1874. Bishop Kumler organized a United Brethren Society at Centre about the year 1842. The members met in schoolhouses and dwellings until about 1856 or 1857, when they built a frame church at a cost of about $2,800. Of this amount, G. H. Tomlinson gave about 8400, and L. Hemenway, George Kearns, M. L. Jaques, J. D. Wilsey, Daniel Kaler and Griffin & Britton (the contractors) about $150 each.

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CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

Rev. Eugene H. Snow was one of the first ministers. The Universalists had a small organization for a short time in the high school building. The Spiritualists erected a small frame temple in the south part of Cen- tre about twenty-five years ago. Here the spirits of the departed were conversed with through mediums. Seances were held, and strange per- formances were enacted. Believers in this faith met with considerable ridicule and opposition. The Disciples' Church at Centre was built in 1869 and 1870, principally through the efforts of Rev. J. E. Harris, who had organized the society about two years before. Among those who gave the most toward the cost of building the church were the following persons, with the estimated amounts each gave in money and labor : J. E .. Harris, $225; J. D. Wilsey, $200; J. P. Dodge, $300; Hugh Mills, $250; Isaac Ewan, 8315; John Lane, $210; Reasoner Scott, $150; George Miser, $75; Jesse Little, $60; C. M. Gilbert, $120; Colin Tharp, $60; J. K. Storer, $60 ; Mary Stenger, $25, and scores of others for smaller amounts. The building committee were Isaac Ewan, George Ferris and Joel P. Dodge. The ministers have been J. E. Harris, J. P. Martin, E. M. Gleason, B. Faraut and T. P. Sutton. The members numbered about forty at the time the church was built. For the last four or five years, the society has had no regular class. As early as 1837, the Methodists formed a small class at the residence of Mr. Hill, in the northern part of the township. Among the early members were the Hills, the Pools, the Sufficools, the Shafers and others. This society, though too weak to build a church, has endured until the present day. At present, they meet in the Lutheran Church at Melbern. Among the present members are William Pool, William Monosmith, John Gabriel, J. L. Jordan, Henry Jaques and William Brown. In about 1846, a Lu- theran class was organized at the residence of Jacob Neihart, and for some time met in the upper story of his house. Joseph Mckean, Jonas Deal, Samuel Lent, Samuel Deeds, Simon Thomas, Daniel Kreiger and Jacob Thomas were early members. Rev. Butler was the first minister. James Cather often came from Indiana and preached for the class. Robert Mays was one of the early ministers. The class built the church at Mel- bern about twenty-five years as ; cost about $600. Other denomina- tions helped build the church, and now use it when it is not occupied by the Lutherans. The Lutheran membership is about thirty. Nineteen new members were united with the church about a year ago.

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

SCHOOLHOUSES AND CEMETERIES.

NO. OF DISTRICT.

Section.

Acres.

Value, Census 1880.

District

.25

$450

District

.50

500

District

.50

200

District

.50

300

District

5 ..

.25

850

District

.50

650

District

.25

700

District

1.00

500

District

.25

200

District 10.

.25

300

Centre High School

4 lots

1,500

Disciples' Cemetery

.80

200

Brown's Cemetery.

1.00

500

Lutheran Cemetery

.53

400

Centre Cemetery

Lot 9

300

Acres of land in Centre Township.

22,757.22

Acres of meadow and pasture, 1880.

9,809

Acres of plow land, 1880

4,481.9

Acres of wood land, 1880

8,967

Value of land.

$882,266

Value of buildings.

81,880

Average value per acre, exclusive of houses.

17.82

Value of Centre Village.

4,279

Value of Melbern.

8,721

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

Almost all the land in Bridgewater Township had been entered before the appearance of any permanent settler. Speculators became owners at the Government price, and quietly waited for future sales when their land had increased to a satisfactory value. It is certain, however, that several attempts were made to establish homes in the backwoods of Bridge- water before the man arrived who was destined to be the first permanent settler in the township. A man of Detroit, Mich., named Tucker, had purchased considerable land in the township as early as 1835, and had come out for the purpose of establishing, if possible, a mill site, where he proposed to erect a grist-mill and a saw-mill. On land which he owned on Section 25, and at a convenient bend in the Little St. Joseph River, the instrument of the surveyor Mr. Tucker had employed to come out with him, showed that a fall of about seven feet could be secured ; but the race would have to be of considerable length, and would require the out- lay of no small amount of capital, owing largely to the unsettled condition of the surrounding country. A man in the employ of Tucker came on,

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RF Branson. Mr.D.

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BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.

and made a small clearing ; but Tucker became involved in some manner, and all future efforts at settlement by him were abandoned, although the " slashing" made by the man he had sent out was long known as the "Tucker Clearing."

Some time during the year 1835, Daniel M. Jordan built a small log " shanty " on Section 24. He had a wife but no children, and began immediately to clear his farm. Asa Smith thinks that, perhaps, Mr. Jordan first located on land belonging to Tucker, and afterward purchased the eighty acres where he (Jordan) lived, but is not certain. At the time the Smiths first came to the township, in January, 1836, Jordan had just left his land, probably going back whence he came, though he still owned the property.

On the 26th of January, 1836, Asa Smith came from Michigan, and entered three tracts of land-one for himself, one for his father, Daniel, and one for his brother Anson. In May of the same year, these men came to the township; cut small clearings on their lands; lived in the small vacant " shanty " of Jordan, and, the following year, 1837, moved in with their families. The father and both sons had families of their own, and had all they could do from that time onward to live in a com- fortable manner. About the time Jordan came to the township, a young man named Oliver purchased an eighty-acre tract of land on Section 19; but after clearing, or rather "slashing," about ten acres, living, in the meantime, with Jordan, he left the township, and his future movements are unknown. Thus it is that the families of Daniel Smith, Anson Smith and Asa Smith were the first to permanently locate in the township.

THE EARLY PIONEERS.

Early in the fall of 1837, other families began to appear in the town- ship, locating in the neighborhood of the "Smith settlement," in the southern part. Miles Putnam and Robert Follett arrived then; Curtis Cogswell came in February, 1838 ; Erastus Back and Chandler Holt, in April, 1838; Clark Backus, Owen McCarty, William P. Back, George H. Back, Joseph W. Back and Erastus G. Back also came early in 1838. Soon after this came Francis Lindsay, Uriah Sumner, David Wilcox, Hiram Covill, Nathaniel S. Dewey, Robert Simmons. Abraham Holland, Solomon Cobb, Richard Gordon, Abraham Haladay, James Leonardson, Ethan Stafford, William Sumner, Oliver Walkley Crittendon, Asa Church, W. H. B. Smith, William B. Stickney, Richard Heritage, William Gaudern, George Starr, Anthony Dean, James D. Kimball, John Ayres, Elias Depew, R. Wittington, B. B. Van Court, E. D. Lawrence, L. D. Lawrence, William Haskins. W. A. Dillon, L. Paynter, Henry Paynter, J. St. John, S. N. Parker, Ephraim Palmer, John Wallis, Aaron Williard,

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

J. G. McLain, Joshua Travis, Frederick Champion, J. M. Palmer, Shel- don Smith, A. M. Parker, Riley Parker, Daniel Hair and others, who came in in about the order named from 1838 until 1846. The first few families in the Smith settlement were forced to undergo numerous trials and privations. They were many miles from any other settlement, and had to rely for supplies on what they brought with them ; on their prowess as hunters and trappers ; on the speed from which they could realize their first crops, and on the long journeys to distant stores and mills. Many be- became expert hunters from necessity. Deer were abundant, and easily killed, though, at certain seasons of the year (as in the fall when the leaves and twigs were dry), they were difficult of approach. Curtis Cogswell tells an interesting story of how he killed a fine deer, one fall, after his family had been without meat, and almost everything else, for a long time. He was in the woods near his cabin, without his gun, making fence, when the deer came from the forest, slowly walked up within six feet of him, and began licking a flat stone which he was using in the construction of the rail fence. He stood perfectly motionless for awhile, and then began to retire backward very slowly, intending, if possible, to get his gun from the cabin, and convert the deer into venison. After he had gone on thus about four rods, the deer approached within ten feet of him, stood still, and again began to eye him with great curiosity. Thus the couple pro- ceeded, until Cogswell called to one of the Sumner boys, who was digging potatoes for him, to bring his rifle, and leave it at a certain spot. This was done, and Cogswell, followed by the deer, continued to approach, until he could grasp his rifle, when he quickly shot the deer through the head. This was very fortunate for the family, and was regarded as a God-send.

When the Backs arrived in the spring of 1838, they were permitted to occupy a portion of Daniel Smith's cabin-a small log structure-18x22 feet. At this time, Curtis Cogswell, who had arrived a few months before the Backs, went with his family one Sunday morning to visit the Smith family, and, while gone, his little cabin and all his household goods were destroyed, in some manner, by fire. Himself and family had no place to go, and were accordingly taken into the Smith cabin, until another log- house could be erected. Here then, in the Smith cabin, for about a week, lived eight members of the Smith family, twelve of the Back family, and four of the Cogswell family. There were three beds in the 18x22 foot room, which were occupied by the Smiths; then upon improvised beds spread upon the floor were stretched, each night, the sixteen Backs and Cogswells.

INTERESTING EVENTS.

At the time of the first settlement in Bridgewater, and for several

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BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.

years thereafter, the Little St. Joseph River was navigable for boats no larger than pirogues. For several years, the families living at the Smith settlement were accustomed to float down this stream, carrying their boats and loads around the Martin & Depew mill-dam in southern Florence Township, and around other dams farther down, until they came to the Maumee River, when they would push up that stream to Fort Wayne, where their products of grain, meats, hides, honey, furs and maple sugar would be sold, or exchanged for tea, coffee, boots, shoes, hats, calico or other cloth, powder, lead, quinine, and various farming implements. The trip would consume about a week, and was made at definite times, so that any family having products to sell, or wanting to buy, could be in readi- ness. A path was cut through the woods from the settlement to the land- ing on the river in the southeastern part of the township. Over this rude road the backwoods products were conveyed in wagons drawn by ox teams, and, when the marketing had been done and the traders had re- turned, they and their purchases were hauled home from the landing. Sometimes it was hard work to push the pirogues up the swift current, but going down stream was fun, though constant watchfulness and great skill were required to turn the abrupt bends in the rivers, and escape the heaps of floating drift- wood.

CHASED BY WOLVES.

It is related that one day Clark Backus was hunting on the river in the southeast part of the township, and did not start on his return until almost night. Darkness came on, and he endeavored to trace his way along the obscure path running from the settlement to the river landing, but soon discovered that this was a most difficult matter. To add to the unpleasant situation, wolves began to howl in the dark forest near him. Soon he saw one of the animals stealing along on his track behind him, and gradually this was joined by others, until quite a pack of the ravenous creatures were skulking in his rear. At last, becoming bolder, they came quite close to him, snapping their teeth together like steel traps, and dis- playing the fire of their sharp eyes. A shot from his rifle caused them to fall back, but they soon appeared again, and were once more driven back by a shot from the rifle. Backus hurried on toward home, firing on the animals when they came too near, until, at last, after firing eight times, he reached home in safety. Backus was an intrepid and skillful deer- hunter, and killed hundreds of these animals, the hides being worth about $1 each. One day, in about the year 1844, he and Joseph Back were hunting in Madison Township near where Pioneer now stands, when Backus, who was in advance, saw through the heavy foliage, an exposed portion of a deer. He fired and the animal fell, shot through the neck,

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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.

but instantly sprang up, though it was thrown to the ground by the dog, and this procedure was repeated several times. Backus told Back to shoot, but the latter refused, saying he might kill the dog. Without further parley, Backus drew his tomahawk and ran forward, but the deer lunged furiously at him, and was again thrown to the earth by the dog. Backus instantly took advantage by seizing the buck by the antlers, and knocking it in the head with his tomahawk. Backus, at times, had sev- eral severe tussels with wounded deer, and, on one occasion, had his clothing almost all torn from his body. He was not afraid to attack any animal which roamed the woods. On several occasions he chased bears, fired at them, drew blood, but, so far as he could learn, did not kill one. Bears would attack and kill hogs belonging to the settlers. Sheep were not safe unless securely housed by night and guarded by day. The Lind- says at one time had a fine flock of about thirty sheep. The animals strayed away several miles from home, and owing to the approach of night could not be found. The next morning they were traced, and when found, twenty-nine were dead, killed by the wolves. They were skinned, and when the pelts were placed on the old horse, the combina- tion looked like a hay stack in motion. The destruction of this flock of sheep was no laughing matter to the Lindsays. It was a long time ere they had another flock as fine.

FIRST SALE OF MERCHANDISE.

Nathaniel S. Dewey located in the southwestern part some time dur- ing the year 1839, and began selling from a small stock of goods worth, perhaps at first, about $100. Martin Perkey, then a resident of Northern Florence Township, and a very generous tobacco chewer, used his last .. " chew of the weed," and went to Dewey's store for a fresh supply. Dewey exhibited his stock of tobacco, consisting of "twist," which filled a small box about the size of those now used in the cigar trade. Mr. Perkey, in his enthusiasm and thankfulness, and thinking, doubtless as the boy did that "gimlets would be gimlets next year," wanted to purchase the entire sup- ply, but Dewey would not sell all, as others of his customers must be ac- commodated. Two good sized "twists " were sold, however, and the Judge to be went home reasonably happy. Dewey traded quite exten- sively with the Indians, who, at the early period, wandered in small bands all over the country. He kept powder, lead, whisky, tobacco, calico and trinkets, which were traded for furs and skins of all kinds. One day, two Indians, while in his store, became enraged at one another, drew their · knives, and prepared for the encounter which seemed inevitable. Mr. Dewey, who was standing near, quietly opened the door, and when one of the Indians came past it, he violently pushed the blood-thirsty red skin

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out into the yard and closed the door. A little parleying settled the matter. Joseph Back tells a laughable incident of Metea, the Pattawato- mie chief. This fine old fellow came one day to Back's cabin, and was invited to dine with the family. He seated himself at the table with the others, and after a few minutes took out a big bottle of whisky and passed it around the table, all taking a hearty drink of the fiery liquid. This soon served to warm and mellow all hearts, especially that of Metea, who repassed the bottle till all the liquor had disappeared. As soon as the last had been swallowed, Metea took from his clothing a deer bladder filled with a fresh supply of whisky, and raising the nozzle to his lips, filled his capacious mouth, and then squirted its contents into the bottle, repeating the performance to the intense amusement of those around him, until the glass vessel was again full. He then, nothing daunted by the mirth of his companions, handed the bottle out to be again passed around, but this was refused ; all had had enough.

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County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 48

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