USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 8
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Suffer me here to digress from my narra- tive of the judiciary, to pay a passing tribute to the memory of one who came into our midst about a quarter of a century ago. He was known to most all of you. I allude to Mathias H. Nichols. To a brilliant imagination was added untiring industry, and in his carly man- hood he gave as much promise of distinction
as any who has ever come amongst us. He was a brilliant and successful lawyer, and went to Congress at the age of 27. He served six years in a most exciting epoch, but he sur- vived his congressional career only about three years.
The associate judges of our old court, in addition to the ones already named, were Charles Levering, Joseph Hover, John Jamie- son, John Elliott, George B. Shriner, Charles H. Adgate and John P. Fay. * The Probate Court, created by the constitution of 1851, has been presided over by William S. Rose, Michael Leatherman, Thomas M. Robb, Charles M. Hughes and Luther. M. Meily, present incumbent.
Under the Constitution of 1851, Allen County became entitled to a separate represen- tation in the General Assembly. Lester Bliss was the first, and was followed by Charles Crites, Charles Post, Charles C. Marshall, Thomas K. Jacobs, John Monroe, Dr. R. E. Jones and William Armstrong. Michael Leatherman and Gen. William Blackburn rep- resented districts under the old constitution. Col. James Cunningham and Charles C. Mar- shall each served one term in the Senate.
The amount of the grand duplicate of 1833 was $92,611. The amount of the grand dupli- cate for 1871 is $9,583,830.
In addition to Lima, thrifty towns have sprung up in various parts of the county. Sec- tion Ten (now Delphos ) promised at one time to be the commercial center of the counties of Allen, Putnam and Van Wert; Spencerville (once known as Spencer), then Acadia, La- fayette, Westminster, Bluffton (once known as Shannon), Beaver Dam, Cairo, Allentown, Elida, Gomer, West Newton, Rockport, Mays- ville, Hartford and Amherst, like the cities of the plain, are known only in history. There is one paper city, which was to have been in Allen County, which deserves more than a passing notice. Judge Helfenstein projected one on some lands of his in the western part of the county. He got up a splendid map, by which he provided for stately avenues and magnificent squares, which put to blush the smaller pretensions of most of the Ohio cities.
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But its avenues continue to be shaded by the primeval forest trees; while spring time and summer alone prove it inhabited, by the sing- ing frogs and humming mosquitoes. But you can yet find, among the eastern creditors of Judge Helfenstein, ample proof that "Auglaize City" did once exist; for the corner lots took up many of the Judge's floating notes.
In the winter of. 1834-35, the United States Land Office was removed from Wapakoneta to Lima; and with it came, as receiver, Gen. Wil- liam Blackburn. I have seen a great many men of fine presence, but I do not recollect of ever having met a finer specimen of physical power and manly beauty, than Blackburn was when I first saw him. He was then in the full flush of middle life-was considerably more than six feet in height, and weighed over 300 pounds. He was a military enthusiast, and the militia musters of those early days gave his enthusiasm full vent. He was, I believe, the first major general commanding the 12th Di- vision Ohio Militia. Gen. John Ward was a brigadier, commanding one of his brigades. At Ward's death, he was succeeded by Gen. William Armstrong, who remained in com- mand until the whole militia system became obsolete. In the early days of this county, gen- eral muster day was second only to the Fourth of July, in the calendar of the great days. After the "troops" were dismissed, it was the "common law" that all grievances and personal controversies arising during the year, and which had been postponed to general muster, were to be settled. Rings would be formed, the combatants stepped in, and the result was generally that both parties were terribly whipped.
Looking back over half a century, behold what has been accomplished! The immense forests our fathers and mothers found have melted away and now in their stead are ripen- ing fields of corn. The cabins they built are replaced with comfortable farm mansions. The corduroy roads, over which they plodded their way back to the older settlements, have been replaced by railroads; and the iron horse, in harness. pulls annually to the great markets a surplus of products, greater in value by far,
than the grand duplicate of 1833. We have much, very much, for which to thank our Heavenly Father; we have much, very much to be proud of in our history ; but the proudest of all, we should be, of our brave ancestry, who amidst poverty, and sickness and privations, laid broad and deep the foundations of our present prosperity.
FORT AMANDA.
The appointment of Gen. W. H. Harrison was made September 17, 1812, and he, without delay, entered upon the duties of commander- in-chief of the Northwestern Army. He di- rected that troops be massed at Wooster, Ur- bana, St. Marys and Defiance and made the southern line of the Black Swamp, from Upper Sandusky to St. Marys, the base or left line of his proposed operations. In the report of mil- itary affairs, following his appointment, we find the first mention of posts on the Auglaize. Here also reference is made to the Ohio cav- alry under Colonel Finley, the Kentucky cav- alry under Col. R. M. Johnson, and the in- fantry under Colonels Poague, Barbee and Jennings, the former of whom erected Fort Amanda and the latter Fort Jennings. From General Harrison's letter of February II, 1813, it is inferred that the forces under the officers just mentioned had been called in, prior to September 30, 1812, to join the main bat- talion of Ohio militia, and a company of regu- lar troops from Fort Winchester. It is, there- fore, conceded that Colonel Poague, with his command, built a fort on the west bank of the Auglaize in September, 1812. The pickets were about eleven feet high, forming a guard for four block-houses. The second story of each house projected three or our feet over the pickets. The block-house located in the south- east corner was the largest, and was used for officers' quarters. In the center of the quad- rangle was the storehouse. A national ceme- tery was established here in 1812-14. which has been continued by the settlers. Seventy- five mounds mark the burial places of as many soldiers of the War of 1812.
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The records of the garrison of this post fell into the hands of the British and were de- stroyed by the vandals. Fort Auglaize, east of Wapakoneta, was built by the French in 1748, was in existence in 1812-15, and was used by troops and travelers passing north.
Fort Amanda was used as the first post- office in Allen County, and also as the first religious meeting-house. It was named after Colonel Poague's wife-"Amanda."
While General Harrison was encamped at Wapakoneta, William Oliver, who had a trad- ing post at Fort Wayne, came to him and asked him to notify the Fort Wayne garrison of Hull's surrender. Harrison stated that he had no one to send. Oliver offered to go should anyone volunteer to accompany him. Logan, the Indian scout, offered his services. Both set out on the dreary journey of 100 miles and arrived at Fort Wayne in safety. This party passed through the wilderness of Allen, but no mention is made of Fort Amanda.
According to a statement made in Green Clay's letter, dated "Camp Meigs, June 20, 1813," to General Harrison, a large consign- ment of flour in barrels was received from Fort Amanda through Ensign Gray. It is said, with some degree of authenticity, that one of the scows built here in 1813 was subsequently used by Commodore Perry in buoying his large ships over the shallows at Put-in-Bay.
SAWMILL AND NAVY YARD.
"During the winter of 1812-13 the garrison of Fort Amanda was constituted a ship-build- ing company. A number of men were told off to select trees, another company to cut them down, a third company to saw them into boards and posts, and a fourth company to convert the manufactured lumber into flat-boats. This work was accomplished by a company of Ohio militia and a few regular troops from Fort Winchester, who replaced Colonel Poague's command. The boats constructed at this point were in use for years, and are said to have 'eclipsed in construction and strength any or all of the boats turned out of Fort Defiance
Navy Yard at the same time. Years prior to this, however, the genius of 'Mad Anthony' Wayne saw in the neighborhood a point of some military importance. In the history of the war of 1794-1812, the fight of the Ottawas on the Auglaize and the destruction of their untenanted village, August 8, 1793, are of rec- ord. It appears that when Fort Recovery was recaptured by the Union troops, General Wayne ordered the construction of several mil- itary roads, one of which was laid out between the present village of St. Marys, the home of the Girty desperadoes, and a point on the Au- glaize where stood the Ottawa village, near the spot where Fort Amanda was built. This formed a portion of the road known as 'Wayne's Trace.'
"Among the first white men who lived at the fort was Francis Deuchoquette, a French- man of excellent mold, who was venerated by the Indians and loved by the settlers of later years. In 1817 Andrew Russell, Peter Diltz and William Van Ausdall came as the van- guard of settlement and then followed that band of pioneers whose names will be forever identified with the settlement and progress of this division of Ohio."
PHT.
It is a sad sight to witness the death of a man who is the last of his race-especially is this true of a leader. Of all the Indians of this county, Pht is most widely known and honored. He was the last Shawnee chief in Ohio. He built the Shawnee Council House in 1831, a cut of which, and also of his cabin, is seen else- where in this work. He was a remarkable man, and in any age, or in any land he would have been a leader. Around his cabin, which stood near the Council House, gathered the warriors in their prime, and plotted against their foes-but they are all gone. After a long illness, the old chief died in 1832, and he was buried by his wife and daughter in his garden. The rude coffin was made of puncheons. All his trinkets and valuables were buried with him. His name will not perish from the earth -it should not.
OLD COUNCIL HOUSE OF THE SHAWNEES
OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD. :in rest in Circumference.
PHT'S CABIN
FORT AMANDA
(Built in September, 1812, by United States Troops of the Northwestern Army, under Colonel Poague)
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HEROES OF THE FOREST.
Christopher Wood, a Kentuckian, a scout in the American service from 1790 to 1794, and a soldier of the War of 1812, may be said to be a pioneer of 1824, since in that year he accompanied his sons, Joseph and Albert . G., and his son-in-law, Benjamin Dolph, into the wilds of this county. In 1826 John G. Wood entered a parcel of land in Bath township. In 1829 Christopher Wood was appointed a com- missioner to locate the seat of justice for Allen County ; an associate judge of Common Pleas in 1831; director of the town of Lima for the sale of lots the same year, and subsequently was appointed to many positions of trust. He was born in 1769, and died at Lima in 1856. Joseph Wood and other members of that fam- ily were all among the pioneers. William G. Wood was the first county auditor.
Theodore E. Cunningham, whose personal recollections appear in this chapter, was one of the senior old residents, and one of the old- est lawyers of the county. In 1866 he was a delegate to the Johnson Constitutional Con- vention. In 1873-74 he was a member of the Ohio Constitutional Convention, and for years took a leading part in everything relating to the progress of this division of the State. He came with his father, Dr. William Cunningham, to Lima, in 1832.
Samuel McClure, a soldier of the War of 1812, and a participant in the defeat of the Brit- ish at the battle of the Thames, in upper Can- ada in 1813, came to this county in 1825, and erected his cabin on the west side of Hog Creek on section 28, Bath township. He was accom- panied hither by his brothers Thomas and Moses, together with Joseph Ward and Aaron Loomis. In 1826. he brought his wife and family to reside here. Mrs. McClure died Sep- tember 21, 1844. Her husband's death took place December 29, 1875.
Daniel Musser, a Pennsylvanian, came with his parents and the family of William Weller. to Lima, in 1833. having resided for a short time before this in Marion township. He was one of the early tavern-keepers, and also operated the first tannery in 1833-34. His
death took place April 12, 1880, in his 77th year.
John F. Cole, accompanied by his family, came to Allen County in 1831 and located near Lima, November 7th of that year. A few months later he was present at the burial of Chief Pht, and after that time he continued to witness the removal by death of many if not all the early settlers. He died in 1882. His son, also John F. Cole, is an old resident of Lima. (See "Recollections of E. T. Cole," in Chapter VI.)
Mrs. Nancy . Cole, widow of the late John F. Cole, settled with her husband in Bath town- ship in 1831, moved to Lima subsequently and died here October 24, 1880.
"JOHNNY APPLESEED."
John Chapman, or "Johnny Appleseed." a Swedenborgian, was in Jefferson County, Ohio, as early as 1801. He planted 16 bushels of apple seed on the Butler farm on the Wal- honding River. On entering a house he would lie down on the floor and ask the people : "Will you have some fresh news from Heaven?" He was born in Boston in 1775. In April, 1828, he leased a farm from William B. Hedges below Shanesville. His death took place near Fort Wayne in 1845, aged 72 years. This Chapman was a composition of eccentric- ities. S. C. Mccullough, in his reminiscen- ses, states that he visited a nursery on the Sun- derland farm in Amanda township, soon after he commenced to clear his own farm in 1835. He was told that the trees were planted by John Chapman some years before; and further, that the old man had been along the Ottawa and Auglaize rivers, seeking out alluvial lands to set out orchards, before white men had effected a settlement in Allen County. It is probable that "Johnny" carried out his benevolent work here even prior to the building of Fort Amanda in September, 1812. That he was here about 1812 or 1813 is manifested in the number, variety and age of the trees which sprung from the seeds planted by him along "Wayne's Trace." "He who plants a tree, plants a hope."
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HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
THE ELIDA PIONEER ASSOCIATION
!
Was organized at Elida in the summer of 1895 and the first annual pioneer meeting was held on Thursday, August II, of that year. The annual gatherings are held in the natural grove of Elias Crites, one half-mile east of the village of Elida, on the second Thursday in August of each year. The meetings have grown in interest and importance till not only Northwestern Ohio but visitors from other States as well look forward to these annual gatherings and reunions.
The object of the organization is to give the people, both young and old, an opportunity of assembling once each year to spend the day in renewing acquaintances and to learn the les- sons which the lives of the sturdy forefathers teach. Veneration for the brave fathers and mothers to whom our country owes so much, whose struggles displaced the forest and wig- wam for the schoolhouse, the church and the emblems of thrift, contentment and culture that decorate our land, cannot fail to have a salutary effect upon the youthful mind. In these days of "graft" and "grab" it is indeed a wholesome diversion to wait a little while in the grove-God's first temple-and listen to words that encourage to better action. Herein lies the power that calls such vast assemblies of people to the yearly meetings of the society.
M. J. Sanford was the organizer of the association and for five years served as secre- tary. Among its present officers are many who have served from the first. For the year 1896 the officers were: Dr. R. E. Jones, president ; Dr. W. H. Harper, Henry Boose, William Bice, W. L. Bowdle, John Mell, vice-presi- dents; M. J. Sanford, secretary; Joseph Brower, Dr. S. A. Hitchcock, Eli McBride, Arthur Poling, James H. Johnson, E. S. Crites, George Kesler, John Enslen, Sr., and J. D. Crites, executive committee.
At the annual meeting held on August II, 1905, the following were elected: Dr. R. E. Jones, president ; A. J. Sherrick, secretary ; E. Owens, historian; Dr. S. A. Baxter. Dr. C. B. Steman, Thomas H. Jones, J. L. B. Leather- man and Elias Crites, vice-presidents; Joseph
Brower, John D. Crites, W. D. Poling, Eli Mc- Bride, John G. Roberts, Otis Fraunfelter, H. J. Sherrick, E. H. Ervin and James Baxter, Jr., executive committee.
ROADWAYS OF THE COUNTY.
The Romans were the greatest road build- ers in history. The Roman roads have been noted in all ages, and in all countries. Per- haps the most celebrated road in all history is the Appian Way, built by Appius Claudius, the Censor, in -313 B. C., leading south from Rome, "straight as the eagle's flight." Parts. of this road are in just as good condition as. when constructed 2,218 years ago. They knew how to construct a road that would stand the test of time. That is the great question now before the people of Allen County, and this demand for better roads is national. In this county the movement has centered around an organization called the "Allen County Good Roads Association," of which D. J. Cable is president, and McDougal Emmett, secretary. Mr. Cable is also vice-president of the State association for the same purpose.
The plan of construction is now under con- sideration by this association, and by many it is urged that there should be two roads, side by side, leading across the county, one a dirt road for summer use, the other a high-grade macad- amized road, both well drained and sufficiently elevated. In this connection it might be of interest to note the manner of construction of the celebrated Roman road referred to above- the Appian Way.
Much time and expense was put upon the foundation. The ground was thoroughly drained, then all soil was removed from the substructure, then various layers of fine stone cemented by lime were put down. Lastly came the pavement, consisting of large, hard, hex- agonal blocks of stone, of basaltic lava, or marble, and so perfectly joined that it is yet impossible for one to discover the joints. These blocks are yet so perfect as to defy inspection, and when the long years of usage are taken into consideration the workmanship seems marvelous. The same is true of the old Roman
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roads in England, upon which the modern rail- ways have placed their tracks, thus forming the best possible road-beds.
The great question now giving trouble in this matter is one of finance. The county com- missioners are putting down most excellent roads on the main lines leading to Lima. A fine crushed stone is used; this is placed upon an elevated bed of earth and heavier crushed stone, then the whole mass is soaked with water and rolled by an immense road-roller. The tendency is to make a cement road very smooth, and fairly durable. But the great trouble is in the insufficient foundation. The Appian Way has long since shown the great importance of a thorough foundation. This is now the leading thought with the Allen County Good Roads Association, and good results will surely follow.
Allen has many good roads, but the heavy hauling by oil men has very much injured them in some parts. The old "Findlay Road," the "Allentown Road," the "Spencerville Road," the "Elida and Delphos Road," the "Waupuck Road," the "Westminster Road," the "St. Johns Road," the "Bellefontaine Road," and the "Shawnee Road" are household words in Allen County.
As the question of finance becomes settled, money will be more available, and the various roads of the county will be greatly improved. Each township and village corporation sets aside from 1.5 mills to 3 mills for road pur- poses for the township, while there is a county road fund, in addition, of 2.1 mills. Good roads enhance the value of land and all other property. In fact the value of real property anywhere is commensurate with transportation facilities. Edmund Burke claimed: "There be three things that make a nation great and prosperous-a fertile soil, busy work-shops and easy communication from place to place." Allen County has all three of these requisites.
Nothing can prove this statement more conclusively than the fact that in 1834 the as- . sessed valuation of all property in the county was $69.461, while to-day it is $26,252,045.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY.
Every citizen is deeply interested in making and executing the laws. While the law-mak- ing power is largely vested in the State, yet much of this power is delegated to the county authorities, and no part of this history will be read with more interest than the part relating to the political growth, development and condi- tions of the county. From the organization of the county, in 1831, until 1855, the politics of the county was divided between Whig and Democrat. With John C. Fremont in 1856, the Republican party was born, and from that time on the dominant political parties in the county are known as Democratic and Republi- can. During these years many difficult ques- tions have been advocated, some of them very mildly, others with zeal and even ferocity. In 1833 the abolition question caused a ripple of disunion to make itself apparent. Two years later the cry of "Abolition and Liberty" raised a storm of feeling, but the echo soon died away. The Liberty party, as it was called, went down in its contest with Clay and Polk in 1844, and thereupon the American or "Know Nothing" party was organized.
The Mexican War gave added impetus to political life, making the presidential contests more animated, and drawing the ties of party closer. In 1856 the Whigs as a party passed out of existence, and in their place was formed the Republican party of to-day. In 1864 Lin- coln was elected over George B. McClellan, and shortly thereafter the great life of Lincoln was ended by the assassin's bullet, and Vice- President Johnson assumed the reins of gov- ernment.
In 1876 the long and unfortunate contest between the supporters of Samuel J. Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes caused intense ex- citement, and for a time unsettled the affairs of the nation. The contest, however, was decided by means of the Electoral Commission. All of these questions have entered into the political conditions of Allen County, and the results may be seen in the following pages, in which are given the officers, from the earliest times
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to the present, who have had charge of the affairs of the county.
ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICIALS.
Probate Judges .- ( Under the Constitution of 1802, the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas in each county had jurisdiction in matters of probate, according to Section 5, Article 3, of the State Constitution, which is as follows: "The Court of Common Pleas in each county shall have jurisdiction in all mat- ters of probate and testamentary matters, granting administration, the appointment of guardians, and such other cases as shall be pre- scribed by law"). Christopher Wood, James Crozier and William Watt (associate judges of Common Pleas), 1831; Charles Levering, Joseph Hover and John Jamieson (associate judges ), 1837; John Elliott and George B. Shriner (associate judges), 1841 ; Charles W. Adgate and John P. Fay (associate judges ), 1845. (By the Constitution of 1851, a Pro- bate Court was established in each county, ac- cording to Section 7, Article 4: "There shall be established in each county a Probate Court, which shall be a court of record, open at all times, and holden by one judge, elected by the voters of the county, who shall hold his office for the term of three years and shall receive such compensation, payable out of the county treasury, or by fees, or both, as shall be pro- vided by law.") William S. Rose, .1851; Michael Leatherman (appointed vice William S. Rose, resigned), 1852; Michael Leather- man, 1854; Thomas M. Robb, 1857; Charles M. Hughes, 1863; Luther M. Meily, 1869; George W. Overmeyer, 1875; Samuel S. Yoder, 1881 ; John F. Lindeman, 1886; Theo- dore D. Robb, 1893; A. D. Miller, 1899; J. N. Hutchinson, 1905 -.
Treasurers .- Adam White, 1831 ; Dr. Wil- liam Cunningham, 1833 ; Charles Baker, 1835; Col. James Cunningham, 1837; Thomas K. Jacobs, 1841 ; Alexander Beatty, 1845 ; Thomas K. Jacobs (appointed), 1847; Thomas K. Ja- cobs, 1849; William Armstrong, 1853 ; George W. Fickle, 1855: William Armstrong, 1857; Shelby Taylor, 1859; Miles W. Vance, 1861 ;
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