USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 9
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Emanuel Fisher, 1865; Washington R. Par- tello, 1867; Richard T. Hughes, 1871; David East, 1875; James Armstrong, 1879; David M. Fisher, 1881; Jacob B. Sunderland, 1883 ; Edward Holman, 1887; Amos Young, 1892; Aaron J. Osman, 1893; Amos Young, 1894; August G. Lutz, 1895; John W. Gensel, 1899; Thomas H. Jones, 1903 -.
Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas .- John Ward, 1831; John Alexander, Jr., 1842; Richard Metheany, 1849; Joseph H. Richard- son, 1851; James Cunningham, Sr., 1854; John M. Meily, 1857; Ormund E. Griffith, 1863; Robert Mehaffey, 1869; Daniel L. Crites, 1875; Eugene C. Mackenzie, 1881 ; David H. Tolan, 1887; M. Shappell, 1893; M. J. Sullivan, 1899; Thomas J. Edwards, 1903 -.
Auditors. - William G. Woods, 1831; Samuel Black, 1835; H. D. V. Williams, 1838; John W. Thomas. 1841; Joseph H. Richardson, 1845; David Dalzell, 1849; Wil- liam Dowling, 1853; Richard Metheany, 1855; George W. Overmeyer, 1859; John P. Haller, 1861; William Dowling, 1865; Sylvester J. Brand, 1869; Nelson McBride, 1874; Samuel D. Chambers, 1878; William D. Poling, 1881 ; Cyrus D. Crites, 1887; Philip Walther, 1893 ; George Feltz, 1899; Edwin C. Akerman, 1905 -.
Recorders .- Nathan Daniels, 1831 ; John Ward, 1835; John Alexander, Jr., 1840; John M. Anderson, 1843; John B. Wamsley, 1844; Horatio N. Maguire, 1846; Edmund S. Linn, 1847 (appointed in January vice H. N. Ma- guire) ; John B. Wamsley (elected) 1847; John W. Thomas, 1850; Hugh Dobbins, 1851 (elected vice John W. Thomas) ; John B. Wamsley, 1854; John G. Ridenour, 1857; Jacob M. Haller, 1863; Albertus R. Krebs, 1869: Henry H. Heman, 1875; William Tim- berlake, 1881; George Monroe, 1887; Abram Harrod, 1893; P. T. Mell, 1899; Fred Zeitz, 1905 ----.
Sheriffs .- Henry Lippincott, 1831: John Keller, 1835: Alexander Beatty, 1839: John Keller, 1843; Charles H. Williams, 1845; Hiram Stotts, 1849; Mathias Ridenour. 1853; William Tingle, 1855; Samuel R. Buckmas-
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ter, 1857; Samuel Collins, 1861; Isaac Bailey, 1865; James A. Colbath, 1869; William Miller, 1873; John Franks, 1877; William H. Harter, 1881; M. P. Hoagland, 1885; Law- rence O'Neill, 1889; Aaron Fisher, 1893; Elias A. Bogart, 1898; Eugene Barr, 1902; Henry Van Gunten, 1905 -.
Prosecuting Attorneys .- Aaron M. Miller (appointed August term of court), 1831 ; Pat- rick G. Goode (appointed), 1833; Hamilton Davison, 1834; Lorin Kennedy, 1837; George W. Andrews, 1845; Lester Bliss, 1847; Mathias H. Nichols, 1851 (resigned in 1852 to enter Congress) ; Charles N. Lamison (elected vice Nichols resigned), 1852; Jasper N. Gutridge, 1855; Charles N. Lamison, 1857; Jasper N. Gutridge, 1859; James Mackenzie, 1861 ; Isaiah S. Pillars, 1865 ; John F. Brother- ton, 1867; Ed. A. Ballard, 1871; Charles M. Hughes, 1873; Hinchman S. Prophet, 1877; James B. Townsend, 1881; Isaac S. Motter, 1887; Jacob C. Ridenour, 1893; William Klinger, 1901 ; B. F. Welty, 1905 -.
Surveyors .- John Jackson, 1831 ; Hamil- ton Davison, 1837; Michael Leatherman, 1840; William Dowling, 1844; John P. Haller, 1850; D. W. Littlefield, 1859; S. J. Brand, 1861; David D. Nicholas, 1867; John Keeth, 1879; James S. Pillars, 1885 ; John C. Cronley, 1891 ; George Taylor, 1894; John C. Cronley, 1898; Charles E. Craig, 1904.
Coroners .- H. Clippenger, 1844; Mathias Ridenour, 1845; Jacob S. Baker, 1850; Will- iam Myers, 1854; Samuel Sanford, 1856; Wil- liam Sullivan, 1860; 1862; Samuel Sanford, 1866; Charles Metzger, 1868; Gustavus Feiss, 1870; Elijah Curtis. 1872; Tobias H. Foltz, 1880; Peter H. Brooks, 1883; Levi Reichelderfer, 1884; John C. Con- very, 1885; S. S. Herman, 1889; Louis G. Stueber, 1893 ; Enos G. Burton, 1898; Andrew W. Bice, 1902; Oliver Steiner, 1905.
Board of County Commissioners .- So far as has been possible the personnel of the board is shown at the end of the year after the fall elections and the first person named is in most cases the commissioner elected that year. In the late years of this list, since the term of office began in September following the elec-
tion, it has been difficult to show how the board is constituted at the end of the year, for really four names should be shown, including both the outgoing and the incoming commissioners.
1831 .- (June) James S. Daniels, John G. Wood and Samuel Stewart.
1831 .- (December ) Morgan Lippincott, James S. Daniels and John G. Wood.
1832 .- John P. Mitchell, Morgan Lippin- cott and James S. Daniels.
1833 .- Griffith John, John P. Mitchell and James S. Daniels.
1834 .- James H. Coleman, Griffith John and James A. Anderson.
1835 .- Henry B. Thorn, Griffith John and James H. Coleman.
1836 .- John Brand, Henry B. Thorn and Griffith John.
1837 .- Michael Leatherman, H. B. Thorn and John Brand.
1838 .- John Schooler, Henry B. Thorn and John Brand.
1839 .- John M. Wilson, John Schooler and John Brand.
1840 .- Henry B. Thorn, John M. Wilson and John Brand.
1841 .- Shadrach Montgomery, Charles H. Williams and John Brand.
1842 .- Charles C. Marshall, Shadrach Montgomery and Charles H. Williams.
1843 .- Matthew Dobbins, Charles C. Mar- shall and Shadrach Montgomery.
1844 .- Nicholas Zanglein, Matthew Dob- bins and Charles C. Marshall.
1845 .- Jacob B. Haller, Nicholas Zang- lein and Matthew Dobbins.
1846 .- Samuel B. Walker, Jacob B. Hal- ler and Nicholas Zanglein.
1847 .- William Akerman, Samuel B. Walker and Jacob B. Haller.
1848 .- Samuel Rockhill, William Aker- man and Jacob B. Haller.
1849 .- Burgess Dickey, Samuel Rockhill and William Akerman.
1850 .- William Akerman, Burgess Dickey and Samuel Rockhill.
1851 .- Samuel Rockhill, William Aker- man and Burgess Dickey.
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HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
1852 .- Burgess Dickey, Samuel Rockhill and William Akerman.
1853 .- Christian Steman, Burgess Dickey and Samuel Rockhill.
1854 .- Moses Patterson, Christian Steman and Burgess Dickey.
1855 .- Horace Bixby, Moses Patterson and Christian Steman.
1856 .- Joseph Griffith, Horace Bixby and Moses Patterson.
1857 .- Cadwallader W. Jacobs, Joseph Griffith and Horace Bixby.
1858 .- Freeman Bell, Cadwallader W. Ja- cobs and Joseph Griffith.
1859 .- Almon E. Hadsell, Freeman Bell and Cadwallader W. Jacobs.
1860 .- Cadwallader W. Jacobs, Almon E. Hadsell and Freeman Bell.
1861 .- Horace Bixby, Cadwallader W. Jacobs and Almon E. Hadsell.
1862 .- Almon E. Hadsell, Horace Bixby and Cadwallader W. Jacobs.
1863 .- Samuel Ice, Almon E. Hadsell and Horace Bixby.
1864 .- Freeman Bell, Samuel Ice and Al- mon E. Hadsell.
1865 .- George W. Goble, Johnzey Keeth and Samuel Ice.
1866 .- Samuel Ice, George W. Goble and Johnzey Keeth.
1867 .- Johnzey Keeth, Samuel Ice and George W. Goble.
1868 .- George W. Goble, Johnzey Keeth and Samuel Ice.
1869 .- James McBeth, George W. Goble and Johnzey Keeth.
1870 .- Bernard Esch, James McBeth and George W. Goble.
1871 .- William Akerman, Bernard Esch and James McBeth.
1872 .- James McBeth, William Akerman and Bernard Esch.
1873 .- Bernard Esch, James McBeth and William Akerman.
1874 .- William Akerman, Bernard Esch and James McBeth.
1875 .- William W. Williams, William Akerman and Bernard Esch.
1876 .- Jacob Crites, William W. Williams and William Akerman.
1877 .- Francis M. Clum, Jacob Crites and William W. Williams.
1878 .- William W. Williams, Francis M. Clum and Jacob Crites.
1879 .- Jacob Crites, William W. Williams and Francis M. Clum.
1880 .- Francis M. Clum, Jacob Crites and William W. Williams.
1881 .- Joseph A. States, Francis M. Clum and Jacob Crites.
1882 .- Abraham Crider, Joseph A. States and Franeis M. Clum.
1883 .- Charles C. Marshall, Abraham Crider and Joseph A. States.
1884 .- Joseph A. States, Alexander Shenk (vice Marshall) and Abraham Crider.
1885 .- Abraham Crider, Joseph A. States and Alexander Shenk.
1886 .- Alexander Shenk, Abraham Crider and Joseph A. States.
1887 .- John Akerman, Alexander Shenk and Abraham Crider.
1888 .- William Bice, John Akerman and Alexander Shenk.
1890 .- John Akerman, John Amstutz, Jr., and William Bice.
1891 .- William Bice, John Akerman and John Amstutz, Jr.
1892 .- John Amstutz, Jr., William Bice and John Akerman.
1893 .- George D. Kanawl, John Amstutz, Jr., and William Bice.
1894 .- James A. Jacobs, Aaron J. Osman and John Amstutz, Jr.
1895 .- Samuel T. Winegardner, James A. Jacobs and Aaron J. Osman.
1896 .- Thomas C. Burns, Samuel T. Winegardner and James A. Jacobs.
1897 .- George D. Kanawl, Thomas C. Burns and Samuel T. Winegardner.
1898 .- Samuel T. Winegardner, George D. Kanawl and Thomas C. Burns.
1899 .- Thomas C. Burns, Samuel T. Winegardner and George D. Kanawl.
1900 .- George D. Kanawl, Thomas C. Burns and Samuel T. Winegardner.
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RELICS OF FORT AMANDA AND PIONEER DAYS PROPERTY OF DR. GEORGE HALL, LIMA
EXPLANATION .- No. 1. Section of Block House. Fort Amanda, showing port-hole: No. 2. Copper Kettles from Indian grave, Fort Amanda : No. 3. Shackles used on criminals in Allen County Jail, 1832; No. 1. Pht's Pistol, found in Council House after his death; No. 5. Indian Tomahawk, used as pipe of peace: No. 6, Indian Squaw Axe: No. 7. Indian Flint Arrow-Head ; No. 8. Indian Scalp, taken by an early settler : No. 9, Antlers of Deer, killed by Daniel Snyder, 1810, on the site of the present (1906) High School Building: No. 10, Petrified Leaf, Coal Age, found near Fort Amanda: No. 11. Flax Hackle of pioneer days; No. 12. Indian Saddle Bird: No. 13, Indian Bow, Quiver and Arrow used by the Shawnees. 1830; No. 14. Indian War Club ; No. 15, Cane made from wood taken from the Allen County Jail, 1832: No. 16. Indian Hunting Knife with sheath ; No. 17, Poisoned Indian Arrow: No. 18, Indian War Axc.
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1901 .- Albert Hefner, George D. Kanawl and Thomas C. Burns.
1902 .- Samuel W. Wright, Albert Hefner and George D. Kanawl.
1903 .- Alexander L. Conrad, Samuel W. Wright and Albert Hefner.
1904 .- Charles W. Johnston, Alexander L. Conrad and Samuel W. Wright.
1905 .- Samuel W. Wright, Charles W. Johnston and Alexander. Conrad.
County Infirmary Directors .- Before the election of 1858 Curtis Baxter, Shelby Taylor and David Bryte served as directors by ap- pointment. The records of some years are wanting :
1858 .- John B. Reeder, David Bryte and James Chenoweth.
1859 .- James Chenoweth, John B. Reeder and David Bryte.
1860 .- James Baxter, James Chenoweth and John B. Reeder.
1861 .- John B. Reeder, James Baxter and James Chenoweth.
1862 .- John B. Reeder and James Baxter.
1863 .- James Baxter, -, and John B. Reeder.
1864 .- John Sprott, James Baxter and
1.865 .- Peter S. Metzler, John Sprott and James Baxter.
1866 .- Elias Everett, Peter S. Metzler and John Sprott.
1867 .- John Sprott, Elias Everett and Peter S. Metzler.
1868 .- Peter S. Metzler, John Sprott and Elias Everett.
1869 .- Elias Everett, Peter, S. Metzler and John Sprott.
1870 .- Michael L. Baker, Elias Everett and Peter S. Metzler.
1871 .- John Enslen, Gabriel Hefner and Elias Everett.
1872 .- Samuel Sanford, John Enslen and Gabriel Hefner.
1873 .- Gabriel Hefner, Samuel Sanford and John Enslen.
1874 .- John Enslen, Gabriel Hefner and :Samuel Sanford.
1875 .- Samuel Sanford, John Enslen and Gabriel Hefner.
1876 .- Joseph B. Chipman, Samuel San- ford and John Enslen.
1877 .- Martin V. Blair, Joseph B. Chip- man and Samuel Sanford.
1878 .-- Samuel Boose, Martin V. Blair and Joseph B. Chipman.
1879 .- Joseph B. Chipman, Samuel Boose and Martin V. Blair.
1880 .- Martin V. Blair, Joseph B. Chip- man and Samuel Boose.
1881. Martin V. Blair, and Joseph B. Chipman.
1882 .- Andrew J. Chapman, ---
and Martin V. Blair.
1883 .- Solomon H. Arnold, Andrew J. Chapman and
1884 .- Levi Reichelderfer, Solomon H. Arnold and Andrew J. Chapman.
1885 .- Levi Reichelderfer and Solomon H. Arnold.
1886 .- William Hill, James P. Wilson and William J. Graham.
1887 .- William Hill, James P. Wilson and William J. Graham.
1888 .- Levi Reichelderfer, Solomon H. Arnold and Samuel Light.
1889 .- Samuel Light, Levi Reichelderfer and Solomon H. Arnold.
1890 .- John K. Roush, Samuel Light and Levi Reichelderfer.
1891 .- John C. Jettinghoff, John K. Roush and Samuel Light.
1892 .- Samuel Light, John K. Roush and John C. Jettinghoff.
1893 .- John C. Jettinghoff, Samuel Light and John K. Roush.
1894 .- Ephraim Berryman, E. F. Davis and John C. Jettinghoff.
1895 .- E. F. Davis, Peter. Leis and Eli Meckling.
1896 .- Peter Leis, E. F. Davis and Eli Meckling.
1897 .- Eli Meckling, Peter Leis and E. F. Davis.
1898 .- Isaac B. Steman, Peter Leis and Eli Meckling.
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HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
1899 .- Peter Leis, Isaac B. Steman and Eli Meckling.
1900 .- Eli Meckling, Peter Leis and Isaac
B. Steman.
1901 .- Isaac B. Steman, Peter Leis and Eli Meckling.
1902 .- David Stepleton,
William E. Grubb and Isaac B. Steman.
1903 .- Isaac B. Steman, David Stepleton, and William E. Grubb.
1904 .- Christian H. Mosier, J. E. Ever- sole and David Stepleton.
1905 .- David Stepleton, William E. Grubb and Isaac B. Steman.
PRESENT COUNTY OFFICERS.
Probate Judge-J. N. Hutchinson; treas- urer-Thomas H. Jones; clerk-Thomas J. Edwards; auditor-Edwin C. Akerman; re- corder-Fred Zeitz; sheriff-Henry Van Gun- ten ; prosecuting attorney-B. F. Welty; sur- veyor-Charles E. Craig; coroner-Oliver Steiner; county commissioners-Samuel W. Wright, Charles W. Johnston and Alexander L. Conrad; county infirmary directors-David Stepleton, William E. Grubb and Isaac B. Steman.
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES.
In the "Ohio Hundred Year Book," pub- lished in 1901 by the authority of the 74th Gen- eral Assembly of Ohio, it says that James Cro- zier, William Watt and Christopher Wood were elected associate judges of the Common Pleas for Allen County in 1831, and that George B. Holt was their president judge. From the oldest records we find that George B. Holt, of Montgomery County, held the first court of Common Pleas for Allen County in James S. Daniels' cabin at the east end of Mar- ket street in May, 1833, and that he was as- sisted by Associate Judges Watt, Crozier and Wood. Judge Holt was followed by William L. Helfenstein, of Montgomery County. elected in 1836; Emory D. Potter, of Lucas County, elected in 1839; Myron H. Tilden, of Luca's County, elected in 1844; and Patrick G. Goode, of Shelby County, elected in 1845.
In 1851 the district was reorganized and known as District No. 3, Sub-Division No. I, and was composed of Allen, Hardin, Shelby, Auglaize, Marion, Union and Logan counties. Benjamin F. Metcalf served from February, 1852, to February, 1857. William Lawrence, of Logan County, served from February, 1857, to October, 1864; Jacob S. Conklin, of Shelby County (vice Lawrence), from October, 1864, to February, 1872.
In 1858 the district was again reorganized and was composed of Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert and Putnam counties. Judge Met- calf was judge from November, 1858, till his death in March, 1865, when O. W. Rose, of Lima, took his place till November, 1865. James Mackenzie served as judge from No- vember, 1865, to February, 1879. Edwin M. Phelps, of Mercer County, was elected judge in 1869, under an act creating an additional judge for Sub-Division No. I. In 1879 the district was again reorganized, adding Shelby County and dropping Putnam County, and so it re- mains today.
Upon the reorganization of the Third Ju- dicial District, Sub-Division No. 1, Charles M. Hughes, of Allen County, became judge and served from February, 1879, to February, 1889, when he was succeeded by John E. Richie, of Allen County, who served until Feb- ruary, 1899, when he in turn was succeeded by W. H. Cunningham, also of Allen County. James H. Day, of Mercer County, went upon the bench in February. ISSO, and served until he resigned in September, 1892. He was suc- ceeded in October, 1892, by Hiram C. Glenn, of Van Wert County, who served until Decem- ber of that year, when W. T. Mooney, of Mer- cer County, took his place. Judge Mooney re- signed in February, 1901, to accept a position on the circuit bench ; his death occurred No- vember 29, 1904. William D. Davis, of Shel- by County, was appointed by the Governor as Judge Mooney's successor on the common pleas bench until the next election, in Novem- ber. 1903, when Hugh T. Mathers was elected. Judge Mathers filled the unexpired term of Judge Mooney or until February 9. 1905, when, having been re-elected at the election of
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November, 1904, he succeeded himself in office. S. A. Armstrong, of Mercer County, has served continuously on the bench since January, 1889. Three judges, therefore, on the common pleas bench at the present time are: Hon. S. A. Armstrong, whose term expires on the second Monday in January, 1909; Hon. W. H. Cun- ningham, whose term will expire February 8, 1909; and Hon. Hugh T. Mathers, whose term will expire February 8, 1910.
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Representatives .- The following is a list of members of the State House of Representa- tives from Allen County, beginning with the 36th General Assembly which began its ses- sion on December 4, 1837: James Cook, R. I. Skinner, Edwin Fisher, George B. May, J. F. Hinkle, John W. Walters, James B. Steed- man, G. C. Mudgett, S. S. Sprague, Isaac Spear, Michael Leatherman, P. J. Hines, Cyre- nus Elliott, Samuel R. Mott, Henry Lipps, William Blackburn, Lester Bliss, Charles Crites, Charles Post, Charles C. Marshall, Thomas K. Jacobs, John Monroe, Dr. R. E. Jones, William Armstrong, Isaiah Pillars, Thomas M. Robb, M. L. Baker, W. H. Mc- Cullough, George W. Hull, William E. Wat- kins, D. C. Cunningham, William Ruler, C. H. Adkins, John W. Manges and Howard W. Pears, the present incumbent.
Senators .- The following is a list of the members of the State Senate from the districts that included Allen County, from the date of the 32nd General Assembly which began its session on December 2, 1833. Beginning with the 50th General Assembly which began its session on January 5, 1852, the district has been known as the 32nd Senatorial District and has included the counties of Allen, Mercer, Au- glaize, Van Wert, Paulding, Defiance and Williams: James Johnson, John E. Hunt, Cur- tis Bates, John E. Hunt, Jacob Clark. Alfred P. Edgerton, Sabirt Scott, James Cunningham, John Taylor, Ed. M. Phelps, Edward Foster,
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Charles C. Marshall, Meredith R. Willett, Thomas J. Godfrey, W. Carter, Charles Boesel, P. W. Hardesty, William Sheridan, Jr., G. W. Andrews, G. M. Saltzgaber, Thomas J. Godfrey, Elmer White, Robert Mehaffey, J. P. Schmeider, Robert Mehaffey, M. D. Shaw, John L. Geyer, Henry J. Lawlor, James D. Johnson, William F. Conley, William G. Bro- rein, William E. Decker, S. D. Crites, and Thomas M. Berry and W. M. Denman, the present incumbents.
CONGRESSMEN.
Herewith is given a list of the Congress- men from the congressional districts, of which Allen County has been a part, the periods of service and the changes in the districts being shown.
Third Congressional District .- Joseph H. Crane, of Montgomery County, 1831-36; Pat- rick G. Goode, of Shelby County, 1837-42. Fifth Congressional District .- Emory D. Pot- ter, of Lucas County, 1843-44; William Saw- yer, of Mercer County, 1845-48; Emory D. Potter, of Lucas County, 1849-50; Alfred P. Edgerton, of Defiance County, 1851-52. Fourth Congressional District .- Mathias H. Nichols, of Allen County, 1853-58; William Allen, of Darke County, 1859-62. Fifth Congressional District .- Francis C. LeBlond, . of Mercer County, 1863-66; William Mungen, of Hancock County, 1867-70; Charles N. Lamison, of Allen County, 1871-74; Americus V. Rice, of Putnam County, 1875-78; Benja- min Le Fevre, of Shelby County, 1879-82. Fourth Congressional District .- Benjamin Le Fevre, of Shelby County, 1883-84; Charles M. Anderson, of Darke County, 1885-86; S. S. Yoder, of Allen County, 1887-90; Fred C. Layton, of Auglaize County, 1891-96; George A. Marshall, of Auglaize County, 1897-98; Robert B. Gordon, of Auglaize County, 1899- 1902; Harvey C. Garber, of Darke County, 1903 -.
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CHAPTER V
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LIMA-THE COUNTY SEAT
BY DR. SAMUEL A. BAXTER.
Establishment of the County Seat-Lima's Godfather-Sale of Town Lots-The Court Houses-Christopher Wood, Director-Lima's First Settler-Maria Mitchell Brown, First White Child Born in Lima-The First Five Families-James Peltier, First Dry Goods Merchant-Dr. William Cunningham, Lima's First Physician-Hog Creek- Lima's First Officers-Henry D. V. Williams, the First Mayor-General Blackburn- Muster Day-Thomas K. Jacobs, a Builder of Lima-John Ward, the First School- master-The Distinguished Teacher, Joseph H. Richardson-The Cholera Visitation- The First Saloon-Early History of the Public and Parochial Schools of Lima-Dr. William McHenry-Allen County Medical Society-"Uncle Joe" Hover and His Mar- ket Street Bridge-Mills, Bridges and Roads-Alexander Beatty-Robert Bowers' Reminiscences-Silas Faurot -- Lima's First Hotel -- The Bashores-Daniel Musser --- The Early Stores-Col. James Cunningham-Richard Metheany-The First Railroad -John Mcily-John P. Haller, the Builder.
By an act of the Legislature of the State of Ohio, dated February 12, 1820, the metes and bounds of four counties, Van Wert, Mer- cer, Putnam and Allen, were established. Nine years later a commissioner, Christopher Wood, was appointed to locate one quarter-section of land belonging to the State of Ohio, as county seat. The location was made, and by another act of the Legislature, passed March 3, 1831, the seat of justice of Allen County was es- tablished.
The town was surveyed in April, 1831. by Justin Hamilton, county surveyor of Allen County. Hon. Patrick G. Goode as godfather named the new child "Lima" after the Peru- vian capital, which was then attracting atten- tion. It is said that he was highly indignant that our plain, plodding pioneers objected to
pronouncing the name "Lemah," but their ob- jections ruled and Lima it was then and has always remained.
In June, 1831, James S. Daniels, John G. Wood, and Samuel Stewart were, by law, ap- pointed commissioners, and they named Chris- topher Wood director of the town of Lima, ordering that town lots be sold at auction. This sale was made in July or August following. The lots averaged about $25 apiece. For a whole square fronting on Elm and Elizabeth streets, Dr. Cunningham paid $36.75.
The first Court of Common Pleas for Allen County was held August 31, 1831, in James S. Daniels' cabin, which stood near the present Market street bridge. The next year a Court House was built just below the southeast cor- ner of the square. In 1840 a contract for a
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
new brick Court House was let to Orlando Boughton of Wooster, Ohio, and was finished in 1842. This building stood where the Cin- cinnati Block now stands, and for more than 40 years served the purpose of both Court House and County Jail. The corner-stone of the present Court House was laid July 4, 1882, and the building was formally opened in the fall of 1884. It cost, with the adjacent stone jail, $350,000.
Christopher Wood, our. first director, was a noted character. Born in Washington Coun- ty, Virginia, March 9, 1772, he resided there until he was 15 years of age, when he removed to Maysville, Kentucky. He was one of Ken- tucky's pioneers and used to charm his chil- dren with the thrilling tales of his experiences in the border-land. Families guarded one an- other while planting their crops and many times whole settlements were compelled to flee to the forts to escape the savage attacks of the In- dians. Mr. Wood was frequently employed as a scout and often met Daniel Boone on his excursions into the unbroken wilderness. In this service he traversed a large part of West- ern Ohio and Kentucky. In 1826 he moved his family to Allen County, and was elected first town director and first justice of the peace of Lima. His home was for many years a place of worship for everyone and the first Sunday-school of Allen County was organized at his house.
The eastern counties of our State did much to populate Allen County. These pioneers came with a view of casting in their fortunes with the new county seat and were eminently possessed of those strong traits which enabled them to subdue the wilderness and to lay the foundations for that civilization which supplanted savagery and transformed the forests into a great busy commonwealth.
We who today are in touch with the im- provements of the early 20th century must re- gard moving as mere child's play compared with the moving of former times. Journeys were then made in covered wagons in which were stored all the worldly possessions, includ- ing members of the family. Through dense forests and trackless wildernesses the pioneers
traveled, stopping for the night wherever, dark- ness overtook them, and then up betimes in the morning to resume their weary way. At the journey's end the wagon still served as a shelter until the logs were hewn and the cabin built. They had need to be fearless, self-re- liant, and industrious and withal generous and hospitable.
Absolom Brown was Lima's first settler. He came in the spring of 1831 on a prospect- ing tour and brought his family the following September. On February 5, 1832, a daughter was born to the Brown family, who has the distinction of being the first white child born in Lima. She was named Maria Mitchell in honor of Mrs. John P. Mitchell.
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