USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > Wapakoneta > History of Auglaize County, Ohio : with the Indian history of Wapakoneta, and the first settlement of the county > Part 10
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1857-61. Jerome L. McFarland, 1877-
M. W. Smith,
1861-67.
COMMISSIONERS.
Shadriek Montgomery,
1848-51. William Nelson,
1859-65.
Hugh 'T. Rinehart,
1848-50. John H. Gossman, 1861-64.
John M. Drees,
1848-49. L. Sammetinger, 1863-72.
John Morris,
1849-51. John B. Kruse, 1864-70.
Elisha Noble,
1850-53. J. L. McFarland,
1865-74.
Samuel Focht,
1851-57.
L. H. Hensch, 1870-76.
John M. Drees, 1851-58. Christian Heisler (dee'd), 1874.
Nicholas Brewer,
1853-59.
Joel Loomis,
1872-78,
Christian Ellerman, William Bush,
1857-63. J. H. Dunathan, 1876-
William Finke,
1858-61.
Daniel Focht,
1878-
CLERKS.
Thomas E. Nichols, app'ted
E. T. Bates, (dee'd) 1854-
pro tem. May Ist,
1848-49.
Anthony D. Dieker, 1856-63.
Wm. Crane,
1849-52.
Edward Meyers, 1863-69.
S. R. Mott, Sr.,
1852-53.
C. P. Davis,
1869-79.
John S. Williams (1st regular term),
1853-54.
cumbent, 1879-
TREASURERS.
John J. Rickley,
1848-51. B. A. Wendeln, 1863-65.
B. A. Wendelu,
1851-55. A. Bitler,
1865-69.
Daniel Bitler,
1855-57. M. Monch, 1869-73.
B. A. Wendeln,
1857-61. L. Myers, 1873-77.
1861-63. Theodore Dickman, 1877-
M. Miller,
1856-58. William Craft,
1876-80.
T. B. Baker, present in-
G. W. Holbrook,
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
RECORDERS.
1848-51. James H. Skinner, 1860-66.
Simon Dresher, C. G Galezio.
1851-54. S. R Mott, 1866-70.
J. S. Williams,
1854-57. Robert Murray, 1870-76.
Edward Meyers,
1857-60. Henry Ruek,
1876-
SHERIFFS.
John Elliott,
1848-50. William Wehrman, 1866-70.
M. Miller,
1850-54. Fred. Kohler, 1870-72.
John Mertz,
1854-58. Theodore Dickman, 1872-76.
William Wise,
1858-62.
Fred. Kohler,
1876-80.
M. Mouch,
1862-66.
SURVEYORS.
Dominicus Flaiz,
1848-57. Wm. Limbacher,
1860-66.
J. B. Craig,
1851-54. Sammel Craig.
1866-72.
John Cutler (by app't),
18544-57. Wm. Limbacher,
1872-75.
Eli Dennison,
1857-60. Samuel Craig,
1875-81.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
George W. Andrews,
1848-50.
Jos. Plunkett,
1860-62.
Christian Barr,
1850-52. R. D. Marshall,
1862-66.
John Walkup,
1852-54.
W. V. M. Layton,
1866-70.
Joseph Craig (resigned),
1854- R. D. Marshall,
1870-74.
Samuel R. Mott, Sr.
1854-56.
F. C. Layton,
1874-78.
C. W. Cowan,
1856-60. F. C. Van Anda,
1878-
With this cursory review of the county-we have considered it purely as such, as its antecedent history is traced in the general view of the territory prior to the erection of the connty-we now turn our attention to the several townships, which will be separately considered.
DUCHOUQUET TOWNSHIP-WAPAKONETA.
The county seat is situated on the Auglaize River, in the south part of Duchouquet township, and derives its name from a noted chief, Waughpaughkonnetta, who lived here several years. It is the site of an Indian village which occupied the centre of the Shawnee reserve, and the town centre became the site of the council house of the bands residing on and near the Auglaize River. During the period of Shawnee occupancy it was the headquarters of the tribe, and the councils here con- vened, summoned many of the greatest orators and warriors of the surrounding nations. This spot is the old home of Logan, as true a friend of the whites as the celebrated Mingo chief of the same name, but a man who never sullied his nobler charac-
9*
102
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
ter by gratifying a thirst for revenge. Here is the old council spot of Blackhoof, whose ripe experience looked back over a century, and whose council was the oracle of inspiration. Even here Blue Jacket and the Turtle must needs come in search of warriors worthy their leadership; and here they found warriors worthy even of the ancient Shawnee fame.
Here Tecumseh, in private a man, in public something less, sought assistance in his project of confederation, but was stripped of his mask by Blackhoof, and repudiated as a pre- tender.
Tecumseh was only half himself, and when that half failed, the other half appeared in the person of his Prophet brother, who came here to substitute cruel fanaticism for the lofty ora- tory of Tecumseh, and sought to accomplish by superstition, what could not be accomplished by honorable means. If Te- cumseh was opposed and denounced as a pretender, the Pro- phet was defeated and denounced as a fiend.
The town being on the old route between Detroit and Cincin- nati, it became a stopping place, at which judges and associates rested on their wearisome rides across the wilderness. The seat of a nation, it was regularly visited by the United States Indian agent and numerous traders, hunters, and trappers.
Here Captain Johnny and Brighthorn met their mutual friend Logan, and Col. Johnston sought scouts upon whom he could rely, and in this inseparable trio found men whose fidelity and courage never wavered. To this spot the remains of Logan were brought for burial, and at the approach of the cortege to the council-house Captain Johnny fired a salute of twenty guns in honor of his friend. To the same council came Major Hardin, asking the privilege of taking the children of the dead chief to be educated, in obedience to the request of his lamented friend.
Again to this council spot came Tarhe, the Crane, to con- sult Blackhoof concerning the plans of Tecumseh, and this council resulted in the opposition of those great chiefs to the plans of the pretender. Then came the mighty but cruel chief Winemac from his Ottawa towns to conciliate the Shawnees, at whose hands he was destined to fall. Again came the war- rior Roundhead to meet the Prophet of supernatural claims and infamous designs. On the spot where was taught the de- struction of witches, Isaac Harvey met the Prophet and tribal chiefs, and induced the latter to abandon the former, and de- nounce his pernicious and diabolical doctrine of witchcraft Here came Col. Johnston to distribute the annuities to the Shawnees, Wyandots, Senecas, Delawares, and Ottawas.
To this Indian capital came the United States agents and
103
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
the chiefs of the surrounding tribes to transact the business of western Ohio, for a period of thirty years.
To this council was addressed the letters of President Jefferson, Secretary Cass, Gen. Harrison, and here came the committee of the Richmond annual meeting, to look after the interest of the tribes after the dishonest Gardner had taken advantage of their credulity. Here met the committee ap- pointed by the Richmond annual session, and consulted the dignified and solemn assembly of Shawnees who were repre- sented by Wayweleapy, an orator and warrior, without weak- ness, and a stranger to fear, but who, when he thought of the wrongs of his people, was overcome by emotion and sank speechless to his seat.
From here proceeded the joint deputation consisting of Henry Harvey and David Baily of the whites, and Waywe- leapy, Blackhoof, Spy Buck, and John Perry of the Indians, who, accompanied by Francis Duchonquet and Joseph Parks as interpreters, visited Washington to prevent the consumma- tion of a blasting giant wrong.
Again, on account of its importance, it became the seat of a Quaker mission, which labored for the improvement and en- lightenment of the nation. It was with these tribes of the Auglaize that Isaac and Henry Harvey devoted a portion of their lives in the almost hopeless effort to amelioriate the con- dition of a nation against which the hand of civilization was uplifted. The constructiveness of civilization is ever comple- mented by an initial destructiveness which levels the old to make way for the new. Who will say the excrescences, the stake, witchcraft, polygamy, and torture in all its forms did not first demand the pruning hook of destruction ?
These were lopped off, for the constructive force sought the elevation of a nation, and the forerunner, Destruction, found little fit, and so left little of the nation to be improved. Thus the foundation was narrowed ; but the work gained in beauty what it lost in size; for who will say, hundreds free from super- stition, with its concomitants, witchcraft and torture, are not preferable to thousands revelling in those horrible barbarities ? The hundreds who can read and write and dispense justice to their fellows, are of vastly more service to the race than the millions who can do none of these. But at this juncture, Avarice stalked upon the ground made sacred by the trans- formation of a race, and determined to risk all these fruits of toil-all these results of years, in its eager grasp for land. It asked for this without pausing to consider the welfare of the tribe, for avarice knows no sympathy and practices no philan- thropy. It urged its demand until no Indian lands remained
104
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
within the borders of the State. But if avarice stalked forth here with iey brow and chilly touch, the Quaker too was here with tearful eye and sympathetic touch-the guardian of the children of nature. He knew the weakness and wrongs of his wards, and he stood the protector of their rights until human- ity came to his relief.
Here, then, where Judge Burnet witnessed the field game of this tribal offspring of an ancient nation, Isaac Harvey wit- nessed the social advancement, and agent Johnston witnessed the decline of the same traditional tribe. This decline reduced their number from 2000 to 800, while it is to be observed that emigration had no voice in the disintegration. This remnant left this spot, which, notwithstanding its bitter remembrance of wrongs, was still endeared to them by its memories of social improvement and kindly association. The long march was gloomy, for their star had disappeared, but after they reached their destination the cloud lifted and the star was and is still in view.
We turn, then, from a picture of rudeness to one of finish ; from a condition of death to a condition of life, from the de- spair, wrongs and tearful clouds of the savages, to the hope, rights, and smiling sunbeams of the whites. That was the dis- pensation of centuries, comprehending years of casts and colors and races; this is the dispensation of years comprehending days of universal brotherhood. We drop no apologetic curtain upon the past, but leaving it in full view, glorify its virtues and denounce its barbarities; for if under the glorious dawn of a grander day we cannot advance without contamination, or produce a light of sufficient brilliancy to dissipate that darkness, we are unworthy that grander and better age.
UNDER THE WHITES.
The town then occupies this Indian village site, on part of sections 29 and 32 in township No. 5 south, range 6 east, and begins at a stone at the northeast corner of the Public Square. The Public Square is 282 feet square including the street. All streets are 60 feet, and all alleys 163 feet wide. The site was platted January 22d and 23d, 1833, by John Jackson, Surveyor of Allen Co., for J. B. Gardner, Peter Anghenbangh, J. K. Wilds, and Joseph Barnett.
In addition to these men the residents of the town during the year 1833, consisted of Col. Thos. B. Van Horne, Land- office Register; Peter Hammel, a French trader; Capt. John Elliott, the old Government blacksmith; Jeremiah Ayres, hotel-keeper; Cummings, and Mathers, and Samuel Case,
105
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
merchants ; Henry B. Thorne, hotel-keeper; J. C. Bothe, clerk, and James Elliott, farmer. Before proceeding further with the town we will observe that the township of Duchou- quet was organized in 1832, and for a period of several years is so associated with the town that both may be viewed at a glance. A list of the officers of the township at that period will reveal many of the early settlers, while a notice of the ballots cast will throw some light on the numerical strength of the new community.
At the first election, held in April, 1833, at the house of Jeremiah Ayres, the following named officers were elected as indicated :-
Trustees .- Peter Hammel, William Patton, and Shadrack Montgomery.
Clerk .- James Elliott.
Treasurer .- John Tam.
Supervisors .- Beal Spurier, Samuel Howel, William Spray, and William Thatcher.
Overseers of Poor .- Alonzo F. Neal and Samuel Howel.
Fence Viewers .- Bryant McNamore and John Campbell.
Constables .- Henry Von Blaricom and John Campbell.
The highest number of ballots cast for any candidate was 27. The following June a special election was held to select two justices of the peace, with the following result :-
Beal Spurier secured 31 ballots; James Spray, 25; John Corder, 25; John W. Coney, 18; William Patton, 15.
The second annual election held April 7, 1834, resulted in the selection of the following named officers, while the numbers indicate the number of votes cast for each officer elect :-
Trustees .- Peter Hammel, 28; S Montgomery, 20; S. Meyers, 28.
Clerk .- H. D. V. Williams, 34.
Treasurer .- John Tam, 37.
Constables .- B. H. Lanning, 39; William Spray, 44.
Supervisors .- B. Hammell, 23 ; H. B. Thorn, 38 ; W. Spray, 24; S. Meyers, 26.
Overseers of Poor .- Jacob Vorhis, 19; W. Richardson, 25.
Fence Viewers .- Thos. Williams, 18; Robert Brannon, 14.
All elections prior to 1839 were held at the house of Jere- miah Ayres; that of the year named in the school-house of District No. I, and those following for many years were again held at the house of J. Ayres. In 1847, the whole vote cast was 159, while the following year showed an increase of 25. Two years later the number rose to 195, which was only'a gain of 11, but in 1853 an increase of 25 was shown, which if it spoke of a tardy, at least exhibits a steady increase. Thus
106
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
two decennial steps show a population of about 500 in 1843, and 1100 in 1853, which represents the growth of ten and twenty years.
With this glance at the township, we have reached a period at which we will turn from the township, and looking back to the year 1849, devote our attention more particularly to the village.
The Act of the General Assembly, under date of March 2, 1849, is the very charter of the village, and is therefore inserted in full.
An Act to incorporate the town of Wapakoneta, in the County of Auglaize.
SECT. I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That the territory included within the original town plat of the town of Wapakoneta, in the county of Auglaize, and the additions that have been or may hereafter be made thereto, and so much of the territory as is embraced within the south half of section twenty-nine and the north half of section thirty-two, of township number five south, of range number six east, shall be and the same is hereby declared a town cor- porate with perpetual succession, and as such shall be entitled to all the privileges, and subject to all limitations of " An Act for the regulation of Incorporated Towns," passed February 16, 1839, and the acts amendatory thereto.
SECT. II. That the costs and jail fees of all persons com- mitted by the mayor of said town, or arrested and brought before hearing or trial for any violation of the laws of Ohio, shall be paid in the same manner as such costs are paid in cases of the justices of the peace.
SECT. III. That the town council of the town of Wapako- neta, be and is hereby fully authorized to assume the payment of the remaining instalments due the commissioners of Au- glaize county, for public building purposes, as provided for in the act organizing said county, passed on the 14th of February, 1848.
SECT. IV. That for the payment of said instalments, the said town council is hereby authorized to issue the bonds of said corporation under the corporate seal thereof, in sums not less than one hundred dollars each, payable at such time and places, and with such rate of interest not exceeding seven per centum per annum, as to said council may seem proper.
SECT. V. Whenever any bonds shall be issued under the provisions of this act, it shall be the duty of said town council to levy a tax sufficient to pay the interest thereon, and for the punctual payment of such principal and interest the whole
107
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
of the revenues of said town shall stand irrevocably pledged, such tax shall be assessed and collected in the manner pro- vided by law for the assessment and collection of corporation taxes, and the said town council may also for the final redemp- tion of the obligations contracted by reason of the powers granted by that act, levy a tax in addition to that provided for by law, to be collected in the same manner.
JOHN C. BRESLIN, Speaker of House Reps. BREWSTER RANDALL, Pres. of the Senate.
At the period of the incorporation, the town was still with- out any material improvement worth the name of enterprise save in the erection of residences and opening of small retail stores and shops. The trade for years was of a purely local character, as the town had no commercial facilities and even had little need of commercial advantages so far as exportation was concerned. The town, like the country by which it was surrounded, was almost a swamp, for even years after the con- struction of the railroad gravel was as unknown to the streets as brick to the sidewalks and crossings.
The streets consisted more in open public ways than in con- venient thoroughfares. Walks and crossings consisted largely of cord- wood thrown closely enough to afford a stepping across the mnd, except when the blocks were submerged, which was not unfrequent. The whole vicinity of the public square, extending about the court-house and out to Auglaize Street, afforded a swimming pond during the summer, and a skating and coasting park for the boys during the winter. Slowly the village grew until the erection of the county in 1848, when it became the county seat, and perhaps the only enterprise springing directly from this step was the establishment of the " Auglaize Republican," a Democratie paper, by W. P. Andrews in 1849. It was nearly ten years later that trade received an impetus, and enterprise received a stimulus by the construc- tion of the Dayton and Michigan Railroad, which marked the dawn of a new era for the town. Immediately followed the erection of a large grain warehouse by the R. R. Co., which was supplemented by another built in 1860, by J. C. Bothe. Here was the real dawn of business growth and activity, for enter- prise followed rapidly in the wake of enterprise, until within a few years the town had attained its present standing. As the period of the growth is thus comparatively recent, a glance at the business interests of to-day will largely comprehend the enterprises of the business era. We now turn our attention to the different interests and institutions represented under business interests, educational interests, religious history, and political annals.
108
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The Auglaize County Democrat.
In June, 1849, or a little more than a year after the erection of Auglaize County, Geo. W. Andrews sent for his younger brother, Wm. P. Andrews, to come from their native place in New York to establish a paper at this place. The elder brother fur- nished the means, and the young man established a Democratic paper under the title of the Auglaize Republican. The following winter the paper was sold to R. J. S. Hollis, who conducted it until the spring of 1851, when he died, and the establishment fell back into the hands of Geo. W. Andrews, who at once offered it for sale to "any sound, reliable, capable Democrat." In June, 1851, R. J. Wright and Henry B. Kelly, then of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, purchased it, and taking possession continued the publication. In 1854 Mr. Wright sold his interest to Mr. Kelly, who continued the publication uninterruptedly for more than twenty years, while his period of partnership with Mr. Wright made his editorial connection extend over twenty-three years. September 1, 1874, he sold the concern to Messrs. Andrews and McMurray, the object being to establish the latter, as Mr. Kelly wished to withdraw. As Mr. Andrews only enlisted temporarily, he withdrew at the end of one year by selling his interest to the present proprietor, Mr. C. P. Davis, who had an extended experience in the profession. On Sept. 1, 1876, Mr. Davis purchased the interest of Mr. Mc- Murray and became sole proprietor of the establishment, which relation he sustains at this writing. In 1857, after the rise of the Republican party, the title of the paper was changed to The Auglaize County Democrat, under which title it still exists. It is now thirty-one years old, and during those years has not missed a single issue. It has constantly been a Democratic paper, which never supported an irregular candidate, nor wavered from party action from its first issue to its last.
The Wapakoneta Bee.
The Bee was founded June 22, 1876, by Frank and Horace Holbrook. Before the expiration of the first year, Horace sold his interest to his brother Frank, by whom it has since been conducted. In politics the Bee is Republican. It is the only Republican paper in the county, and is devoted to the interest of the community, and strives to be a faithful chronicle of local events.
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
Banks.
Farmers' Bank, established in 1870, by Samuel Bitler. Makes collections, and otherwise does a full banking business. Samuel Bitler, Cashier; JJas. Wilson, Jr., Asst. Cashier.
People's Bank, established in 1876. Does a general bank- ing business. F. Fritsch, Cashier; J. Fred. Wiemeyer, Asst. Cashier.
Manufacturers.
Bent Wood Works. M. Brown & Co., Manufacturers of the celebrated Bent Wood Churn, Ash and Rock Maple, Dash Churn, and Elm and White Oak Grain Measures. Established in 1873, by M. Brown, F. J. McFarland, and Joseph Brown, patentees and sole manufacturers of the bent wood churn, of which three sizes and two styles of gearing are manufactured, of which the cog-wheel make is the most popular. The works have a capacity of about 7000 churns, and 60,000 measures per annum. The goods have an increasing sale throughout the Northwest.
Spoke and Wheel Works.
This company filed a certificate of incorporation Aug. 28, 1872, and was formed for the purpose of manufacturing Spokes, Wheels, and Bent Work. The capital of $50,000 was sub- scribed by A. Snider, Saml. Bitler, J. H. Timmermeister, A. M. Kuhn, L. N. Blume, R. D. Marshall, Leopold Jacobs, Ditt- man Fisher, and M. Mouch. During the years 1873 and 1878, inclusive, the Shulte and Starr Patent Wheel, together with a Malleable Band Wood Hub-wheel, was manufactured, but these were superseded by the Sarver Patent and Wrought Iron Banded Wood Hub-wheel. This is destined to become the leading wheel in the country at an early day. Its special feature is the protection of the wood hub by a wrought-iron band, which is compressed into a groove, and is supplied with lips on either side, firmly holding the fibres of wood, and thus preventing the raising or loosening adjacent to the spoke. The business of the company is vested in an executive committee, consisting of Saml. Bitler, J. H. Timmermeister, and A. M. Kulin. The latter, as Secretary of Board of Directors, is gene- ral manager of the works. In 1878, he secured the services of T. J. Reid to act as foreman, to whose care has been entrusted the work of the shop. The work is now confined to the manu- facture of wheels, which are sold principally in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. From fifty to seventy-five men are employed at an aggregate salary of about $20,000 per year. J. H. Tim-
10
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
mermeister, Prest .; L. N. Blume, Vice-Prest .; A. M. Kuhn, Sec .; Saml. Bitler, Treas.
Handle Factory.
J. W. Baker. This factory derives its power from the Smith & Bennett Works, and keeps six men in employment. The manufactures consist of fork, hoe, rake, shovel, and broom handles.
Furniture Factories.
Smith, J. J., manufactures all kinds of furniture for wholesale . trade.
Miller & Nagle, manufacturers of furniture, in connection with an extensive retail sales-room.
Carriage Works.
H. Mayer manufactures about sixty-five vehicles, of all classes, per year. A large amount of repairing is also done.
D. Kreitzer & Son manufacture about forty vehicles per year, and do an extensive repairing business.
Broom Factory.
Asa Rhodes manufactures about five hundred dozen brooms per year, which are sold largely at Dayton.
Flour Mills.
De Rush Steam-mill. C. Fisher manufactures the popular flour brand, " White Rose." Also dealer in grain, the annual shipments aggregating about one hundred and eighty car loads.
Steuger & Jacobs's Mill and Elevator has a storage capa- city of thirty thousand bushels. The annual shipments of grain amount to about two hundred and fifty car loads. Their flour brand is " Extra Choice Family Flour."
Tanneries.
Chas. Wintzer controls the oldest tannery of the town, and finds ready sale for all work, on account of its superior quality.
F. Happ & Son control a tannery, and have in connection a harness shop and sales-room, carrying a full line of goods.
Breweries.
C. Kolter & Bro. manufacture about a thousand barrels of lager beer per annum.
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