History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 34

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 34

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In or about 1836 a log grist-mill was erected in the northwestern part of the township, on Broken Knife creek, "niggerhead" stones be- ing used. This mill was conducted, it is thought, for about six or seven years and pro- duced a good article of flour. On the other side of the race was a sawmill operated by Mr. Chilcote, which ran for about the same length of time. Both mills were built of logs, the grist-mill being the larger building.

In August, 1833, the town of West Liberty was laid out, and the plat was filed in the Re- corder's Office in Crawford county, on Sept. 2, 1833. It was platted and surveyed on land belonging to John Drum, who was the pro- jector and proprietor of the new town. Its location is described as being the south end of the west half of the southwest quarter of section No. 12, Chatfield township (now Cran- berry.) It was laid out almost entirely on the east of the road which ran through the north- ern part of the county from Mansfield to At- tica and Tiffin. There were three north and south streets and three north and south al- leys, named Caroline, Walnut and Poplar streets, and a West, Middle and East alleys. All of the 26 lots laid between two east and west streets, Jackson being the street on the north and Front on the south. The Mans- field and Tiffin road crossed diagonally through the southwest corner of the plat. It was pro- posed to abandon that part of the road that cut through the town and have it enter from the north on Caroline street, run south to Jack- son, then east to the original road. It was only four days after the plat was filed in Bucyrus, that George Myers filed the plat of New Washington, which laid just south of

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Drum's town of West Liberty. There was a New Washington and had a good trade, very spirited rivalry for a while between the two places as to which should be the town. But eventually New Washington proved the stronger, and the site of West Liberty was abandoned, but it is now the northern part of New Washington.

George Myers was a very energetic and industrious citizen. His cabin stood near the site of the grist-mill and was a small building constructed of round logs. He was a short chubby man with heavy whiskers, which stood straight out from his face and which caused him to be generally known as "Chipmunk" Myers. In course of time he broke himself down by hard work. By 1833 he had cleared and fenced 30 acres of land and had it under cultivation. A part of it is now the business center of New Washington.

The early growth of New Washington was slow but steady. It was well situated for a trade center, having no near rivals in this re- spect and the number of merchants gradually increased, most of them keeping large and well selected stocks. Jacob Hoover came soon after Myers and built a round log cabin near the northern limits of the town. He, how- ever, was a very different kind of man, having a strong disinclination to hard labor and be- ing by natural taste a hunter, at which he was very successful.

The first stock of goods was brought to the town by a Mr. Hussey, who, in 1835 or 1836 erected a double log cabin, where he kept a general assortment of goods, purchased in Sandusky City and valued at about $800. The stock, of course, included a liberal supply of whiskey, without which as a sort of lubricat- ing oil-as was generally supposed in those days-the world would have failed to turn on its axis. Mr. Hussey was drowned in a storm on Lake Erie in 1842, and for some years after his death his business was con- ducted by his widow, who subsequently be- came the wife of John A. Sheets. Mr. Sheets then carried on the business, increasing the stock until it was worth several thousand dol- lars, and enjoying an excellent trade. He was succeeded by his sons, by whom the business was still further expanded and increased in value and importance.

Volney Powers was the second merchant in

though secondary in importance to that of Sheets. He had, however, one of the largest asheries in the county and turned out on an average about fifteen tons of excellent pearl-ash per annum for about eight years. He also owned a large farm near the town from which he cut and burned the timber, preserving the ashes for use in his ashery. Many of the early merchants dealt in furs and some in wool, or in anything from which an honest penny might be gained, achieving success or failure according to their business ability or the con- ditions by which they were confronted. In 1836 New Washington could boast of seven families who were living in log cabins of va- rious patterns and dimensions. By 1840 the population of the village had increased to nearly fifty, at which figure, or nearly so, it remained for about twenty years.

Adam High, previously mentioned as among the early arrivals came in 1834, and was an old man when he arrived. He was one of the most wealthy among the pioneer settlers, having money out at interest as well as in- vested in land. His cabin, built probably the year of his arrival, is thought by some to have been the second one erected in New Washington. His son Valentine carried on a blacksmith's business for many years, opening a shop about 1837. He also built a small tan- nery which he conducted for about eight years. Years later, a grandson of the original Adam High was badly hurt in the most serious ac- cident that ever occurred at New Washington. The grandson was also named Adam, and was a wagonmaker. On July 4, 1860, he was pounding broken brick on a charge of powder in an anvil. The charge exploded and tore off his left hand and about one-half of his arm below the elbow. His face and breast were much bruised and a deep wound was made in his side under his right arm and shoul- der. At the same time three or four others were also badly hurt, among the worst in- jured being Mr. Gangloof. The latter was holding the powder receptacle from which he had just charged the anvil and it also took fire, burning his hand, arm and face. The faces and necks of all were much cut and marked by the fine grains of brick, though fortunately all their eyes escaped injury.

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George Shichtal had a finger torn off. The force of the explosion was terrible, throwing Mr. High up and back and causing him to strike on his shoulders and side six or eight feet from the anvil. One or two others were also knocked down. Robert Robinson, a tan- ner and cobbler, began the manufacture of shoes in 1834. He prepared his own leather, having five or six vats and selling his surplus in Bucyrus. He employed three men and kept several hundred dollars worth of stock on hand. About 1845 his tannery passed into the hands of Matthias Kibler, an active and en- terprising citizen who did much for the de- velopment and improvement of the town, particularly in advancing its educational in- terests.

Mr. Kibler was born in Germany, June II, 1822, and came to Cranberry in 1841. He started tanning on a farm that was subse- quently owned by Daniel Early. In 1846 or 47 his tannery burned and in the next spring he took up his residence in New Washington, as above mentioned purchasing the tannery of Mr. Robinson. This he con- ducted with great success, also dealing in boots and shoes. His business increased until it became the largest and most successful of its kind that ever existed in the town. On his death, which took place Sept. 23, 1876, it passed into the hands of his sons, being con- ducted by his son Jefferson and later in con- nection with his brother Matthew, under whose management twenty or more vats were in full operation, and today the hide business of the Kiblers is one of the greatest industries of the county. Mr. Kibler, Sr., served with credit in various local offices and at the time of his death was mayor of the town. He made an addition to the town of a number of lots platted from a tract which he had purchased on his first arrival here. He was the chief mover in having the township at an early day divided in eight school districts and supplied with schools and adequate school facilities.

Jacob and Magdalena Lederer came to Cran- berry in 1826; Valentine and Catherine Lantz in 1834; John M. and Jane Robinson came in 1835, locating half a mile west of Waynes- burg. Robinson was one of the earliest black- smiths. Amos and Hannah Stevens came in 1834. as did also John and Saloma Siefert.

The Sieferts bought 80 acres of land, for which they paid $85, leaving them with $25 cash on hand.

Robert Cunning, grandfather of J. H. Stevens, served in the War of the Revolution. Amos Stevens was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church.

Thomas and Esther Cory ( father of Aaron and Elizabeth) came to Cranberry in 1826. Aaron emigrated to Ohio, settling in Wayne county about 1814-15.

Benjamin and Hannah Hudson came in 1833; Morgan and Elizabeth Cummins in 1828.

George Donnenwirth came to New Wash- ington in 1838 and kept a blacksmith's shop. He was postmaster for several years, 1852 to 1856, the office being located at his shop. In those days New Washington got its mail from Chatfield. Every Sunday, regardless of the weather, Mr. Donnenwirth went over to Fris- bie's on the pike and got his mail. During the week his sons or the neighbor boys frequently went over, walking the distance, about five miles. A correct list of the postmasters of New Washington from 1846, with dates of appointment, is as follows :

Postmasters, John A. Sheetz, Jan. 5, 1846; George Donnenwirth, Jan. 17, 1852; George Walter, March 13, 1856; Peter Miller, March 20, 1857; E. A. Hesse, Nov. 9, 1861 ; John S. Hershiser, Feb. 28, 1866; Jacob F. Ailer, April 9, 1866; John Donnenwirth, Aug. 6, 1885; T. B. Carson, April 20, 1889; John Donnenwirth, Sept. 1, 1893; T. B. Carson, Aug. 4, 1897; S. A. Pugh, Feb. 1, 1911.

One of the most enterprising citizens that New Washington ever had was William H. Pratt who came in 1844. He was a carpenter and millwright having a very thorough knowl- edge of his trade and was moreover a man of good general business ability. He entered largely into building operations, having a large shop, and keeping fifteen men employed. He erected a large number of buildings throughout Cranberry and adjacent townships, many of which are standing today, and his reputation as a contractor stood high through- out the county. After carrying on this busi- ness for about eight years, he sold out and opened a provision store and saloon. He also dealt largely in furs, buying all he could ob-

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tain and shipping them to the eastern markets, where they brought a good price. In a single year-1859-he invested $2,000 in this branch of his business alone. He also caught many fur-bearing animals by means of dogs and traps. At that time mink skins sold for $4 and $5 each; coon skins, 75 cents to $1; fox skins from $1 to $2 and wolf skins for about a dollar, exclusive of the bounty, which was several dollars.

After conducting his provision store a few years he sold out that branch of his business and put in instead a stock of drugs, which also proved a good investment. In the early fifties he bought a steam muley sawmill, which he ran for about four years. This mill after- wards passed through various hands. In 1871 he built a large planing mill, which he con- ducted until 1880, when it was sold to An- thony Harmon.

Perhaps the greatest business disappoint- ment that New Washington ever had was the failure of the foundry project in 1850. Elab- orate plans were laid out and a large build- ing erected and supplied with furnace and other necessary appurtenances, the project be- ing backed by men with considerable money at their command. The result was eagerly looked forward to by the townspeople who naturally expected an era of business and commercial activity. The proprietors, how- ever, were not made of the right stuff to command success. They squandered their re- sources in loose living and the foundry was never put into operation. In spite of this the town took on a healthy growth at this time, several new industries arose, new houses were built and the population increased until in the early sixties the town had some 200 inhabi- tants, who were for the most part thrifty and prosperous. In 1854 a man named Johnson built a large and substantial grist mill at a cost of about $4,000. This mill was furnished with three sets of stone and was operated by steam and soon commanded a large trade, furnishing excellent flour. It is still running, a large part of its product being shipped to other localities.

Another noted citizen of New Washington was Jacob J. Bear. He was born Aug. 6, 1835, and at the age of 13 began to learn the printers' trade at Painesville. He subsequently pub-

lished a book on latitude and longitude, en- titled "Mnemotechny." In 1860 he made the journey overland to Pike's Peak, with the in- tention of engaging in mining. But finding this occupation unprofitable, he turned his at- tention to journalism, assisting W. N. Byers in starting the Rocky Mountain News, the first paper published in Colorado. He took part in the Civil War as a member of Company A, Twenty-first Indiana regiment. Returning later to New Washington, he opened a livery business here which he conducted with fair success for a number of years.

So far as is now known the first physician to locate in New Washington was Dr. Stoute- neour, and the first lawyer was J. C. H. Elder who opened a law office in the village, January 16, 1878.

The construction of the Mansfield, Cold- water & Lake Michigan Railroad gave a great impetus to the growth of New Washington, which was noticeable as soon as the construc- tion became certain. Many new buildings, both public and private, were erected, new in- dustries were projected or started, property increased largely in value and the population soon tripled. Since the road was put into oper- ation a number of additions have been made to the village, largely increasing its area. On the 4th of March, 1874, in accordance with a previous petition, signed by a majority of the legal voters, the village of New Washington was incorporated by the County Commission- ers and immediately afterward the following officers were elected : Matthias Kibler, mayor ; Lewis Donnenwirth, clerk; John Miller, treas- urer : Lewis Faeth, marshal; J. H. Miller. Ja- cob Stouteneour, William Aschbaugh, Jacob Sheets, William Donnenwirth and John Tribo- let, councilmen. Succeeding Mr. Kibler as mayor was W H. Pratt for two years, Peter D. Studer two years, L. C. Donnenwirth four years, and in 1885 H. M. Cory was elected, serving over a dozen years.

On Dec. 28, 1827, the County Commission- ers appointed Isaac Matthews and Nicodemus Chilcote as Justices of the Peace. The follow- ing is a complete list of those who have held the office, and the dates of their election :

Isaac Matthews, 1827; Nicodemus Chilcote, 1827-30-33; Aaron Cory, 1832; John Cory, 1834; James Boner, 1836; Jacob Shaffer,

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1837; Abraham English, 1839; Abner Cory, 1839-42; Alexander Stevens, 1842; George Donnenwirth, 1843-46-52-55; Moses Kling, 1845-48-51-54-57; . Mathias Kibler, 1849-58- 61-64-67-70-73; Christian Guiss, 1859-62-65- 68-71; John Tribolet, 1874; William H. Pratt, 1876; Peter D. Studer, 1877-80-83-86; John Michelfelder, 1879; H. M. Cory, 1882-85-88- 91-95-98-01-05-08-1I; George B. Wolf, 1888; Matt Sheibly, 1892; F. S. Blair, 1895; John Donnenwirth, 1899; E. D. Robinson, 1901-05; and A. A. De Roche, 1908-1I.

In April, 1862, New Washington had two churches, two dry goods stores, one drug store, six groceries, three blacksmith shops, five shoe shops, two wagon shops, one tin shop, two cab- inet shops, one flouring and sawmill, a tannery and an ashery. Today it is a thriving and prosperous town, has a good weekly news- paper, the New Washington Herald, owned by Percy Lantz, and a solid, substantial bank of which George W. Sheetz is president. It leads the county in two things: the Kibler tannery does a business of hundreds of thou- sands of dollars yearly, and has a national reputation, and a large combination store is the most extensive mercantile establishment in the county. Another thriving industry is the Uhl hatchery, the little chickens being shipped to practically every state.

The Farmers Exchange Bank, of New Washington, O., was organized as long ago as 1876 and is thus one of the old established financial institutions of the county. Its origi- nal officers were: John A. Sheetz, president; Jacob Sheetz, vice president; and John H. Sheetz, cashier, and they continued to operate the bank until the death of John A. Sheetz in 1889. The business was then reorganized, with Jacob Sheetz as president, John M. Guiss, vice president, and John H. Sheetz, cashier. The directors and stockholders, in addition to the officers, were Mrs. Margaret Sheetz and Louisa P. Guiss. The death of John M. Guiss, in 1907, and of Mrs. Margaret Sheetz in 1892, caused further changes. Jacob Sheetz continued as president, Mrs. Louisa P. Guiss became vice president, John H. Sheetz continued as cashier, George H. Seitter became assistant cashier and, in 1910, Miss Ida Kim- merline became bookkeeper. This bank was organized with a capital of $25,000, with a

surplus of $25,000. Its earliest location was in the back part of the J. Sheetz & Bros.' store. In 1906 the present modern bank building was erected. This building is of brick con- struction, with dimensions of 70x25 feet, and two stories in height. The first floor is occu- pied by the different banking departments, and the second floor by the local telephone ex- change and by tenants. The bank is equipped with a burglar and fire-proof vault, with inside dimensions of 8xII feet, and an automatic time-lock door, weighing three tons. The officers of the bank are members of the Amer- ican Bankers' Association, the Ohio Bankers' Association and the Ohio Private Bankers' Association.

The first settlers of Cranberry township were too much occupied in the struggle with nature to pay much attention to the question of education. Their children were taught at an early age to make themselves useful-the boys assisting their father in extending the clearing, draining the marshes or developing the farm, and the girls in helping their mother to perform the multifarious household duties, which, in many or most cases, included the making of homespun clothes for the family. If they attended school at all, it was probably in Auburn township-where at an early date there were a few rude schoolhouses-and at short and infrequent intervals. But in the winter of 1833-34 an educational change set in. The elder people had by that time seen the advisability of providing their children with an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the elements of knowledge and a small build- ing was therefore rented and roughly prepared for the purposes of a schoolhouse. The name of the teacher, who was probably the first teacher in the township, has been forgotten. School was taught there every winter until 1839, at which time a large log schoolhouse was built about a mile southeast of New Wash- ington. This was attended by the town chil- dren until about 1842, when a log schoolhouse was built in the town. The latter building was used until 1855, when a schoolhouse was built at a cost of nearly $2,000, to be succeeded 30 years later by the present handsome and commodious brick structure. At the time the log schoolhouse was erected in the village, others were built in various parts of the town-

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ship. One near the present Tabor church, in 1840, and another in the northern part at about the same time. Several years later one was built near the eastern limits. These. buildings were used generally for about 25 years, after which the present more commodi- ous and substantial ones were erected.

The pioneer settlers of Cranberry being largely of German origin, the Lutherans and German Reformers united to organize a church in the township. This was done in the spring of 1834 by Rev. Mr. Stanch, who afterward made periodical visits to the society, at inter- vals of every two months. Among the first members were the families of John Seifert, Conrad Seiter, Phillip Gangloof, Adam High, and Mrs. Ehregott Hesse. Two years later Rev. Maschop came to serve the congregation, preaching once a month. He was succeeded by Rev. John Krauss, who visited the society from 1839 to 1845. At first services were held in schoolhouses or in the cabins of the mem- bers, but in 1840 a log church was built in the eastern part of New Washington, which, though small, was adequate to the member- ship. After the erection of this church Rev. Mr. Krauss visited it every alternate Sunday. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Graetz, who preached every Sunday from 1845 to 1850. In 1853, the congregation having largely in- creased, a new and larger church was erected at a cost of $2,700, including a bell and organ. In the previous year the Lutheran members being in a preponderance, the title of "German Evangelical Lutheran Church" had been adopted. The new church dedicated in 1854, the councilmen at that time being George Don-

nenwirth, Jacob Utz, Jacob Weil, Valen- tine High, George Leonhardt, John P. Walter, Michael, Margaret and John A. Sheetz. This is one of the strongest church organizations in the county.

The early Catholics in Cranberry township attended a church located on the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike, in the southern part of Seneca county. But by 1844 they so in- creased as to be able to organize a church of their own, which was accordingly done, a small frame building being erected a little to the east of Hillburn's tavern. This building, which cost about $600, was used until 1868, when the present fine church was erected at a cost of $25,000. In 1875 the parsonage was built on an adjacent lot at a cost of $4,000.

About 1850 a Protestant Methodist church was organized in the township, the members meeting for services in schoolhouses. In 1854 they built a frame church on section 27, at a cost of $1,400.

The United Brethren about 1844 began holding meetings at the residences of some of the members of their faith, among whom George Keller was one of the most prominent. Their meetings were afterwards for several years held in a schoolhouse. The society in- creasing, a church was built in 1852 at a cost of about $800. The families of George Keller, Conrad Cragle, Peter Lash, Nicholas Whittle and Charles Hagerman were among the first members. Rev. John Smith was one of the first ministers. In 1880 or 1881 a Methodist Episcopal church was built in the northern part of the township at a cost of $1,200, the membership of which has since largely in- creased.

CHAPTER XII

DALLAS TOWNSHIP

Peculiar Shape of Dallas Township-Dimensions Fertility of the Soil-Erection of the Township-Drainage-Stock Raising-First Settlers-Taverns and Mills-Arrival of Johnston Family-Enterprise of Mr. Kerr-His Donations-The Monnetts- Roads and Stage Lines-Milk Sickness and Cholera Epidemics-Schools and Churches -The "Devil's Half Acre"-Early Marriages-Justices-The Bucyrus and Marion Electric Road.

There buds of the buckeye in spring are he rire .. And the willow's gold hair then appears, And snowy the cups of the dogwood that burst By the red-bud, with pink-tinted tears. And striped the bolls which the poppy holds up For the dew, and the sun's yellow rays; And brown is the pawpaw's shade-blossoming cup, In the wood, near the sun-loving maize. -WILLIAM W. FOSDICK.

That peculiarly shaped strip of territory which clamps, so to speak, the southwest cor- ner of Crawford county, and which is desig- nated on the map as Dallas township, forms part of a tract that was surveyed as far back as 1819, by Deputy Surveyor Gen. Sylvanus Bourne, assisted by Samuel Holmes, from whom Holmes township derives its name. It forms a part of the famous Sandusky Plains, a strip of land about 20 miles in width and stretching east and west through Marion and Wyandot counties. for 40 miles. that is one of the most fertile tracts of land to be found in Ohio, and which in early days was noted for the rank luxuriance of its sedge grass and yellow blossomed weeds, but which today, laid out in fenced and cultivated fields, yields boun- tiful crops of a more useful nature in grains and farm produce of every description, and makes the finest of pasture land.

The peculiar shape of the township is due to the conditions brought about by the Legis- lature creating the county of Wyandot in 1845. Bucyrus, Holmes and Lykins were al- ready established townships, and when Wyan- dot was erected west of these townships was a

strip two miles wide, while to Crawford county was added on the south two miles from Ma- rion county. Instead of attaching this terri- tory to adioining townships, the Crawford County Commissioners erected new townships from the strips, and one of these was Dallas, which was made up of the strip six miles long and two wide taken from Scott township, Marion county, and in the extreme southwest- ern corner four square miles taken from Grand Prairie township, Marion county, and north of this, six square miles taken from Antrim township, which had been a township of Craw- ford county, but the bulk of it had gone into the new county of Wyandot. This made an "L" shaped township in the southwestern part of the county, two miles across. The new township was named Dallas, in honor of George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, who the year previous had been elected vice president of the United States.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 34

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1302

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302