History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 56

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 56

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In those early days, while the woods pro- duced an abundance of game and the river yielded fish and an occasional hog was killed, the chief difficulty was the supply of bread, and the Norton daughters report that some- times for days they were without bread, their diet being game, potatoes and honey, for there were many bee trees, and at one time Mr. Nor- ton had over a barrel of strained honey in his cabin ; in one day he found 23 bee trees, and the first hive of bees he had was a swarm of wild ones he secured in the woods. The near- est mill was at Lexington, on the banks of the

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

Mohican in Richland county. The largest was the Herron mill at Fredericktown on the Ver- non river in Knox County. Although over thirty miles away, it was the safest as the pioneer was certain of having his grist ground, the water being sufficient to run the mill at all seasons of the year. An Indian trail led to that settlement, the Indians passing through Bucyrus and Whetstone township, across Mor- row County and to Fredericktown and Mt. Ver- non, the latter being one of the principal points where they disposed of their skins and cran- berries. This trail was well-marked through the forest, and over this long route, Norton or Seth Holmes would take as much grain as the horse could carry, and return about a week later with it ground into meal. Four days was a quick trip. In spring the route was almost impassable, even on horseback, and then it was when the meal was low, that the family were thrown on their own resources, and the hand-mill was pressed into use -a very crude sort of coffee-mill, holding half a pint of grain, which was ground into meal. Then the mill was filled up and still more ground. The slow- ness of the process prevented a supply being gathered ahead. It was an evening's work at the mill, to secure enough meal for the next day's use. Another device was the punching of holes with a nail through a piece of tin, the bottom of an old bucket; and on the rough edges of the holes, an ear of corn was slowly and industriously rubbed, the meal falling through the holes. This was amusement of a winter evening, sitting beside the large fire- place. In a few hours enough meal could be ground this way to give all at least a taste of bread for breakfast. When the roads were bad in the spring of the year, it can readily be seen why bread was a luxury, and potatoes and game the staple article of food.

A corrected survey of the land showed that the Norton land did not extend to the river, but that his northern line was Perry street, so he built himself another log cabin on the south- east corner of what is now Galen and Spring streets. This was a much larger house, known as a double log cabin. There were neighbors then, and they came to the raising and the new cabin was erected, with two rooms down stairs, two windows in the front, and a spacious loft. The chimney for six feet was actually built

of stone, and above this was the balance of sticks and mud. Norton now had the palatial residence of the county, one that well became the future founder of Bucyrus.

In the spring of 1820 some settlers arrived in a family named Sears, who lived for a time just west of the present site of Oakwood Ceme- tery and then moved away. Then followed the Beadles-David Beadle and two sons, Michael and David, Jr., and Beadle's son-in-law, John Ensley. Daniel McMichael followed with his family, and Joseph Young and family and others. Michael Beadle built a cabin on West Mansfield street, about where the property of the late Silas A. Bowers now is; south of him his father had 80 acres, his cabin being just north of the junction of Kaler avenue with Charles street.

It was during 1820 that Col. James Kil- bourne drifted north from Columbus, making a preliminary survey for a road from Colum- bus to the Lake. At that time a road extended from Columbus through Delaware, and as far north as Norton in Delaware county, near the Greenville Treaty line. When in 1817 this land, north of the treaty line, was opened to settle- ment, arrangements were made to extend the road to the Lake. Kilbourne, with a sur- veyor's instinct, saw at a glance the excellent location of the Norton land as the place for a town on this new road. But Mr. Norton did not favor it. He had come there because he liked the land; he had a good farm, it was fast being cleared, and it was too good a farm to spoil by being laid out into town lots. Kil- bourne continued on his way to Sandusky City, drew up his plans for the road, and in 1821 returned to Bucyrus. He had established the town of Claridon in Marion County, about 16 miles north of Delaware, and the Sandusky river sixteen miles further north was excel- lently situated for his next town, with the site of (Caroline) Attica selected still further north. The neighbors wisely prevailed on Norton to enter into an agreement with Col. Kilbourne and as a result the following con- tract was drawn up.

To ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN :

Know ye, that James Kilbourne, of Worthington, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, and Samuel Norton, of the county of Crawford, and State aforesaid, have agreed, and do agree as follows, viz .: The said James Kilbourne agrees to lay off a town for said Nor-

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ton, on the southwest quarter of the first section of the third township south, and sixteenth range, of the public lands of the United States, the west line of which shall be forty-four rods from the west line of said quarter, and parallel thereto, and shall extend thence east one hundred rods, being bounded north and south by the quarter lines, so as to contain one hundred acres in said town plat of in-lots, out-lots and reserves. In lay- ing off and establishing said town, the said Kilbourne shall do, or cause to be done at his own expense, the following particulars, viz .: He shall make, or cause to be made, the preparatory survey and notes; project and make the plat; survey the town; cause the plat to be re- corded; advertise, and attend at the first public sale of lots ; draw all the writings for the sale; advertise the ap- plications for such State and county roads as the pro- prietors shall, within one year from this date, agree to be necessary, leading to and from said town; draw peti- tions for said roads; circulate them for signers; present them to proper authorities, and attend the commis- sioners and viewers who may be appointed thereon, to assist in selecting proper routes for said roads; and, when the town shall be surveyed as aforesaid, the said Norton, his heirs or assigns, as principal proprietors, shall first choose and reserve one lot; the said Kil- bourne, as projector, surveyor and minor proprietor, his heirs and assigns, shall next choose and reserve one lot; and the remainder of the town shall be the joint property of the said Norton and Kilbourne, their heirs and assigns, forever, in the proportion of three-fourths to the said Norton, and one-fourth to the said Kil- bourne; Provided, however, that the said Norton may reserve twelve rods in width of the west side of said town plat, as the same shall be platted, surveyed and recorded as above, to his own proper use and disposal; for which the said Kilbourne shall receive and hold, throughout the other parts of the town plat, in addi- tion to his fourth part thereof, an interest and right equal in quantity to one-fourth part of said twelve-rod reservation ; so that the said Kilbourne's interest in the eighty-eight acres east of said twelve-rod reserve shall be as twenty-five is to eighty-eight, or, twenty-five acres in the whole; and the said Samuel Norton doth agree to appropriate the said tract for a town plat, to be laid off by said Kilbourne as above written, and upon the terms aforesaid; and, so soon as the said Kilbourne shall have completed, all and singular, the obligations on his part, so far as that the town is ready for the public sale as aforesaid, the said Norton shall make and de- liver to the said Kilbourne, his heirs or assigns, a good and sufficient warrantee deed of the said one-fourth part of the town plat aforesaid, provided he shall so soon receive the patent from the President for the tract of which the said town plat will be a part; and, if the patent should not be so soon received, then and in that case the deed shall be made and delivered as soon as the said patent shall be received as aforesaid.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, at Crawford county the fourth day of Octo- ber, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one.

JAMES KILBOURNE (seal), SAMUEL NORTON (seal).

In presence of SETH HOLMES, JR. BIRON KILBOURNE.

The plat of the within described town, now named Bucyrus, is so changed to the west by laying off by mutual agreement as to leave but twenty-four, instead of forty-four, rods between said plat and the sectional line; and the reserve of Samuel Norton is extended on

the plat to twenty-four, instead of twelve rods; there will, of course, remain but seventy-six instead of eighty- eight, rods, or acres, of said plat east of Samuel Nor- ton's reserve, of which seventy rods, containing seventy- six acres, James Kilbourne shall receive his proportion of the town, in amount twenty-five acres, instead of the eighty-eight acres as within contracted. Said Norton shall have to his own use all the mill privileges, with no other consideration than that of the contents of the ground contained therein, toward his part of the out-lots of the plat; and the ground bought of Mr. Holmes, if retained, shall be laid out into lots by said Kilbourne and added to the town, on the same principles and pro- portions of mutual advantage as the hundred acres con- tained in the foregoing contract.

December 15, 1821.

SAMUEL NORTON. JAMES KILBOURNE.

The foregoing contract is this day so changed by mutual consent that the part of the town of Bucyrus which is laid upon the lands of Samuel Norton is con- fined to such limits as to contain only the numbered in-lots, out-lots and public grounds, with the avenue, streets and alleys, containing fifty acres more or less ; and the projector and surveyor of the town, James Kil- bourne, his heirs and assigns, shall have and receive the one equal half part thereof, instead of the one-fourth part of the one hundred acres, as previously stipulated in this contract.

Witness our hands and seals at Bucyrus, this 12th day of February, 1822.

SAMUEL NORTON (seal). JAMES KILBOURNE (seal).

This contract, with the amendments, oc- cupied three pages of foolscap, and it will be observed that the final agreement was reached and the contract signed on Lincoln's birthday, that later distinguished American being at that time ragged and barefooted in his log cabin, probably passing the day without any presents to remind him that it was the thirteenth an- niversary of his birth. On the same sheet of foolscap is written the final words :

"The within article of agreement, with the two modi- fications of the original contract herein contained, being complied with by the parties, is fully canceled and of no further effect.

SAMUEL NORTON. JAMES KILBOURNE."

Bucyrus, April 22, 1830."

The plat itself that was filed at Delaware, Ohio, in the Recorder's office, was signed Feb. II, 1822. The corrected survey showed Norton's land only extended as far north as Perry street. East of Sandusky avenue, the land between Perry street and the river was owned by Seth Holmes and Daniel McMichael. and west of the avenue by Abel and Lewis Cary. The sale of lots later shows Seth Holmes' land was bought, and certainly some

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

agreement was made with the Carys and Mc- Michaels as the town extended to the river The amended plat as filed in this county shows that described by present boundaries the town started on the east at the Sandusky river, just half a block east of Walnut street, extending south to Middletown street, the line being half way between Walnut and Lane streets, a part of this line having an alley, notably from the Pennsylvania road to Charles street. At Mid- dletown street it ran west two blocks to the alley between Sandusky avenue and Poplar street; then north along the alley until it came to within one lot of Warren street, where it went west to Poplar street, including in the village lot 176 on the southeast corner of Pop- lar and Warren, now owned by the heirs of D. Picking. It went north on Poplar to Rensse- laer street; then went half a block west, then north, along the west line of the present Pres- byterian parsonage until within one lot of Mansfield street, when it went west across Spring street, and further west two lots, then north across Mansfield street, so as to include one row of lots on the north side of Mansfield. The line then ran east, at the rear of two lots on Mansfield street west of Spring, and at the rear of four lots between Spring and Poplar. On Poplar it went north to Galen, east to the alley between Poplar and Sandusky, then north to the river. The plat contained 176 lots, and of these lots 90 and 92 were set apart for a Court House, the present site; and lot 88 for the jail, and north of this lot 86 was donated by Norton later for school purposes, the lot adjoining the Pennsylvania road on Walnut street.

The streets were named mostly by Samuel Norton, as they are after members of his fam- ily, modestly omitting one after himself. Sandusky avenue was laid out as an avenue, and was 5 rods wide (821/2 feet) called after the Columbus and Sandusky turnpike, but al- ways popularly known and called "Main street." Mansfield street was called after the road leading to Mansfield. Walnut street was probably named by Col. Kilbourne, on account of a number of Walnut trees at the north end of the street. Poplar street was named from the number of Poplar trees on its northern end. Mary street was named after Mrs. Norton: Rensselaer, Warren and Charles, after the

sons of Norton. All these streets were not named at the start, as Perry street was named after Perry Garton, the eldest grandchild of Samuel and Mary Norton, son of Louisa Nor- ton who married Harris Garton Feb. 15, 1824. Middletown street was also named later, after the road leading from Bucyrus through that village to Mansfield. Galen street was also named later, the early history says, probably after some member of the Norton family but no Galen can be found in the family, and the probabilities are it was named by Dr. Mc- Comb, the first disciple of Galen who came in 1822; the street itself was partly through a swamp, at places impassable east and west, and as late as 1851 was in such a condition it was probably a relief to the citizens when the Ohio and Indiana road decided to use it for their track. Spring alley was named from a spring on the banks of the Sandusky, east of the avenue. East and West Alleys were named from being east and west of Sandusky avenue.

The lot sale took place in April, but prior to this parties had bought lots. When the sale took place, a large crowd was present, people coming from the country and from neighboring towns, and Col. Kilbourne was the auctioneer, and during the sale sang for the first time his

SONG OF BUCYRUS

Ye men of spirit, ardent souls, Whose hearts are firm and hands are strong,

Whom generous enterprise controls, Attend ! and truth shall guide my song.

I'll tell you how Bucyrus, now Just rising, like the star of morn,

Surrounded stands by fertile lands,

On clear Sandusky's rural bourn.

In these wide regions, known to fame, Which freedom proudly calls her own; Where free-born men the heathen tame, And spurning kings-despise a throne.

No lands more blest in all the west, Are seen whichever way you turn,

Than those around Bucyrus found

On clear Sandusky's rural bourn.

The river valley, rich and green, Far as the power of sight extends, Presents a splendid rural scene, Which not the distant landscape ends.

The bordering plain spreads like the main, Where native fruits its sides adorn, And nearly join the margin line

Along Sandusky's rural bourn.

First Norton and the Beadles came, With friends, (an enterprising band), Young and McMichael, men of fame, Soon joined the others, hand in hand;

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By various plans t' improve the lands, They early rise with every morn, Near where the town Bucyrus stands, All on Sandusky's rural bourn.

There, teams of oxen move with pride, Obedient to their driver's word;

There the strong yeomen firmly guide The ploughs which cleave and turn the sward;

The dale around, with herds abound, The fields luxuriant are with corn, Near where the town Bucyrus stands, All on Sandusky's rural bourn.

Rich meadows there, extending far, By nature for the scythe prepared,

And boundless pasture everywhere, Is free for all and ev'ry herd.

The deep'ning mold, some hundred fold, Rewards with flax and wheat and corn,

Those who with toil excite the soil, Along Sandusky's rural bourn.

In seasons mild their forests wild, Through hills and valleys widely spread,

The streamlets glide from every side, Concent'ring to their common bed ;

Thence, fed by springs which nature brings, O'erhung by plum-tree, elm and thorn,

Winds on the stream with dazzling gleam, Along Sandusky's rural bourn.

When gathering vapors dim the sky, And clouds condensed their treasures pour ;

When showers descend, and lightnings rend The heavens above, and thunders roar ; When growing rills the valley fills ; When gentle brooks to rivers turn;

Then moves with pride the swelling tide Along Sandusky's rural bourn.

There, youths and maids along the glades Are often seen in walks around, Where flowers in prime, in vernal time, And where, in autumn, fruits are found, With manly face, with dimpling grace, Give, and receive kind words in turn- In roseate bowers, where fragrant flowers O'erspread Sandusky's rural bourn.

Then, here, my friend, your search may end, For here's a country to your mind ; And here's a town your hopes may crown, As those who try it soon shall find.

Here fountains flow, mild zephyrs blow, While health and pleasure smile each morn For all around Bucyrus found, On fair Sandusky's rural bourn.

Many times in after years when Col. Kil- bourne visited Bucyrus, he sang this song and others to admiring crowds. He was a great favorite among the sturdy pioneer settlers, who esteemed him for his many social qual- ities, and, when the knowledge that the Colonel was at the village spread throughout the neighborhood, they would assemble at Bucyrus to enjoy the rich season of fun which the old surveyor always planned and directed when he

appeared. He had a few old cronies, who were seldom absent when the Colonel was willing to "make a night" of it with his boon companions. Brandy and egg-nog were Kil- bourne's favorite beverages, and these special friends of his never refused to indulge when stray glasses containing liquid of this descrip- tion were thrust into their hands ; consequently, when Kilbourne planned a good social time at the public house with a few friends, these com- panions were always willing and anxious to assist in disposing of the various liquors fur- nished by the Colonel's hospitality. In those days when whisky was supposed to be a ne- cessity in every household, nearly all indulged in strong drink and for a man to be under the influence of liquor was not so serious a mat- ter as it is regarded at the present time. Even ministers did not object to an occasional glass; many were regular drinkers. But in the early days of the village, when ordained min- isters appeared at irregular intervals, some of the early settlers, learning that Col. Kilbourne had formerly been an Episcopalian rector, re- quested him to conduct religious services. The Colonel consented in order that Bucyrus would obtain some credit for being a moral and re- ligious village, and arrangements were made for him to preach on a certain Sabbath. The night previous, however, he assembled with his usual companions at the public house, and until after midnight the jolly crowd had a fine time. Many songs were proposed and sung by the Colonel; the bar-tender's till received numerous contributions, and much of his liquid ware had been disposed of ; consequently, when they adjourned, many were much the worse for liquor. But the Reverend Colone appeared next day ready for the religious ex. ercises, and, in consequence of his early ex- perience as rector, he conducted a very satis- factory meeting; the effect of the previous night did not prevent him from preaching ar excellent sermon. Not so, however, with some of his companions who took part in the revel- ries at the public house; one of these mis- guided men, having learned that Kilbourne was to officiate at another meeting, seemed to consider it a continuation of the "good time' started the night previous, and made haste to assemble with the religious portion of the com- munity. The poor fellow was too far gone

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

to notice the difference in the assembly, but he heard the familiar voice of Kilbourne ask- ing some one to propose a hymn for the oc- casion, and the erring man not knowing the horrid mistake he was making, arose and startled the congregation with one of the wild drinking songs of the night previous.

The original numbers of Bucyrus on the Delaware plat, and on the Bucyrus plat, com- menced at the Sandusky river, the odd num- bers on the west side of Sandusky avenue and the even numbers on the east. They ran I to 7, Perry street; 9 to 17, Mary street; 19 to 27, Galen street; 29 to 35, Public Square; 37 to 43, Rensselaer street; 45 to 53 Warren street. This was as far as the original plat of the town filed at Delaware, contemplated, and south of this, starting two blocks wide was a triangular park, extending to a point at San- dusky and Charles street. On the east side of Sandusky avenue, commencing at the river are lots 2 to 8, Perry street; 10 to 18, Mary street ; 20 to 28, Galen street ; 30 to 36, Public Square; 38 to 44, Rensselaer street; 46 to 54, Warren street. On the east side of Walnut the num- bers commenced at the river with No. 56 and ran to 95 and 97 on Mansfield street, which were the present Opera Block and the Hall property adjoining; on the west side they ran from 57 to 91 and 93, the Adams property on Mansfield street, now owned by Miss Lizzie Ostermeyer. The plat as filed at Delaware was signed on Feb. 11, 1822, by Samuel Nor- ton, Abel Cary, Daniel McMichael, and Seth Holmes. It was witnessed by Joseph Young and Gibley (Polly) Bucklin, and was sworn to by Joseph Young, as Justice of the Peace. Later the plat was changed but it was never corrected on the Delaware records. On this Delaware plat a site is marked on the river, half a block east of the present Lane street (now out-lot 119) and marked Norton's Mill, showing Norton had in contemplation the building of a mill. On this plat the town stopped at Warren street, which was called Cherry alley. Of the park the plat says, "to be improved for parkage gardening as the cor- poration of the town shall direct, and until the town shall be incorporated the original proprie- tors will direct and dispose thereof at discre- tion." The plat further says: "The marks of the figure 'o' denote the springs which issue

from the high bank within the town." This spring was about half a block east of San- dusky avenue, on the high bank of the river, and a distillery was started there on account of the pure water that could be secured. There was also another spring on the river bank, be- tween the railroad bridge and the Mary street bridge. On April 22, 1830, the contract was canceled as being completed, but this comple- tion was made by Norton and Kilbourne hav- ing a division of the lots remaining unsold at that time. The lot sale took place in the spring of 1822, and there were many came from the surrounding country and from a distance, the sale having been well worked up by Col. Kil- bourne. The first owners on record of each of the lots of the original plat filed at Dela- ware, with the prices paid, and date of giving the deed, are as follows :

I-Abel Cary to Lewis Cary, 1825 .. $50.00 2-Admr. Daniel McMichael to Icha- bod Rogers, 1829 95.00

3-Abel Cary to Lewis Cary, 1825. . 50.00

4-Robert Moore to Ichabod Rogers, 1825 225.00

5-Abel Cary to Lewis Cary, 1825. . 50.00 6-William Young to Ichabod Rog- ers, 1839 200.00 7-Conrad Roth to E. B. Merriman, 1828 600.00

8-Admr. McMichael to Ichabod Rogers, 1829 95.00 9-Samuel Norton to Wm. F. Seiser, 1853 500.00 IO-Samuel Norton to Charles Mer- riman, 1826 50.00

II-Samuel Norton to Jefferson Nor- ton, part, 1855 500.00

12-Samuel Norton to Hugh Mc- Cracken & French & Bowers, 1824 40.00

13-Samuel Norton to John Moder- well, 1828 50.00 14-Samuel Norton to Lewis Stephen- son, 1823 40.00

15-Samuel Norton to John McClure, Pennsylvania, 1824 40.00

16-Samuel Norton to E. B. Merri- man, 1824 30.00 17-Samuel Norton to John Miller, 1824 50.00

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 56

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