USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 89
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Same officers were elected but fair discon- tinued; in 1867 met and organized.
1867, October 15, 16, 17, 18-D. C. Boyer, president, Josiah Kohler, vice president, C. El- liott, secretary, J. B. Gormly, treasurer.
1868, October 6, 7, 8, 9 Josiah Kohler, president, John Monnett, vice president, John R. Clymer, secretary, J. B. Gormly, treas- urer.
1869, September 28, 29, 30, October 1, 2- Josiah Kohler, president, John Monnett, vice president, George Keller, secretary, J. B. Gormly, treasurer.
1870, October 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-Josiah Kohler, president, James Orr, vice president, George Keller, secretary, J. B. Gormly, treasurer.
1871, October 3, 4, 5, 6-Josiah Kohler, president, G. H. Wright, vice president, George Keller, secretary, J. B. Gormly, treasurer.
1872, September 17, 18, 19, 20, 21-James Orr, president, E. B. Monnett, vice president ; George Keller, secretary, J. B. Gormly treas- urer.
THE CANAL CRAWFORD DID NOT GET
In 1818, the subject of a canal came up in Ohio, and the Legislature incorporated the Little Miami Canal and Banking Company. Other canal companies desired to incorporate, and in 1821 Gov. Brown in a message to the Legislature said the state ought to build and own the canals. In 1822 .Thomas Worthing- ton, Benjamin Tappan, Jeremiah Morrow, Isaac Minor and Alfred Kelley were appointed a commission to report on a route. One of the routes surveyed was through Crawford county, following along the Sandusky and the Scioto. In regard to this route Col. Kilbourne published the following article in the Columbus Gazette on Jan. 23, 1823 :
"The summit of level of these rivers is as- certained to be (354) three hundred and fifty- four feet above the level of Lake Erie, and (455) four hundred and fifty-five feet above low water marks in the Ohio river at Ports- mouth.
"The engineer represents that the main branch of the Great Miami with several other durable streams which fall into it may be brought by a short feeder to the Scioto at Round Head's town. He states that it is prob- able that the feeder from the Sandusky will not exceed six or eight miles in length, and that from the sources already mentioned, including the two branches of the Whetstone and others which may be obtained, it is highly probable that there will be an ample sufficiency for the summit pond of this canal. The engineer states that the Sandusky and Scioto valleys may be pronounced favorable for the conducting of a canal along them when compared with the val- leys of most other rivers, and very favorable when compared with the Mohawk in the state of New York. The particular advantages possessed by said valleys is the facility with which the canal (in most places), may be led along on a level altogether above the alluvial bottoms of the margin of the rivers, entirely secure from floods, so menacing to canal works. The total absence of lateral rivers is an advantage on this route worthy of note. The Big Belly, Little Walnut and Salt Creeks being the most formidable, each of which drains, comparatively, but a small tract of country."
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The Colonel was fighting and working for this route, and at the same time was running for Congress, and his opponents propounded the inquiry as to whether, if he could not secure the Sandusky-Scioto canal, he would support one of the other routes. The Colonel's reply was that he was in favor of a canal, but "it was not good judgment to tell your opponents you might later support them." He was elected to Congress, but the Legislature decided on two canals, one in the eastern part of the state, along the Cuyahoga and the Muskingum, with a branch to Columbus; the other in the western part from what is now Toledo to Cincinnati. Kilbourne promptly published a four-column protest in the Columbus Gazette, showing the Sandusky and Scioto route was the cheapest and best, and followed it up with several more articles, but the matter was set- tled, and in 1825, Gov. DeWitt Clinton, of New York came to Ohio, and dug the first spade full of earth. .
It appears Col. Kilbourne never gave up his idea of a central canal, until after the building of railroads commenced and the demand for canals ceased.
In 1839, he was in Bucyrus consulting the engineer, who was looking over this route, and on his return inclosed the following letter to Samuel Norton, to be handed to the engi- neer. In his letter to Norton he says: "En- closed you will find the ten dollars I borrowed of.you, for which accommodation please accept my thanks. My hand is still giving me trou- ble, no better than when I left you, if so well. Please hand the last half sheet of this letter to Major Norton at first opportunity. If he has left you for headquarters when this comes to hand, please send it to him by special car- rier. It is of importance that he should have it immediately."
The following is the letter :
"An idea has occurred to me since we parted which may be of some value. I hasten to communicate.
"I have remarked to you already that Brokensword Creek, of itself, is of no value as a feeder to the summit, for in the time when foreign supplies are necessary, it has but lit- tle of running water. Its value is therefore mainly or wholly as a conduit from the res- ervoir in Cranberry marsh; and it is only a
few miles that it could be so used; and would fall in below the regulating reservoir on the Sandusky, crossing the valley of Grassey Run, and a branch of Brokensword above that run, where those waters are deep. Therefore, for the thought on the subject, has presented this view, viz .: That you take the water from the reservoir in Cranberry marsh, by the shortest outlet, at Mr. Dorland's, to Brokensword, and immediately crossing the valley of that creek, keep as high a level as practicable, on the left of the creek, descending, so as to discharge the water into the regulating reservoir at the sum- mit level. In doing this you will have no deep cuttings or large embankments in con- structing the feeder, but nearly a regular plain all the way. The more I have considered this improvement in the plan, the better it appears, and I have now no doubt of its superior ad- vantages in every point of view."
The building of railroads put an end to canals and the one through Crawford county was abandoned.
THE CHOLERA
In August of 1852, cholera broke out in Bucyrus. It was at that time raging at San- dusky City, where the death rate reached as high as sixteen a day for several days. On Saturday, Aug. 20, a German woman arrived and went to the home of friends on East Rens- selaer street. The next evening she died sud- denly and the attending physician pronounced it cholera. An investigation of the case showed she had arrived the day before from Sandusky City. The physicians hurredly took the matter into consideration and differed as to the cause of her death, but the majority pro- nounced it cholera. No special alarm was felt by the citizens. But in the next day or two several similar cases were reported in the same neighborhood; on Thursday, Aug. 26th, Margaret, the daughter of E. F. Sheckler, aged 18 months, died. And two days later, Mary, the daughter of Abraham and Ann Kel- ler, aged 14 years, made the third death. Fol- lowing these within the next two days, were the deaths of Elizabeth Sheckler, wife of E. F. Sheckler ; Isaac Didie, a young man of twenty, and on Sept. I, Abraham Rever and Abraham Keller, the German reformed minister, and there were several other cases in that neighbor-
562
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
hood. For the past few days the physicians and the authorities had taken the most active measures in purifying the city. The infected district was closely guarded and the cholera was confined exclusively to that section. There were several other deaths, but the disease was finally brought under control. But it was by far the most severe epidemic ever in Bucyrus.
EARLY VALUATION AND EXPENSES
In 1830 the valuation of the property in Crawford county. In Bucyrus, $5,518 were the values of the lots in that village; $753 were values of lots in Holmes township, and $67 in Antrim township. The last five townships in 1845 became a part of Wyandot county.
Townships
Acres Tax.
Value
Pers'1 Prop'y Total
Bucyrus
7,913
$17,637
$11,84I
$29,478
Holmes
2,066
3,980
1,124
5,104
Liberty
7,017
10,455
4,872
15,327
Whetstone
7,897
II,283
9,896
21,179
Cranberry
1,513
1,815
1,000
2,815
Sandusky
12,09I
13,75I
6,280
20,03I
Chatfield
. ...
288
288
Sycamore
6,250
9,312
3,152
12,464
Tymochtee
8,729
15,386
12,096
27,482
Crawford
5,509
6,309
3,584
9,893
Pitt
2,156
3,392
4,144
7,536
Antrim
1,556
2,156
1,744
3,,900
Totals
62,697
$95,476
$60,021
$155,497
Here is the commissioners' report for the year ending June 4, 1834, showing what they paid out to run the county :
Paid for wolf scalps
James L. Harper, commissioner $ 18.00
28.00
Isaac Sweeney, commissioner
24.00
Daniel Williams, commissioner
22.00
William Earley, commissioner
6.00
Isaac Robertson, associate judge
17.59
Abel Carey, associate judge
15.00
George Poe, associate judge
15.00
Josiah Scott, prosecuting attorney . 32.50
Zalmon Rowse, clerk, his salary ..
57.50
Location of county roads 79.75
Location of State roads
23.00
Justices, constables and witnesses in criminal cases
69.20
For blank books
5.62
Constables attending court
13.25
Grand and petit jurors
208.70
Judges and clerks of elections
96.44
12.59
John Caldwell, William Early and
others, superintending appropria- tions of 3 per cent bond 25.00
Tax, improperly charged 11.07
Interest on county orders 139.71
Zalmon Rowse, for copying old deed records
250.00
John Tingler, assessor 67.50
Peter Hesser, Sr., and Peter Hesser, Jr., for keeping Andrew Hesser, a county pauper 39.00
Furniture for auditor's office 15.00
Meeker & Rowse, for stoves for clerk's and auditor's offices ..: 28.00 T. T. Sweney, expenses to Cincin- nati, procuring field notes 18.75
Joseph Paske, for medicines and attendance on Andrew Hesser . . Fuel
10.50
One copy of the Revised Statutes of Ohio 6.00
Z. Rowse, opening poll books of elec- tions, making abstracts of votes, &c 8.80
Sheriff, for boarding criminals,
23.27
guarding and repairing jail ..... Sheriff, summoning jury and adver- tising elections, stationery
8.43
J. Turnbull for blank deed book . 10.12 John Caldwell, county auditor 247.50
Abraham Myers, damages by locating State road . 50.00
Bowen and Smith special fees as
prosecuting attorneys 27.00
William Crosby, printing 48.50
Total amount expended for
county purposes $1,853.12
EARLY MARRIAGE LICENSES
Searching among the old records in adjoin- ing counties before Crawford was organized in 1826, a number of marriage licenses were discovered, where the names indicate that one or both of the parties were residents of Craw- ford county. The following were found in Huron county :
March 3. 1819-Mathias Cummins and Mary Morgan. Wm. Ritchey, J. P.
May I, 1820-Arabel C. Caldwell and Lu- cinda Cummins, married at Bloomingville, Samuel B. Caldwell, J. P.
Nicholas Cronbaugh, making win- dow shutters for court house ....
4.81
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Oct. 21, 1821-Elijah Sanderson and Soph- ronia Blair. Josiah Traverse, J. P.
April 20, 1822-Elijah Collins and Esther Kellogg, Alvan Cox, minister.
June 27, 1822-James Kellogg and Nancy Wood, Thomas Stevens, J. P.
Here are two from Delaware County :
1822-Auer Umberfield and
Scott.
Sept. - , 1822-Philander Odell and Sarah Bacon.
Here are some from Marion county :
May 7, 1824-Seldon Feldon and Lydia Ketchum.
May 15, 1824-Joshua Bearss and Susannah Wade.
May 16, 1824-David Allen and Polly Haz- lett.
June 7, 1824-Alanson Pack and Nancy Fickle.
June 13, 1824-James Stewart and Elizabeth Steen.
Sept. 4, 1824-Geo. M. Fickle and Margaret Beckley.
Sept. 7, 1824-Joseph Stewart and Jane Steen.
Sept. - , 1824-Peter Long and Hiley Dar- land.
Dec. 16, 1824-Henry Miller and Magda- lena Wolf.
Dec. 28, 1824-Zachariah Barrett and Han- , nah Darling.
Dec. 28, 1824-Isaac Longwell and Sarah Winslow.
Dec. 29, 1824-Robert Rice and Eliza Ann Caldwell.
Dec. 29, 1824-Joseph Leonard and Nancy Longwell.
Jan. 5, 1825-George W. Baker and Louisa Davis.
Jan. 10, 1825-Chas. Merriman and Susan Carey.
Jan. 10, 1825-Joseph Pierce and Mary Carey.
Jan. 16, 1825-Andrew Ridgeley and Re- becca Hatton.
Jan. 19, 1825-Simon Smith and Louisa Gleason.
Jan. 30, 1825-Benjamin Meeker and Susan Smith.
Feb. 5, 1825-Israel Clark and Laura Bearss.
Feb. 26, 1825-Geo. Garrett and Nancy Walker.
March 9, 1825-Antony Comines and Rachel Rodgers.
March 10, 1825-Asa Howard and Polly Garver.
March 11, 1825-John Cory and Peggy Mc- Intyre.
March 11, 1825-Abraham Brown and Fronica Coon.
March 25, 1825-Isaac Fickle and Eliza Tipton.
March 26, 1825-Joseph Winslow and Phoebe Smith.
March 29, 1825-Joseph Harper and Mary Copperstone.
April 5, 1825-Hugh McCracken and Martha Moore.
April 5, 1825-Joseph McComb and Re- becca Kimball.
April 5, 1825-Joseph Whitherd and Clar- inda Beadle.
April 9, 1825-Jacob Shafer and Mary Ann Smith.
April 9, 1825-Dexter Baker and Sarah Kimball.
April 25, 1825-Joel Lee and Jane Parker.
April 28, 1825-Eli Odell and Asenath Parcher.
April 29, 1825-Phineas Packard and Eliza- beth Fickle.
June 7, 1825-Geo. Pieper and Laura Glea- son.
June 22, 1825-James Hughey and Ann Maria Drake.
Aug. 8, 1825-Elihu Dowd and Polly Ketcham.
Sept. 3, 1825-Dowd Kellogg and Amelia Eaton.
Sept. 14, 1825-Horace Pratt and Esther Busklin.
Oct. 15, 1825-Samuel Wilkins and McIntyre.
Oct. 24, 1825-Samuel Holmes and Eliza W. Conklin.
Nov. 1, 1825-Samuel Hazlett and Zella Spurgeon.
Nov. 28, 1825-Isaac H. Fickle and Nancy Young.
564
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Nov. 20, 1825-Abraham Synus and Su- sanna Bair.
Nov. 29, 1825-David Tipton and Sally Kent.
Dec. 19, 1825-John Walters and Lilian Ridgley.
Dec. 29, 1825-James Dorland and Eunice Dowd.
Here are some from Richland county; it should be remembered that up to 1845 the four eastern miles of the present Crawford county was in Richland county :
Feb. 27, 1823-Josiah M. Dove and Mary Ann Green. Levi Shepherd, J. P.
April 10, 1823-Charles Gardiner and Lucy Ammersman. Timothy Taylor, J. P.
Oct. 5, 1823-Jacob Baker and Polly De- Witt. Ransom B. Ellsworth, J. P.
Aug. 19, 1824-Simmons Palmer and Jamima Palmer. Rundel Palmer, J. P.
Oct. 31, 1824-Charles Myers and Hulda M. Kellogg. James McIntyre, M. E.
Jan. 19, 1825-Daniel Higgins and Hannah Corey. John Rigdon, M. G .*
Nov. 16, 1826-Nicholas Chilcoat and Eliz- abeth Inscho. Caleb Palmer, J. P.
Oct. 2, 1826-Richard Gardner and Maria Lawrence. Zebediah Morse, J. P.
July 13, 1826-Jacob Simson and Margaret Chilcoat. Christian Culp, J. P.
March 8, 1827-Theodore Baker and Al- mira Morse. Zebediah Morse, J. P.
Sept. 21, 1827-Silas S. Green and Betsy How. M. G. Shellhouse, J. P.
Nov. 19, 1827-George Wheeler and Eliza Kellogg. Martin G. Shellhouse, J. P.
Oct. 17, 1827-Joseph Darling and Eliza- beth A. Edwards. Enoch Conger, M. G.
Dec. 27, 1827-George Kellogg and Lydia Isham. E. Andrews, J. P.
Jan. 6, 1828-Asher Cole and Narcissa Lawrence. John Beach, M. G.
The following is taken from the Richland county records :
"This is to certify that John Steward and Polly Carter, both of Upper Sandusky, were joined together in holy matrimony, Dec. 25, 1818, by me.
Henry Georg, Baptist Minister."
This is probably John Stewart, the colored missionary, who preached the first Protestant * M. G .- Minister of the Gospel.
sermon in this section in 1816, four years be- fore the county was formed. James Finley in his history of the Wyandot mission places the marriage in 1820.
In Crawford county the records were all destroyed by fire some time the latter part of 1831, some time in October; but four returns were made of licenses that were issued before the fire and these are pinned on the fly leaf of the record book. These four licenses are :
June 12, 1831-Rufus L. Blowers and Susan Smith.
Sept. 25, 1831-Daniel Bair and Sarah Jewell.
Oct. 9, 1831-Peter Eby and Rebecca Guis- inger.
Nov. 14, 1831-David Shay and Sarah M. Warden.
Then comes the marriage record of Craw- ford county, Ohio, since October 11th, 1831. At this time Zalmon Rowse was clerk and Willis Merriman Deputy. The licenses were issued in the following order; with date of marriage, when returns were made :
I. Oct. 17-George Reid and Mary Ann Foster, October 18.
2. Oct. 19-John Cline and Rachael Casto, Oct. 20.
3. Oct. 27-Samuel Whetstone and Eliza- beth Patterson, Nov. 3.
4. Nov. 1-John Stuckman and Betsey Slichg, Nov. 3.
5. Nov. 7-David Gibson and Harriet White, Nov. 8.
6. Nov. 15-Chester Smally and Esther Scott, Nov. 16.
7. Nov. 19-John Ragon and Sarah Curtis, No return.
8. Nov. 19-David Sockrider and Sarah Hodge, No return.
9. Dec. 7-John Noacre and Sarah Yaw- key, Dec. 8.
IO. Dec. 15-Alexander Johnson and Polly Adams, Dec. 15.
II. Dec. 31-Horace Smalley and Hannah Chandler, Jan. 5.
In 1832 the following were issued :
12. Jan. 12-Jacob Foy, Jr., and Mercy Lupton, Jan. 26.
13. Nov. 25-Joseph M. Hill and Fanny Chatfield, Dec. 1, 1831.
565
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
14. Jan. 27-John Perka and Elizabeth Whetstone, Jan. 27.
15. Feb. 9-John Erret and Nancy Berlene, Feb. 14.
16. Feb. 10-Samuel O. Brundage and Ann- geline Lish, Feb. 12.
17. Feb. 24-Thomas Hitchcock and Na- omey Corey, March I.
18. Feb. 27-Benjamin Clemmens and Susan Stuckman, March I.
19. Feb. 28-Wm. Henry and Jane Morgan, Feb. 28.
20. March 6-Peter Whetstone and Mary Stinebaugh, March 6.
21. March 9-David R. King and Sarah B. Sweet, March 9.
22. March 15-Jacob Flemming and Kit- tery Hesser.
23. March 19-Daniel Wright and Eliza Gibson.
24. April 15-William Wallace and Ellen Davis.
25. April 12-Michael Petterman and Sarah Ridgley.
26. April 24-Samuel Ducher and Catherine Duddleston.
27. May 3-Joshua Chilcote and Mary Mix. 28. May 12-Wm. Sproat and Elizabeth Cooper.
29. May 8-Samuel Shaffner and Frances Shultz.
30. June 6-James Gibson and Emmiline Dunn.
31. June 14-Martin Shaffner and Susan Aurandt.
32. July 2-Jacob Yost and Julia Crosby.
33. July 9-Charles Edward Van Voorhis and Susan Jones.
34. July .12-Joseph Rush and Phoebe Casto.
35. July 26-Amos Garton and Nancy Bib- ler.
36. Aug. 6-Sebastian Lay and Magdalene Benton.
37. Aug. II-Edward Porter and Rachael Schupp.
38. Sept. 17-Michael Fishel and Anna Hammond.
39. Aug. 30-Daniel Ball and Katharine Ziegeler.
40. Sept. 6-Geo. Reed and Catherine Bash.
41. Sept. 30-Adam Shoemaker and Cath- arine Staffer.
42. Sept. 18-Anthony Walters and Eliz- abeth Henry.
43. Sept. 23-Thomas S. Anderson and Eliza Ritchey.
44. Oct. II-Thomas Conley and Sarah Swarts.
45. Oct. 4-John Snyder and Mary Aubert- son.
46. Oct. 7-Joseph Rockwell and Rachael Gurner.
47. Oct. 9-Silas Armstrong and Sarah Preston.
48. Oct. 13-David Thomas and Jane Farmer.
49. Oct. 25-Wm. Davis and Lucy Bray- ton.
50. Oct. 18-Daniel Williams and Jerusha Switzer.
51. Oct. 21-Daniel Albright and Judith Lashley.
52. Oct. 23-Wm. Magers and Mary An- drews.
53. Oct. 20-Archibold Flora and Sarah Kroft.
54. Nov. 8-Thomas Miller and Betsey Mariah Miner.
55. Nov. 6-Stephen Dukeman and Mar- garet Deeds.
56. Nov. 15-Daniel Wright and Elizabeth Woolsey.
57. Nov. 18-Gabriel Langdon and Eliza Bovee.
58. Nov. 22-John S. Crandall and Eliza- beth Bibler.
59. Nov. 21-Wm. Sinclair and Laura Barney.
60. Nov. 25-Frederick Green and Rakina Moyer.
61. Dec. 4-James McCracken and Ruth Marquis.
62. Dec. 6-Jacob Beck and Mary Berlene. 63. Dec. 4-Hugh Long and Sarah Hinkle.
64. Dec. 9-John Schultz and Mary Mc- Michael.
65. Dec. 9-John Duncan and Mary Mc- Michael.
66. Dec. 20-Benjamin VanPloet and Sarah Ann Champion.
67. Dec. 19-William Bevington and Sarah Jane Wolsey.
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
68. Dec. 25-Daniel Metcalf and Lena Stauffer.
From the time of the commencement of the marriage record on October 17, 1831, until Jan. 1, 1832, there were 12 licenses is- sued. During the year 1832 there were 56 issued. In 1833 there were 80 issued. In 1834 there were 72. In 1835 there were 95. In 1836 there were 117. In 1837 there were 103. In 1838 there were 104. In 1839 there were 135 and in 1840 there were 102.
THE NAME OF BUCYRUS
For over half a century the name Bucyrus has been the subject of much research and earnest, honest endeavor to discover why it was so named. In the History of Crawford county of 1880 the historian of Bucyrus, Thomas P. Hopley, goes into the matter very fully, as follows :
"The new town was christened Bucyrus by Col. Kilbourne. There has been much spec- ulation in regard to the origin of the word, and many persons have wondered why the town received this name. The word is so classical in sound that it is not surprising its meaning should not be universally understood unless its true origin is known. Doubtless many a classical scholar has examined his Latin dictionary and Greek lexicon to obtain a satisfactory derivation of the word, and dur- ing the past sixty years many plausible theories have been advanced. An examination of the original contract between Messrs. Norton and Kilbourne will prove that the town was named Bucyrus betwen the time the agreement was made (Oct. 4, 1821) and the date it was first altered, (Dec. 15, 1821); it also proves that the name of the town was spelled in the first legal papers of the village, as at the present time. Of all the theories advanced in regard to the origin of this word Bucyrus, only two refer to Col. Kilbourne as authority, and, as it is beyond a doubt that this gentleman created and then adopted this name, these theories are both given. It is claimed by both author- ities that Kilbourne desired to have a name for this town different from that of any burg ever inhabited by man since the world was created. He succeeded. The daughters of Samuel Norton, the original proprietor of the land, assert that one of Col. Kilbourne's fav-
orite historical characters was *Cyrus, the Per- sian general, who conquered the city of Baby- lon, and the town was named by the Colonel in honor of this distinguished soldier. The country in the vicinity of this town was very beautiful at an early day, and the name Cyrus being rather short, (possibly too much so to suit the metre of his early songs), Kilbourne pre- fixed to the celebrated Persian's name the syllable "bu", the sound of the first part of the word beautiful, and the old surveyor de- clared the name should always mean "beautiful Cyrus." This theory is a very plausible one, and will be satisfactory to many citizens whose knowledge of the classics is even more limited than some who have prepared historical sketches for this work. But there are those who solemnly assert that a classical scholar would smile at the formation of a word in this manner; these persons declare that, as Col. Kilbourne was a very highly educated man, he would never attempt to coin a word in defiance of the rules laid down by Noah Webster and other distinguished men of letters who preceded him.
"The other authority, however is also based upon Col. Kilbourne's statement. F. Adams, Esq., of Bucyrus, who was well acquainted with the old surveyor, says that Mr. Kilbourne told him in after years that it was his desire the town should have a name of its own, and be the only town of that name-that the African town "Busiris" (in ancient Egypt, near the river Nile) pleased his fancy, and he changed it into Bucyrus as a good sounding name. These two statements are both from responsible and reliable sources; it may be the duty of an unbiased historian to draw conclusions from these facts presented, and endeavor to settle the disputed point, but in this case we will not undertake the task, but will refer the matter to the patrons of this work. How- ever, this name Bucyrus did not suit some of the early settlers in the village, who were ill- natured enough to object to the Colonel's ideas about a queer name; it has frequently been, in later years, a stumbling block to many non- residents who invariably mispronounce the word. But these early residents who objected to the name are nearly all dead, and those who fail to speak the word like a native of the * Cyrus was a King as well as "general."
567
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
city are not firm believers in the future des- tiny of the place, and consequently should not be consulted in regard to the name; undoubt- edly all of the present inhabitants are satisfied, and many are proud of the name Bucyrus."
The following is taken from the Bucyrus Journal of Nov. 28, 1862 :
"Rev. W. M. Ferguson, one of the ministers in attendance at the recent Synod of the Pres- byterian Church, writes to the Philadelphia Presbyterian as follows, in regard to Bucyrus :
"Here we all are! All who? Members of the Synod of Ohio, in session in Bucyrus, the shire town of Crawford county, situated on the head waters of Sandusky river, and named after a boy whom his father was wont to call the 'Beautiful Cyrus,' a convenient name for a real nice town-one far more euphonious than Cyrusville or burg, or some similar or wretch- edly commonplace appellative. It is the only town of the name in the world, and, therefore, its legibly written mail matter is seldom 'mis- sent.' How unlike is the postal experience of many unfortunates who live in some of the numerous 'Johnstowns' and 'Washingtons' of the west."
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