History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 45

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 45

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* Address before the National Agricultural Congress, Philadel- phia, 1876, by S. F. Allen.

attempt at introducing an improved quality of sheep was about 1833, when Col. William Rob- inson brought in some sixty head of the Wells and Dickenson stock, of Washington County, Penn. This celebrated stock was derived from the Humphrey importation of Spanish Meri- nos, but were bred with a view of securing fine wool but small fleeces. The habit of the best wool-growers of that time was to dip the sheep in water, and then let them run on grass for a few days. They were then washed, sheared, and each fleece wrapped in paper he- fore shipping to market. For such wool, the producer got 85 cents per pound and a suit of broadcloth. Col. Robinson's flock was divided up and sold in pareels of eight or ten in vari- ous parts of the county. This class of sheep prevailed for some years, and were known gen- erally as Saxon sheep, though undoubtedly of the early Spanish Merino origin. They were of long, lean carcass, light-limbed, and light, fine fleeces. Mr. Lewis sheared a flock of 400 that averaged only two pounds and four- teen ounces of wool per head. Succeeding these sheep, came the French Merinos, from Vermont. These were larger sheep, with heavy fleeces of light-colored wool. These sheep were soon found to be ill suited to this locality. The Vermont breeders had so forced their growth that, when brought out to the West and left unsheltered, they at once broke down, and many died, proving a serious loss to the experimenters. Gen. Samuel Myers was one of the earliest to experiment with this breed of sheep. He found the yield of wool large, but many fleeces remarkably oily. To satisfy him- self, he determined to thoroughly wash an unusually large fleece. Before washing, it weighed twenty-four and one-half pounds, and afterward, it weighed just four and a half pounds. The sheep from which the fleece was taken had been carefully housed, and the wool was neat and ordinarily clean, and this result convinced him that the breed was not a profit-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

able one to keep. The Spanish Merino, or rather the American improvement of the Span- ish importation, was introduced here about 1855. This breed of sheep at once grew into favor, and has increased in numbers steadily down to the present. Nor is the interest in this breed confined to the dealers in thorough- bred stoek. Crosses with the common stock have been made until perhaps one-half of the sheep are more or less high grades of Merino. The improvements upon the native stock are plainly marked. The sixty or seventy-five pound carcass of early years has been in- creased to ninety and one hundred pounds, and fleeces from three to four pounds to those weighing from five to six pounds, washed on the sheep. A few Cotswolds, Leicester and Southdowns have been introduced, and have their friends and admirers. They are prized particularly for the quality of the mutton and the long fiber of their wool. Some crosses with the Merino sheep have produced a delaine wool which commands a ready sale with good prices.

The early stock of hogs were little less than wild animals. Some were brought in by the early settlers, but large numbers were found in the woods, that had evidently been wild for years, and had probably escaped from other settlements. This class of stock was consid- ered almost as common property, and it was considered no great crime to appropriate any that came to hand, without closely scrutinizing its ownership. Subsequently, a system of ear marks was adopted, and each owner recorded his own particular mark with the Township Clerk. Even after this, the line of ownership was not closely observed. It is said that one of the early settlers came to this county owing a considerable debt in the East, for which he had given his notes. One of his creditors, anxious to realize on his account, rode out here on horseback, to get the payment of his note. Of course there was no money here, but, desir-

ous to satisfy his urgent creditor, the settler proposed to pay him in hogs, though not pos- sessing a shoat to his name. The time came when the hogs were to be collected, and the notes having been canceled, they set out to drive the hogs to market. They had not passed the confines of the county when an unfortunate plunge of a dog (which seemed to show method in his madness) stampeded the whole drove, which, taking to the woods, was irreparably lost.

The woods breed of hogs is now extinet in this county, and where it used to take two years to make a two-hundred-pound hog, a three and four hundred-pound hog can be made in nine to twelve months. The principal breeds are the Suffolk, Chester White, Magies, Poland-China and Berkshire. The latter were first introduced about 1850, but they were at that time a rough, coarse-boned hog, and were soon abandoned. A few years later, the Suffolk was introduced. They were fine, smooth animals, easily fattened at any age, but did not possess sufficient strength of limb, and were in every way too delicate to meet the wants of this locality. The Chester White succeeded the Suffolks. They are a large, white hog, mature early, and are considered large caters. A cross between these and the Suffolk has been tried, and the result highly prized for market purposes. The Magie and Poland-China crosses, and the mod- ern Berkshire are taking the lead of late. The latter is probably taking the lead, and is fast achieving a national reputation, a herd-book be- ing issued by an association of breeders, in Illinois, in which the pedigree of thorough- bred animals of this breed is to be chronicled.

Dairying is but little known in Crawford County. The farmers appreciate the luxury of fresh milk and butter, and sell their surplus prod- uet in the villages to their less fortunate neigh- bors, but any organized enterprise for this pur- pose has never found a permanent location in the county. A year or two ago, a cheese-factory was

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

started by John Pease, about two miles sonth of Bucyrus, which, it is said, paid the proprietor well for his trouble and investment, but was not continued a second year. The conditions in the southern part of the county seem favorable for such an enterprise. A large number of cows are kept. It is fine grazing country, and good water is generally accessible. The only thing that seems to be lacking is the man who has sufficient experience in the business and enter- prise and capital to push the matter through to success. The last report (1878) gives the dairy products at 609,354 pounds of butter, and 2,831 pounds of cheese.

A noticeable and favorable feature of the agriculture of the county is the moderate size of the average farm. In the southern part of the county there are several large landholders, one person owning some 3,500 acres, but the average in the county is put at not over eighty aeres. These farms are well tilled, the buildings well improved, and a general well-to-do air of neatness and comfort prevails everywhere throughout the farming community. Farming implements of the most approved pattern are being introduced, and generally by the farmers. In the matter of markets, Crawford County is well provided. Bucyrus in the center, Galion in the southeast corner, and Crestline on the eastern side, are points generally easily acces- sible to all parts of the county. The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, the Cleveland, Colum- bus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio, and the Ohio Central Railroads all touch or pass through the coun- ty, affording the amplest shipping facilities for all parts of the country. The only drawback in this direction is the character of the public highways. These are as unreliable as dirt roads can be, and the whole farming community is frequently travel-bound for months at a time during the inclement season of the year. What is more unfortunate there seems to be no prac- tical remedy for this state of things. There

are no considerable gravel deposits and no easily accessible quarries of stone that can be cheaply applied. The western part of the county is underlaid with limestone, but to what extent it is available or practicable for the pur- pose of macadamizing the public roads has not yet been developed. The village of Galion is this year (1880) making improvements in her streets and sidewalks with imported stone, and it is hoped by the citizens that a suggestion has been made that will be profitably applied to the country ways.

The first movement toward the organization of a county fair was made early in 1848. Dur- ing the legislative session of 1832-33, an act was passed for the encouragement of agricult- ure, through the organization of agricultural societies. Under this act, a number of socie- ties were organized and fairs held, but, from lack of interest, most of them were discontinued in a few years. In 1846, a new act was passed re- viving the old societies and resulting in the or- ganization of many new ones. The one in Craw- ford County was one of the number of new ones that sprang into existence. Among the leading spirits in this enterprise were Stephen Kelley, Samuel Colwell, Gen. Samuel Myers, Judge Musgrave, George and William Cummings, Will- iam Cox and Abel Dewalt. The first officers were : Zalmon Rowse, President ; Jacob Mul- lenkopf, Vice President ; J. B. Larwill, Secre- tary ; and A. Failor, Treasurer. The first fair was held in the old court house yard on the 19th of October, 1848. The exhibition was con- fined to some nineteen entries. all of which re- ceived awards. Of course there was no such thing as a fee for admittance. Indeed, the fence was so dilapidated that it had to be patched up to keep the sow and pigs, which were one of the attractions of the exhibition, from getting away. Domestic manufactures were shown in the court house, and it is related that the chief subject of remark was a certain patchwork quilt that had been pieced in Pittsburgh and

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

exhibited here. The ladies of Crawford seemed to be unanimous in their disapproval of its gen- eral style and execution, and was the chief topic of conversation for the time. The follow- ing report, taken from the Bucyrus Journal of September 20, 1872, was published originally in the People's Forum of March 24, 1849 :

M. P. BEAN, EsQ .- Sir : Will you please insert in your paper the following list of premiums awarded by the Crawford County Agricultural Society, at the fair held October 19, 1848, a notice of which I should have sent you some time since, but have been prevented by other engagements.

I was confined by sickness at the time of the fair, and, therefore, cannot speak from personal observation ; but I have understood that the fair was much more nu- merously attended than was expected, owing to the bad state of the roads, the unfavorableness of the weather, and the fact that this was merely an experiment, being the first held in the county ; and from the fact that but very little interest has heretofore been manifested by the farmers and others in relation to affairs of the so- ciety.

Those who were present state that, although but few articles were presented, and in several cases where pre- miums were awarded there was no competition, yet that there was much spirit manifested by those present, in reference to the importance of such exhibitions, and a determination to have a much more interesting fair next year. J. B. LARWILL, Sec'y.

The following is a list of premiums awarded :

HORSES.

To Frederick Wadams, for best blooded stallion .. $5 00 To David Decker, for second best blooded stallion .. 3 00 To David Decker, for best two-year-old colt ...... 1 00

To Zalmon Rowse, for best blooded mare (not

brood) 3 00

To John Moderwell, for best gelding. 2 00

CATTLE.

To Andrew Worling, for best blooded bull 4 00

To Zalmon Rowse, for best cow. 3 00

To Alfred Magers, for best calf .. 2 00

SHEEP.

To Samuel Andrews, for best buck. 3 00

To Samuel Andrews, for second best buck 2 00

To Samuel Andrews, for best lot of ewes. 3 00

SWINE.

To John Moderwell, for best sow. 2 00

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

To David P. Norton, for best wind-mill. 3 00

MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.

To Samuel Andrews, for best flannel. 2 00

To Jacob Mullenkopf, for best thread. 1 00

To John Sims, for best single harness. 2 00

To William Mallory, for best sample of butter ... 2 00

To William Mallory, for best sample of cheese ... 1 00

FRUIT.

To J. B. Larwill. for best grapes. 1 00

In the following year, the fair was held on the 24th of October, in the court house yard again. This year the display was more varied, the domestic manufactures and fancy articles being shown in the court house. Pens were also provided for the stock, of which a part was shown on the ground now occupied by the Quinby Block. A total premium list of $103 was advertised. In 1850, another day was added, and the exhibition made on the 17th and 18th of October. This was then called a "cattle show," and was held on six acres of ground, at the end of what is now Galen street, which terminated then at Norton's Grove, just north of the Monnett House. Stock pens were put up here, and opinion is divided as to whether the domestic manufactures were ex- hibited in a tent or at the court house. "In 1851," to quote from the Journal, "the fair was again held for two days, on the 23d and 24th of October. This year the fair was re- moved to the grounds out near the cemetery, owned at the time by Henry Minnich, who gave the society the use of the land each year, on condition that they would fence it.

This, the society was unable to do in a single year, but fully inclosed it the second year, after which, it is to be presumed, the society com- menced to charge an admission fee. Floral Hall and Domestic Hall were poor buildings at best, the former only partially inclosed, the latter consisting merely of a roof covered with clapboards and supported by poles, while the sides were wholly uninclosed.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Floral Hall, in particular, will be remembered as a rough frame, which was annually covered with muslin. This, after each fair, was taken down and folded away until the next season. The track also at this time . was a little better than a circus ring, and was surrounded by a rope. In 1857, it was greatly extended and approached a half-mile track." In 1859, a . third day was added to the exhibition, and annual fairs maintained until the beginning of 1862, when the organization was abandoned. No more exhibitions were held until 1867. In this year, Josiah Koler, D. C. Boyer, Barber Robinson, James Robinson, C. S. Crim, William Cox, Adam Klink. John Bremen, Maj. E. R. Kearsley, James Orr, H. J. Thompson and Lu- ther Myers formed a joint-stock company, called the Crawford County Agricultural Asso- ciation. They proposed to issue $7,000 worth of stock for the purchase of land and to fit it up for the purpose of holding fairs. But $6,100 worth of stock was disposed of, and, with this, nineteen acres of land was bought on the site of the present grounds. Two years later, nine

acres more were purchased, and, in 1871, four and a half aeres more were added. making a total of thirty-two and a half acres. This was inelosed with the proper fencing, a Floral Hall, Domestic Hall, offices, eating-house, pens for stock, and stalls, and a good half-mile con- structed at a total cost of about $13,000. A natural amphitheater commands the ring, and some three acres of it are covered with the natural growth of timber. The stock has changed hands considerably, and generally at from thirty to fifty per cent discount.

Upon grounds thus provided, the re-organ- ized agricultural society held their fifteenth annual fair on the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th days of October, 1867. This organization is perfectly distinct from the stock company, and rent the grounds, paying whatever surplus there may be in the treasury after the season is closed. The payments have been from $500 to $800 per annum. Since the re-organization, the annual exhibitions have been kept up, and, in 1872, continuing five days. It has since been reduced to four days.

CHAPTER VII

WAR HISTORY-THE REVOLUTION AND 1812-INDIAN AND MEXICAN WARS-THE LATE REBELLION -AID SOCIETIES.

" And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars." IN the early history of the Ohio Territory, a large tract of land was reserved within the limits, and designated " United States Military Land." This land had been set apart by the Federal Government for the purpose of reward- ing its soldiers of the Revolutionary war. These old soldiers had spent their best years fighting for the independence of their country, and peace found them broken down in health, and many of them in fortune, so that, when a grateful but impoverished Government offered them homes in the distant West, they gladly

accepted the offer. This was the means of bringing many of these old Revolutionary heroes to the Ohio Territory, and to the State of Ohio after its admission into the Federa! Union. These war-worn veterans had often faced the British legions on hard-fought fields, as well as fought the Indian in his own fashion. Hence they felt themselves fully competent to contest with the red man his right to the hunt- ing-grounds of Ohio.

It cannot be said that Ohio took part in the Revolutionary war. yet many of her early settlers took an active part in it, previously, however,

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

to their coming to the Territory, as the war was over long before a white settlement was made in what is now the great State of Ohio. After their settlement here, they were often called upon to defend their homes and families against Indian attacks and incursions, and long famil- iarity with savage warfare well fitted them for such scenes. But, as the Indian wars and Indian history pertaining to Crawford County are given more fully in another chapter, we merely allude to them here by way of preface to a chapter that is devoted chiefly to "wars and rumors of wars."

How many of the pioneers of Crawford County served in the war of the Revolution, is not now known. But, as settlements were made here little more than a quarter of a century after the close of the war for independence, it is altogether probable that a number of these old heroes were among the early settlers. It is impossible, however, to learn the facts at this date; and we will pass to later struggles in which the people in this section were more par- ticularly interested.

In the war of 1812, when the British lion was again unchained and turned loose upon this free country, Crawford County was then unformed and unsettled ; it was as yet in the Indian country, and near the theater of some of the stirring events of 1812-15. After the close ofthis war, a large scope of country was opened in this portion of the State to the white people, who were not slow to take possession. Among the first settlers were many soldiers of the last war with Great Britain. These, like the Revo- lutionary soldiers, found their way here for the purpose of obtaining cheap homes for them- selves and their children. In another portion of this work will be found many biographical sketches of these soldiers of 1812.

The Mexican war, after the Indian wars mentioned elsewhere, was the next call to arms of the American people. They had enjoyed a long peace and a long season of prosperity."

If " Red Battle," with his " blood-red tresses deepening in the sun," had raged to and fro in lands beyond the great deep, the " thunder of his goings" came to us but as the "dying cadence " of the voice of a distant cloud, whose lightnings could harm us not. We moved on undisturbed until 1846-the commencement of the Mexican war. All readers of American history are familiar with the facts which re- sulted in a collision between the United States and Mexico. Briefly, the causes of the war grew out of the admission of Texas into the Federal Union. The "Lone Star," as it was called, had been a province of Mexico, but, some years previous to its annexation to the United States, it had thrown off the rotten yoke of the Spaniard. In the battle of San Jacinto, which occurred in 1836, the Texans captured Santa Anna, then Dictator of Mexico, together with the larger part of his army, and succeeded in forcing from him an acknowledgment of their independence. Mexico, however, refused to recognize this treaty, and continued to treat Texas and her people as she had previously done. From this time forth, petitions were frequently presented to the United States by the Texans, praying for admission into the Union. There was a strong element in the country opposed to the admission of Texas, while Mexico constantly declared that such an event would be regarded as sufficient cause for a declaration of war on her part. In the Presi- dential canvass of 1844, between Clay and Polk, the annexation of Texas was one of the leading issues before the people, and Mr. Polk, whose party favored the admission of Texas, being elected, this was taken as a publie declar- ation on the subject. After this, Congress had no hesitancy in granting the petition of Texas, and on the 1st of March, 1845, formally received her into the sisterhood of States. Mexico at once broke off all diplomatic relations with the United States, calling home her minister imme- diately, which was a clear declaration of war

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

-and war soon followed. Congress passed an act authorizing the President to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers, and appropriating $10,000,000 for the prosecution of the war.

As the war feeling, like an epidemic, swept over the country, the people caught the spirit of enthusiasm and their patriotism was aroused to the highest pitch of excitement. The old State Militia was then in force, requiring the enrollment of every able-bodied man between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years for military duty. In these old militia organi- zations, were found the nucleus of the regiments called for by the President in the coming war. A local correspondent, writing to the Forum some years later, thus humorously refers to the matter, and the opening of the war : " I remem- ber well, that a meeting of the best men was assembled at the court house, then a four- cornered, mansard-roofed institution. The pa- per Generals, Colonels, Majors, Captains, etc., were on hand, and made high-toned and top- loftical speeches. Patriotism fairly oozed out at the ends of their fingers. They were willing to allow their bones to bleach on the plains of San Jacinto-provided it was necessary ! In a few brief weeks, the time came for our stalwart sons to enroll themselves under that banner which floats 'over every land and sea,' to kiss a gentle good-bye to home and friends, and be off to the wars."

In the President's call for 50,000 men, Ohio was required to furnish three regiments. With her characteristic patriotism, she filled her quota in a few weeks. The troops rendezvoused at Cincinnati, and, upon the organization of the three regiments. there were nearly troops enough left to form another regiment. These were furnished transportation to their homes at the expense of the Government. The regiments, as organized, were officered as follows: First Regiment-A. M. Mitchell, of Cincinnati, Colonel ; John B. Weller, of Butler County, Lieutenant Colonel; T. L. Hamer, of Brown

County, Major. Second Regiment-G. W. Morgan, of Knox County, Colonel ; William Irvin, of Fairfield, Lieutenant Colonel ; William Hall, of Athens, Major. Third Regiment-S. R. Curtis, of Wayne County, Colonel ; G. W. MeCook, of Jefferson, Lieutenant Colonel ; and J. T. Love, of Morgan, Major. Crawford County was well represented in these regiments, as it was, also, in the next call, which was known as the "Ten Regiments Bill," and made at a later day, for the "prosecution of the war." The names of those participating in this war, so far as we have been able to obtain them, will be found in the biographical department of this work.

To go into the details of the war, and the battles fought during its continuation, is but to repeat what is familiar to all. Suffice it to say, that the entire war was a series of triumphs to the American arms-triumphs such as rarely fall to any nation in a long and sanguinary war. From the opening battle of Palo Alto until the Stars and Stripes waved in triumph over the " halls of the Montezumas," not one single vic- tory was lost by the American Army. This is glory enough.

The war of the rebellion next claims our attention. We do not design, in this connec- tion, to write a history of the war between the States, but a history of Crawford County that did not contain its war record, would not be considered much of a history. Nothing will be of a greater interest to coming generations in our country than a true and faithful account of the events of those four long and gloomy years. It is a duty we owe to the soldiers that took part in the bloody struggle, to record and preserve the leading facts. Especially do we owe this to the long list of the dead, who laid down their lives for their country's honor and pres- ervation ; we owe it to the maimed and man- gled cripples who were lacerated and torn by shot and shell; and last, but by no means least, we owe it to the widows and orphans of

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 45

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034