History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 68

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 68

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During the last year, Dr. H. R. Kelly, David Stout and John Riblet, who own the building, have fitted up the hall in the upper story of the Sponhauer Block. The stage has been enlarged, new scenery painted, and the hall generally remodeled. For convenience of lo- cation, this is an excellent improvement, and the manner in which the hall is patronized gives evidence of its appreciation.

Galion has been one of the muddiest cities in the State. No one can conceive of any worse condition of roads than those in this vicinity. About the first sidewalk put down in the town was a walk around the square. A double row of logs extended around and were slightly raised from the ground. The upper surfaces of the logs were hewn flat, and answered the purpose very well. The Supervisors annually worked the streets and extended the poll-tax, but Market and Main

streets refused to be dry. During the winter of 1879-80, there was so much open weather that the streets were in a semi-liquid condi- tion most of the time. So terribly bad was the condition of the city at this time, that the people became in earnest in demanding that something be done. It is not difficult to grade the streets of Galion, but they are little better when graded than before. In the spring a petition, signed by a majority of the resident property-holders. was sent to the City Council, demanding that Market and Main streets be graded and paved in some manner. There were many suggestions, and consid- erable investigation into the best method and the best material. F. L. Krouse, civil en- gineer, was called to Galion, elected City Engineer, and proceeded to advise and assist. Piking was decided upon, and was to extend from about one and one-half blocks west of the square on Main street over the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Rail- road on the east, and from the square on south to the depot on Market street. Plans and specifications were made, and an invita- tion to bid for the work published. The con- tract was awarded to Gray & Co., of Cleveland. The whole design of the work, including all the details, is excellent. It will not fail to enhance the value of property in the city, and those two streets will serve as a model that we think many other streets will copy more or less from. The amount of money spent on these two streets will amount to upward of $30,000.

It was during the year of 1859 that Galion came from darkness into light. Before this time, her citizens waded mud, fell into chuck- holes, and stranded themselves generally over dry goods boxes, hogsheads, and such things as usually give evidence of prosperity and home consumption. The location of the gas manufactory was near the railroad on Main

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

street. The construction of the works was intrusted to William Stephenson. About two miles of wooden pipe was put down, which served their purpose for twelve years. The stockholders in this company lost all they put in it. The stock was all absorbed; there never was a dividend, and every one had assess- ments. Principal among the stockholders were Dr. John Reisinger, Martin Sponhaner, William Hays, Joel Riblet, David Riblet, Jacob Riblet and others. The old gas fac- tory was removed to its present location about eight years ago. The old factory was sold at Sheriff's sale, and bid in by W. Hays. Mr. Hays sold to Miller & Kuhn, of Pennsylvania. They kept the factory at the old place for a short time, and removed the wooden pipes and replaced them with iron. They also laid down considerable more pipe, and increased the works to a greater extent. In 1872, they built the works where they are now located, on East Church street. Their contract price with the city is $1.75 per thousand foot for gas. It was made a stock company a few years ago, but Miller & Kuhn retain a con- trolling interest.

We are informed that in the early times of Galion, each available citizen was a self-con- stituted member of the fire department. As soon as the alarm was given, each one seized a pail and 'rushed to the scene of action. It was seldom that much order existed, and each one worked with a will, but independent of all others. Later in the history of the town, a brigade was formed, which was capable of doing much good. Two rows of men were formed, extending from the water supply to the conflagration. The pails full of water were passed hastily along one line and re- turned empty along the other. Afterward, when the small rectangular boxes, with pumps in them, came into use, the brigade emptied the water into the box. These boxes held

from one to three barrels of water, and were set on low trucks. A pump was placed in the box, but there was no suction, however, and the lids of the box had to be kept shut while pumping. From four to six men could work at the levers. A tongue was attached to the forward trucks, by which the whole apparatus was drawn. About the first fire that occurred after this box had been purchased, the citi- zens made a great discovery. It was found that it was just as well to pour the water from the pails on the fire as to pump it after it had been carried to the vicinity of the conflagra- tion. Immediately upon this discovery, the crowd began to jeer and make merry over the fire department, and so ashamed and disgusted were some present that the innocent little piece of mechanism very narrowly escaped being thrown into the burning building. It was called the "Protection," and was pur- chased by the Council in 1852, at the instiga- tion of Dr. John Reisinger and Jacob Riblet, who were both members of the Council. Jacob Riblet lent the village $100 with which to purchase it. It was soon sold as a garden sprinkler.

In 1853, the Council deemed it best to pro- vide some more efficient method of combating fire. Much discussion and many disagree- ments eventuated in the purchase of the "Phoenix" hand fire engine. This was a great advance in the utility and importance of the fire department, yet the growing burg must needs learn by experience that which she could learn in no other way. The Phœ- nix was an excellently made engine, tremen- donsly heavy and low built. She had been intended for Cleveland, for use upon paved streets, but about that time steam fire engines were coming into use, and Cleveland did not want her. Andrew Poe was the first foreman. It had considerable effect upon the fun-loving portion of the community to see this valiant fore-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

man at the end of the rope-his pants tucked into his stockings, with himself and the engine stuck in the mud. The engine could throw a considerable volume of water to a good height. Soon after her purchase, Jacob Riblet, who had opposed the purchase on the ground of her heaviness, made a bet of a keg of beer to the company that they could not throw water to the top of Wimmie's Block. The bet was accepted, and Jacob ascended the roof with an umbrella. The company won the beer and thus demonstrated the capabilities of the Phœ- nix on dry land. But when Galion assumed her lacustrine condition, the Phoenix would sink to the bottom. She was housed, with her hose-cart, in a little tumble-down brick on the northwest corner of Atwood and South Market streets. The village there owned sev- enty-one feet front, running back to the alley; a small building in front was used for jail and engine house. The building was con- demned as unsafe and was torn down, and a new and substantial brick building was erected farther back on the lot, which is now used for engine house, jail and firemen's room. The building faces Atwood street. The reason of setting it back was, that a market- house had been contemplated on the portion facing Market street; but the east front was sold, and the project of a market-house failed.

In the year 1856, the Phoenix engine was traded to Button & Blake, of Cincinnati, for the "Niagara," now in use and housed in the engine-house on Atwood street. The authori- ties paid to the Cincinnati firm $800 as the difference between the two engines. The first officers of the Niagara were Dick Watkins, Foreman, and A. M. Brown, Assistant Foreman. After purchasing the Niagara, it was found one hose-cart was unable to carry all the hose required, and in order to overcome this diffi- culty, a second hose-cart was purchased. The

present Foreman of Niagara Fire Company is E. Fissel.

The fire apparatus, etc., are in the com- fortable rooms in the brick building on At- wood street. The firemen are well uniformed and properly disciplined, and know well what is expected of them, and, undoubtedly, are well aware of the many responsibilities rest- ing upon them. They are well worthy of the esteem bestowed upon them by the people, and no fear need be entertained but that they will be as brave and daring in danger as the occasion may require.

October 10, 1872, the corporation purchased the Star Steam Fire Engine of Ahrens & Co., Cincinnati. The cost was $4,500. The hose- cart was purchased at Akron, Ohio. The steamer and hose are housed in the City Hall building. Jacob Lamb is Foreman of Star Company, and H. McFarquer, engineer. Their room is on the second floor of the city hall building. The whole fire department of Gal- ion belongs to the " Firemen's Volunteer Asso- ciation of Northern Ohio." Two of their annual tournaments have been held in Galion, the last one September, 1880.

Wherever men live or dwell, whether on sea or on land, and no matter what cares or other sorrows burden them down, there is al- ways one awful and solemn duty that must be prepared for and performed. Every na- tion, every tribe, are bound to certain and various customary rites and ceremonies and methods of disposing of the departed dead. We have before alluded to the Indian burying- ground on the Gill farm, with some few of their methods of sepulture. It is the oldest city of the dead in the township. We give what James Nail, an old settler, says of our oldest burying-ground, used by early settlers. It was embodied in a communication written by him to the Crawford County Farmer: "In early pioneer days, before any graveyard was

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

started in the eastern part of the county, it was the custom of the people to bury their dead in favorable localities on their newly cleared farms. As the neighborhood im- proved, the settlers conceived the necessity of purchasing a site for a burying-ground, when John Williamson, James Nail and others se- lected an acre of ground out of the corner of the northeast quarter of Section 31, Township 20, Range 20, in what was then Sandusky Township, Richland County, but is now Polk Township, Crawford County, in the present limits of Galion, situated on Main street, immediately east of the German Reformed Church. This land belonged to Samuel Brown, and, being in the woods, covered with timber, such as beech, maple and underbrush, was bought for $5. They paid for it, and the deed was written in the name of John Will- iamson and others, to be used for burial pur- poses forever. This deed was left in Squire Williamson's hands, and unfortunately was never recorded. These men then employed a man by the name Sedorus, for $14, who chopped off and cleared away the timber and made the ground fit for use. This was before Galion was laid out. In every transfer of the farm from that day to this, we are in- formed that this acre, consecrated to the dead, has been reservea tor that purpose. The first or second grave was for a child of James Nail, who has eight members of his family sleeping there-two wives and six children. One of the original purchasers-Mr. William Neal has been one of the men to keep this graveyard under fence and repair, from the time of its purchase to the present time, at an expense to him of more than $100. The last payment, $25, was made some fourteen years ago, to H. C. Carhart and James W. Gill, for the present fence. Many suppose that the graves lying in the street belong to the grave- yard. This is a mistake. These graves were

made on the corner of the farm owned by Benjamin Leveredge, Esq., which joined Mr. Brown's farm."

The last person buried in this graveyard was Mr. John Williamson. It was done by his request, as he desired to lie by the side of his family, who had previously been buried there. Good old Benjamin Leveredge lies beneath Main street, opposite this old grave- yard. When Main street was laid out, it fol- lowed the quarter line and lapped over the edge of Mr. Leveredge's farm, and covered the spot consecrated by him as a private bury- ing-ground. Another old burying-ground lies in the northeast quarter of what is now known as Union Green Cemetery. The ground was donated for the purpose by Jacob Ruhl. Ad- ditions were made to this gift sometime after- ward by the Lutherans. The last addition was made by Daniel Riblet, who, in 1861, gave a strip of land on the south side of the original grounds, inclosed the whole of it and laid it out. To the whole piece he gave the name of Union Green Cemetery, under which name it has been used ever since. North of Union Green Cemetery, and adjoin- ing it is the Catholic Cemetery. This was opened for burial purposes at a later date, and has been in use only since the establish- ment of Catholic societies in Galion. No dead are interred here but those having mem- bership in the church of the Catholic faith. It does not bear the crowded appearance of the other cemeteries, and is kept in very good repair. All of these cemeteries are located almost in the midst of the city, and are strangely out of place. The city has im- proved so rapidly in population and growth, that some of her institutions, adapted to the village only, have fallen behind in compara- tive worth. Nothing connected with a city, growing as Galion is, can be more worthy of attention than the cemeteries. It would be

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

folly to expend much on these old cemeteries, and it is with great pleasure that the citizens notice a recent act of the Common Council and Trustees of the Township, whereby a tax of one-fourth of a mill is to be levied on all taxable property in township and city for the purpose of obtaining a new cemetery. A fine gravel knoll is to be selected, if possible, within a mile of the city, and improved with drives and walks, with beautiful designs in land- scape gardening. Such a place as this, in some sightly location, away from the hum of industry and the busy scenes of the city, would give that peace and quiet that should pertain to the city of the dead. Such a place

is to be selected with no thoughts of tempo- rary use, but with the full idea of perma- nence. Then we can ornament and beautify with no fears of removal or dread of over- crowding, but with hopes of a perpetual rest for the remains of our friends and kin. There is no question but that this work will soon be done, and thus save much labor in the future, of removing bodies to the new site which are now almost daily being deposited in the old grounds. When the new cemetery is ready and the bodies removed from the old one, the city of Galion will have ample room in the latter place for the park which has been in contemplation so long.

CHAPTER XIII .*

CITY OF GALION - CHRISTIANITY - ORGANIZATION OF CHURCHES-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT ORDERS-EDUCATIONAL-SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

A T an early day in the history of Galion, the people, in their humble way, gave to God a portion of their time and money and influence. During the times of hardship, and almost unendurable poverty, when they lacked most of the comforts that are now enjoyed by the poorest, when dangers threatened from want, sickness and privation, the early settlers found time to sow the seeds of religion and education. How unselfish were the motives of pioneer missionaries, and Christians of every denomination, when they wandered from set- tlement to settlement, preaching and praying with those who only needed to know of re- ligion to embrace its tenets. They had no hope of reward on earth. foregoing the com- forts of home and the pleasure of the family. facing the bitter storm or drenching rain. Alone and companionless, but for the omni- presence of the Master they served, what a * Contributed by Dr. J. C. McIlvaine.

work was theirs, erecting in the wilderness, from station to station, in the wondering pres- ence of the red man, altars at which the pio- neers might gather, and perpetuate to all time, tidings of salvation. Across streams, on foot or horseback, through swamps, over corduroy road, north, south, east, west, in every direction, these men pushed their way, and preached their doctrine. To these men and their earnestness, do we owe the pleni- tude of churches that grace our city, and the religious influence that stamps the character- istics that belong to it upon our people.

Rightly considered. we should never look upon our spacious edifices in which we wor- ship at this day, without fervently giving thanks and asking a blessing upon all the pio- noers of religion. We should consider the magnificent piles dedicated to God and His service as in some sense great monuments which mark and perpetuate the works of these men.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

We have before spoken of Russell Bigelow, Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Rhinehart. There were many others whose names cannot be recalled; and nothing is known of them except the fact that they preached and worked in the cause. One by the name of Erret was a great laborer, as well as the father of Rev. Francis Clymer. Rev. John Smith, now living west of Galion, was one among the pioneer ministers. Rev. Mr. Mathews was the first pioneer minister who received any pay. His first year's pay was a subscription list of $15, and the peo- ple took great pride in their Presbyterian minister. In 1826 or 1828, Galion was made a station on a Methodist Circuit, and Russell Bigelow appeared as the minister for this cir- cuit. Father Stough was the first Lutheran minister who preached in the brick Lutheran Church. He was a man much beloved by all who knew him. Previous to the building of churches, the schoolhouses and private build- ings were much used for the purpose of church service. Where barns were large and commodious, they furnished a convenient place for assemblage. Mr. Hosford's frame barn, being the first in the township, was many times utilized for church service. Father Fellows was a stanch member of the Meth- odist Church, and donated the land for the first Methodist Church in Galion. Father Stough used to relate some sad experiences of the early days. He said that once, in another county, he started out to collect some money that was imperative to his needs. He went with his horse, but nowhere did he receive any money; everywhere they gave him bacon. Finally the poor horse became loaded down with side meat, and they could not proceed. He received no money and could not dispose of the bacon. He silently prayed to Heaven that his children might never be obliged to endure the hardships and scant pay that he suffered from in his pioneer work.

Not only were schoolhouses, private build- ings, and barns witnesses of the piety of early days, but the beautiful maple groves of Polk many times resounded with the earnest prayers and hymns of pioneer camp-meetings. Not unfrequently the wondering red men caught the spirit, and there was awakened in their breasts the keen promptings of a higher and holier life. There was at one time a camp-meeting east of Galion, held under the auspices of the United Brethren. During service, an Indian rode into the grounds, hitched his horse to a limb and took a seat. After service a class-meeting was held. This Indian desired to give his experience. Aris- ing, in his untutored way, he acknowledged to have been a very hard-drinking man. He took from his pocket a pint whisky flask and declared that he had known the devil to re- side in it. Every time he drank from the flask, the devil got into him. He finally bought a pint of whisky and had the cork tightly fastened in. This is what saved him. The devil had entered the flask and had hoped to enter his body when he drank the whisky. The Indian said he never drank any more, and the devil ceased troubling him. As far as was ever known of this Indian, he led a Christian life.

The last camp-meeting held within the present limits of Galion was in a beautiful maple grove where Johnson and Linsley's lumber-yard now is. Some of the older citi- zens will remember a young lad by the name of Harris (whose mother lived in what is now Troy Township, Morrow County), who was converted at this time. This Mr. Harris afterward became a professor in the Ohio Wesleyan University, and is now a Bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The first Sabbath school in Galion was or- ganized before a church building was erected. The date of this organization cannot be deter-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

mined. The Sunday school services were held in the old schoolhouse, the last of the kind, on the present site of Joel Riblet's residence. The credit of this organization belongs to the Lutherans. At this time, church service was held in the same building by the above- named congregation. Mrs. Sarah Ruhl and Mrs. Dr. Johnson were most active in the en- terprise, and should be credited with its suc- cess. It being the only Sabbath school in Galion, it received patronage from persons of all denominations, and they all urged their children with willingness to attend. In the year 1840, work was commenced on the first church building in Galion, which was finished within the year. The building was of brick, and located on the corner of North Union and West Church streets. The building was beautifully located, and was surrounded by numerous shade-trees. It was at this time greatly admired by all, and to-day many of the old citizens speak of it as though very pleasant and happy associations were con- nected with it. It was built by the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. The venerable pioneer missionary, Rev. F. J. Ruth, officiated at the laying of the corner-stone; Rev. John Stough was the first Pastor. At this time the English and German Lutherans had no distinctive organizations. During the same year that the Lutheran Church was built, work was commenced upon the old Methodist meeting-house, yet standing on West Main street. Although not commenced until after the one previously mentioned, it was first to be completed and ready for services. The land upon which it stands was donated by Father Fellows, who was a zealous worker in the cause, and a pillar of strength in the Meth- odist Church for many years. Father Fellows had purchased the farm on which this build- ing stood, from Benjamin Leveredge. It was already well improved when it came into his

possession. A portion of it afterward went to make what is called Fellows' Addition to Galion. Before the building of this church edifice, the barn of this gentleman had been the place for holding many an interesting meeting, where pioneer preachers were earnest in presenting the precious truth as laid down in God's Holy Book. This church was a frame building, and is now used as a dwell- ing-house.

A short biographical sketch of Rev. F. J. Ruth, the oldest pioneer worker in this vicin- ity, is not out of place in this connection. His life has been one of toil and hardships in the cause he represents; but for fifty years he has gone on with unabated zeal and fidelity. This reverend gentleman was born in Frederick City, Md., on the 9th day of January, 1805. He had fair advantages for education, study- ing four years with Rev. Dr. Schaefer, un- der whose tutorship he was taught Latin, Greek, and the classics generally, and who also prepared him for the ministry. He was licensed by the Lutheran Synod of Maryland, in October, 1830, and was by them soon after sent as a missionary to Ohio. He preached in the vicinity of Galion about two months during the year 1831. This same year he located at Ashland, having charge of several stations, among which was Mansfield, where he established a church. In April, 1835, he received an invitation to go to Bucyrus, where in 1832 he organized a church. During lıis stay there he had charge of Sulphur Springs, Spring Mill, London and Mount Zion congregations, besides preaching occa- sionally in Galion. Mr. Ruth relates that the first time he visited Galion was in 1831. Starting from Mansfield he inquired, when near Shelby, the road to Galion. No one in the vicinity knew of such a place; they had heard of a place called "Moccasin," and per- haps that was the place. Between Shelby

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

and West Liberty, he met a man of whom he asked the road to Moccasin. The man replied that he had never heard of Moccasin, but that there was a small place near Leesville called " Horseshoe " which was probably the point he wished to reach. When he arrived at Galion he stopped at a log hotel on West Main street, which is now a portion of Mrs. Gill's residence. He inquired of the clerk for the names of some Lutheran families. There were five drunken men in the room, and one of them asked Mr. Ruth if he could preach in German. He answered him by saying, "I am not eloquent in German, but I can exhort in that language." They then asked if he could preach in English; he re- plied that he could, after which they told him that he was not wanted, as they would prefer to hear a hog grunt rather than to listen to an English sermon. Mr. Ruth im- mediately returned to Mansfield with feelings of disgust. A few weeks after this, the wives of Michael and Levi Ruhl came to Mansfield to hear Mr. Ruth preach. They were well satisfied with him, and gave him a strong in- vitation to come to Galion. He accepted the invitation, and preached his opening sermon to a large audience in the frame barn belong- ing to John Ruh !. He was so kindly received and welcomed that his poor opinion of the Galion people was considerably modified. He preached occasionally in Galion until the spring of 1852, when he was called as the regular pastor of the church, at the same time accepting the charge of the congregations at Leesville, Newcastle and Lost Creek. He had officiated in the laying of the corner-stone of the Lutheran Church, which was built in 1840. He resided at that time in Bucyrus. He re- moved to Galion in 1854, yet continuing to preach to the former congregations till the spring of 1862. He then took charge of four congregations in Richland County, for

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 68

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