History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 89

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 89

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

sold from $18 to $20, while the corner lots reached $195, a sum that would have purchased half that many acres within a mile of the site before the county-seat boom was let loose. " The gulled and inexperienced real-estate dealer would urge his less credulous neighbor over logs and underbrush to the coveted spot of his possession, and expatiate upon his blocks and laden store-rooms about to be. Upon the square was a well only six feet deep, brimful of water, that the future business men and citizens would frequent, and discuss the excellent qualities and the purity of the liquid as 'sweet as spring water.'" Under the excitement the lots were all disposed of, the only strange matter being that the company did not reserve any real estate for future speculation. The Bucyrus capitalists were found to have changed their mind shortly afterward, and a bill was presented to the Gen- eral Assembly to have the counties of Crawford and Marion so divided as to throw Bucyrus in a more central point, that she might retain the county seat, and erect the new county of Wyan- dot. This was consummated in 1845, which punctured the bubble that the Osceoleans so credulously believed a reality. The Hon. Mc- Cutcheon, then elected to the State Senate, with the understanding among his constituents at the new village that he would advocate the locating of the county seat at their city, was found to have voted upon and advocated the opposite side of the question. The contents of the well in the square, so prominent a feature in the new town at the day of the sale, were soon exhausted. Or investigation, it was found to have been dug the day previous by Adam Bair and filled with water carried in buckets from the Broken Sword by Bair and Turner. When it was verified that " there is nothing covered that shall not be re- vealed ; neither hid that shall not be known ;" and no further hope of obtaining the " capital," Mr. Tuttle, their first merchant and manufact- urer, among others, withdrew to Upper San- dusky and other points of more promise, to en-

gage in business. John Turner was engaged in miscellaneous merchandizing until the Mexican war, in which he enlisted, and nothing more was heard of him. Jacob Yost remained, and con- tinued his trading with the Indians. Mr. Yost has the credit of having built the first frame dwelling-house, which stood upon the lot join- ing Mr. Grubb's store lot. Previous to the building of the present town hall, a plain square frame building at north central of the town, the public business was conducted in dwelling- houses and the village schoolhouse. The town, having failed to secure the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, evidently can never be a commercial center of any prominence, al- though at present, with her rural wealth and lime traffic, she does a thriving local trade. Her principal merchants at present are Mr. Grubb, who purchased his store building of Rodney Pool, the builder and owner of the first store building of the village. Richard T. Garrigus owns one of the principal miscellaneous stores, at present dealing in dry goods, groceries and hardware. Mr. Garrigus has also the postal department connected with his store-room, of which he is the Postmaster. Samuel Tetreech is engaged in the dry goods and grocery busi- ness. The first and only drug store of the town is the present room at the northwest corner of the square, fitted up in the summer of 1880 for that business by Thomas Kelly, the present pro- prietor.

The first divine services in this village were held in the cabins of the devotees of their faith soon after the organization of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Zach Lea, residents of the northern part of the township, led these cottage meetings as early as 1838, through whose labors thie Methodist Episcopal society was established, which afterward built the first Methodist Epis- copal Church in Benton. Edward and Ezra Kellogg, neighbors of Mr. Lea, were Universal- ists. But no organization of this faith was es- tablished in the immediate vicinity, their

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principal place of worship being at Osceola. There being no churches in the rural portions of Todd, her church history is mostly connected with that of the village, which is so complex and limited that an accurate analysis would be of as little interest as profit to the writer or the reader. In brief, it is as follows: The early history of the denominations, which in- cluded, between the years 1838 and 1845, Methodist, Campbellite, Brethren, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Universalists, with an occasional Quaker, shows that they believed more in " fu- sion " at this corner of the "moral heritage " than is customary for such a variety of " isms " differing so widely in doctrinal dogmas.

Coming from so many sections of the country as did these first dwellers, it was not strange that their religious views were equally as va- rious. But thedaily race they had, in common, for "bread and butter," rapidly broke down inbred prejudices, and mollified their feelings of hostility usually harbored against all creeds but their own. No single denomination hav- ing the resources to build an ecclesiastical edi- fice, they all worshiped for the first ten years in the schoolhouse situated upon the site of the present brick school building, which, as the citizens say, " Never was allowed to grow cold from September till May." School through the day, and every night some denomination would conduct services therein, and upon the Sabbath, as late as 1853-54, two ministers of different denominations would hold union services, preaching to the same chosen seed. The first work wrought in their midst by laborers from abroad, was the establishment of a Bible society in 1832-40, by Rev. George Reid and J. B. Robinson, both of Bucyrus. The first minister receiving any salary came from Bueyrus, the Rev. Mathews, of the Presbyterian faith. He began evangelizing this people at stated inter- vals in 1845-46. Jacob Snavely and William Gordon were the official "pillars" of this or- ganization. In the same year, the Methodist

Episcopal denomination was organized into a distinct body, under the preaching of Rev. Royce the leading workers being Jesse Jaquith, M. Hough, John Welsh. It was incorporated at this date into Melmore Circuit, North Ohio Con- ference. The following are among the early ministers :

Rev. Henry Warner, preacher in charge, and Rev. G. W. Collier his colleague, 1850-51; Rev. Henry Warner, P. C., Rev. T. J. Monnett, Col., 1852-53; Rev. Luke S. Johnson, P. C., Rev. William R. Kistler, Col., 1853-54 ; Rev. Thomas Thompson (supply) ; Rev. William C. Heustiss, P. C., Rev. William Spafford, 1854-55 ; Rev. Ralph Wilcox, P. C., Rev. Uri Richards, Col., 1855-56.

This Methodist Episcopal preaching point was never recognized as a charge, until the organization effected by the present pastor, Rev. Stephen Fant, under whom the circuit has been definitely limited and a parsonage pur- chased, and other improvements that give it more prestige than at any previous time in its history.

About the time of the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the United Breth- ren Society became a separate body of worship- ers, M. L. Simons and Samuel Swisher hay- ing organized a class which received preach- ing for several years at the frame schoolhouse. The early ministers were Revs. Tablor, Wicks and Downing. Rev. Long is their present Pastor. This society at present is perhaps the wealthiest, and has the largest congregation.

The Campbellites were one of the strongest organizations of the village from 1850 to 1860, numbering at that time thirty or more members. The patriotism of their disciples drew so upon the society that they were not re-organized subsequent to the war. Their first minister and organizer was the talented and educated Rev. Andrew Burns, brother of Hon. B. Burns, of Mansfield.

Among the others that are remembered as

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prominent is Rev. Doeling, of Marion. The members of this faith at present are united with congregations in neighboring villages.

The Sunday-school work of the township and village has been conducted in unison for a greater period, and more harmoniously, than the other theopneustic labors in the church, the first regular Sunday-school having been organ- ized and conducted under the leadership of Capt. J. Wert in the summer of 1846. For seven years this union Sunday-school was con- ducted in the day-school house, with an attend- ance varying from seventy to eighty pupils.

In the summer of 1854, the union school was transferred to the United Brethren Church, shortly after which the Methodist Episcopal portion of the school withdrew, and organized, with Eli Evans as Superintendent, enrolling, on an average, thirty scholars.

In the winter season, the two denominations would conduet union schools, until 1860 ; sinee that date, both denominations have held yearly sessions, with an enrollment of thirty to fifty pupils each. One of the ablest apostles of ab- stinence, who has left an impress upon the minds of the early settlers of this section, was Mrs. Trimble, of Bueyrus, mother of W. C. Trimble, now of Mansfield. Her individual efforts resulted in some immediate fruits, and left a lasting impression upon the minds of her hearers.

The first schoolhouse was situated southwest of the village, about one-quarter of a mile from the square. The structure had all the pioneer provisions and improvements that were then

attainable; a roomy fire-place, stick chimney, doors and windows, with the true Ruskin arch, benches and writing-desks made from original designs.

The first school was opened up and conducted by Miss Jane Snavely in the summer of 1839, receiving $10 per month. She was succeeded in the winter term by her brother, at $15 per month. The first building used for school pur- poses within the city limits of Osceola, was a log cabin, a former domicile of the red man. This was used but two short terms, when a neat, square-log building was erected, especially for school purposes, on the site of the present briek school building. This last cabin was re- placed, in 1846, by a frame edifice, which served for academic purposes until 1855, when the Methodist Church purchased the property, and another frame building, consisting of two sto- ries and three rooms, built by John Dome and R. T. Garrigus, contractors, on the same spot. The fine briek structure, with, at present, two departments, immediately succeeded the second frame. The contractors were Messrs. Kimmis & Powers, at a bid of $3,400. The A divis- ion enrolls, at present, fifteen males and twenty females-Mr. E. N. Jump, teacher. Room B enrolls twenty-one males and twenty-one fe- males-Miss Mary Jones, of Bucyrus, teacher. The interest manifested by the citizens in school matters is sufficiently evinced by the fine build- ing, considering the limited number of pupils ; and the choice of such competent instructors as the present corps.

Leurs

Lement

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CHAPTER XXIII.

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP-DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT-INDIANS-CRANBERRY MARSH- -

INDUSTRIES-NEW WASHINGTON-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES,

THIS township derives its name from the extensive cranberry marsh lying in the southwestern part. As far as can be learned, the date of its creation was irrevocably lost when the court house was burned, soon after the organization of the county. The township is peculiarly situated, comprising land lying on ei- ther side of the eastern boundary of an extensive tract of land, known after 1820, as the New Pur- chase. The three tiers of sections on the east belonged to the "Three-Mile Strip," a narrow tract of land lying next east of the boundary mentioned above, and the tier of sections on the west and the fractional tier lying next east of the western tier, were portions of the New Purchase. That portion of the township lying east of the eastern boundary of the New Pur- chase, was surveyed in 1807, by Maxfield Lud- low, but it was not until after 1820 that the remainder of the township was laid out into sections. In February, 1820, the Ohio Legis- lature passed an act to organize a number of counties out of the eastern side of the New Purchase, and Crawford County was among the number organized. These new counties were surveyed and laid off into townships and sections, but the townships were at first known only by their numbers and ranges. Afterward, when settlers began to come in, the townships were christened, so to speak, and the necessary officers elected. The boundaries of Cranberry have been frequently changed, and, in early times, were not as they are at present. When it first received its name is indeterminate, but it is quite certain that, in 1827, it was known as Cranberry, and, at that time, in- cluded the present Chatfield Township, and perhaps others. This is true, because, when

Andrew Jackson was elected President of the United States for his first term, the few settlers in Chatfield came to the cabin of Joshua Chil- cote, in Cranberry, to poll their votes, render- ing it certain that the latter township had been created a year or two previously, and that its officers had been duly elected. There were some fifteen or sixteen votes cast at the time, seven of them coming from Cranberry, and the remainder from Chatfield or other townships. In the year 1835, when Sandusky Township was divided and Jackson Township created, Sections 34, 35 and 36 were annexed to Cran- berry, and, as near as can be learned, the township at that time took its present size and shape. It lies wholly on the northern slope of the Ohio water-shed, and is drained on the northern and eastern sides by several leading tributaries of Huron River, and on the western side by Sycamore Creek, a winding branch of Sandusky River. This creek has its source in the cranberry marsh. The surface of the township is generally flat, though in the north- ern half it becomes gently undulating. Here are seen evidences of those glacial ridges which run east and west across Northern Ohio, although they are broken and irregular. The soil is deep and black, and largely alluvial in the southern half, while in the northern portion it assumes a lighter color, and contains quite a percentage of course sand and heavy, tenacious clay. This clay is excellent for brick, tile and pottery, and has been thus used. The soil has great strength, and year after year the same crop can be raised on one piece of land, with- out any appreciable decrease in the quantity or quality produced. The drift deposits are deep, and no stream has yet cut through them

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far enough to expose the underlying rock. No quarries have yet been opened. A few sulphur springs and wells are found, though there are none of any great value or note.

The soil, from the earliest times, has sadly needed artificial drainage, and it has only been comparatively late that the large ponds of stag- nant water have been turned into some of the neighboring streams. Until about twenty-five years ago, the cranberry marsh (or " mash," as it was called by the old settlers) was never wholly dry, and, during wet seasons, the water, in many places, was two feet deep. This is the largest and almost the only cranberry marsh in the county. It comprises about two thousand acres, and was known far and near by trappers and hunters in early years. All the varieties of game, when pursued by the hunter or his dogs, would " take a bee line " for this marsh, as its impassable and intricate mazes, like those of the Cretan labyrinth, became an exasper- ating perplexity to those wishing to get out. It was here that many an exciting hunt took place in winter time, while yet the Indians roamed the forest aisles. This marsh was well known to all the early settlers in neighboring townships, who came, when the water was cov- ered with ice, to trap wolves, foxes, mink and other fur-bearing animals. Prior to 1820, the larger varieties of animals abounded, and the enterprising hunter, if he had the necessary courage and skill, could penetrate the marsh and kill a panther or bear. But the rapid set- tlement of the surrounding country, and the in- crease in the number of skillful hunters, soon drove these animals into regions farther re- moved from human habitations. The Indians also soon found that they had no interests in common with the white race, and they, too, turned toward the setting sun, no doubt sor- rowfully thinking-

" Oh, why does the white man follow my path, Like a hound on a tiger's track ?

Does the flush on my cheek awaken his wrath ? Does he covet the bow at my back ?"

There were extensive camps of nomadic Wy- andots in the northern part of Cranberry as late as 1825, but after that their visits became less frequent, and, in 1835, had ceased alto- gether. A large band of them had, for many years prior to 1825, camped, during the hunt- ing season, on a small stream in the northern part. The location was quite valuable, as, dur- ing the winter, the frozen swamps were easily penetrated, and afforded excellent trapping and hunting ground. There was an enchantment about the circular hunts that was irresistible ; and it must have been wildly exciting to see several hundred Indian hunters surround half a township, and then begin to move toward a common center, hallooing and beating up the bushes, driving the frightened animals before them. Often scores of animals of different va- rieties were inclosed within the " magic circle," and, greatly frightened by the whooping and noise, ran wildly from side to side until com- pletely tired out, when they were shot.

In the winter of 1824-25, about seventy-five Indians organized a big hunt, just after a deep snow of about fifteen inches. It had thawed some the day before, and the surface of the snow was covered with a thick crust. There had been bitterly cold weather for several weeks, and the swamps and marshes were frozen solid, and upon this came the deep snow. The Indians had foreseen that it would be an excel- lent day for the hunt. In order to secure as much game as possible, the hunters surrounded a section of country about five miles in diame- ter, the center of which was the cranberry marsh. Five or six white settlers were present -Charles Doney, George Byers, possibly one of the Chilcotes, and one or two from Auburn Township. The march began about 9 o'clock in the morning, and was purposely slow to give the frightened animals abundant opportunity to become tired by constant running. About 11 o'clock, the lines were closed enough to make it advisable to begin the slaughter, as

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

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otherwise the animals might break through the line and escape. A small herd of deer, seven or eight in number, were killed. Several red foxes, wolves and wild-cats shared the same fate. The hunt was barren of anticipated re- sults, and the hunters, one and all, were sadly disappointed. Expressions of mortification came in guttural tones from all sides. One old Indian, the chief of the band, scowled and said, " Ugh ! no bear ; hunt no good." The hunters had felt sure of several bears and panthers.

At the time of the hunt, there were only three or four families in the township ; but, in 1833, the settlement began in earnest. The land was wet and unproductive, and the earliest settlers who desired farms passed on to drier localities. It thus came to pass that adjacent townships were settled earlier than Cranberry. But it was soon seen that, on account of the rapid settle- ment of the country, the low land was destined to be reclaimed, and the pioneers began " buying for a song " large tracts of swampy land. Even the cranberry marsh, which no one at that day, imagined would ever be dry and finally culti- vated, has been cleared and drained, and in a few years more will be turned up with the plow. The first settler who purchased the marsh (and his name is forgotten) came to the conclusion, as he naturally might, that the cranberries that grew therein were rightfully his, and that whoever came in to gather them, without his sanction, was a trespasser and could be summarily dealt with. He therefore announced that no more berries were to be gathered without his permission. As might be expected, no one paid the least heed to his wishes, but continued to gather even more ex- tensively than before. This led to numerous quarrels, that only ceased when the berries grew no longer in paying quantities in the marsh.

probability is that no cabin was built until after 1820. A Mr. Bergin settled on the old Cory farm as early as 1824, and very likely the year be- fore. He built a small log cabin, which was raised by several settlers from Auburn Town- ship, who were his nearest neighbors. By 1826, he had cleared a number of acres, and fenced them with rails. Aaron Cory, who came to the township in 1826, and who became one of its most enterprising and respected citizens, was of Scotch descent, and was an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He pos- sessed great personal magnetism and an iron will, and did a vast amount of good in founding and encouraging church and school organiza- tions. He came from New Jersey to Tuscara- was County, Ohio, in 1802, and, after remaining there a number of years, changed his residence to Richland and Wayne Counties. He remained in Cranberry Township until his death in 1834, at the age of sixty years. Since 1826, the Corys have been among the most distinguished and far-seeing citizens in the northeastern part of Crawford County. Thomas, the son of Aaron Cory, was a man of great natural prac- tical ability, and served with singular fidelity in various positions of honor and trust. Nor have the present generations of the family de- teriorated in intellectual vigor or moral and social usefulness. One of the county's repre- sentatives in the Ohio Legislature is James E. Cory, who was the author of several legislative enactments, and who is just beginning his ca- reer of utility to the county. The family are distinguished for intelligence and uprightness of character.

In the year 1825, Charles Doney built a log cabin near the cranberry marsh. He was a skillful hunter and trapper, and very likely came to that locality for the purpose of trap- ping the fur-bearing animals in the marsh. There was a long, narrow, winding ridge ex- tending out into the center of the marsh.

The name of the first settler is so uncertain, that conjecture is presumptuous. Even the early traditions throw no light on the subject. The | This ridge was first brought to the notice of

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trappers by Mr. Doney, and soon became known as Doney's Point, a name it yet retains. If the Indians knew of its existence, they never communicated their knowledge to the settlers. perhaps for the reason that they did not care to have their trapping-grounds in- vaded by the white men. Doney had come from the Nutmeg State a few years previously, and had first located in northern Richland County ; but, having to depend largely upon his rifle for a living, and the game having be- come scarce and shy in his neighborhood, he sold his land and hired a neighbor to convey himself and family to his newly erected cabin in Cranberry Township. He cleared sufficient land to furnish a garden, abundantly large enough to satisfy his ambition to labor ; but, after it had been fenced, his time was spent in trapping, hunting and preparing the skins for market. He became well known to the In- dians, who did not like the idea of so skillful a hunter settling near the marsh. His remain- ing there could but result in loss to them- selves, and they began to destroy his traps and steal the animals caught therein. They con- tinned to annoy him for some time, stealing many valuable furs from him, and, though he began to exercise vigilance and to watch care- fully, he was unsuccessful until one morning, having visited one of his traps, he discovered that an Indian had preceded him, had torn the log trap down, and had stolen the animal it contained. He started rapidly in pursuit, knowing that the thief could not be far away, and hoping to catch him before he reached the reservation. He was fortunate enough to sur- prise the Indian, who turned quickly around to see the rifle aimed at his head. The Indian made a movement as if about to leap behind a tree, but Doney sternly commanded him to stand still or be shot. He ordered the Indian to cast his rifle and tomahawk upon the ground, and the crestfallen redskin reluctantly obeyed. Doney was much the larger and

stronger man, and he determined to give the thief a thrashing that would not soon be for- gotten. He took the ramrod from his gun, and, stepping up, began laying it with all his strength across the back of the astonished brave. The Indian did not utter a whimper dur- ing the whole flagellation, although the blood flowed freely from his back. Finally, Doney told him to "Go!" a command that was obeyed with greater haste than dignity. The traps were not molested after that event. The chastisement had wrought a radical cure.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 89

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