History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 91

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 91

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So far as can be remembered, the first doctor was Dr. Stouteneour. He was succeeded by Mainey, Wandt, Hershiser and Benner. One

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

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lawyer, J. H. C. Elder, has lately made his ap- pearance. All the different city occupations are represented, and the village has a present population of 701, and is yet growing.

The village received its greatest impetus, when it became certain that the Mansfield, Cold- water & Lake Michigan Railroad would pass through the township, and that New Washing- ton was sure of a station. Dozens of build- ings, both public and private, began to go up from all quarters, and some of them costly and even elegant. Business interests of every kind multiplied. The population soon tripled. In- creased activity was manifest in all undertak- ings. Property rose rapidly in value. Since its creation, the town has been increased in area, by the addition of more than 250 lots. Additions have been made by McIntifer ; Rob- inson; Pratt and Guiss; Rossman; Sharf; Guiss, Ailer and Hilburn ; Miller and Kibler. At the March session of the County Commissioners in 1874, a petition was presented, properly signed, praying for the incorporation of New Washing- ton, and, on the 4th day of the same month, the following action relative thereto was taken, as shown by the records :

"The County Commissioners, after hearing said petition and being satisfied that at least fifty qualified voters actually reside within the limits described in the petition, and that said petition has been signed by a majority of them ; that said limits have been accurately described, and an accurate map or plat thereof has been made and filed; that the name proposed for said incorporated village is proper, and suffi- cient to distinguish it from others of a like kind in the State, and that, moreover, it is deemed right and proper, in the judgment and discretion of this board, that said petition be granted, and they hereby make and indorse on said petition, an order to the effect that the in- corporated village, so named and described in the petition, be organized."

Immediately after the incorporation of the

village, the following officers were elected : Matthias Kibler, Mayor; Lewis Donnenwirth, Clerk; John Miller, Treasurer; Lewis Feith, Marshal ; J. H. Miller, Jacob Stouteneour, William Aschbaugh, Jacob Sheets, William Donnenwirth and John Tribolet, Councilmen. The village is numerically the fourth in the county.

As far as can be learned, no school was taught in the township until after 1833. Prior to that time, no settler had deemed it advisa- ble to go to the expense of erecting buildings so little needed and so little thought of. The earliest settlers had no time to devote to mat- ters that could be postponed. They were isolated from any settlement, or rather were on the outskirts of the Auburn settlement and, as a consequence, they were fated to endure loneliness, as well as privation and lack of edu- cational and religious privileges. If their children went to school, it was to the rude buildings in Auburn Township. In the winter of 1833-34, school was taught in a small, for- bidding structure in New Washington. The building had been built for other uses, but had been opened for school purposes. The few parents had seen with concern that their chil- dren were growing up around them with no school advantages, and with but little, if any, moral training. So they rented the building referred to, and employed some person, whose name is forgotten to teach the first school in town, and, perhaps, in the township. After that term, school was taught there every win- ter, until 1839, when a large log schoolhouse was built about a mile southeast of the village. This was attended by the town children until about 1842, when a log schoolhouse was built in the town. This building served the pur- pose until 1855, when the present schoolhouse was built at a cost of nearly $2,000. The names of the first teachers of these schools have been forgotten. At the time of the rapid growth of the village, when the railroad was

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established, and when the great increase in population filled the small schoolhouse to over- flowing with children, a new school building much larger and finer, suited to the populous condition of the town, was planned, but, for some reason, its erection has been postponed until the present. A tax has been levied, and arrangements are being perfected, looking to the early erection of this much-needed build- ing. At the time of the erection of the school- house in the village, several others were built in different parts of the township. So far as known, all the earliest ones were constructed of round or hewed logs. One was built near the present Tabor Church in 1840, and another in the northern part about the same time. Two or three years later, one was built near the eastern limits. These early buildings were used usually about twenty-five years, when the present ones were erected.

The First Lutheran Church society in Cran- berry Township was organized in the spring of 1834, by the Rev. Mr. Stanch, who afterward visited the society and preached to it six times per year. His periodical visits were anxiously looked for by the little society, which counted the days until his appearance. Among the first members were the families of Adam High, John Seifert, George Donnenwirth, Conrad Seiter, Phillip Gangloof and Mrs. Hesse. They met for worship in the cabin of Adam High, who was probably the first Lutheran to locate in the township. At the expiration of two years, Rev. Mr. Maschop succeeded the first min- ister, and the members of the society deemed themselves fortunate in being able to secure the attendance of their minister once per month. That was much better than to be visited only once in two months. Rev. John Krauss was the third minister, visiting the society from 1839 until 1845. During the summer of 1840, a log church was built in the eastern part of New Washington ; but, prior to its erection, church was held in schoolhouses, and in the

cabins of the members. After the erection of the church, which, though rude and small, was sufficiently large to contain the little congrega- tion, the society was placed upon firm footing, and it soon began to gain accessions to its membership. During the first few years of Mr. Krauss' ministration, he preached to the society once per month ; but soon after the church was built he began visiting it every alternate Sun- day. This state of things was very satisfactory to the membership. Rev. Mr. Graetz took charge of the organization from 1845 until 1850, preaching every Sunday and occasionally on week days. This aroused such an interest in the society, which had become large and en- thusiastic, that, in 1853, the members resolved to erect a new and larger church, which was ac- cordingly done at a cost of $2,700, including the bell and organ. Prior to 1852, the society was known as a union of the two denominations, German Lutherans and German Reformers ; but after that date the Lutheran branch of the organization became so strong, that the title, " German Evangelical Lutheran Church," was bestowed upon the society. At the time of the erection of the new church, the membership consisted of about sixty families, mostly of German descent, many of whom had come from Alsace and Wurtemberg. The church was dedicated in October, 1854, and, at that time, the councilmen were George Donnenwirth, Val- entine High, Jacob Utz, George Leonhardt, John P. Walter, Jacob Weil, Michael, Margaret and John A. Sheetz. Since 1854, W. Schmo- grow, H. F. Belzer, Charles Clessler and E. A. Boehme have been the presiding ministers, the Rev. Mr. Belzer officiating from 1859 until 1875. In October, 1879, the society celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the church, and the following statistics were read on that occasion :

Number of baptisms since 1835 892

Number confirmed since 1837 507

Number partaking of the sacrament since 1835, 10,202

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Number of couples married since 1855. 112

Number buried since 1845 289

Present number of communicants. 366

Present congregation 640

Male membership over 21 years. 115

This is one of the strongest church organiza- tions in the county, and the membership is on the increase.

The Catholics did not organize a church in the township for many years. There were many of this denomination, however, among the early settlers, but they belonged to a church located on the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike, in southern Seneca County. This church was distant but about six miles, and the settlers preferred attending it rather than undergoing the expense of establishing a sepa- rate society and building a separate church. The Catholics in Cranberry had increased to such a number in 1844, that it was deemed ad- visable to sever their connection with the Seneca County church for the purpose of organizing one of their own, which was accordingly done. There were sixteen families that first organized themselves into the society, among which were those of Peter Young, John Alt, Peter Gulong, Paul Miller, Jacob Streiger, John Delaver, John Buger and Timothy McCarthy. A small frame building was erected just cast of where Hil- burn's Tavern stands, at a cost of about $600. This building was used until 1868, when the present imposing structure was built at a cost of $25,000, exclusive of the gratuitous labor of the members. The church is brick, with a large square spire that rises in the air almost a hundred feet. The interior is very beautiful and costly, the walls being painted in imita- tion of mottled marble, and arranged in the form of an arcade, with a background of hard cement, relieved by groups of triple columns, crowned with capitals after the Corinthian order of architecture. The marble altar, over which stands the life-sized statue of the Virgin Mary and her child, cost almost $1,500, and fairly

represents the costliness and elegance of the interior. The church is yet incomplete. A brick parsonage was erected on an adjacent lot in 1875, at a cost of $4,000. The church has had a membership of one hundred and forty families. At present there are about eighty families belonging. A few years ago a divi- sion was made in the congregation, those fami- lies living east erecting a large frame church in Auburn Township. Rev. P. F. S. Bruner or- ganized the society in 1844, since which time more than a dozen priests have had charge of the organization at different times. Rev. Michael Baker is the officiating priest at pres- ent, receiving his appointment in 1865.

The Protestant Methodists organized a so- ciety as early as 1850, and, for a number of years, met at schoolhouses to worship. Jacob Johnson was a prominent member. Finally, in 1854, a frame church was built on Section 27, where before they had assembled in a log cabin. The church was built by subscription, and cost about $1,400. Services are held every three weeks, and the present minister is Rev. Mr. Grimes. In about 1844, the United Brethren began holding class meetings at the residence of George Keller and others. The society was organized and began to grow. Between 1848 and 1852, the members met in a log schoolhouse near where their church stands. During this period, a large increase was made to the membership; so much so, that it was thought best to build a church, which was ac- cordingly done during the year last mentioned, at a cost of about $800, including individual labor gratuitously given. Among the first members were the families of Peter Lash, Nicholas Whittle, Conrad Cragle, Charles Ha- german, George Keller and others. Rev. John Smith was one of the first ministers. The church is located on Section 24, and has a congregation, which, if not large, is doing much good in the township. The present minister, Rev. Mr. Ramsey, holds services every

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

alternate Sabbath. A Methodist Episcopal Church has just been built in the northern

part, in the Pugh settlement, at a cost of $1,200. The membership is rapidly increasing.

CHAPTER XXIV .*

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP - DESCRIPTION -TOPOGRAPHY - SETTLEMENT - SOCIAL LIFE- PIONEER INDUSTRIES-INCIDENTS-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-VILLAGES.

J "EFFERSON TOWNSHIP is a recently or- ganized portion of Crawford County, and lies near its castern borders. The land which comprises it was surveyed in 1807 by Maxfield Ludlow, and, at one time, prior to 1842, the eight eastern sections were a part of Richland County. Twelve sections west were a part of what was then known as Sandusky Township, which was twelve miles long by six miles wide. In 1835, a petition was presented to the Com- missioners of Crawford County, praying that the township of Sandusky be divided on account of the great inconvenience attendant upon its length. The petition was granted, and, accord- ingly, fifteen sections were formed into a new township, bearing the name of Jackson. When, in 1842, a four-mile strip was added to Craw- ford from Richland County, eight new sections were added to Jackson Township, thus giving it an area of twenty-eight square miles. How- ever, in 1873, the residents of the twenty western sections manifested their dissatisfaction regard- ing the unequal distribution of offices by the township as those of the eastern sections, in- cluding Crestline, controlled the matter, and gobbled the " loaves and fishes " of office. On a petition being presented, a division was made, converting twenty sections of the old township into a new organization, which was named Jef- ferson, in honor of the great apostle of the American Democracy. By this division but eight sections were left of the old township of Jackson. The present township of Jefferson is bounded on the north by Sandusky and Vernon

Townships, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Polk, and on the west by Whetstone Town- ship. It is composed of eight sections of Town- ship 20, Range 20 west, and twenty sections of Township 16, Range 21 west.

The land comprising this division is well drained by the Sandusky River and its numer- ous tributaries. This river rises in the borders of Richland County, and flows through this town- ship in a northwesterly direction. Spring Run, a tributary, so called because of the springs forming it, takes its rise south of Middletown, and flows north, emptying into the Sandusky near Leesville. Allen's Run has its source in the eastern portion of the township, and enters the Sandusky cast of Leesville. Another small stream rises on the Snyder farm, and, flowing north, also empties into the Sandusky. Other small streams there are in different parts of the township, and form a very complete natural system of drainage, and were all in early days utilized for water power by the pioneer. The surface of a portion of the township is such as requires artificial drainage to a limited extent ; but the eastern part is naturally rolling, though not what could be termed hilly. In the vicinity of Leesville there is an abrupt rise of land comprising an extensive ridge of gravel, com- monly called the "Hog's Back," and here are also frequent knolls of varying height, made up of gravel and stone, and continuing along the banks of the Sandusky and Spring Run. The channels of these streams are in many places dug through solid masses of rock. At the quarry of James Morrow, in Section 1, the

* Contributed by F. B. Gessner.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

banks of the river take a precipitous rise of sixty-eight feet six inches from the surface of the water. Thirty-five feet of this ascent is composed of solid rock, belonging to the Wa- verly sandstone group. This gravel ridge is situated in the eastern part of the township, extending a trifle east of north and south for about a half-mile. This has been in use for over twenty years, during which time thousands of car-loads of gravel have been taken out by the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- road, and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, in the construction and repair of their respective roadbeds. That portion which still remains, rises full forty feet above the level of the surrounding country. The soil of the township is good, being a clay, mingled in some places with gravel and sand. On the whole, it is well adapted for farming purposes, being excellent for both wheat and corn, and has been brought by its owners into a high state of cultivation.

There was in early day a heavy growth of timber covering most of the land, comprising the usual varieties common to this section of the State, such as oak, beech, maple, elm, wal- nut and ash. Through the southwestern part of the township, the timber is not of such heavy growth as in the northern part. This is owing to the effect produced by a cyclone which passed through this section in 1820, com- pletely destroying the forests in its pathway. This section has ever since been known as the "windfall," and since the occurrence a new growth has come up which nearly equals the surrounding forests in size.

The township of Jefferson is admirably situ- ated for farming or commerce, but there are no manufacturing establishments within its boundaries. The majority of its citizens are honest tillers of the soil, and there is some attention paid to the raising of stock. The stone quarries at Leesville are the most impor- tant commercial interest, a number of the citi-

zens of Leesville and vicinity finding employ- ment here. The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway passes through it east and west and is of great value, owing to the splen- did shipping facilities it affords. Leesville is the largest village in the township limits, while the old village of Middletown is situated just below it. A portion of North Robinson is also in this township, lying on the western boundary line. With this preliminary description of the township, its topography and configuration, we will turn now to other matters connected with its history.

Westell Ridgely was one of the first settlers in what is now Jefferson Township. He squat- ted where the Leesville & Bucyrus road crosses the Sandusky, about the year 1816 or 1817. A large family, consisting of four sons and a like number of daughters, accompanied him. These fair daughters, as the country settled up, became a great attraction to the young men for miles around. The marriage of Lucy Ridgely was the second marriage solemnized in the township, and was a great social event A man named Ferguson and J. S. Griswell were almost cotemporary with Ridgely, and Peter Bebout settled some time after, immediately be- low them. Thomas Ferguson was quite a char- acter among the Indians, who called him Gov- ernor, and evinced for him considerable rever- ence. He was often called upon to settle disputes and differences that arose among them, and between them and the whites. Jacob Fisher, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1816. He settled in what was then Richland County but is now Jefferson Town- ship, at a point immediately south of the gravel ridge, on land which now belongs to Daniel Weider. He purchased considerable land, pay- ing for it $1.25 per acre. He came here in a two-horse wagon, bringing his household effects and a family of eight children. He built a rude cabin of round logs, 18x20 feet, which was probably the first structure erected by a white

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

man in the present limits of Jefferson Town- ship. Fisher lived here until 1860, when he went to Missouri, where he has since died. Regarding him, the early settlers do not speak in high terms. He was hard-working and in- dustrious, but, at times, very dissipated, and always malignant in disposition. It is related of him that, in an early day, when other families moved in, he would engender strife among the women, the wives of his brother pioneers. To do this, he would present one woman with a pound of tea, and then tell a neighbor woman that if she would fight and whip the other, he would give her a pound of tea also. This often brought on encounters in the neighborhood, that were not altogether pleasant. Fisher would watch this unfeminine sport with the greatest pleasure. Several depredations were ascribed to his hand ; one, that he girdled a young or- chard ; and that he burned a year's crop of wheat for Daniel Krieder. He picked a quar- rel with William Mitchell, an Englishman, and during the fight which ensued, bit a piece out of Mitchell's cheek, leaving a sear which the latter carried to his grave. Ridgely, who had a distillery on his farm, also became an object of Fisher's enmity, and his grist-mill and dis- tillery were both burned one night, and a large copper kettle stolen and hid in the forest. Fifteen years afterward, it was plowed up by Kreider, and returned to Ridgely. Fisher re- marked that he, too, could have plowed it up if he had been so inclined.

Christian Snyder came to the township in 1817, and settled near the eastern boundary line, in Section 17, buying 160 acres of land of Jacob Fisher, and paying for it $3 per acre. Snyder's family comprised himself and wife and eleven children. He came from Westmore- land County, Penn., in a two-horse wagon, also bringing along with him some twenty head of cattle, a drove of swine, a yoke of oxen and an extra team of horses. . They were compelled to cut a road through from Mansfield to their

destination, and this occupied almost a month. Jacob Snyder had been sent on ahead to ereet a cabin for their accommodation. Persevering and pushing onward in the midst of difficulties, they at last arrived at their future home, ex- pecting to enter a cabin and be comfortably installed at once. Their disappointment can be imagined when, instead, they found on their arrival that only the foundation had been laid, and a rude puncheon floor constructed. Ac- cordingly, tired out with the long journey, the whole family lay down to sleep upon the bare floor, with no other covering than the clouds. They awoke in the morning to find themselves covered with six inches of snow, which was not in the least conducive to their comfort. They went bravely to work, however, and soon had their cabin completed. It was constructed of round logs, and stood on the site of the brick house on the present Snyder farm. The Wy- andot and Seneca Indians, who were their immediate neighbors, aided them in their work and also kept them well supplied with game and necessary food. The family grew up within the township, and several of Mr. Snyder's descend- ants are still living in the county. Among them is Peter Snyder, an old and respected citizen of Crestline, and for many years a resident of' Jef- ferson. To him we are indebted for many facts concerning the early history of the township. John Adrian was a very early settler, and came soon after Snyder. He lived on what is now the Samuel Freese farm for a number of years, and here he operated a rude distillery. He came from France ; raised quite a family of children, who are scattered far and wide. Of this Adrian, it is reported that his strength was such that he could pick up a whisky barrel nearly full, and drink from the bung-hole, as others would drink from a jug. This being either true or mythical, one thing is maintained, that he was a man of wonderful strength, but very dissipated. He did not continue his dis- tillery long, and what whisky he did make was

Major James Robinson .

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

of a very inferior quality. Many of the bibu- lous settlers of that day often remarked that they would rather go to Adrian's for their whisky, as it was so weak that they could drink a great deal of it without becoming drunk. As a rule, however, the liquor of that day was a good article, and sold as low as $7 per barrel. Nearly every one was inclined more or less to its use, and it was a common accompaniment to all social gatherings. Jacob Snyder, already mentioned, was for many years a resident of the township, and at one time owned the land on which Leesville now stands. He constructed the first house in the town after it was founded, and also started a blacksmith shop, the first in the township. After 1820, the immigration was rapid. Disbree Johnston and his family came from Virginia and settled in the southern part. His sons are still living in Polk Town- ship. Daniel Miller came from Pennsylvania in 1822, and settled on what is now the Simon Snyder farm. This man Miller was a great hunter, and had an Indian's instinct and love for the forest. Many stories are related con- cerning him by many of the old settlers which prove that he was quite a character. He died in the township about ten years ago. In about 1825, came Henry Hershner, from Westmore- land County, Penn., and settled near Middle- town. He was a man of considerable intelli- gence, and his whole life was actuated by Chris- tian principles. He was the founder of Middle- town, and opened the first store there. After continuing it for some time, his son John came from Pennsylvania and took charge of it. He was also the organizer of the United Brethren Church, one of the first, if not the very first church, organized in the township.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 91

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