History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 92

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 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1828, Rev. Robert Lee, Sr., came to the township and bought 160 acres of Jacob Sny- der, and, the following year, laid out the town of Leesville, justly named after its founder, This gentleman is deserving of especial men- tion. He was the son of Thomas Lee, and

was born in Donegal, Ireland, February 9, 1770. He emigrated to this country in 1787, and settled in Washington County, Penn. He received his education at Cannonsburg Semi- nary, and was licensed to preach. His minis- terial career was mostly confined to the State of Pennsylvania, he being one of the original members of the Presbytery of Erie. After coming to this township, he was instrumental in the progress of the town which bore his name, and also for the cause of religion. He died February 9, 1842, and his remains lie in the cemetery at Leesville. His last words were, " If it be Thy will, Lord Jesus, come quickly, that I may be at rest." A life-long friend writes thus concerning him: " As a preacher, and in his address and manner, he was a fair model specimen of the preacher of the West. In this county, he assisted in the organization of many of the early churches, and, before the erection of church buildings, his voice was lifted up in the barns and cab- ins of the pioneers, and often in God's first temples-the groves of the surrounding coun- try."

After the birth of Leesville, a tide of emi- gration flowed steadily into the present limits of Jefferson Township, and especially in the vicinity of the town itself. Hon. Robert Lee, Jr., came to the place with his father, and erected the first business house in the new vil- lage. He commenced in business here and continued for several years with good success. He did much to promote the welfare of the vil- lage and surrounding country, and has been a prominent man in the State and county. He was twice elected Probate Judge, and served with efficiency. He is now living in retire- ment at Bucyrus, an honored and respected Christian gentleman. Newton Ashcroft, living south of Middletown, came to the township in 1828, with his father's family, and settled on the present Asheroft property. The father was a native of England, and had emigrated to

642

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Westmoreland County, Penn. He was an early school teacher, and a man of good education, being one of the best mathematicians ever in the county, having a natural aptitude for that branch of study. In about 1830, Joseph Gledhill and family from England, settled about a mile south of Leesville, on the south side of the gravel ridge, which at one time was his property, and was sold by him to the rail- road company. Here he built a rude log cabin and commenced farming, and continued until his death, several years ago. His son Joseph is still living in Middletown, and is a successful farmer and respected citizen. Col. William Robinson came in 1830, and purchased the land on which North Robinson now stands, paying $1.25 per acre. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and a soldier of the war of 1812, in which struggle he received the title of Colonel. He was a tall, portly and fine-look- ing gentleman, and well versed in military matters. He lived in the neighborhood of the town which bears his name, until his death. He was throughout life a man universally es- teemed. For eighteen years, he was Justice of the Peace, and during all that time he never had a case tried before him, it being his rule to effect a compromise between the parties whenever possible. IIis son James is a resi- dent of the southeast portion of the township, and is an able and distinguished gentleman. He has held several county offices, and has represented the county in the Legislature. Another son, J. P. Robinson, lives in the vicin- ity of the village (Robinson), and is an intelli- gent and respected citizen. After 1830, sev- eral families came into the township, among whom was Dr. John McKean, who is now a resident of Crestline, but was for many years a citizen and physician in Leesville. Alexan- der Cannon came about this time, as did also Rickson Lewis. Samuel Porter Lee, a brother of Judge Lec, came with his father's family, and for many years lived in the town, but is

now a resident of Jackson Township. Igna- tius Shonebaugh, Robert Parks, Elisha Castle and Peter Wert were others who came in about the same time and settled in Leesville, which, at that time, was a better trading-point than Galion. Abraham Littler bought the Ridgely farm in 1832, and removed on it with his fam- ily. He was a native of Hardy County, Va., where he was born, June 24, 1780. He lived in Jefferson Township until his death, which occurred August 10, 1844. His son Lewis is a respected citizen of Sandusky Township, and has been a prominent official in the affairs of the county. In about 1835, a number of Ger- man families came into the township, many from Pennsylvania, and a number from the Fatherland, and at present a considerable por- tion of the population is German. Charles Kunkle came in that year, and settled in Sec- tion 19, where he still lives. Adam Shumaker came about the same time, as did also the Beck family. Morrison came at a compara- tively early day, and is living on the borders of the township. The Laughbaums were early settlers and settled in Jefferson, but are now residents of Sandusky.

" Man is a sociable animal," says Byron, and, indeed, it behooved the early settlers to be sociable and friendly. There existed between them a bond of union and sympathy which made them brethren in the wilderness. To relieve the monotony of every-day life and toil, social gatherings were often held in the rude homes of the pioneers. When the darkness of evening set in, the floor would be cleared and the tuning of the fiddles gave warning of what was to follow. Many a merry set was danced on the rough puncheon floor of the primitive cabins, and a feeling of greater and more genuine pleasure prevailed than is com- mon now at our modern parties. Corn-huskings and log-rollings usually wound up with a mer- ry dance in the evening. Mr. James Nail, one of the oldest settlers now living in the county,

643

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

was often a fiddler for these social gatherings in the vicinity of Leesville and Galion. The domestic life of those days was plain and prac- tical, but none the less dear to the people. The first birth in the township occurred in 1819, in the family of Jacob Fisher. The hand of death was firs laid on Jacob Snyder in 1820, who died of diphtheria. In the year following the first marriage was solemnized and was an affair of great social importance to the whole community for miles around. Eli Foglesang, of Pennsylvania, was joined in holy wedlock to Hannah Snyder, and the event was celebrated with considerable demonstration.

In early days, rattlesnakes and other reptiles were very common, and were also troublesome and dangerous. "Snake stories " are generally received with little credulity, but the following can be vouched for : Mrs. Jacob Synder dispatched a large rattlesnake one morning be- fore breakfast, using an iron poker, and no sooner had she done so than others appeared on the scene of action and shared the fate of the first, until nine had been dispatched.

The past history of Jefferson does not show that it was ever destined to become noted in national affairs, or to be the scene of any famous occurrence. Yet within its borders quite a century ago, there were enacted several scenes in the drama of Crawford's memorable campaign against Sandusky, that give it a place in history. About 2 P. M. of June 2, 1782, the American army under Crawford halted in their march to the Wyandot town, for half an hour on the banks of the Sandusky, where Leesville now stands. They then continued on their course in a south- westerly direction, and encamped for the night in Jefferson Township, near to the eastern border of the Sandusky Plains. After the battles of Sandusky and Olentangy and the capture and death of Col. Crawford, the American army under Williamson retreated in much the same path. By nightfall, after the battle of Olentangy, the command reached the same spot on the

Sandusky where they had halted on first enter- ing the county. Here they encamped for the night. The Indians and British rangers had followed them from the last battle, and con- stantly harassed the rear. However, at night- fall, the two forces encamped within a mile of each other, the Americans taking every precau- tion to guard against surprise. In the morning the retreat was renewed, and the enemy soon commenced a fire on the rear. Two soldiers were here captured and immediately toma- hawked. Directly north of Leesville was, at the time of this memorable campaign, a camp of Delaware Indians, it being the temporary abode of a noted war chief called Wingenund, and a few of his tribe. It was on the land now owned by Joseph Brown and John Newman. Strange to say, this camp was not noticed by either Crawford or Williamson, they both passing to the south of it in their march.

Another important event occurring from nat- ural causes, the scene of which was in Jeffer- son, was what is commonly called the Windfall, a fierce and destructive cyclone which passed over a portion of the township May 17, 1820. Peter Snyder, of Crestline, was a boy of six- teen at the time it occurred, and from his statement we have gained the facts concerning it. On the day of this event, Mr. Snyder was in the field plowing, when he beheld a heavy black cloud in the west, which threatened com- ing danger. He unhitched the team and put them in the barn, during which time the roar of the whirlwind was increasing. Much fright- ened, he clambered upon the joists of the barn, but was there but a short time when the roof was carried away. Letting himself down to the floor, he had no sooner reached it than he was struck on the back with a falling beam. inflicting a painful wound, the scar of which he carries to-day. A sudden darkness had spread over everything, and when Mr. Snyder had extricated himself from the fallen timbers of the barn, and it had become lighter, he

644

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

looked in the direction of the house, but saw that it too was in ruins. Rain and hail accom- panied the storm, which continued for fully half an hour. The remainder of the family were also in a drenched condition. Other fam- ilies living on the tract, however, fared no bet- ter, and a scene of desolation took the place of what was before a picture of industry and prosperity. The settlers were glad to escape even with their lives and lose all else, as many of them did. The provisions were all destroyed or unfit for use. Starvation stared them in the face. Potatoes which had been planted a few days previous were dug up and eaten. The nearest towns and settlements afforded no corn, and Mr. Snyder relates that he went as far as Coshocton in search of food, and there he was fortunately able to buy two bushels of corn at $4 per bushel. On returning with this, the greater part of it was made into meal and hominy for food, and a portion of it planted. The forests passed over by this terrible storm were leveled to the ground, and the effects can still be seen in the new growth of timber in the district still known as the " Windfall." Cabins and barns were blown down ; horses and cows were swept away and killed. A great amount of misery and privation was en- tailed upon many living in the township by this unusual occurrence.

Still another affair, which caused considera- ble excitement at the time, was the supposed murder of a man named Weaver, by Ridgely, who employed him as stiller in his whisky es- tablishment. There had been a quarrel be- tween Weaver and his employer, and it was supposed that he became engaged in a broil with Ridgely, and, during the melee, Weaver was killed. Nothing, however, was certainly known concerning it, although many of the early settlers considered Ridgely the criminal. Several of them pretended, or actually believed, that Weaver's ghost had appeared to them, and had told in detail the whole affair. From these

mythical stories it appears that Weaver was in the still-house with Ridgely one evening after dark, and that in some manner their quarrel was renewed, when angry words followed and Ridgely became greatly incensed. In his hasty madness, he seized a heavy club and struck Weaver over the head a fatal blow. He then, horrified to see what he had done, dragged the body to an out-of-the-way place, and, covering it with leaves, left it, and told it around that Weaver had quit his employ. The body of the murdered man was found, but every attempt to find the criminal was futile, and no one was ever brought to justice.

In the days before the war, the abolition of slavery had a hearty supporter in the person of Peter Wert, a wagon-maker of Leesville. He was commonly known as " Black Pete," and his house was one of the depots of the underground railroad. He aided the cause to a considera- ble extent, and many an escaped black had cause to remember old " Black Pete," of Lees- ville Cross Roads. He moved to Missouri sev- eral years ago, and, when last heard of, was still living.

As the country became more thickly settled, industries began to spring up in various places. Taverns for the accommodation of travelers, saw-mills, grist-mills, tanneries and distilleries were soon put in operation. The first tavern in the present township limits was kept at Lees- ville, by Robert Lee, Jr., then a young man of twenty-four. It was built in 1829, and was the first house erected in the place. Mr. Lee did not long continue the business, but soon sold it to Elisha Allen, who carried it on for several years. Henry Hershner, at Middletown, also gave accommodations to the traveling public for a number of years. These "wayside inns" were great places of resort in early days, and were also welcome places of rest to the emi- grants traveling further westward.

The corn which the pioneer farmer raised on his few acres of cleared land, must be ground

645

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

for food, and, as a necessity, among the earliest of pioneer industries was the grist-mill. At first, horse-mills came into vogue and were soon followed by water power, the brooks being valuable aids to this industry. The first horse-mill was owned by Christian Snyder and was located just east of Middletown. The old millstones of this rude institution are now lying at the gateway of Joseph Gledhill's yard, in the village, and are suggestive of the days when they were revolved by the sturdy strength of some farmer's horse, and when almost the life of the settlers around depended on them for sustenance. This mill of Snyder's did an ex- tensive business. People came for miles with their loads of grain, and were often compelled to wait two and three days before they could obtain their "grinding," and go on their way re- joicing. Oftentimes when the horses gave out or were not to be had, a yoke of oxen would turn the sweep. The mill was kept in motion, when business demanded it, day and night. The flour made was coarse and uninviting in appearance, the settlers being compelled to bolt it by hand. Westell Ridgely erected a grist- mill in connection with his distillery at a very early date, and, it may be, a short time before Snyder, but the fact is not established. This was on the banks of the Sandusky, on land now owned by John Long, of Mansfield. It was burned in early days, however, as was sup- posed by Fisher. Jacob Snyder also built a saw-mill just east of Leesville, but did not long continue as its owner. It was bought by Robert Lee, Sr., who added a grist-mill, also a fulling-mill and carding machine. He con- tinued in this for many years, assisted by his sons, Robert, Jr., Porter and Joseph. Henry Hershner erected a saw-mill on the banks of Spring Run, near Middletown, and did consid- erable sawing. These industries continued for several years and were a source of profit, but the water dwindled in the channels of the streams, until they were no more available.

As stated heretofore, Westell Ridgely and John Adrian were the early distillers of the "ardent " in this township, and the first named made a fair article, and whisky had a good sale. Jonas Hassinger started the first tannery in the township, near Leesville. These early industries, from small beginnings, have grown into larger corporations of wealth. Roads were one of the necessities of early settlement, and a blazed road winding in and out among the trees of the forest was very common. There were in an early day, two Indian traces or trails, passing through this township, one leading from near the present site of New Phil- adelphia, in Tuscarawas County, to the Indian town in Wyandot. This passed through the camp of the Delaware War Chieftain Winge- nund about the time of Crawford's Campaign. Later than this an Indian trail passed through the village of Middletown, east and west, and led from Mansfield to near Bucyrus. After the settlement by the whites, however, roads were laid out as most convenienced the pio- neer, and they were necessarily crooked, being constructed on the high places to avoid the building of bridges. Evidences of this fact still exist in the crookedness of many of the present roads in Jefferson Township. In about 1830, the first State highway, called the Colum- bus and Cleveland road, was laid out through Middletown and Leesville, and nine miles of it was cleared and constructed by the citizens as an encouragement to the enterprise and an aid to their own convenience. Another State road and mail route was from Mansfield to Bucyrus and passed through Middletown. In the course of time, other local and county roads were laid out, and to-day the roads of the town- ship are convenient, but there is not a single pike here nor elsewhere in the county, and in the winter the travel is well-nigh impossible. Fords then, instead of bridges, were common, and it was some time before bridges were con- structed. The first was over the Sandusky at

646

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Leesville, and was built by the citizens of the surrounding country. It was made of logs crossed and fastened down for abutments and heavy trunks of trees were thrown across. This rude structure has been replaced by a magnificent stone arch bridge, and many others of this kind are in the township.

As already stated, the first village within the borders of the present township of Jefferson was laid out by Rev. Robert Lee, Sr., and called in his honor. Leesville. It was located on a quarter-section of land, bought of Jacob Snyder, and was laid off in lots which sold for $25 to $50 at private sale. Soon after the village was founded, which was in 1829, by the efforts of Mr. Lee, several mechanics were induced to come and settle here and engage in their re- spective pursuits. Robert Lee, Jr., was the first business man in the town, and was for many years proprietor of a general store. Alexander Cannon came early and started a chair-factory on a small scale. and employed Rickson Lewis as a painter. Dr. John McKean came in about 1830, and remained for many years. Of late years, however, he has made his home at Crest- line. He was a physician of merit and was very popular and highly esteemed by all who knew him. John Lewis kept public house here, succeeding Robert Lee, Jr. Elisha Castle was the first shoemaker in the community, and Peter Wert was the first wagon-maker and blacksmith. John Teel was another early blacksmith of the township, and also started the first saloon. The first merchants were Robert and Porter Lee, who kept a general store for a number of years and were very successful. Nearly every branch of industry was repre- sented here in a short time, and the town bid fair to become a place of some commercial con- sequence, and was for some time a better trad- ing-point than any of its sister towns. The railroad, however, changed the channels of trade. Leesville has lost ground of late years. Judge Lee was the first Postmaster, and re-

ceived the appointment from Gen. Jackson. He held this office for several years. William De Walt is the present incumbent of the office, having a provision store in connection with it. Upon the opening of the stone quarries, a new branch of industry sprung up, and new houses were built in the village. These valuable quarries are on land originally owned by John Newman, and are now owned and worked by Heckert, Rupp and others, who are engaged in quarrying and shipping vast quantities of stone. The prodnets of these quarries are said to be equal to the celebrated Berea sandstone. A number of men are employed. and make their homes in Leesville. This is the most valua- ble branch of industry connected with Lees- ville, and bids fair to increase in importance. At present the village contains a blacksmith-shop, a cabinet and shoe shop, three saloons, two gro- ceries and one general store. It has about 300 inhabitants, and has grown but little in the last few years. There are two churches- the United Brethren, organized in 1835, and the Lutheran, organized somewhat later. A new schoolhouse is in process of erection, and when completed will be an ornament and honor to the community. Middletown has become indeed a " deserted village," recalling to mind the lines of Goldsmith :

"Sweet smiling village, loveliest of the lawn, Thy sports are fled and all thy charms withdrawn. Amidst thy bowers the Tyrant's hand is seen, And desol ition saddens all thy green."

The village was laid out in about 1835, by Henry Hershner, on land belonging to the Ash- crofts, the Snyders and Hershner himself.

It was intended that this village should some day become quite a metropolis, and one of the oldest houses in the place, now occupied by Joseph Gledhill, was built without windows on its south side, as the intention was to build a large block some time in the near future. Lots were disposed of at good prices, and Henry Hershner himself opened the first store, and was

647

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

succeeded by his son John. Washington Modie opened a blacksmith-shop, and Jacob Hershner, a cabinet-maker, followed his trade, both with good success. For awhile it seemed as if there would soon be quite a village, but grad- ually it went down, its mechanics left for better towns, and now not a business house is in op- eration. There are two church buildings, the Methodist Protestant and the United Brethren. A portion of North Robinson lies on the bor- der line of this township, and comprises the store of Morrison Brothers, the saw-mill of Worden & Fetter, the restaurant of D. C. Spitzer, the Village Hotel of W. P. Deam, and the tile-factory of Sickman & Fate. An ex- tended history of North Robinson will be found in the chapter on Whetstone Township.

Much, indeed, can be told of a township and of its people, by their church buildings and schoolhouses. These are always indices of its morals and intelligence, and convey to the stranger an idea as to the class of citizens. Wherever rises a modest church spire, one may find evidences of Christian culture that speak for themselves. Schoolhouses, well kept up, also denote the intelligence and enterprise of a community, and, considering Jefferson Town- ship from this standpoint, she is in many re- spects a favored township. After the early pioneers had built themselves cabins, the mat- ter of Christianity and religion was not neg- lected. Early after his settlement, Henry Hersh- ner organized a congregation of the United Brethren, and for many years the services were held at his own house, after which a church was erected in Middletown, which is still standing, and of which Rev. Potts, of North Robinson, is Pastor. The church was one of the earliest, if not the earliest organization in the county. There was a church erected in about 1835, on the land now belonging to John Smith. It was for many years known as the " Smith Church," but has long been torn down,and naught remains now but a small cemetery. The United Breth-

ren Church of Leesville is the oldest church or- ganization in the village, and is in charge of Rev. Aunmiller, of Bucyrus. The English Lutheran Church was organized a short time after the first mentioned, and is in charge of Rev. Mil- ler, of Galion. Both churches are strong and self-supporting. In about 1860, the Methodist Protestant Church was organized at Middle- town, by the efforts of Mr. Newton Ashcroft and others, and a neat, substantial edifice erect- ed. Rev. Grimes is the present Pastor.

The German Reformed organization have a church in the southern part of the township, under the Pastorate of Rev. Lober, of Galion. Thus there is a church for every four miles of territory in Jefferson Township, while a num- ber of the citizens are connected with the churches at Crestline, Galion and Robinson. In early days, Rev. Joseph Van Deman, of Delaware, a Presbyterian preacher, was well known throughout this section, and was instru- mental in the organization of several churches in the county. Rev. Robert Lee, Sr., though he held no Pastorate after his removal here, yet did considerable in the cause of his Master, as did also his sons, who have always been devot- ed Christian workers. Jacob Newman was an early preacher, most of his services being held in the homes of the settlers. The first Sunday school held in Crawford County was organized near the northern boundary line of Jefferson Township, by David Wert, one of the pioneers of that section. One of the earliest Sunday schools in Jefferson was held at the home of a man named Worden, in about 1832. Soon after, like organizations were made in Leesville and Middletown, and have been continued ever since.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 92

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