History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 93

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 93

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).

"Education is the hope of a Republic," is the motto of some truthful writer, and when we survey the substantial school buildings in the different parts of the State, and mark what progress is being made in education, we are ready to subscribe to the same motto. The

648

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

early pioneers of Jefferson were men of fore- sight, and deemed education necessary to pro- gression. But few families had settled in the township, when a rude schoolhouse was built about 1824, south of Leesville, near the " Hog's Back." It was constructed of round logs, and was in size about 20x24 feet. There was a large fire-place in one end, and oiled paper served as windows. The floor was a rude puncheon affair, and the seats were hewed slabs with four legs. For a writing desk, a slab was placed against the wall in a slanting position and supported by wooden pins driven into the logs. In this rude structure taught and ruled the first schoolmaster of the town- ship. David Dorn, of Pennsylvania. He was of limited education, and his pronunciation was none of the best, but rather broken. He had at first an attendance of nine pupils, for which he received 75 cents apiece per month, thus making his salary $6.75 per month, the term continuing four months. Soon after this, a schoolhouse was erected on the Tracht place, and this was taught by David Gill. Leesville erected a schoolhouse some time after, and soon there were several in the township. A very early school was held on the farm of John McClure, in his own honse. It was taught first one week by himself and another by Mr. Akers, thus continuing alternately to the end of an ordinary term. The father of Newton Ashcroft was an early teacher, and had taught considerable in Pennsylvania before coming to Ohio. He came in 1828, and spent several years teaching, and was a mathematician ex- celled by few. It was customary in those days for the teacher to "board around" with the families whose children made up his little kingdom, governed by that most righteous scepter, the ferule. As a rule, the school-

masters of that day were strict and severe in their government, using the ferule extensively, with full faith in the Scripture doctrine, that " sparing the rod will spoil the child." Many a large pupil was pummeled promiscuously when he became a transgressor of the law. It was customary at Christmas for the teacher to " treat," and, if not so inclined, he was " barred out" of the schoolhouse. Oftentimes the larger boys made it rather lively for him, and were often encouraged by their sires. Old Mr. Ashcroft was once teaching a school where the pupils were determined that he should treat or stay out of the schoolroom. Accordingly, they barricaded the door, and upon his arrival he was refused admittance unless he would ac- cede to their demands. He was a man of great determination, and made up his mind not to be balked by a set of unruly boys. So, clambering on the roof, with several clapboards, he placed them over the chimney, a large fire being in progress in the fire-place below. In a few seconds, the whole school came out like a swarm of bees, and with tearful eyes. They were "treated" enough and resigned them- selves to their usual work. Since those days, with the progress in farming and the general improvement in the township, the old rude buildings where education was dispensed to the rising generation have given place to new, substantial and convenient structures, which are creditable to the community.

These schools are the outgrowth of intelli- gence and prosperity, and, as such are the bul- warks and defenses of our Republic. Jefferson Township may well be proud of her schools and churches. The first, the guardians of knowledge ; the last, the guardians of morality, two elements that aid each other in the ad- vancement of the human race.

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

649

CHAPTER XXV.

CHATFIELD TOWNSHIP - INTRODUCTORY - FIRST SETTLEMENT-INCIDENTS OF THE INDIANS - INDUSTRIES-GROWTH OF VILLAGES-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

T "HE charms that cluster like gems around the mysteries of the silent past, do not cease with the beginning of authentic his- tory, but linger with multiplied beauty around the strange myths and fairy tales that come to us through the lapse of unknown centuries. Ethnology, archæology and philology reveal to the present age, that, thousands of years before the Christian era-unknown centuries before a means of recording human events had been in- vented-the human race lived a quiet. nomadic, pastoral life in Central Asia. Their homes and haunts became the source of many a legend or poetic tale. which reveals that primitive man was beset with the same temptations that have infested the existence of every succeeding gen- eration. Every known field has been care- fully searched to clear up the darkness that antedates recorded history ; but the sacrifice of time and labor by the historical investigator, has been almost wholly fruitless, and has met with but little reward except disappointment and defeat, and the early mythical traditions are yet believed to be an imperfect account of what actually transpired in pre-historic times. Since the origin of writing and printing-the most valuable invention ever given to the human race-remarkable strides have been made in intellectual and moral advancement, notwithstanding the countless events of vital importance that have been left unrecorded. History is but a record of human experience, which fact renders it of the highest importance to the race, because the probable events of the future can only be foreknown by an accurate knowledge of the detailed affairs of humanity in the past. Men or nations are wise only as they can look into the future and anticipate

coming events which cast their shadows before, and this can only be done from analogy with what has taken place in the past. " The proper study of mankind is man," and history is such a study. This places the historian in the light of a public benefactor to succeeding generations ; but a prophet-one that can anticipate the future-labors on without the respect or honor of his own country and age.

It might, at first glance, appear that the his- torian has an easy time in rummaging through dusty memorials or following some Jack-with- the-lantern tradition that constantly eludes him ; but he knows that the weight of the re- sponsibility of recording the truth, giving to each item its appropriate and comparative degree of importance, leaving no path partially neglected or wholly unsearched, resisting the demands of bigots who insist in having their names enrolled high on the page of honor, rests upon his shoulders like the sphere of Atlas. Nothing but patient labor brings the desired information. It thus occurs that, in looking over Chatfield Township, much diffi- culty is experienced in accumulating its past history. Traditions are vague and unsatisfac- tory, and an accurate knowledge of all the facts is out of the question. It often occurs that no two men who are questioned give a similar account of the same event, thus adding much to the perplexity of the historian. or passing altogether beyond a successful solu- tion. A cheerful readiness to tell everything known, and to volunteer much information of events of doubtful occurrence, is met with everywhere. Men yet living, who were in the township at the time of its creation, cannot re- call such time nor the incidents connected

650

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

therewith. It is not accurately remembered who were the first township officers, and in- numerable events of great interest and impor- tance which occurred in early years have passed beyond the recollection of the oldest settlers. Among the earliest settlers were Si- las and Oliver Chatfield, after whom the town- ship was probably named, although this is not definitely known. These brothers, like all the earliest settlers, erected their cabins on the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike, as early as 1827. They were intelligent men, of English descent, and, during their stay in the township, occupied its different offices. Silas Chatfield was elected one of the Trustees in 1833, and Oliver was elected Treasurer. After a number of years, they sold their farms and moved into some of the counties in the State farther west. It is likely that Jacob Whetstone, a very suc- cessful hunter, who also worked by the day for the settlers, assisting in clearing their farms, was the first to build a cabin in the township. He had a wife and family, who were supported at first almost wholly by the rifle ; but, after game became scarce and day laborers were in great demand, he worked a number of years for the neighboring settlers. But this life did not suit his acquired inclination to roam in the forest, which soon caused him to sell his acre of land and journey farther into the wilder- ness, where an abundance of game was yet to be found. He was one of those wandering hunters who swept over Ohio in advance of the earliest white settlers. He had been raised in the solitude of the woods, and found greater pleasure and profit in hunting and trapping than in those pursuits at which he was a nov- ice. He often said to the settlers that came in after himself that he was the first man to build a cabin in the township and to live therein with his family. He was in the township several years before its creation, and he is remembered to have said on several occasions that the town- ship would have been named Whetstone in his . ating swine and other domestic animals of his

honor, but for the fact that there was one Whet- stone Township in the county already. He lived about a mile and a half northwest of Richville until about 1838, when he moved West, and what finally became of him is unknown to the citi- zens of the township. George Stuckman must have located in the township soon after Whet- stone. He was also a professional hunter, and was often employed by the early settlers to hunt deer for them. The majority of the earliest settlers were directly from the East, and had been reared in localities where deer and other wild animals were rarely seen. They knew nothing of stalking a deer, and many of them did not know how to properly keep and load a gun. They must have deer meat, however, and hence they were accustomed to employ hunters of known skill and experience, often paying them as high as $2 per day for their services, and often receiving, by way of return for such ontlay, five or six fat deer, besides a large num- ber of squirrels and other small game. Stuck- man was a squatter, and did not own a foot of land, and yet his family lived well, as far as food and clothes were concerned, and were quite intelligent people. He made a great deal of money out of furs, which were usually sold at Sandusky City, where a much better market was found than at Bucyrus. He also lived a mile or two northwest of Richville, until the popula- tion became too dense to suit him, when he moved farther west. John Henry was an early hunter, who had come to Eastern Ohio about the beginning of the nineteenth century. He lived there for several years, and afterward, at different times, kept moving westward, until he finally located in Crawford County. This must have been as early as 1824, at which time Whet- stone and Stuckman must have also appeared. He was a tireless hunter, and gained great no- toriety, not only as to his ability to bring in large quantities of fur and game, but also be- cause of his inordinate propensity of appropri-

651

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

neighbors. The enormity of the crime, at that period and under the existing circumstances, was not as great as it is at present, because hundreds of hogs wandered in the woods with- out any car-mark or known owner, and were slaughtered by whomever wanted fresh pork. Henry, however, was accustomed to overstep these bounds and to take hogs with or without ear-marks, often pursuing them to the cabins of the owners. He salted down considerable pork, which was kept for sale to the settlers. It very likely often happened as was observed one day by Richard Davidson to his wife. He had purchased a barrel of pork from Henry, after whose departure Davidson remarked, “ We are buying back our own pork." Henry lived many years in the township, but finally moved farther west. In about 1828 or 1830, there came in Richard Davidson, David Tipton, John Robinson, John Hamilton, David Clute, Ichabod Smith, John Armitage, Luther C. Flint, David Kimbal, George Champion, John Mitchell, Ira Chase, David Shaffstall, Thad- deus Kent, William McPherson and several others. These men were almost wholly of English descent, most of them coming from some of the eastern counties, where they had first settled after having come from New En- gland. They were mostly farmers, and entered their land along the Sandusky Turnpike. This was a desirable location, as the road gave them an outlet both north and south. The conse- quence was that the land along the pike was entered first, and afterward, as the road became lined with rude log cabins, built in small clear- ings in the deep woods, the land farther back was taken. Ichabod Smith was Justice of the Peace in 1833, and Richard Davidson was Township Clerk. Jolin Mitchell and David Clute were two of the three Trustees. The records prior to this date are missing.

The early hunters, who came mostly south from Seneca County, lived in the northwestern part of the township. They chose this location

because the land was higher and dryer than much of that in surrounding neighborhoods. The western part of the township is quite roll- ing, and, since the forests have been largely cleared away, and the eye has a chance to roam about, there is no finer appearing country in the county. Those extensive glacial ridges which extend across Northern Ohio from east to west, are found crossing Chatfield, giving the township long but not precipitous slopes. These give the township splendid drainage, a thing that was greatly appreciated in early years. Sycamore Creek drains almost the whole township, although the northern part is drained by small streams, which flow across Seneca County into Sandusky River, and the southern part by the northern branches of the Broken Sword Creek. The soil is very similar to that in other parts of the county, being largely alluvial in the eastern part, and com- posed of more clay in the western. The bound- aries of the township were changed in 1845, although there was no increase or decrease of territory. The eastern tier of sections was an- nexed to Cranberry, while the eastern tier of Lykens became part of Chatfield. This change gave the township its present boundaries and territory. Every foot of land can be cultivated, a statement that cannot be made of but two or three other townships in the county.

Many interesting incidents are told concern- ing the characteristics of the Indians, who camped in the township as late as 1830. They came every autumn and built rude wigwams in the southeastern part, near the cranberry marsh, the western edge of which touches Chat- field. They came there at the commencement of the cranberry season, and often remained all winter, the squaws, meanwhile, gathering the berries whenever the weather was favorable while their lords and masters engaged in the ,

manlier pursuit of hunting and trapping. After the berries were picked, they were loaded on ponies and taken to Sandusky City, where they

652

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

were sold, and the proceeds invested in calico, trinkets and "Sandusky water." Many years before the pioneers came to the county, the In- dians had begun picking the berries, which were then taken to villages in the northeastern part of the State. They soon found it very prof- itable, and labored at it as extensively as agreed with the Indian's constitutional indol- ence. When the settlers arrived and began to domineer with the usual arrogance of the white man over the Indian, and to prohibit him from gathering berries in the marsh, contests occa- sionally arose, usually settled in favor of the white man at the expense of his red brother. The Indians left the marsh with regret, lingering in its vicinity until necessity forced them to leave. They were largely members of the Wyandot tribe, and temporarily located in the township, coming from their reservation. One day sev- eral Indian squaws, on their way from the marsh to their reservation, saw some large, fine pump- kins in Richard Davidson's yard, and, through the ordinary process of Indian logic, came to the conclusion that they wanted a few. So, stopping at the cabin. they began making the usual unintelligible signs, and uttering the ordi- nary incomprehensible gibberish, characteristic of none but the native North American. They were offered flour, meal, pork and various com- modities, but each time their heads were shaken impressively to signify (strange as it may seem) that the offering was not wanted. At last, an old squaw seized Mrs. Davidson by the hand, and led her out into the yard where the pump- kins were, where, with sundry signs and grim- aces, she intimated her desire of loading a half dozen or so on the backs of her ponies. Mrs. Davidson bowed assent, and the pumpkins were taken away. Davidson owned a fierce dog which appeared to detest the Indians, as it would not let them approach the cabin. One day an Indian youth of about seventeen, evi- dently on a begging visit to the cabin, unaware of the unfriendliness of the dog, came into the

yard before that animal was aware of his pres- ence. At the sight of the boy, the dog bounded toward him, but the young Indian nimbly caught a branch and swung himself into a tree, while the animal bayed in great fury at its foot, making it evident that the youth had had a narrow escape. After a few minutes elapsed, the family came to the door, wondering what was meant by the noise and commotion outside. They laughed as the sight of the treed boy met their gaze, but he did not seem to enjoy or ap- preciate their levity in the least, for he sat eyeing the dog with no little concern, evidently speculating as to the best means of escaping the sharp teeth of the enraged animal. The dog was quieted and the boy descended from the tree ; but the family had all they could do to prevent the animal from throttling the youth, who, as quick as possible, sought the protec- tion of the cabin. It is also related that one day a party of Indians, mounted on their po- nies, came upon a logging party of settlers in the northern part. The two parties began amicably exchanging greetings and tobacco, the latter being extensively used by the red- men, and even more so by the settlers. At last, one of the settlers, whose name is forgotten, and who had acquired a great repu- tation as a wrestler, declared that he could throw down any Indian in the band, which con- sisted of about ten. After some communica- tion among themselves, one of the Indians-a stalwart young fellow with an enormous chest -accepted the challenge, and each began pre- paring for the struggle. A circle of settlers and Indians was formed, inside of which the two wrestlers took their respective positions, and the sport began. The wrestle was the fa- mous shoulder-and-elbow grip, and, for a long time, each contestant tugged and strained to throw his antagonist on the ground by main strength, or by the less tiresome sleights known to the professional wrestler. They were quite equally matched in point of strength, and for a

653

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

long time the issue was uncertain. At last, when the Indian was off his guard, the settler made a feint of tripping him, but changed his design just in the act, and with a sudden, pow- erful strain in the opposite direction cast him upon his back. He was on his feet in an in- stant, and began loudly exclaiming "No good, heap no good," but he was assured by all that he had been honorably vanquished by his an- tagonist.

As in all new countries, where settlements are made, various industries began to arise in different parts of the township. David Shaff- stall built a saw-mill on Sycamore Creek, as early as 1834. The building was a frame struc- ture, sided with rough walnut and poplar plank sawed at the mill. It was run by water-power, and was located at a place where there was quite a slope of the land toward the mill on the opposite side from the stream. Often in winter, when the ground was covered with ice, advan- tage was taken of the slope and the slippery condition of the bank to roll the logs down near the mill. Woe unto the man who got in the way of one of these descending logs. Mr. Shaff- stall operated the mill for nearly twenty years, when it was sold to Frederick Hipp, Jr., and his brother-in-law, Simon Neffzer. These men added some improvements, and, after running the mill for about ten years, sold it to other parties, when it was soon afterward abandoned. A Mr. Johnson built a steam saw-mill a short distance south of Richville in 1855, in which was an up-and-down saw. This mill did good and extensive work. Sawing was done at the rate of 37 cents by the hundred, or on shares, one-half being taken by the sawyer. After running about fifteen years, it was removed to the vicinity of Bucyrus. The Tiptons began burning brick as early as 1840. Several kilns were burned and sold to the citizens. Ira Chase also burned brick about the same time, but not quite so extensively. Richard Frisbee and Na- than Anthony began keeping separate taverns

on the turnpike, about a mile north of Richville, as early as 1832. It was about this time that a large emigration came directly from Germany to the township, and began entering the land so rapidly that within about half a dozen years all was taken up. Among those who came in at this time were Adam Fouser, Henry Durr, John G. Long, John G. Karg, Sidney Holt, Frede- rick Hipp, George Brown, Jacob Regala, Peter Weiter, Peter Reidel, E. Biggs, David Shaffstall, Nathan Robbins, George Widdle, Harrison Gar- ton, Jonas Yingling, Lorenzo Bartimess, John Fissell, Samuel Foote, Jacob Gross, Abraham Harmon, Timothy Park, John Scott, Nathan Rich, Jacob Nigh, Benjamin Lindsley, Daniel Brindley, Jacob Bright, Benjamin Hilliar, John Hekenlivly, Hugh Goshorn, Spencer Moffitt, James McKintry, John Burghacher, George Caruthers, Thomas Timony, William Koenig, Benjamin, John and Ephraim Clements, Truman Wilkinson, William King, Benjamin F. Royce, John Scott and his sons Isaac, Solomon, George, William and John H., and many others whose names are forgotten. These settlers located in different parts of the township, and it was not long before scores of small log cabins were erected, and the forest began to disappear be- fore these sturdy pioneers. The two taverns referred to above were located near together on opposite sides of the turnpike. Both build- ings were two-story and frame, and, it is said they were excellent houses. They had a splen- did patronage, notwithstanding the fact that they were located far from any town. There was an enormous travel along the turnpike by settlers in the central part of the State, who came with droves of hogs or cattle, or with wag- ons loaded with the different kinds of grain, on their way to the large towns in the northern part near Lake Erie. This gave an excellent patronage to the two taverns that often were called upon to furnish accommodations for a score of men, besides their teams and stock. Garton Frislen also opened a tavern in 1833,

654

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

about a mile north of the southern boundary of the township. Another was built in the ex- treme northern part. This gave the township an abundant supply of taverns. All these tav- erns kept open bars, and several stories are in circulation as to criminal conduct on the part of those who frequented the one on the northern boundary. It is related that disreputable men were in the habit of assembling at this tavern to gamble and carouse during the night. It is also alleged. though probably without grounds. that it was a rendezvous for a band of counter- feiters, who had several secret haunts in south- eastern Seneca County. A detective came into the neighborhood, where he remained for a month or more, evidently endeavoring to dis- cover the whereabouts of the law-breakers ; but he was unsuccessful, or perhaps he was success- ful in discovering that there were no grounds for the reports. However, after a number of years, when an old shed near the tavern was removed, a number of implements, undoubtedly designed for use in the manufacture of counter- feit coin, were found buried under a heap of rubbish. This seems to imply that there is truth in the report. A distillery was connected with the tavern. Two copper stills, whose united capacity was about thirty gallons, were placed in a frame shed-like building, and whisky of an inferior grade was furnished to those ad- dicted to the use of that drink. The ground grain was purchased at Sandusky City or Buey- rus. The distillery and the tavern, with its evil reputation, were conducted for about ten years, when the landlord found it to his advantage to sell out and depart for another locality. Rich- ard Frisbee was quite an intelligent and promi- nent man. Somewhere about 1833, he circu- lated a petition, which was signed by all the neighborhood, praying for the establishment of a post office at his tavern. The prayer was granted, and Mr. Frisbee was appointed Post- master. This was the first post office in the township, and, after remaining at the tavern

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 93

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