USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 34
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The Union School Chronicle, a small four-column folio, monthly, edited by the teachers of the Defi- ance Union School, was published during 1868, only ten numbers being issued. The subscription price was $1 per year. It was printed at the Defiance Democrat office.
March 23, 1878, the Defiance National, a six-col- nmn folio, Greenback in politics, was first published. The editor was William M. Randall, his assistants were John J. Smith, Henry G. Baker, George Al- press and Charles T. Hayes. The subscription price was $1 per year. The last number of the National was published May 11, 1878.
.July 5, 1878, Francis Brooks began the publica- tion of the Greenback Era, an eight-column folio. January 1, 1879, the name was changed to the Dol- lar Era, and the form of the paper was soon changed to a five-column quarto. March 12, 1879, Mr. Brooks began publishing the Daily Era, a six-column folio, which, howover, was only printed twice a week; it was published three or four weeks, wlien the publi- ation of the Dollar Era was again resumed. The last number of the Era was dated June 20, 1879.
February 20, 1879, tho Mains brothers (Frank J. and Charles W.) began publishing the Democratic Ledger, a nine-column folio, subscription price $1.50 per year. It was published eight weeks, when it was purchased by White & Blymyer und was merged into the Democrat. The last number was dated April 17, 1879.
The Monthly Herald, a small four-column folio, was published during a portion of the year 1879, and
was edited by J. F. Deatrick. It was an insurance paper and was published at the office of the Defiance County Express.
The Defiance Daily Democrat, a small four-col- umn folio, was published from March 3, 1879, to April 9, 1879; twenty-eight numbers were issued. The price was 2 cents per copy. It was printed at the Daily Democrat office, and was edited by S. Ray Williams.
Das Kirchen-Blatt, a sixteen-page paper, three col- umns to the page, German-Lutheran paper, $1.50 per year, first appeared in 1879. H. Deindorfer was editor; it was published at the Defiance County Ex- press office. It is still published, but at the Demo- crat office.
The Kirchliche Zeitschrift, a Lutheran magazine, $1.50 per year, H. Deindorfer, editor, appeared in 1879, published at same office as the Kirchen-Blatt, is still published and at the Democrat office.
The Weekly Herald, a German eight- column four- page paper, H. and J. Deindorfer, Jr., proprietors, appeared Wednesday, May 4, 1881. It was Inde- pendent in politics; subscription $1.50 per year. In April, 1882, the Herald was purchased by White & Mains, proprietors of the Democrat, who converted it into a Democratic paper.
The Democratic Times, a four-page eight col- umns to the paper, appeared in October, 1881, W. G. Blymyer, publisher; subscription, $1.50 per year.
The Barometer, first issne September 21, 1839, at Defiance, Ohio, at 50 cents per quarter or 6 cents per copy, published weekly, C. V. B. Martin, printer. This paper introduced itself to the public as follows:
Well, we are fairly before the public. No flaming pros- pectus-no pompous parade-no flourish of trumpets, heralded our approach. Still, we are here-what there is of us ! There may be those who will turn up their nose at our Liliputian hebdomadal ; hut no matter. They would probably do the same at the good Book itself, were a copy of it presented to them possessing less ponderosity than the homely quarto over which their grandsires used to pore. Some there are. we know, who estimate the value of everything according to the hugeness of its bulk-and to such a bushel of gold is worth no more than an equal quantity of sand! With these we have nothing to do. We neither court their friendship nor deprecate their wrath. Let them take their course, and we'll take ours. It shall be our aim to make the Barometer popu- lar with the right sort of people, and if we succeed in this, a fig for what others may say or think !
"Despise not the day of small things." We thought it best not to attempt too much at first. The principal reason why so many newspapers go by the board is because their proprietors are too ambitious. In agricultural phraseology, they fence more ground than they are able to cultivate. We begin hy inclosing a small " truek patch, " with a sort of brush fence: if circumstances shall warrant, it will in due time, be enlarged and improved; if otherwise, there'll uot be much lost by its abandonment.
Three months is the term for which we receive subscrip-
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
tions. If a subscriber don't like us after a fair trial, he ought to be allowed to quit.
Whigs and Democrats-abont eighteen or twenty months since, a prospectus was put in circulation for the establish- ment of a Democratic paper in Defiance, but it failed. Little more than twelve months have elapsed since the Defiance Banner was unfurled; but the Whigs suffered it to be furled in death. On the first of last month, in the hope of obtain- ing the support of both parties, Messrs. Semans and Phelps (the first a Whig and the second a Democrat), issued proposals for the revival of the Banner, under their joint supervision; but the thing wouldn't take. What course, then. should the Barometer pursue to avoid being shattered into a thousand atoms? Can any one tell us? We've been thinking of form- ing a party of our own, and beating up for volunteers! What say you, gentlemen; will any of you 'list?
As this paper is commenced without a list of subscribers, it is hoped that gentlemen to whom the present number is sent will interest themselves iu onr favor; remembering, how- ever, that each list of names must be accompanied by the cash.
We understand, then, one reason why the proposition of Messrs. Semans & Phelps, for the revival of the Banner, did not meet with more favor in some parts of the county, was because it was feared the papers would go full tilt against the removal of the county seat. To avoid any difficulty on that head, we explicitly declare that editorially we should say nothing either pro or con upon the question of removal.
" DEFIANCE."
(Extract from Barometer of September 21, 1839.)
To the distant reader, it may not be uninteresting for us to drop a remark or two touching the position and history of this village. The ground on which it stands ought to be regarded, in some sort, as hal- lowed. It is now just forty-five years since the in- domitable Wayne penetrated into the heart of the Indian country, and on this very spot planted the stars and stripes of liberty. It was here that having erected a strong fortification, immediately at the confluence of the two rivers, in the emphatic lan- guage for which he was distinguished, he declared that he " defied hell and all her emissaries." Hence its name -- Fort Defiance. Upon the completion of this work, feeling that he was now fully prepared for either peace or war, "he made a last attempt at conciliation." " I have tho't proper," said he, in one of his dispatches, " to offer the enemy a last overture of peace; and as they have everything that is dear and interesting at stake, I have reason to expect that they will listen to the proposition. But should war be their choice, the blood be upon their own heads. America shall no longer be insulted with impunity. To an all-powerful and just God, I therefore commit myself and gallant army." "This overture," says the historian, "was rejected against the advice of the distinguished chief, Little Turtle, a man of great capacity and unimpeached courage, who, in a coun-
cil of the combined Indians on the night previous to the battle, held the following language: 'We have beaten the enemy twice under separate commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune to attend us al- ways. The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps; the night and the day are alike to him. And during all the time he has been marching upon our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something whispers me it would be prudent to listen to its offers of peace.' "
On the day following, which was the 20th of Angust, 1794, the sanguinary but decisive battle of Presque Isle was fought, in which the most consummate skill and bravery were exhibited by the American General and his gallant troops. At the time of which we are speaking, the Maumee and Auglaize Valleys presented less the appearance of a wild and uncultivated region than we of this day are apt to imagine.
The American General, writing to the Secretary of war, remarks: " The very extensive and highly cultivated fields and gardens show the work of many hands. The margins of those beautiful rivers, the Miami of the Lake and the Auglaize, appear like one continued village for a number of miles above and below this place; nor have I ever before beheld such in - mense fields of corn in any part of America, from Canada to Florida." This picture was drawn forty- five years ago, at that time when this vast region was in possession of the savage; when the presence of the white man carried with it desolation and death, who, till his approach, happiness and plenty reigned undisturbed. Let us, of 1839, now that the red man kindles his council fire far beyond the Father of Waters blush for the little improvement with which we are surrounded. This position was again occupied by the American troops during the war of 1812. The remains of the palisades which protected the army of Winchester while here are to be seen; and the em- bankments and trenches of Wayne, constructed in 1794, are still more visible. The advantages as to local situation possessed by Defiance are at once command- ing and important; and despite the barriers which have hitherto tended to retard her onward march, she must eventually assume that rank among the commer- cial towns of this beautiful valley, assigned her by the intelligent and discerning. She stands in the very heart of a rich, fertile country, with no less than four natural channels of communication by water, two canals, and numerous roads, radiating toward every point of the compass. But notwithstanding all this, the prospect to him who cares not to pene- trate the vista of futurity, is gloomy and dis-
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
heartening. Business is almost at a dead stand. Operations upon the public works here and in our vicinity have nearly ceased. Money is scarce, and although provisons are plenty in the hands of the producer, the mere consumer finds it difficult to fur- nish himself with many of the comforts of life. These things will in time regulate themselves; but not until we shall have become thoroughly sobered. When we shall learn to throw aside Aladdin's lamp, and, relying no longer on enchantment or chance, shall follow the dictates of reason and common sense, we shall move steadily forward in the road to opu- lence and wealth, pretty much as did our fathers and uncles in the days of our boyhood.
OLD ADVERTISEMENTS.
In September, 1839, we find advertisements in the Barometer, from the following:
John B. Semans and William Seinans, attorneys; Israel Stoddard, as administrator of the estate of Sam- uel Holton, deceased; J. B. Semans, administrator of G. T. Hickox's estate; S. Lyman & Co., last call to their debtors; H. Sessions, administrator for Friend Hall's estate, insolvent; Montgomery Evans notifies the public of two horses appraised by J. D. McAnally and B. Mullican at $95; notice of attachment is made by Charles V. Royce, Mayor of Defiance, against Edward Tuttle, an absent debtor, at the instance of Lyman Mudge, signed Sidney S. Sprague, agent; Israel P. Whedon advertises hats, for which, "as cash is badly wanted, the best kind of bargains will be given;" on December 4, S. Hinkle advertises as a blacksmith, at Hicksville; and A. P. Edgerton has a long advertisement for 30,000 acres of land in Will- iams County, also the grist mills being in operation in Hicksville, also dry goods, etc. An advertisement also appears, giving the people of Williams County notice that at the next annual election (October, 1839), they should designate on their ballots for or against ap- pointment of a commission to remove the seat of justice; M. Young, Chief Engineer of Wabash & Erie Canal, publishes, as result of recent letting, that certain named sections have been let to R. P. Harryman, J. G. Butman, Charles Bucklin, W. D. Barry, P. Dono- van, B. Barker, S. &. D. Harley, H. Doran, P. Mur- phy, Hall & Cheney, Gabriel Manning, E. P. Con - reck, N. Demorest, F. Lyon. The death of Henry Zellers, aged thirty-four, of Brunersburg, Septem- ber 29, 1839, is announced. He had been seven years a resident, and left a widow and three small chil- dren.
A LETTER LIST.
As showing, to some extent, the residents of De- fiance in 1839, we append the list of letters remain- ing iu the post office on October 1, of that year:
John Allen, Simeon Aldrich, William Atkinson, Miller Arrowsmith, J. Ackley, Phineas Adams, Ira Brown, John Battenfield, John Boyles, Elias Basset, Abner L. Backus, John P. Baker, Joseph Barney, Daniel P. Brown, William Bolls, Silas Bartlet, Will- iam Boucher, James C. Baker 2, Curtis Bates 3, John H. Crowell 2, A. Cornwall, Joel Crane, Abraham Cramer, Henry Campbell, Rev. Samuel Cleland, Thomas F. Campbell, Esq., Samuel C. Cole, Samuel Croker, John Cameron, Thomas Cronnen, Robert Champion, Mary Crago, Harriet Carter, John Drake, Daniel Dunkleberger, Uriah Drake, Mrs. Nancy Donely William Everham, Reuben Eddy, George, W. B. Evans, Alonzo F. Eastabrook, Daniel Fitch, Vanren- saeler Finton, Jonathan Guin, James S. Grear, Sam- uel Graham 2, Curtis Holgate 2, Mrs. Nancy Herrin 2, William B. Hurd, Peter Hooning, John Holland, John H. Horsey, Esq., Oney R. Hopkins, Mrs. Henry Beten, Mrs. Nancy Haller, Absalom Hays, David E. Johnson, Col. L. G. Jones, Adam Koch, L. Knight, Esq., John Lowry, William Lewis, Esq., Chauncey Lowrey, Francis L. Lowrew, William Lewis, John Lewis, Joseph Landis, Esq., Hiram B. Lee, Stephen Major, William Mosher, Esq., William Megurah, Owin McCarty, James McKinly, A. D. Mease, Ben- jamin Mallet, B. N. Mudge, Esq., Henry Marcellus, Sylvester Osborne 2, Peter Prestage, William Powell, Solomon Palmer, Alfred Purcell, Olive Pero, Oris C. Rice, John James Resan, W. Rover, Miss Louisa Robinson, Seth Stinson, James Shorthill, Nathan Smith, Ephraim Smith, Alford Smith, Hugh Strain 2, William Streets, Elizabeth Simon, Michael Scan- nell, James Scullen, Wilery Stegall, Lucius C. Thomas, William Travis, Mr. Teliger, Joseph Van- derline, George Waggoner, J. M. Waire, John Wells.
German Letters-George Dirr, Neidhard Jacques, Jacob Lacher, Heinrich Hauckman. Jonas Colby, P. M.
The following extracts from the first issue of the Banner will be read with interest:
" OUR PAPER. "
(From the first issue of the Defiance Banner, October 4, 1849.)
We fling our Banner to the breeze, with the fond hope that it will meet with a hearty welcome from the people of Defiance and surrounding counties. That a Whig paper has long been needed, we believe all will agree; therefore we anticipate they will cheerfully put their shoulders to the wheel, and give us such a start as to send us on our way rejoicing.
The Banner will advocate the well-known Whig principles under which our State has flourished and advanced so much beyond her sisters in wealth, com - merce, agriculture and manufactures. It will advo -
=
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
cate all measures necessary for the continued advance- ment and prosperity of our Union and State, by Legislative enactment or otherwise; it will give to the present administration a liberal support, so far as it is conducted in strict accordance with right and equity; it will keep posted up with the news of the day, and carefully notice all local and general mat- ters that are calculated to advance the interests and growth of this portion of our State; it will have some carefully selected literary and agricultural matter in each number. It will be the endeavor of the pub- lisher to add to the mechanical department, from time to time, such improvements as the increased demands of our patrons will justify. The location of our town will justify us in saying that it is bound to be a great mart for the produce and manufactures of the coun- try around. Its almost unequaled beauty of scenery marks it as the place where families will resort for the purpose of finding residences. in which every comfort may be enjoyed, and homes which it will be their pride to adorn and beautify.
"DEFIANCE."
( In first issue of Bunner.)
The citizens of Defiance can safely boast that their town has the most beautiful location of any in the West. Located as it is upon the high banks of the Maumee and the " Wild Auglaize," and at the confluence of the two rivers, almost every variety of natural scenery is afforded which is pleasing and agreeable. To one standing upon the old green forts Defiance or Winchester-and casting his eyes down upon the broad expanse of the two rivers, as they "flow gently on and mingle into one," a feeling of grandeur and sublimity insensibly steals over him, and to whichever direction he turns his eyes from this wonted spot, the view is pleasant and beautiful to behold. There are a number of beautiful groves back of the town. which afford delightful places of resort to visitors. The town now numbers about eight hundred inhabitants, and is steadily increasing; its growth to its present size, we are informed, has principally been within the last four or five years. With one or two exceptions, the town is destitute of any very splendid edifices. The court house is a fine building, and would do honor to any county in the State. The Defiance Exchange is the principal hotel, and it will, doubtless, remain so (at least, as long as it is kept by the present proprietor). There are live or six large warehouses, seven or eight stores, and other store buildings in the progress of completion. The fall of water from the canal to the river affords an extensive water-power, and ample facilities for the establishment of manufactories. Situated as the place is, in the heart of an immense agricultural
region, and possessing as it does manufacturing and commercial advantages to a great extent, it cannot fail to increase for a number of years to come. With the manifestation of a little more liberality on the part of one or two of the principal proprietors of the town, it would probably receive such an impetus to its growth, that the citizens could bid defiance to any town in the West, in point of rapidity of growth, as well as beauty of scenery and healthiness and hand- someness of location; and they might look forward with the fond anticipation that Defiance, erelong, would become a place of no small magnitude.
A. SOJOURNER,
Mr. Sojourner was a far-seeing personage, and Defiance is now all that he predicted.
SCHOOLS OF DEFIANCE.
From the best sources of information at our com . mand, back and beyond any written and authentic rec- ords, we find that the first school in Defiance com- menced about the year 1825. The first schoolhouse of which we can gain any information was a hewed- log building, erected on lands now occupied by Strong & Cheney as a lumber factory, north of First street, between the canal and the Maumee River The first teachers were William Semans; second William Edmondson, and, third. William A. Brown. In 1828, a school was taught by Brice Hilton, about two miles southeast of Defiance, on Cole's Run.
Following along down to 1837, or thereabouts, we find that schools were kept in the old brick court house building, occupying Lot 58, next north of the Presbyterian Church, and now occupied by Henry Hardy, Esq., as a dwelling. The first written records of the schools of Defiance (then Williams) County bear date June 19, 1841; in which we find Jonas Colby, Edwin Phelps and James S. Greer were the Directors of School District No. 1, and Levi Colby was the Clerk of said district.
There were four schools taught during the school year, the first commencing November 30, 1840, and ending February 20, 1841; whole number of scholars in attendance 100; average number per day, 39; males, 47; females, 53. Branches taught, orthog- oraphy, reading, writing, English grammar, geography and arithmetic. E. C. Betts, teacher. Salary, $105.
The second, commencing December 29, 1840, and ending February 20, 1841; whole number of scholars, 35; average per day, 26; males, 14; females, 21. Branches taught, as above. Catharine Colby, teacher. Salary, $32. The third, commencing March 15, 1841, ending June 14, 1841. Amount paid teacher, male, $120. Whole number of scholars in attendance; 72; average number, 32 per day; males, 36; female-, 36. The fourth school commenced March
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
25, 1841, and ended June 4, 1841. Amount paid teacher (female), $47.73. Whole number of schol- ars, 51; average number, 25; males, 23; females, 28.
In the forepart of the year 1841, Benjamin F. Reed taught at $40 per month; Catharine Colby taught at $20 per month. Maria Allen was employed for a short time. In November, 1841, John H. Crowell as employed for six months for $35 per month, and Catharine Colby for three months, at $20 per month.
At that time, there being an insufficient amount of money in the treasury to pay the teachers, a tax was assessed upon each scholar, according to the number of days in attendance, to make up the defi- ciency.
The following is a list of the names of scholars who were in general attendance about the year 1840- 41, together with the names of the parents and guard-' ians.
From a daily register, as kept by William A. Brown teacher in School District No. 1, Defiance Township, 1839 and 1840, we copy the following list of scholars who attended the school during the quarter commenc- ing December 4, 1839, and ending February 28. 1840, and adding the name of parent or guardian.
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. PUPILS.
William Semans,
William Semans.
William Semans,
Mary R. Wells.
S. S. Sprague,
F. S. Sprague.
S. S. Sprague,
Caroline Sprague.
S. S. Sprague,
Mary Sprague.
John W. Moore,
D. A. Moore.
Benjamin Elkins,
William Elkins.
F. A. Roous,
Peter Roous.
F. A. Roous, Mary E. Roous.
Montgomery Evans, Robert Evans.
Frederick Bridenbaugh, F. Bridenbangh.
Frederick Bridenhaugh, Martha Gardner.
Again in 1846 the same plan was pursued to make up such deficiency.
The following is a list of names that appeared on the books at that time. These lists are not given be- canse of any great amount of history they contain, but they give the names of many of the early pioneers of this county and their descendants which at this writing, 1882, we could not obtain from any other source, and we think they should appear in this work for future reference :
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. PUPILS.
C. J. Andrews,
Helen Andrews,
Peter Bridenbaugh, Merien Bridenbaugh,
Peter Bridenbaugh, Eleanor Bridenbangh,
Peter Bridenbangh, Elizab'h Bridenbaugh,
Millard P. Bell, Melissa Bell,
Millard P. Bell, Demetrius Bell,
George Smith,
Washington Smith.
George Smith, C. W. Smith.
George Smith,
S. W. Smith.
Phillip Bellenger, Artemas Bellenger,
George Smith,
B. C. Smith.
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. PUPILS.
Josiah Suyland, Marcellus Suyland.
John B. Semans, F. S. Semans.
John B. Semans, Margaret Semans.
O. Il. Allen,
Sarah Talbert.
Jacob Knis3,
Marianna Kniss.
Amos Zellers,
Jane Jones.
Eliza Holgate,
Francis IIolgate.
Eliza Holgate,
Hopkins Holgate.
Eliza lIolgate,
Martha Gardener.
William Hofrichter,
Menee Lysh.
Charles V. Royce,
TIellen Royce.
Thomas Warren,
Wesley Warren.
Thomas Warren,
Permelia Warren.
Thomas Warren,
Anzee Warren.
Thomas Warren,
Thomas Warren.
Thomas Warren,
Sarah Warren.
David Travis,
R. Travis.
David Travis,
Eli Travis.
David Travis,
Dilson Travis.
David Travis,
C. Travis.
William Travis,
John Travis.
William Travis,
Permelia Travis.
E. D. Clinger, E. D. Clinger,
Lewis Clinger.
James Hudson,
Abram Hudson.
James Hudson,
Lewis IIndson.
James Hudson,
Austin Hudson,
James Hudson,
Jacob ITudsou.
Samuel Case,
Samuel Case.
Benjamin Brubacher,
Anna M. Brubacher.
Dr. J. Colby,
Mary M. Hull.
Elias Shirly,
Elizabeth Shirly.
Elias Shirly,
G. Shirly.
Elias Shirly,
W. R. Shirly.
- Hogle, Willard Hogle.
Benjamin Elkins,
Thomas Elkins.
John W. Moore,
Mary Moore.
Thomas Lewis,
Peter Lewis.
Thomas Lewis,
Louisa Lewis.
Thomas Lewis,
Wm. II. Lewis.
Baldwin Cornwall.
Zephanialı Davis.
Walter Davis,
. Thomas Davis.
Walter Davis,
John Davis.
Walter Davis,
Elizabeth Davis
Walter Davis,
Sarah Davis. Andrew Davis.
Horac . Sessions,
D. Graper,
Chrishaw Graper.
John 11. Kiser,
Henry Graper.
James S. Greer,
Orville Greer.
James S. Greer.,
Nancy Greer.
Eps. South worth,
F. Southworth.
Eps. Southworth,
E. M. Southworth.
Eps. South worth,
Mary South worth.
Eps. Southworth,
B. F. Southworth.
Philip Billinger,
A. Billinger.
Philip Billinger,
Clarissa Billinger.
.-. Graham,
Stephen Pratt.
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