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 64
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
of Brimfield, and remained there till he was about eighteen years of age, and then removed to Henry County, Ohio, about 1857, when he settled in Hicks- ville Township. He married Miss Susan Y. Hartel March 4, 1850. His family is composed of four children-one boy, Samuel, and three girls, Mary C., Elizabeth J. and Arletta M., all living and married. Mr. Edson has a homestead of 120 acres. He cleared it up himself and did much hard work. His neigh- bors were William Babbage, David Greer, Charles Tustison, George Miller and John Ryan. These were all here when he came. At that time, milling was done at Brunersburg, Clarksville and other points. At that time there was yet plenty of wild game, such as deer, turkeys and wolves, although he was not much of a hunter. Clearing land was hard work and he worked at it with much zeal. He assisted his neighbors in the erection of many cabins and other work, such as rolling logs and the like. The game disappeared about 1865.
Mrs. E. R. Greer, widow of the late David Greer, was born in Rootstown, l'ortage County, Ohio, March 28, 1816, and came to Hicksville Township October, 1840, being married to David Greer in Portage County, October 16, 1838, and came with him to De- fiance County, where he resided until 1862, when he died, aged about forty-eight years, being born in 1814. The children at his death were Samuel, Mary, A., James H., Charles H .- three boys and one girl. Samuel C. died in the army from a wound received at the battle of Stone River, Tenn. He died in Hospital No 3, Murfreesboro, Tenn. The rest are all living and married. Great changes have taken place since Mrs. Greer landed in this township. At that time the only house between the Six Corners and Hicksville was that of Buenos Ayres, now owned by John Clemmer, and resided in by him and family. Now there are many fine residences along that road. The United Brethren Church or-
ganized about 1850. The present brick church was built in 1875 and cost $2,500. The members num- ber about seventy. The preacher was James W. Martin, who built or superintended the church. There were three trustees who caused it to be built. Rev. Joseph Brown is the preacher in charge, and the congregation is increasing. The present preacher is Rev. Joseph Brown.
George Warner was born November 15, 1818, near Hanover, Penn., and came with his parents, Charles and Catherine Warner, to Harrison County, Ohio, where they remained seven years, and then removed to Craw- ford County, Ohio, where he remained until 1848, when he removed to Hicksville Township. 1n 1841, he married Miss Amanda Heener, by whom he had thir- teen children ; their names were John, Mary Ann, Margaret Ann, Samuel, Alfred, Irena, C. E. Will- iam, Jacob, Amos, George, Sarah, Lauretta ; of these six are dead-William, Jacob Amos, Sarah, George, Lauretta. Mrs. Amanda Warner, his wife, died April 13, 1864 ; after which he married Mrs. Elizabeth Wirt for his second wife, August 19, 1866, with whom he lived fifteen years; he died, August 4, 1881. He owned a large farm, was an industrious man and a good neighbor, and had things comfortably situated around him. Of his children, John, Mary Ann and Margaret Ann are married. John was born in Crawford County, Ohio, October 1, 1842. He stayed with his father and helped to clear up the farm, now occupied by the younger chil- dren, until he became twenty-three years of age, at which time he came to Hicksville and engaged in the grocery business for some years, after which time he married, Miss Sarah A. Haller, February 11, 1875, daughter of J. F. Haller, Defiance County. She was born July 4, 1852 ; to them were born three children-W. Fletcher, Nellie E., Inez A. John Warner's present occupation is that of a farmer and real estate dealer, at which he has been quite successful. Like his father, he ranks high in the esteem of liis fellow-men, he being a sober, industri- ous, hard-working man.
CHAPTER XXV.
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP-AYERSVILLE-CHURCHES-AYERSVILLE GRANGE - VOTERS OF 1845-PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
H IGHLAND TOWNSHIP was organized in 1842. The following is a duplicate of the first elec- tion on record at the Township Clerk's office in High- land Township, then Henry County :
Brazilla Hendrix as Treasurer; Jacob Kraft, Clerk ; William Boucher, Augustus Skiver and John Wiler, Fence Viewers ; Jacob T. Peterson and David Skiver, Overseers of the Poor. " JACOB KRAFT, Clerk.
" December 18, 1843, we met at the house of John "April 1, 1844, we met at the house of John Wiler, agreeable to the Trustees of Highland Township, to elect township officers : John M. Sanford, Philip G. Wiler, agreeable to the Commissioners of Henry County, Ohio, to elect township officers : John M. Sanford, Philip G. Hoeltzel and Henry Brechbill as Trustees ; | Heltzel and Henry Brechhill, Trustees ; Brazilla Hen-
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
drix, Treasurer ; Jacob Kraft, Clerk ; Jaeob Peterson, Assessor ; William Boucher and William Harper, Con- stables ; David Skiver and William Harper, Overseers of the Poor ; Thomas Peterson, William Boucher and Augustus Skiver, Fence Viewers.
" JACOB KRAFT, Clerk.
" May 18, 1844, we met at the house of John Wiler, agreeable to the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Henry County, to elect township officers : Brazilla Hendrix, Justice of the Peace.
" JACOB KRAFT, Clerk."
The following are the present township officers : John W. Ramey and Jacob K. Myers, Justices ; Nathan A. Boutell, Clerk ; E. B. Mix, Treasurer; James Ashton, Henry Stone and Jerry D. Hall, Trustees ; Jacob Wise and John Stock, Constables.
There are two sandy ridges extending through the township. The soil is generally good. The southwest part of the township is drained by Powell Creek. In the west of the township, the drainage is largely arti- ficial. The southeast part of the township is but sparsely settled and quite heavily timbered, a great quantity of ship-timber is being taken from this part of the township.
AYERSVILLE.
Ayersville is not a laid-out town. It was named after Joseph Ayers. There was a post office there as early as 1849. A mail route was established about this time, running from Defiance through Ayersville, New Bavaria, Ridgeland, Madrid, Leipsic, McComb and to Findlay. The present mail route extends only from Defiance to Ayersville. Mr. Nathan A. Boutell has the contract for carrying the mail, and his wife, Mrs. Boutell, is the Postmistress. Ayersville contains one store and post office, kept by Mr. and Mrs. Boutell ; one physi- cian, one Methodist Episcopal Church, one school honse, one blacksmith shop, one saw mill. The first physician who located at Ayersville was Dr. B. D. Ashton, about the year 1856, followed by Dr. Boutell in 1860. In 1878, Dr. I. N. Thacker located there, and remained about two years, and then removed back to Defiance. H. H. Ziegler is the present physician, and located there about the first of the year 1882.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist, Episcopal Church at Ayersville was built in 1860, at a cost of abont $700. The congrega- tion numbers about seventy-five members Rev. Henry Boyer is their present pastor.
The Lutheran congregation have a church building which is located on Section 1.
The Presbyterian Church is located on Ottawa pike. Rev. B. W. Slagle, of Defiance, preaches every other Sabbath afternoon.
The New School Baptists have no chinreh building, but hold services in the Methodist Episcopal Church
at Ayersville. The Rev. W. V. Thomas, of Defiance, fills the pulpit once every two weeks.
The Free-Will Baptists also hold services in the same church (Methodist Episcopal), Rev. Dr. Hosier officiating.
The Evangelical congregation hold services in what is known as Hills' Schoolhouse.
The Dunkard's have an organization and also hold their services in the same schoolhouse.
'The German Evangelical Lutheran
Church. situated on the South Ridge road in Highland Township, about seven miles southeast from Defiance. The congregation of this church bear the name, German Evangelical Lutheran Saint Stephen's Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession. It was founded in the year 1853 by the following per- sons, viz. : G. C. A. Greenler, George Schall, George Nikol Troeger, Simon Kollrich, John Dietseb, Henry Dietseb, John Sehatz, Henry Schatz, Adam Schatz, John N. Thieroff, Nikol Goller, John Goller, Jakol Hermann, Erhard Bauer, Jakol Roth, John Troeger, Jolin Kohenberger, etc. The first pastor was Rev. A. Detzer from 1853 to 1873, then the Rev. C. Boese was called and has remained their pastor ever since. At the present time the congregation counts about forty families.
AYERSVILLE GRANGE, NO. 369.
This Grange was organized in 1873, with J. W. Tate, Master, and A. C. Henry, as Secretary. The organization numbers about thirty members. Meet- ings are held every Wednesday evening at the residence of E. F. Palmer. A. T. Brechbill, Master ; I. N. Brechbill, Secretary.
VOTERS IN OCTOBER, 1845.
Abraham Creamer, Jacob T. Peterson, Solomon Mc- Collock, Thomas Peterson, John M. Sanford, Jacob Kraft, Henry Brechbill, Augustus Skiver, Isaac Skiver, Bra- zillia Hendrix, Phillip G. Hoeltzell, Joseph Wagoner, C. B. West, John Wiler, Daniel Clark, Charles Dellette, Robert Randall, Henry Wite, Albert Stites, Hezekiah Clark, Jefferson Warren, John McBernhill, William Boucher, Henry Stiles, John M. Sanford, Phillip G. Hoeltzell, and John Wiler, Judges ; Jacob Kraft and Brazillia Hendrix, Clerks.
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
Henry Brechbill, and Mary (Lose) Brechbill, his wife, were Pennsylvanians by birth, and were born, the former in Dauphin County A. D. 1795, the latter in Westmore- land County A. D. 1799, and were married in 1818. They had a family of seven children, as follows : Snsaunah, Saralı, John, Elizabeth, George, Abraham Troxel and Henry K. ; the two latter were born in this county, Defi- ance, the others were born in Westmoreland County, Penn. In the fall of 1835 Mr. Brechbill, with his family,
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
then consisting of his wife and five children, came to Ohio and settled on Section 3, Highland Township, on a farm of 400 acres of land, which he purchased from Dr. John Evans, then a resident of the village of Defi- ance. Said lands were entered by Brice Hilton, in the fall of 1832, for Dr. Evans, who had caused a small clearing to be made, and a log cabin erected previous to selling out to Mr. Brechbill, and was ocenpied first by Bazele Colwell. When Mr. Brechbill and family came to Defiance County, it took them about three weeks to accomplish the journey, which had to be made overland with teams, with covered wagons which formed a very convenient shelter from storms and ofttimes a lodging-place when they failed to reach some settlement or tavern for the night. Nothing unusual took place to delay their jour- ney until they reached Napoleon, now the county seat of Henry County, Ohio, at which place they put up for the night, and in starting out in the morning, had gone about three miles when one of their wagons upset, causing quite a smash up, and the family were obliged to pitch their tent and camp into the woods, until they could re- arrange matters, which took but a day or two; and they were again ready to resume their journey, and in due time arrived at the cabin of Benjamin Weidenhammer's, who lived at what is now Independence, situated on the Maumee River, distant about four miles below Defiance, who had been expecting their arrival for several days and received them very cordially and treated them with the greatest kindness. They remained but a short time at Mr. Weidenhammer's, when they shipped their goods aeross the Manmee in pirogues. and again loaded them on their wagons and started for their future home in Highland Township, which was abont four miles distant from Weidenhammer's, who accompanied them, and after a hard day's work spent in cutting their way through the heavy timber arrived at their journey's end and their log eabin home in the dense and almost unbroken for- est of Highland Township, being the second family to settle down within its borders. Benjamin Weiden- hammer and Samuel Kepler with their families on one side, and Jolin M. Sanford the first settler on the other, distant about six miles, were their nearest neighbors ; and to the north of them, about the same distance, was Defiance. At this time there were no roads, only paths and Indian trails leading through the woods. Mrs. Brechbill departed this life August 28, 1859, aged sixty years. Mr. Brechbill, died November 1, 1863, aged sixty- eight years. John Brechbill, the third in a family of seven children, and the eldest son of Henry and Mary Brechbill, was born June 15, 1825, in Westmoreland County, Penn. He was about ten years of age when he arrived here with his parents. The red men of the forest were their nearest neighbors, with whom young Brechbill soon got acquainted, and became quite a favorite, frequently visiting them evenings, enjoying their Indian stories, eating jerked venison, and occasionally accompanying them of an evening on a coon hunt until a late hour,
but always felt perfectly safe and at home, as they were very friendly, and after a lapse of a few years often accompanied them on their hunting excursions, which he enjoyed very much, and never failed to return without being heavily laden with the wild game of the forest, more particularly a saddle or two of fine venison. The Indians often stayed over night at his father's house, and were very friendly, never molesting, any- thing. Mr. Brechbill, states that about the year 1837, the Ottawa Indians had an encampment or small vil- lage, on what is now known as the Davis farm, in Rich- land Township, and encamped at this point for a num- ber of years in the winter season; the ashes of their camp-fires can yet be seen, also their signs eut on the trees are plainly visible. Many duties fell to John's lot, such as going to mill, to the blacksmith shop, to the grocery, etc. For their milling, they had to go to Brunersburg, distant eight or ten miles, which was accomplished on horseback, following the Indian trail throngh via Defiance, fording the Auglaize River, at what was known as " Shirley's Ford," near the old ' Fair Grounds," and the Maumee at Defiance, at the foot of Clinton street, where now is the Clinton Street Bridge. He remained at home, helped to clear up the. farm and was married, December 3, 1846, to Miss Susan Armel, of Westmoreland County, Penn. To them were born eight children, viz., Ann Maria E., Daniel A., Henry A., Ira N., Mary Franees, Lydia L., an infant deceased, and Henrietta, all now living except the infant.
At the commencement of the war of the rebellion- 1861-65, Mr. Breehbill had commenced to build his present residence and had let the contract to Madison and Alexander Britton. At the eall for 75,000 troops, he offered Alexander $20, in connection with the amount he might receive from the Government, if he would respond to the call, to which Madison objected by saying it would interfere with the contract, as he could not complete the job within the specified time. Mr. Brech- bill replied that the country must be saved if the house was never built. Britton enlisted in Company D, Four- teenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry April 26, 1861; served to July, the expiration of the time for which he had enlisted. Veteranized in October, 1861, and served his country faithfully to the elose of the war, and was honorably discharged July, 1865.
At the call for 300,000 troops, Mr. Brechbill was in town (Defiance) and made the same offer to William Miller, who was at work at the saddle and harness busi- ness for William Draper. He accepted the offer and enlisted in Company D, One Hundredth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry July 31, 1862, and was honorably discharged on the 20th day of June, 1865.
At the time the National Guards, to which Mr. Brech- bill belonged, were called out, he went in person to San- dusky, where they were examined and went into the Unit- ed States service at Washington, D. C., doing guard duty for four months. On his return home, he found he
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
had been drafted ; he then reported immediately at Toledo, and was excused on account of disability.
After his marriage to Miss Armel, he moved into the old family home with his parents for one year, work- ing the farm, and building, in the meantime, a house on that portion of the old home farm where Mr. Brech- bill now lives, into which he moved the following year, and continued to work the farm on shares for about thirteen years ; then purchased 157 acres of the same for $2,000, and afterward an adjoining fitty acres from other parties, making for him a homestead of over 200 acres now under a fine state of cultivation, with good buildings, surrounded with ornamental and fruit trees in great variety. Mrs. Brechbill departed this life May 2, 1869, aged forty-five years. Mr. Brechbill married for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca A. Lambert (née Fouch), October 22, 1869. They have one child, Charley, who was born March 17, 1875.
The first schoolhouse (log) built in the township was built on that portion of the old home farm now occu- pied by Mr. Brechbill, in Section 4; was built for church and school purposes ; the United Brethren denomination ocenpies it. The first school was taught by Miss Diana Daggart.
Sarah Brechbill is the second child and daughter of IIenry Brechbill, who was born April 10, 1823, in Westmoreland County, Penn. ; was about twelve years of age when she arrived with her parents in Highland Township. She was married, October 22, 1844, to Mr. William Rohn, and they had a family of eight chil- dren, as follows : Mary E., Margaret J., Rebecca, George II., Catharine M., Elizabeth F., Ida S. and Samuel Grant. Of this number, the following are deceased : Catharine M., Ida S. and Mary E. Mr. Rohn died September 1, 1880, aged sixty-six years. In excavating the earth on the hill where Mrs. Robin lives, there have been found at different times several skeletons, thought to be those of Indians, and the supposition is that this was once an Indian burying- ground. The bones found were very large, and one skeleton was found buried in a sitting posture, with a small carthen cup on each side of his head. The sup- position is, that they were of some tribe that lived here many years previous to the time when the white man first settled. At the time Mrs. Rohn came, this bill was covered with large poplar trees, showing many years' growth, one of them being not less than seven feet in diameter. Mrs. Rolin is over sixty years of age, hav- ing lived nearly half a century on that portion of the old pioneer home to which she came with her parents in her girlhood days.
Abram Troxell Breebbill was born July 18, 1836, in Highiland Township, about one year after his parents were settled in their pioneer home of the West, and was the first white child born in the township. Here " Trox," as he is familiarly called, grew up, help- ing on his father's farm in summer season and attend-
ing the district school in the winter season. He was married, September 22, 1859, to Susan J. Tate, at Center- ville, Montgomery County, and settled on the portion of the old homestead where he now resides. The fruit of this marriage was one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Brechbill died August 1, 1882. On July 5, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundredth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and in De- cember of the same year was discharged by reason of sickness, and returned home and recruited in health until December, 1863 ; then enlisted in an independent company, called the Union Light Guards, or President's escort, being one of President Lincoln's body guard morning and evening, from the capitol to his country residence, until September 20, 1864, when the Presi- dent moved back to the White House. He then returned to his company, remaining there until the 30th, at which time he was granted a voting furlough of eighteen days, and returned home, and cast his vote for President Lincoln for second term. Then returned to his company, and on the 5th of December, 1864, in company with four comrades of his company, went to Gen. Hancock's office as mounted messengers, remaining there until April 17, 1865, when the office was closed and Mr. Brechbill returned to his company again, where he was detailed as guard for President Johnson, who then made his home with Senator Hooper, of New York, and had his office in the United States Treasury build- ing, until May, when Mrs. Lincoln removed from the White House, and President Johnson, with his family from Tennessee, moved in, and Mr. Brechbill remained on guard duty until October, 1865, when he, with his company, was mustered out of the United States service Mr. Brechbill was in attendance at Ford's Theater, April 14, 1865, witnessed the assassination of President Lincoln. On March 1, 1866, Mr. Brechbill married for his second wife Lucy M., daughter of Samuel and Rachel Kepler, who were among the first settlers of Richland Township. The fruit of this marriage has been four children, as follows : Edward S., Laura E., Burton H. and Frederick C.
Susannal Brechbill, the eldest child of Henry and Mary Brechbill, was born as heretofore stated in West- moreland County, Penn., and was married in this county (Defiance), in the spring of 1836, to William Rover; they had two children, John and Sophia. Mr. Rover died in 1842. Mrs. Rover married, for her second husband, Abraham Bottenburg, of Butler County; to them were born two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. Susannalı named the township Highland, believing at the time it was the highest grounds in the county. She departed this life A. D. 1849.
Elizabeth Brechbill was the third danghter, and married John B. Thacker, of Clermont County. Four children were born to them-Maria, Henry W., Hester, and John B. Mrs. Thacker died A. D. 1861.
George Brechbill is now a resident of Nebraska.
.
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Enlisted in the late war, in the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, November, 1863, and served during the remain- der of the war. He was married in February, 1856, to Elizabeth F. Ashton, of Highland Township, and to them were born four children, three daughters and one son.
Henry K. Brechbill was born in November, 1842, and died in 1844.
Joseph Prudden Ayers was born April 29, 1815, near Morristown, N. J., and in 1818 came with his parents, John B. and Jane (Prudden) Ayres, to Preble County, Ohio, and in 1826, to Warren County. March 3, 1836, Joseph Ayers was married to Miss Margaret Stites, of Rochester, Warren County, by whom he had two children -John Henry Ayers, deceased, and Eliza S .; his wife, Margaret, died in March, A. D. 1864. In 1845, Mr. Ayers came to Defiance and was engaged in the hotel business for four years with his brother-in-law, Mr. Greenlee, in the old Exchange. In 1849, he moved to Ayersville ; kept store, and started an ashery at that place, and soon after, a post office was located there, with Mr. Ayers as Postmaster, and the place took the name of Ayersville. In 1857, he returned to Defiance, and was a clerk for his brother, Alfred A. Ayers, in his store for ten years. In December, 1864, Mr. Ayers was again married to Miss Mary J. Myers ; they have two children, Ida MI. and Kate A. After leaving his broth- er's store, Mr. Ayers, entered the dry goods store of Flickinger & Blair, of Defiance, as clerk, where he remained a number of years. Is now in business for himself again in the Russell House Block.
Jacob K. Myers was born in Clermont County, Ohio, December 27, 1821, and lived there until 1850, at which time he came to Defiance County and settled in Highland Township, Section 11, where he has since lived. He was married to Miss Sarah J. Wellman December 30, 1841. Their children are Benjamin F., John W., Harriet Ann and Sumner B , all of whom are living and married. Mrs. Myers died August 12, 1848. Mr. Myers married, for his second wife, with whom he is still living, Miss Elizabeth A. Wheeler ; of this union were born four chil- dren, viz. : Orlando O., Alvaro P., Eliza Ada May and Willie Arnam Henry ; all are living. Orlando and Alvaro are married. Benjamin F. and John W., of the first family, were in the war of 1861-65. Benjamin F. enlisted in the Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, September, 1861, and served about four years, being dis- charged August, 1865. John W. enlisted in the One Hundredth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, July, 1862. Discharged June 15, 1865. Mr. Myers has been connected with the Defiance County Agricultural So- ciety ever since its organization ; was one of its directors for six years; Vice President two years ; was Postmas- ter at Ayersville three years, dating from November 5, 1868. lle has held the office of Justice of the Peace for the last eighteen years. Land was cheap when Mr. Myers first came to the township in 1850 ; for his first purchase of 80 acres of good land, he paid $1,000.
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