USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio. Biographical and Statistical > Part 3
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The story goes on to say that he met two white men with their teams and he related his experience, when they all decided to return and kill all the Indians. They armed themselves with clubs and approached near the wigwams, but the Indians saw them and hid in the thicket. So the travelers returned and continued on their journey. This was in the summer of 1838, and the incident occurred in the vicinity of Mt. Blanchard, this county.
38
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
The tales of early settlers establish the fact that there were two Indian villages in this county, and that both were located on the banks of the Blanchard. Mrs. Elizabeth Eberly, of Portage, Wood county, related the following relative to the early settlement of her father, Benjamin Cox, at Findlay :
"When my father settled at Fort Findlay, in 1815, there were eight or ten families of friendly Wyandots living around and in the blockhouses of the fort. They tilled two fields, one above and the other below Fort Findlay, on the south bank of the Blanchard. Kuqua was the chief. and one of his sons, Tree-top-in-the- Water, died in a cabin west of the fort before the Indians removed to the Big Spring reservation. New Bearskin, another of Kuqua's sons, lived in one of the blockhouses, the old chief also occupied one of the same buildings. Six or seven miles down the river, the Wyandots had another village, which my father some- times visited."
This place last referred to was "Indian Green." Indian Green was a clearing about twelve acres square, which had apparently been under cultivation, since an orchard of plum trees was found near the part of the clearing occupied by the graveyard. It has been claimed that earthworks ran along the brow of the hill overlooking the river, but recent investigation does not fully bear out this state- ment. A man by the name of Ellison settled on the clearing and was found to have robbed the dead braves of their jewels, which were to have given them the means of purchasing a clear title to their share of plunder in the happy hunting grounds. The Indians, who kept a close watch on the dead, soon discovered his meddling and made it expedient for the man to leave the county immediately. The land is located in the southwestern portion of section 7. Liberty township, and situated on the north bank of the Blanchard river, and is now owned by Scioto, Isabella and John McKinnis and R. B. Worden.
From all indications, and stories of early settlers, there was an Indian village at this place, and from various relics which have been discovered at this place, there may have been a battle of some sort at "Indian Green." In fact, some his- torians have gone so far as to assert that Anthony Wayne, or "Mad Anthony," gave the Indians at this place a startling surprise on his sortie through this country on his way to or from the "Battle of the Maumee." However, this is in very much doubt, as Wayne left Greenville and started north, where he estab- lished Fort Recovery ; from thence he went to the junction of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers and established Fort Defiance; thence down the Maumee to the rapids, where he defeated the Indians with terrible loss to the enemy. Afterwards he spent a successful ninety-day campaign against the Indians and returned to Greenville. This was in the summer of 1794. History does not reveal his route back to Greenville, but says he had a successful campaign.
It is probable that either Wayne's entire army or some portion of it came far enough east on their march back from the "Battle of the Maumee" to reach "Indian Green" and here engaged the red men for a few demonstrations of their rude manner of conducting a battle.
39
THE INDIANS IN HANCOCK COUNTY.
There have been statements made to the effect that an Indian village was located on the present site of Mt. Blanchard, which for the present we will con- sider as probably true, as there were Indians in the vicinity of Mt. Blanchard as late as 1838. These were probably the remnants of some of the tribes who at different times and in different localities held sway over this vast wilderness which is now marked by all forms of civilization.
But as time rolled on in its march of civilization, farther away and fewer in number became the red men in this section of the country, until at present there is no remaining vestige to mark their happy hunting grounds; except as some weapon of defense or ornament of rank has uncovered its form from a dark and lonely bed in mother earth, and fallen into the hands of the relic hunter of to-day.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
A Section of Land Showing some of the Subdivison that are required from sales and division of property
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CHAPTER IV.
HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812.
More than four score years have passed since the arrogance of the English tyrannical government brought on the war of 1812, and although it ended more than five years before the erection of this county, the territory embraced within its limits was very closely allied with the earliest stages of that struggle for the pres- ervation of the national rights and human liberty.
On the 4th of June, 1812, a resolution was passed by congress declaring war against England ; on the 17th of the same month the bill passed the senate, and two days afterwards President Madison sent forth the edict. Ohio had been preparing for the conflict, and prior to the declaration of war, troops began assembling at Dayton, Springfield, Urbana and other points, in obedience to the call of Gov- ernor Meigs, and General William Hull was appointed to the chief command of the state troops. On the 16th of June the army left Urbana on its march toward the Maumee Rapids, and Colonel Duncan McArthur was ordered in advance to open a road through the forest from the Greenville treaty line to the Scioto river. Here they erected a fort. comprised of two blockhouses, and named it Fort Mc- Arthur, in honor of the officer whose regiment had opened the road.
On the 19th of June the whole army arrived at the fort, and on the 21st Colonel James Findlay was ordered to open the road as far as Blanchard's Fork. Having proceeded on his mission, he arrived at a point just north of what is now the county line between Hancock and Hardin counties. Here he was compelled. on account of rain and mud, to discontinue his march and erect a blockhouse. which was called Fort Necessity, probably named owing to the fact that through necessity the army was compelled to encamp. This fort was constructed on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section thirty-six (36), township two (2) south, range ten (10) east (Madison town- ship), now owned by Fannie Isenberger.
Previous articles written on this subject stated that this fort was erected about one-half mile west of the Perrysburg and Bellefountaine state road ; how- ever, the government survey of 1819 (the record of which is on file in the county surveyor's office), locates the site of the fort within five chains (twenty rods) of the southwest corner of section 36, which is seven-eighths of a mile west of the above mentioned road.
From this point Colonel Findlay moved to the Blanchard's Fork, and here erected a fort, which was named in honor of that officer. Here the army en- camped for some time, while Colonel Findlay proceeded in advance and opened the road as far as the Maumee river.
42
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
It is surely appropriate at this time to give a somewhat brief description of what is commonly known as "Hull's Trail," as far as relates to this county. (For exact route, see map, page 32.) From Fort Necessity the trail followed the west bank of the east branch of Eagle creek to near its junction with the west branch, crossing the latter and continuing down the west side of Eagle creek to Fort Findlay. Here it crossed the river, and thence ran northward, a short distance east of the Perrysburg and Bellefontaine state road, till reaching the highlands south of the middle branch of the Portage river; thence following the course of that stream northward, into what is now Wood county, and thence to the Maumee Rapids.
There was, however, some doubt expressed by the early pioneers, as to the fact that Fort Necessity was formed by erecting a blockhouse, and claimed they never heard it mentioned as other than a mud fort. But taking quotations from "American State Papers" as authority, there evidently was a blocknouse of some sort erected at that place.
FORT FINDLAY IN A.D. 1828.2.
When General Hull left Fort Findlay, destined for the camp of the enemy farther to the north, he caused to remain a small garrison under Captain Arthur Thomas, to complete and guard the fort. Though no attack was ever made on Fort Findlay, it was well calculated to successfully resist any ordinary force which might be brought against it. The fort stood on the south bank of the Blanchard river in Findlay, at the northwest corner of what is now known as Main and Front streets, the southeast blockhouse being located on the site of the present Cusac Block. The fort consisted of a stockade about ten feet in height, with a two story block house, built of round logs, at each corner. The enclosure was fifty yards square, the entrance or gate being on the east side. A ditch surrounded the stockade, the earth from the excavation having been thrown up against the pickets to give them added strength. The outer walls of the block houses pro- jected a short distance beyond the stockade, and the upper story of each extended a few feet over the lower one, thus commanding the approaches from every direc- tion. Each block house was thoroughly loop-holed and furnished with one piece of artillery. Within the enclosure a number of cabins for the use of the soldiers were erected along the stockade, the open space in the center being utilized as a parade ground. To guard against surprise from attacks of the enemy, the forest was cleared off for a considerable distance on the south, east and west of the fort, while the river on the north afforded a clear view.
43
HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812.
The testimony of several early pioneers, as has frequently been published, relates some differences of opinions regarding the number of blockhouses which Fort Findlay originally contained. The earliest settlers, however, testify to hav- ing seen three block houses in a fair state of preservation, and the one at the northwest corner partly destroyed. Others coming later observed only the one standing at the southeast corner of the fort, which was used for some time by Wilson Vance as a stable. Testimonials show that when Mr. Benjamin Cox came to Fort Findlay three of the block houses were still standing and were occupied by Wyandot Indian families. The probabilities are that the portions of the stock- ades and block houses which were not in existence when some of the later settlers arrived had been torn down and utilized for firewood and in erecting out- buildings.
The passing years have removed and utterly obliterated all traces of Fort Findlay, due no doubt to the rapid progress of civilization. But, how sad, to think that where once stood one of the earliest structures which marked the first noble and daring stride toward civil liberty and Christian civilization, not even a wooden headboard is now visible to mark the solemn and sacred ground where died the noblest relic which ever graced the soil of our fair city, not so much on account of any great achievement that had ever been obtained, but from the mo- tive which prompted its erection.
The following incident is so closely allied with the history of the war of 1812 as relates to Fort Findlay that it is worthy of a place in this chapter. In July, 1812, General Edward W. Tupper, of Gallia county, raised a force of one thousand men for six months' service. principally from Gallia, Lawrence and Jackson counties, who, under the orders of General Winchester, rendezvoused at Urbana. From that village General Tupper followed Hull's trail to Fort McArthur, where he established his base of supplies, and then marched north- ward to Fort Findlay. After a much-needed rest, his command pushed on to the foot of the Maumee Rapids. The Indians appeared in force, on the opposite bank of the Maumee. Tupper attempted to cross the river and attack the enemy, but the rapidity of the current and the feeble, half-starved condition of his men and horses rendered the attempt a failure. The enemy soon after took the offen- sive, and. crossing the Maumee, attacked the American camp, but were defeated and driven back with considerable loss. This defeat caused them to retreat hastily to Detroit, and Tupper subsequently marched back to Fort Findlay, and thence to Fort McArthur, where his supplies were stored.
The following anecdote, "Howe's Historical Collection," is so closely asso- ciated with Fort Findlay, as to be worthy of mention :
"About nine o'clock one dark and windy night in the late war, Catpain William Oliver, in company with a Kentuckian, left Fort Meigs for Fort Findlay on an errand of importance, the distance being about thirty-three miles. They had scarcely started on their dreary and peril- ous journey when they unexpectedly came upon an Indian camp, around
44
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the fires of which the Indians were busy cooking their supper. Disturbed by the noise of their approach, the savages sprang up and ran toward them. At this they reined their horses into the branches of a fallen tree. Fortunately the horses, as if conscious of the danger, stood perfectly still and the Indians passed around the tree without making any discovery in the thick darkness. At this juncture Oliver and his companion put spurs to their horses and dashed for- ward into the woods, through which they passed all the way to their point of destination. They arrived safely, but with their clothes completely torn off by the brambles and bushes, and their bodies bruised all over by coming in contact with the trees. They had scarcely arrived at the fort when the Indians in pur- suit made their appearance, but too late, for their prey had escaped."
Fort Findlay was garrisoned until the spring of 1815, and a man named Thorp kept a small sutler store immediately east of the fort during the period of its occupation. Soon after the war closed the fort was abandoned, and its garrison returned to peaceful avocations. Below we give a picture and biography of one of the soldiers who was stationed at Fort Findlay, and took an active part
George Brehm.
in the war of 1812. We furnish this, not because he was a resident of this county at that time, for none but Indians resided here, but because some of our most distinguished citizens are his descendants.
GEORGE BREHM.
George Brehm was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. January 13, 1773. He was the son of Philip and Catharine Brehm, and was the grandson of George Christopher and Anna Margaret Brehim. George Christopher Brehm landed at Philadelphia from Bremen, Germany, in the ship Edinburg and qualified under the laws of the Colony of Pennsylvania, September 16, 1751.
45
HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812.
George Brehm was a man of education, belonged to the Lutheran church, was a Democrat in politics, was strong willed and had an iron constitution. He was a weaver by trade, and of stature was tall and spare. He was married to Margaret Meyer, December 28, 1795. at Manheim, Pennsylvania. She was born March 22, 1772, at Manheim, Pennsylvania. They moved to Perry county, Ohio, in 1809 and purchased a half section of land in Reading township. His grand- sons, George and Joel Brehm, still live at the old homestead.
In the war of 1812 he enlisted in Captain John Lidey's company of Ohio militia which was recruited in Fairfield county, Ohio, of which Perry county was then a part. This company started for Detroit and for a time occupied Fort Findlay. Hull surrendered while they were floundering through the Black swamp, so they escaped the disgrace of surrendering, and returned to Fort Find- lay, and thence to his home. But he being impressed with the wilds of this vicin- ity, returned and on October 30, 1834, entered the east half of the southeast quar- ter of section twenty-eight (28), Union township, Hancock county, Ohio.
For his services in the war of 1812 he was granted a land warrant, number 41,687, under the act of congress of September 28, 1850. He was the grand- father of Jacob F. Burket, the present chief justice of the Ohio supreme court, who was born in the old homestead in Perry county in 1837. George Brehm died January II, 1857, aged 83 years. II months and 28 days. He is buried in the family burying ground on his old farm in Reading township, Perry county, Ohio. The picture as shown above was taken when he was eighty years old.
46
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
1
LEON'S CLOTHING ANDHATS.
View of Main Street, Findlay, Looking North from Crawford Street.
CHAPTER V.
HANCOCK COUNTY PIONEERS.
Every country has its great warriors ; its skilled scientists ; its great states- men : its modern inventors, but there is but one generation of pioneers. The his- tory of that generation possesses a value which to future generations cannot be measured by the standard of money, time or even by imagination. Although we can imagine, or more specifically, try to stretch our imagination so that we can see the pioneer with all his earthly possessions, including family, if he had one, struggling along through miles of unbroken forests, following, not a paved street, but an Indian trail, marked only by the scarcity of timber, and the monotony now and then broken by the wierd cry of some wild animal, or the war whoop of some Indian on the warpath, or, more proper, on a drunken spree. Day after day they travel toward their destination; at night their only shelter is the dense forest. They push forward with untiring efforts, and at last arrive at the chosen spot, where together they enter the trials and dangers so common in a wild and unbroken forest. They encamp, begin to survey the surroundings, and then conclude that they see no mansion to enter, no field to cultivate, no mills to grind their corn and wheat, if they had it. What do they? They apply their sturdy energy to the destruction of the towering timber and impenetrable thickets of brush. The timber is soon carved into a log cabin ; the brush and the bark of the trees form the roof. The chimney constructed of brushes or small logs laid up so as to form a hollow structure against the outside of the cabin. A hole cut through the cabin at this point served as a fire-place. The sticks composing the chimney were cemented together with mortar to prevent them from catching fire. An opening was chopped in one side of the cabin for a doorway, and any old thing was constructed for a door.
A small opening in the end of the cabin formed the window, sometimes without sash or glass. The floor was made of pieces of timber split from trees about eighteen inches in diameter and hewed smooth with the broad-ax. The beds were constructed by erecting a forked stick set in the floor and supporting two poles, the other ends of which rested on the logs at the end and side of the cabin. Stools, tables, shelves and all household furniture were constructed on the same plan. Next, a small patch must be cleared to raise some corn. In those days corn bread was the main food in the bread line. Wheat bread would have been considered a luxury. The brush for a considerable distance, owing to the size of field intended, would be cut down and piled, the trees girdled, and the surface swept by fire. In this way ten or fifteen acres could be cleared in a short
48
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
time. Probably now and then the monotony of this tiresome work would be broken by a deer or bear crossing in its usual path to some unknown destination, and it in return would have its monotonous trip disturbed by a leaden ball from the gun of the new trespasser, which resulted in a fine boiled venison or bear meat supper for the weary workers. Thus on and on in this manner the strug- gles and dangers which the early pioneer had undergone still continued until the gradual approach of higher civilization; the broad extensions of cleared fields ; the on-coming of more farmers : the starting of small settlements ; the encourage- ment of manufacturers, merchants and all classes of business operations, which has caused the pioneer life of that day to pass into a phase of life that has now departed from this state forever.
Ninety years ago there was not a single white family living in Hancock county. Could those who have seen this county as it now is only borrow the eyes of the early pioneer, who helped to make the transformation, in place of smiling fields, comfortable homes and pleasant driveways, naught but a vast wilderness, filled with savage beasts and occasionally a savage red man would greet their sight. The present generation can form no just conception of the trials, endless privations and innumerable sacrifices to which the early settlers heroically submitted. They were not seeking fortunes or fame; the one prevail- ing intention was to make a home for their loving wife and innocent children, and from that one motive in view we now behold the splendid structure of that civilization we see all around us.
The pioneers of Hancock county, with few exceptions, have all passed to that beyond, where trials, persecutions and privations are unknown, and it re- mains for their descendants and future generations to keep ever before them the recollections of such names and events as have come down to them from their early ancestors, for the remembrance of their deeds deserves to be "written in characters of living light upon the firmament, there to endure as radiant as if every letter was traced in shining stars."
The first settlers of Hancock county came not to enjoy a life of idleness and ease. They doubtless admired the unveiled scene that met their gaze, the vernal green forest and the unlimited works of nature; they could look forward with happy anticipation to the lives they were to lead in the midst of all this beauty, and to the rich reward that would be theirs from the cultivation of the fertile soil. The dangers to which they were exposed were somewhat serious. The Indians could not be trusted out of sight, and the many stories of their depredations in the earlier eastern settlements made the pioneers of Hancock county apprehensive of trouble. The wild animals were a cause of dread and a source of annoyance. In fact, among the lovely surroundings of those early days there was a sense of loneliness that could not be dispelled.
The constant feeling of isolation caused many stout hearts to turn back to the old stamping ground from which they came, where existed the comforts of life, the companionship of friends and the sociability of neighbors. But to those
.
49
HANCOCK COUNTY PIONEERS.
who held out in the struggle for existence in this newly settled country the sense of loneliness and isolation was dispelled as the settlements increased : social gath- erings became more numerous and undoubtedly more enjoyable, and, step by step, life in all its numerous phases took on a new and more glorious appearance, until today we are at the very height of civilization, in all its numerous classes, and the present generation becomes the possessor of all the advancements pro- duced through the privations and enduring sacrifices of our early pioneers. They suffered for our sake, just as our Christ suffered the pangs of death on the cross that we might live.
50
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
1 1
1 -
+4
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New City Hall, Findlay.
CHAPTER VI.
SURFACE, SOIL, DRAINAGE.
The surface of Hancock county is somewhat varied. Some portions are rolling, others flat and marshy-some portions were covered with dense forests and thickets, while others bore no forests.
In the northern part of this county there was a strip of forest known as "The Wild Cat Thicket," which was from one to two miles in width, and had its beginning in the western portion of Portage township, extending across Allen and Cass townships, and terminating in the western part of Washington town- ship. From its appearance the early settlers concluded the forest had been blown down years before by a raging storm from the west, as the trees were blown toward the east. Overgrown with small timber and forest vegetation it formed a dense thicket where wild game found a safe retreat from the vigilant hunter. It is supposed that numerous wild cats inhabited this locality in an early day, and the place finally became known as "Wild Cat Thicket."
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