USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history of Ohio, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc > Part 14
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
Auglaize County was formed in February, 1848, from Allen and Mercer Counties. Wapakoneta is its county seat.
Allen County was formed from the Indian Territory April 1, 1820. Lima is its county seat.
Ashtabula County was formed June 7, 1807, and was organized January 22, 1811. The surface is level near the lake, while the remainder is undulat- ing. The soil is mostly clay. Very little wheat is raised, but considerable corn and oats. Butter and cheese are the main marketable productions. This was the first county settled on the Western Reserve, and also the earliest in Northern Ohio. On the 4th of July, 1796, the first surveying party arrived at the mouth of Conneaut Creek. Judge James Kingsbury was the first who wintered there with his family. He was the first man to use a sickle in the first wheat-field in the Western Reserve. Their child was the first born on the Western Reserve, and was starved to death. The first regular settlement was at Harpersfield, in 1798.
Jefferson is the county seat. Ashtabula is pleasantly situated on the river, with a fine harbor two and a half miles from the village.
The first church on the Western Reserve was founded at Austinburg in 1801.
Athens County was formed from Washington March 1, 1805. It produces wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. The surface is hilly and broken, with rich bot- tom lands between. Coal, iron ore and salt add materially to its commercial value. It has the advantage of the canal, as well as other transportation. Athens, its county seat, is situated on the Hocking River. The Ohio Uni- versity, the first college founded in the State, is located here. We have mentioned the ancient mounds found in this county, heretofore. Yellow pine is abundant in the lower part of the Hocking Valley.
Brown County was formed March 1, 1818, from Adams and Clermont. It produces wheat, corn, rye, oats and pork. The southern part is prolific in grain, while the northern is adapted to grazing purposes. The surface is undu- lating, with the exception of the Ohio River hills. Over this county Tecumseh once held sway
124
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
Georgetown is the county seat, and was laid out in 1819. Ripley is the larg- est business town in the county.
Belmont County was announced by Gov. St. Clair September 7, 1801. It produces large crops of wheat, oats, corn and tobacco, an annual crop of over 2,000,000 pounds of the latter being the average. It also trades largely in wool and coal. It is a picturesque tract of country, and was one of the pioneers in the early settled portions.
In 1790, Fort Dillie was erected on the west side of the Ohio. Baker's Fort was a mile below the mouth of the Captina. Many desperate Indian bat- tles were fought within the limits of this county, and the famous Indian scout, Lewis Wetzel, roamed over the region.
St. Clairsville is the county seat, situated on the elevation of land, in a fer- tile district. Capt. Kirkwood and Elizabeth Zane, of historic fame, were early pioneers here.
Butler County was formed in 1803, from Hamilton. It is within the blue limestone formation, and one of the most fertile sections of Ohio. It produces more corn than any other. county in the State, besides fine crops of wheat, oats and large quantities of pork. Hamilton, the county seat, is situated on the Great Miami. Its hydraulic works furnish superior water-power. Rossville, on the opposite side of the Miami, is a large mercantile town.
St. Clair passed through this county on his Indian campaigns in 1791, building Fort Hamilton on the Miami.
Champaign County was formed March 1, 1805, from Greene and Franklin. It is drained by Mad River and its tributaries, which furnishes extensive mill privileges. Nearly a half is undulating, a quarter rolling, a fifth hilly, and 5 per cent wet prairie. The soil is fertile, and produces wheat, corn, oats, barley, hay, while beef and wool add to the general wealth. Urbana, the county seat, was laid out in 1805, by Col. William Ward. He was chief owner of the land and donated many lots to the county, under condition that their proceeds be devoted to public improvements. Joseph Vance and George Fithian were the first settlers. The Methodists built the first church in 1807. The main army of Hull concentrated at this point before setting out for Detroit. Many Indian councils were called here, and Tecumseh was located for a time near Deer Creek.
Carroll County was formed from Columbiana in 1832-33. It produces wheat, oats and corn, and valuable coal and iron. The surface is hilly. Car- rollton is its county seat. At Harlem is a celebrated chalybeate spring.
Clark County was formed March 1, 1817, from Champaign, Madison and Greene. Its second settlement was at Kreb's Station, in 1796. It is highly culti- vated, well watered and very fertile. The Mad River, Buck and Beaver Creeks. furnish abundant water-power. It produces principally wheat, corn and oats.
Tecumseh, the old Indian warrior, was born at the ancient Indian vil- lage of Piqua, on the Mad River, on the site of New Boston. Piqua was
125
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
destroyed by Gen. George Rogers Clarke. Skeletons, beads, gun barrels, tomahawks, kettles, etc., have been found in the vicinity.
Springfield, the county seat, is situated on the National road. It has con- venient transportation facilities, is handsomely laid out, and is noted for its cultured citizens. It is near Mad River, and Buck Creek runs through it.
Clinton County was formed in 1810. It produces chiefly wheat, oats, wool and pork. Its surface is undulating, in some parts hilly, and the soil fer- tile. Its streams furnish desirable water-power. The county was settled in 1798-99. Wilmington is the county seat, and was laid out in 1810. The first log house was built by William Hobsin.
Clermont County was the eighth formed in the Northwest Territory, by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, December 9, 1800. The soil is exceedingly rich, and the surface is broken and, near the Ohio, hilly. Wheat, corn, oats, hay, potatoes, tobacco, barley, buckwheat and rye form the main crops, while beef, pork, flour, hay and whisky constitute its main exports. Its streams furnish good water-power. Batavia, its county seat, is situated on the Little Miami River, and was laid out in 1820, by George Ely.
Columbiana County was formed March 25, 1803, from Jefferson and Wash- ington. Its soil is very fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It is wealthy in mineral deposits, coal, iron ore, lime and freestone being abun- dant. Its water-lime stone is of superior quality. Salt water is found on Yel- low and Beaver Creeks. This is also the great wool-producing county of the State. It was settled in 1797. New Lisbon, its county seat, is well built.
The first paper-mill in Ohio was erected in this county, on Little Beaver Creek, by John Coulter and John Bever.
Coshocton County was organized April 1, 1811. Its principal products are wheat, corn, oats and wool. Hills and valleys alternate along the Muskingum River. Abrupt changes are strongly marked-a rich alluvum being overhung by a red-bush hill, while directly beside it may be seen the poplar and sugar tree. Coal and iron ore add to its general importance, while salt wells have proven remunerative.
Coshocton, the county seat, is built on four wide, natural terraces, at the junction of the Tuscarawas with the Walhonding.
Cuyahoga County was formed June 7, 1807, from Geauga. Near the lake, the soil is sandy, while a clayey loam may be found elsewhere. The valleys near the streams produce wheat, barley and hay. Fruit is successfully grown, and cheese, butter, beef and wool are largely exported. Bog iron is found in the western part, and fine grindstone quarries are in operation. The sandstone from these quarries is now an important article of commerce. As early as 1775, there was a French settlement within the boundaries of Cuyahoga. In 1786, a Moravian missionary came to the present site of Cleveland, and set- tled in an abandoned village of the Ottawas. Circumstances prevented a
126
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
permanent settlement, and the British tacitly took possession, even remaining upon the lake shores after the Revolution.
The first permanent settlement was made at Cleveland in 1796. Mr. Job V. Stiles and family and Edward Paine passed the first winter there, their log cabin standing where the Commercial Bank is now located. Rodolphus Edwards and Nathaniel Doane settled here. The town was, in 1813, a depot of supplies and a rendezvous for troops engaged in the war.
Cleveland, the county seat, is situated at the northern termination of the Ohio Canal, on the lake shore. In 1814, it was incorporated as a village, and in 1836, as a city. Its elevation is about a hundred feet above the lake. It is a lovely city, and has one of the best harbors on Lake Erie.
Ohio City is another important town, nearly opposite Cleveland, on the Cuyahoga. It was incorporated in 1836.
Crawford County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory.' The entire county is adapted to grazing. The soil is generally composed of rich vegetable loam, and in some parts the subsoil is clay mixed with lime. Rich beds of shell marl have been discovered. It produces wheat, corn, oats, clover, timothy seed, wool and cattle. Fine limestone quarries are worked with success.
Bucyrus is the county seat, and was laid out February 11, 1822, by Samuel Norton and James Kilbourn, original owners of the land. The first settler in the town proper was Samuel Norton. A gas well has been dug in Bucyrus, on the land of R. W. Musgrove, which burns in a brilliant light when con- ducted to the surface by means of pipes. Crawford's Sulphur Springs are located nine miles from Bucyrus. The water is impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen. It deposits a reddish-purple sediment. In its nature the water is a cathartic, and is diuretic and diaphoretic in its effects. A few rods away is a burning spring. The Annapolis Sulphur Spring is clear and has gained consid- erable fame by its curative qualities. Opposite Bucyrus is a chalybeate spring of tonic qualities.
There are some beds of peat in the county, the most extensive one being a wet prairie called Cranberry Marsh, containing nearly 2,000 acres.
Darke County was organized in March, 1817, from Miami County. It is abundantly timbered with poplar, walnut, blue ash, hickory, becch and sugar maple. It yields superior wheat, and is well adapted to grazing. In this county occurred the lamentable defeat of St. Clair, and the treaty of Greenville.
Greenville is the county seat, and was laid out August 10, 1808, by Robert Gray and John Dover. In December, 1793, Wayne built Fort Greenville on this spot, which covered about the same extent as the present town.
Delaware County was formed February 10, 1808, from Franklin. It pro- duces mainly wheat, corn, oats, pork and wool.
Delaware is the county seat, and was laid out in the spring of 1808, by Moses Byxbe. The Delaware Spring in the village is of the white sulphur or
127
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
cold hydro-sulphurous nature, valuable for medicinal qualities in cases of bilious derangements, dyspepsia, scrofulous affections, etc.
Defiance County was inaugurated March 4, 1845, from Williams, Henry and Paulding. The Maumee, Tiffin and Auglaize flow through it. The Black Swamp covers much of its area.
Defiance, the county seat, is situated on the Maumee. It was laid out in 1822, by B. Level and H. Phillips. A large Indian settlement occupied its site in very early times. Wayne arrived here August 8, 1794, captured the place, finding about one thousand acres of corn, peach and apple orchards, and vegetables of all varieties. Here he built Fort Defiance.
Erie County was formed in 1838, from Huron and Sandusky. The soil is alluvial, and yields large crops of wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It possesses inexhaustable quarries of limestone and freestone. Immense quantities of bog iron are also found. The Erie tribe is said to have once occupied the land, and were extirpated by the Iroquois. As early as 1754, the French had built set- tlements. In 1764, the county was besieged. Pontiac came here with warlike demonstrations, but made peace with the whites. Erie was included in the "fire lands" of the Western Reserve.
Sandusky City is the county seat, and was laid out in 1817, then termed Portland. At that time it contained two log huts. The town is finely situated, and is based upon an inexhaustible quarry of the finest limestone. In the "patriot war" with the Canadians, this city was the rendezvous for the "patriots."
Franklin County was formed April 30, 1803, from Ross. It contains much low wet land, and is better adapted to grazing than agricultural purposes. It was in early times occupied by the Wyandot Indians. Its first white set- tlement was made in 1797, by Robert Armstrong and others. Franklinton was laid out in 1797, by Lucas Sullivan. Worthington was settled by the Scioto Company in 1801. Col. Kilbourn, who was interested in the work, constructed the first map of Ohio during his explorations, by uniting sectional diagrams.
Columbus, the capital of the State of Ohio, is also the county seat of Franklin County. After the organization of a State government, the capital was "portable " until 1816. In 1810, the sessions were held at Chillicothe, in 1811 and 1812 at Zanesville, removing again to Chillicothe, and, in 1816, being located at Columbus. The town was laid out during the spring of 1812. A penitentiary was erected in 1813, and the State House was built in 1814. It was incorporated as "the borough of Columbus," February 10, 1816. The city charter was granted March 3, 1834.
It is beautifully located on the east bank of the Scioto. The Columbus Institute is a classical institution. A female and a theological seminary also add to its educational advantages. The Ohio Lunatic Asylum is also located here-also the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. East of the
128
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
State House is the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb.
Fairfield County was formed by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, December 9, 1800.
The soil is varied, being in some parts exceedingly rich, and in others very sterile. It produces principally wheat, corn, rye, oats, buckwheat, barley, potatoes and tobacco.
Lancaster is the county seat, laid out by Ebenezer Zane in 1800. In 1797, he opened the road known as "Zane's Trace," from Wheeling to Limestone- now Maysville. It passed through Lancaster, at a fording about three hundred yards below the present turnpike bridge. Near the turn stands an imposing eminance called "Standing Stone." Parties of pleasure frequently visit this spot.
Fayette County was formed from Ross and Highland in 1810. Wheat, corn, cattle, hogs, sheep and wool comprise its main productions. "The bar- rens " are situated in the northeastern part. This tract is covered by a growth of grass.
Washington is its county seat, laid out in 1810.
Col. Stewart was active in the interests of this section, and his memory is sacredly revered. Jesse Milliken was prominent in public affairs.
Fulton County, bordering on Michigan, was organized in 1850. It is drained by Bean Creek and other small affluents of the Maumee River. The surface is nearly level, and a large part of it is covered with forests of ash, beech, elm, hickory, white oak, black walnut, etc., furnishing excellent timber. The soil is fertile. Wheat, corn, oats and hay are the staple products. Wau- seon is the county seat.
Guernsey County was organized in March, 1810. Wool is a staple prod- uct, together with beef, horses and swine. It produces wheat, corn and oats.
Cambridge is the county seat and was laid out in June, 1806. Mr. Graham was the first settler on the site of the town, and his was the only dwelling between Lancaster and Wheeling.
The first cannel coal found in the county was discovered near Mill's Creek.
Greene County was formed May 1, 1803, from Hamilton and Ross. It produces wheat, corn, rye, grass-seed, oats, barley, sheep and swine. The streams furnish good water-power. There are five limestone quarries, and a marble quarry of variegated colors. The Shawnee town was on the Little Miami, and was visited by Capt. Thomas Bullit in 1773. When Daniel Boone was captured in 1778, he was brought to this town, and escaped the following year. Gen. Clarke invaded this county and the Indians reduced the town to ashes.
Xenia, the county seat, was laid off in the forest in 1803, by Joseph C. Vance. The first cabin was erected in April, 1804, by John Marshall. The Rev. James Fowler built the first hewed-log cabin. David A. Sanders built the first frame house. Nine miles north of the town, on the Little Miami River, are the Yellow Springs, which are impregnated with sulphur.
129
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
Geauga County was formed in 1805 from Trumbull. It exports sheep, cattle, butter and cheese. It is situated at the head of Chargrine, Cuyahoga and a part of Grand Rivers, on high ground, and is subjected to snowstorms more frequently than any other part of the Reserve. Its first settlement was made in 1798, at Burton. Chardon is fourteen miles from Lake Erie, and is 600 feet above it. It was laid out as the county seat in 1808.
Gallia County was formed April 30, 1803, from Washington. Its princi- pal crops are wheat, corn, oats and beans. The surface is generally broken. Its first settlement was made in 1791, by a French colony, at Gallipolis. This colony was sent out under the auspices of the Scioto Company. This town is now the county seat.
Hamilton County was the second established in the Northwestern Territory by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, January 2, 1790. Its surface is gen- erally rolling. It produces the ordinary farm products, and a great variety of fruits and vegetables for the Cincinnati market. Vineyards thrive well within its limits, and the manufacture of wine is carried on to a considerable extent.
This county was the second settled in Ohio, and the first within the Symmes purchase. Settlers arrived at the spot now occupied by Cincinnati, and three or four log cabins were erected. Gen. Arthur St. Clair arrived here in Janu- ary, 1790. The army of Wayne encamped here later, at Fort Washington. Mr. Maxwell established in 1793 the Sentinel of the Northwestern Territory, the first newspaper printed north of the Ohio River. In 1796, Edward Free- man became its proprietor, and changed the name to Freeman's Journal. January 11, 1794, two keel-boats sailed from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, making regular trips every four weeks. In 1801, the first sea vessel built at Mari- etta came down the Ohio.
Cincinnati, the county seat, was incorporated January 2, 1802. It was char- tered as a city in 1819. The city is beautifully laid out and delightfully situ- ated. Its public buildings are elegant and substantial, including the court house and many literary and charitable institutions.
The Cincinnati College was founded in 1819. It stands in the center of the city. It is built in Grecian-Doric style, with pilaster fronts and facade of Dayton marble. Woodward College is also popular.
The Catholics have founded the St. Xavier's College. Lane Seminary, a theological institution, is at Walnut Hills, two miles from the center of the city. It has over 10,000 volumes in its libraries. No charge is made for tuition. Rooms are provided and furnished at $5 per year, and board ranges from 62} cents to 90 cents a week. The Cincinnati Law School is connected with Cin- cinnati College. The Mechanics' Institute was chartered in 1828, and is in all respects well supplied with apparatus. A college for teachers was established in 1831, its object being to perfect those contemplating entering that profession in their studies and system.
130
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
The Cincinnati Orphan Asylum is an elegant building, and has a library and well-organized school attached. The Catholics of the city have one male and female orphan asylum. The Commercial Hospital and Lunatic Asylum of Ohio was incorporated in 1821.
Cincinnati is a large manufacturing city, and possesses fine water-power facilities. It communicates with the world by means of its canal, river, turnpikes, and railways. North Bend is another prominent town in this county, having been the residence of Gen. William H. Harrison, and the site of his burial place. The town was of considerable importance in the early settlement of the State. About thirty yards from Harrison's tomb is the grave of Judge Symmes.
Hancock County was formed April 1, 1820. It produces wheat, oats, corn, pork and maple sugar. The surface is level and its soil is fertile. Blanchard's Fork waters the central and southern part of the county. Findlay, the county seat, was laid out by ex-Gov. Joseph Vance and Elnathan Corry, in 1821. It was relaid in 1829. Wilson Vance settled there in the fall of 1821. Located in Findlay are the greatest gas wells of Ohio, the city being lighted and heated by natural gas, which has been known for over 40 years to exist at Findlay.
Hardin County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian Territory. It produces, principally, wheat, corn and swine. A portion of the surface is level, and the remainder undulating. Fort McArthur was built on the Scioto River, but proved a weak stockade. Kenton is the county seat, situated on the Scioto River.
Harrison County was formed from Jefferson and Tuscarawas January 1, 1814. The surface is hilly, abounding in coal and limestone. Its soil is clayey. It is one of the important wool-growing counties in Ohio. It produces large quantities of wheat, corn, oats and hay, besides a considerable number of horses, cattle and swine.
In April, 1799, Alexander Henderson and family settled in this county, and at the same time, Daniel Peterson and his family resided at the forks of Short Creek. The early settlers were much annoyed by Indians and wild beasts. Cadiz is the county seat, and was laid out in 1803 and 1804, by Messrs. Briggs and Beatty ..
Henry County was formed from the old Indian Territory, April 1, 1820. Indian corn, oats, potatoes, and maple sugar constitute the main products. The county is well supplied with running streams, and the soil is unusually rich.
The greater portion of this county is covered by the "Black Swamp." . Throughout this swamp are ridges of limestone, covered with black walnut, red elm, butternut and maple. The soil is superior for grain. Fruit thrives and all varieties of vegetables are produced in large quantities. Simon Girty, noto- rious for his wicked career, resided in this county. Girty led the attack on Fort Henry, in September, 1777. He demanded the surrender of the fort, and menaced its inmates with an Indian massacre, in case of refusal. The
131
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
action began, but the fort gained the victory. He led a ferocious band of Indi- ans, and committed the most fiendish atrocities.
Napoleon, the county seat, is situated on the Maumee River.
Highland County was formed in May, 1805, from Ross, Adams and Cler- mont. It is a wealthy, productive county. Its wheat commands a high mar- ket price. The crops consist of wheat, corn, oats, maple sugar, wool, swine and cattle. Its first settlement began in 1801, at New Market, by Oliver Ross, Robert Keeston, George W. Barrere, Bernard Weyer and others. Simon Ken- ton made a trace through this county in early times. Hillsboro is the county seat, and was laid out in 1807, by David Hays, on the land of Benja- min Ellicott. It is situated on the dividing ridge, between the Miami and Sci- oto. The Hillsboro Academy was founded in 1827.
Hocking County was formed March 1, 1818, from Ross, Athens and Fair- field. Its principal products are corn, wheat, tobacco and maple sugar. Its surface is broken and hilly, but is level and fertile beside the streams.
The Wyandots once occupied this tract, and built a large town herein. In 1798, a few white families ventured to settle. Logan is its county seat, and is situated on the Hocking River.
Holmes County was formed from Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Wayne, Janu- ary 20, 1824. It produces wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, maple sugar, swine, sheep and cattle. The southwestern portion is broken. Thomas Butler was the first settler, in 1810. Millersburg is the county seat, and was laid out in 1830.
Huron County was organized in 1815. It produces hay, wheat, corn, oats, barley, buckwheat, flaxseed, potatoes, butter, cheese, wool and swine. Nor- walk is the county seat.
Jackson County was organized March, 1816. The country is rich in min- erals and abounds in coal and iron ore. The exports are cattle, wool, swine, horses, lumber, millstones, tobacco and iron. Jackson, the county seat, was laid out in 1817. The old Scioto salt-works were among the first worked in Ohio by the whites. Prior to this period, the Indians came some distance to this section to make salt. When Daniel Boone was a prisoner, he spent some time at these works.
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.