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 15
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Jefferson County was proclaimed by Gov. St. Clair July 29, 1797, and was the fifth county established in Ohio. It is one of the most important manufacturing counties in the State. Its resources in coal are also extended. The surface is hilly and the soil fertile, producing wheat, corn and oats. The old "Mingo" town was on the present farms of Jeremiah Hallock and Mr. Daniel Potter. The troops of Col. Williamson rendezvoused at this point, when they set out in their cruel Moravian campaign, and also the troops of Col. Crawford, when they started on the campaign against the Sandusky Indians. Here Logan, the powerful and manly chief of the Mingo nation, once resided. He took no active part in the old French war, which closed in
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1760, except that of a peacemaker. He was a stanch friend of the whites until the abominable and unprovoked murder of his father, brother and sister, which occurred in 1774, near the Yellow 'Creek. He then raised the battle cry and sought revenge.
However, Logan was remarkably magnanimous toward prisoners who fell into his hands. The year 1793 was the last spent in Indian warfare in Jeffer- son County.
Fort Steuben was erected on the present site of Steubenville, the county seat, in 1789. It was constructed of block-houses, with palisade fences, and was dis- mantled during Wayne's campaign. Bezaleel Wells and Hon. James Ross laid the town out in 1798. It was incorporated February 14, 1805. It is situated upon an elevated plain. In 1814, Messrs. Wells and Dickerson built a woolen manufactory, and introduced merino sheep to the county.
Knox County was formed March 1, 1808, from Fairfield. It is drained by the Vernon River. It produces wheat, corn, oats, tobacco, maple sugar, pota- toes and wool. Mount Vernon was laid out in 1805. The early settlers found two wells on the Vernon River, built of hammered stone, neatly laid, and near by was a salt-lick. Their direct origin remains a mystery. Gilman Bryant, in 1807, opened the first store in Mount Vernon. The court house was built in 1810. The Indians came to Mount Vernon in large numbers for the pur- pose of trading in furs and cranberries. Each Saturday, the settlers worked on the streets, extracting stumps and improving the highway. The first settler north of the place was N. M. Young, who built his cabin in 1803. Mount Vernon is now the county seat, beautifully situated on Vernon River. Kenyon College is located at Gambier. It is richly endowed with 8,000 acres, and is valued at $100,000. This institution was established under the auspices of Bishop Chase, in July, 1826, in the center of a 4,000-acre tract belonging to Kenyon College. It was chartered as a theological seminary.
Lucas County is of comparatively recent origin. A large portion is covered by the "Black Swamp." It produces corn, wheat, potatoes and oats. This county is situated in the Maumee Valley, which was the great arena of histori- cal events. The frightful battle of Wayne's campaign, where the Indians found the British to be traitors, was fought near Fort Miami, in this county. Maumee City, once the county seat, was laid out in 1817, as Maumee, by Maj. Wm. Oliver and others. It is situated on the Maumee, at the head of navigation. The surface is 100 feet above the water level. This town, with Perrysburg, its neighbor, is exceedingly picturesque, and was in early times frequented by the Indians. The French had a trading station at this point, in 1680, and in 1794, the Brit- ish Fort-Miami-was built. Toledo is on the left bank of the Maumee, and covers the site of a stockade fort, known as Fort Industry, erected in 1800. An Indian treaty was held here July 4, 1805, by which the Indians relinquished all rights to the " fire lands." In 1832, Capt. Samuel Allen gave an impetus to the place, and Maj. Stickney also became interested in its advancement.
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Speculation in lots began in 1834. The Wabash & Erie Canal interest arose in 1836. Mr. Mason and Edward Bissel added their energies to assist the growth of the town. It was incorporated as a city in 1836. It was the center of the military operations in the " Ohio and Michigan war," known as the "boundary conflict."
The Ordinance of 1787 provided for the division of the Northwestern Terri- tory into three or five States. The three southern were to be divided from the two northern by a line drawn east and west through the southern point of Lake Michigan, extending eastward to the Territorial line in Lake Erie. The consti- tution. of Ohio adds a provision that if the line should not go so far north as the north cape of Maumee Bay, then the northern boundary of Ohio should be a line drawn from the southerly part of Lake Michigan to the north cape of the Maumee Bay.
The line of the ordinance was impossible, according to its instructions and the geography of the country.
When Michigan became a Territory, the people living between the " Fulton " and " Harris " lines found it more to their wishes to be attached to Michigan. They occupied disputed ground, and were thus beyond the limits of absolute law. In 1835, the subject was greatly agitated, and J. Q. Adams made a warm speech before Congress against the Ohio claim. The Legislature of Ohio dis- cussed the matter, and an act was passed to attach the disputed section to Ohio, according to the constitutional decree. An active campaign opened between Michigan and Ohio. Gov. Lucas came out with the Ohio troops, in the spring of 1835, and Gov. Mason; of Michigan, followed the example. He marched into Toledo, robbed melon-patches and chicken-houses, crushed in the front door of Maj. Stickney's house, and carried him away prisoner of war. Embas- sadors were sent from Washington to negotiate matters-Richard Rush, of Penn- sylvania and Col. Howard, of Maryland. At the next session of Congress, the matter was settled. Samuel Vinton argued for Ohio, in the House, and Thomas Ewing in the Senate. Michigan received an equivalent of the large peninsula between Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior. Ohio received the disputed strip, averaging eight miles in width. Manhattan, Waterville and Providence are all flourishing towns.
Lorain County was formed from Huron, Cuyahoga and Medina, on Decem- ber 26, 1822. The soil is generally fertile, and the surface level. Wheat, grass, oats, corn, rye and potatoes constitute the principal crops. Bog-iron ore is found in large quantities. A curious relic has been found in this county, bear- ing the date of 1533. Elyria is the county seat, and was laid out in 1817. The first settler was Mr. Heman Ely. Oberlin is situated about eight miles southwest of Elyria. The Oberlin Collegiate Institute has attained a wide celebrity.
Logan County was formed March 1, 1817. The surface is broken and hilly near the Mad River, but is generally level.
The soil is fertile, producing
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wheat, corn, rye, oats, clover, flax and timothy seed. The Shawnee Indians were located here, and built several villages on the Mad River. These towns were destroyed in 1786, by a body of Kentuckians, under Gen. Benjamin Logan. The whites surprised the towns. However, they returned after the work of destruction had been completed, and for many years frequented the section. On the site of Zanesfield was a Wyandot village. By the treaty of September 29, 1817, the Senecas and Shawnees held a reservation around Lewistown. April 6, 1832, they vacated this right and removed west. Isaac Zane was born about the year 1753, and was, while a boy, captured and after- ward adopted by the Wyandots. Attaining the age of manhood, he had no desire to return to his people. He married a Wyandot woman, who was half French. After the treaty of Greenville, he bought 1,800 acres on the site of Zanesville, where he lived until the year 1816, when he died, lamented by all his friends.
Logan County was settled about the year 1806. During the war of 1812, it was a rendezvous for friendly Indians. Bellefontaine, the county seat, was laid out March 18, 1820, on land owned by John Tulles and William Powell. Joseph Gordon built a cabin, and Anthony Ballard erected the first frame dwelling.
Gen. Simon Kenton is buried at the head of Mad River, five miles from Bellefontaine. He died April 29, 1836, aged eighty-one years and twenty-six days. This remarkable man came West, to Kentucky, in 1771. He probably encountered more thrilling escapes than any other man of his time. In 1778, he was captured and suffered extreme cruelties, and was ransomed by the British. He soon recovered his robust health, and escaped from Detroit the following spring. He settled in Urbana in 1802. He was elected Brigadier General of the militia, and in the war of 1812, joined Gen. Harrison's army. In the year 1820, he removed to Mad River. Gen. Vance and Judge Burnet secured him a pension, of $20 per month
Licking County was formed from Fairfield March 1, 1808. The surface is generally level, diversified by slight hills in the eastern portion. The soil is fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats and grass. Coal and iron ore of good quality add to the wealth of the county. Wool and dairy productions are also staples. Newark is the county seat, and is situated at the confluence of the three principal branches of the Licking. It was laid out by Gen. William C. Schenk, George W. Burnet and John M. Cummings, who owned this military section of 4,000 acres, in 1801. In 1802, Samuel Elliott and Samuel Parr built hewed-log houses. The picturesque "Narrows of the Licking " are in the eastern part of the county, which have elicited general praise from scenic hunters.
Lawrence County was organized March 1, 1816. There are many high and abrupt hills in this section, which abound in sand or freestone. It is rich in minerals, and the most important section of Ohio for iron manufacture.
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Coal is abundant, and white clay exists in the western part suitable for pot- tery purposes. Agricultural productions are not extensive.
The county was settled in 1797 by the Dutch and Irish. The iron region extends through the west part of this county. Lawrence County produces a superior quality of iron, highly esteemed for castings, and is equal to Scotch pig for furnace purposes. Burlington is the county seat.
Lake County was formed from Geauga and Cuyahoga March 6, 1840. The soil is good and the surface rolling. It produces wheat, corn, oats, buckwheat, barley, hay and potatoes. Dairy products, cattle and wool are also staples. Its fruits-apples, peaches, pears, plums and grapes are highly prized. As early as 1799, a settlement was formed at Mentor. Painesville, the county seat, is situated on Grand River, in a beautiful valley. The Painesville Acad- emy is a classical institution for the education of both sexes. Near the town is the Geauga furnace. Painesville was laid out by Henry Champion in 1805. At Fairport, the first warehouse in this section, and probably the first on the lake, was built by Abraham Skinner in 1803. This town has a fine harbor, and has a light-house and beacon. Kirtland, southwest from Painesville, was, in 1834, the headquarters of the Mormons. At that time, they numbered about three thousand. The old Mormon temple is of rough stone, plastered over, colored blue, and marked to imitate regular courses of masonry. As is well known, the Mormons derive their name from the book of Mormon, said to have been translated from gold plates found in a hill in Palmyra, N. Y.
Madison County was organized in March, 1810. The surface is generally level. It produces grass, corn, oats and cattle-the latter forming a chief staple, while wool and pork add to the general wealth.
Jonathan Alder was much interested in the settlement of the county. He, like some other whites, had lived with the Indians many years, and had formed a lasting affection for them, and had married a squaw, with whom he became dissatisfied, which caused him to desire finding his own family. He suc- ceeded in this through the assistance of John Moore. He left his wife and joined his people.
This county was first settled in 1795. Benjamin Springer made a clearing and built a cabin. He settled near Alder, and taught him the English lan- guage. Mr. Joshua Ewing brought four sheep to this place, and the Indians exhibited great astonishment over these strange animals. When the hostilities of 1812 began, the British offered inducements to the Indians to join them, and they consulted Alder regarding the best policy to adopt. He advised them to preserve neutrality until a later period, which they did, and eventually became firm friends of the Americans.
London is the county seat, and was laid out in 1810-11, by Patrick McLene.
Marion County was organized March 1, 1824. The soil is fertile, and pro- duces extensive farm crops. The Delaware Indians once held a reservation. here, and conceded their claims in 1829, August 3, and removed west of the
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Mississippi. Marion, the county seat, was laid out in 1821, by Eber Baker and Alexander Holmes. Gen. Harrison marched through this section during his campaign.
Mahoning County was formed in 1846, from Trumbull and Columbiana. The surface is rolling and the soil generally fertile. The finer qualities of wood are produced here. Bituminous coal and iron are found in large quantities. Col. James Hillman came to the Western Reserve in 1786. The settlement of the county went forward. Canfield is the county seat.
Medina County was formed from the Western Reserve February 12, 1812. The surface is rolling and the soil is fertile, producing fine agricultural prod- ucts. The first trail made through the county was made by George Poe, Joseph H. Larwell and Roswell M. Mason. The first settlement was made by Joseph Harris in 1811. He was soon joined by the Burr brothers. Me- dina is the county seat.
Meigs County was formed from Gallia and Athens April 1, 1819. The general character of the soil is clayey, producing large quantities of wheat, oats, corn, hay and potatoes. Vast quantities of salt are made and exported. Pom- eroy, the county seat, is situated under a lofty hill, surrounded by picturesque scenery. Mr. Nathaniel Clark was the first settler of the county. He arrived in 1816. The first coal mine opened in Pomeroy was in 1819, by David Bradshaw.
Mercer County was formed from the Indian Territory in 1820. The sur- face is generally flat, and while covered with forests, inclined to be wet ; but, being cleared, it is very fertile, and adapted to producing farm crops. St. Clair's Battle was fought on the boundary line between this and Darke County. The Hon. Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur made a treaty at St. Mary's with the Wyandots, Shawnees and Ottawas, in 1818. The odious Simon Girty lived at one time at St. Mary's. Wayne built St. Mary's Fort, on the west bank of the river. John Whistler was the last commander of the fort. The largest artificial lake in the world, so it is asserted, is formed by the reservoir sup- plying the St. Mary's feeder of the Miami Extension Canal. It is about nine miles long, and from two to four broad. Celina is the county seat.
Miami County was formed January 16, 1807, from Montgomery. It abounds in excellent limestone, and possesses remarkable water-power facilities. Its agri- cultural products rank highly in quality and quantity. John Knoop came into this section about the year 1797, and its first settlement began about this time. Troy, the county seat, is situated upon the Great Miami. Piqua is another lovely town. The Miami River affords delightful scenery at this point.
Monroe County was formed January 29, 1813, from Belmont, Washington, and Guernsey. A portion of its surface is abrupt and hilly. Large quantities of tobacco are raised, and much pork is exported. Wheat and corn grow well in the western portion. Iron ore and coal abound. The valleys of the streams are very narrow, bounded by rough hills. In some places are natural rock grottoes. The first settlement was made in 1799, near the mouth of the Sunfish.
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At this time, wolves were numerous, and caused much alarm. Volney entered this county, but was not prepossessed in its favor. One township is settled by the Swiss, who are educated and refined. Woodsfield is the county seat.
Montgomery County was formed from Ross and Hamilton May 1, 1803. The soil is fertile, and its agricultural products are most excellent. Quarries of grayish-white limestone are found east of the Miami.
Dayton is the county seat, situated on the Great Miami, at the mouth of Mad River. A company was formed in 1788, but Indian wars prevented settlement. After Wayne's treaty, in 1795, a new company was formed. It advanced rapidly between the years 1812 and 1820. The beginning of the Miami Canal renewed its prosperity, in 1827. The first canal-boat from Cincinnati arrived at Dayton on the 25th of January, 1829. The first one arrived from Lake Erie in June, 1845. Col. Robert Patterson came to Dayton in 1804. At one time, he owned Lexington, Ky., and about one third of Cincinnati.
Morgan County was organized in 1818, March 1. The surface is hilly and the soil strong and fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. Pork is a prolific product, and considerable salt is made. The first settlement was made in 1790, on the Muskingum. McConnelsville is the county seat. Mr. Ayres made the first attempt to produce salt, in 1817. This has developed into a large industry.
Morrow County was organized in 1848. It is drained by the Vernon River, which rises in it, by the East Branch of the Olontangy or Whetstone River, and by Walnut Creek. The surface is undulating, the soil fertile. The staple products are corn, wheat, oats, hay, wool and butter. The sugar maple abounds in the forests, and sandstone or freestone in the quarries. Mount Gilead, the county seat, is situated on the East Branch of the Olen- tangy River.
Muskingum County was formed from Washington and Fairfield. The sur- face is rolling or hilly. It produces wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, tobacco, wool and pork. Large quantities of bituminous coal are found. Pipe clay, buhr- stone or cellular quartz are also in some portions of the State. Salt is made in large quantities-the fine being obtained from a stratum of whitish sandstone. The Wyandots, Delawares, Senecas and Shawanoese Indians once inhabited this section. An Indian town occupied the site of Duncan's Falls. A large Shawan- oese town was located near Dresden.
Zanesville is the county seat, situated opposite the mouth of the Licking. It was laid out in 1799, by Mr. Zane and Mr. McIntire. This is one of the principal towns in the State, and is surrounded by charming scenery.
Noble County, organized in 1851, is drained by Seneca, Duck and Wills Creeks. The surface is undulating, and a large part of it is covered with for- ests. The soil is fertile. Its staples are corn, tobacco, wheat, hay, oats and wool. Among its mineral resources are limestone, coal and petroleum. Near Caldwell, the county seat, are found iron ore, coal and salt.
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
Ottawa County was formed from Erie, Sandusky and Lucas, March 6, 1840, It is mostly within the Black Swamp, and considerable of its land is prairie and marsh. It was very thinly settled befere 1830. Extensive plaster beds exist on the peninsula, which extends into Lake Erie. It has also large limestone quarries, which are extensively worked. The very first trial at arms upon the soil of Ohio, during the war of 1812, occurred upon this peninsula. Port Clin- ton, the county seat, was laid out in 1827.
Perry County was formed from Washington, Fairfield and Muskingum, March 1, 1817. Fine tobacco is raised in large quantities. Wheat, corn, oats, hay, cattle, pork and wool add to the general wealth. This county was first set- tled in 1801. First settler was Christian Binckley, who built the first cabin in the county, about five miles west of Somerset, near the present county line. New Lexington is now the county seat.
Paulding County was formed from old Indian territory August 1, 1820. It produces corn, wheat and oats. Paulding is the county seat.
Pickaway County was formed from Fairfield, Ross and Franklin, January 12, 1810. The county has woodland, barren, plain and prairie. The barrens were covered by shrub oaks, and when cleared are adapted to the raising of corn and oats. The Pickaway plains are three and a half miles west of Circleville, and this tract is said to contain the richest land in Ohio. Here, in the olden times, burned the great council fires of the red man. Here the allied tribes met Gen. Lewis, who fought the battle of Point Pleasant. Dunmore's campaign was terminated on these plains. It was at the Chillicothe towns, after Dun- more's treaty, that Logan delivered his famous speech. Circleville, the county seat, is situated on the Scioto River and the Ohio Canal. It was laid out in 1810, by Daniel Dresbach. It is situated on the site of ancient fortifications.
Portage County was formed June 7, 1807, from Trumbull. It is a wealthy, thriving section. Over a thousand tons of cheese are annually produced. It also produces wheat, corn, oats, barley, buckwheat, rye, butter and wool. . Ravenna is the county seat, and was originally settled by the Hon. Benjamin Tappen in June, 1799. In 1806, an unpleasant difficulty arose between the settlers and a camp of Indians in Deerfield, caused by a horse trade between a white man and an Indian. David Daniels settled on the site of Palmyra in 1799.
Pike County was organized in 1815. The surface is generally hilly, which abound with freestone, which is exported in large quantities for building pur- poses. Rich bottom lands extend along the Scioto and its tributaries. John Noland and the three Chenoweth brothers settled on the Pee Pee prairie about 1796. Piketown, the former county seat, was laid out about 1814. Waverly, the present county seat, is situated on the Scioto River.
Preble County was formed March 1, 1808, from Montgomery and Butler. The soil is varied. Excellent water-power facilities are furnished.
Eaton, the county seat, was laid out in 1806, by William Bruce, who owned the land. An overflowing well of strong sulphur water is near the town, while directly beside it is a limestone quarry. Holderman's quarry is about two
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miles distant, from which is obtained a beautifully clouded gray stone. Fort St. Clair was built near Eaton, in the winter of 1791-92. Gen. Harrison was an En- sign at the time, and commanded a guard every other night for three weeks, during the building. The severe battle of November 6, 1792, was fought under its very guns. Little Turtle, a distinguished chief of the Miamis, roamed over this county for a time. He was witty, brave and earnest, and, although engaged in several severe contests with the whites, he was inclined toward peace. But when his warriors cried for war he led them bravely.
Putnam County was formed April 1, 1820, from old Indian territory. The soil is fertile, its principal productions being wheat, corn, potatoes and oats. Large quantities of pork are exported. Kalidå, once the county seat, was laid out in 1834. Ottawa is the county seat.
Ross County was formed August 20, 1798, by the proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, and was the sixth county formed in the Northwestern Territory. The Scioto River and Paint Creek run through it, bordered with fertile lands. Much water-power is obtained from the many streams watering it. The main crops are wheat, corn and oats. It exports cattle and hogs.
The Rev. Robert W. Finley, in 1794, addressed a letter of inquiry to Col. Nathaniel Massie, as many of his associates had designed settling in the new State. This resulted in packing their several effects and setting out. A triv- ial Indian encounter was the only interruption they met with on their way. After Wayne's treaty, Col. Massie and many of these early explorers met again and formed a settlement-in 1796-at the mouth of Paint Creek. In. August of this year, Chillicothe was laid out by Col. Massie, in a dense forest. He donated lots to the early settlers. A ferry was established over the Scioto, and the opening of Zane's trace assisted the progress of settlement.
Chillicothe, the county seat, is situated on the Scioto. Its site is thirty feet above the river. In 1800, it was the seat of the Northwestern Territorial Government. It was incorporated as a city in January, 1802. During the war of 1812, the city was a rendezvous for the United States troops. A large num- ber of British were at one time guarded here. Adena is a beautiful place, and the seat of Gov. Worthington's mansion, which was built in 1806. Near this is Fruit Hill, the residence of the late Gen. McArthur, and latterly the home of his son-in-law, the Hon. William Allen. Eleven miles from Chillicothe, on the road to Portsmouth, is the home of the hermit of the Scioto.
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