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 16
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Richland was organized March 1, 1813. It produces wheat, corn, oats, hay, potatoes, rye, hemp and barley. It was settled about 1809, on branches of the Mohican. Two block-houses were built in 1812. Mansfield, the county seat, is charmingly situated, and was laid out in 1808, by Jacob Newman, James Hedges and Joseph H. Larwell. The county was at that period a vast wilder- ness, destitute of roads. From this year, the settlement progressed rapidly.
Sandusky County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian Territory. The soil is fertile, and country generally level. It mainly produces corn, wheat,
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oats, potatoes and pork. The Indians were especially delighted with this tract. Near Lower Sandusky lived a band of Wyandots, called the Neutral Nation. These two cities never failed to render refuge to any who sought their protec- tion. They preserved their peacemaking attributes through the Iroquois conflicts. Fremont, formerly called Lower Sandusky, the county seat, is situated at the head of navigation, on the Sandusky, on the site of the old reservation grant to the Indians, at the Greenville treaty council. Fort Stephenson was erected in August, 1813, and was gallantly defended by Col. Croghan.
Summit County was formed March 3, 1840, from Medina, Portage and Stark. The soil is fertile and produces excellent fruit, besides large crops of corn, wheat, hay, oats and potatoes. Cheese and butter may be added as products.
The first settlement made in the county was at Hudson, in 1800. The old Indian portage-path, extending through this county, between the Cuyahoga, and Tuscarawas Branch of the Muskingum. This was a part of the ancient boundary between the Six Nations and the Western Indians. Akron, the county seat, is situated on the portage summit. It was laid out in 1825. In 1811, Paul Williams and Amos and Minor Spicer settled in this vicinity. Middlebury was laid out in 1818, by Norton & Hart.
Stark County was formed February 13, 1808. It is a rich agricultural county. It has large quantities of mineral coal, iron ore, flocks of the finest sheep and great water power. Limestone and extensive beds of lime-marl exist. The manufacture of silk has been extensively carried on. Frederick Post, the first Moravian missionary in Ohio, settled here in 1761.
Canton is the county seat, situated in the forks of the Nimishillen, a tribu- tary of the Muskingum. It was laid out in 1806, by Bezaleel Wells, who owned the land. Massillon was laid out in March, 1826, by John Duncan.
Shelby County was formed in 1819, from Miami. The southern portion is undulating, arising in some places to hills. Through the north, it is a flat table- land. It produces wheat, corn, oats and grass. The first point of English set- tlement in Ohio was at the mouth of Laramie's Creek, in this county, as early as 1752. Fort Laramie was built in 1794, by Wayne. The first white family that settled in this county was that of James Thatcher, in 1804. Sidney, the county seat, was laid out in 1819, on the farm of Charles Starrett.
Seneca County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory. Its principal products are corn, wheat, grass, oats, potatoes and pork.
Fort Seneca was built during the war of 1812. The Senecas owned 40,000 acres of land on the Sandusky River, mostly in Seneca County. Thirty thousand acres of this land was granted to them in 1817, at the treaty held at the foot of the Maumee Rapids. The remaining 10,000 was granted the following year. These Indians ceded this tract, however, to the Govern- ment in 1831. It was asserted by an old chief, that this band was the remnant
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.of Logan's tribe. Tiffin, the county seat, was laid out by Josiah Hedges in the year 1821.
Scioto County was formed May 1, 1803. It is a good agricultural section, besides producing iron ore, coal and freestone. It is said that a French fort stood at the mouth of the old Scioto, as early as 1740. In 1785, four families settled where Portsmouth now stands. Thomas McDonald built the first cabin in the county. The "French grant" was located in this section-a tract com- prising 24,000 acres. The grant was made in March, 1795. Portsmouth, the county seat, is located upon the Ohio.
Trumbull County was formed in 1800. The original Connecticut Western Reserve was within its limits. The county is well cultivated and very wealthy. Coal is found in its northern portion. We have, in our previous outline, given a history of this section, and it is not, therefore, necessary to repeat its details. Warren, the county seat, is situated on the Mahoning River. It was laid out by Ephraim Quinby in 1801. Mr. Quinby owned the soil. His cabin was built here in 1799. In August, 1800, while Mr. McMahon was away from home, a party of drunken Indians called at the house, abused the family, struck a child a severe blow with a tomahawk and threatened to kill the family. Mrs. McMahon could not send tidings which could reach her husband before noon the following day. The following Sunday morning, fourteen men and two boys armed themselves and went to the Indian camp to settle the difficulty. Quinby advanced alone, leaving the remainder in concealment, as he was better acquainted with these people, to make inquiries and ascertain their intentions. He did not return at once, and the party set out, marched into camp, and found Quinby arguing with Capt. George, the chief. Capt. George snatched his tomahawk and declared war, rushing forward to kill McMahon. But a bullet from the frontierman's gun killed him instantly, while Storey shot "Spotted John" at the same time. The Indians then fled. They joined the council at Sandusky. Quinby garrisoned his house. Fourteen days thereafter, the Indians returned with overtures of peace, which were, that McMahon and Storey be taken to Sandusky, tried by Indian laws, and if found guilty, pun- ished by them. This could not be done. McMahon was tried by Gen. St. Clair, and the matter was settled. The first missionary on the Reserve was the Rev. Joseph Badger.
Tuscarawas County was formed February 15, 1808, from Muskingum. It is well cultivated with abundant supplies of coal and iron.
The first white settlers were Moravian missionaries, their first visits dating back to 1761. The first permanent settlement was made in 1798. Miss Mary Heckewelder, the daughter of a missionary, was born in this county April 16, 1781. Fort Laurens was built during the Revolution. It was the scene of a fearful carnage. It was established in the fall of 1778, and placed under the command of Gen. McIntosh. New Philadelphia is the county seat, situated on the Tuscarawas. It was laid out in 1804 by John Knisely. A German
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colony settled in this county in 1817, driven from their native land by religious dictation they could not espouse. They called themselves Separatists. They are a simple-minded people, strictly moral and honest.
Union County was formed from Franklin, Delaware, Logan and Madison in 1820. It produces corn, grass, wheat, oats, potatoes, butter and cheese. Extensive limestone quarries are also valuable. The Ewing brothers made the first white settlement in 1798. Col. James Curry, a member of the State Leg- islature, was the chief instigator in the progress of this section. He located within its limits and remained until his death, which occurred in 1834. Marys- ville is the county seat.
Van Wert County was formed from the old Indian territory April 1, 1820. A great deal of timber is within the limits of this county, but the soil is so tenacious that water will not sink through it, and crops are poor during wet seasons. The main product is corn. Van Wert, the county seat, was founded by James W. Riley in 1837. An Indian town had formerly occupied its site. Capt. Riley was the first white man who settled in the county, arriving in 1821. He founded Willshire in 1822.
Vinton County was organized in 1850. It is drained by Raccoon and Salt Creeks. The surface is undulating or hilly, and is extensively covered with forests in which the oak, buckeye and sugar maple are found. Corn, hay, but- ter and wool are staple products. Bituminous coal and iron ore are found. McArthur is the county seat.
Washington County was formed by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair July 27, 1788, and was the first county founded within the limits of Ohio. The surface is broken with extensive tracts of level, fertile land. It was the first county settled in the State under the auspices of the Ohio Company. A detachment of United States troops, under command of Maj. John Doughty, built Fort Harmar in 1785, and it was the first military post established in Ohio by Americans, with the exception of Fort Laurens, which was erected in 1778. It was occupied by United States troops until 1790, when they were ordered to Connecticut. A company under Capt. Haskell remained. In 1785, the Directors of the Ohio Company began practical operations, and settlement went forward rapidly. Campus Martius, a stockade fort, was completed in 1791. This formed a sturdy stronghold during the war. During the Indian war there was much suffering in the county. Many settlers were killed and captured.
Marietta is the county seat, and the oldest town in Ohio. Marietta College was chartered in 1835. Herman Blannerhassett, whose unfortunate association with Aaron Burr proved fatal to himself, was a resident of Marietta in 1796. About the year 1798, he began to beautify and improve his island.
Warren County was formed May 1, 1803, from Hamilton. The soil is very fertile, and considerable water-power is furnished by its streams. Mr. Bedell made the first settlement in 1795. Lebanon is the county seat. Henry
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Taylor settled in this vicinity in 1796. Union Village is a settlement of Shakers. They came here about 1805.
Wayne County was proclaimed by Gov. St. Clair August 15, 1796, and was the third county in the Northwest Territory. The settlement of this sec- tion has already been briefly delineated. Wooster is the county seat. It was laid out during the fall of 1808, by John Beaver, William Henry and Joseph H. Larwell, owners of the land. Its site is 337 feet above Lake Erie. The first mill was built by Joseph Stibbs, in 1809, on Apple Creek. In 1812, a block-house was erected in Wooster.
Wood County was formed from the old Indian territory in 1820. The soil is rich, and large crops are produced. The county is situated within the Mau- mee Valley. It was the arena of brilliant military exploits during early times. Bowling Green is the county seat.
Williams County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory. Bryan is the county seat. It was laid out in 1840.
Wyandot County was formed February 3, 1845, from Marion, Hardin, Han- cock and Crawford. The surface is level, and the soil exceedingly fertile. The Wyandot Indians occupied this section, especially the reservation, from time immemorial until 1843. The treaty of 1817, by Hon. Lewis Cass and Hon. Duncan McArthur, United States Commissioners, granted to the Indians a reservation twelve miles square, the central point being Fort Ferree, now within the corporate limits of Upper Sandusky. The Delaware Reserve was ceded to the United States in 1829. The Wyandots ceded theirs March 17, 1842. Col. John Johnston, the United States Commissioner, conducted the negotiations, and thus made the Indian treaty in Ohio. It was the scene of Col. Crawford's defeat and tragic death, June 11, 1782. The Wyandots were exceedingly brave, and several of their chiefs were distinguished orators and men of exalted moral principles.
Upper Sandusky is the county seat, and was laid out in 1843. Gen. Har- rison had built Fort Ferree on this spot during the war of 1812. Gov. Meigs, in 1813, encamped on this river with several thousand of the Ohio militia.
The Indian village of Crane Town was originally called Upper Sandusky. The Indians, after the death of Tarhe, or " the Crane," transferred their town to Upper Sandusky.
GOVERNORS OF OHIO.
The Territorial Governors we have already mentioned in the course of our brief review of the prominent events of the State of Ohio. After the Terri- tory was admitted as a State, in 1802, Edward Tiffin was elected to that posi- tion, and again received the same honor in 1804 and 1806 .. In 1807, circum- stances led him to resign, and Thomas Kirker, Speaker of the Senate, acted as Governor until the close of the term.
Edward Tiffin was born in Carlisle, England, coming to this country in 1784, at the age of eighteen. He entered the University of Pennsylvania, and applied himself to the study of medicine, graduating and beginning his practice at the age of twenty, in the State of Virginia. In 1789, he married Mary,
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daughter of Col. Worthington, and sister of Thomas Worthington, who subse- quently became Governor of Ohio. In his profession, Gov. Tiffin was highly esteemed, and his public labors were carried forward with a zealous earnestness which marked his career as one of usefulness. He settled in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1796, where he died, in 1829.
Samuel Huntington, the recipient of the honor of third Governor, was inaugurated in 1808. He was an American by birth, Norwich, Conn., being his native place. He was a diligent student in Yale College, graduating in 1785. He removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1801. He attained a reputation for integrity, ability and rare discretion. As a scholar, he was eminently supe- rior. He resided in Cleveland at the time of his death, in 1817.
Return Jonathan Meigs followed Gov. Huntington. He was born in Mid- dletown, Conn., in 1765. He was also a student in Yale College, graduating in 1785, with the highest honors. He immediately entered the study of law, and was admitted to practice in his twenty-third year. He married Miss Sophia Wright, and settled in Marietta, Ohio, in 1788. He took his seat as Gover- nor in 1810, and was re-elected in 1812. In 1813, President Madison appointed him to the position of Postmaster General, which occasioned his resignation as Governor. Othniel Looker, Speaker of the Senate, acted as Governor during the remainder of the term. Mr. Meigs died in 1825, leaving as a memento of his usefulness, a revered memory.
Thomas Worthington, the sixth Governor, was born in Jefferson County, Va., in 1769. He gained an education in William and Mary's College. In 1788, he located at Chillicothe, and was the first Senator from the new State. He was also the first man to erect the first saw-mill in Ohio. He served two terms as Senator, from 1803 to 1815, resigning in 1814, to take his position as Governor. In 1816, he was re-elected. He was exceedingly active in paving the way for the future prosperity of Ohio. His measures were famous for practical worth and honesty. Chief Justice Chase designated him as "a gentleman of distinguished ability and great influence." He died in 1827.
Ethan Allen Brown followed Mr. Worthington. His birthplace was on the shore of Long Island Sound, in Fairfield County, Conn., July 4, 1766. His education was derived under the most judicious instruction of a private tutor. In classics, he became proficient. Directly he had reached the required stand- ard in general education, he began the study of law, at home. After becoming conversant with preliminary requirements. he entered the law office of Alex- ander Hamilton, who at that time was a national pride, as a scholar, lawyer and statesman. Opportunities coming in his way, which promised a fortune, he abandoned the law, and achieved success and a fortune. He then decided to return to his study, and was admitted to practice in 1802. Thereafter, he was 'seized with an exploring enthusiasm, and with his cousin as a companion, set out upon a horseback tour, following the Indian trails from east to west, through Pennsylvania, until they reached Brownsville, on the Monongahela River. Here
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they purchased two flatboats, and fully stocking them with provisions and obtaining efficient crews, started for New Orleans. Reaching that city, they found they could not dispose of their cargoes to any advantage, and shipped the flour to Liverpool, England, taking passage in the same vessel. They succeeded in obtaining good prices for their stock, and set sail for America, arriving in Bal- timore nine months after first leaving " home," on this adventure. Mr. Brown's father decided to secure a large and valuable tract of Western land, as a per- manent home, and authorized his son to select and purchase the same for him. He found what he desired, near Rising Sun, Ind. After this, he settled in Cincinnati, and engaged in the practice of law, speedily achieving prominency and distinction. Financially, he was most fortunate. In 1810, he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, which position he filled with honor, until he was chosen Governor, in 1818. He was re-elected in 1820. In 1821, he received the honor of Senator, and served one term. Allen Trimble, Speaker of the Senate, acted as Governor the remainder of the term. In 1830 he was appointed Minister to Brazil. He remained there four years, and returning, was appointed Commissioner of Public Lands, by President Jackson, holding this position two years. At this time, he decided to retire from public life. Since he never married, he was much with his relatives, at Rising Sun, Ind., during the latter part of his life. His death was sudden and unexpected, occur- ring in February, 1852, while attending a Democratic Convention, at Indianap- olis, Ind. He was interred near his father, at Rising Sun.
Jeremiah Morrow, the ninth Governor of Ohio, was born at Gettysburg, Penn., in October, 1771. His people were of the " Scotch-Irish " class, and his early life was one of manual labor upon his father's farm. During the winter, he had the privilege of a private school. With a view of establishing himself and securing a competency, he bade the old home farewell, in 1795, and set out for the " Far West." A flatboat carried him to a little cluster of cabins, known by the name of Columbia, six miles from Fort Washington-Cincinnati. He devoted himself to whatever came in his way, that seemed best and most worthy -teaching school, surveying and working on farms between times. Having accumulated a small capital, he ascended the Little Miami, as far as Warren County, and there purchased an extensive farm, and erected an excellent log house. In the spring of 1799, he married Miss Mary Packtrell, of Columbia. The young couple set out upon pioneer farming. Gaining popularity as well as a desirable property, he was deputized to the Territorial Legislature, which met at Chillicothe, at which time measures were inaugurated to call a Constitutional Convention, during the following year, to organize the State of Ohio. Mr. Morrow was one of the Delegates to this convention, and steadfastly worked in the interests of those who sent him, until its close in 1802. The following year, he was elected to the Senate of Ohio, and in June of the same year, he was appointed the first Representative to the United States Congress from the new State.
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Ohio was then entitled to but one Representative in Congress, and could not add to that number for ten years thereafter. During these years, Mr. Morrow represented the State. In 1813, he was sent to the United States Senate, and in 1822, was elected Governor of Ohio, almost unanimously, being re-elected in 1824. It was during his administration that work was begun on the Ohio Canal. Mr. Morrow received the national guest, La Fayette, with an earnest and touching emotion, which affected the emotions of the generous Frenchman more profoundly than any of the elaborate receptions which paved his way through America. On the 4th of July, 1839, Gov. Morrow was appointed to lay the corner stone of the new State capitol, at Columbus, and to deliver the address on this occasion. Again, in 1840, he was in the House of Representa- tives, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. Thomas Corwin. He was elected for the following term also. He died at his own homestead, in Warren County, March 22, 1853.
Allen Trimble was a native of Augusta County, Va. The date of his birth was November 24, 1783. His ancestors were of Scotch-Irish origin, and were among the early settlers of Virginia. His father moved to Ohio in 1804, pur- chasing a tract of land in Highland County. His cabin was remarkably spa- cious, and elicited the admiration of his neighbors. He cleared six acres of land for an orchard, and brought the trees on horseback, from Kentucky. Be- fore this new home was completed, Allen, then a young man of twenty, took possession. This was in the year 1805. Four years thereafter, he occupied the position of Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Recorder of High- land County. He was serving in the latter capacity at the breaking out of the war of 1812. Naturally enthusiastic and patriotic, he engaged a competent person to perform his civil duties, while he went into active service as Colonel of a regiment he had summoned and enlisted. He was always eager to be in the front, and led his men with such valor that they were termed soldiers who did not know the art of flinching. His commanding General lavished praises upon him. In 1816, he was in the State Senate, representing Highland County. He occupied the same position for four terms, two years each. In 1818, he was Speaker of the Senate, over Gen. Robert Lucas. He remained in this office until elected to the United States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his brother, Col. William A. Trimble. When Governor Brown resigned to accept the office of United States Senator in 1822, he succeeded to the office, acting as Governor the remainder of the term. In October, 1826, he was elected Governor of Ohio, by an astonishing majority. The united vote of his three competitors was but one-sixth of the vote polled. Gov. Trimble was an earnest Henry Clay Whig. In 1828 he was re-elected. Gov. Trimble was married in 1806 to Miss Margaret McDowell. Three years thereafter she died, leaving two children. He was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Woodrow, and they lived together sixty years, when he died, at home, in Hills- boro, Highland County, Feb. 3, 1870. His wife survived him but a few months.
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Duncan McArthur, the tenth Governor of Ohio, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1772. While yet a child, his parents removed to the west- ern part of Pennsylvania, where they entered upon the hard life of pioneers. While there, young Duncan had the meager advantages of a backwoods school. His life was a general routine until his eighteenth year, when he enlisted under Gen. Harmer for the Indian campaign. His conduct and bravery won worthy laurels, and upon the death of the commander of his company, he was elected to that position, although the youngest man in the company. When his days of service had expired, he found employment at salt-making in Maysville, Ky., until he was engaged as chain-bearer in Gen. Massie's survey of the Scioto Valley. At this time, Indian atrocities alarmed the settlers occasionally, and his reputation for bravery caused him to be appointed one of the three patrols of the Kentucky side of the Ohio, to give the alarm to scattered cabins in case of danger. This was during the summer of 1793. Gen. Massie again secured his services, this time as assistant surveyor. He was thus engaged for several years, during which time he assisted in platting Chillicothe. He purchased a large tract of land just north of town, and under his vigorous and practical management, it became one of the finest estates of Ohio, which reputation it sustains at the present time. He amassed wealth rapidly, his investments always being judicious. In 1805, he was elected to the State Legislature. He was a Colonel of an Ohio regiment, and accompanied Gen. Hull to Detroit in 1813. At Hull's surrender he was a prisoner, but released on parole, returned to Ohio in a state of indignation over his commander's stupidity. Soon thereafter he was sent to Congress on the Democratic ticket. Soon there- after he was released from parole by exchange, and, greatly rejoiced, he resigned his seat, entered the army as a Brigadier General under Gen. Harri- son, and the following year succeeded him as commander of the Northwestern forces. At the termination of the war, he was immediately returned to the State Legislature. He occupied State offices until 1822, when he was again sent to Congress. Serving one term, he declined re-election. In 1830, he was elected Governor of Ohio. When his term expired, he decided to enjoy life as a citizen on his farm, "Fruit Hill," and lived there in contentment until 1840, when he died.
Robert Lucas was another Virginian, having been born in 1781, in Jeffer- son County of that State. While a boy, his father liberated his slaves, moving to Chillicothe as one of the early settlers. He procured a proficient tutor for his children. Robert became an expert in mathematics and surveying. Before he reached his majority, he was employed as surveyor, earning liberal compen- sation. At the age of twenty-three, he was appointed Surveyor of Scioto County. At twenty-five, he was Justice of the Peace for Union Township, Scioto County. He married Miss Elizabeth Brown in 1810, who died two years thereafter, leaving a young daughter. In 1816, he married Miss Sum- ner. The same year he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature. For
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