USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 17
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The east part of the south-east quarter, was owned by Vance, Neil and Cory, and was that part of the section on which the town was laid out.
The lots numbered on Main street, from north to south. The lot on which the residence of Squire Carlin now stands being numbered one, and the business room of J. S. Patter- son, corner of Main and Sandusky streets, number sixteen, the then southern boundary of the town. In these num- bers, from one to sixteen, the Public Square was not count- ed. There were seventy-six lots on the west side of Main street, the lot on the corner of Front and West streets, owned by Rev. M. Burkle, being the last numbered on that side. 1
Crossing over to the east side of Main street, the lot now occupied by the Sherman House, is numbered seventy-seven, and south on Main street to the lot on north east corner of Main and Sandusky streets, now occupied by S. D. Fray's Drug Store, numbered ninety-six. There were eighty lots on the east side of Main street, ending with number one hundred and fifty-six, owned by Mrs. W. C. Cox, and on the corner of Front and East streets. No part of the land be- tween Front street and the river was laid out into lots at that time.
Attached to the town plat we find the following certificate of Wilson Vance, surveyor :
" Ist. All streets and alleys cross at right angles due north and south."
" 2d. Main street is one hundred feet wide."
"3d. Broadway (now Monument Park,) is one hundred and fifteen and one-half feet wide."
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Streets-Public Square.
"4th. Main Cross street is eighty-two and one-half feet wide."
"5th. Crawford, Putnam, Front, Back, East and West streets are each sixty-six feet wide."
"6th. Farmers and Mechanics alleys are each thirty- three feet wide, and all other alleys are sixteen and one-half feet wide."
In the acknowledgement attached to the plat, the proprie- tors, Vance and Cory, use this language, which is now a part of the record :
" The Public grounds, streets and alleys, are to the best of our knowledge, correctly designated by the notes at- tached to said plat, and are appropriated as public ways for the benefit of said town, and to no other use whatever."
Certain lots-thirty-nine in all-were donated to the County Commissioners, in trust, to be sold, and the proceeds arising from such sale to be used in the construction of county buildings. The ground known as the Public Square was not named as one of the lots donated for county pur- poses, and by the terms of the acknowledgement above al- luded to, was appropriated for public use for the benefit of the town, and it so remains, unless a subsequent contract with the proprietors, or the town authorities, placed it in the hands of the County Commissioners. I have not been able to find such a contract on record.
The records say, however, that "on the 10th day of Octo- ber, 1829, the Commissioners of Hancock County, met for the purpose of taking into their care the proportion of the town lots of Findley, which were deeded to said Commis- ers, by Joseph Vance and Elnathan Cory, and said Charles McKinnis and John P. Hamilton, present, ordered that the aforesaid lots be offered at Public Sale, on the ninth day of
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History of Hancock County.
November next. It is further ordered, that the County Au- ditor advertise said sale."
November 9th, 1829, the Commissioners, Charles McKin- nis and John P. Hamilton, present, and proceeded to sell the above mentioned lots, and the following sales were made: Lots 2. 8,9, 13, 17, 26, 29, 32, 43, 46, 5 ], 61, 79, 86, 89, 92, 95, 98 104, 105, 108, 111, 116, 142, 146, 148 and 156 sold for prices ranging from five dollars for No. 148, to two hundred dollars for No. S (the lot on the corner of Main and Main Cross street, now owned by Frank Karst, sr.). The aggre- gate received was $1,025.40.
The first frame house in the town, was built by Squire Carlin, and stood on the same lot on which his present dwelling is located. The same building was afterwards re- moved to the upper end of Main street, between Hardin and Lincoln streets, and is known as the Frank Klaber prop- erty.
William Taylor built the second frame building, which he occupied as a dwelling, hotel and dry goods store. This building stood on the lot immediately adjoining the Davis Opera House, on the south. A few years ago it was re- moved to west end of Sandusky street, and was burned down. The building was not more than twenty-five feet square, and one and one-half stories in height. A building no larger than that at the present day would be a rather close place for a dwelling, hotel and dry goods store all at the same time. Yet it seemed to be abundantly roomy for all at that early day.
Squire Carlin also built the first brick house in the vil- lage, which took the place of the frame. This was used by Mr. Carlin as dwelling and store room. In time this too, had
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Additions.
to give way to a better structure, the present large and com- fortable residence.
The first tavern was kept by Benj. Cox, in a log house, near where the dwelling house of the late Wilson Vance now stands, just south of the bridge. The town was a straggling village of log huts, without streets or alleys which were passable, and with no business, except traffic with the Indians.
As the population increased, and buildings multiplied, more room was wanted, and additions were demanded, land holders adjoining the old town, platted and offered for sale numbers of lots.
In February, 1830, William Byal's addition of twenty lots was laid out. This addition was on south side Sandus- ky street, east of Main.
In 1837 Joseph Vance and Elnathan Cory laid out an ad- dition of forty lots.
In 1840, John C. Howard laid out eleven lots, Jonathan Parker eight lots. Cory's addition of thirteen lots was laid out, and Baldwin's addition of twelve lots, and Vance and Cory's addition of seventy-eight lots were laid out in 1848. S. & P. Carlin's addition, on south side of East Sandusky street was made in 1848, and consisted of thirty-nine lots ; and in 1852, they made another addition of twenty-eight lots.
An addition of fourteen lots was made in 1854 by Nathan Miller. A sub-division of out lots was made by J. M. Cof- finberry, and Wilson Vance made an addition of one hun- dred and thirteen lots in 1854. Hurd's addition of four lots, and the Western Addition were laid out in 1855. Byal's second addition was made in 1860, and Vance's
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History of Hancock County.
second addition of one hundred and eleven lots was made the same year. Cory's addition to Vance and Cory's addi- tion was laid out in 1863. The continuation of Vance and Cory's of forty-four lots was made in 1866. E. Barnd made an addition in 1868. Another continuation of Vance and Cory's was made in 1869. Jones and Adam's addition was laid out in 1873, and in 1875 P. Carlin made an addi- tion of seventeen lots.
These several additions were soon sold, and are now im- proved, many of them by beautiful residences or fine busi- ness houses. Pleasant streets, substantial sidewalks, beau- tiful grounds, all tell of the energy and industry of the owners. This tract of land so occupied by these additions, was at the early settlement of the place scarcely more than a swamp or swail, worth at most no more than govern- ment price, is now worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, covered as they are by the happy homes of so many of our citizens. But the old town, and these many additions, do not comprise the whole of the town of Findley.
East Findley-an addition to Findley-was laid out by James H. Wilson, in August, 1847, on the north part of the west half of the north-east quarter of section nineteen, and comprised but forty lots. In 1863 the proprietor laid out an addition of thirty-five lots, and thirteen out-lots, which he designated as the continuation of East Findley. In Oc- tober of the same year, Cory's addition to East Findley, consisting of eleven lots, was laid out, and in 1866 Cory laid out nine lots more, and in 1873 he added nineteen ad- ditional lots.
This addition, or suburb of Findley, comprises all that part of the town east of Eagle Creek. It is pleasantly located, and the principal streets running east and west,
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Stone Quarries-Manufactories.
correspond with like streets of the main town. There are a number of comfortable residences here. The streets are wide and bordered with shade trees. There are several manufacturing establishments, here, which are noticed else- where in this work. The children of this part of town at- tend school at the Central Building, only about two squares distant from the creek at west side. Eagle Creek, which divides this from the main town, is spanned by three bridges, one at Main Cross street, one at Sandusky street, and one at Lincoln street.
Along the creek are numerous stone quarries, from which a very large portion of the stone used for building and other purposes is taken. There are also several lime-kilns located along the creek.
In this part of the town are located the " Eagle Mills," " Findley Woolen Mills," "Findley Flax Mill," and Moore's Saw Mill, all of which are noticed elsewhere. East Lawn, the beautiful residence of M. B. Patterson, Esq., is also lo- cated on east end of Sandusky street. It is a most charm- ing place. The building, a two story frame, with basement, built in the latest style of architecture, surrounded by am- ple grounds, highly ornamented with shrubbery. The grounds also contain a large green-house, filled with the rarest plants and flowers, also a beautiful island, surround- ed by an ample fish pond. The whole is being surrounded by a nicely trimmed hedge.
Just across the street is the magnificent home of Capt. H. H. Albon, a fine three story structure, with basement, situated as it is on an eminence, it commands an extensive view of the town and surrounding country. The grounds are new, but when entirely completed, it will be one of the handsomest homes in the county.
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History of Hancock County.
There are a number of well arranged and comfortable private residences in this part of town The ground on which the town is located is high, slightly rolling, with a warm sandy soil. A great many of the business men of the town reside here, amongst whom are Uncle Ben. Huber, J. M. Huber, the Druggist, D. C. Fisher, of the Findley Plan- ing Mill, John Altman, Builder and Contractor. Here are also located the extensive Nurseries of Robinson and Moy- er, and M. B. Patterson, also the Foundry and Machine Shops of Yocum and Hallowell, as well as the Pottery Es- tablishment of Martin Hiersher.
Eagle Mills, the extensive flouring establishment under the management of McConnell & Kirk, are located here, and do a very large business, in the way of merchant and custom work. These mills have long been one of the indus- tries of the town, and under whatever management they have been, their work has always been satisfactory.
Immense amounts of wheat is here floured, and shipped to eastern markets, and has always been considered of the best brands.
The town also has a fire engine house here, in which is kept one of the engines of the town, under the management of an efficient volunteer company.
NORTH FINDLEY.
Wiliam Taylor, one of the first settlers of the county. and for more than forty years a resident of Findley, laid out the town of North Findley in 1854. It is on the north side of the river, and is a part of the town of Findley, and known as the First Ward. It never had a separate existence as a town. The plat of the original town of North Findley is in the south-west corner of the west half of the north-west
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North Findley.
quarter of fractional section eighteen, and consists of forty- seven lots.
Lot number one is on the north-east corner of Main and Center streets (or Tiffin road), and the plat from thence ex- tends north and east. The lots in the original town are nearly all occupied by good substantial dwelling houses, and public buildings,
In July, 1857, A. F. and D. M. Vance, of Urbana, Ohio, laid out an addition of sixty lots on the west side of Main street. This plat had some very desirable building lots, and although at that time, considered a good distance from the main town, yet lots sold readily, and were soon occupied as dwelling places. Just south of this addition was quite a body of land used at that time for farming and pasturage purposes, which was the property of William Vance, of Ur- bana. Mr. Vance, yielding to the demands for platting and selling this tract, in September, 1859, divided this ground into sixty-two lots, with the necessary streets and alleys. At the sale, lots sold readily, and at very good prices.
Judge D. J. Cory owned the land on the east side of Main street, between the river and the Tiffin Road, and as this tract separated the new town of North Findley from the old town, he, in March, 1861, laid out nineteen lots, one tier facing on Main street and one on Center street. These lots were in immediate demand, sold readily, and almost every one now boasts of a good dwelling house. Such is the beauty of the location of these lots, and the character of the improvements thereon, that Main and Center streets in North Findley, have long been acknowledged as one of the very pleasantest promenades in the town.
Edson Goit having purchased the lands adjoining on the north of A. F. and D. M. Vance's addition, laid out twenty-
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History of Hancock County.
seven lots in October, 1860, and in June, 1864, he added thirty lots more. William B. Taylor and Aaron Hall be- came the owners of a parcel of land directly west of Goit's addition, and laid out fifteen lots in 1866. In November, 1874, Judge Cory laid out sixteen lots fronting on Center street, and east of his first addition. About the same time P. and M. Taylor laid out an addition on east side Main street, north of the original plat, and Gray and Patterson laid out lots fronting on Center street, and on the north side of that street.
Thus by successive additions, each addition to satisfy purchasers, has North Findley become quite an important part of the town of Findley.
The town is regularly laid out, the streets and alleys crossing at right angles. The streets east of Main, com- mencing at the south, are Center, Cherry and Walnut. Those on the west are Fair, High, Donelson, Corwin, Fill- more and Howard. Running parallel with Main, are Cory and Center.
Lake Erie and Western Railway passes through this part of the town, North Findley is connected with the main town by two iron bridges, one across the mill race and the magnificent river bridge on Main street. The town, with one exception-that of Bacherer's Bottling Works, is occupied exclusively as residences. The Union School Dis- trict of which this is a part, have erected a fine school building, forty-four by sixty-four feet in size, two stories and a basement in heighth, surmounted by Mansard roof and tower. The building has four rooms, and is in every way comfortable and convenient.
The city authorities built an engine room near the railroad on Main street, and also a cistern. A very efficient volun-
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Population.
teer fire company have charge of the hand engine, one of L. Button's Second Class, and are prepared to do good ser- vice. E. Bacherer's Bottling Works and Carlin's flouring mill are both in this part of town, but are noticed else- where.
Whilst there are no pretentions to grandeur in achitec- tural design, or magnificence in finish, yet there are very many tasty and comfortable dwellings in this part of town.
E. Bacherer, Dr. Waltman, Mrs. J. C. Powell, W. P. Dukes, Carter Heck and James Seeds, each occupy neat and commodious brick residences, with ample grounds sur- rounding. Whilst Wmn. Edwards, John Poe, Frank Rey- nolds, E. C. Palmer, Jacob Foster, Samuel Howard and others have equally neat and tasty frames, with as beauti- ful grounds.
The streets are beautified by hundreds of shade trees, principally maple, and when in leaf, they present a cool and inviting appearance. Main street is supplied with gas lamps, and nearly all the streets have either brick or plank sidewalks.
The population of this suburb is about one thousand souls.
E. Becherer has quite extensive Bottling Works on Main street, and his bottled small beer and cider are known and appreciated all over the country. He is also the owner of two ice houses, and has for years supplied the town with ice. He is an enterprising citizen, and live business man.
Carlin's Mill, on the site of the first mill ever built in the county, is located here. It is a first class flouring mill in the quality of its work. When water power is not sufficient it is run by steam. It is kept in good repair, and has al- ways had a fair share of custom.
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History of Hancock County.
The streets of Findley, as certified in the plat, are laid out north and south, and east and west, crossing each other at right angles. The streets running north and south be- ginning on the east, are named respectively, East, Mechan- ics Alley, Main, Farmers Alley, West, Liberty and Western Avenue. Those running east and west, commencing on the north, are Findley, Washington, Front, Main Cross, Craw- ford, Sandusky, Hardin. Lincoln, Lima and Hancock. Main street is one hundred feet wide, including sidewalks on eith- er side, of twelve feet each. The walks in the business part of the street, are of Berea stone, and others are of brick. The street is nicely graded, with a sewer at either side, and is substantially McAdamized with stone. It is acknowledged to be one of the finest streets in Ohio.
Nearly all the commercial business of the town is trans- acted on this street. Its sides are lined with comfortable business rooms, the buildings being mostly two stories in heighth. The street presents a busy sight, with its immense trade in every department of commerce. There are very many very fine buildings on the street, and the inferior ones are fast disappearing, and being replaced by those of mod- ern architecture and modern conveniences.
We find on this street, the Sherman House, Davis Opera House, Commercial House, Court House, Masonic Hall, Wheeler's Hall, Odd Fellow's Building, Joy House, First Presbyterian Church, and the new Lutheran Church.
Near the First Presbyterian Church, we have the celebra - ted wells of "natural gas." The old Court House, now the residence of Ex-Mayor Carr, has been lighted by this gas for years, and produces a light of excellent quality. The supply seems to be unlimited. From a small reservoir, Mr.
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Front and Main Cross Streets.
Carr uses the gas in the mechanical part of his business- dentistry-also to light the building, and for cooking pur- poses in the summer season. There is a portion of the town through which this vein of gas passes, in which the water is almost entirely unfit for use, on account of its presence.
The first settlements made in the town, and the first build- ings erected, were on this street between Main Cross street and the river, and that part of the town for many years was the business center, but of late years business has gradually moved up street, until now very much of it is done between Sandusky and Main Cross streets.
Main street is now built up almost solidly from the north corporation line, to the south line of the town, a distance of nearly two miles.
Front street, running east and west, has no business houses. but has some very tasty residences and beautiful grounds. The sides of the street are lined with shade trees, and is a cool and inviting promenade in a warm day. Mon- ument Park extends from this street to Main Cross street, and the church buildings of the German Lutherans, and the Church of God are situated on the west end of the street, as also the passenger depot of the L. E. & W. Railway.
Main Cross street is the second principal street in the vil- lage. The Public Square, on which is situate the Court House, is on the south-west corner of this and Main street. Monument Park faces on this street, and directly west of it is the new jail. On the west side of the Public Square and about one hundred feet south of this street, is the Con- gregational Church. On this street west of Main, are the large Carriage and Wagon shops of A. W. Ray and Buck, Reymond and Seyfang, the furniture establishment of A. Deitsch & Co., the Findley Foundry and Machine Works, 19
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History of Hancock County.
the Steam Elevators on the L. E. & W. Railway, and the Cath- olic Church. There are also numerous fine residences. On the east of Main street, and on the south-east corner of the two streets, is the Commercial House, on the site of the old "Caravansary by John Reed," of ye olden time. An iron bridge spans Eagle Creek on this street, beyond which are the Findley Woolen Mill, Findley Flax Mill, and Moore's Saw mill. The German Reformed Church is also on this street.
Crawford street comes next in order. On the east of Main street, we have the large Livery Stables of W. J. Ed- wards and William Messenger, the Carriage Factory of A. R. Kridler, the Undertaking Establishment of J. R. Clark, the Furniture Establishment of D. Rummel, the Findley Oil mill, Findley Rake factory, and depot of the C. S. & C. Rail Road.
On the west of Main street, is the Carriage Works of May, Kuntz & Bryant, Fire Engine House and City Pris- on, Findley Bent Works, Lutheran Church, Findley Planing mill, and the new west end school building, and United Brethren Church.
After leaving Main street on Sandusky street, there are no business buildings or manufacturing establishments, except the Handle Factory, on the west end, and the foundry of Yocum & Hallowell, on east end. The Creek-Eagle-is also spanned by an iron bridge, just be- vond which is the East Findley Fire Engine House, and the Eagle Flouring mill. Between Main street and the creek, we have the Evangelical Church, the Central School Build- ing and the Findley Gas Works. On the west of Main street we have the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
Many of the finest residences and most beautiful grounds
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Sandusky and Hardin Sts.
in the city are on this street. The sides of the street are lined with a continuous row of maple shade trees, which give a most charming effect to the view. On the east we have the splendid residences of Dr. L. Firmin, Henry Byal, Ezra Brown, Mrs. Harsh, W. R. Carnahan, the heirs of H. P. Gage, E. P. Jones, S. D. Frey, Wm. Anderson and Mrs. Judge Palmer, whilst on the north side of the street is Isaac. Davis' fine residence, also those of Hon. W. H. Wheeler and Moses Bullock. On the west are the residences of T. Car- nahan, J. H. Wilson, Mrs. Glessner, John Ruthrauf, J. G .. Hull, L. Fitzpatrick, Hawkins, Geo. Hall, J. W. Zeller, J. F. Burket, G. W. Kimmill, Henry Brown, W. E. Snyder, Peter Hosler, H. F. Winders, A. Kimmons and Mrs. Neibling.
At the north-west corner of Main and Hardin streets, we find the marble works of M. Louthan & Co., and on the north-east corner of the same streets stands the First Pres- byterian Church. There are no business houses or manufac- turing establishments on this street. It is built up almost solidly however, with comfortable dwellings. On the east end. are the dwellings of Col. Bope, Rev. Meeks, Dr. F. W. Fir- min, S. D, Houpt, Jos. Gutzwiler and L A. Baldwin, and on the west, Dr. Ruhl, Henry Swartz, D. Cline, C. Chadwick, L. McManness, J. W. Davis, and others.
Lincoln street is one of the best paved streets in the town. On this we find the Number 9 School Building, and Park- er's flouring mill. On the south-east corner of Main and Lincoln is the new Lutheran Church. This street is occu- pied as residences. There is an iron bridge across Eagle Creek on this street.
Lima street is comparatively a new street, and occupied ex- clusively by residences. At the corner of this and Main street is the residence of Judge Whiteley, one of the finest in the city,
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History of Hancock County.
surrounded by the most beautiful grounds. South of Lima on Main street. are fine residences of Judge Huffman, A. R. Belden, H. B. Green, G. W. Myas, J. S. Patterson, M. Gray and B. F. Kimmons.
All these streets are well shaded with maple trees, and have good, substantial brick walks, and present a home- like appearance, which adds much to the beauty of the town.
A post office was established at this place in 1821, and named Finley, which name it retained until within the last few years, when by order of the Postmaster General, it was changed to Findley, that the orthography might correspond with that of the name of the town. Wilson Vance was ap- pointed Postmaster. The mail arrived once a week, the roads and streams permitting. Many of the old settlers re- member Old Sammy Gordon, as he was called, the mail car- rier from Urbana to Perrysburg, by way of Bellefontaine and Findley. This was the only mail route to Findley, and was travelled by the carrier, often-times on foot, frequently com- pelled to swim rivers, and sleep in the woods at night. Father Gordon, after a long and active life, full of privation and adventure, was reduced to such extremity in his old age, that he died in the Logan County Infirmary.
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