USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 5
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The Country Shoemaker.
CHAPTER IX.
THE COUNTRY SHOEMAKER -- THE SCHOOLMASTER-LOG ROLLING.
IN the early settlement of the county, an absence of mer- cantile and manufacturing establishments made it ex- ceedingly inconvenient, and at times almost impossible to obtain the necessary articles of clothing. A very large portion of the early settlers were preparing to engage in agricultural pursuits, and hence mechanics and artisans were in demand, and the supply was of the less skillful class. At that time the country shoemaker -- and almost every settlement contained one-was a very necessary appendage to a well regulated neighborhood. His mission and duty was to go from house to house in the neighborhood, and make up sufficient foot wear for the whole family. Each farmer or head of a family, would purchase leather enough, both sole and upper, to supply each member of his family with a pair of shoes, good heavy water proof ones, none of your cotton cloth, consumption soled articles -- shoes made for service, rather than for ornament. The shoemaker was then engaged to work up the stock. He had no shop fur- nished with counters, shelves and drawers, well stored with manufactured work, indeed it frequently happened that he had no abiding place, but like the country school-master, boarded around.
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History of Hancock County.
He went from house to house, carrying with him his kit of tools, would take his seat by the side of the huge fire-place, and then to the wonder and astonishment of the young members of the community, would measure, and cut, and shape, and make shoes enough for the whole family. When finished, he would paek up his kit and go to the next. His annual visits were looked for with interest by the little ones who, when he had come, would gather around him, watch- ing with open eyed wonder, the putting together with wax end and peg, the homely but serviceable shoe. And how they enjoyed his story telling and his songs. The coming of the shoemaker was one of the events not to be forgotten.
The pioneer, after he had prepared his clearing ready for logging-as it was called-would invite his neighbors to come and assist him in rolling the logs into heaps ready for burning, and no one who was invited would neglect to attend, unless for the best of reasons. When the log-rollers had assembled on the ground, they selected two or more of their number as Captains, and by choice made by the Cap- tains would divide themselves into parties, and apportion an equal amount of work to each party. The party who first cleared the ground, was declared winner and entitled to the first "smile " from the little brown jug, and a seat at the first table. A clearing with a score or more of men thus engaged in a friendly contest, was rather a lively place.
But on occasions of this kind, the good wife, not to be outdone by her man, would quietly put the patch-work quilt in the frames, and invite the wives and daughters of the log rollers to come in and help her. Thus, whilst the men and boys were busy in the fields, the women and girls were equally busy with needle. After supper, whilst the girls were engaged in washing the dishes, and setting the house
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Log- Rolling and Quilting.
in order, the men found recreation in feats of running, wrestling and jumping. Candles, or the dry hickory-bark torch were lit at dark, and the rural violinist, that is, the country fiddler makes his appearance, takes his seat on a table, tunes up his instrument, when "choose your partners" was in order. Away goes the music and away go the dancers, often much more energetic than graceful. "French four," "money musk," "Scotch reels," interspersed with jigs and regular break downs. None of your now fashionable waltzes, polkas, schottish, and fancy cotillion, in which the whirling and turning, and everlasting swinging, is enough to give the spectator the delirium tremens.
The pioneer boys and girls danced to the music of such good old healthy tunes as the Fisher's Horn Pipe, Devil's Dream, Arkansaw Traveller and Col. Johnston. Whilst the young people were thus engaged, the older ones occu- pied themselves in smoking and rehearsing the gallantries and exploits of their younger days, occasionally joining in the dance, just to show the young folks how they used to do, you know.
But to the still younger ones, the most interesting part of a log-rolling and quilting was the supper, for they were sure to get an extra piece of Johnny Cake, and a piece of pumpkin pie, after which they were generally willing to go to bed ; but willing or unwilling, they went, as their roon was much more desirable than their company.
Fifty years ago there were but few school buildings in the county, and they were of the rudest sort, but small and rude as they were, they were deemed sufficiently large to accommodate all who would attend school. There was not a very great demand for school marms, nor were the ex- penses of keeping up a school three months in the year,
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History of Hancock County.
very heavy. Although the school buildings were cheap, and perhaps shabby in appearance, and the accommodations for the pupils the poorest, and the qualifications of the teachers far from first-class, yet with a determination on the part of teachers, and pupils, and parents, that the time should be well improved, the community progressed in intel- ligence. As the population increased, each settlement had its log school house, not built perhaps, by taxation, but the free gift of the honest patrons, who met, cut the logs, car- ried them together, erected the building, completed it by covering with clap boards and weight poles, chink and daub the cracks, put in the rude benches, the paper windows, and employ the first man who came along, qualified to teach spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic as far as the sin- gle-rule of three, and who was willing to board around, sent their children to school and were happy.
Thus our forefathers did not forget that the peace, and safety, and prosperity, and happiness of every community depended upon the intelligence of its members. Did not forget that vice in all its forms, was sure to attend ignorance and superstition. Hence, the first building erected in a settlement, was a school house. In those days the country school master ranked next in importance to the circuit preacher, and as he went boarding around he was welcomed to the best seat by the fireside, and the choicest viands at the table, and was regarded by the patrons of the school as the embodiment of wisdom, and by the younger members of the family as the embodiment of power, for well they remembered the birch rods sticking up in the walls of the old school house, and with what expertness he could wield them.
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First Roads.
CHAPTER X.
FIRST ROADS AND BRIDGES.
A T the June session of the Commissioners, in the year 1829, " A petition being presented by sundry citizens of Hancock County, praying for a county road, commencing at the county line at John Smith's farm, running thence a north-westerly direction to John Longs, in Section one, thence to cross Blanchard Fork at or near John J. Hendricks, thence to run down the river to the mouth of the three mile run, thence the nearest and best direction to Findley, which was granted, and John Huff, John J. Hendricks and William Moreland were appointed viewers, and William Taylor, Sur- veyor." On the 16th of September the Commissioners met in special session to receive the report of the viewers of said road. Report received and the road established. This road is the one now known as the Findley and Vanlue road, which crosses the river at the farm of Richard Hall.
In August, 1830, the County Commissioners met for the purpose of apportioning the amount of the three per cent. fund on the several state roads, and the record says: "Whereupon it is agreed on by said Commissioners that the aforesaid amount of money appropriated, shall be laid out on the following roads, to-wit: The road leading from Bellefontaine to Perrysburgh, and the road leading from 6
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74 History of Hancock County.
Upper Sandusky through Findley to Defiance, which work is to be performed in cutting out said roads, thirty-two feet wide, all timber twenty inches in diameter, and clearing the ground of all timber."
A petition was presented to the Commissioners July 28th, 1831, signed by numerous parties, " Humbly representing that it would conduce much to the public convenience if a county road was established between the following points, to-wit: Beginning at the west end of Main Cross Street, in the village of Findley (at a point where West street crosses Main Cross street, at the residence of Mrs. Dr. Detwiler,) thence on the nearest and best route to Solomon Foglesong's improvement on Toway Creek, thence on the nearest and best route in direction of Toway Village, (now Ottowa, Putnam County,) to the county line." As this is now one of the leading as well as one of the best roads in the county, I will give the report of the viewers in full.
"Gentlemen: We, the undersigned viewers, met at the time and place appointed in your order of December last, and after being qualified as the law directs, proceeded to view the ground as therein set forth. Surveying and making a line as we proceeded, having always a regard to the nature of the ground, and at the same time paying particular attention to have no more angles in the survey, than what could not possibly be avoided. We found it impossible, however, to take the line to the immediate point at Foglesong's. We went as near to it, notwithstanding, as the nature of the ground would admit, which was satisfactory to the petition- ers. And we can assure you, the whole line (with the ex- ception of a part of the first mile leaving Findley, which was unavoidable,) is on as good ground for a road as we know of any where in this region of country. We also be-
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First Roads.
lieve it will, when opened, be a road of general utility, both; to the immediate neighborhood and the public in general.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS F. JOHNSTON," ISAAC BAKER."
March 5th, 1832.
After these followed the location and opening up of the Tiffin, Port Clinton, New Haven, Lima and other important roads. In fact, for the first ten years after the organization of the county, the principal part of the business of the Board of Commissioners, was to receive petitions for, and confirm reports of reviewers and surveyor of county roads. Such has been the desire of the people, and the acts of the Commissioners, that we have now public highways running by and bordering on almost every farm in the county, thus affording to all an easy and convenient means of communi- cating with his neighbors.
The records of Wood County, recite that the "Road front Fort Meigs, or the foot of the Rapids of the Miami of the Lake (Maumee), to Bellefontaine, opened December 11th, 1829." This is the road now known as the Perrysburg and Bellefontaine state road, which crosses the county from north to south, and divides it into two almost equal parts. This road was laid out on and near "Hull's Trail."
The Commissioners of the same county, on the 6th day of June, 1826, "Ordered that four hundred dollars of the road fund be appropriated for Hancock County, to be expended on the Urbana road in said county." This road was the Per- rysburg and Bellefontaine road.
The first roads in the county, were for years scarcely more than blazed paths through the woods. Very many places would have been utterly impassable had it not been for a
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History of Hancock County.
system of bridging, then extensively indulged in, known as corduroy. This was a kind of rail road in which the posi- tion of the ties and rails on an ordinary rail road were re- versed. That is, the ties were laid lengthwise and the rails crosswise. But as timber was abundant, and not much at- tention was paid to the smoothness of the road, they were not so very expensive.
The County authorities, and the citizens for many years contented themselves by bridging the smaller streams and water courses, wherever absolutely necessary, and then only with a temporary structure, barely answering the purpose of its building, without a thought of bridging the river. So impossible of completion, seemed such an undertaking, and so immense an amount of money was supposed to be neces- sary, that no one dared mention such a project.
In 1841, when it was seriously contemplated to build a bridge across the river at Findley, it was deemed of so much importance, that this order was made: "Ordered that the Auditor instruct the Assessors to take the vote of the people as to the propriety of laying a tax of eight hundred dollars for building a bridge across Blanchard River in Findley."
How the voters of the county decided the matter does not appear by the records, but the inference is, that they "sec- onded the motion," for in March, 1842, the following reso- lution was passed by the County Commissioners: " Re- solved, That the Auditor receive proposals for building two bridges across Blanchard River, one at Findley, and the other at the crossing of the Findley and New Haven State road, (known as the Marvin Bridge,) until the first day of April next, agreeable to the plans now in this office, as submitted to the Commissioners, one half the pay in Janua- ry, 1843, and the other half in one year thereafter."
11
First Bridge at Findley.
On opening the bids, at a special session, January 7th, 1843, for the completion of the extension of the bridge across the river at Findley, it was found that James Robin- son was the lowest bidder, and the contract was awarded to him.
The records do not give the names of the contractors, nor the price paid, except as we find in the proceedings of the Commissioners at a special session in March, 1843, when it was "Ordered that the Auditor of Hancock County, Ohio, inquire into the cause why the bridge across the Blanchard Fork of the Auglaize River, at Findley, is not completed agreeable to contract by S. Carlin and H. Eaton, and if no good cause is shown, institute a suit against said contractors, and employ counsel if necessary."
June 1, 1843, the Commissioners "Ordered that the Auditor of Hancock County enter a suit against the con- tractors of the bridge at Findley, by the first of July next, if the same is not by that time finished to the satisfaction of the Commissioners."
It is fair to presume that the bridge was finished to the "satisfaction of the Commissioners," as there is no record of a suit being brought. The bridge was a wooden structure, known as a trestle bridge, the superstructure being supported by wooden trestles, placed, perhaps twenty feet apart. The finish was of the plainest kind, only ordinary railing, no cover, no paint.
In 1850, the contract for a new and better bridge across the Blanchard, was let to Jesse Wheeler, William Klamroth and Edwin B. Vail, for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. It too, was a wooden structure, but of a different plan, and whilst it was more pretentious in appearance, it was also a much more substantial piece of work. It consisted of two
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History of Hancock County.
spans, being supported at the ends, by massive stone abut- ments, with a pier in the centre, of the same material. The sides were elevated-being a truss bridge-and inclosed, and the whole covered with a shingle roof. There was but a single track for wagons, with a foot path on either side. The bridge when finished and opened for travel, was regarded as a superb piece of work.
But in time, this structure wore out, and decayed, and the business and travel of the county demanded a better bridge. One that would not only answer the purpose for which it should be intended, but which would also be an honor to the county, and an ornament to the county seat.
In 1872, the old bridge was sold, torn down and taken away, and the Canton Iron Bridge Company, under contract with the County Commissioners, erected the present beautiful and substantial Iron Bridge, at a cost to the county of about thirteen thousand dollars.
Previous to the building of any of these bridges, the river was crossed by canoes, when too high to drive teams across.
In 1839, John Byal, Aquilla Gilbert and Daniel Fairchild, Commissioners, at their March session: "Ordered that there be appropriated for building a bridge across Eagle Creek, at what is now called the Upper Ford, or where the Melmore and Findley State road crosses the creek, the sum of ten dollars, provided, there is a good and sufficient bridge erected thereon before the first day of November next." This bridge was to be built where the Sandusky street bridge now is. What would our friends in East Find- ley, and in the eastern part of the county say to a ten dollar bridge at that place now. But they must remember, that when this order was passed, that the place designated for the bridge, was a considerable distance out in the country.
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Bridges.
In 1845, the sum of nine hundred and; forty dollars was expended in the county for bridges. Numerous bridges, wooden structures, were built across the river at various times, and were gradually replaced by other and better struc- tures, until now there are not less than thirteen good, sub- stantial bridges spanning the Blanchard River within the limits of the county. Besides these, there are scores of smaller iron and wooden structures spanning the numerous creeks and water courses. The value of these bridges, is quite considerable, and their conveniences to the population cannot be estimated.
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History of Hancock County.
CHAPTER XI.
COUNTY RECORDS. FIRST CENSUS. GENERAL ELECTION 1828.
T HE early records of the county are in a very imperfect condition, not having been kept with that care, and in a form which would outlive the times in which they were made. Kept for the most part in small books, poorly made, or on scraps of paper, poorly preserved, much of our early history is lost beyond hope of recovery. Much that was recorded, has by the carelessness of those who had them in charge, been mutilated to such an extent as to be almost unintelligible, and much has been entirely destroyed.
The greatness of a country depends, perhaps not so much upon the extent of territory, as upon its population, wealth and intelligence. and the progress made in these in Hancock County during the last half century is a matter of interest, and pride as well, perhaps, to my readers.
I have been unable, in my researches, to find a report of the population of this county previous to 1830, that being the year in which the first federal census was taken after the organization of the county. We might, by the usual method, estimate the population in 1828 from the vote polled in that year. As we have already seen, the first election held in the county after its separate organization, took place on the first Monday in April in that year, at
First and Last Census. SI
which election there were seventy-four votes cast. Now: counting the population at five times the number of voters,. we have three hundred and seventy as the entire population, which number is no doubt very nearly correct.
At this date there were perhaps not more than a half dozen settlements-as they were called-iu the county. One at Mt. Blanchard, one at Findley, one at McKinnis, and one perhaps in the south part of the county. Of course there were a few families residing at other points in the county, but they were regarded as a part of one or the other of these principal settlements, for all were neighbors then who lived within a day's journey of each other.
Two years later, when the census of 1830 was taken, there were eight hundred and thirteen persons in the county. Of that number four hundred and fifty-one were white males, and three hundred and fifty-one were white females, and there were three males and six females colored. Of the total number, only two hundred and fifty-two were above the age of twenty-one years. One hundred and fifty-five males, and one hundred and forty-seven females, about three-fourths of the entire population, were under the age of twenty. The population then of the county in 1830 was eight hundred and thirteen, and in 1880, just fifty years after, it was twenty-seven thousand three hundred and forty-three.
The census of 1830 does not give the number of acres of improved lands, and value of buildings in the county. We may, however, well conclude that but little had been done as yet towards subduing the wilderness, for even an hundred good stalwart pioneers could make but little headway against nature, which had been at work for centuries, and qhat farms or clearings were few and far between. As to
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History of Hancock County.
buildings, I presume there was not a frame or brick building in the county, outside of Findley.
Long before church buildings were erected, the mission- ary-ever mindful of the Master's work-came, and for the time being the rude cabin of the frontiersman, or the log school house, were the church edifices, in the advanced set- tlements. Here too, in these primitive buildings, were held the Sabbath Schools, the meetings of which were as anx- iously looked for, and as highly enjoyed as are our more modern schools. Church services were frequently held in the woods, under the cool shade of the forest trees, "God's First Temples." Such meetings were known as camp- meetings, because those attending erected tents in which to reside during the continuance of the meeting.
This style of meeting was then a necessity, as there were no buildings of sufficient capacity to hold the congregations, and not ministers enough to supply the different settlements with services, hence, they came together in large bodies, and had the advantage of the ministrations of a number of preachers.
These meetings were conducted with the utmost decorum, with services at stated hours, and rules governing the little community in such a manner that all might enjoy their com- ing together. This style of services is practiced to a great extent even in this day, though there exists no such neces- sity as at that early date. With the abundance of houses of worship, and ministers of the gospel, the holding of them meets with much disfavor by very many good Christian men and women, as they are too generally visited by the wicked to avail themselves of an opportunity of showing their inate cussedness.
The first settlers, situated as they were in the midst of an
83
First General Election.
Indian country, cut off by many miles of forest, from the outside world, naturally felt their dependence on each other It would have been the extreme of folly in them to have allowed differences and dissensions to have crept in and divided them, and guarding against that, there was a feeling of friendship between them, stronger than the fear of Indians, and which lasted longer.
There was not that constant desire to gain wealth for its own sake, that fifteen per cent. feeling, that effort to reach respectability through the medium of fine clothes, that de- sire to build themselves up by pulling others down, that jealousy of another's prosperity, that envy of another's suc- cess, which has unhappily sprung up amongst their children, and which has been so destructive of that genuine happi- ness, which they enjoyed.
At a general election held October, 14, 1828, the second held in the county, there were seventy-seven votes cast, of these Allen Trimble received forty-four, and John W. Camp- bell thirty, for Governor. A certificate signed by Joshua Hedges and William Hackney, two Justices of the Peace, and Wilson Vance, Clerk, certifies that for Congress Joseph Vance had thirty-one votes and John Alexander had forty- two votes. For State Senator Asa Sandford had twenty- nine votes and David Campbell had thirty-two votes. For Representative Samuel M. Lockwood had fifty-four votes. Samuel Lockwood had one vote. The following named persons were elected County officers: Commissioners, John Long, John P. Hamilton and Charles McKinnis, their com- qetitors being William J. Greer, Mordica Hammond and Godfrey Wolford. Sheriff, John C. Wickham, beating Squire Carlin. Thomas Slight was elected Coroner over Reuben W. Hamblin. For Treasurer Edwin S. Jones beat Joshua
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History of Hancock County.
Hedges, and for Auditor William Hackney had a majority of four over Mathew Reighly, and Don Alonzo Hamblin had a majority of twenty-eight over Edwin S. Jones for Asses- sor.
85
.An Incident.
CHAPTER XII.
AN INCIDENT. GENERAL MUSTER.
A N anecdote, which is vouched for by persons now living, is told of Wilson Vance and Philip McKinnis, two of the pioneers of the county, and who have both been dead for some years. The story illustrates, not only the honor of the early settlers, but also shows the light in which they regarded an agreement.
In consequence of the want of flouring mills in the county, flour and other bread stuffs had to be procured from distant and more favored settlements. Urbana, Perrysburg and Sandusky City were the principal points visited. On one occasion Vance and McKinnis, who were warm friends, had occasion to go to Urbana for provisions, each with his own team of oxen. Everything went along smoothly until they arrived at Mud Fort, near the south line of the county, on their return. From that point there were two roads leading to Findley, one of which roads Vance wanted to take, but McKinnis objected, and desired to travel the other. They were in a dilemma, neither wanting to yield the point, and yet both compelled to travel the same road as a protection against the savages, as well as to assist each other in case either team should get stalled in the mud.
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