USA > Ohio > Henry County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
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CHAPTER XVI.
HISTORY OF THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF NAPOLEON - THE SEAT OF JUSTICE OF HENRY COUNTY.
W THEN the commissioners, appointed by the Legislature, to fix the seat of justice for the county of Henry, determined to, and by their act, did locate the same at the town of Napoleon, that place then had an existence, but hardly more. There were a few log houses scattered about that gave the place something of the appearance of a cross-roads settlement, with nothing to at- tract notice from the traveler except the natural beauty of its location. Of
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the possibilities of a future, such reasoning was hardly indulged in before the county seat was fixed. Still Messrs. Phillips, Leavell & Cory, the proprietors of the town, may have entertained the idea of future growth, but the idea was but crude and undeveloped.
According to their original plan the town was laid out, or intended to be laid out, some distance further down the river, and on lower ground, at a point that, in after years, attained the characteristic and dignified name of " Goose- town," but a rise of the waters of the historic Maumee flooded this district, making it imprudent to attempt a settlement, much less the building up of a town at that point ; wherefore the proprietors moved the town to the higher and more desirable lands it, with its enlargements, now occupies.
The proprietors, who were Horatio G. Phillips, Benjamin Leavell and El- nathan Cory, had a large amount of land along the river, not a solid tract lying in one body, but many sections at various places throughout the county, and even in the county west of this. They called this place " Napoleon," why, is a question not to be demonstrated or solved at this time. Nevertheless they named it so, and so it has since remained to this day, and undoubtedly will continue notwithstanding the fact that an effort was made some years ago to have it changed to represent something more American.
Napoleon became the county seat in the year 1835, and from that date its history has been made, although that history, perhaps, belongs to the township of Napoleon, from which it was separated about a score or more of years later.
Many important events occurred, each of which contributed to build up, improve and enlarge the town, and make it the neat, attractive and well-or- dered village that it now is. The first of these events was the location of the county seat ; and while this was undoubtedly the most important occurrence, and gave a good start to the town, it was followed soon after by the surveying of the Miami and Erie Canal, the letting of contracts for which, in this vicinity, was done in the year 1837.
But before this time the town had a few substantial residents ; substantial because they were thrifty, go-ahead, energetic, industrious and honest people, who worked hard for the town and its welfare; and inasmuch as the names of most of them can be recalled, it is fitting that some recollections of them be noted here. They were George Stout, "Gen." Henry Leonard, John Glass, John Mann, Alexander Craig, John Powell, Hazel Strong, James Magill, James B. Steedman, and perhaps a few others whose names cannot now be recalled. The first log house in the town was built either by Mr. Andrews or Huston. Hazel Strong worked on this house, and in speaking of the event he said that at their "feast" (for what was a raising without a feast?) they had biscuit made of wheat flour and " shortened " with " coon fat." Wheat flour in those days was considered a luxury rarely indulged in, in fact it was a commodity seldom to be had.
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
George Stout will be remembered as the tavern-keeper of the town, in whose house the first term of court was held ; and he, too, at the request of the county commissioners, built a log addition to his hostelry to be used for the purpose of a court-house. Terms of court were then great events, and their infrequency (two terms annually, and holding only two days), gave them ad- ditional importance, and were generally concluded with a genuine old-time country dance. Mine host Stout was quite a celebrity in the town, and gen- erally master of ceremonies on all great occasions. He was, withal, a good and worthy citizen. He raised a large family, but they have all gone from the town, and the name has now but few, if any, living representatives in the county.
Henry Leonard, or as he was commonly known, " General" Leonard, like his fellow-townsman, Stout, was a tavern-keeper, whose log house stood at the corner now occupied by John Higgins's store buildings, between the canal and the river. The town was then down near this "corners," and the extending toward the north was the work of after years. General Leonard was a prom- inent personage in early days; a good citizen and neighbor, and whose tavern was a resort for all the worthies of the neighborhood. He died many years. ago, leaving a family, but they are here no more.
John Glass had a more pretentious home than most of his neighbors, being a frame structure, not large, but having sufficient room for the necessities of his family. He was a man of all work, a butcher, stone-mason, chimney builder, and in fact turned his hand to any kind of employment, and did every- thing well. He was one of the first county officers, having been elected treas- urer to succeed Israel Waite. John Glass was a good, hard-working citizen, and an efficient public servant. He died many years ago leaving a family, the descendants of whom still reside in the county, and are among its highly respected people.
John Mann was another of the pioneers of the town. He was a blacksmith and gunsmith by trade, but could turn his hand to almost any kind of repair work. His shop stood on the bank of the river, east of Judge Craig's tavern. Around this shop, nearly every day, was from a half a dozen to ten Indians waiting to have their guns "fixed up." It seemed as if the gun of the average Indian was always getting out of repair, and the services of John Mann were in constant demand among them. John was popular among these natives and the whites as well, and a very useful person in the settlement. He had a good military record, having served at Fort Meigs under General Harrison, and elsewhere during the war, but his chief occupation in the army was that of gunsmith. Both he and his wife died here. They were respected residents.
Alexander Craig, or, as he was afterward titled, "Judge " Craig, came here during the year 1835. He built a tavern east of General Leonard's. The building had a frame front, with a log kitchen in the rear. It was one of the
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more pretentious houses of the town, and on this account, and the further fact that its landlord was a very genial person, it became a popular resort. The frame part of this old pioneer building is still standing. Craig was a tailor by trade, but did not follow the business in this locality. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1837, and served four years; was afterward appointed asso- ciate judge of the county, and held that office seven years. From this he received the title of "judge," by which he was known down to the time of his death, a few years ago. After his service as associate judge had ceased he was elected recorder of the county and held the office six years. When the town had increased in population Judge Craig built another public house further up the hill, toward the court-house. By honesty, industry and economy Judge Craig became possessed of a fair competency. His family was not large, but they were very highly respected people.
John Powell came to the town in the year 1835, from Huron county, this State. He was the merchant of the town, and had a store and dwelling oppo- site Judge Craig's tavern, and on the bank of the river. Mr. Powell was one . of the most enterprising men of the town, and took a prominent part in its affairs, and that of the county as well. He held the office of county auditor, and afterward associate judge ; the latter he held seven years. In after years he moved out of town and on a farm, where he died about a. year ago. He had quite a family who grew up highly respected in the community. Dr. Powell, a leading physician of Napoleon, is a son of the pioneer, John Powell.
Hazel Strong, a Vermont "Yankee," from the vicinity of Rutland, came, with his young wife, to this county about the year 1834. He located on a tract of land outside the town, about three miles east, where he cleared and improved a fine farm ; later he moved into town and built a residence. From the very first Hazel Strong occupied a position of prominence among the peo- ple of the county, and was soon called into its administrative department. He was the first auditor of the county, and afterwards was appointed clerk of the courts in place of J. M. Evans, resigned. The latter position he held nearly fifteen years. His penmanship was good, and in mathematics he was well versed. As a surveyor he was exceedingly well occupied, and there is no part of the county in which he was not, at some time, called to run lines. Every trust reposed in him was well executed, and he proved competent in every thing he undertook to accomplish. He helped build the first log-house in the town. Hazel Strong died a few years ago, leaving a wife, who is still living, although now past her eightieth year of life.
James Magill was a brother-in-law to John Powell, and came to the town at or about the same time. He built a residence and lived here, although his occupation was farming. He is remembered as a man straightforward and honest in his business transactions, and possessing the respect of the people generally. He died about twenty years ago. Edward B. Magill is a son, and
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the widow of Colonel William A. Choate a daughter, of the late pioneer, James Magill.
Every one of the older residents of the town and vicinity well remember James B. Steedman, better known in after years as General Steedman, who came here during the infant days of the county in connection with the construction of the canal, in which work he was a contractor. General Steedman knew everybody, and everybody knew Steedman. If once a person met him it would always be remembered. He was a good business man, made money and many friends, and had the faculty of retaining the latter, but the former invariably slipped away from him. He married Sarah Miranda Stiles, niece of General Leonard. The ceremony was performed in the parlor of Leonard's log tavern. While a resident of this county General Steedman was elected to the Legisla- tnre, the district comprising eight counties. This was in 1841. After he left the town the general used frequently to come back and renew his old ac- quaintance. Although now some years dead, his memory is still fresh in the minds of the people. He made an excellent war record, and an elegant mon- ument at Toledo keeps alive his memory and services as a citizen and soldier.
Frederick Lord, a " Down-easter " from the State of Maine, is another per- son entitled to recognition among the pioneer residents of the town and county. Mr. Lord was an attorney by profession, and, so being, was appointed prose- cuting attorney for the county in 1835, and afterward elected to the same posi- tion. Still later he was elected county surveyor. He was a highly educated person, and filled an important position among the people of the new county when good judgment and ability were required. After many years of resi- dence here, Mr. Lord went to Michigan, and is said to be still living, although of advanced years.
William D. Barry came from New York State and practiced medicine for a time. He then studied law and was admitted to practice at the courts. He was subsequently chosen to fill the office of prosecuting attorney of the county, succeeding, in the incumbency of that office, Frederick Lord. From here Mr. Barry went to Illinois, and is thought to be still living.
These, then, were they who laid the foundation in social, business, and pro- fessional life, for the town of Napoleon; and of and concerning them there is no word of criticism and no word of reproof. There may have been others whose names are, by error, omitted. The town was then small, and had but few needs, but such things as were required seem to have been performed and done well.
From this time, about 1837, new residents were constantly coming to the place, and its pioneer work, in a measure, became lost in the general progress of the town. From the tax duplicate for the year 1847, twelve years or there- abouts after the settlement commenced, the following names are taken show- ing land, or Jot owners, but not necessarily residents. They were as follows :
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Amos Andrews, John Amour, - Brigham, Samuel Bowers, Benjamin Coffin, John Crist, James Cain, David 1. Cory, Alexander Craig, David Cross, A. Daughinbaugh, I. N. Evans, David Edwards, Forman Evans, Daniel Eng- lish, John Glasgon, John Glass, Hezekiah Hubbell, Frederick Koom, Solomon Kender, James S. Irwin, George R. Lewis, Henry Leonard, Frederick Lord, E. Lathrop, John Mann, McHaughey and heirs, Powell & Magill, Philips & Cory, Abel Rawson, R. W. Shawn, George Stout, Hazel Strong, John Taylor, John Warnox. These were taxpayers on town lots. Following this list ap- pears others who were residents and were assessed as having chattels or tax- able professions. They were : Alexander Craig, three horses, two cows ; Will- iam Dodd, one horse; Samuel Dawson, one horse; John Glass, one cow ; James G. Haly, law practice, $200; Henry Leonard, two horses, four cows; E. Lathrop, law practice, $200 ; Jacob Mann, two cows ; James Magill, seven cattle ; John Powell, two horses, five cattle ; Andrew Peam, three cattle ; I .. L. Patrick, medical practice, $200; Lucy Patrick, one cow ; John Rafferty, two cattle; Hazel Strong, one horse, two cattle; George Stout, one cow ; William Sheffield, lawyer, $200; Jacob Shott, one cow; Benjamin P. Smith, lawyer, $200; Michael Sherman, three horses, one cow.
Original Plat of the Town .- It has been mentioned in this chapter that the proprietors of the land, or large tracts of land, Horatio G. Phillips, Ben- jamin Leavell and Elnathan Cory, laid out the same about the time the first settlements were commenced therein. This was in the year 1834, with the fol- lowing description, notes and references made on the original draft ;
" Each street is five rods wide, and each alley is one rod wide; each lot is five rods in front, and ten rods back. Twelve feet is reserved along the streets in front of each lot for sidewalks. The streets intersecting the Maumee, run north thirty degrees west, and are crossed at right angles by streets running north, sixty degrees east. In the center of Main Cross street, and on the north line of Front street, and between lots numbers 24 and 25, is placed a stone with a cross cut upon the same, the center of which cross is precisely in the center of the stone aforesaid ; and ten rods north, in the center of Main Cross street, is a second stone, with a like cross upon it.
" In the center of Front street, and directly in the east line of Monroe street, is a third stone ; and also ten rods east, in the center of Front street, is a fourth stone, both of which contain a cross, the center of which is the precise center of said Front street. (Signed) H. G. Phillips, B. Leavell, El'n Cory. Wit- nesses present, William Leonard, A. Brancher." The certificate of the sur- veyor in charge of the work was as follows: "I, Miller Arrowsmith, deputy- surveyor of the county aforesaid, hereby certify the within to be a correct plat of the town of Napoleon, as surveyed and platted by me, at the instance of the proprietors, to-wit: Horatio G. Phillips, Benjamin Leavell and Elnathan Cory. " Given under my hand officially this 10th day of October, in the year A. D. 1834. Signed, MILLER ARROWSMITH."
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
This certificate was duly acknowledged before William Leonard, justice of the peace, on the 15th of October, of the same year.
From the original draft it seems that Perry street, now the central thor- oughfare of the village, then formed the west line, there being no lots platted on the west of it, and the whole town lying on the east. The north and south streets, naming them from the west, were Perry, Monroe, Main Cross, Jeffer- son and Wayne, with intermediate alleys. The east and west streets, naming them from the river toward the north, were, Front, Main, Washington and Clin- ton, with intervening alleys. Each block contained eight town lots, and these were divided into four smaller blocks of two lots each by the intersecting alleys in the center of each main block. The plat of the town contained twelve blocks bounded by streets, each having eight lots, while on the south side of Front street, and between it and the river, was a row of twelve lots, facing north on Front street. The whole number of lots in the town was one hundred and twelve.
The first settlements made were in the vicinity of the intersection, or place of meeting, of Perry and Front streets, and it was in that locality that lived the persons of whom record is made in the early portion of this chapter.
Under this arrangement and disposition of the lots of the town, it was built upon, and continued to grow and enlarge for a period of nearly twenty years. But there was not, as yet, any act or proceeding that made Napoleon a town or village, except as a part of the township of Napoleon. The town had no independent or separate organization, and was, in its government, attached to and subject to the jurisdiction of the officers of the township. The lots were rapidly taken, some for speculation, and others for regular building purposes, in making residences and places of business, manufacture and trade; and, as there was nothing to keep it within the limits of the plat made by the proprie- tors, it of course grew and extended beyond that limit, so that at this present time, the place retains nothing of its original conformation, except as to that portion originally platted, and its former area is but a small fractional part of the village within its present boundaries.
Incorporation of the Village .- Soon after the year 1850, the residents of the town began to feel the necessity of a corporate organization separate and apart from the township, of which it had hitherto formed a part. The place had assumed proportions, and had acquired a population sufficient to war- rant such procedure. The subject was agitated and discussed, but it was not until the early part of the year 1853, that any decided action was taken look- ing to the end sought.
In the mean time a feature of the case had developed that in the proceed- ings of the incorporation of the town, it was desired by many of the petition- ers that the name should be changed from Napoleon to some other more ex- pressive of "?things American." The first step in the matter was the presen-
Showbridge
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tation of a petition to the commissioners of the county, which petition was as follows :
"To the commissioners of Henry county. The undersigned, legal voters of the town of Napoleon, respectfully ask your honorable body to incorporate the following territory, to wit: Northeast fractional quarter, containing 116.93 acres; northeast fractional south half, 82.24; east half northwest quarter, So acres; west fractional south half, 75.44; west half, northwest quarter, So; con- taining four hundred and thirty-four and sixty-one hundredths acres, and be- ing all in section thirteen, in township number five, north of range number six east, (sec. 13, T. 5, R. 6, E.). Said territory to be incorporated into a village, and to be called . Henry'; for a more particular description of which territory, and the relative position thereof, you are referred to the accompanying plat, showing that portion of section thirteen north of the Maumee River proposed to be included in said limits of incorporation. We also state that Dr. Lorenzo Patrick is fully authorized to act in behalf of the petitioners in prosecuting this petition. Napoleon, O., Feb. 28, 1853. (Signed) W. J. Jackson, L. L. Pat- rick, Wm. C. Brownell, W. H. Moe, George Stebbins, John Glass, John Pow- ell, Enoch L. Mann, J. P. Rowen, Isaac Lightcap, John McCartney, Paul P. Doud, Thomas Yarnell, A. Craig, D. M. McCann, Alph. M. Hollabaugh, Wil- liom Dodd (out of the limit), W. H. Mallory, Harrison V. Conway, James O. Caldwell, Henry N. Low, Josiah Pearce, J. W. Stewart, James Armstrong, Thomas Barrett, G. C. Eastman, Adam Howk, Israel Strole (not a resident), J. H. Tyler, Jer. Glass, A. H. Tyler, S. R. McBane, Isaac Van Horn, II. D. Tay- lor, George McCann."
This petition to the commissioners was followed by another, to wit: "We, the undersigned, citizens and taxpayers of the town of Napoleon, in said county, and vicinity, pray that your honorable body will, upon the incorporation of said town, change the name thereof, and, in the stead of 'Napoleon,' name the same 'Henry.' (Signed) Edward Sheffield, James G. Haly, William Dodd, George W. McCann, S. R. McBane, H. Mcllenry, David Hartman, G. Grim, Jeremiah Glass, A. H. Tyler, H. Allen, H. D. Taylor, William Halter, C. K. McWilliam, D. Yarnell, J. P. Rowan, James Armstrong, W. A. Tressler, G. C. Eastman, Thomas Yarnell, Jesse Frost."
This proposition, so far as related to the changing of the name of the cor- poration, met with a decided opposition, led by Augustin Pilliod, a French- man, and then a prominent resident of the town, who preferred the name of Napoleon. There appears to be no preserved record of a remonstrance being presented against the petition, but there was, nevertheless, a strong opposition which ultimately prevailed, as will appear hereafter. The question came before the commissioners for hearing and action on June 7, 1853, at which time the following order was made:
"This being the day appointed for the hearing of the petition and proposi-
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tion to incorporate said territory, Loronzo L. Patrick, agent named in the said petition to act for the petitioners, personally appeared and asked leave to amend and change said petition by striking out the name 'Napoleon,' pro- posed for said town when incorporated, and inserting the name 'Henry' in lieu thereof, which was granted by the commissioners, whereupon said appli- cation was heard upon the petition herein filed, the affidavits, etc., and the commissioners being satisfied that more than fifty qualified voters actually reside within the limits described in the petition, and that said petition has been signed by a majority of them; that said limits have been accurately described, and an accurate map and plats thereof made and filed in said petition, and that the name proposed by said petition as amended, for said incorporated village, is proper and sufficient to distinguish it from others of the like kind in the State; and it being deemed right and proper in the judgment and discretion of the commissioners that the prayer of said petition be granted. It is therefore ordered that said territory described in said plat, attached to said petition, be incorporated and organized as a village, under the name of 'Henry,' as named and described in said petition. June 7, 1853. (Signed) D. Harley, Charles Hornung, Matthew Reid, Commission- ers of Henry county, O."
Having been defeated in their endeavors to retain the name of Napoleon for the village, the friends and supporters of it were by no means wholly dis- couraged or disposed to let the fight drop. They renewed their opposition more earnestly, and, it is thought, gained some strength. The 10th day of Oc- tober, 1853, was the date fixed for the election of mayor and councilmen for the new incorporated village, and here the friends of "Napoleon" made such a demonstration that the election could not proceed.
In the mean time the Northwest, the newspaper of the town, had dropped "Napoleon" from its head-line and substituted " Henry." No records appear to exist concerning the events of the day of election and such information as can be accurately derived is taken from the editorial columns of the Northwest. It seems that the friends of Napoleon were out in force, and when an attempt was made to choose officers to conduct the election they by some means managed to defeat it. After balloting several times, but without securing a board, the meeting was adjourned for one year. This was a decisive victory for the op- ponents to the petition over those who desired to change the name of the town, and from this time all effort, both as to changing the name, the incorporation of the village and the election of village officers as well, was stopped. The next issue of the Northwest found the old name of "Napoleon" restored, and after a few days of discussion the excitement passed away and the incorpora- tion of the county seat was delayed for ten years.
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