USA > Ohio > History of Ohio; from the glacial period to the present time > Part 12
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The surface of Coshocton county is varied. A large portion of the county consists of fertile alluvial plains which are bordered by the most worthless sandstone hills. Coshocton county is also rich in minerals. The Coshocton coal grades second to no soft coal in the state. A superior quality of fire clay is also found within the county, and natural gas is abundant.
The area of Coshocton county is 550 square miles, and its population in 1880 was 26,642, and in 1900, 29,337. Mining, manufacturing, farming and stock raising are the leading occu- pations of the people. The county has long been noted for its numerous well-bred horses.
Coshocton, the county seat, occupies the site of the old Indian village at the once famous "Forks of the Muskingum." It is a beautiful little city with some eight or more thousand in- habitants. Miles of its streets are paved and the entire city is well lighted. It was among the first cities of the nation to install a public
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heating station capable of heating the entire city by means of circulating hot water.
While Coshocton is the seat of various fac- tories, such as paper mills, potteries, glass fac- tories, steel works and vehicle factories, the city has been made famous throughout the world by its vast production of "Advertising novelties."
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Crawford county was established April 1, 1820, from Indian territory ceded to the United States by the Indians, September 29th, 1817.
Crawford county is located in the north-cen- tral part of the state; its surface is generally level, including, in the southern part, some beau- tiful prairie lands.
The area of Crawford county is 393 square miles, and its population in 1830 was 4,788, and in 1900, 33,915. Bucyrus, the county seat, is located on the Sandusky river; it is a thriving little city with numerous factories, and had a population in 1900 of 6,560.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
Cuyahoga county was organized in the spring of 1810; it was formerly a part of Geauga
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county. The name "Cuyahoga" is derived from that river and signifies crooked. The surface is level or slightly rolling, and the soil is prin- cipally clayey loam.
Cuyahoga county produces a great variety of fine fruits, as well as all other farm products. Its area is 480 square miles, and its population in 1840 was 26,512, and in 1900, 439,120.
Cleveland, the county seat, is the largest city in the state, and had a population in 1900 of 381,768.
Berea, 12 miles southwest of Cleveland, is the seat of the Baldwin University and the Ger- man Wallace College. Berea is also made fam- ous by the sandstone, first discovered there, which is known as the Berea Grit.
DARKE COUNTY.
Darke county is located on the western bor- der of the state, slightly south of the center. It was established in 1817 and has an area of 600 square miles. Its population in 1820 was 3,717, and in 1900, 42,532.
Darke county is mainly a beautiful prairie with a black fertile soil almost inexhaustible. A portion of the county was formerly covered by a dense forest. Owing to the fertility of the
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soil, farming is the leading industry and vast quantities of corn, oats and wheat are produced annually.
Greenville, the county seat, is a grand old historic place of some six or eight thousand peo- ple. It occupies the site of Fort Greenville which was constructed by Wayne in December, 1793. It has often been the scene of great In- dian councils of various tribes, and of numerous treaties between the Indians and whites.
DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Defiance county was established March 4, 1845. It is located in the extreme northwestern portion of the state, and was formed from the surrounding counties. Defiance county is lo- cated within the Black Swamp, and is drained by three rivers, the Auglaize, the Tiffin and the Maumee. This county was formerly a vast swamp covered with a dense forest, but both forest and swamp are fast giving way, and it is rapidly becoming one of the foremost agricul- tural counties of the state.
The area of Defiance county is 414 square miles, and its population in 1840 was 2,818, and in 1900, 26,387. The county was named in honor
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of the historic Fort Defiance which was built at the junction of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers.
Defiance, the county seat, is built on the site of the old .fort and had in 1900 a population of 7,579.
Defiance was the home of the Wyandot and Shawnee Indians. There was born the famous chief Pontiac, and there were held many coun- cils of great moment. As early as the summer of 1794, when General Wayne invaded that re- gion, he found vegetables of every kind in abund- ance and more than a thousand acres of corn under cultivation.
The Defiance of to-day is a thriving modern city with varied manufacturing interests, and is surrounded by a wealthy farm region.
DELAWARE COUNTY.
Delaware county was established February 10, 1808, and was formerly the northern portion of Franklin county. The county is watered and drained by the Scioto river and its tributaries. which cross the county from north to south. The surface of Delaware county is level, and the soil is clay except in the river valleys where it is a fertile black loam.
This county has an area of 452 square miles,
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and had a population in 1840 of 22,060, and in 1900, 26,401. The county was named in honor of the famous Delaware Indians who once re- sided there and raised extensive corn crops on the surrounding country.
Delaware, the county seat, is situated 24 miles north of Columbus, and had a population in 1900 of 7,940. Aside from its varied manu- facturing interests, it is the seat of the Ohio Wesleyan University, long since made famous by its efficient work. The city is also famous for its numerous mineral springs having medicinal value; among these are the white sulphur, black sulphur, magnesia, and iron. The city will fur- ther be remembered as the birthplace of Ruther- ford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States.
ERIE COUNTY.
In 1838 the counties of Huron and Sandusky were divided and Erie county was formed. It is located in the north-central part of the state and borders on Lake Erie. The surface of Erie county is apparently level although it is a gentle slope which reaches, in the southern part of the county, an elevation of 150 feet above the lake's level. The soil is very fertile, and farming is one of the leading industries. In addition to
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ordinary farm products, vast quantities of fruit are grown. The heavy fogs and warm breezes from the lake protect the fruit against the late frosts which are so damaging farther inland. Apples, pears, grapes and small fruits are grown extensively.
The area of Erie county is 260 square miles, and its population in 1840 was 12,457, while in 1900 it was 37,650. The county was named in honor of the Erie Indians who once resided in the region of the lake.
Erie county is located in that portion of the Western Reserve known as "the fire lands." This land was given by the state of Connecticut to the sufferers from fire occasioned by the British invasion of that state. Inexhaustible supplies of valuable limestone are found in the northern part of the county, and are used in the construction of magnificent buildings. This limestone is exported to all parts of the country where elegant buildings are being erected.
Sandusky, the county seat, is a great com- mercial center and manufacturing city with a population in 1900 of 19,664.
Milan, a prosperous little town 12 miles from Sandusky, will ever remain noted as the birth- place of the famous electrician Thomas Alvin Edison.
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FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
Fairfield county is located a little southeast from the center of the state, and is so named on account of its beautiful landscape. It is among the older counties of the state, being established December 9, 1800, by proclamation of Governor St. Clair. The surface is badly broken in the southern portion of the county where the soil is sterile, while the northern portion is level and fertile.
Sandstone quarries of vast proportions are operated in the county and the stone is sent to all parts of the county for building purposes.
The area of Fairfield county is 474 square miles, and the population in 1820 was 16,508, while in 1900 it was 34,259.
When this county was first explored by the white settlers it was occupied by the Wyandot Indians, who had a large town, called Tarhe, near the present city of Lancaster.
Lancaster, the county seat, was laid out in 1800, by Ebenezer Zane, the maker of the famous "Zane's Trace," which passed through that re- gion. The town was first called New Lancaster, in honor of the early settlers who came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Lancaster is a modern city with numerous manufacturing in- dustries, and a population in 1900 of 8,991. It
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was among the first cities of the state to develop natural gas which is found in that locality in vast quantities.
The city of Lancaster will always remain famous as the early home of two illustrious fami- lies, the Ewings and Shermans. Their fame is already national and needs no further mention here.
FAYETTE COUNTY.
Fayette county was established in the spring of 1810, and was formerly a part of Ross and Highland counties. It is located a little south- west from the center of the state, and has a level surface and a fertile loamy soil with a subsoil of clay.
Since Fayette county has been ditched and drained it has become a most fertile and produc- tive farm region. The raising of fine stock has become a leading industry, and the fine horses and cattle of Fayette county have become noted throughout the state.
The area of Fayette county is 398 square miles, and its population in 1860 was 15,935, while in 1900 it was 21,725.
Washington Court House, the county seat, is a prosperous and modern city with a population in 1900 of 5,151.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Franklin county was established April 30, 1803, and was formerly a part of Ross county. The county was named in honor of the first great American, Benjamin Franklin, who died in 1790 at the age of 84 years.
This county has a clay soil and a level sur- face and is well adapted to farming. Some of the finest farms of the state are located in the river valleys in Franklin county.
Franklin county is located near the center of the state and has an area of 524 square miles ; its population in 1820 was 10,300, while in 1900 it was 164,460.
Columbus, the county seat and state capital, had a population in 1900 of 125,560, and is a great commercial center and the seat of the Ohio State University and other great institutions of learning. The state also has located at Colum- bus various institutions for the benefit of its unfortunate subjects; among these institutions is found an asylum for the insane, an institu- tion for the education of the deaf and dumb, an institution for the education of the blind, an institution for the feeble-minded youth, and the Ohio penitentiary. All these institutions, and others, are maintained by the state at an enor- mous expense.
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FULTON COUNTY.
Fulton county is located on the northern boundary of the state west of Lake Erie. It was established February 28, 1850, and was formerly a part of Lucas, Henry and Williams counties. Its surface is generally undulating and it is well watered and drained by the tributaries of the Maumee river.
The area of Fulton county is 402 square miles, and its population in 1850 was 7,780, while in 1900 it was 22,801.
Wauseon, the county seat, was named from an Indian chief, and is a thriving little city 32 miles west of Toledo; it had a population in 1900 of 2,148. Fayette, near the border of Mich- igan, is a thriving little town of about 1,000 in- habitants; it is surrounded by a fertile farm- ing section.
GALLIA COUNTY.
Gallia county was formerly a portion of Washington county, and was established April 30, 1803. It is located in the southeastern por- tion of the state on the Ohio river, and was set- tled by the French from whom it received its name, Gallia, which is an ancient name mean- ing France.
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Most of the surface of Gallia county is badly broken, and the soil is a sandy loam, with the exception of the valleys which are of an alluvial formation and very fertile.
The area of Gallia county is 441 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 7,098, while in 1900 it was 27,918.
Gallipolis, the county seat, was among the first settlements made in the state, being settled in 1791 by a colony direct from France. Galli- polis is located on the Ohio river and is a pros- perous little city with a population in 1900 of 5,432.
GEAUGA COUNTY.
Geauga county is located in the northeastern portion of the state, and was formerly a portion of Trumbull county. Its name was derived from the Indian word "Sheauga," which means "rac- coon."
The surface of Geauga county is generally rolling, and the soil is fairly fertile being com- posed mainly of clay in many localities. Farm- ing and stock raising is a leading industry.
The area of Geauga county is 400 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 7,791, while in 1900 it was 14,744.
Chardon, the county seat, is a prosperous
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little city with a population in 1900 of 1,360. The manufacturing of a high grade of cheese is a leading industry, and more than one-third of all the maple syrup made in the state is pro- duced in Geauga county.
GREENE COUNTY.
Greene county is located in the southwestern part of the state and was formed May 1, 1803; it was formerly a portion of Hamilton and Ross counties.
The surface of the western part of Greene county is rolling, while the eastern part is level. The soil is fertile and farming and stock raising are carried on extensively. The stone quarries of Greene county are among the most valuable in the state, producing as they do, a fine grade of limestone, and near Xenia, a beautiful varie- gated marble.
The area of Greene county is 416 square miles, and the population in 1820 was 10,509, while in 1900 it was 31,613.
Xenia, the county seat, is a prosperous manu- facturing city with a population in 1900 of 8,696. Xenia is also the seat of the "Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home." Xenia will fur- ther be remembered as the home of four distin-
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guished literary gentlemen, - William D. Gal- lagher, Coates Kinney, William D. Howells, and Whitelaw Reid.
GUERNSEY COUNTY.
Guernsey county is among the older ones of the state and was organized in March, 1810. It was named in honor of the Guernsey Isles by a number of distinguished emigrants who had come from that far-off land in search of wealth and freedom. The area is 517 square miles, of which two-thirds is highlands and the remain- ing third fertile creek bottoms. The population of Guernsey county in 1820 was 9,292, and in 1900 it was 34,425. Farming and stock raising are the leading industries and much fine wool is grown. Beef cattle, horses and swine are raised in vast numbers. The coal mines of Guernsey county are among the most important of the state, and the Cambridge coal is known throughout the land as a superior quality of soft coal. The coal fields of Guernsey county are being developed very rapidly in all localities. In the northern part of the county, in the vicinity of Bird's Run, two new mines have recently been put into operation and before the close of 1904 the third mine in that locality will be in ope- ration.
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Cambridge is the county seat and is located on Wills creek in the west-central part of the county. Cambridge had in 1904 a population of 11,000 inhabitants. Manufacturing is one of the leading industries of the city. A tin plate mill, two rolling mills, and a large glass factory furnish employment for a large number.
Guernsey county appears to have been settled by individuals from various regions. Virginia sent her loyal sons to join the Guernsey men at Wills creek. The Massachusetts Yankees with the Pennsylvania Dutch, located in the south- west, while Quakers from North Carolina and Pennsylvania gathered in the southeast. A por- tion of the northern part of the county is settled by the Irish while two townships in the southern part are settled by families from New Jersey, that are direct descendants of the Hessians. The descendants of General Stark, of Revolu- tionary fame, are residents of this county, and the man who holds the second oar in the paint- ing of "Perry's Victory" was "Fighting Bill Reed," also a Guernsey county man.
HAMILTON COUNTY.
Hamilton county occupies the southwestern corner of the state, and was established January 19
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2, 1790, being the second county formed from the Northwest Territory. The surface of this county is diversified; the soil of the highlands is clay while that of the valleys is an alluvial deposit. Farming is a leading occupation, and vast quantities of small fruits and vegetables are grown.
The area of Hamilton county is 400 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 31,764, while in 1900 it was 409,479.
Cincinnati, the countty seat, is the second largest city in the state, and had a population in 1900 of 325,902; it is located on the Ohio river and is one of the greatest commercial and manufacturing centers in the United States.
HANCOCK COUNTY.
Hancock county is located a little northwest from the center of the state, and was named in honor of John Hancock. It was established April 1, 1820. The surface is level and the soil remarkably fertile, making it one of the finest farming regions of the state.
The area of Hancock county is 522 square miles, and its population in 1840 was 10,099, and in 1900, 41,993.
Findlay, the county seat, is a great commer-
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cial and manufacturing center. The gas wells of Findlay are among the most famous in the world, and the gas is used for heating and light- ing as well as før manufacturing every known article requiring excessive heat.
HARDIN COUNTY.
Hardin county was organized January S, 1833, and was formerly owned by the Indians. It is located a little northwest from the center of the state, and has, in general, a level surface with marked undulations in some parts. The soil is very fertile being composed of a loam mixed with clay and limestone. It formerly supported dense forests which have recently been removed.
The area of Hardin county is 425 square miles, and its population in 1840 was only 4,583, while in 1900 it was 31,187.
Kenton, the county seat, was named in honor of Simon Kenton, a friend and benefactor of his race. It is a prosperous city with a population in 1900 of 6,852.
HARRISON COUNTY.
Harrison county is located in the east-cen- tral portion of the state, and was formerly a
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part of Tuscarawas and Jefferson counties. It was established January 1, 1814, and was named in honor of William Henry Harrison. The sur- face of Harrison county is badly broken mak- ing valuable grazing tracts where large numbers of sheep are kept.
The area of Harrison county is 405 square miles, and the population in 1820 was 14,345, while in 1900 it was 20,686.
Cadiz, the county seat, is a very wealthy little city with a population in 1900 of 1,755. - Scio, a small town situated nine miles north of Cadiz, is the seat of the famous Scio College which has done so much for the Ohio youths. The oil fields in the vicinity of Scio have recently been devel- oped, and a number of producing wells are in operation.
But Harrison county, and the hamlet of New Rumley, will always remain noted as the birth- place of her illustrious son, General George A. Custer, whose life went out in his last great fight with the Indians on the Little Big Horn river in Montana.
HENRY COUNTY.
Henry county is located in the northwestern part of the state and was formed from Indian
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lands April 1, 1820, and named in honor of the statesman and orator, Patrick Henry.
Henry county is within the famous "Black Swamp" region, and has a level surface and a fertile soil. Farming is a leading occupation, and all kinds of farm products are produced in large quantities. Its area is 420 square miles, and its population in 1840 was only 2,492, while in 1900 it was 27,282.
Napoleon, the county seat, is on the Maumee river, and had in 1900 a population of 3,639.
Girty's Point, about five miles above Napo- leon, was for a time the residence of the notori- ous renegade, Simon Girty.
HIGHLAND COUNTY.
Highland county is located in the south- western part of the state, and was established in May, 1805. It was formerly a portion of the adjoining counties, and was so named on account of the elevation of the land.
The surface of Highland county, with the exception of the river valleys, is rolling and the soil is varied. Its area is 527 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 12,308, while in 1900 it was 30,982.
Hillsboro, the county seat, is beautifully situ-
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- ated on the highlands in the center of the county. Like Rome it "Stands on its seven hills," and from its elevation of 753 feet it overlooks the beauties of the surrounding country. Hillsboro had a population in 1900 of 4,535, and is the seat of a number of institutions of learning, among which are the "Highland Institute," the "Hills- boro Conservatory of Music," and the "Hillsboro College."
HOCKING COUNTY.
Hocking county is located in the southwest- ern part of the state and was formed from Ross, Athens and Fairfield counties March 1, 1818. The surface of Hocking county is hilly and broken with the exception of the river valleys which are level and fertile.
The area of Hocking county is 408 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 2,080, while in 1900 it was 24,398.
Logan, the county seat, has developed numer- ous manufacturing industries, and had a popu- lation in 1900 of 3,480.
Hocking county abounds with beautiful scenery, and almost its entire surface is under- laid with a high grade of coal. The Hocking Valley coal mines are among the most extensive in the United States, and the excellent quality
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of the coal makes it famous throughout the nation.
HOLMES COUNTY.
Holmes county is located a little northeast from the center of the state and was organized in 1825, and named in honor of Major Holmes, a noted officer in the war of 1812.
The surface of Holmes county is badly broken. The Killbuck river passes from north to south through the county and has broad fer- tile flood grounds which form a wealthy farm- ing section. The territory comprising Holmes county was formerly included by the counties of Wayne, Coshocton and Tuscarawas.
The area of Holmes county is 436 square miles, and its population in 1830 was only 9,123, while in 1900 it was 18,511.
Millersburg, the county seat, is 84 miles south of Cleveland on the C., A. & C. railroad. It is a prosperous little city with a population in 1900 of 1,998.
HURON COUNTY.
Huron county is located in the north-central portion of the state, and was established in 1815. The county was named after the Wyandot In-
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dian tribe called "Huron," by the French. The surface is generally level but some portions are slightly rolling. The soil is a sandy loam mixed with clay, and is very fertile. Farming and stock raising are leading occupations.
The area of Huron county is 480 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 6,677, while in 1900 it was 32,330.
Norwalk, the county seat, is a beautiful little city with a population in 1900 of 7,074. It is quite a railroad center and also has numerous manufacturing interests.
JACKSON COUNTY.
Jackson county is located in the south-cen- tral portion of the state, and was established in March, 1816. The surface of Jackson county is very hilly, but as the soil is fertile, farming is carried on quite successfully by the Welsh and Pennsylvania farmers who settled there. Stock raising is an important industry and large num- bers of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep are ex- ported.
The area of Jackson county is 392 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 3,842, while in 1900 it was 34,248.
Jackson ranks among the first counties of
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the state in mineral wealth, having inexhaustible supplies of coal, iron ore, fire clay and building stone. Its coal mines are among the most ex- tensive of the state and the county exports more than a million tons of coal annually.
Jackson, the county seat, is a prosperous city with vast mining interests; its population in 1900 was 4,672. The city is also engaged in manufacturing various articles, including many made from iron. ,
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Jefferson county is located in the east-central part of the state, and borders on the Ohio river. It was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, and was established July 29, 1797, by proclama- tion of Governor St. Clair. The surface of Jef- ferson county is broken, but as it is underlaid by an excellent quality of coal, its wealth is enormous. The county ranks among the first of the state in both mining and manufacturing interests.
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