USA > Ohio > History of Ohio; from the glacial period to the present time > Part 13
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The area of Jefferson county is 435 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 18,531. while in 1900 it was 44,357.
Steubenville, the county seat, is located on the Ohio river and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. It has large manufacturing interests,
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and numerous institutions of learning. Tc- ronto, on the Ohio river eight miles above Steu- benville, is the seat of a number of tile and pottery works.
KNOX COUNTY.
Knox county is located in the central part of the state, and was formerly a portion of Fair- field county ; it was formed March 1, 1808. The surface of Knox county is level or slightly un- dulating with the exception of the northeastern portion where hills are found. The flood lands of the streams are broad and fertile forming a valuable farming section.
The area of Knox county is 527 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 8,326, while in 1900 it was 27,768.
Mount Vernon, the county seat, is a manu- facturing city and railroad center; it had a pop- ulation in 1900 of 6,633. Gambier, five miles east of Mount Vernon, has long been famous as the seat of Kenyon College.
LAKE COUNTY.
Lake county was organized March 6, 1840, and was so named on account of its frontage on
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the lake. Its surface is slightly rolling and its soil is very fertile. Lake county ranks among the first of the fruit growing counties of the state, and produces large quantities of apples, pears, peaches, grapes and many kinds of small fruits.
Lake county has an area of 240 square miles, and had a population in 1840 of 13,717; in 1900 its population was 21,680.
Painesville, the county seat, had, in 1900, a_ a population of 5,024. It is a very beautiful city located on the Grand river near the center of the county. Manufacturing is carried on quite extensively.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Lawrence is the most southern county of the state and borders on the Ohio river. It was or- ganized March 1, 1816, and named in honor of Captain James Lawrence, so famous in our naval history. The surface of Lawrence county is badly broken, but some excellent farm land is found in the flood grounds of the creeks and Ohio river. This county is very rich in minerals and leads the state in the production of iron. Coal abounds in the western part of the county, and an excellent quality of fire clay is abundant. Mining and manufacturing are the leading occu-
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pations, while farming is carried on to some extent.
The area of Lawrence county is 430 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 3,499, while in 1900 it was 39,534.
Ironton, the county seat, is the center of the Hanging Rock iron region, and is located on the Ohio river 142 miles above Cincinnati, and 325 miles from Pittsburg. It is a great manufactur- ing center, and had a population in 1900 of 11,86S.
Hanging Rock, Burlington, Millersport and Proctorville are other important towns of the county.
LICKING COUNTY.
Licking county is located near the center of the state, and was so named from its principal river, the Licking, called "Pataskala" by the In- dians. This county was organized March 1, 1808, and was formerly a portion of Fairfield.
The surface of Licking county is generally level with the exception of the eastern portion, which is rolling. The soil is very fertile and the county possesses great agricultural wealth. The eastern portion of the county is rich in both coal.and iron ore of an excellent quality.
The area of Licking county is 685 square
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miles, and its population in 1820 was 11,861, while in 1900 it was 47,070.
Newark, the county seat, is 33 miles east of Columbus, and is a prosperous manufacturing city with a population in 1900 of 18,157.
Granville, that famous "New England" town, will always remain famous on account of its educational facilities.
LOGAN COUNTY.
Logan county is located in the west-central part of the state, and was established March 1, 1817, and named in honor of General Benjamin Logan. The surface, though broken in some places, is generally level or slightly rolling, and the soil is fertile. A number of small lakes are found in the western part of the county.
The area of Logan county is 448 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 3,181, while in 1900 it was 30,420.
Bellefontaine, the county seat, is quite a commercial center, and had a population in 1900 of 6,649.
West Liberty, West Mansfield, Belle Centre, Zanesfield, Huntsville, DeGraff and Quincy are all prosperous villages of Logan county.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
LORAIN COUNTY.
Lorain county is in the north-central part of the state, and borders on Lake Erie. It was established December 26, 1822, and was for- merly a portion of Huron, Cuyahoga and Medina counties. The surface of Lorain county is level and the soil is very fertile. Farming and stock raising are leading occupations, and the county leads the state in the production of high grade cheese.
The area of Lorain county is 530 square miles, and its population in 1830 was 5,696, while in 1900 it was 54,857.
Elyria, the county seat, is 24 miles west of Cleveland, and 7 miles south from the lake. The scenery in the vicinity of Elyria is very beauti- ful, and the falls near by in the Black river are among the most noted in the state. While Elyria is quite a manufacturing city, it is most noted for its residences, as many people doing business in Cleveland find it more pleasant to reside at Elyria.
Oberlin, the seat of the famous "Oberlin Col- lege," is nine miles southwest from Elyria.
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LUCAS COUNTY.
Lucas county is located in the northwestern part of the state, and borders on both Lake Erie and the state of Michigan. This county was formed in June, 1835, and was named in honor of Robert Lucas, a former governor of Ohio. The surface of Lucas county is level, and the soil sandy and very fertile. Farming and stock raising are carried on very extensively.
The area of Lucas county is 430 square miles, and its population in 1840 was 9,392, while in 1900 it was 153,559.
Toledo, the county seat, is on Lake Erie, and is one of the leading commercial and manufac- turing centers of the West; it had a population in 1900 of 131,822, and its harbor is the best on Lake Erie.
Maumee City and Perrysburg are both im- portant towns, the former once being the county seat of Lucas county.
MADISON COUNTY.
Madison county lies a little southwest from the center of the state, and was named in honor of James Madison, fourth president of the United States. This county was established in March,
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1810, and ranks high among the stock raising counties of the state. The surface of Madison county is level, a large portion of it being prairie land, and the soil is productive.
The area of Madison county is 465 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 4,799, while in 1900 it was 20,590.
London, the county seat, is 25 miles west of Columbus, and had a population in 1900 of 3,511. "The London Live Stock Sales" is an interest- ing and profitable feature of the city. All kinds of live stock, but especially cattle, are brought to this market from the surrounding counties and states. This activity in stock is occasioned by the splendid blue grass regions of the sur- rounding country.
MAHONING COUNTY.
Mahoning county is located on the eastern boundary of the state north of the center, and the name is derived from the Indian word "Ma- honink," signifying "at the lick." The county was established March 1, 1846, and was formerly a part of Trumbull and Columbiana counties. The surface of Mahoning county is undulating, the soil fertile, and farming is carried on ex- tensively. Stock raising is also a leading in- dustry, and much fine wool is grown. A large
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portion of the county is underlaid with an ex- cellent quality of coal which is being mined extensively.
The area of Mahoning county is 422 square miles, and its population in 1860 was 25,894, while in 1900 it was 70,134.
Youngstown, the county seat, is on the Ma- honing river, halfway between Pittsburg and Cleveland. The manufacturing of iron has been a leading industry for many years, and Youngs- town ranks second in importance to few cities in the state.
MARION COUNTY.
Marion county is located a little northwest from the center of the state, and was named in honor of Francis Marion, of Revolutionary fame. This county was formed March 1, 1824.
The surface of Marion county, with slight exceptions, is level, and the soil fertile. Farm- ing and stock raising is a leading industry, and much fine wool is grown.
The area of Marion county is 416 square miles, and its population in 1830 was only 6,558, while in 1900 it was 28,678.
Marion, the county seat, is about 40 miles north of Columbus, and is a prosperous com- mercial and manufacturing center surrounded 20
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by wealthy farming sections; its population in 1.900 was 11,862.
Caledonia, LaRue, Prospect, New Blooming- ton, Waldo and Green Camp, are all important villages of the county.
MEDINA COUNTY.
Medina county is located in the northern part of the state, one county south from the lake, and was organized in April, 1818; it was formerly a portion of Portage county.
The surface of Medina county is gently roll- ing, and includes much bottom land well adapted to farming, while the higher portions have a clay soil and are best suited to grazing. - Farming and stock raising are both carried on extensively.
The area of Medina county is 420 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 3,090, while in 1900 it was 21,958.
Medina, the county seat, is 28 miles south- west of Cleveland, and had a population in 1900 of 2,232.
Wadsworth, Seville, Liverpool and Lodi are other important places of the county.
Chippewa Lake, on the C. L. & W. railroad, is quite a summer resort. The lake is about two
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miles long and one mile wide and is a popular resort for both fishing and boating.
MEIGS COUNTY.
Meigs county is located in the southeastern part of the state, and borders on the Ohio river. It was formerly a portion of Gallia and Athens counties, and was organized April 1, 1819, and named in honor of Return J. Meigs, a former governor of Ohio.
The surface of Meigs county is greatly diver- sified, and the soil is clay, with the exception of the western portion which is a fertile black loam. The county is rich in coal deposits, and mining is a leading industry.
The area of Meigs county is 415 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 4,480, while in 1900 it was 28,620.
Pomeroy, the county seat, is on the Ohio river, and has extensive mining and manufac- turing interests; its population in 1900 was 4,639.
Middleport, on the Ohio river, is also an im- portant manufacturing center, while Syracuse, Minersville and Racine are thriving villages.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
MERCER COUNTY.
Mercer county is located near the center of the western boundary of the state, and was named in honor of Hugh Mercer, who fell in the battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777. The county was formerly Indian territory, and was organized April 1, 1820.
The surface of Mercer county is level and the soil very fertile. - A vast amount of corn is produced as well as all other farm products. Stock raising is also a leading industry.
The area of Mercer county is 460 square miles, and its population in 1830 was only 1,737, while in 1900 it was 28,021.
Celina, the county seat, is a prosperous com- mercial and manufacturing center, surrounded by a rich farming community, and extensive oil and gas fields.
Fort Recovery, the scene of St. Clair's defeat, is a prosperous village in the gas region. Men- don, Coldwater, Mercer and St. Henry are other important towns in Mercer county.
MIAMI COUNTY.
Miami county is located in the western part of the state, and was formerly a part of Mont-
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gomery county. The name "Miami" is from the Indian language and signifies "mother." Miami county was established January 16, 1807; the surface is slightly rolling, the soil fertile, and farming and stock raising are carried on exten- sively. An excellent quality of limestone is abundant in the county.
The area of Miami county is 396 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 8,815, while in 1900 it was 43,105.
Troy, the county seat, is a great manufactur- ing center, and the Troy wagon has long since made the little city famous throughout the cen- tral portion of the United States. The popula- tion of Troy in 1900 was 5,881.
Piqua, a thriving commercial and manufac- turing center, is located eight miles above Troy. Tippecanoe, Covington and Bradford are other important villages.
MONROE COUNTY.
Monroe county is located in the southeastern part of the state and fronts on the Ohio river; it was formerly a part of Belmont, Washington and Guernsey counties. The county was named in honor of James Monroe, fifth president of the United States, and was established January 29, 1813.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
The surface of Monroe county is rough and hilly, and the soil sterile with the exception of the river valleys where farming is carried on extensively.
The area of Monroe county is 468 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 4,645, while in 1900 it was 27,031.
Woodsfield, the county seat, is located near the center of the county, and had a population in 1900 of 1,801.
Clarington, Beallsville and Graysville are all important towns of the county.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Montgomery county is located in the south- western portion of the state, and was formerly a part of Hamilton and Ross counties. It was created May 1, 1803, and was named in honor of General Richard Montgomery, of Revolution- ary fame.
The surface of Montgomery county is mostly level, and the soil is very fertile. Farming and stock raising are predominant occupations, and the agricultural wealth of the county is im- mense. - Vast quantities of limestone are shipped to Cincinnati to be used in the con- struction of beautiful buildings.
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The area of Montgomery county is 480 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 16,- 061, while in 1900 it was 130,146.
Dayton, the county seat, is a great commer- cial and manufacturing center; it had a popu- lation in 1900 of 85,333. Dayton has become famous throughout the world on account of its noted cash register.
MORGAN COUNTY.
Morgan county is located in the southeastern part of the state, and was organized March 1, 1818, and named in honor of General Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary fame.
The surface of Morgan county is very rough with the exception of the broad valley of the Muskingum river, which flows through the county from north to south; the soil is fertile and of limestone formation. Farming and stock raising are leading occupations.
The area of Morgan county is 400 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 5,299, while in 1900 it was 17,905.
McConnelsville, the county seat, is located on the Muskingum river, 36 miles above Mari- etta, and had a population in 1900 of 1,825. - Malta, on the Muskingum river, opposite Mc- Connelsville, is a prosperous little city, and the
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seat of the Malta Plow Company and other factories.
MORROW COUNTY.
Morrow county is located near the center of the state, and was established February 24, 1848. The county was formerly a part of Richland, Knox, Marion and Delaware counties, and was named in honor of Jeremiah Morrow, a former governor of Ohio.
The surface of Morrow county is level with the exception of the northeastern part which is hilly; the soil is fertile, and farming is carried on extensively. Large quarries of excellent building stone are operated in this county.
The area of Morrow county is 432 square miles, and its population in 1850 was 20,380, while in 1900 it was only 17,897.
Mount Gilead, the county seat, is about 40 miles north of Columbus, and is a prosperous town with a population, in 1900, of 1,52S.
Cardington, five miles southwest of Mount Gilead, is a thriving factory town, while Edison and Marengo are important villages of Morrow county.
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MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
Muskingum county is located in the south- eastern part of the state, and the name "Mus- kingum" is derived from the Indian language and signifies in one tribe "an elk's eye," while in the Delaware language it signifies, "a town on the river side." This county was organized March 1, 1804, and was formerly a part of Fair- field and Washington counties.
The surface of Muskingum county is rough and hilly, but the soil is generally fertile. Farm- ing and stock raising are carried on extensively. A large part of Muskingum county is underlaid with an excellent quality of coal, and mining is also a leading occupation.
The area of Muskingum county is 651 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 17,824, while in 1900 it was 53,185.
Zanesville, the county seat, is at the junction of the Muskingum and Licking rivers; it is one of the leading commercial and manufacturing centers of the state, and had a population in 1900 of 23,538.
NOBLE COUNTY.
Noble county is located in the southeastern part of the state, and was the last of the 88
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counties formed. It was organized March 11, 1851, and was named in honor of James Noble, a noted pioneer.
The surface of Noble county is badly broken, but the soil is fertile and of a limestone forma- tion, and farming and stock raising are leading industries. In addition to other farm products, vast quantities of tobacco are grown, and the county leads the state in the production of fine apples.
Noble county has great mineral resources and coal, iron ore, building stone and petroleum are abundant.
The area of Noble county is 415 square miles, and the population in 1860 was 20,751, while in 1900 it was only 19,466.
Caldwell, the county seat, is in the noted Macksburg oil and gas field, and had a popula- tion in 1900 of 927. Petroleum was discovered near Caldwell in 1816, and was the first found in the state.
OTTAWA COUNTY.
Ottawa county is in the northern part of the state, and borders on Lake Erie. It was established March 6, 1840, and was formerly a part of Sandusky, Erie and Lucas counties. The
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name "Ottawa" is an Indian word meaning "trader."
The surface of Ottawa county is level, the soil fertile, and large quantities of fruit are grown. Farming and stock raising are both im- portant industries.
The area of Ottawa county is 311 square miles, and its population in 1840 was only 2,258, while in 1900 it was 22,213.
Port Clinton, the county seat, is 13 miles west of Sandusky, and 30 miles east of Toledo. It is a prosperous city with a population in 1900 of 2,450.
The islet of Gibraltar, containing about eight acres, is in Put-in-Bay, from which Perry sailed out six miles to meet the enemy in the war of 1812.
Put-in-Bay is on an island in Lake Erie, 12 miles north of Port Clinton, and is a famous summer resort.
PAULDING COUNTY.
Paulding county is on the western border of the state, north of the center. The county was formed April 1, 1820, from Indian territory, and named in honor of John Paulding, one of the three militia men who captured Major Andre during the Revolutionary war.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
The surface of Paulding county is level, and the soil is a dark fertile loam. Farming and stock raising are important industries.
The area of Paulding county is 414 square miles, and its population in 1840 was only 1,035, while in 1900 it was 27,528. The county was formerly covered by swamps and dense forests, but both have gradually given way to the ad- vancement of civilization.
Paulding, the county seat, is a prosperous little city with a population in 1900 of 2,080, and is surrounded by a fertile farm section.
Payne, Cecil, Charloe and Worstville are all important villages of Paulding county.
PERRY COUNTY.
Perry county is located in the southeastern part of the state, and was formerly a part of Washington, Muskingum and Fairfield counties. This county was established March 1, 1817, and was named in honor of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, so famous in the war of 1812.
The surface of Perry county is rolling, and in some parts hilly; the soil is of clay forma- tion, and in many parts fertile. The great wealth of the county is in its minerals, and coal and iron ore are both mined extensively. The
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Middle Kittanning vein of coal, with a thickness of from 5 to 13 feet, is found in Perry county.
The area of Perry county is 402 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 8,459, while in 1900 it was 31,841.
New Lexington, the county seat, had a popu- lation in 1900 of 1,701. Somerset, the former county seat, will always be noted as the boyhood home of our famous General Philip Henry Sheridan.
PICKAWAY COUNTY.
Pickaway county lies a little south from the center of the state and was formerly a part of Ross, Fairfield and Franklin counties. This county was formed January 12, 1810, and the name is a misspelling of Piqua.
The surface of Pickaway county is level, and the soil very fertile. Farming and stock raising are leading occupations, and the county ranks high in the production of corn.
The area of Pickaway county is 501 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 18,143, while in 1900 it was 27,016.
Circleville, the county seat, is 26 miles south of Columbus, and had a population in 1900 of 6,991. In the vicinity of Circleville are the famous Pickaway Plains which are said to be
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the most fertile plains in Ohio. They were no doubt cultivated by the Mound Builders and In- dians many centuries before known by the early settlers.
PIKE COUNTY.
Pike county is in the southern part of the state and was formerly a part of Highland, Ross, Scioto, Adams and Jackson counties; it was established in 1815.
The surface of Pike county is hilly and broken with the exception of the fertile valleys of the Scioto and its tributaries, which form a wealthy farming section.
The area of Pike county is 436 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 4,253, while in 1900 it was 18,172.
Waverly, the county seat, is on the west bank of the Scioto river, and is a flourishing little city with a population in 1900 of 1,854.
Piketon, the former county seat, had a popu- lation in 1900 of 1,200, and is located five miles south of Waverly on the Scioto river.
Pike county is made memorable by the fam- ous Waverly sandstone which is obtained there.
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COUNTY SKETCHES.
PORTAGE COUNTY.
Portage county is located in the northeastern part of the state and was formerly a part of Trumbull county and the Western Reserve. The county was established June 7, 1807, and named from the old Indian trail or portage in that region.
The surface of Portage county is slightly rolling, and the soil fertile. Farming and stock raising are carried on extensively; dairy products are a leading export. A portion of the county is underlaid with coal, and mining is becoming a leading industry.
The area of Portage county is 480 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 10,093, while in 1900 it was 29,246.
Ravenna, the county seat, is a thriving manu- facturing center with a population in 1900 of 4,003. This city was the former home of Jesse Grant, father of General U. S. Grant.
PREBLE COUNTY.
Preble county is located on the western boundary of the state, south of the center, and was formerly a part of Montgomery and Butler counties. This county was established March
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ILISTORY OF OHIO.
1, 1808, and named in honor of Captain Edward Preble, a distinguished naval commander in the Revolutionary war.
The surface of Preble county is undulating, and the soil fertile. Farming is carried on ex- tensively.
The area of Preble county is 432 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 10,237, while in 1900 it was 28,713. An excellent quality of lime- stone is found within the county, and the quar- ries in the vicinity of Eaton are quite extensive.
Eaton, the county seat, is 24 miles west of Dayton, and had a population in 1900 of 3,155. Artesian wells are obtained at a depth of 35 or 40 feet, and mineral springs are numerous, pro- ducing iron, bicarbonate of sodium, potassium and lithium.
PUTNAM COUNTY.
Putnam county is located in the northwestern part of the state and was formerly Indian terri- tory. The county was formed in 1834 and named in honor of General Israel Putnam.
The surface of Putnam county is level and the soil very fertile. The county ranks high among the agricultural counties of the state.
The area of Putnam county is 480 square
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miles, and its population in 1840 was 5,132, while in 1900 it was 32,525.
Ottawa, the county seat, is becoming a pros- perous commercial and manufacturing center, with a population in 1900 of 2,322.
Leipsic and Columbus Grove are each pros- perous manufacturing centers with a population in 1900 exceeding 2,000 each.
RICHLAND COUNTY.
Richland county is located in the north-cen- tral portion of the state, and was so named on account of its fertile soil. This county was es- tablished March 1, 1813.
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