USA > Ohio > History of Ohio; from the glacial period to the present time > Part 14
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The surface of Richland county is in general level, but some parts are slightly rolling. Farm- ing and stock raising are carried on extensively.
The area of Richland county is 487 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 9,186, while in 1900 it was 44,298.
Mansfield, the county seat, is about halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, and is a noted commercial, manufacturing and railroad center. Mansfield will always remain noted on account of its being the home of the grand old statesman, John Sherman.
Bellville, Lexington, Plymouth, Shelby and 21
322
HISTORY OF OHIO.
Shiloh are all important villages of Richland county.
ROSS COUNTY.
Ross county is located in the southern part of the state, and was formerly of large dimen- sions. The county was established by a procla- mation of Governor St. Clair August 20, 1798, and was named in honor of James Ross of Alle- gheny, Pa.
The surface of Ross county is hilly with the exception of the river valleys, which are very fertile. Vast quantities of corn are grown in the valleys of the Scioto and Paint creek.
The area of Ross county is 658 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 20,610, while in 1900 it was 40,940. Ross county is famous for the production of fine cattle which are even superior to those of the blue-grass region of Kentucky.
Chillicothe, the county seat, was the first capital of Ohio, and is a prosperous old city with a population in 1900 of 12,976. Chillicothe is an Indian name given to the leading tribe of the Shawanese.
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COUNTY SKETCHES.
SANDUSKY COUNTY.
Sandusky county is located in the northern part of the state on Lake Erie, and was formed from Indian territory April 1, 1820.
The surface of Sandusky county is level, the soil fertile and farming is carried on exten- sively. The county possesses a fine quality of limestone which is quarried extensively.
The area of Sandusky county is 418 square miles, and its population in 1830 was only 2,851, while in 1900 it was 34,311.
Fremont, the county seat, is about 95 miles north of Columbus, and 83 miles southwest of Cleveland. The city is quite a commercial and manufacturing center with a population in 1900 of 8,439. Fremont will long be remembered as the home of Rutherford B. Hayes, one of Ohio's most illustrious sons.
Clyde, Woodville, Gibsonburg, Lindsey and Townsend are other important towns in San- dusky county.
SCIOTO COUNTY.
Scioto county is located in the southern part of the state on the Ohio river, and was estab- lished May 1, 1803. The name "Scioto" is from the Indian language and its signification is unknown.
324
HISTORY OF OHIO.
The surface of Scioto county is badly broken and in some localities the hills reach a height of several hundred feet above the level of the Ohio river. The river valleys are broad and fer- tile, and produce enormous yields of corn. This county is rich in minerals, and large quantities of coal, iron ore and building stones are mined.
The area of Scioto county is 613 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 5,750, while in 1900 it was 40,981.
Portsmouth, on the Ohio river, is the county seat, and one of the great commercial and manu- facturing centers of the state. The city had a population in 1900 of 17,870.
Sciotoville and Lucasville are both important towns in Scioto county.
SENECA COUNTY.
Seneca county is located in the northern part of the state and was organized April 1, 1824. The name "Seneca" was applied to a tribe of Indians who formerly resided within its limits.
The surface of Seneca county is level, the soil is a fertile loam, and farming is carried on extensively.
The area of Seneca county is 544 square
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COUNTY SKETCHES.
miles, and its population in 1830 was 5,157, while in 1900 it was 41,163.
Tiffin, the county seat, is on the Sandusky river, and had a population in 1900 of 10,989. The city of Tiffin is a great commercial and manufacturing center, and the seat of numerous institutions of learning, among which is the Heidelberg College.
Fostoria, principally within Seneca county, is also a prosperous manufacturing and com- mercial center, and had a population in 1900 of nearly 10,000. - Green Spring, Attica and Bloomville are other important towns.
SHELBY COUNTY.
Shelby county is located in the western part of the state and was formerly a part of Miami county. This county was established in 1819, and named in honor of General Isaac Shelby, of Revolutionary fame.
The surface of Shelby county is level in the south and undulating in the north. The soil is of clay formation, and the bottom lands are very fertile. Farming and stock raising are leading occupations.
The area of Shelby county is 420 square
326
HISTORY OF OHIO.
miles, and the population in 1820 was only 2,142, while in 1900 it was 24,625.
Sidney, the county seat, is on the Miami river, and is quite a commercial and manufac- turing center with a population in 1900 of 5,688.
Anna and Lockington are both important villages of Shelby county.
STARK COUNTY.
Stark county is located in the northeastern part of the state, and was organized in January, 1809, and named in honor of General John Stark, of Revolutionary fame.
The surface of Stark county is rolling and in some places slightly hilly; the soil is of clay formation in the north and east, while the re- maining portion is a sandy loam. The county ranks high in both agricultural and mineral wealth. Coal, iron ore and limestone are exten- sively mined.
The area of Stark county is 560 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 12,406, while in 1900 it was 94,747.
Canton, the county seat, will long be remem- bered as the home of William McKinley, the nation's latest martyr. Canton is one of the
327
COUNTY SKETCHES.
greatest manufacturing centers of the state, and had a population in 1900 of 30,667.
Massillon, eight miles west of Canton, is also a commercial and manufacturing center, and had a population in 1900 of 13,500.
SUMMIT COUNTY.
Summit county is located in the northeastern part of the state and was formerly a part of Portage, Medina and Stark counties. This county was established March 3, 1840, and was named from a high point of land called "Portage Summit."
The surface of Summit county is broken, but the soil is fertile, and farming and fruit growing is carried on extensively. This county pos- sesses vast beds of bituminous coal and mining is a leading industry.
The area of Summit county is 391 square miles, and its population in 1840 was 22,469, while in 1900 it was 71,715.
Akron, the county seat, is about 30 miles south of Cleveland, and is also a noted manu- facturing center; it had a population in 1900 of 42,728.
Cuyahoga Falls is four miles north of Akron, and is quite a manufacturing center as well as a noted summer resort.
328
HISTORY OF OHIO.
TRUMBULL COUNTY.
Trumbull county is located on the eastern boundary of the state, north of the center, and was formed in 1800.
The surface of Trumbull county is generally level and the soil fertile. Farming and stock raising are leading industries. The northern part of the county is underlaid with an excel- lent quality of coal, and mining is one of the leading industries.
The area of Trumbull county is 625 square miles, and its population in 1840 was 25,700, while in 1900 it was 46,591.
Warren, the county seat, 52 miles southeast of Cleveland, is a commercial center surrounded by a fertile farming section; its population in 1900 was 8,529.
Niles, five miles southeast of Warren, is in the heart of the mining region and possesses some extensive factories.
Newton Falls, Girard and Mineral Ridge are other important towns of Trumbull county.
TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.
Tuscarawas county is located in the eastern part of the state, and was formerly a part of
.
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COUNTY SKETCHES.
Muskingum county. The name "Tuscarawas" is that of an Indian tribe and signifies in their language, "open mouth." The county was formed February 15, 1808.
The surface of Tuscarawas county is largely level while some portions are rolling and hilly. The county abounds in rich deposits of fire clay, iron ore and coal. Farming and mining are leading industries of Tuscarawas county.
The area of this county is 539 square miles, and its population in 1820 was only 8,328, while in 1900 it was 53,751.
New Philadelphia, the county seat, is fast becoming a noted commercial and manufactur- ing center; it is surrounded by a wealthy agri- cultural and mineral region and had a popula- tion in 1900 of 6,213.
Canal Dover, three miles northwest of the county seat, is also an important little city, with a population in 1900 of 5,100.
Newcomerstown, 17 miles southwest of New Philadelphia, on the Tuscarawas river, is one of the leading cities of the county; it had a popu- lation in 1900 of 2,500, and is surrounded by a fertile farming section.
Gnadenhutten, 11 miles south of the county seat, is memorable in history as the scene of the Moravian massacre. The site of the massacre is marked by a magnificent monument.
330
HISTORY OF OHIO.
Zoar, a German Communist settlement, is located in this county, but has recently been abandoned.
Dennison and Uhrichsville are both im- portant manufacturing and railroad centers with a population in 1900 of 3,500 and 6,000 respectively.
Bolivar, Shanesville and Port Washington are all thriving villages of Tuscarawas county.
UNION COUNTY.
Union county is located near the center of the state, and was formerly a portion of Dela- ware, Franklin, Madison and Logan counties, and also included some Indian territory. This county was established April 1, 1820, and has a level surface and a clay soil.
The area of Union county is 427 square miles, and its population in 1830 was only 3,192, while in 1900 it was 22,342.
Marysville, the county seat, is a beautiful little city 25 miles northwest of Columbus; it is surrounded by a fertile farming section, and the county is noted for its macadamized roads which aggregate more than 500 miles. - Springs, containing medicinal properties simi- lar to those at Saratoga, have been opened at Marysville.
331
COUNTY SKETCHES.
Milford Center, Unionville, Peoria. Arnold and Claiborne are all important villages of Union county.
VAN WERT COUNTY.
Van Wert county is located on the western boundary of the state, and was formed from In- dian territory. This county was established April 1, 1820, and named in honor of Isaac Van Wert, one of Major Andre's captors.
The surface of Van Wert county is level and the soil fertile, and farming is a leading industry.
The area of Van Wert county is 405 square miles, and its population in 1840 was only 1,577, while in 1900 it was 30,394.
Van Wert, the county seat, is a prosperous commercial and manufacturing center with a population in 1900 of 6,422; it is surrounded by a fertile farming section and is in the heart of the great gas and oil belt of Indiana and Ohio.
VINTON COUNTY.
Vinton county is located in the southeastern part of the state, and was formerly a part of Gallia, Athens, Hocking, Ross and Jackson
332
HISTORY OF OHIO.
counties. This county was formed March 23, 1850, and named in honor of Samuel Finley Vinton, a former statesman of Ohio.
The surface of Vinton county is rough and hilly with the exception of some broad fertile valleys. Stock raising is carried on extensively, and large numbers of fine horses, cattle, hogs and sheep are produced. Fruit growing is a leading industry in the highlands. This county's greatest wealth is in its minerals, and coal, fire- clay and iron are all mined extensively.
The area of Vinton county is 402 square miles, and its population in 1860 was 13,631, while in 1900 it was 15,330.
McArthur, the county seat, is in the center of the mining region, and had a population in 1900 of 941. Zaleski, Hamden and Wilkesville are all important towns of Vinton county.
WARREN COUNTY.
Warren county is located in the southwestern part of the state, and was formerly a part of Hamilton county. The county was established May 1, 1803, and named in honor of General Joseph Warren, of Revolutionary fame.
The surface of Warren county is slightly un- dulating, and the soil in most localities is ex-
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COUNTY SKETCHES.
ceptionally fertile. Farming and stock raising are carried on extensively.
The area of Warren county is 428 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 17,838, while in 1900 it was 25,584.
Lebanon, the county seat, 28 miles northeast of Cincinnati, is the seat of the "National Nor- mal University," an educational institution that has been heartily endorsed by the public. Leba- non is surrounded by a beautiful and fertile farming section, and had a population in 1900 of 2,867.
Franklin, 12 miles northwest of Lebanon, is quite a manufacturing and commercial center, and had a population in 1900 of 3,000.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Washington county is located in the south- eastern part of the state, and borders on the Ohio river. The county was established, by proclamation of Governor St. Clair, July 26, 1788, and was the first one carved out of the Northwest Territory.
The surface of Washington county is undu- lating, and in some localities quite hilly; the soil is productive, especially in the valleys of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
The area of Washington county is 635 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 10,425, while in 1900 it was 48,245.
Marietta, the county seat, and oldest city in the state, is on the Ohio river at the mouth of the Muskingum; it is a noted commercial cen- ter, and had a population in 1900 of 13,348.
Beverly, Lowell, New Matamoras, Macks- burg, Newport and Lower Newport are all im- portant towns of Washington county.
WAYNE COUNTY.
Wayne county is located in the northeastern part of the state, and was established, by procla- mation of Governor St. Clair, August 15, 1796.
The surface of Wayne county is gently roll- ing with large tracts of level land; the soil is a fertile loam mixed with clay, making it one of the greatest wheat producing counties of the state. This county is rich in both coal and building stone, and mining is a leading industry.
The area of Wayne county is 540 square miles, and its population in 1820 was 11,933, while in 1900 it was 37,870.
Wooster, the county seat, 52 miles south of Cleveland, is the seat of Wooster University,
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COUNTY SKETCHES.
and is a commercial and manufacturing center of much significance.
Orrville, Doylestown, Shreve, Sterling, Cres- ton, Fredericksburg, Burbank, West Salem and Applecreek are all important villages of Wayne county.
WILLIAMS COUNTY.
Williams county is located in the extreme northwest corner of the state, and was formed from Indian territory. The county was estab- lished in April, 1824, and named in honor of David Williams, another of Major Andre's captors.
The surface of Williams county is almost level, the soil generally fertile, and farming and stock raising are leading occupations.
The area of Williams county is 415 square miles, and its population in 1830 was only 1,039, while in 1900 it was 24,953.
Bryan, the county seat, is located in the southern part of the county, and is a thriving little city with a population in 1900 of 3,131.
West Unity, Pioneer, Stryker, Edgerton, Montpelier, Edon and Alvordton are all pros- perous towns in Williams county.
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
WOOD COUNTY.
Wood county is located in the northwestern part of the state, and was formed from Indian territory. The county was established April 1, 1820, and named in honor of Colonel Wood, a distinguished officer in the war of 1812.
The surface of Wood county is level, and the soil is a black fertile loam. Farming and stock raising are the leading industries. This county is in the great oil and gas field of northwestern Ohio.
The area of Wood county is 623 square miles, and the population in 1830 was only 1,096, while in 1900 it was 51,555.
Bowling Green, the county seat, 21 miles south of Toledo, is in the center of the oil and gas field and is rapidly becoming a manufactur- ing center ; it had a population in 1900 of 5,067.
North Baltimore, Grand Rapids, Tontogany, Pemberville, Weston and Haskins are all pros- perous villages in Wood county.
WYANDOT COUNTY.
Wyandot county is located a little northwest from the center of the state, and was formed from Crawford, Marion, Hardin and Hancock
COUNTY SKETCHES. 337
counties. This county was established Febru- ary 3, 1845, and named in honor of the Wyandot Indians who formerly resided there.
The surface of Wyandot county is level, and the soil very fertile. Farming and stock rais- ing are carried on extensively.
The area of Wyandot county is 404 square miles, and its population in 1860 was 15,956, while in 1900 it was 21,125.
Upper Sandusky, the county seat, 60 miles northwest of Columbus, is a prosperous commer- cial and manufacturing center, with a popula- tion in 1900 of 3,355.
Carey, Nevada, Sycamore, Marseilles, Kirby, Wharton and Douglass are all important vil- lages of Wyandot county.
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Chapter XXI
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANIES
O HIO lies between 38° 27' and 41° 57' north latitude, and between 80º 34' and 84° 49' west longitude.
The area of Ohio is 41,060 square miles.
The first constitutional convention met at Chillicothe, November 1, 1802, and on Novem- ber 29, adopted a constitution.
The first state officials were elected Janu- ary 11, 1803.
Several cities have been the seat of govern- ment: Chillicothe until 1810; Zanesville, 1810- 12; Chillicothe again, 1812-16; and since 1816, Columbus.
The first white man who visited the territory now comprising the state of Ohio, was La Salle, who explored that region in 1670.
Ohio was the fourth state admitted into the Union.
The longest north and south line through the state is 210 miles, and the longest east and west line is 225 miles.
About 300 square miles of the area of Ohio is water.
341
342
HISTORY OF OHIO.
The native trees of Ohio embrace 88 known varieties.
The "Western Reserve" is a tract of land con- taining nearly 6,000 square miles, and extending 120 miles west from the Pennsylvania boundary to the line between Huron and Seneca counties. This tract was reserved and controlled by the state of Connecticut until 1800.
In the western part of the "Reserve" is a tract of land containing about 500,000 acres, known as the "Fire Lands." This tract was donated by Connecticut to her citizens who had suffered from fire occasioned by British in- vasions.
The Symmes Purchase is a tract of land con- taining about 400,000 acres, and lying between the Little Miami and Great Miami rivers, and extending north to about the center of Warren and Butler counties. This tract was purchased October 15, 1788, by John Cleves Symmes.
On January 1, 1901, Ohio had 3,362 post- offices, of which 235 were presidential (12 first- class, 64 second class, 159 third class), and 3,127 fourth class, with 1,562 money order offices and 77 money order stations.
In 1901 there were published in Ohio 168 daily newspapers, 5 tri-weekly, 40 semi-weekly, 793 weekly, 6 bi-weekly, 14 semi-monthly, 178
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COUNTY SKETCHES.
monthly, 4 bi-monthly and 10 quarterly publica- tions, making a total of 1,218.
In 1900 Ohio had 8,691 miles of railroad.
The population of the state of Ohio has been as follows :
United States Census, 1800.
45,365
1810
230,760
66
66
1820
581,295
66
66
1830
937,903
66
66
1840.
1,519,467
66
66
1850
1,980,329
66
66
66
1860.
2,339,511
66
66
1870.
2,665,260
66
66
66
1880
3,198,062
1890
3,672,316
1900
4,157,545
2711
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