History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 13

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1744

USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 13

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FINANCES OF THE TOWN OF OTTAWA.

The last annual report of the financial conditions of the town of Ottawa gives a detailed statement of all receipts and expenditures for the year 1914. The present officers of the town are as follows: T. F. McElroy, mayor; H. C. Gerding, clerk; J. W. Paden, treasurer; Edward Klausing, marshal; W. J. Graham, A. T. Fox, George Schulien, Herman McDougle, C. J. Kerner and J. H. Westrick, councilmen ; G. D. Hamden, H. F. Rauh and G. D. Kinder, board of public affairs. Joseph Kersting is clerk of the board of public affairs.

The money derived from fees and taxes is divided into six funds, as follows: general, safety, service, health, sinking and water. The receipts and expenditures of these various funds for the year ending December 31, 1914, are as follows :

Fund.

Receipts.

Expenditures.

Balance.

General

$ 3,206.81

$ 2,644.80

$ 562.0I

Safety

5,313.47

5,001.54

311.93

Services

6,316.33

5,932.00

384.33

Health

164.60

I34.40

30.20

Sinking

29.773.02

28,855.58

917.44

Water

7,434.66

6,946.19

488.47

Totals

$43,793.68

$45,664.51

$2,694.38

HARDWARE

MAIN STREET, OTTAWA, LOOKING WEST FROM COURT HOUSE.

منكـ

WATER WORKS AND PARK AT OTTAWA.

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

The town treasury had a balance of $4,565.21 left over from the previous year, which accounts for the balance at the end of 1914. The bonded in- debtedness of the town is divided among five items, to-wit:

Water works

$50,000.00

Main street

7,500.00

Defiance street

795.00

East Main street

1 1 360.00

Armory site

3,000.00

R. R. avenue, Oak and Locust streets.

10,898.63

Total

$72,553.63

1 1

The salaries of the main town officials are nominal, the mayor drawing only two hundred dollars a year. The salaries of the other town officers are as follows : Clerk, $260; treasurer, $250; solicitor, $150; councilmen, $42 ; marshal, $480; night watch, $480.

GLANDORF.

Rev. Mr. Horstmann, a native of Prussia, left the Fatherland in August, 1833, and arrived in New York in November following. Father Horst- mann and his companion, John F. Kahle, left Detroit on November 27 in search of a suitable location on which to found his proposed colony. Border- ing on the banks of the Blanchard river they found excellent timberland and, in January, 1834, they determined on purchasing a tract of it from the government. The names of the pioneers who came in February are: A. Iburg, Christian Strop, J. Wischmann, Ferdinand Bredeick, Matthias Bock- rath and William Gulcher.

The colonists erected log cabins and these were provided with only the barest necessities of life. In laying out the village of Glandorf, the pioneers held very closely to the custom of the Province of Osnabruck, Germany, whence its founders came. There is but one street deserving the name and that extends over a mile north and south. This street is lined on either side with the quaint, durable and homelike houses of the villagers with their spacious and well-kept yards, the street being interspersed here and there with a few stores and shops. The early industries of Glandorf were shoemaking, woolen-mill, wooden-shoe manufactory and saw-mills, and it is well to note that in 1837 Father Horstmann built the first grist-mill in the village of Glandorf for the accommodation of the early settlers.

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

The early records fail to record the date of the first platting, but, on January 20, 1877, by an order of the court, it was re-surveyed and the lots were numbered. The village had no municipal form of government until. August 7, 1891, when it was incorporated as a town, with William Alte- kruse, mayor; F. W. Hoffman, clerk; Joseph Nienberg, treasurer; Fred Franke, marshal; John Smith, street commissioner; W. F. Hoffman, Henry Kemper, Henry Merseman, Dr. A. Borman, B. F. Wortkoetter and Joseph Winkleman, councilmen.

Glandorf for many years was a great boot and shoe center of the county and boasts of the only woolen-mills in the county. The flouring-mill at Glandorf bears the distinction of being the first in the state using the system of rollers known as the Allfree system, which were put in by Mr. Nartker. This little village also boasts of a large bending works, operated by F. N. Ellis, and a planing-mill, but on the night of August 2, 1901, fire was discovered in the planing-mill and before assistance could be called it had made such headway that it was impossible to extinguish. The loss was twenty-five thousand dollars and this was a very severe shock to the town. At present the Americanized German village is well represented in all the different lines of business and does an extensive trade with the surrounding farmers. The population in 1910 was five hundred and fifty-eight.

The present officers are: Mayor, P. A. Missler; clerk, J. A. Missler; treasurer, B. A. Nienberg; marshal, Ferd Gulker; councilmen, G. H. Mers- man, Moritz Harman, J. W. Halker, Fred Franke, Aug Nartker and Charles Mallifske.

BRICKNER.

New Cleveland is a small hamlet lying three miles north of Ottawa. Its postoffice is called Brickner. One store and a few houses make up the settlement.

PALMER TOWNSHIP.

Palmer township was the last one organized in the county and dates its independent existence from 1854, previous to which time it had been known as North Greensburg. It was named in honor of Judge Palmer, an eminent jurist who had served on the bench in Putnam county with uni- versal satisfaction to the people of the county. The late organization of this township was due to the lack of a sufficient population to justify its creation.

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

By the fall of 1854 the citizens resident within the proposed township satis- fied the commissioners that the creation of a new township was necessary, and the commissioners accordingly ordered an election for January 1, 1855. The thirteen voters selected the following corps of officials: John Frazee, John Kerns and John S. Welch, trustees; John Hamilton, treasurer ; David Caldwell, clerk; John Kerns, justice of the peace; David Caldwell, con- stable. This combination of Johns and Davids started the township on its independent career, and although sixty years have come and gone since they were elected, yet many men are still living in the township who can recall these excellent citizens.

Palmer township is situated in what was then known as the "Black Swamp," a descriptive term which fitly explains the reason why the town- ship was so slow in being settled. The beavers threw hundreds of trees across the sluggish North and South Powell creeks and the water, thus dammed up, spread over a goodly portion of the area of the township. Old residents can still recall how these unique dams had to be torn out before the land could be drained. Many years elapsed before the streams were cleared of the obstructions in such a way that artificial drainage could be secured to any advantage. At the present time nearly all of the town- ship has been brought under cultivation and no better land is to be found in the county than that which was until a few years ago covered with from one to two feet of water.

The present Palmer township officers are as follows: Justices of the peace, George A. Alt and John S. Schafer; trustees, Martin Gebhardt, Laurence Seimet and James Troyer ; clerk, William R. Stuber ; treasurer, C. C. Schafer; constables, John Seimet and William LaFountain.

MILLER CITY.

The same year that marked the beginning of the once famous little town of Hector saw the birth of another village in Palmer township. Miller City, although taking a slow growth at first, was destined to a longer life than her sister city. It was laid out and platted by Aaron Overbeck on August 22, 1882, and dedicated under the name of St. Nicholas, by Nicholas Noriot and Nicholas Miller, the proprietors of the two parcels of land upon which the village plat was located.

The country around this village became a veritable garden spot after it had become thoroughly drained of its swamps and was known as the South Prairie. Large and small garden and farm produce was raised in

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abundance and Miller City became the shipping point for these enormous crops, as well as much of the timber and lumber products manufactured in its vicinity. Stores were established under this impetus and the town grew with such rapidity that Mr. Miller deemed it necessary to lay out new additions, which he did in 1884 and 1887.

Upon petition to the county commissioners, the town was duly incorpo- rated on November 26, 1890, under the name of Miller City, being so named for the original proprietor, Nicholas Miller, to whose energy and business tact the growth and progress of the village was largely due. This city, situated as it is on the Nickel Plate railroad, which affords it a ready outlet to eastern markets, is certain to make advances. The Miller City Tile Company is one of the greatest industries at the present time and, with her other business establishments, the town has assurance of the country trade.

The present officers of the town are as follow: Mayor, J. M. Dobneyer ; clerk, F. E. Kern; treasurer, William Hohenbrink; marshal, Jacob Warna- mont; councilmen, C. M. Huber, Frank Gasken, John Noon, Joe Snaiger, L. P. Maxwell, Oswell Brown.

The population in 1910 was three hundred.

KIEFERVILLE.

Kieferville was laid out and platted by D. A. Kiefer, the surveying and platting being the work of ex-County Surveyor Lewis E. Holtz, in 1870. This town was laid out on the old Continental railroad grade, the Nickel Plate railroad having taken over this proposed line a few years later and used it for their main line, and the Defiance pike, which crosses the Nickel Plate at this point. The town has experienced no booms and has struggled along with its existence. A hotel, church and general stores accommodate the inhabitants of this little village. Kieferville bears the distinction of being the first town laid out in Palmer township.

NORTH CREEK.

North Creek was the second town laid out in Palmer township. It was platted in 1879, and lies on the Clover Leaf railroad. The first lots were surveyed for William Schafer, who was a man of energy, and the prosperity and growth of North Creek were due to his efforts.

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

HECTOR.

Hector was platted and laid out on December 26, 1882. This town was the home of the Hector Stave Company, which was one of the largest and leading industries of this county until the timber was exhausted. The town was platted by E. W. Dimmock, county. surveyor, and named in honor of Hector Havemeyer, one of the members of the company.

The growth of this little village was very rapid and at the height of its prosperity it was the center of the mercantile trade of that locality. The Hector store, through its standard methods and square dealings, was known throughout Putnam county. The proprietors of Hector were liberal in contributing their efforts and means toward the development of the town. The Hector Creamery and Cheese Company was organized in 1891 and the first creamery in the county was thus started. Churches, school build- ing and a Knights of Pythias lodge hall were built through the contributions of this company. The history and growth of the company will be taken up in another chapter. With the exhaustion of the timber, the prosperity of the town began to wane and at the present time this once flourishing town and commercial center is nothing more than a railroad stop.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

Perry was the first township organized in what is now Putnam county and dates from 1828. It was named in honor of Commodore Perry and at first included all of the territory now in Putnam county. It has been decreased from time to time, as new townships were organized, until it now has thirty-six square miles. It was given its present limits in 1848, when the south tier of sections was attached to Jackson township. The early history of the township is shrouded in more or less obscurity, due to the fact that the first records have been lost. The first settlers appear to have located near the junction of the Auglaize and Blanchard rivers. The best evidence points to Robert Wallen, who settled there in 1819, as the first actual settler in the township. He was followed in 1821 by David Murphy, Thomas McClish, Silas McClish and Sebastian Shroufe, with their respective families. The last-named pioneer is credited with planting the first nursery in the county and it was from this that a large number of the orchards of the county re- ceived their start. Other settlers came in during each succeeding year until,

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

by 1828, there were enough to justify the organization of a separate town- ship. In 1823 came Andrew Craig, Daniel Sullivan, William Bowen and a man by the name of Cavanaw. William Harrell located in the township in 1825, and in the following year John Ridenour and Dimmit Mackrill cast their fortunes with the new settlement in the township. The year 1827 saw William Bishop, Joseph Frazee, Joel Wilcox, Abel Crossley and a few others locating in the new settlement.

Following the formal organization of the township in 1828, an election was ordered held at the house of Sebastian Shroufe. At that time the following officers were elected : William Harrell, Abel Crossley and John Ridenour, trustees; Silas McClish, clerk; Joel Wilcox, treasurer; William Bishop, supervisor; Sebastian Shroufe, justice of the peace; Dimmit Mack- rill, constable.

This Dimmit Mackrill was a man of energy and was deeply interested in the welfare of his township and county. A story is told of him which goes to show how zealous he was in the discharge of his duties. In 1832 he was road supervisor for his own township, but for some reason he thought his district took in the whole county. Accordingly, he notified all the men living along the Blanchard river, from the mouth of the river to the Han- cock county line, to appear on a certain day for work on the south side of the Auglaize river. As might be expected, some of the settlers appeared for work on the appointed day, while others did not. Whether Mackrill was really in ignorance of the size of his district, history does not record, but it is safe to say that the stout old pioneers who worked on that day did valiant service in improving the road in question.

The first election in Perry township was held at the house of Sebastian Shroufe in 1828, and at that time the following officers were elected : William Harrell, Abel Crossley and John Ridenour, trustees; Silas McClish, clerk; Joel Wilcox, treasurer; William Bishop, supervisor; Sebastian Shroufe, justice of the peace; Dimmit Mackrill, constable. The present officers of the township are as follows: Justices of the peace, W. H. Fensler and Steven Wannamacher; trustees, John Carder, W. T. Etter and Gilbert McClish ; treasurer, P. A. Scharf ; constables, C. C. Etter and Ed Lehmkule; ditch supervisor, D. H. Nutt.

Although Perry is the oldest township in the county, it has been im- proved slower than any other, due to the fact that so much of the land was swampy in character. Within the past quarter of a century the town- ship has made rapid strides and now ranks favorably with other townships

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

in the county along all lines. The population of the township in 1910 was one thousand five hundred and eighty-one.

FRANCONIA.

Franconia was the first town laid out in the township. It was laid out by Amos Kendall in 1837 and the first store was kept by Parlee Carlin. A double log cabin, which was featured by Howe as a "Home in the Wilder- ness," was erected by Sebastian Shroufe, and P. B. Holden later kept a tavern in the same building. While Franconia was a flourishing little center of trade for a number of years, it has long since disappeared and nothing now remains of what was once hoped would be a substantial town. Other towns in this township include Cloverdale (Drucilla), Dupont, Cascade and Huntstown.

DUPONT.

Dupont was for many years the largest town in the township. It was platted in 1877 and named in honor of Rear Admiral S. F. Dupont, of the United States navy, a postoffice of that name having been established in the year 1864. The mail route at that time ran from Ottawa to Charloe, twenty-six miles, and was traveled once a week.

In 1877 the Toledo, Delphos & Indianapolis narrow gauge railroad was built through the village; in 1888 the entire route was changed to a standard gauge and known as the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City railroad.

Dupont was incorporated in 1888 and E. W. Dimock was chosen to serve as the first mayor. This village began to grow and its prosperity seemed assured, but occasionally the healthiest child fails to become the strongest man. In the height of the town's prosperity there were two stave-mills which did an extensive business, two hotels, tile-mill, saw-mills, an axe- handle factory, and five general merchandise stores. The population of the town was about seven hundred. Then came the decline.

The first blow which Dupont had to endure was the failure of the timber and, in consequence, the removal of the stave factories, her chief industry. The second blow came with the building of the Nickel Plate railroad across the Clover Leaf at Continental, and the final step was the construction of the Findlay, Ft. Wayne & Western through Cloverdale, just two and one- half miles south of the village.

The present population is about three hundred. A tile factory, a general store, grocery and hardware store represent her business interests. The

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

school facilities are very good. The present officials are: Clerk, T. R. Hart; treasurer, W. T. Etter; marshal, Allen Williams; councilmen, C. C. Etter, George Etter, Thomas McClish, Sol. Wollam, R. C. Brandt and William Spencer.

CASCADE.

Cascade lies on the west bank of the Auglaize river and on the Findlay, Ft. Wayne & Western railroad, a branch of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad. It was platted in 1892 by E. W. Dimmick, for Charles Andrews. Myers' mill, the first in the county, was located here, and its owner, Samuel Myers, was one of the most prominent citizens of the village for many years. In fact, the place was locally known as Myers' Mill for many years and even to this day it is probably as well known by this name as that of Cascade. At the present time nothing is left but the remains of the old mill, and it ground its last grist many years ago. The site of the former village is picturesque and thousands of people make it a picnic ground every year.

CLOVERDALE.

Cloverdale is situated at the junction of the two railroads crossing the township and dates its existence from 1891. It was surveyed and platted by E. W. Dimmick for W. H. and E. M. Mozier, Tunis and Nora Truax and Austin and Mary Combs, the proprietors. The first postoffice was called Drucilla. Although there had been a town here since the construction of the Cloverleaf railroad in 1877, which was known as Evansville, it was never platted, and when the new town was platted the name Cloverdale was given and the former name gradually disappeared. It was incorporated on April II, 1902.

The first officers were T. J. Ludwig, clerk; Anthony Holguve, treasurer ; Peter Harris, marshal; William Struker, J. A. L. Harris, John Heitzman and Austin Combs, trustees; Austin Combs was the first squire and William Corkwell the first constable.

Settlers who located here as early as 1877 were, Pope Burbage, who ran the first saloon; George Price, who kept the first store; Hollis Hanson, who ran the first saw-mill; Nathan Dalton, who had the first wagon and paint shop, and Austin Combs, the first postmaster. The first house was built by Irvin Follis and the hotel by Joseph Gingrich. In 1891 the Findlay, Ft. Wayne & Western railroad was built through the town and it began a steady growth. The tile factory, saw and hub-mill, lumber yards, ele-

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

vator and other smaller industries located here in close succession. A town hall was erected in 1913, at a cost of three thousand dollars, and the place at present has a population of three hundred.

Two churches, grade and parochial schools, and the present general prosperous air of the town give evidence of the thrift and business ability of its settlers. It bids fair to become a thriving little village. The town officers are as follows: Mayor, P. A. Scharf; clerk, O. B. Andrews; treas- urer, L. B. Mason; marshal, Edward Lehmkuhle; councilmen, John Blosser, John Berhude, Theo. Horstman, R. E. Baxter, Ben Andrews, and Fred Kohl.

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

The first settlements in Pleasant township were made in 1832 by William Turner, Eckless Ney, McDonald Osborn, Henry Morris, James Porter and William McComb. Late in November of the following year John Featherin- gill came in with his family. Mr. Featheringill secured lodging in an Indian camp until he could hew logs and erect a cabin. John Bogart purchased a farm in the following year and moved on it in March. Adam and James Turner were the next to cast in their lot in the early settlement.

In 1834 the township took on a permanent organization. There were at this time only seven voters in the township and it was through their efforts that the organization was accomplished. Following are the names of the voters : John B. Bogart, William and Adam Turner, Neham Smith, John Featheringill, Abe Fuller and William Casebolt. There is no record of the first officers, but it is certain that they were divided among these early voters, though just what offices each held can not be ascertained. In 1839 the town- ship contained about one hundred inhabitants and fifteen to twenty voters.

The public road, leading from Wapakoneta to Perrysburg, was laid out about 1835, but was not opened for public use until some time later. The first births in the township were twins, Martha and Rebecca, daughters of William Turner, in 1833. The first death was an infant child of McDonald Osborn, which died in December, 1833, and was the first burial in the grave- yard at Truro church.

The first log school house was erected in 1836, about half a mile north- east of Columbus Grove, and here John Wamsley conducted the first school in the winter of 1836-37. The postoffice was established in 1844, with Adam Turner as the first postmaster.

The first manufacturing interests established here was an ashery and a

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

clay pottery factory, by a Mr. Durfee. A store of supplies was later opened by Sheldon Guthrie. The trade consisted of exchanging furs for goods, as money was very scarce. A good hunting hound was valued at one hundred dollars and the government purchased wolf scalps for three and four dollars, this furnishing the settlers with money to pay their taxes.

The first religious services were held in a log cabin belonging to John Bogart, in 1834. The first sermon was rendered by a young man named Cutler, of the Methodist Episcopal faith. In the same year Rev. Mr. Morris, of the Protestant Methodist church, came to this township and held services. Later, Michael Long, who was known as the boy preacher, of the United Brethren church, came to this settlement. In 1836 a Rev. Poge (or Page), of the Presbyterian faith, came to this township and organized the first church of that order here. The Baptists held services at the home of James Turner at an early date.

The present township officials are as follow: Justices of the peace, A. Crawford, L. E. Mullin and Henry Buck; trustees, B. F. Irwin, G. W. Bowess and William Trask ; clerk, F. M. Williams ; treasurer, Elias Williams ; constables, H. L. Irwin and G. W. Luce.

COLUMBUS GROVE.

The village of Columbus Grove was laid out and platted in December, 1842, by Capt. Frederick Fruchey, the proprietor. It was surveyed and platted for the proprietor by Benjamin Dunning. Captain Fruchey and most of the early settlers came from Columbus, Franklin county, and the site of this town being a famous Indian sugar grove, hence the name.

The first house built in Columbus Grove was a log dwelling, erected by John Mumea on the lot where the Lenhart block now stands. The first frame dwelling was built by Samuel Sterlin, who also erected the first brick struc- ture in the village. The first manufacturing establishment was an ashery and pottery, built and operated by the Durfey brothers. They manufactured black salts and pearl ash, and, in the pottery, crocks, jugs and other earthen wares. In 1843 Sheldon Guthrie erected a small building on a lot near the Durfeys' establishment and opened a small supply store, exchanging goods for furs, there being but little money in this new country. Columbus Grove was incorporated in 1864 by John J. Baker and others. The first officers were David Jones, mayor ; S. B. McHenry, clerk. The first tavern was built by James Pier. This was a hewed-log structure, three rooms on the ground floor and two on the second. Among the business men of the town in 1850,

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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 13

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1744

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1744