History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 90

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 90

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In those early days, the Wyandot Indians had a camp on the south side of the Whetstone, east of the Catholic Cemetery. They were peaceable, and rendered valuable assistance to the whites at their log rollings, and in the con- struction of their primitive homes.

Asa Hosford, yet living near Galion, relates that he employed these Indians to assist him at a log rolling, the only pay required for their services being a plentiful supply of whisky. In the evening, after working hard all day, and being slightly intoxicated, they, at his request, executed a war-dance at his house. They placed one of their number, named " Buck- wheat," in the center of the cabin floor, and began their dance in a circle around him. They became greatly excited, but Mr. Hosford had taken the precaution to conceal their arms, that they might not be able to commit any serious outrage. After a time, they dragged Buckwheat roughly from his seat, threw him upon the floor, and one of them, placing his foot on his neck, imitated the operation of taking his scalp, and of plunging their knives into him ; and Buckwheat played his part well, going through all the necessary motions of a dying white man.

These early settlers were followed in 1820 by Nathaniel Story and Father Ketteridge, the latter living with the former, who was a trapper

* Now in Crawford County, formerly in Richland.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

and hunter, and erected his cabin near Reising- er's Corners, west of town. Rev. James Dunlap came in 1822, and Nathan Merriman in 1824, the latter erecting, in the following year, the first distillery in Polk Township. It was located near the spring, before mentioned, and was fa- miliarly known throughout the settlement as the " still house."

About the same year, the first grist-mill in the township was erected by John Hibner on the land now owned by John Burgener. The buhrs were made of " nigger heads." Near the railroad bridge may yet be seen the ruins of this mill. The next mill was built by Asa Hosford, a few years after, on his farm southwest of Galion, which is yet in operation and owned by him.

The first hotel was kept by Asa Hosford in 1824, on the J. R. Clymer property west of town. The large orchard adjoining the prop- erty was raised from the seed by Mr. Hosford. He was elected in 1826, the first Justice of the Peace, and was, from the time of his location, one of the prominent men, visiting the State capital frequently in the interest of this section, which owes much of its prosperity to his efforts. He circulated a petition to have a road cut through the woods from Mansfield to Upper Sandusky, and was afterward instrumental in getting a north and south road, from Columbus to Lower Sandusky, through this settlement. The opening of these roads aided largely in de- veloping and settling the country. These roads intersect at Reisinger's Corners, and Main street, in Galion, was formed by that portion of the east and west road, which passed within the present limits of the corporation. Its original course was, however, changed nearly fifty years ago. When laid out, it diverged to the north- ward at the corner of East Main and North Co- lumbus streets, following the meanderings of Whetstone Creek to a point beyond the present eastern limits of Galion.

The first schoolhouse was erected near the residence of C. S. Crim, on West Main street.

in 1822. It was of round logs, and was mod- eled after the generality of cabins in those days. The first school teacher was David Gill, who, however, only taught two or three weeks, when Asa Hosford took the school and continued it to the end of the term. The next schoolhouse was of "seutched logs " (which means that the logs were lightly hewed on the outside after the building was erected) and stood on the ground now occupied by the old graveyard on West Main street. This building was also used for religious worship. This building having been destroyed by fire, the next school was taught in a log building on the site of Joel Riblet's residence.

The first religious meeting in the township was held in Benjamin Leveredge's cabin, near the spring. It was a Methodist meeting, at which Russel Bigelow, who organized many churches through this county, in an early day, preached a most eloquent sermon. Though possessing a limited education, Bigelow was very eloquent, and one of the most remarkable of the pioneer preachers.

Galion was laid out September 10, 1831, by Michael and Jacob Ruhl, whose father had en- tered several quarter-sections of land in the neighborhood. The original plat consisted of thirty-five lots, and extended from the Ristine Block, which covers Lot No. 1, to the alley west of the old frame meeting-house on West Main street.

The first post office was established in 1824, and Horace Hosford was first Postmaster. Mr. Hosford says if they averaged one letter per day, they did well. When this office was es- tablished, the inhabitants could not agree upon a name for the town. It had previously been numerously and variously named, but was best known as Goshen, Greensburg, Moccasin and Hardscrabble. The matter was submitted to the Postmaster General, who christened it Galion.

The first store was kept by Horace Hosford, who carried a general stock. At this time, the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

town was situated at Reisinger's Corners, but buildings were rapidly erected upon higher ground to the eastward, where the new town had been laid out by the Ruhls. The public square became the favorite spot, and the best buildings at the Corners were removed thither. In 1832, Asa Hosford erected upon this square the first frame house in the township. He also erected the first frame barn on what is known as the I. R. Clymer property, west of town, where he had kept the first tavern.

At this time, Jacob Ruhl kept a tavern where the Sponhauer Block stands, and his brother Michael kept the village store in a double log cabin on the Central Hotel corner. The first saw-mill in the township was erected by Jacob Ruhl in 1836, on North Market street, near the bridge.

In the log schoolhouse on Joel Riblet's lot, was organized the first Sabbath school in Galion by Mrs. Sarah Ruhl and Mrs. Dr. Johnson. They were Lutherans, and the first religious services of the Lutherans were held in this building.

In 1839, the first brick block was erected by Davis & Bloomer, in which they carried on the dry-goods business for many years. The build- ing is yet standing on the northeast corner of the public square.

The old red brick church, that stood many years on the corner of North Union and West Church streets, was erected in 1840, by the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. The Lutherans afterward purchased the Re- formed interest. This was the first church, and the Rev. F. J. Ruth, yet living and preaching, officiated at the laying of the corner-stone. The first Pastor was Rev. John Stough.

The same year work was commenced upon the old Methodist Church, yet standing on West Main street, and it was the first fully completed and ready for worship. The ground upon which it stands was donated by Father Fellows, who was an active worker in the church for many years.

Rev. Francis Clymer held the first United Brethren services in 1851, in the old Lutheran Church.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church on East Main street, though no longer used for worship, was erected in 1851. Rev. Peter Kreush of the Shelby settlement was the visiting Pastor.

There are at present, eleven churches in Gal- ion, viz .: the Methodist Episcopal, corner of Columbus and Walnut streets ; United Breth- ren, Walnut street, between South Market and Columbus streets ; English Lutheran, Colum- bus street, between Main and Walnut ; Baptist, Walnut street, between South Market and Union ; Presbyterian, South Market street ; German Reformed, West Main street ; German Lutheran, South Market street; German Meth- odist, corner of South Market and Atwood streets ; Episcopal, Union street, between At- wood and Walnut ; St. Patrick's Catholic, North Liberty street, and St. Joseph's Catholic, North Washington street.

Galion became an incorporated village about the year 1840. Joel Tod was the first Mayor.

Between 1850 and 1854, two railroads, the Bellefontaine & Indianapolis, and the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati, were completed to Galion. These were afterward consolidated, and have been for years under one manage- ment. Their shops were located at Galion, and these, employing a large number of hands, have materially added to the wealth of the place. The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad put in an appearance at Galion in 1863. These three roads with their immense business and shops constitute the life and vitality of the town, which has made some mighty strides since they were completed. Sixty-five per cent of its population, of over five thousand, are rail- road employes, and the average monthly sum paid out by these roads, to these employes, is over $40,000.

Many large, fine brick residences, churches and business blocks have been erected in Gal-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ion within a few years. In 1854, the brick schoolhouse on the corner of Liberty and Church streets was completed, and the first union schools organized by David Kerr, Superm- tendent. In 1869, the present large, brick school building was erected, costing over $75,000.

The First National Bank was organized in 1864, and the Citizens' Bank in July, 1866.

The Galion Weekly Times was started in 1855, by John H. Putnam, who moved the office here from Union City, Ind. The first numbers were printed in the building now owned by James Martin, on East Main street. Dr. D. Alger became a partner, and the name was changed to the Galion Weekly Train. It was independent in politics. In a short time, I. V. D. Moore bought out Alger. When the campaign of 1856 opened, Mr. Moore retired and Jacob Riblet became a partner. The paper became Democratic, and was called the Galion District Democrat. In 1857, Andrew Poe purchased Mr. Riblet's interest. Mr. Put- nam soon after left it, and it was sold out on

execution. In 1864, it was bought by Matthias brothers, and the paper edited by P. Schnur, who was soon succeeded by H. S. Z. Matthias, and the name changed to Galion Democrat. The paper was soon after abandoned, and the office continued as a job office until July>6, 1865, when the Weekly Review was established by Mr. Matthias as an independent sheet. In 1871, it was purchased by John C. Covert, of the Cleveland Leader, who changed it to a Re- publican paper, and its name to the Galion Democrat. In 1872, it was purchased by G. W. De Camp, and in 1874, passed into the hands of its present proprietors, A. D. Rowe and F. E. Coonrod, and given its present name, Galion Review.

October 31, 1872, the Galion Sun, an inde- pendent weekly newspaper, was established by its present editor and owner, George T. Ristine, and was soon enlarged to its present size. Steam power was introduced in December, 1875, making it the first steam printing house in Galion.

CHAPTER LXVI.

VERNON TOWNSHIP .*

ORGANIZATION-TOPOGRAPHY-HUNTING GROUND-FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS-WEST LIBERTY-DE KALB -LIBERTY CHURCH.

V ERNON TOWNSHIP was organized March 9, 1825, out of the north half of Sandusky, and was, at this time, six miles square, including part of what is now Sharon Township. It remained in this shape until February 3, 1845 (the date of the erection of Crawford County), when it was reduced to its present dimensions-six miles long from north to south, and three miles wide ; belonging since 1845 to Crawford County.

It is an excellent township of farming land, being generally level or gently rolling. In its

primitive condition, it was covered with a vig- orous growth of hard-wood timber, and the land was generally swampy, but clearing and underdraining have rendered it very pro- ductive.

It is well watered by the tributaries of the Sandusky River, one of which-Loss Creek- rises in the southeast part, and, running north- west until near the center of the township, turns southwest, entering Sandusky Township and Sandusky River through Section 19. The general course of its waters indicates a gentle inclination of its surface to the west and north.

* Now in Crawford County, formerly in Richland.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Bear's Marsh Creek waters the northern part, running west into the Sandusky River.

This territory was largely used by the Dela- awares as a hunting-ground, quite a band of that tribe under the chief Wingenund, having, for many years, a permanent camp on the San- dusky River, near Leesville. The great, dark woods and thick undergrowth formed excellent hiding-places for wild animals.

The township was first settled by white men about 1820, the first settlers generally follow- ing the Indian trails across Sharon Township, which soon became public highways. The wave of civilization gradually advanced from Mifflin Township, in the eastern part of the county, in 1809, to Sharon and Vernon, in 1818 and 1820.

The settlers generally came from Western Pennsylvania, but a few were from New En- gland, and, in later years, a large number of European Germans settled in this part of the country.

The first settler was George Byers, in 1820, and the next, so far as known, was George Dickson, in 1822. Dickson was a single man, but returned to Pennsylvania, married, re- turned here with his wife in 1823 and is yet a resident. The next settlers were Eli Arnold, William MeClelland, Jonathan Dickson, Dennis Orton and James Dickson.

In 1826, the township polled ten votes.

Andrew Dickson and William McClelland were the first white children born in the town- ship, February, 1826.

The first assessment was made in 1823, by Adam Aumend, there being at that time only three families in the township, and but two of these had any property subject to assessment.

The first orchard was planted in 1825.

There are two small towns within its limits, West Liberty and De Kalb. The former is located on Loss Creek, on the southeast quar- ter of Section 17, and was laid out May 28, 1835. It contains at present but one store and a few dwelling-houses.

De Kalb was laid out November 21, 1838, on Section 5, by David Anderson. It is about the size of West Liberty. When the Mans- field, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad passed across the northeastern part of the township, in 1871, a station-house was erected a short distance from De Kalb, called "De Kalb Station." The little business of the place is now generally transacted at this station.

A church called the "Liberty Church," or "Church of God," is located in the northern and eastern part of the township, and was or- ganized in 1850, by Elder William Adams. A few of the first members were Christopher Shade, Daniel Baker and wife, and Joseph Tombleson and wife.

The early meetings of the society were held in the schoolhouse. A frame church building was erected in 1860, at a cost of $800. A few of the early ministers were William Adams, William Shaffer and David Shriner.

The present minister is William Burchard, and the membership is about thirty.

A Sunday school was organized about the time the church was erected. Samuel Dean was the first Superintendent. He was suc- ceeded by Solomon Gross, who was Superin- tendent many years. This school is yet in suc- cessful operation, with a membership of about fifty.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXVII. CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP .*

ITS FORMATION, BOUNDARIES AND PHYSICAL FEATURES-ANTIQUITIES-EARLY SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS- MILLS-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-SAVANNAH.

P RIOR to June 4, 1816, Mifflin Township was eighteen miles long, from north to south, and six miles wide. At that date, two- thirds of this territory, being the northern part, was organized into a township called Milton. This territory was again divided by a line through the center, east and west, October 15, 1818, and the north half called Clear Creek. Thus Clear Creek was formed out of the north half of Milton, at the date above mentioned, and was originally six miles square. Upon the formation of Ashland County in 1846, Clear Creek was again divided, four tiers of sec- tions on the east being included in Ashland County, the other two tiers remaining in Rich- land. This last division reduced the township to its present dimensions-four by six miles. That part of it which remained in Richland was enlarged and called Butler. Clear Creek was surveyed and subdivided into sections in 1807, by Maxfield Ludlow, who, with James Hedges, surveyed a large part of the country in this vicinity. Ruggles Township lies imme- diately north of it, and Orange east. The southern part of the township is described by the surveyor as second rate ; other parts, how- ever, as fine farming land! It was originally cov- ered with all the different species of hard wood.

The center of this township forms the di- viding ridge between the head-waters of the Mohican and those of the Vermillion Rivers, the latter stream rising in a beautiful little lake that lies near the eastern center of the town- ship, on Sections 13 and 14, called Savannah

* Now in Ashland County, formerly in Richland.

Lake. The surveyor found this lake bearing northwest and southeast, and two Indian trails leading in the same general direction across the township-one bordering the lake on the south, and the other north of the lake, crossing the northeast corner of the township.

Clear Creek possesses more relics for the archæologist than any township in Ashland County. The nature of the soil in the valley's enabled the Mound-Builders to erect earth- works, the remains of some of which are yet visible. When Mr. John Bryte settled on See- tion 26, nearly half a century ago, he found an earthwork, in shape a square, very few of this shape being found in Ohio. The east and west sides were about three hundred feet, and the north and south sides two hundred feet long. At that time, the banks were about three feet high, and twenty feet wide at the base ; large trees were growing upon them. There was a gateway upon the southwest side, leading to a fine spring. The plow has nearly obliterated the ancient work. Half a century ago, when Mr. Thomas Sprott settled on Section 35, he found a very old and curiously constructed mound. It stands in the midst of a ten-acre field, a large elevation of ancient glacial drift, composed of rounded, well-worn bowlders, gravel, sand and light loam ; lifts its head about one hundred and twenty feet above the sur- rounding valleys. The country around differs from it in soil. The surface on the top. from north to south, is about one hundred and twenty- five feet long, and from east to west, about one hundred feet, and level, with the exception of two mounds about twenty-four feet apart,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

nearly four feet high and thirty feet at the base, which stood on the top of this hill at the time Mr. Sprott came. Large trees were growing upon and around the mound, which must have been centuries old. For many years after he came, there was yet a small trench around the south of the mound. His curiosity being ex- cited, he at one time dug down about five feet, and came upon a lot of stones curiously piled over a lot of human bones. While removing these, he came upon about a peck of Indian red paint, which he removed and found a large collection of bones in a tolerable state of pres- ervation. He replaced the bones and filled up the grave. This was no doubt an Indian grave, and the paint had been placed there for use in the happy hunting-grounds.

The first permanent settlement in this town- ship occurred in the spring of 1815 ; a year or more previous to this, however, several of those who afterward settled permanently came and entered their lands. The land office was then located at Canton, Ohio. The majority of them were from Western Pennsylvania, Washington and Westmoreland Counties ; a few were from Virginia and a few from Eastern Ohio.

The names, date and place of settlement so far as ascertained are as follows: Rev. James Handy, 1815 ; entered three quarters of land on Section 11, where the town of Savannah was afterward located ; John and Richard Free- born, 1815, Section 10; John Aton, 1821. Sec- tion 26; Abel Bailey, 1818, Section 16; John Bailey, father of Abel, 1818, Section 14; John Bryte, 1819; David Burns, 1815, Section 23; James Burgan, 1826 ; James Chamberlain, 1823, Section 25 ; John Cook, 1822, Section 24 ; Thomas Cook, 1822, Section 3; John Cuppy, 1819, Section 15 ; Patrick Elliott, 1817, Section 12 ; Elias Ford, 1819, Section 22; Isaac Har- rout, 1819, Section 16; Abraham Huffman, 1815, Section 31 ; John McWilliams, 1817, Sec- tion 26; Daniel Huffman, 1816; Jacob Mc- Lain, 1822, Section 11; John McMurray, 1819 ;

Jared N. Slonacker, 1824, Section 23; Thomas Sprott, Sr., 1823, Section 35 ; Peter Vanostrand, Sr., 1816, Section 35 ; Thomas Wright, 1823.

Of these early settlers, John Bryte afterward held several offices of trust in the township ; was its first Clerk, and was twice Director of the Ohio Lunatic Asylum. David Burns served in Capt. Martin's company of militia, on duty at the block-house at Beam's mill. James Haney was Justice of the Peace, and also, probably, the first clergyman in the township. The wife of Patrick Elliott was the first school teacher. It will be observed that the Rev. James Haney, the two Freeborns, John and Richard, David Burns and Abraham Huffman were the very first settlers, arriving in 1815. The first three mentioned and William Shaw built a keel-boat in Washington County, Penn., where they re- sided, and, placing their families and household goods thereon, floated down the Ohio and up the Muskingum and its tributaries as far as they could, landing near the present site of Jeromeville, on Jerome Fork, and transporting their goods and families thence to their future homes in the township, through the woods, on pack animals.

The Messrs. Freeborn named the principal creek in the township "Clear Creek," from the beauty of its waters, and after this creek the township was named. These Freeborns also planted the first apple-seeds, from which sprang some of the oldest orchards.

The nearest mills in those early days were Shrimplin's, on Owl Creek, thirty or forty miles south, and Odell's, in Wayne County, about thirty miles distant. In 1822, Thomas Ford erected a " horse-mill," the first in the town- ship. The first saw-mill was erected by Joseph Davis, on Clear Creek, about one and a half miles west of Savannah. It employed one saw, and ran about five months in a year. The first grist-mill run by water-power was erected in 1824, by John Hendricks. It was a primitive affair, but did a large business. It

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

stood on Vermillion River, about a mile north- west of Savannah. A second grist-mill was erected in 1827, by Thomas Haney, on Mulhol- len's Run, near town.

For many years the first settlers, though relig- iously inclined, were not able to erect a church building, meetings being held in private houses. The house of Thomas Ford was a prominent place of public worship for many years ; the pioneers-men, women and children -often traveling six or eight miles on foot to attend religious services ; lighting their way through the woods with torches of hickory bark. A church was finally erected near Mr. Ford's house, in 1830. It was called " Ford's meeting- house." It was a very good church, and would seat about four hundred people. The first meeting held in it was on the occasion of Thomas Ford's funeral. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Elmer Yocum. Rev. James Haney was the first minister, and for many years a prominent man, serving several terms in the Ohio Legislature. The first relig- ious meeting was held in his house, near the present village of Savannah.

The first school in the township was taught by Mrs. Patrick Elliott in her own house, in the winter of 1817-18. Rev. Haney, William Shaw and John Hendricks were among her pupils. It was many years before any school building was erected, the first one being erected on the site of Savannah about 1818. Another was erected in 1820, in the southern part of the township, on the land of Abraham Huffman. The first teacher here was Robert Nelson, and his scholars were Abraham Huffman, Isaac Van Meter, Peter Vanostrand, Sr., Robert Ralston, An- drew Stevenson, Mrs. Treckle and David Mc- Kinney. One of the earliest schoolhouses was also erected near Ford's mill.

The first physician is Dr. Cliff, who came to Vermillion (Savannah) in 1823.

The township was a famous hunting-ground for the Seneca and Wyandot tribes of Indians ;

they were generally inclined to peace, and did not disturb the settlers.

The first election was held at the house of John Freeborn.

Savannah, the only town, was laid out in 1818, by John Haney, son of Rev. James Haney, on the latter's land. It was first called Vermillion, but more frequently went by the name of " Haneytown," after its founder. Its first settler was Joseph Fast, a carpenter. The first schoolhouse was a log building, erected on the northeast corner of the town plat. Jacob MeLain was the first brickmaker and hatter in the town and township; Garnett Whitelock, the first blacksmith. Some of its first settlers were John Downer, a cabinet-maker ; Eliphalet Downer, hatter ; William Bryan and Joseph Marshall, blacksmiths, and James Duff, weaver ; they all lived in log houses. In 1836 or 1837, the names of town and post office was changed to Savannah; and from this time until 1840 the town was at the zenith of its prosperity ; there were three stores, two public houses, and a supply of mechanics, all doing a fair busi- ness. It was a leading stopping place between the productive country south and the market on the lake, north. Several efforts were made between the years 1830 and 1840, to erect a new county, with Savannah as the county seat ; this failing, the town declined for several years. In 1858, an institution of learning called the " Savannah Male and Female Academy " was started, which seemed to put new life into the town.

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968