History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 93

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David Hawk is a son of David and Eleanor (Huss) Hawk, both of whom were members of some of the early families which settled in this township. Mr. Hawk was born in Green Creek township February 6, 1830, and his home has been here ever since, excepting about one year, which he spent in California at the time. of the gold digging excitement. Mr. Hawk was married, September 1, 1853, to Mary O. McIntyre, daughter of Oliver and Maria (Tyler) McIntyre. His parents. were both natives of New York, and she was born in Otsego county December 7, 1833. To Mr. and Mrs. Hawk have been born five children, viz: Frederick, who married Flora Short, and resides in this township; Maria, Oliver, Ralph, and Laura residing at home.

Charles Brush was born in the State of Pennsylvania, March 30, 1816. In the spring of 1833 he came to Ohio with his parents, Medad and Armida Brush, who located on the farm in Green Creek which he still occupies. The Brush family consisted of four children-Charles and three sisters: Mary Elizabeth (Thorp), Sally, Martha (Dawley), and Amanda Jane (Gray). Mrs. Gray died some years ago. The others all reside in Green Creek township. Charles Brush was married, October 26, 1856, to Hannah F. Swart, daughter of Conrad and Margaret Swart,

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of Green Creek. This union has resulted in two children: Pamela Aurelia, wife of Wilton C. Gray, Clyde, and Sarah Jane, wife of Willard S. Drown, Green Creek. They have also an adopted son, Stephen Sodan, now about twenty-one years of age. Mr. Brush has held various local offices.

Orrin and Annis (Gibbs) Dirlam were natives of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Dirlam died there. In 1833 Mr. Dirlam moved with his family to Green Creek township. Three of their sons and one daughter are still living: Martin Dirlam, Ashland county; Mrs. Mary Hutchinson, Green Creek; Franklin Dirlam, Townsend; and James Dirlam, Wood county. Franklin Dirlam was born in Blandford, Massachusetts, December 12, 1814; came to Ohio with his parents, who settled in Green Creek township. Mr. Dirlam was married in 1855 to Rebecca Van Buskirk, a native of Tuscarawas county, born in 1828. Her parents, William and Jemima (Lindsey) Van Buskirk, are residents of Riley, where they settled in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Dirlam have five children living, two deceased: Howard, in Michigan; Adele, deceased; Etina, Burt, Inez, Henry B., at home. The next, a son, died in infancy. Mr. Dirlam served in the Mexican war over a year under Colonel Bruff. He has resided in Townsend since 1856, and has held the office of township trustee.

Adam £ Brunthaver, father of the Brunthavers of Green Creek and Ballville townships, was born in Pennsylvania in 1787. He married Mary Ridenhour, and first settled in Fairfield county, Ohio. In 1835. the family moved to this county and settled in Green Creek. The family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Henry, John, Peter, Mary, Christina, Elizabeth, and Leah. Mrs. Mary Brunthaver died in 1835. He married again in 1839, Mary Smith. The

family by this wife consisted of twelve children, six of whom are living, viz .: Lewis, Martin, William, Margaret, Delilah, and Martha. Mr. Brunthaver died in 1859, the patriarch of a large and respect. able family. Peter Brunthaver was born in Fairfield county in 1823. He married, in 1847, Mary J. Cook, and has a family of seven children living, viz .: Charles E., Washington, District of Columbia; Samuel W., Wood county; Orrin J., Ballville; Frank P., Ballville; Lucinda J. (Dawley), Green Creek; Ellen E. (Bennett), Wood county, and Minnie E., Ballville. Mr. Brunthaver, by trade, is a carpenter. He lives on a farm in Ballville township. Levis Brunthaver was born in Green Creek township in 1839. In 1860 he married Laurena Forgerson. Two of their four children are living, Elnora and Ralph. William Brunthaver was born on the old homestead in 1850. In 1874 he married- Annis Smith. Meta O. is their only child.

John Brunthaver was born in Fairfield county in 1815. In 1846 he married Matilda Schouten and has six children-Esther (Jay), in this county; Mary (Waltrus), near Genoa, Ohio; J. W. Rodolphus, Lavina, and Flora, in Green Creek. Five children died before reaching maturity.

Daniel Dawling was born in New York, in 1813, and came to Ohio in 1835, locating in this township. In 1835 he married Emily Woodward, who was born in New York but came to Ohio when two year, old, in 1815. She died August 26, 1870, leaving five children, viz: Zerruah, wife of H. J. Potter, Ballville; Susan O., wife of Jeremiah Wolf,. Green Creek; Martha M., wife of Amon Kelsey, Ballville ;. Emily, wife of J. W. Knapp, Riley township; and Frances, wife of U. H. Palmer, of Lorain county. Mr. Dawley married for his second wife Mrs. Martha (Ball) Gale, Mrs. Dawley had two children by a former

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Marriage-Charles J. Higgins, residing in Kansas, and Adelia Higgins, deceased. Elisha Dawley was born in Montgomery county, New York, in 1815. In 1839 lie came to Ohio and settled on the farm on which he now resides. In 1843 he married Sallie Brush, who has borne him six children, viz: Charles, in Green Creek; Armida (Thraves), Ballville; Mary (Moore), Wood county; Emeretta (Meggit), Green Creek; Randolph, Ballville, and Elsner, Green Creek. Mr. Dawley in New York engaged in the manufacture of gloves and mittens.

George T. Dana was born in Pembrook, Western New York, in 1829. With his parents, Daniel H. and Philinda Dana, he came to Sandusky county, where his home has been ever since. Mr. Dana remained at home and worked in his father's shill at Green Spring until lie began business for himself. He was engaged in stock buying a number of years with Mr. Crockett; afterwards was employed. in the same business at Bellevue for three years by Chapman & Woodward. He next managed the grain warehouse of Mr. Woodward at Clyde one year. From 1862 until 1876 Mr. Dana was engaged in the lumber business in Fremont with N. C. West. Since that time he has been living upon his farm three miles east of Fremont. Mr. Dana was married in November, 1868, to Miss Sophia Ables, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. They have three children living, one deceased. The names are as follows: Philinda H., Grace T., Marion (deceased), and An1anda C. Mr. Dana is a Republican. He was census enumerator in 1880.

George Hutchins was horn in Onondaga county,. New York, May 5, 1811. He married, in 1833, Matilda Anthony, and in 1836 came to Sandusky county, Ohio. Three children by his first wife are living-Willet, in this county; Maria (Bush); in

Nebraska; and Francis M., in Green Creek. He married for his second wife Annie Huss. One child is living, Ellen (Phillips), in Colorado. For his third wife Mr. Hutchins married Sarah V. Brumley, by whom he has six children living, viz: Eveline (Upton), Clara, George, Flora, Robert, and Ida J. Mr. Hutchins served as township trustee several terms.

Joel Moore was born in New Jersey in 1825. Three years later his father removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, and in 1839 to Sandusky county. Joel Moore, who resides upon the farm on which his father settled, married Mahala Reed, of Knox county. Three children by this marriage are living- Milton, Isaac, and Robert. Mr. Moore married for his second wife Mary Dice, by whom he has five children, viz: John J., Alice, Laura, Cora, and Jennie. When the Moore family settled in this township only one acre was. cleared on the tract which is now known as the Moore homestead.

W. C. Lefever, a son of John Lefever, was born in this township in 1836. In 1866 he married Lizzie Mackey, a native of Ross county. Mr. Lefever taught school in Missouri before the war. He entered the army as private, and was mustered out with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

J. D. Lefever was born in this township in 1838. In 1865 he married Cornelia Lay. Mr. Lefever served during the war about three years in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Jonathan Spohn was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 10, 1822. He came to Sandusky county in 1843. In 1844 he married Elizabeth Brunthaver. Three children are living and one dead-Adam, Jacob A., and Mary E., all live in this county; Francis M. died at the age of eighteen. Mr. Spohn worked at blacksmithing some time, but has been farming

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a number of years. He has a good farm of seventy-six acres, situated on the turnpike, two miles east of Fremont. Mr. Spohn is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Lutheran church.

Benjamin Colwell was born at Poolville, New York, in 1810. In 1829 lie came to Ohio, stopping first in Seneca county. He then removed to Huron county, and from there to York township, this county, where he resided five years. In 1849 he removed to Green Creek township, which has been his home since that time. He married, in 1830, Lydia Philo. Two children are living-Sarah (French) and Frank E., both in this township. William E. died in the army, having been a member of the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry; John, the second child; died when fourteen years old. Mr. Colwell engaged in the merchant tailoring business in Clyde for three years. Joseph and Mary Philo came to this county with Mr. Colwell and lived here until their decease.

William Hughes, a native of Philadelphia, died in 1875, aged about seventy-three. He married Mary Ann Ramsey, by whom he had a family of eight children, four of whom are living-James, C. J., Melvina E. (Spade), and George. Mrs. Hughes came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, where she was born, with her parents, Charles and Sarah (Hughes) Ramsey. There were four children in this family, who are still living, Mrs. Hughes being the oldest. Her parents first settled in Ohio in Columbiana county, and moved to Sandusky county in 1830.

Daniel Pocock was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1813. Five years later his father came to Ohio and settled near Canal Dover, in Tuscarawas county. In 1834 he married Elizabeth Malone, by whom he had twelve children, five of whom are living-Levi and Elias in Green Creek township; Mary Ann (Walters), in

Indiana; Elijah in Riley, and George in Green Creek. His first wife having died he married Rebecca Pocock, and has four children-Eliza J., Ruth E., Daniel I., and Eve A. Mr. Pocock settled in this township in 1845.

Sidney Tuck was born in Wayne county, New York. In 1835 he settled on Butternut Ridge, in Seneca, with his parents, John and Eunice Tuck. The same year he introduced the first steam threshing machine ever in this part of the State. In 1851 Mr. Tuck married Lydia Lee, a native of Seneca county. Their family consists of three children-Elva (Colwell), Ward, and Harry. Mr. Tuck carried on wagon-making and farming. He died June 29, 1880, aged sixty-two years.

Alexander Kernahan, a native of Ireland, settled in this county in 1854. He died June 3, 1876, aged seventy-five years. His widow, Mrs. Hannah Kernahan, is still living. She is the mother of three children, who are living James; Eliza, and Ambrose, all residents of Green Creek. James Kernahan was born April 11, 1830, in Onondaga county, New York. Eliza Kernahan was born in the same locality January 7, 1832. Ambrose Cernahan was born in Livingston county, New York, July 19, 1836. He married Elizabeth Mckinney, a native of that county,

Constantine Meyer was born in Germany in 1836. He settled in this county in 1854. In 1858 he married Barbara Schreiner, who bore four children-Ezra, Caroline, Ida, and Clara, all living. For his second wife he married Sarah Schupert, who bore four children-Rawley (deceased), £

Frank, Wesley, and Lilly. His third wife was Margaret Schuster, with whom he is now living. She has one child-Gertie.

Richard E. Betts was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1829. His parents

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were Zachariah and Maria Betts. In 1834 Richard came to Ohio with them. They located in Seneca county. In 1852 Mr. Betts was married to Lavinia Donaldson, daughter of George and Ann Donaldson from Pennsylvania. Her parents came to Ohio at an early date; lived in Pickaway county, then in Seneca county, and, in 1833, moved to this county and township. Three of their nine children are living, Mrs. Betts being the oldest. Susanna (Dixon) and Samuel Donaldson reside in Indiana. Mr. Donaldson followed blacksmithing many years.

John Steffey came to Ohio when quite a young man. He married Eve Pocock and has a family of seven children-Christina (Vice), Michigan; Sarah (Stokes) and Catharine (Miller), Riley township; Calvin and Edward, Green Creek; Levi, Riley township, and Mary Ann (Wykoff), Toledo. Calvin married Emily Gilbert and has four children living Jesse, W. IV., and Allen and Ellen (twins).

MILLS ON GREEN CREEK.

The inhabitants of this township were at first wholly dependent upon the mill on Cold Creek for flour. The slow process of grinding made it extremely inconvenient, and sometimes caused actual suffering, for the consumption of breadstuffs was faster than the simple machinery of this pioneer mill could produce them. It was, therefore, a great relief to the inhabitants of Green Creek, particularly those living in the western part, to have a mill in their own neighborhood.

Sometime between 1821 and 1823 Josiah Rumery built a dam on Green Creek, and with a small buhr began grinding wheat and corn. Customers were compelled to assist at bolting their own flour, as that part of the work at that time had to be done with hand bolts. The flour, in a sanitary point of view, was better than that produced by modern mills.

The coarse bolts removed only the useless hull, leaving the hard but nutritious substance of the grain in the flour. Bread made of this flour was rougher but had more of the muscle-producing elements in it. Mr. Rumery removed from Green Creek about 1830, his mill by that time having become inadequate to the necessities of the increasing population.

Another mill was built on Green Creek further down by Mr. Emerson about 1825, but was used as a saw-mill only until Mr. Wilks purchased the site. He attached a grist-mill, which was in operation until 1852, when the building of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad necessitated its removal.

Jacob Stine built a mill on the east branch of Green Creek in 1836, which is still in operation.

OTHER INDUSTRIES.

Mr. Kneeland Harnden has established a successful industry-that of ice-packing. He began packing this agreeable summer luxury in the winter of 1875. In the winter of 1880- 81 lie stored away about two thousand tons. Mr. Harnden was born in Ruggles township, Huron county, in 1841, and in 1849 came to Sandusky county with his father's family. In 1865 he married Hattie Fuller. The fruit of this union was two children-Minnie and John

The largest saw-mill in the township is owned by Walter Huber. It was formerly owned by Huber & Ellsworth, and has been in operation since 1873. The capacity of this mill is sixteen hundred feet per day. The proprietor was born in this county and has lived here nearly all his life. He married, in 1866, Emeline Young, by whom he has a family of four children, viz: Ida, Vernon, Edith, and Floyd. Mr. Huber built in 1881 the largest, and perhaps the finest farm- house in the township.

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JOHN LAY TREED BY WOLVES.

No animal is more annoying to the pioneers of a country than wolves. The bear is stronger and more dangerous when met, but with the first sound of the wood-man's axe he emigrates to the wild seclusion for which his nature yearns. He never seeks the destroyer of his home, and only meets him when retreat is impossible. But howling wolves prowl about seeking what they may devour. Fifty years ago sheep, pigs, and young cattle were not safe, even within the cabin door-yard. There is not a county in Ohio which at some period of the settlement did not pay a bounty for the scalps of these camp followers of the army of the wilderness, whose peculiar business it seems to have been to obstruct the march of improvement by doleful howling and nocturnal depredations. The record of their presence and conduct is found in the commissioners' journal in every courthouse, whether among the hills or in the flat country. The Black Swamp was no exception. An incident is told which indicates that in this neighborhood they became even more bold and daring than their character would lead us to expect. Romance writers have given startling descriptions of wolves attacking grown men, and an actual occurrence in this locality proves that these writers' fictions have been limited to the realm of possibility.

Mr. John Lay, about 1833, set out one evening on a hunt for his cows, which had straggled off far into the thick woods of the northern part of Thompson township and did not return. He wandered along narrow paths, his attention being so wholly occupied with the object of his search that the decline of the sun was not noticed, and darkness coming on unexpectedly found him a considerable distance from any settler's cabin and several miles from home. To retrace his steps seemed

the only intelligent course of action. But while standing a moment trying to comprehend the situation, the distant howl of a wolf sent whirling his meditations. An echo seemed to curve from the other side, then another and another, till the dark air quivered with dismal, doleful barking. The howling grew louder and more savage. Shortly, stealthy steps and the shaking of bushes became discernible amid the general noise. The benighted farmer, armed only with a strong club, stood his ground, determined to fight, until there gleamed through the underbrush seemingly two balls of fire, illuminating a scarlet tongue and uncovered tusks. Fright banished the resolve to fight, and the central figure of our picture made industrious progress toward the top of a small tree. By the time he had obtained safe footing among the branches, the hungry beasts were running and jumping to and fro beneath, snarling and gnashing their teeth. Night progressed. The besieging beasts, whose horrid confusion of noises gradually died into a low, dreary cry, one by one stole mournfully away in search of other prey.

The man in the tree found an easy resting place between two spreading branches, and, overcome by fatigue, a deep sleep buried in oblivion all the varying emotions caused by the singular evening's experience. But the place proved an unsafe couch. An unconscious turn restored consciousness to the body, which fell prostrate on the ground. The fall resulted seriously. One leg was broken and his body considerably bruised. He was unable to move, and no cabin was within hearing distance. Patiently he lay, suffering the most excruciating tortures for nearly twelve hours, until his sons, who, having become alarmed by his prolonged absence were making search, found him, wholly exhausted.

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ORGANIZATION.

The county commissioners resolved, at their March session, 1822, to establish the fourth township of the sixteenth range a town corporate. Josiah Rumery, then auditor of the county, issued the following notice:

Notice is hereby given to the qualified electors of township four, range sixteen, known as Green Creek, to meet the first Monday of April, 1822, at the house of Samuel Baker, and there proceed to elect between the hours of ten and four of said day, township officers as the law directs in such cases made and provided.

Auditor's Office, March 9, 1822.

By order of the commissioners, JOSIAH RUMERY.

The town meeting system was then yet in vogue. The electors assembled at the house designated. John Pumphrey, Samuel Kepler and Samuel Baker were appointed to act as judges. No party spirit divided the assembly, and no candidates appeared on the field. Nothing in modern politics so nearly approaches one of these old town meetings as a county convention of a party hopelessly in the minority. No one desires to be distinguished above his fellows, and all are anxious that perfect harmony should prevail. The votes show almost entire unanimity. At this first election Jered H. Miner and George Hines acted as clerks. For treasurer, Silas Dewey received seventeen votes; for trustees, Josiah Rumery received sixteen; Samuel Pogue, seventeen; and Samuel Baker, fifteen votes Benjamin Collins received fourteen to Joseph Baits one, for constable. Joshua Fairchild and Samuel McMillen received fourteen and thirteen votes respectively for overseers of the poor. For appraiser of property, Samuel Baker received thirteen votes; Samuel Pogue, fifteen: and Samuel McMillen, one. For lister, Samuel Baker had thirteen votes. Jonathan Rathbun and Samuel Uttley were chosen fence-viewers. Jered H. Miner had all the votes except his own for clerk. The vote for

supervisors stood: Benjamin Collins, eleven; Samuel Uttley, seven; Josiah Rumery, one; and Jonathan Rathbun, three. It appears, from the number of votes some of those present received, that modesty did not prevent them from voting for themselves.

The first justice of the peace was Jered H. Miner. He was the learned than of the early settlement and the selection was entirely proper. This office in some localities might be exalted by more care as to the quality of talent selected to fill it.

The first township charge to pass from poor existence was Joseph Baits, who died at Baker's tavern. Bills were allowed as follows:

To Samuel Balser, for taking care of Joseph Baits, three dollars and fifty cents, and for boards for coffin. To Abigail Wortley, four dollars for shirt and sheet, and attendance. Amos Fenn, for furnishing coffin, two dollars and fifty cents; and to Jonathan Forbes, M. D., two dollars and ninety-six cents for treating the said Baits; James Guinall, seventy-five cents for nursing; Prudence Benton, same; Polly McMillen, thirty-two cents for washing.

The first list of jurors returned were: Grand Jurors-Albert Guinall, James Guinall, Samuel S. Baker, Joshua Woodard, Jonathan Rathbun, John Harris. Petit Jurors-Roswell Merrell, John J. Quackenbush, Samuel Pogue, Jered H. Miner, Moses Cleveland.

AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

A citizens' meeting was held July 23, 1870, in pursuance of a call issued by a number of citizens for the purpose of instituting an agricultural fair, independent of the county agricultural association. A constitution was adopted and board of directors appointed as follows: C. G. Sanford, Lynlan Miller, David Beard, John Whitmore, George Mugg, Humphrey Whitman, David Neikirk, Charles Bell, Alfred Stibbins, Darwin Groves, J. W. Payne, M. Sanford, O. J: Stultz; and S. V. Hume. A. Throp was chosen president;

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S. H. Rhodes, secretary; and J. T. Chapman, treasurer.

Sixteen and one-half acres of land were purchased by the board of directors for fair grounds, and preparations at once commenced for the first annual exhibition. Articles of incorporation were filed and recorded July 28, 1870, by J. M. Lemmon, B. French, W. H. Bacon, Henry Nichols, Meek, R. F. Patrick, IV. W. White, T. W. Reed, and S. H. Rhodes. The articles declared that the object of the association shall be to encourage and promote agriculture, stock-raising, and mechanical and industrial pursuits, and to hold annual fairs for the exhibition of stock and agricultural productions.

The capital stock was fixed at one hundred shares at ten dollars each.

The exhibitions at Clyde have uniformly been well patronized, and the eleven years of the existence of the association prove the enterprise a success, not so much financially, as in the end for which it was established.

PHYSICIANS.

The first resident physician of Green Creek township was Dr. Forbes, who located near the corners as early as 1822. He was also a school teacher. As a physician he possessed the confidence of most of the early settlers and was universally well liked as a teacher and a man. Death did not spare him long to the settlement.

The next physician was Dr. Henry Niles, who was a graduate of Dartmouth college. He came to Hamer's Corners in June, 1833, and gave his exclusive attention to practice for two years. He then removed to a farm on the county line of Seneca and Sandusky, where lie continued to practice for a number of years. He died in 1864.

Dr. William G. Harkness was educated in Salem county, New York, and began

practice in Cayuga county, where he re- mained twenty-five years, and then came to Ohio in 1833, settling at Hamer's Corners, where he practiced until his death.

Dr. Seely came from Medina to Hamer's Corners about 1840. He continued practice most of the time until his death, in 1867. Most of his patients remember him.

Charles G. Eaton commenced the practice of medicine in Athens county, Ohio, in 1849. After two years he removed to West Virginia, where he remained until 1853, when he came to Clyde and soon won the confidence of the people by his skill in physic. Except during the four years spent in the war, he was in active practice until his death, which occurred in 1875. A biography of him will be found in this volume.

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History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 93

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