History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 116

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 116

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grated with him to America, and is yet living. The family came to this country in 1850, and after stopping a short time in Erie county, settled in Washington town- ship. The children residing in this county are Adam, Elizabeth (Streit), Lewis A., Henry, Amelia, Elizabeth, and Caroline.

Lewis Bolen was born in Perry county in 1830, and came with his family to San- dusky county at the age of four years. In 1851 he married Sarah Smith. A fam- ily of eleven children blessed this union, viz: William, Mary, John W., Harry A., Emma, Jesse, Lewis, Russell, Clarence, Fannie, and Albert. William, Jesse, and Lewis are dead.

Samuel Sweet, a native of New York ' emigrated to Ohio and settled in Sandus- ky county in 1854. His wife died in New York, leaving a family of sixteen children, eight boys and eight girls. M Sweet died two years after coming to Ohio. Henry Sweet, a son of Samuel Sweet, was born in Albany county, New York, in 1812. He came to Ohio and settled in Seneca county in 1833. The following year he moved back to New York, and re- mained there till 1843, when he returned to Ohio and settled in Woodville town- ship. He next removed to Fremont, where he engaged in the livery business for a period, and then settled on the farm in Washington where he now lives. He has been married twice, first to Lavina Schovil, and after her death to Mrs. Har- riet Reed, widow of Samuel Reed and daughter of Matthias Benner. The fruit of this union was four children, viz : William H., Mary E., Lawrence, and Sarah J. By his first wife Mr. Sweet had three children-Emma, Ellen, and Char- ley. By ber first husband Mrs. Sweet had one child-Edwin Reed. By trade Mr. Sweet is a shoemaker. He follows farm_ ing, and is a local preacher of the United Brethren church.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

William Opperman was born in Nassau, Germany, in 1819. In 1849 he emigrated to America, and settled in Huron county. He married Ruth Purington, of Portage county, in 1852, and in 1856 they settled in Washington township. They have ten children, viz: Wilhelmina, Emma, Mary, Lydia, Charles W., Clara, William H., John, Olive, and Nellie. Mr. Opper- man served in the German army seven years.

Jerome L. Loose, second child of Peter Loose, was born in 1836, in Perry county, Pennsylvania. He lived in Michigan from 1845 to 1863; then came to Sandusky county and settled in Washington town- ship. In 1862 he married Louisa Wag- goner, daughter of Daniel Waggoner. Their family consists of three children living-Ida R., Elam S., and Mary S. The youngest three-Alvin J., Franklin M., and John H .- are dead. Mr. Loose has taught school in this county about seven years.

Bryan O'Connor, son of Michael and Catharine O'Connor, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1830. In 1852 he emigrated to America and settled in Fre- mont. In 1858 he married Margaret Keffe, and seven years later settled on a farm in Washington township, where he continues to reside. The family consists of six children, viz: Catharine, Martin, Mich- ael, Mary, John, and Margaret. He was clerk of Washington township six years from 1868, and justice of the peace from 1877 to 1879, when he resigned. The resigna- tion of William Sandwisch, in 1878, caused a vacancy on the board of county commissioners, which Mr. O'Connor was appointed to fill. He was elected to that office in 1879.

LEGAL ORGANIZATION.

A petition was presented to the county commissioners at their session held De- cember 6, 1830, by .A. C. Ross, praying

that the originally surveyed township num- ber five, range fourteen, be organized into a town with corporate powers and privi- leges. This petition was granted, and in deference to the choice of Mr. Ross, who had been most active in seeking the es- tablishment of local government, the new . township was named Washington. A more significant name would have been Perry, but the fancies of men are not always, indeed are very seldom, influenced by an appreciation of historical harmony.

The first election was held at the house of Daniel Karshner January 1, 1831. The old record containing the names of the officers elected and the first voters can not be found, but it is remembered that Josiah H. Topping was elected justice of the peace, Michael Overmyer, treasurer, and George L. Overmyer clerk, which office he held for many years.

Twelve sections were added to Wash- ington township after the erection of Otta- wa county.

In politics the township has always been Democratic.

HESSVILLE.

There are in Washington township three villages -- Hessville, Helena, and Lindsey, the two last-named being good trading points. The founders of Hess- ville were : Henry Bowman and Levi Hess. By reference to a preceding topic it will be seen that David Hess, at an early date, entered an immense tract of land, and on this land his son Levi made a settlement. Mr. Bowman owned a tract on the opposite side of the pike, where he had a tavern.

William Havertield opened a store in 1835, and the hamlet in the woods and swamp was named by the settlers Cash- town.

Most of the pioneers of that day were poor, and the difficulty of obtaining ready money has been frequently spoken of in

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

preceding chapters. Bowman, to sacrifice dignity for a force of expression, was the keeper of a "barrel," and in consequence was known by his poor neighbors as " Old Cash," and his village, "Cashtown." Judg- ing from appearances, no one having any sense of the fitness of things can regret that upon laying out the north part of the . town, Mr. Hess gave this trading point his own name.

The first physician at Hessville was Dr. Thompson, who bore a good reputa- tion as a skilled practitioner. His succes- sor was Dr. McVey. Dr. Philips, the only physician in the place at present, has, since locating a number of years ago, gained the confidence of the people. A few others have opened offices but did not remain long enough to merit mention in this connection.

The postmasters at Hessville, as they are remembered by old citizens, have been: David Berry, Henry Forster, Henry Reiling, Samuel Ritter, A. Lay, Jacob Arnstadt, George McVey, and Frank Arts.

There is in the village one church, built as a union meeting house in 1843, and used by the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations, and supplied by Rev. George Cronenwett. But in 1851 the Lutherans built a house of their own, three-quarters of a mile farther west, on the pike. This house, in 1877, was torn down and the finest church building.in the township erected a short distance east, at an expense of $3,000. Services have been held regularly in both houses by the respective denominations. The first Luth- erans were the Auxter, Tappy, Schwartz- mann, Pohlman, and Upp families. The first members of the Reformed congrega- tion were Henry Bowman, B. Karshner, S. Kratzel, William Keiser, William Opper- man, the Kline family and a few others.

Hessville is a hamlet of about thirty

houses and would be easily recognized by settlers who left the county thirty years ago.

The mill and distillery, owned and operated by Henry Reiling, remains to be spoken of. The mill was built by B. Bow- man. It was purchased by Mr. Reiling in 1867, who, in 1871, fitted up a com- plete apparatus for distilling spirituous liquors, with rectifiers and warehouse. The annual product is about one hundred barrels. Previous to 1875 the business was run on a more extensive scale.

HELENA.

This village is partly in Jackson town- ship. During the building of the Pitts- burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad, Toledo branch, the conditions seemed favorable to the growth of a town. In the midst of an excellent grain producing ter- ritory, and ten miles from any other mar- ket, its location is most favorable. The first lots were surveyed in September, 1871, by Joseph Garn. In November, follow- ing, John Ickes laid out the first addition. Isaac Garn afterwards laid out an addition in Washington, and Jonathan Wagner in Jackson township.

Isaac Garn was the first commissioned postmaster. He was succeeded by James Donald.

Irvine Mitchell was the first merchant. He was succeeded by B. F. Moore, and he in turn by the Fausey Bros., who sus- pended in 1877. Marvin & Dodge opened a store in 1875, which was after- wards removed to Gibsonburg. Frederick Rutchow opened a store in 1876, now owned by Rutchow & Co. Garn & Mitchell, proprietors of the only other store, began business in 1880. L. B. Iler opened the first drug store, which is now owned by W. H. Spade. Joseph Garn began the grain trade as soon as the rail- road offered shipping facilities. Rutchow & Co., and Garn & Mitchell, are the pre- sent dealers.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

There are in Helena two churches, one German Reformed, and one United Brethren. The first United Brethren class was collected soon after the first set- tlement of the township, and held prayer and preaching service in private houses, most frequently at Joseph Garn's. The first members were Joseph Garn and wife, William Boor and wife, John and Rebecca Donald, and David Vernon. The first meeting-house was built in 1843. A new house was built at the same place, now. in the town of Helena, in 1865. John Dor- cas was the first circuit preacher, Michael Long the second.

The German Reformed Church was built in Helena in 1873. The old house stood a mile further north and was built about 1855, but has been removed.

Both congregations have Sunday-schools and are in flourishing condition.

Helena is proud of her lodge of Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and if individual interest in the affairs of a so- ciety are evidences of its prosperity and the practical benefits furnished, the He- lena lodge deserves a higher place among the sister lodges of the county than its priority would indicate. The charter of Helena Lodge, No. 592, was issued May 16, 1874, and it was instituted by Special Deputy J. W. Ritchie, July 28, 1874, with the following members: J. C. Tompson, I. M. Garn, W. H. K. Gossard, Irvine Mitchell, A. H. Tice. G. P. Cornelius, B. E. Bartlett, J. W. Barnes, J. W. Mar- vin, S. R. Heberling, P. J. Gossard, S. Andrew. and P. D. Stephenson. The

present membership is ninety-six. This iodge has given to Gibsonburg lodge seventeen members : to Bradney thir- teen; and to Bettsville three. Two thou- sand dollars had accumulated in the treas- ury, which fund is now (1881) being drawn on for the construction of a hall. Dr. Thompson was the first noble grand.

Tompson Encampment, No. 209, was instituted July 25, 1876, with J. C. Tompson, I. M. Garn, G. P. Cornelius, J. W. Marvin, James M. Jones, Charles B. Inman, A. H. Tice, Henry W. King, and Morris Reese, charter members. A characteristic of the Helena Odd Fellows is their punctual attendance at meetings. There are not often many vacant chairs.

LINDSEY.

This village in appearance bears more evidence of thrift than either of the other two. It is located on the Lake Shore railroad, nine miles west of Fremont, and is a good market for grain and other agri- cultural products. The incipient steps toward founding a town were taken by Charles Loose, who erected a grain eleva- tor and began the grain trade. The fol- lowing year he erected a store and dwel- ling house. The first lots were surveyed March 23, 1868, by C. A. Monk and Isaiah Overmyer. Isaiah Overmyer laid out an addition south of the railroad De- cember 20, 1868.

There is in Lindsey one church, the Evangelical, built in 1869. The first members were Rev. C. A. Monk, Rev. D. Strawman, W. M. Boyer, J. J. Walder, Josiah Overmyer, with their families, and perhaps a few others. It was a branch of the church north of Lindsey, which was the first house of worship in that part of the township. Services have been entirely discontinued in this house, the class being divided between Lindsey and the North Rice church.

The Lindsey saw-mill was built by W. M. Boyer & Co., and is now owned by Davis & Beery. J. Wolfe owns the business es- tablished by Charles Loose. The store now owned by Overmyer & Brother was established by W. M. Boyer. Brenaman & Monk's store was opened by J. V. Beery, and has passed through several changes of proprietorship. The Lindsey

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

House, now owned by Mr. Kreilich, was built by H. J. Kramb in 1869. The Na- tional House, a capacious hotel building for a small town, was erected in 1872, by J. Burger, and is now owned by H. M. Nichols, of New York; E. S. Bowersox, proprietor.

Lindsey has been set apart a special · school district, and has a graded school with two rooms.

The station was at first named Wash- ington, but after the survey of lots the name was changed. William Overmyer was first postmaster, the office being at his house. "Loose" was at that time the name of the post office. Its style was changed to Lindsey to accord with the new name of the station, in 1868, since which time W. M. Boyer has been postmaster.

A. J. Monk began practicing medicine in Lindsey in 1868. He remained about three years, and was followed by Dr. Sailer, whose residence was short. The present physicians, in the order of their placing themselves before the people, are W. H. H. Wolland, Dr. Shipley, and Dr. W. H. Lane.

Lindsey Lodge, No. 668, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted June 27, 1877. The charter members were Joel Burkett, Andrew Weis, J. J. Walters, E. W. Hubbard, Jacob Widener, Andrew Widener, John Widener, W. S. Stevens, Nathan Cochran, F. J. Weis, William Wise- man, Zachariah Clay, and P. H. Over- myer. The lodge has a membership, at present, of fifty-two. The past noblė grands, in their order, are J. J. Walters, Joel Burkett, W. C. Wiseman, W. S. Stevens, E. W. Hubbard, Andrew Weis, A. E. Waggoner, William Boyer, and B. F. Overmyer.

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house in Washington was built about 1822, north of the pike on the old Hettrick farm. The citizens were

called together about 1833, and after a day of hard work the house was ready for school. It was of typical pioneer fashion, built up of round logs, covered with long shingles weighted down with poles, and having a floor of split puncheons, hewn on one side and notched in on the other, where they rested on the sleepers so as to make the surface even. It may be re- marked in this connection that some of the woodsmen of that early day attained re- markable accuracy of stroke with the axe. Some of them could dress a puncheon as smooth as a shingle. The windows were the most unique feature of these early school-houses. A piece was sawn out of one log near the middle of each side; a frame was fitted into the hole and splinters wedged in diagonally, nails being very scarce and expensive. Over this opening a sheet of white paper, previously greased, was stretched and fastened. There were plenty of air holes to supply ventilation.

The first school-teacher was Narcissa Topping. From those who were benefited by her instructions we learn that she was a popular teacher.

The first school-house in the southwest corner stood on the farm improved by Jacob Moses, and was built about 1834.

RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.

It cannot be determined satisfactorily where in the township the first religious service was held or who the first preacher was. United Brethren circuit riders trav- elled the Black Swamp region as soon as any one could be found to preach to, and that church was the first to form an organ- ized class. The Evangelical and Methodist churches alsosenttheir missionaries intothe woods, and as a result of all these evan- gelical labors a sense of the importance of maintaining religious worship was im- pressed upon the people.

There are in the township nine churches representing six denominations- German

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

Reformed, Methodist Episcopal, United Brethren, Lutheran, Dunkard, and Evan- gelical. We have previously mentioned those located in the villages.

Wilson Union class, United Brethren, was formed of residents of Sandusky and Washington townships about 1850, and a meeting-house was built at the township line, between Washington and Sandusky. The leading members were David Bowlus, Rev. Joshua Hatfield, Jacob Dezelen, and Rev. Wesley Harrington. The congrega- tion gradually grew smaller in consequence of the old members dying and moving away, and no new ones being added. In 1857 Mrs. Samuel Skinner and daughter were the only regular members. That year George W. Steward was appointed to the circuit, and held a protracted meeting at Wilson's meeting-house, which resulted in twenty accessions. Since that time the church has had a solid footing. A new brick meeting-house was built in 1876, op- posite the old building, in this township.

The first members of the Evangelical church in the south part of this township were: Michael Walter, John Walter, and Joseph Wingard. Services were held at private houses until about 1859, when the brick house, still used for public services, was erected. Rev. I) Kerns has been performing the offices of local preacher for more than twenty years. He was an itinerant ten years. The membership is gradually growing smaller, not numbering at present more than ten.

The founder of Methodism in this town- ship was Israel Smith, who was one of the early settlers and a working member of the church. He collected a small class, composed of the following individuals: Israel Smith and wife, William Black and wife, Mrs. Russell Smith, John Lash and wife, Mr. Green and wife, and Andrew Miller and wife. Mrs. Black and Israel Smith are the only original members liv-

ing in the county. The first meeting- house was built of stone, and known as Washington Stone Chapel. In 1858 a new house was built further west, and the stone church allowed to go down. The present membership at Washington chapel is about forty. M. D. Love is entitled to special mention for his labors as pastor in 1858.

A society of Dunkards or German Bap- tists built a meeting-house north of the pike, on the Noah Hendrick farm, In 1873. Samuel Fink is principal exhorter. Other prominent members are: Jonas Engler, Noah Hendrick, Mrs. Hettrick, Aaron Mowry, Samuel Mowry, John Hendrick, and Solomon Snyder.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

SAMUEL SKINNER.

The first settler of Washington town- ship -- Josiah Topping-located on the pike in 1826. He was followed by David Grant, then John Wolcutt, and, fourth, in the spring of 1831, came George Skinner with his family.

George Skinner and his wife, whose maiden name wav Mary Goodin, were natives of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. They removed to Perrv county, Ohio, at an early period of the settlement of that county, and accumulated property which was well improved when the Black Swamp became a much talked of land of promise. Mr. Skinner's desire to give his children, fast growing to maturity, a start in life, led him to sell his farm in Perry county and enter land here. His original purchase was larger than that of any man in the township with one exception.

In April, 1830, the party, consisting of George Skinner and wife, and eight of their children, three of whom were mar-

Samuel Skimmer

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

ried, arrived in Lower Sandusky. A short time after they penetrated the swamp and made a settlement in the southeast part of Washington township. The Skinner family consisted of twelve children, three of whom died in Perry county before the family's settlement in this county-Eliza- beth, Fanny, and Jane. David, the . second child, settled in Morrow county. Those who came to Sandusky were: Rhoda, wife of William Black, settled in Washington township, where her husband died, and she is yet living, being a woman well known for her kindness of heart and neighborly assistance in every time of need; Rebecca, accompanied by her hus- band, Samuel Black, settled in Washing- ton township, where he died, she now living with her children in Illinois; John, accompanied by his family, settled in Washington township and subsequently removed to Livingston county, Michigan ; Samuel, the subject of this biography, came a single man; George married, in Seneca county, Elizabeth Kimes, settled first in Seneca county, then in Washing- ton township, and subsequently removed to Williams county, where he is now living; Aaron, after the immigration of his family, returned to Perry county, where he mar- ried, and then settled in Washington town- ship, and has since removed to Illinois; Nathan married, in Washington township, Sophia Dayhoof, settled in Washington, and subsequently removed to Cass county, Michigan, where he now. lives; Mary Ann married, in Washington township, John Walters, and died in Tiffin, Ohio.

It was not for Mrs. Skinner long to bear the toils of pioneer life. She died in Washington township September 24, 1831, about eighteen months after leaving the old home in Perry county. George Skin- ner died September 25, 1838, aged fifty- seven years and three months. He had abandoned the comforts of a well im

proved home with a view to providing homes for his children. He came to a country which nature had favored' with richness, but a full generation's labor was needed to make it an inviting dwelling place. He lived to see a part of his large tract improved. He lived to see a cabin on almost every section and quarter-sec- tion in his township. This was the begin- ning of that transformation which half a century has effected.

Samuel Skinner, whose portrait appears in this volume, is one of the few men who has seen that transformation from begin- ning to end, and, at the same time, has been an active agent in effecting it. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, May 10, 1814, and was consequently about sixteen years old when the family came to this county. His education was such as the primitive schools of his native county af- forded. Accustomed to hard work, he was well calculated by physical strength for the life which lay before him. He married in Washington township, October 17, 1833, Elizabeth Geeseman, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1812. Her father, George Geeseman, removed to Perry county, Ohio, and from there to Washing- ton township, Sandusky county, in 1831. When Mr. Skinner was married, to obtain a start in life was not an easy matter. He was unable to provide for the necessities of life without performing day labor for his neighbors. Agricultural productions could not be exchanged for money, and the wages of a day laborer look very small in this period of plenty. But these obsta- cles of early life finally yielded to the con- tinuous hard licks of the pioneers, and eventual success and financial prosperity rewarded hardships endured. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Skinner is somewhat re- markable. There were ten children, one boy and nine girls, all of whom are living, all married, and all in promising circum-

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

stances. Their names and places of resi- dence are as follows: George W. was born July 25, 1834. He married Theresa Fox, and is living on the old homestead farm, in Washington township. Mary was born December 7, 1835. She was mar- ried to Jacob Rearick, and resides in Henry county, Ohio. Sarah was born May 1, 1837. She was married to George Rearick, residing in Sandusky township, this county. Cynthia was born January 4, 1841. She is married to David Bur- goon, residing in Sandusky township, this county. Eliza Ann, wife of Edward Choate, residing in Monroe county, Michi- gan, was born May 25, 1843. Margaret E., was married to Eli Hansberger, of Monroe county, Michigan. She was born October 3, 1844. Laura M., wife of Fred- erick Zorn, lives in Poweshiek county, Iowa. She was born April 4, 1847. Har- riet M. was born October 30, 1849. She is the wife of Lewis Zorn, of Madison township. Jane E. was born September 7, 1851. She is married to Peter Cor- nelius, and lives at Helena, Jackson town- ship. Emma N., the youngest child, was born August 20, 1853 She is the wife of Jacob Hendricks, of Henry county, Ohio.

Mrs. Skinner died March 8, 1869.

Mr. Skinner married for his second wife, in April, 1870, Mrs. Sarah Guyer, daughter of George M. Gunter, who set- tled in Wood county in 1824.

There is enough of danger connected with a bear hunt to give it a peculiar in- terest. Mr. Skinner was the discoverer of the track, and one of a party to pursue the last bear, so far as is known, to enter the marshes of Sandusky county. In the winter of 1834 Mr. Skinner discovered, one afternoon, the track of a large bear. The animal at that period was rare in this part of the State, and his track promised a fine day's sport. During the night a light snow fell. which obscured the former

track, but the following day a couple of young men of the neighborhood, while re- turning from an errand to Jackson town- ship, on Muskallonge, saw the track in the snow. The discovery was reported, dogs collected, and on the following morn- ing, at four o'clock, a party of four, con- sisting of Samuel Skinner, Robert Mc- Culloch, Samuel Geeseman, and James Fisher, with their pack of dogs and well charged guns, were on the track. Patient- ly step after step was followed by the light of the moon. Daylight came, and the dogs, as the track became fresher, were more anxious and pushed ahead. About noon they bounded forward with fierce barks, and the sound soon came from far away in the thicket. The party hurried in eager pursuit of the pack, for the barking and shrill howls of the dogs, just audible, clearly indicated the progress of a battle. After the pursuit had con- tinued for some time, Mr. Skinner, who was far in advance of his comrades, met two of the battle-scarred dogs returning from the fray. One had been severely wounded, the other considerably scratched. Suddenly the character of the barking changed from sharp yelps and long-drawn howls, which hunters recognize as the rapid advances and retreats of determined fighting, to the continuous noise of the chase. When the party came to the place of encounter, under a large tree. the snow tracks clearly indicated what had hap- pened. The pack had overtaken their game at that place, and he backed himself against the tree, thus being securely forti- fied in the rear and prepared to give battle with both paws. The condition of the dogs and blood on the ground showed bruin's victory, and as the pack returned one by one from their futile pursuit, the failure of the chase was apparent. The party returned to Miller's tavern, near Woodville. The host was boastful of his

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History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 116

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040