History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 62

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 62

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with. Thus he passed his time, and also began the study of law in 1849, under the tuition of Judge John L. Green, sr., now deceased. He was admitted to the Bar at Fremont in the year 1851, and has ever since practiced law, and is now so engaged. He was elected prosecuting attorney for Sandusky county, and performed the duties of that office four successive years with ability and diligence. Mr. Remsburg has been married, and has raised to man- hood four sons now living, and has now been a widower for over ten years. He is a well preserved man, of good habits, and bids fair to be strong and active for many years to come.

MERRITT L. SNYDER was born at the farm of his father, George N. Snyder, esq., in Scott township, Sandusky county, Ohio, on the 8th day of January, 1838. HE was educated at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Delaware, Ohio, where he re- mained three years, having previously attended the common school of his town- ship. After leaving Delaware he became a school teacher and taught·twelve terms, and was a faithful and efficient teacher. In 1860 he began the study of the law in the law office of Hon. Judge T. P. Fine- frock, at Fremont, Ohio. He then went to Fort Wayne, in the State of Indiana, where he was admitted to the Bar in May, 1864. After his admission he returned to Fremont, Ohio, and shortly after that, in May, 1864, removed west and located at Holton, Jackson county, Kansas, where he at once commenced the practice of his profession. While in Kansas Mr. Snyder acquired a good standing as a lawyer, and for three consecutive years was chosen prosecutor for Jackson county, and also held the office of clerk of the courts. He left Kansas on the 12th of November, 1874, on his return to his former home, arriving at Fremont, Ohio, on the 18th of the same month, and at

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once entered upon the practice of the law in the same city where he had received his instruction in the science of the law, where he has ever since and still is en- gaged in the practice of his profession. He was married to Miss Susan Bo- land, of Sandusky county, on the 14th day of June, 1866, who has proved a faith- ful and devoted wife, and with whom he still lives, having three children living to cheer and beautify their home. Mr. Synder is a fair lawyer, an ingenious ad- vocate, and a kind-hearted and courteous gentleman in his intercourse with men and in his practice at the Bar.

SAMUEL C. GARVER is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born on the 14th day of May, 1855. Mr. Garver in his early life attended the com- mon schools of his native county, and obtained such instruction as they af- forded. After leaving these schools he attended Smithville academy, where he made considerable advancement in the various branches taught in that institution. After leaving the academy Mr. Garver taught school two terms. He commenced the study of the law in the office of Wins- low & Garver, at Fremont, Ohio, in the year 1874. After reading two years he took a regular course of study and lec- tures at the Ohio State and Union Law College at Cleveland, from which he graduated on the 25th day of May, 1876, receiving the degree of LL. D. Mr. Garver was admitted to practice in the several courts of the United States on the 24th day of May, 1876, and about the same time admitted to practice in the courts of the State of Ohio. He has been a member of the law firm of Garver & Garver since his admission, and is still en- gaged as such in active practice. Mr. Garver is a young man of much energy, and his present developments indicate that he will become a practitioner of good

standing in the profession he has chosen. He remains unmarried, but his brothers in the order of "Haugastols" are in great fear that he will soon forsake them for a life of double blessedness.

CHARLES F. BELL was born at Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, on the 15th day of No- vember, 1856. He came to Fremont with his parents about 1864, and attended common schools for a time, then took a course of study at Hellmouth college, in London, Province of Ontario. Besides these opportunities for acquiring an edu- cation, Mr. Bell was placed under the private tuition of the Rev. Richard L. Chittenden, pastor of St. Paul's church, Fremont, Ohio, who faithfully and suc- cessfully taught him in Latin, mathe- matics, and in fact, all the branches gen- erally taught in institutions of learning in this country He studied law with Ever- ett & Fowler two years, and was admitted to the Bar by the district court of San- dusky county, on the 19th day of March, 1878. After his admission young Bell continued to read in the office of Bartlett & Finefrock until Judge Thomas P. Fine- frock left the bench and returned to practice. Mr. Bell then formed a part- nership with the judge, and is still in prac- tice with him at Fremont, with influential friends to help him on. No doubt Mr. Bell, with time and experience, will devel- op into a popular and successful practi- tioner. A few years ago he married the daughter of one of Fremont's prominent citizens, H. R. Shomo, esq.

JOSEPH R. BARTLETT, one of the most popular attorneys at the Bar of Sandusky county, was born in the county of Seneca on the 16th day of July, 1830, and came to Lower Sandusky with his father, Brice J. Bartlett, in the fall of 1833. Young Bartlett received his education in the public schools of Lower Sandusky and Fremont. He studied law with his father

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and was admitted to practice in 1853. He began practice with his father. Joseph R. at first rather discouraged his father by a want of enthusiasm in the practice of his profession, but as time passed and he awoke to the responsibilities of life which were thrown upon him by his father's death, he devoted himself intently to study and practice. He has steadily advanced in practice and knowledge of the law, until there are few, if any, superior to him now in the management and trial of causes at the Bar of the county. Mr. Bartlett has continuously practiced law since his admission to the Bar, excepting the time spent in the service of his coun- try in the war for the suppression of the Southern Rebellion, in which he was dis- tinguished for bravery and efficiency in connection with the Forty-ninth regiment, and for a more complete notice of the military services of Colonel Bartlett the reader is referred to the history of the Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in another part of this history. Mr. Bartlett was married many years ago to Miss Rachel Mitchner, but has no children living, having lost by death a few years ago a daughter who was one of the brightest and most promising young ladies in Fremont.

BRICE J. BARTLETT, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Bartlett, was born in the county of Lincoln, State of Maine, on the 2Ist day of September, 1808. His father, Samuel, with his family, emi- grated to Ohio in 1824, and settled in Hamilton county, near Cincinnati, where he resided until November, 1824, when he moved and settled in Seneca county. Young Bartlett was in early life apprenticed to the trade of cabinet-making. He was married in 1829 to Phebe Ellis, and moved to Lower Sandusky, now Fre- mont, in the fall of 1833. The next year, upon the breaking out of the cholera, he

moved his family to Seneca county, and returned himself and rendered assistance. Upon moving to Lower Sandusky he for a time followed the business of painting, and afterwards watch repairing, and then engaged as clerk for Andrew Monhuse, in the grocery business. He commenced reading law in April, 1838, and in July, 1840, was admitted to practice. In September, 1841, he formed a partner- ship with Hon. L. B. Otis, afterwards judge of common pleas, which part- nership was dissolved in May, 1842. In 1843 he formed a partnership with Hon. J. I. Green, afterwards judge of common pleas, and continued to October, 1845, when he formed a partnership with Charles Edylin, which was dissolved in August, 1846. In 1848 he formed a part- nership with S. N. Wilcox, and afterward, in August, 1851, with Hon. T. P. Fine- frock, afterwards judge. In 1853 he formed a partnership with his son, and his health failing he retired from practice in July, 1854. His health afterwards im- proved, and in July, 1855, he resumed practice in partnership with his son, Joseph R. Bartlett, under the firm name of B. J. Bartlett & Son, and continued in practice until March 23, 1859,at which time he died from pneumonia, resulting from a cold contracted at the March term of Sandusky common pleas.

JOHN L. GREEN JR., was born July 7, 1838, and was educated in the com- mon schools of Sandusky county. He learned the printer's trade in the offices of the Fremont Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer. He studied law under his father and was admitted by the supreme court of Ohio in January, 1861. He enlisted in company G, Eighth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, three months service, April, 1861. He enlisted in company D, One Hun- dred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry in March, 1862, and was discharged

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for disability, in January, 1863. He was appointed adjutant of the One hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in May, 1864, and discharged in Septem- ber 1866. He raised company E, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth, in December, 1864, and January, 1865; was discharged

September 25, 1865. He was appointed probate judge by Governor Hayes in Jan- uary, 1869; elected probate judge in Oc- tober, 1869; served nearly six years on appointment and election. He married Emma Shaw, October 10, 1867, and has four children-three boys and one girl.

CHAPTER XXIV.

FREMONT.

The Village and Village Life.

INTEREST clings around the old fort; memory carries us back to the scene of fast filling ditches, leaning pickets and de- serted block-houses. Imagination, assisted by history and tradition, goes farther back, and the events of more than a century, which filled this little square with action and activity, rush upon a bewildered fancy. Going backwards in chronological order from the close of the war, here and there is seen a small cabin adjoining to which is a field of corn cultivated by men who were accustomed to keep one eye on their work while the other was watchful of the forest inhabited by savage men and wild animals. A commissary merchant lazily attended his easy duties, and a few sol- diers day after day amused themselves with their guns, pipes, and bottles, and re- counting past experiences. Cannon balls here and there washed from the embank- ments, and scarred pickets are the souvenirs of battle. The scene of an heroic con- flict fills the mind. What must have been the anxiety of Croghan and his brave lit- tle band, when vessels laden with trained

soldiery and improved instruments of de- struction disturbed the Sandusky's still waters ? What fearful apprehension must have been added to anxiety when Tecum- seh came at the head of a band of red warriors, wrought to rage by the memory of past grievances ? The battle ter- minated most gloriously, yet sadly; for under what circumstances can we think of destruction and death without sadness ? Follow back the clear pathway of history to before the existence of Fort Stephen- son, when Wyandots made this their own home, seeing white men only as traders or agents. Canoes glided over the still water's surface, where, on several occasions, might be seen the thoughtful, plotting face of Tecumseh. Indian cabins dotted the beautiful hill west of the river. Council fires lighted the evening sky, and night often resounded with the war-dance and revelry.

Go back a quarter of a century further. When the Wyandots made the valley of the Sandusky the tribal seat of empire. What meeting within our corporation

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

in the importance of its deliberations equaled that assembled around a council fire in 1785, where the eloquent and masterly Brant formed the league and union which defeated two American armnies and retarded nearly a decade the settle- ment of the Northwest. White captives and their treatment appear, as the picture is fast fading in the distance. That dream of fact or fancy, as may be, paints two neutral forts upon the river's bank-peace- ful resting places amidst the fright and blood of exterminating war. The fancied picture has at last faded, and, as we come back to our own time, we seek a reason why this one small tract has figured so conspicuously in history.

We have an answer, at least partially satisfactory, in the geographical conforma- tion of Northern Ohio. Much has been said of the pathless and almost impenetra- ble forests. Even Indians made streams their highways, and the line of communi- cation between Ohio and Detroit, a trad- ing centre from the first exploration of the country. The Sandusky River, a friendly arm of the lake, stretched across flats and swamps to a range of sandy bluffs, admitting of navigation further south than any other point within the lake system. This reservation was there- fore a beautiful inland harbor-a com- mercial and military port of two races of men. After the treaty of 1815 had brought joy to every home in America, and every foreign troop had left our shores, men re- sumed peaceful occupations, Western em- igration revived, and every Eastern high- way presented the spectacle of long trains of covered wagons, conveying families from cultured communities to pioneer homes Indian power, which had long held sway over northwestern Ohio, was broken, and the white settlements and improvement of this fertile region was the irresistible course of destiny.

This historic reservation already had an inhabitance of as many as twenty families and a few squatters were encroaching upon the Indian domain. Negotiations were early set on foot looking toward the extinguishment of Indian titles, and there being no further apparent use of a military post in this quarter, Congress made pro- vision for the sale of lands reserved for that purpose. The reservation was sur- veyed into lots facing upon the river on both sides and running back to the limits of the tract. On the east side of the river Mr. Wormley, the United States sur- veyor, laid out, in 1816, a regular town, which he called "Croghanville," in honor of the hero the scene of whose triumph triumph lay within sight of the prospect- ive metropolis of the Northwest. The city of Croghanville, when this survey was made, commanded scenery of rare beauty which the settler's axe and the growth of a city have destroyed. There was nothing of the grand or sublime in the surround- ings, but a rare variety of simple beauty, which interests the imagination and satis- fies æsthetic longings. High above the surrounding country a green gulf of wav- ing forest stretches far in the distance to where it meets the descending blue hori- zon. Below, the Sandusky's sleeping water fills a tortuous bed, fringed with alternating prairie and underbrush, with here and there a cluster of plum or locust trees filling the air with the sweet perfume of their white blossoms. But a perfume yet sweeter was brought by northwestern breezes; and the eye, following the direc- tion of its coming, found a fascinating rest- ing place. The hill rising from a green sward, within the river's bend, was thickly covered by crab and plum trees mingling their branches, and in spring-time appear- ed like a mountain of flowers. Toward the west could be seen something of life and human activity, and smoke curling

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from the wooden chimneys of isolated cabins. The plowman's song was heard in the valley below, and toward the south and west, skirting cornfields, the sparkling river hurried over a bed of rock. Beyond, a steep, at some places, precipitous bluff intercepted the view. Such were the sur- roundings of the site chosen for a city.

That the location was deemed one of promise is indicated by the fact that a reservation was made by Congress of one lot for a ship-yard. At the time of the sur- vey a boat was being built on the west side of the river, by the firm of Wilson & Disbrow. Surrounded by excellent inland timber, and the facilities for floating vessels to the lake being remarkably good, there was no reason why ship building should not become an important enterprise. War experience had taught the Government the necessity of having in the West secure facilities for recruiting an inland navy.

Excepting the ship-yard the town of Croghanville was held for sale by in- and out-lots, under the direction of the land commissioner. It was expected that a city, in fact, would soon cover this pictu- resque elevation, regularly laid off in streets and squares. But a rival, almost within a stone's throw, changed the expected course of affairs and left Croghanville for many years with an existence only on paper.

THE KENTUCKY COMPANY.

Among the inhabitants of the reserva- tion in 1817 were a number of men of good business capacity and keen foresight, who were able to command a limited amount of capital. Who they were and their characteristics as citizens and men, will be told subsequently. The Kentucky Company was formed June 9, 1817, and was composed of the following members: Israel Harrington, Thomas L. Hawkins, Ephraim Johnson, Morris A. Newman,

William Andrews, David Gallagher, Aaron Forgerson, Randall Jerome, Thomas E. Boswell, John Drury, Joseph Mominne, Joseph Rumery, John A. de La Cost, John Baptiste Mominne, and John Ander- son. All became residents of the town they founded except Boswell and Anderson, the former being a Kentucky gentleman of means, who was afterwards associated in business with Thomas L. Hawkins, but never became a citizen.

The reservation was originally surveyed into lots forty rods wide, facing upon the river, and numbered from north to south. The Kentucky Company appointed, in June, 1817, Israel Harrington, Thomas L. Hawkins, and Ephraim Johnson, agents of the company to attend to the land. sales at Delaware and purchase lots (or ranges, as they are known in the old records) eight and nine, which include all that part of the present city lying west of the river be- tween parallels intersecting the river near the turnpike bridge and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad bridge. The conditions of the sale provided that a per- centage should be paid down and the bal- ance in annual payments ; that, in case of failure to pay, the land should revert to the United States. It was the policy of the Kentucky Company to divide their lands proportionately to the stock sub- scribed, and to give to each member a separate title of ownership, thus making each individual responsible for future pay- ments. This was a wise arrangement, for subsequent records show that much of the purchased tract reverted in consequence of non-payment. The causes of this are hinted at in a poem written by one of the associates, from which we shall presently quote. The tract was looked upon as especially eligible for a town, and it seems there were many bidders, each determined to have a piece. Mr. Thomas L. Hawk- ins, in his poetical reminiscence, says :

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

Where now Sandusky rolls her lovely tide Few years since no human footsteps glide; One dark, dense forest for the bounding roe From Lake Erie to the pleasant Ohio; Where silence reigned with her old magic spell, Broken only by the wolf's or savage yell ; One spot was marked for Virtue's soft retreat, Where Proctor's legions met a sore defeat; Where the young Croghan won a deathless fame, Implanted honors on Sandusky's name. And oh' ye warriors, venerate the dead, Nor fear in danger's path to take the lead; Shrink not, I say, at threats of Mexico, But for your country's glory go meet them, go. This great achievement rang throughout the land, For this favored spot Congress took a stand; In their wise council ventured to declare That in '17 should be sold two miles square; That in war's event they on arms relied, A conspicuous place should be fortified. Now what rushing to the public sale! All emulous, tract too small, some must fail; Great speculators, ready to cut a dash, O'erbid each other, and felt the want of cash. Yet, keeping in view their first great intent, Each got a piece, advancing small per cent. Blessed their stars! weather superbly fine! Per acre a hundred and fifty dollars for lot number nine! Oh! do you doubt your simple, plain narrator, And say no man would buy thus in a state of nature? Yet so it was, and they so deemed them blessed, Establishing emporium of the West. Did they misjudge? Do they stand convicted? Or is Sandusky what they then predicted ?

This poem from which we have extract- ed was written in 1845. It is not proba- ble that Mr. Hawkins foresaw the comple- tion of a grand trunk line of railroad and other great public enterprises which have built a city of the second class from the small village which he knew and of which he wrote. But we return to the Kentucky Company. The purchased tract, lots eight and nine, was carved into town lots and equitably divided among the shareholders. The first town plat of "Sandusky" was made, and recorded at Norwalk in De- cember, 1817, attested by the following names: Thomas L. Hawkins, for self and Thomas E. Boswell; Morris A. Newman; William Oliver, for self and company ; Israel Harrington, for self and L. E. P .; Josiah Rumery.

The lots were appraised by commission- ers for the purpose of distribution among the proprietors. They considered the land, even though it was in a state of nature, very valuable. For instance, the mill lot containing one acre was appraised at three hundred dollars. We will now cross the river to

CROGHANVILLE.

The original village was laid off in out- lots and in-lots, after the manner so suc- Cessfully adopted in the founding of towns during the early settlement of Ohio. One lot in each block of sixteen lots and two out-lots, containing about sixteen acres, were set apart for the support of public instruction; one large lot lying on the east bank of the river in the north part of the survey was reserved for a ship-yard. A large number of the village lots were purchased by Alexander Morrison, a very respectable citizen who lived on that side of the river for many years, and who filled with honor various local and county offices. Morris A. Newman, one of the proprietors of Sandusky, purchased a tract of lots in Croghanville, and erected a frame house in which he kept tavern. A school- house was erected on that side, in which also the first courts were held. After the seat of justice was removed to the west side of the river, Newman closed his tavern, but for many years resided in the house. With the exception of these and a few other scattering houses, Croghan- ville remained a common, without fences, and even the stakes which marked the streets and lots of the prospective city rot- ted away. In 1830, when Lower San- dusky, which had become a flourishing village, was incorporated, it included with- in its limits the platted village. Thus Croghanville, which had never existed in fact, passed out of existence even in name.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

LOWER SANDUSKY SIXTY YEARS AGO.

We mean by this heading, Lower San- dusky in the days of its incipiency. The town was always peculiar in its character, made so not only by being an emporium of trade, but a number of eccentric and brainy men gave interest to every street meeting and bar room gathering.

· The first frame house was erected by Israel Harrington in the year 1815. It stood near the corner of Croghan and Front streets, on the ground now occu- pied by the stores of Lewis Leppelman and Philip Dorr. The building, when first erected, was unique in appearance. There were no saw-mills, and the builder brought by water lumber only for the frame. The weather-boarding was, there- fore, made of split white oak shingles, or clapboards. These were afterwards re- moved and sawed boards took their place. Mr. Everett, in a lecture delivered many years ago, remarks: "A frame house at that time was a great curiosity in this part of the country, and Harrington's tavern was for some time the centre of attrac- tion." The bar was handy and whisky cheap. The villagers made the tavern a frequent place of resort. The travelling public had to be depended upon for news, and loquacious emigrants and traders de- tailed events and at times most astonish- ing stories. In this tavern took place many events of revelry and joy, not un- mingled with the inspiration of spirits.

The second frame house was the store building of J. S. and G. G. Olmstead, fully described in another chapter.

The third frame building was built by Cyrus and Jaques Hulburd, on Front street, and was used for a store. This building was erected in 1817.

William Andrews built the fourth frame house in 1818 or 1819. It was three stories in height, and stood on the present site of June's foundry, In the third story

of this building the Masonic lodge met.

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History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 62

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