History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 87

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 87

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The water courses in the lower part of the township are currentless, rising and falling with the tides in the bay. Further up the current is perceptible but not rapid. The only valley is that of Mud Creek, which affords excellent drainage to the country on both sides. Near its mouth the name river would be more appropriate than creek; it is navigable for a distance of two miles from the mouth, and at places spreads out into little lakes. Fishing Creek courses the center of the township, Little Mud Creek being the principal trib-

utary. The Sandusky River skirts the southeastern border.

The head of the bay was, years ago, a favorite nesting place for ducks and geese. An old settler says that, fifty years ago, while riding north of Mud Creek, the geese were so plenty that he was able to kill dozens of them, striking with his whip from the back of the horse. Fur-bearing animals were also plenty about the mouth of the creek. Otters were the trapper's pride, while muskrats, and, further back from the bay, minks, were so plenty that, although cheap, they were the source of much needed ready cash in the pioneer days of poverty.

Sluggish streams with shallow channels have left Rice entirely without water-power. Until a recent period there was neither grist- nor saw-mill. There has never been a grist-mill, but two steam saw-mills have been operated. The first was moved from Ottawa county, and was owned by Mr. Crosby ; the other was built in 1871 by Guilson & Seigroff, near the centre of the township.

The soil is of vegetable composition, and if surface declination permitted drain- ing, would be very productive. Corn and wheat are raised with profit as it is. Cul- tivation becomes easier as clearing pro- gresses. There was a time when farmers, in dry springs, might be seen using axes in place of hoes for planting corn. A deep gash was cut in the gummy muck, in which corn was dropped and imperfectly covered. A good crop was generally harvested, even in spite of such unpromising planting. In

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

the western part of the township the drain- age system is more perfect, and the soil in consequence much looser and more easily worked.

Before the days of bridging Mud Creek was a serious obstruction to travel. Peo- ple living north of this stream especially were inconvenienced in going to and coming from market and mill at Lower Sandusky. Mr. Boggs, an old settler in the south part of Ottawa county, says:

One time Mud Creek was very high. and I wished to cross with seven bags of corn. Trees had been cut across and large poles laid on them to walk on. I knew that my corn would be wet, if I drove through the stream with it in the wagon; so I took one bag at a time and carried it on my shoulders thirty or forty rods through the bottom. I then swam my horses through the main part of the creek, sitting waist-deep in my wagon. This was only one case of a great many similar experiences.

FRENCH OCCUPATION.

After peace had been restored in 1815, this township became the home of many of the French families of the colony, which left the Maumee and came to Lower Sandusky three years earlier. The original settlement of these people, after coming to America, was at Monroe, Mich- igan. They afterwards established them- selves on the Maumec, where they settled down to habits of industry. But the opening of the British and Indian hostili- ties, in 1812, compelled another removal and doomed them to four years of migra- tion and unsettled life.

In January, 1813, by direction of the Government, about twenty families packed their possessions and started for Lower Sandusky. It was a fortunate circumstance that heavy ice well covered with snow gave them an easy course of travel and at the same time made it possible to avoid the savage enemies of the forest. All be- ing in readiness, a French train was formed. This consisted of a procession of one horse sleighs, the runners of which were made of boards. The train was placed under di-

rection of a Frenchman named Peter Mal- tosh, who had been an Indian trader. He knew the country thoroughly and proved himself a faithful and valuable guide.

The journey to Locust Point was made over the ice with ease, in one day. On the following day Port Clinton or Port- age,* as it was then called, was reached. This day's travel was hard on the horses, as the snow was very deep. The train was held close together and the order of the sleighs frequently changed, so that the horses having become weary, breaking the way, were rested in the beaten track in the rear. Upon arrival at Portage the horses were almost exhausted. Maltosh, the guide, anticipated the failure of the horses from exhaustion and on the following morning directed the train to follow his tracks. He assured them that he would be at Lower Sandusky far in advance of the train and would have, at the mouth of Muskallonge, teams to assist them to the end of the journey. The horses stiffened by two days' travel through the deep snow, entered upon the third day's trial of endurance with reluctance. With frequent changes in the order of travel, the train moved slowly across the head of the bay, and entered the river. The delight of our band of weary travellers, on reaching the mouth of Muskallonge Creek, can be im- agined, There a number of fresh teams were in waiting. The effect of finding the welcoming hand of friendship thus ex- tended far out to them, can only be ap- preciated, when we remember that these people were strangers in a strange country. They or their ancestors had left European homes made miserable by feudal despot- ism and unsafe by revolution and invasion. They found habitations in America even

"This place was given the name Portage, because it was a custom to land canoes and lift craft there and thence transport them overland a distance of a mile and a half to Sandusky bay.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

less secure, and were now fleeing from a savage foe under command and direction of the hereditary enemy of their mother country. With what delight, therefore, did these discouraged and exhausted ref- ugees receive this token of friendship and promise of protection.

These teams from the fort took most of the load and broke the way. Lower San- dusky was easily reached.

The colony was given quarters in Gov- ernment barracks during the remainder of the winter. In the spring cabins about the fort were occupied, but the forest was full of hostile Indians, and at a signal all were ready to flee into the enclosure. On the Ist of August, 1813, the French fami- lies, by order of the Government, were re- moved to Upper Sandusky. While on the way the sound of Proctor's cannon was heard at Fort Stephenson. The fam- ilies remained at Upper Sandusky until the conclusion of the war, and were then moved back to Lower Sandusky in Gov- ernment wagons. During these four years this company of refugees remained to_ gether and became warmly attached. They had been wards of the Government during the war, and the able-bodied among them bore their part bravely in the lines of soldiery. The war having closed, it now became necessary for them to seek homes and earn their own livelihood. We can give further information of but a few individuals and families of the company.

Joseph Cavalier and wife both died at Fort Stephenson before the removal of the company to Upper Sandusky. Their son Albert, who is yet living, and one of the few survivors of the company, was left in charge of his aunt, Mrs. Jaco. Gabriel O'Dett de Le Point and Thomas De Mars made-squatter improvements on the river bank eight miles below Fremont, on the tract since known as the Tucker farm. Mrs. Jaco married Le Point, and Mr. 1

Cavalier was received by Mr. De Mars. Mr. Jaco had died during the progress of the war. Le Point served as a soldier during the war. The sales of 1821 caused serious contusion among all these French squatters. Few of them were prepared to purchase land, and those who had the means did not understand how to profit by the opportunities offered. The land on which Le Point and De Mars had lo- cated was purchased by Samuel Cochran and the inhabitants compelled to seek other homes. De Mars purchased a tract on Mud Creek. Three of his sons are living - George in Bay township, Joseph in Rice, and Thomas in Hardin county.

The Bisnette family permanently settled on the farm at the bend of the river, now owned by Mr. Enoch. This farm was the death and burial-place of the parents. The Catholic cemetery is located near the site of their cabin.

Three brothers, Joseph, John, and Peter Mominne, made squatter improvements on the river bank. Peter finally settled in Bay township. Joseph purchased land in Sandusky township, and John, after living within the present limits of Rice for a time, sold his property and removed to Canada.

A member of the company named Minor squatted on Negro Point, and re- mained there about two years. He re- turned to the Maumee.

Charles Fountaine, after remaining at Fremont for a time, located on Peach Island.

Christopher Columbo was a migrating carpenter. His services were not in great demand, as not only houses, but furniture, were constructed in the simplest possible way, mostly of puncheons.

The Devoir family, consisting of five brothers-Peter, Robert, Francis, Jacob, and Alexander-returned to the Maumee. They had been raised among the Indians

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

and were thoroughly familiar with their habits. Peter and Alexander have several times visited their friends about the bay.

Thomas De Mars had been associated with the Indians all his life, and was, therefore, able to interpret their conduct. He was brave, active and trusty, qualities which made him a valuable man for the 'times. During the war he was selected to carry the mails between Upper Sandusky and Fort Findlay-a dangerous route. He has related rather a stirring incident of one of his trips, which gives an idea of his character. He says :

I saw an Indian crossing the trail some distance in front of me, who seemed to have discovered me about the same time I saw him. I was in doubt whether it was one of our few friends among the savages or a "British Indian," as those friendly to England were called. After some sly manœuvering on part of both of us, I saw the Indian had lost my whereabouts, while I knew where he was all the time. At length I saw him carefully examine the trail for my tracks, with his eyes close to the ground, as I supposed, to determine whether I had gone past. After watching these movements I became convinced that he was not to be trusted. Being armed with a good rifle and reliable side arms, I knelt low behind a large tree, and having taken care- ful aim fired. The Indian fell. When I passed him he was dying. If I ever ran in my life it was then, for I feared other Indians had heard the gun. Finally settling down to a rapid walk Upper Sandusky was reached in good time. A detachment of horsemen brought the dead body to the fort. Our friendly Indians identified him as a "bad Britisher," and were delighted at what I had done.

The French settlers 'of Rice were all Catholics, but it was several years after the close of the war before their wild set- tlement was visited by a priest.

The first mass was held by a Detroit priest named Gabriel Re Shoir. He bore on his face the marks of two heavy blows received in France during the revo- lution, at the hands of a mob maddened by the cry of "down with the clergy." The reverend father, after administering absolution, promised that a member of the clergy should visit their settlement at least once a year. This arrangement was

not effected until a few years later. A regular congregation was not formed until about the year 1830.

The French settlement did not estab- lish any schools. Their children, how- ever, attended the English schools, one of which was taught by Mr. Forgerson in Sandusky township.

GERMAN POPULATION.

German is an important element in the population of Rice. During the period of early settlement the inhabitants were, with a few exceptions, all French. About 1835 the first German families moved into the woods in the western portion, and by that untiring industry which is character- istic of their race, soon had fertile fields in a state of profitable cultivation. Here à large tract of "wild land" offered an opening to the emigrants who were seek- ing Western homes. From 1840 to 1850 the work of clearing and improving was pushed with the greatest rapidity. We have space to mention only a few of the more prominent of these German families.

John Smith, one of the earliest Ger- man settlers of this township, came to America and settled here in 1833. He was born in Germany in 1783, and mar- ried there Catharine Ernst, also a native of Baden. They reared a family of seven children, viz .: Catharine, Mary, Eliza- beth, John, Christina, Frederick, and Rosannah. Both of the parents died in 1870. Frederick was born in Baden in 1829. In 1852 he married Elizabeth Kiser, a native of France, and in 1877 settled in Sandusky township, where he has a family of eight children-Christina (deceased), Frederick, Caroline, Elizabeth, William, Clara, Amelia, and Edward.

Christian Kline, who was born in Ger- many in 1790, emigrated to America with his wife in 1837, and settled in this county. After remaining eight months they re- moved to Lucas county and lived there

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

about three years, after which they re- turned to this county, and made perma- nent settlement in Rice. Mr. Kline died in 1855, having survived his wife ten years. Four of their eight children are yet living -Christian lives in Washington township; Louis lives in Monroe county, Michigan; Susan (Mullencup), Lucas county; An- drew, the third son, was born in 1824, and lives in Rice. He married Sarah Ann Kreilick, in 1848. She was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. The fruit of this union was thirteen children, nine of whom are living. Mr. Kline served both in the Mexican war and the war of the Rebellion. His chil- dren are, Christina (Cillias), Rice town- ship; Louisa (Wolf), Michigan; Susan (Smith), Rice township; Adam, Michigan; John, Rice township; Sarah E. (Greas- man), Rice township; Macida C., Mary M., and Andrew W., Rice township.

Henry and Catharine Swint, natives of Germany, had a family of eleven children, three of whom came to this country. Henry, their fourth child, was born in 1814. He married, in 1848, Rosena Reinick, who was born in 1831, in Baden, Germany. Fifteen children have blessed this union, viz: Anthony, Sandusky township; John, Ballville township; Cath- arine, wife of Frank Zimmer, Fremont; Jacob, Fremont; Joseph, Fremont; Am- brose, Rice township; Mary, wife of Frank Freek, Fremont; Edward, Lizzie, Sarah, Ella, Josephine, Henry, Anna, and Rosa, in Rice township. Mr. Swint is a weaver, and worked at the trade in Germany. Hc served twelve years in the German army. He came to America and settled in Riley township in 1845, but at the opening of the war with Mexico he joined the army and continued in the service until July, 1848, when he returned to this county, married, and settled down to farming in Rice.

William Seigenthraller was one of the first German settlers of the township. He accumulated a large tract of land.

Gotlieb and Margaret Gnepper had a family of eight children, two of whom, Francis and Ernst, came to this coun- try. Ernst was born in Germany in 1824. In 1853 he 'married Mary Friar, whose father, Frederick Friar, emigrated from Germany and settled in Woodville township in 1836. Their family consists of five children, viz: Henry, Angeline, Frances, Freddie, and John, all of whom are at home, except Angeline, who is the wife of Philip Seigenthraller, of Washing- ton township. Mr. Gnepper has served in various local offices.

PENNSYLVANIANS.

A portion of the population in the western part of the township belongs to what is commonly known as "Pennsyl- vania Dutch." Peter Hettrick settled near the present location of the Lutheran church in 1832. He had a family of eight sons, whose labors have been considerable in reducing the forest. The previous em- igrants from Pennsylvania settled further south, but an opening once made, fine farms were soon cleared up. We can mention but a few families.

Michael Smith, a native of France, came to America and settled in Pennsyl- vania in 1826, at the age of twenty years. After remaining several years he married Margaret Powell, who was also a native of France, having been born there in 1815. They came to Sandusky county and made permanent settlement in Rice. Fifteen children blessed this union, seven of whom are living, viz .: Elizabeth (Kesser), San- dusky township; Jacob, Rice township; Mary (Seigenthraller), Sandusky town- ship; Michael, Rice township; John, Margaret (Wagner), and Kate Gahn, Rice township. John, the fifth child, was born in 1852. In 1875 he married Susan Kline,

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

by whom he has three children -- David A., Michael I., and Sarah A.

Hugh B. Hineline was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1802, where he married, in 1825, Rebecca Lettig, who was born in 1808. They emigrated to Ohio in 1854, and settled in Rice, where he died in 1871. The family consisted of fourteen children, two of whom lost their lives in the war of the Rebellion. Ten are living, viz .: Anna (Ruth), Ballville ; Cyrus M., Freeport, Illinois; Elizabeth (Richards), Fremont; Sarah (Cole), Sandusky township; Wil- liam H., Rice; Alinda (Furry), Woodville; Hugh E., Rice; Thaddeus, Michigan; R. Emma (Speller), Ballville; and John Franklin, Freeport, Illinois. Abel T. was killed at Kenesaw Mountain in 1864. Simon P., who was in the naval service, fell from a ship mast off the coast of North Carolina in 1861. Jacob died in 1870, at the age of thirty-nine years. Frances died in childhood. William H. and Hugh E. reside on the homestead. William H. served three years in the army, during which time he was confined six months in Libby prison.

OTHER SETTLERS.

Peleg Cooley was one of the earliest pi- oneers of the county. He emigrated with his wife, Martha Bassett, from New York to Canada in 1807. In 1815 they came to Fremont, Ohio. Their family consisted of eight children, but one of whom is liv- ing-Edmond O .- who was one of the earliest settlers of Rice. In 1835 he mar- ried Catherine Ash, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1815. She died in Rice in 1880. Four of their eight children are living: James W., in Kansas; Maggie, in Rice; Rebecca (Irwin), in Ottawa county ; and Jeremiah in Rice. Isaac B., Anna, Isaiah, and Frances J. are dead. Mr. Cooley was one of the first members of the Fremont Methodist church.

Eleazer Willey emigrated from New York

to Huron county in 1830 and remained there about three years. He then perma- nently settled in Rice township, where he died in 1852. His wife died in 1866. Of their family of eight children three are still living-Sarah Ann, wife of O. C. Brunner, in Kansas; Jane, wife of Joseph Fry, in Scott township; and Richard, the oldest son, who was born in New York in 1817. He came to Ohio with his parents, and in 1847 married Harriet Walker, who was born in New York in 1825. They have three children-Eliza, at home; George WV., in Michigan; and Mary E., wife of Wallace Scringer, in Rice.

Thomas Tuckerman, fourth child of Thomas Tuckerman, sr., was born in Vir- ginia in 1809. The following year his pa- rents removed to Maryland, where Thomas lived till 1821, when he came to Seneca county. In 1836 he married Elizabeth Brown, of Melmore, Seneca county, and in 1842 became a resident of this county, his first settlement being in Sandusky township. From there he removed to Rice. His family consisted of fourteen children, seven of whom are living, viz .: John, Orrin, Ann, Charlie, Claridon, Arza B., and Clara Belle, all living in this town- ship, except Ann (Swank), who resides in Fremont. Mr. Tuckerman held the office of county auditor one term.

T. T. Harrison came to Fremont in 1857 from Michigan. He afterwards re- moved to Hancock county, Ohio, where he married, in 1865, Sarah E. LePoit, an granddaughter of Gabriel LePoint, one of the French colony previously spoken of. He has been a resident of Rice since 1867.

John Cochran was born in Pennsylvania in 1801. He married Margaret Patter- son, also a native of Pennsylvania, and moved to Perry county, Ohio, afterwards coming to this county. The family con- sisted of seven children, four of whom are living, viz: Hannah (Williams), Ball

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

ville; Isabella (Jackson), Fremont; Ellen (Mudge), Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Thomas W. Cochran, who was born in Perry county in 1827. In 1869 he mar- ried Jane Wright and has a family of three children-John T., Edmund F., and Net- tie. Mr. Cochran was engaged in mer- chandising three years and in the manu- facture of woollen goods three years in Erie county. He is now farming in Rice.

Nathaniel B. Tucker, a native of Mas- sachusetts, was born in 1796. He mar- ried in New York, in 1821, Mary A. Bal- lard. They came to this county in 1839 and settled in Rice, where they still re- side in the fullness of their age. Three children are living-N. R .; Mary (Sny- der), Ottawa county; Henry H., Rice township. Mr. Tucker is a tanner and shoemaker. Even at the advanced age of eighty-five he continues to work on the bench mending shoes. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Nelson R., the old- est son, was born in New York in 1823. He came to this county with his parents and married Miranda Burgoon, by whom he has a family of nine children living, viz: Martha Ann Margaret; Mary E. (Parish), Sandusky township; Rachel T. (Kleinhans), Ottawa county; Harriet I., Nellie I. (Strouble), Juliet J., Charles G., Lilla V., and John P., Sandusky town- ship. Adeline M., Barrett E., and Mor- rison M. are deceased. Mr. Tucker fol- lowed tanning and shoemaking a number of years, then purchased the farm in San- dusky township where he now resides.

CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Public worship according to the Catho- lic ritual was instituted in this township at an early period of the settlement. A meeting-house was built about 1830 on the bank of the Sandusky River, and a lot of ground set apart for burying purposes. Most of the settlers being French the ser- vice of the French church was followed.

This congregation was known as "Phile- mon Church," but in 1870, when a new house was built nearer the centre of the township, the name was changed and a general reorganization effected. The pres- ent membership is about fifteen families Two of them are German, the others of French descent. A cemetery beautifully located on the bank of the river marks the site of the old church. This continues to be the public burying-ground.

ZOAR METHODIST CHURCH (GERMAN).

Methodist worship was instituted among the German families of the southern and central part of the township about 1844. A mission church was built, and a grave- yard set apart about that time. The heads of families who formed the class, were Michael Schmidt, Nicholas Younker, John Schmidt, Michael Hulderman, Mr. Paul, Giles Sigroff and Jacob Switzgreoer. In 1873 increasing congregations, and the dilapidating effects of time made a new house of worship necessary. The congre- gation, which numbers about sixty mem- bers, is connected with Woodville circuit.

EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.

Two societies of this denomination have churches within the limits of the township. Fishing Creek clas, was organized about 1850. Meetings were held in school- houses until about 1860, when a church was built in the southern part of the township. The only two surviving mem- bers of the first class are Joseph Lambert and Michael Stull. Fishing Creek is the name of this class.

A class has been organized in the north part of the township, which erected a church near the Ottawa county line in 188r. It is known as "Mud Creek Class.' ' Both societies are connected with Lindsey circuit.

SOLOMON'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.

About 1832 the western part of the

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

township began to fill up with Pennsyl- vanians and Germans, who had been con- nected with the Evangelical Lutheran church. Peter Hettrich and Adam Krei- lich were the leading members, and meet- ings were held at their residences. Rev. Henry Lang, of Fremont, formally or_ ganized a society in 1843, and a log church was built in 1844, which accommodated the congregation until 1867, when the present substantial brick house was erected. Rev. Mr. Lang was preacher for more than forty years, until in 1879 Rev. Mr. Alt- hoff was given charge. During Mr. Lang's pastorate Mr. Thornberry supplied the pulpit one year. The services of the church are wholly in German, and are well attended by a large membership.

ORGANIZATION.

Rice was formerly included in Bay township, but the organization of Ottawa county in 1840 cut off from this county the larger part of Bay, and made the es- tablishment of a new township in San- dusky necessary. The name "Rice" was conferred in honor of Judge Ezekiel Rice, who had been an associate judge of the court of common pleas. He was one of the pioneers on the Portage River, and a man universally respected. His residence was north of the new county line.

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History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 87

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