USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County : Containing a detailed narrative of the principal events that have occured since its first settlement down to the present time > Part 7
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one year, and ask themselves if this is the 'change' to which they were invited.
" The Democracy, who in trying times have been entreat- ed to rally and rescue our government must appreciate the pres- ent as a crisis equally important, and prepare to restore her from the dominion of an unprincipled and reckless political party, who are now-plunging her into debt, disgrace, and dis- honor, regardless of consequences. We shall endeavor to maintain a courteous, but decided position, in regard to the principles we intend promulgating, and in discussion have a strict observance for the truth of what shall appear in our paper.
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" With these remarks, we throw ourselves upon the support of our friends in the cause of Democracy, and by an honest, fearless and independent course, we hope to merit the support which they shall be pleased to bestow upon us." -
On the 18th of November, 1845, the first number of the " Whig Standard," was issued by Geo. L. Wharton, editor .- This paper is still printed at Tiffin. The following is the con- clusion of the editor's "Salutatory :"
" We shall enter our protest against the Locofoco party, and labor ardently for the preservation of those principles bequeath- ed to us by the patriots of the Revolution-the principles of the Whig party-a party whose origin was our country's Revolu- tion, and whose fidelity and patriotism achieved our Indepen- dence. Upon this broad platform we shall stand, adhering firmly to liberty, despising anarchy and despotism with an eye single to the interest of our country, feeling assured that, upon the integrity of the Whig party, rests our destiny as a nation."
On the 9th day of June, 1832, the Cholera, that fearful scourge of nations, made its appearance in America. It com- menced among some newly arrived Irish immigrants in Canada, and proceeded rapidly along the valleys of the St. Lawrence,
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Champlain and Hudson, and on the 26th of the same month, several cases occurred in New York. A great proportion of the inhabitants left the place in dismay ; but, notwithstanding the reduction of numbers, the ravages of the disease were ap- palling ! It spread with great rapidity throughout the states of New York and Michigan, and along the Ohio and Mississippi to the gulf of Mexico.
From New York, it went along the Atlantic coast, as far as North Carolina, and apparently followed the great routs of travel, both on land and water. It did not, however, make its appearance in this county, until the 19th of August, 1834 .- Its ravages were confined entirely to the town of Tiffin, though some died in the country after they had left the place.
The first person that fell a victim to this disease, was the wife of John Hubble. During its continuance, sixty-three died, and many more were attacked, but recovered. All that could, left the town, and scattered in various parts of the county. Those with whom it proved fatal, were principally of the poorer class of foreigners. One thing is quite remarkable. During the whole time that it prevailed in this county the wind blew from the north ; and as soon as it changed, the fatality ceased !
The most general disease which at present prevails in the county, and indeed ever has, since its first settlement, is bilious fever. This disease makes its appearance periodically, com- mencing the latter part of summer, and continuing until the. close of autumn, prevailing more extensively, and with in- creased severity, during the month of September. It is more common along the Sandusky and its tributaries than in other sections of the county .*
* A correspondent, speaking of early times, remarks : "It was then quite sickly -- none of the comforts of life, such as groceries, or store-goods, were to be had nearer than Sandusky or Huron. Many suffered, and probably died, for the want of proper care .-- There was no physician nearer than at Lower Sandusky, (Dr. Brainard,) and I have seen people carrying boards on their backs, two miles through the woods of which coffins were
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No fatal and malignant epidemic, except the Cholera, has ever scourged this section of country. Genuine Phthisis Pulmonalis, or Consumption, is of rare occurrence ; and, since the forests have been cleared ; since they have been turned into cultivated fields, Seneca has justly ranked as a healthy county.
On the 17th day of January, 1834, the county commission- ers issued notice to receive proposals for erecting a court-house to be built in Tiffin. On the 13th of February, of the same year, the commissioners, after deliberating upon the proposals submitted, finally agreed and entered into a written contract with John Baugher, to build the same, for the sum of nine thousand, five hundred dollars.
It was finished in the fall of 1836, and on the night of the 21st of May, 1841, all, except its walls, were burned to the ground. A large amount of papers, books, &c., belonging to private individuals and of considerable value were consumed, but none of any worth belonging to the county were destroy- ed, except a few in the clerk's office, and some others of in- considerable value.
On the 10th of June, of the same year, the commissioners ordered the re-building of the court-house, and on Friday, July 23d, entered into an examination of proposals for doing the same. The lowest proposal was by John Baugher, who offer- ed to do the joiner-work for two thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars, which was accepted. Jacob Emrick contract- ed for the mason-work, at eight hundred dollars ; and Alison Phillips, for the plastering, at four hundred and fifty dollars .-
to be made. But the county soon began to settle rapidly, changing the face of the coun- try-society began to improve-the county-seat was located-physicians, mechanics and merchants came in-but sickness still prevailed, which for some time, was very discours aging to early settlers, who were inuch indebted to Dra. Dresbach, Kuhn, and a few oth? ers, for their valuable services."
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In June, 1843, the building was completed a second time, the same walls standing that were built for the first house. These are two stories high ; and, with two feet of hewn stone for a foundation, measure thirty-three feet. To the top of the dome, it is seventy-one feet. This elegant building is fifty feet in front, and seventy in depth. The basement story is occupied by the several county officers. In the one above, is a large and commodious room for the holding of courts, and two jury rooms.
On the 16th of May, 1843, the county commissioners agreed upon a plan for a county-jail and sherif's house ; and, on the 26th of June, of the same year, they entered into a written agreement with Ephraim Riker, of Erie county, for building the same. The former is of hewn stone ; the latter of brick ; and both, under one roof and constituting one building, are well calculated for the object for which they were built.
On the 12th of July, 1847, Samuel Waggoner, Benjamin Tomb, Rufus W. Reid, Alfred Johnson, Daniel Brown, Will- iam M. Buel, Daniel Smith, William Fleet, R. G. Pennington and William H. Gibson, subscribed stock to the amount of fif- ty thousand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars - each, and filed in the proper office their application for an in- dependent bank, agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled " An act to incorporate the State Bank of Ohio, and other ban- king companies," passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, February 24th, 1847.
On the 2d day of August, of the same year, and during the pending of the application before the bank-commissioners, the above named persons, with others as their associates, enlarged the capital stock of the bank to one hundred thousand dollars, and filed accordingly, an amended application, which was act- ed upon by the board of commissioners, and an independent bank, to be located at Tiffin, with a capital of one hundred'
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thousand dollars, was granted them on the 9th of August of the same year.
The bank was organized by electing Benjamin Tomb, Sam- uel Waggoner, William M. Buel, Rufus W. Reid, and R. G. Pennington, directors ; who afterwards elected Benjamin Tomb,* president, and R. G. Pennington, cashier, pro tem .- William E. Chittenden, has since been elected permanently, as cashier of the bank. The notes of the bank are provided by the treasurer of state, as well as those of all independent banks, at the expense of the several banks, and are registered at the treasurer's office, and obtained upon the order of the di- rectors of the several banks, upon depositing with the treasurer certificates of the funded debt of the state, or of the United States, agreeably to the terms of the statute, in this behalf.
Annual meetings for the election of officers, are held on the first Monday of January in each year. The bank commen- ced business, on the 13th day of November, 1847, and is now in successful operation. The notes, the engravings of which are neatly executed, are of four denominations-ones, threes, fives and tens.
* On Tuesday, the 8th of February, 1848, the office of president became vacant, by the resignation of Mr. Tomb ; whereupon, Abel Rawson, Esq., was elected to fill the va- cancy.
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CHAPTER VI.
Journey of the Welches-John Vanmeter-Eden Township-First phy- sician-Melmore.
IN the month of February, 1819, Thomas and Hugh Welch started from Huron county to seek a home in the wilds of Sen- eca. Having reached the limits of the county, as since defi- ned, they soon struck a beautiful stream of water, where they encamped for the night.
The sight of the lofty forest-trees filled them with admira- tion ; and they were not a little surprised to find the wilder- ness already green with leeks, and a modest wild-flower, here and there, "wasting its fragrance" in the silent woods! The wide-spreading branches of the oak, black-walnut, hickory and sycamore, partially protected the earth from the severity of winter. This was supposed to induce the early appearance of vernal vegetation.
The stream where they had encamped, was Honey creek .-- The next morning, they followed its course downwards, until they arrived within the present limits of Eden township .- Near what is now the residence of William Fleet, they came upon a band of the Seneca Indians employed in making sugar, and with them, they again encamped for the night. The next morning, pursuing their journey down the creek, they at length arrived at a village of Mohawk Indians, consisting of about twenty log huts, pleasantly situated upon both sides of the 9
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stream. This village was located upon a tract of land of a thousand acres,* granted at the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie to one John Vanmeter, a white man, and to his wife's two brothers.
Vanmeter was captured by the Wyandot Indians, in the month of March, 1778, at the age of five. This happened within a mile of West Liberty, in the state of Virginia. The people in the neighborhood, having been frequently alarmed by Indian aggressions, had assembled for the purpose of building a fort, to protect themselves from savage cruelty. It was a beautiful day in the spring of the year, and two of the elder boys of the family were directed to proceed to a " chopping," and arrange some brands. John accompanied them, and the father proceeded to the fort. The boys had but just commenced their work, when they were suddenly beset by a party of Indians. The elder boys made good their escape, but John was easily captured. The Indians then directed their course to the house of Vanmeter, set it on fire, murder- ed his wife and daughter, and immediately fled to the wilder- ness, carrying with them their captive boy.
He ever afterwards lived among the Indians ; completely forgetting his native tongue, though he learned it again, before he died, so as to converse quite fluently. He was afterwards induced to visit his relatives and friends; but refused to remain among them, "preferring," as he said, " the innocent and un- restrained indulgences of the Indian's life, to the arbitrary re- straints of civilized society." Vanmeter was a man of more than ordinary decision of character; of a benevolent disposi- tion, and friendly to the whites. Owning a large stock of cattle and several horses, early settlers relied much upon his generosity ; and it was not in vain, that they sought relief at his
* Now owned by Lloyd Norris.
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hands, in times of distress and destitution. He married a wo- man of the Seneca nation, (a relative of the celebrated Brandt whose name is well known in the state of New York,) and di- ed a few years since, on the grant made him by the United States.
In 1829, the Indians of this village, who were a remnant of the Mohawk tribe, joined the Senecas and left the county with the latter. Thomas Brandt, one of these Indians, and a broth- er-in-law of Vanmeter, was a captain in the United States ser- vice, during the last war, and fought at the battle of Browns- town.
The Welches were welcomed by Vanmeter, with every demonstration of friendship ; and making known to him their business, they were directed to a tract of land which he repre- sented as of excellent soil. Being well suited with it, both as to quality and location, they resolved to proceed no farther .- Here commenced the first settlement in Eden township, which was upon the farm now owned by David Olmsted. In June, of the same year, they were joined by two other brothers, Mar- tin and John Welch.
At that time, their nearest neighbor was Erastus Bowe, at Oakley, six miles distant. On the north, the nearest settle- ment was at Lower Sandusky. On the south, there was a house erected at the point where the Morrison state road now crosses the Sandusky river, in Wyandot (then Crawford) coun- ty ; and on the east, it was nearly twenty miles to a habitation. They cut out, for their own convenience, a wagon-road, lead- ing from a point a mile north of the center of Norwich town- ship, Huron county, and running near the site of the present town of Republic, to their settlement in Eden. This was the first track, in imitation of a highway, east of the Sandusky river within the limits of the county. Soon afterward, Thomas
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Welch died. The other brothers are now residents of Wyan- dot county.
Other settlers now located upon Honey creek ; and before the "sales" at Delaware, on the 3d of August, 1821, there were twelve squatters upon the land of the United States, with- in the present limits of Eden township. These were the Welches, together with Ira Holmes from Chenango county, New York, Daniel Pratt, Henry Craw, Samuel Knapp, Chris- topher Sponknable, William Clark,* Case Brown, from Kinder- hook, Columbia county, New York, and John Searles.
Soon after the " sales," William Cornell, Daniel Hough, M. D., John Gibson, Ezra Brown, Thomas Baker, Philip Bretz, Richard Jaqua, and John Downs,f settled in Eden township,
*. Mr. Clark was from Cayuga county, New York. His daughter, [Sarah] became the wife of James Mathers, which was the first marriage in the county. The two have since removed to California. The ceremony was performed by David Smith, Esq., first justice in the county. Mr Smith was at that time a resident of Fort Seneca-now Pleasant- township, and has since deceased.
t The following story-well authenticated-may not be altogether unattractive to juve- nile readers :
Many years ago, while the country was a wilderness, the few inhabitants along the banks of Honey creek were obliged to get their grinding done at the old Indian mill, at Upper Sandusky.
It was in the fall of the year, and although the Indians at that time were numerous, their presence was not ordinarily a source of alarm to the early settlers, who had become familiar with their habits and dispositions. One morning, three lads, each with his horse and grist, started for the mill. They had just entered Crawford [now Wyandot] county, when the great abundance of hickory-nuts upon the ground, attracted their attention .- Dismounting, they began to fill their pockets, and while thus engaged, one of them, hear- ing a noise, raised his head, and to his great terror, saw just in advance, an Indian, stan- ding by a tree, with a gun in his hand, and a dog by his side. The Indian, who doubtless had concluded to have some sport with the boys, without intending to harm them, re- mained silent, waiting for a good opportunity to accomplish his object. The other lads were not loug ignorant of his presence ; and the next moment were upon their horses, dashing through the woods at full speed. The Indian thereupon blew a shrill whistle upon his charger, at the same time leveling his gun at the terrified boys. This was enough. Their fright was complete. The Indian uttering a fierce yell, and letting loose his dog, followed at full speed. This was too much ; first one, then another of their grists was thrown off. Relieved of their burdens, and pressing forward, they were not long in leaving the Indian and his dog, far behind. The boys, however, did not in the
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and became permanent residents. John Searles and Case Brown have since deceased-the latter, the 8th of February, 1843 ..
In 1820, Eden was surveyed into sections and quarter-sec- tions by James T. Worthington, assisted by David Risdon .-- In 1821, it was organized into a separate and distinct township, receiving its name from the quality of the soil, which is re- markably fertile, especially that which borders on Honey creek. The first township election, was held the 4th of June, of the same year, at the house of John Searles .*
On the 6th of March, 1822, Selden Graves, first practicing physician in the county, settled in Eden township, upon the farm where he now resides. His ride soon extended over the whole of Seneca, and occasionally into the adjoining counties of Huron and Crawford.
Eden now began to settle rapidly. The great fertility of the soil, attracted emigrants from various parts, especially from the state of New York ; and at the organization of the county in 1824, its population exceeded that of either of the other townships. In 1830, it contained 819 inhabitants ; in 1840, they had increased to 1471. It has since steadily augmented both in population and wealth ; numbering among its enterprising farmers-Richard Baker, George Denison, Thomas Baker,
least relax their speed, until they arrived at the residence of a white man, on the San- dusky river, the only one throughout the whole distance.
Through his importunities, they reluctantly consented to return with him for their grists, which were found near the trail; the Indian having blazed two trees against which he had placed them. On their return from the mill, they could not be induced to take the same rout ; but sought their homes by the circuitous way of Tyemochetee.
* The following was the successful ticket : David Clark, clerk ; John Welch, James Mathers, and Henry Craw, trustees ; Ira Holmes, and John Searles, overseers of the poor ; Daniel Pratt, and John Searles, fence-viewers ; John Searles, treasurer ; Hugh Welch, and Ira Holmes, appraisers ; Samuel Knapp, and John Welch, supervisors ; Thomas Welch, constable.
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Selden Graves, Lloyd Norris, Sylvanus Arnold, John Baker, . William Fleet, James Watson, Jesse Koler, William Watson, David Olmsted, Benjamin Brundage, Daniel W. Eastman, Phil- ip Bretz, John Kagy, Adam Pennington, John Bretz, Jonah Brown, John Gibson, Henry Shauk, John Crum, Jacob Price, John Downs, Peter Springer, Jacob Andre, Samuel Kennedy, and many others.
In 1824, a town was surveyed in this township, where the Kilbourn road crosses Honey creek, to which the surveyor, Col. James Kilbourn, gave the name of Melmore. This word is a fantastic compound of the Latin mel, which signifies honey, and the English adjective, more ; from the circumstance of the place being situated upon Honey creek .*
* 'The following piece of poetry, composed by Mr. Kilbourn, on his survey of this town, exhibits the spirit of the times :
MELMORE.
Where honey-dews from the mild Heaven, Distil on the foliage below- Where Honey creek's waters are given, T' enrich the sweet vales as they flow- Where playful, the heart-cheering breeze Sweeps o'er the sweet bosom of flowers-
There Melmore is seen, on a hill,
With fragrance and health in her bowers.
This country and village to prove, Of pleasure and health the abode, Kind Nature has formed in her, love, And on her good children bestowed. The fees to her agents are small, For titles in form which they give ; Then come, men of enterprisc-all, Accept, and in happiness live.
Merchants and laborers come, A fortune is offered you near ; Here make it your permanent home,
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The land upon which this town is located, was entered at the Delaware land-office, by Case Brown, afterwards one of its proprietors. John C. Jones erected the first dwelling-house upon the plat. He died here, in 1828. The first public house was kept by Joshua D. Munsel, since deceased. The first store in this town was opened by Buckley Hutchins, who set- tled here, September 28th, 1824, where he has ever since re- sided. He became first post-master, holding that office for sev- eral years, until succeeded by Philip J. Price, the present in- cumbent.
James M. Stevens, an early settler, became owner of many ' of the lots of land in this town, which, upon his death, in 1830, descended to his heirs. James Gray, William Ireland, Daniel M. Bate (for many years a practicing physician in this town) and John Lambertson, Esq., were also early settlers, and are still residents of the place.
Melmore is pleasantly situated, upon a high bank of the creek ; and may be considered one of the healthiest villages in the county. Its population in 1830, was 77. It has since in- creased to 250. It contains forty dwellings, two stores, two
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The country will cherish you here. Come, taste the Melmorean springs, Possess the Melmorean lands, Wealth, honor, and pleasure they'll bring, To strengthen your hearts and your hands.
So healthy the country is, round, That doctors have little to do ; So moral the people are found, They live without ministers, too : So honest our neighbors we call, So peaceful and happy at home, They've need of no lawyers at all, And none are desired to come.
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taverns, two tailor's-shops, three shoe-shops, three blacksmith's- shops, one cabinet shop, one saddler and one carriage-shop .- It contains also, one Presbyterian, and one Methodist Episcopal church. At the raising of the latter, on the 16th of July, 1836, Amroy Butterfield, father of the writer, was instantly killed by the falling of a bent.
There are three physicians located in this town ; Henry Ladd, Robert McD. Gibson, and Timothy M. Smith.
CHAPTER VII.
Camp Seneca-Indian council-Fort Meigs-Fort Stephenson-General Harrison at Camp Seneca-Grand Camp-Perry's Victory.
ABOUT the 1st of July, 1813, a detachment of men, under the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, erected a stockade upon the west bank of the Sandusky river, within the present limits of Pleasant township, in this county, to which was given the name of " Camp Seneca."
It was situated upon a bank, about forty feet above the bed of the river, close to the old army road ; and containing with- in the enclosure an acre and a half of ground. It was built nearly in the form of a square, surrounded by pickets consist- ing of oak timbers, a foot in thickness, and twelve feet high .-- Between the ground and the river, are several springs of wa- ter ; to, and around one of which, the pickets extended.
On the east side of the camp, were two rows of pickets, about six feet apart, the space being filled with dirt. On the south was a single row of pickets; and a little beyond, is a deep ravine, between which and the camp an embankment was thrown up, which is still partially visible. On the west, was a single row of pickets, with a ditch about six feet deep, and twelve feet wide. On the north, there was likewise a deep ditch with an embankment, upon the top of which were placed the pickets.
A block-house was erected at the south-west corner, sixteen feet high, and about twenty-five feet square, no vestiges of
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
which remain. It consisted of large logs, with port-holes for cannon and small arms, and was located in such a manner as to completely command the ditch. There was a projection at the north-east corner, strongly picketed, probably used as a magazine ; and two small block-houses, at each of the other corners, with port-holes .*
Previous to the building of this camp, and while at Frank- linton, in June, 1813, General Harrison held a council with the chiefs of the friendly Indians, of the Delaware, Shawanese Wyandot and Seneca tribes, in which he stated to them that the time had arrived for all those who were willing to engage in the war, "to take a decided stand for or against the United States"-that the president wished no false friends-that the proposal of Proctor to exchange the Kentucky militia for the tribes in our friendship, indicated that he had received some hint of their willingness, to take up the tomahawk against us ; and that to give the United States a proof of their good dispo- sition, they must remove with their families into the interior, or the warriors must accompany him in the ensuing campaign, and fight for the United States. To the latter condition, the chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed; and said they had long been anxious for an invitation to fight for the Americans. Tarbe, the oldest Indian in the western country, who represen- ted all the tribes, professed in their name the most indissoluble friendship for the United States. General Harrison then told them he would let them know when they would be wanted in the service ; " but you must conform to our mode of warfare. You are not to kill defenseless prisoners, old men, women, or children." He added, that by their conduct he would be able to tell, whether the British could restrain the Indians from such
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