USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vo. I > Part 31
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The Methodist Episcopal church is one of the oldest in Adams township. The Rev. T. J. Card, one of the primitive preachers of the county, was the pastor of this church for some time.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Bascom was the oldest church in the Bettsville circuit, having been formed at the house of Abram Miller in 1831, and a meeting house was built some time after.
United Brethren Otterbein Chapel, of Bascom, was reorganized under state law, January 15, 1874, with Adam Miller, presiding. Andrew Powell, S. K. Ruse and Elias Kline were elected trustees, and John French, preacher.
Bascom Reformed church was organized by Rev. J. J. Beil- herz, as a Union Lutheran and Reformed Society in 1852, and a church erected.
SS. Peter and Paul Church, of Attica, is modern in organiza- tion, but old in its membership. Previous to the year 1882, the few Catholics living in and around Attica, having no house of worship of their own. attended the nearest Catholic church for religious services. At a social meeting in the spring of 1882 the first steps toward the organization of the SS. Peter and Paul congregation were taken. The question of building a Catholic church at Attica was then eagerly discussed by John and Frederick Steigmeyer and Sebastian Senn, three of the oldest and most re- spected settlers of Attica; J. B. Blum, F. X. Snyder and Krupp Brothers. The result was a subscription of $1.000 for buying a suitable place for the intended church. Soon the work com- menced and October 29, 1882. the church was dedicated to divine service. July 17, 1882. Rev. A. Huthmacher was appointed first pastor of the newly organized congregation but no religious ser- vices was held before October 29. 1882. the day of dedication.
282
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, originally consisted of German Lutheran and German Reformed members who settled here between 1830 and 1840. Rev. Conrad, Lutheran minister then residing at Tiffin, held the first services in Venice township in 1835-37 in private houses. In 1839 Rev. Krause also of Tiffin (Lutheran), was called and preached every four weeks for about six years. In 1842 during his stay here the first church was built, a log structure to the east of Caroline. In 1843 a complete organ- ization was effected and a constitution adopted. and the church was known as the German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Con- gregation. In 1857 a separation took place, both parties organiz- ing separately. The Lutheran portion organized in the fall c" the same year in accordance with the laws of the state as the "Ger- man Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Congregation of Caroline, Ohio," and adopted its own constitution. Its officers then were Conrad Lebold and Valentine Roehring, elders; Martin Smeltz and Jeremiah Smith, deacons; John Springer, Daniel Schaf and Jacob Faber, trustees.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Bettsville may be said to have been formed in May, 1851, when the quarterly conference of Port Clinton district, held at the Salem church near Wolf Creek. set off the territory including Swope's Corners, Bettsville and ac jacent places as a mission. In July, 1851. Newel J. Close was ap- pointed circuit preacher vice S. T. Lane and Thomas Ackerman the circuit preachers of the old district. In August, 1852, the name of the mission was changed to that of Fort Seneca, and Bettsville was attended from Fort Seneca for some years.
The United Brethern. Green Creek circuit of the United Brethren church, was established in 1848, with J. C. Bright, pastor. Prior to that year the pastor of the Honey Creek Circuit attended to this section. Rev. W. Herrington was preacher in 1849; R. Wicks, in 1850; J. Newman. in 1851; and M. Long in 1852.
Olive Chapel Reformed Society. Jackson township, was organ- ized in 1852 by Rev. R. Good with F. Febles, C. Myers, George Stahl and Jacob Stahl, members. The latter donated the land on which a house of worship was erected in 1862. This society was organized under state law. April 27, 1867. W. J. Shupe presided, with Rev. George Rettig, secretary. H. Remer and Wil- liam Boid were elected elders; W. A. Schmid and Z. Acker, deacons; and F. Falk, J. Shupe and D. Dissinger. trustees. The constitution of the former German Reformed society was adopted.
The Arch church (Methodist), was founded by Rev. H. L. Nickerson, and the present church completed during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Rodgers, of Seneca Mission, in 1864.
Mount Zion church, of the Evangelical Association, adopted
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
articles for the government of their new church, February 4, 1872, which was signed by S. E. Rife, pastor in charge.
St. John's church, of the Evangelical Association of North America, was organized under state law May 31, 1873. Rev. John Plantz presided. The trustees elected were William and Jacob Zimmerman, Jacob Nederhouse, J. H. McCauley and Matthias Lamnes.
The histories of the Methodist. Catholic, United Brethren and other churches of the township are given in the church sketches of Bettsville and Fostoria with which they are closely identified.
Zion United Brethren church was founded in 1846 in Seneca township in the cabin of Hiram Anderson, with George and Sarah Curts and Catherine Anderson, members. In 1854 a house of worship was erected on section 23, Tymochtee township.
Ebenezer Evangelical church was organized in October, 1835, at Jacob Corfman's house by Rev. Henry Downey. In 1845 a missionary society was formed in 1850 and 1860 revivals were held, and in 1867 a Sunday school was founded.
Methodist Episcopal church and Evangelical chapel, at Mexico, border on the south line of this county. The first was built in 1869 at a cost of $5,000. and the latter in 1876 at a cost of $2,300.
German Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed Protes- tant congregation of Seneca township was organized under state law, July 16, 1848, with Philip Nubergall, chairman; Casper Buchman, clerk; Lewis Staib, treasurer; Konrad Schmidt, A. Burgdoerfer and Lewis Staib, trustees.
German Reformed church .- The building, a frame structure, was erected in 1860, a few miles northeast of Berwick.
South Bend Bethel Church Society was incorporated as a branch of the Evangelical Association of North America, March 17, 1875. Aaron Yambert was chairman and Z. W. Roseer, secretary. They, with D. Foght, William Yambert and Thomas Brundage were elected trustees.
Salem Reformed church (Seneca township) was founded No- vember 12, 1853, by Rev. E. N. Gerhart, with Casper Buchman, Isaac Miller. Ludwig Emich, Lambert Martin, John Houck, Jacob Schaub, A. Burgdoefer, W. Rex and F. Baker, members. This was a reorganization of the Lutheran and Reformed Society organ- ized one mile and a half east of New Riegel in 1834, where a house of worship was built in 1837. Immediately after reorganization in 1853 this building was replaced by a frame structure. The early pastors were E. N. Gerhart, M. Mueller, J. J. Escher, F. Strassner, Jacob Kuhn, W. II. Fenneman, L. Richter, J. H. Good. A church was established at Berwick in 1850, by Rev. F. Wahl, the members and pastors of which are identified with the Salem church.
284
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Deutsche Vereinigte Evangeliste Seneca Jerusalem Kirche was erected in 1861, and dedicated December 15. same year. This is a'brick church, erected within the church cemetery.
Seneca United Brethren church was built in 1881, near Isaac Wannemaker's house. Rev. Mr. Sargent, of Melmore, was the pastor.
EARLY SCHOOL LAWS.
When the survey of the Northwest Territory was ordered by congress, March 20, 1785, it was decreed that every sixteenth sec- tion of land should be reserved for the "maintenance of public schools within each township." The ordinance of 1787-thanks to the New England Associates-proclaimed that, "religion. moral- ity and knowledge being essential to good government, schools and the means of education should forever be encouraged." The state constitution of 1802 declared that "schools and the means of instruction should be encouraged by legislative provision, not in- consistent with the rights of conscience." In 1825, through the persevering efforts of Nathan Guilford, senator from Hamilton county, Ephraim Cutler, representative from Washington county, and other friends of education, a bill was passed, "laying the foun- dation for a general system of common schools." This bill pro- vided a tax of one-half mill, to be levied by the county commission- ers for school purposes; provided for school examiners. and made township clerks and county auditors school officers. In 1829. this county tax was raised to three-fourths of a mill; in 1834 to one mill, and, in 1836, to one and a half mills.
In March, 1837, Samuel Lewis, of Hamilton county, was ap- pointed state superintendent of common schools. He was a very energetic worker, traveling on horseback all over the state, de- livering addresses and encouraging school officers and teachers. Through his efforts much good was done, and many important features engrafted on the school system. He resigned in 1839, when the office was abolished, and its duties imposed on the secre- tary of state.
The most important adjunct in early education in the state was the college of teachers organized in Cincinnati in 1831. Albert Pickett, Dr. Joseph Ray, William H. McGuffey-so largely known by his Readers-and Milo G. Williams, were at its head. Leading men in all parts of the west attended its meetings. Their pub- lished deliberations did much for the advancement of education among the people. Through the efforts of the college, the first convention held in Ohio for educational purposes was called at Columbus, January 13, 1836. Two years after, in December, the
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
first convention in which the different sections of the state were represented, was held. At both these conventions, all the needs of the schools, both common and higher, were ably and fully discussed, and appeals made to the people for a more cordial support of the law. No successful attempts were made to organize a permanent educational society until December, 1847. when the Ohio State Teachers' Association was formed at Akron, Summit county, with Samuel Galloway as president ; T. W. Harvey, recording secretary ; M. D. Leggett, corresponding secretary ; William Bowen, treasurer. and M. F. Cowdrey, chairman of the executive committee. This association entered upon its work with commendable earnestness.
The old state constitution adopted by a convention in 1802, was supplemented in 1851 by another under which the general assembly elected under it met in 1852. Harvey Rice. a senator from Cuyahoga county. chairman of the senate committee. on "Common Schools and School Lands." reported a bill on the 29th of March, to provide "for the reorganization, supervision and maintenance of common schools." This bill, amended in a few particulars, became a law March 14. 1853. The prominent fea- tures of the new law were: The substitution of a state school tax instead of a county tax; the creation of the office of state school commissioner; the creation of a township board of education, consisting of representatives from the subdistricts; the abolition of rate bills, making education free to all the youths of the state; the raising of a fund by a tax of one-tenth of a mill yearly, "for the purpose of furnishing school libraries and apparatus to all the common schools." This "library tax" was abolished in 1860. otherwise the law remained practically unchanged.
The school system of the state may be briefly explained as follows: Cities and incorporated villages are independent of township and county control. in the management of schools having boards of education and examiners of their own. Some of them are organized for school purposes. under special acts. Each town- ship has a board of education. composed of one member from each sub-district. The township clerk is clerk of this board. but has no
vote. Each subdistrict has a local board of trustees, which manages its school affairs, subject to the advice and control of the township board. These officers are elected on the first Monday in April, and hold their offices three years. An enumeration of all the youth between the ages of five and twenty-one is made vearly. All public schools are required to be in session at least twenty-four weeks each year. The township clerk reports annually such facts concerning school affairs as the law requires, to the county auditor. who in turn reports to the state commissioner, who collects these reports in a general report to the legislature each year.
A board of examiners is appointed in each county by the pro-
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
bate judge. This board has power to grant certificates for a term not exceeding two years, and good only in the county in which they are executed ; they may be revoked on sufficient cause. In 1864, a state board of examiners was created, with power to issue life certificates, valid in all parts of the state.
The first school taught in Ohio or in the Northwestern terri- tory. was in 1791. The first teacher was Major Austin Tupper. eldest son of General Benjamin Tupper, both Revolutionary officers. The room occupied was the same as that in which the first court was held, and was situated in the northwest block-house of the garrison, called the stockade, at Marietta. During the Indian war school was also taught at Fort Harmar, Point Marietta and at other settlements.
The beginning of the city schools in Fostoria was made in the winter of 1833-34. When a union school building was dedicated there some years ago, the late Charles Foster read a paper on the early system of teaching, and coupled with it an interesting history of school houses. teachers and pupils. From this paper the follow- ing paragraphs are taken :
"The first teacher in the old log house. in the winter of 1833- 34. was Freeman Luce. who contracted to teach three months, of twenty-six days, for $10 per month, he 'boarding 'round.' as was the custom in those days. One of the customs of that day was to bar the schoolmaster out of the house, and keep him out until he yielded to the demands of the scholars to treat them to apples. candies, raisins, or such luxuries as could then be had. Sometimes their demands included whisky, but that was never the case in Rome, though at that time we were considered by the Risdonites as being quite ungodly. Among the teachers that followed Mr. Luce were Dr. Lockwood. afterward a distinguished member of congress from this district. and now one of the leading lawyers of this county, and James Pillars, who subsequently graced the bench for ten years as common pleas judge of this judicial district. My friend Nestlerode informs me he has. among the papers of his father, a written contract made with Mr. Pillars. to teach the Island School for $10 per month. of twenty-six days; one-half to be paid in cash, and the other half in provisions.
"In those days the great feature of our schools was the atten- tion given to spelling. I seriously doubt whether the schools of the present day can produce so much excellence in spelling as did those of that day. One-fourth of the time, probably. was devoted to spelling exercises, and in addition, at least one night of each week was devoted to what was known as spelling matches. These were attended by the best spellers from the neighboring schools. Our highest ambition was to be the best speller in school. I remember one three months' term, I think the one taught by Mr.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Noble, that C. C. Nestlerode was one of the scholars. Mr. Nestle- rode happened to take position in the class, on the first day, just above my sister Emily. They maintained this position, neither of them missing a word, until the last day. when Nestlerode missed, and Emily went above him. Of course she was greatly delighted, and Nestlerode was correspondingly discomfited. I think I am safe in saying that I attended spelling school three nights out of a week, during the three months of school. for several years, visiting alternately the old red schoolhouse in Perry, the Tom Kelley schoolhouse on the ridge, and the Kiser schoolhouse south of town. The old red schoolhouse, perhaps, had the highest reputation, vet all the rest were sharp and close competitors for the first honors. I believe my sister Emily was the best speller of them all, and she was under twelve years of age. The larger scholars used to carry her on their backs as they went to the different schools. for be it remembered that in those days we went on foot. I remember of going one night, to the Kiser schoolhouse. through the woods the most of the way, and alone, to attend a spelling match. I broke through the ice. and was wet up to my knees when I reached the place ; yet I do not think I ever felt better repaid for a day's work than I did over my success on that occasion, for I spelled down the entire school. Tom Kerning, whom our older citizens will remem- ber, was the teacher. and had been for three or four winters. His school, though having in it a number of good spellers. was not equal to the other three. To save the reputation of his school he adopted the plan of having one scholar of his school spell at a time. He
then divided the spelling book, assigning to each of his scholars certain tables which they were to learn perfectly. When, in the course of the exercises, one of his scholars had finished his part, he complained of being tired, and some other one, who had been assigned the next table, would take the place thus vacated. On this occasion one of the Newcomb girls (and. by the way, they were all good spellers) missed a word in her table. No one else knowing the table, I was enabled to spell down his whole school before that table was finished. HIe tried hard to skip. but I knew it so well as to be able to detect him, and held him to the table.
"What havoc time has made with the list that met so often in friendly rivalry in those good old days! I say good old days deliberately, for I seriously doubt whether any one of us has ex- perienced more pleasure in any equal number of days since. We were few in number, our wants were few, and these were bounti- fully supplied. We knew nothing of grades in schools. Our seats had no backs, yet we did not complain, because we knew of nothing better. Ventilation was perfect. and that is something with which our schoolrooms of the present are not plentifully supplied ; this, however, can't be said of this magnificent house."
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
In May, 1910,. County Auditor Lennartz completed the ab- stract showing the population of those from six to twenty-one years of age, which indicated a total of 11,385. The division by school districts, township, and sexes is as follows :
TOWNSHIP
MALE
FEMALE
Adams
129
Big Spring
214
191
Bloom
137
130
Clinton
269
225
Eden
134
129
Hopewell
207
185
Jackson
157
132
Liberty
205
174
Loudon
117
109
Pleasant
161
146
Reed
204
177
Scipio
121
118
Seneca
171
164
Thompson
185
186
Venice
156
117
Totals
2567
2281
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
MALE
FEMALE
Adrian
31
22
Attica
82
74
Bloomville
90
86
Bettsville
58
54
Carrothers
18
12
Fostoria
1250
1265
Green Spring
50
52
New Riegel
45
70
Old Fort
32
18
Republic
62
60
Separate District No. 1
48
41
Tiffin®
1414
1603
Totals
3180
3357
Grand Totals
5747
5638
The number of youth entitled to interest or rent on section 16. or other school lands-in other words, the school population-is as follows :
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
289
TOWNSHIPS
Adams
227
Big Spring
405
Bloom
267
Clinton
494
Eden
263
Hopewell
392
Jackson
289
Liberty
379
Loudon
226
Pleasant
307
Reed
381
Scipio
239
Seneca
335
Thompson
371
Venice
273
Total
4848
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Adrian
53
Attica
156
Bloomville
176
Bettsville
112
Carrothers
30
Fostoria
2515
Green Spring
102
New Riegel
115
Old Fort
50
Republic
122
No. 1
89
Tiffin
3017
Total
6537
Vol. I-19
CHAPTER XIII
POLITICAL RECORD
FIRST ELECTIONS-COUNTY OFFICERS, 1821-31- DAWN OF POLITICAL ENTHUSIASM-ELECTIONS 1832-40-OFFICIALS 1840-50- LAST ASSOCIATE JUDGE-ELECTIONS 1850-60-POLITICS AND ELEC- TIONS 1860-80-VOTE ON PIKE ROADS-COUNTY OFFICERS, 1881-6- COMMON PLEAS JUDGES 1888-1910-PROBATE JUDGES 1886-1910- COUNTY OFFICERS 1891-1910-STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTA- TIVES 1902-10.
From 1824 to 1832 county elections were held according to law in Seneca county, but political party lines were not drawn, and but small interest was taken in political affairs, the elections being carried out somewhat on the principle of sport and frivolity. Election precincts were far apart, and men had to travel consider- able distances to reach the polls, and there, after they had voted, they had their "fun;" many drank whiskey, smoked, swore, wrestled and fought, and that usually wound up the sport of the day. In 1832 this free and easy method began to disappear, and the campaign of that year called forth all the energies of the people and their standard bearers, and gave to political life a stimulus which won for it an important place in the minds of the people. Since that time party interests have been carried out.
The first elections held in the county (Thompson and Seneca townships) were in October, 1820, when twenty votes were polled for the offices of Sandusky county. In September, 1821, nominat- ing caucuses were held at Lower Sandusky, and in October of that year the following were elected in what is now Seneca county : Com- missioner, David Smith; senator. Eben Merry; representative, Ly- man Farrel; auditor, Josiah Rumery.
The Sandusky county candidates of 1822 and 1823 received a full vote from the settlers of Seneca ; but beyond the total number of votes polled there is no record.
, A special election for officers of Seneca county was held in April, 1824, when Agreen Ingraham received nineteen votes for sheriff and was elected; Leverett Bradley, two hundred and six votes for coroner, and was elected; and William Clark, Jesse O.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Olmstead and Benjamin Whitmore were elected county com- missioners.
The elections of 1825 show a severe fight for member of the legislature, Josiah Hedges being elected. The contest for county commissioner was carried on between Thomas Boyd and William Clark; the other officers of the county were re-elected, held over or re-appointed
In 1826 Abel Rawson was appointed prosecutor; Timothy P. Roberts and James Gordon elected county commissioners, and all the other officers re-elected. Eber Baker was elected repre- sentative in the state legislature.
There were no less than seven candidates for the legislature before the people in 1827. Josiah Hedges was elected. The others, however, received many votes in the representative district, which then comprised Crawford, Marion, Sandusky and Seneca counties. The annual election of 1827 resulted in the choice of Samuel M. Lockwood. Case Brown was elected commissioner, Agreen Ingraham, treasurer, and David Risdon, county assessor ; senator, David Campbell. Abel Rawson was elected recorder ; William Patterson, sheriff ; Jacob Plane, treasurer; David Smith, auditor; James Gordon, commissioner ; and William Toll, coroner.
In 1829 Timothy P. Roberts was elected commissioner, the other officers holding over.
The elections of 1830 resulted in the election of Sam M. Lockwood, state senator; Josiah Hedges, representative; David Bishop, sheriff; Abel Rawson, recorder and prosecutor, and Case Brown, commissioner. Joseph Howard was appointed clerk.
The elections of 1831 may be considered the dawn of political enthusiasm in Seneca county. Whigs and Democrats made regular nominations, and swore by their party platforms. Harvey J. Harmon was elected representative; David Risdon, commis- sioner ; John Wright, county assessor ; Benjamin Pittinger, Selden Graves and Agreen Ingraham. associate judges. David E. Owen, elected auditor, was proposed by Daniel Dildine, Sr., as fully qualified to fill that office. He was the first Democrat ever elected in Seneca county.
Senator. Daniel Tilden: Representatives. Jeremiah Everett and Thomas MeMullen ; sheriff, William Toll; auditor. George W. Gist; commissioner, Enoch Umsted; coroner. Francis Bernard were elected in 1832.
Jeremiah Everett was elected representative; John Goodin, treasurer; Sidney Smith (Sea), prosecutor ; John Crum, Marcus Y. Graff and John Seitz, commissioners; Reuben Williams, asses- sor, and David Owen. auditor. Mr. Owen was appointed receiver of the Ohio Canal Land Office, at Tiffin, August 27, 1833. In
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
June, 1838, President Van Buren appointed him receiver of the Wyandot Indian Land Office. In May, 1840, he was succeeded by John Goodin.
In March, 1833, the auditor was appointed clerk of the com- missioner's board by nature of his office.
The elections of 1834 resulted in the choice of Joseph Howard. state senator; Jacques Hulburt. representative; Luther A. ITall. clerk; David E. Owen. auditor; Joel Stone, sheriff; Lorenzo Abbott and Benjamin Whitmore. commissioners; and Eli Norris, coroner.
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