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 50
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Upon entering the cave a natural passage leads downwards, gradually in a northeasterly direction. At a depth of about thirty feet, the light from above is obstructed. below which. darkness forever reigns, unless driven away by the torch of the curious ex- plorer, who examines wonders of this gloomy place. After a descent of about forty feet. you enter a large cavern, and here, as the eye surveys the lofty ceiling and penetrates the recesses all around, the mind is peculiarly impressed with the awful grandeur and magnificence of the scene. Proceeding onward. water is observed dripping from the rocks above, which is found, upon ex- amination, to be impregnated with sulphur and not disagreeable to the taste. Beneath are found the tracks of harmless animals that roam about in places inaccessible to man ; while overhead bats Vol. I-31
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are seen suspended from the rocks, apparently lifeless, but when brought to the sun, they soon recover, and immediately direct their course to the cave.
After a descent of nearly two hundred feet. the passage is interrupted by a stream of pure cold water, which is very pleasant to the taste, and has a slow current to the northward. This stream rises during the wetest season of the year about eighty feet, and again recedes upon the recurrence of dry weather. In 1844, a ยท year remarkable for rains. the water rose in the cave 170 feet. and within thirty feet of the surface of the earth. When at its mini- mum height, the stream presents only a few feet of surface, but its bottom has never been reached.
This cave is certainly an object of interest to all who admire the works of nature or delight in subterranean wonders. and were the rocks excavated around the mouth. so as to render the ingress less tedious, it would doubtless be visited by thousands.
The above sketch is from Butterfield's history.
The old churches of the township were the Roman Catholic, Evangelical, the Reformed church, the Zion Reformed church and the United Brethren. St. Michael's Catholic church dates its beginning back to 1833.
Convent of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood was founded here in 1844, when the sisters took charge of the schools that year. and established the orphanage, which institution was transferred to New Riegel in 1859.
St. Michael's Orphan Asylum was founded, in 1844. by Rev. Sales Brunner, with the Sisters of Charity, from Switzerland. Europe, in charge. The orphans were transferred in 1859 to the larger house at New Riegel.
Ebenezer Orphan Asylum, of the Evangelical Association of North America, was incorporated March 19. 1868, with George F. Spring, L. Scheurman. D. Strohman, Abner Niebel and William Negele, trustees.
Thompsontown was surveyed November 12, 1840, by Jonas Hershberger for William MeCauley. Abram Sharchand and Samuel Sherck, on the corners of sections 14. 15. 22 and 23. The plat of Thompsontown was vacated in 1843 at the request of the original owners.
Lewisville was surveyed by Jonas Hershberger for Fred Harp- ster, John Wingard, Jacob Connor and George Schoch. Jr .. Janu- ary 21. 1841. George Schoch's addition to Lewisville was sur- veyed by G. H. Heming. April 5. 1853. the streets being a continu- ation of a parallel to streets in the original town. ITomer and McCarty's addition to Lewisville on the east half, northeast quarter of section 11, was surveyed April 6, 1856. by G. II. Heming.
A postoffice was established here under the name of Flat Rock
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Postoffice, and by this name Lewisville is generally known. Sam- uel Horner lived on a farm about one mile east of Flat Rock, which had a little spring on it. All the neighbors came there for water, and kept the spring in bad condition. Mr. Horner thereupon made up his mind to have a well for his own family use, and dug down some six feet, when he came upon a rock. He took a crow-bar and struck the rock, when a stream of water burst up that overflowed the well and formed a constantly running stream.
Flat Rock is a small station on the Pennsylvania line of rail -. road, as is also Franks. Flat Rock and Franks are the only vil- lages in the township at present, tre others having disappeared from the face of the map.
Venice township, including the southern part of the "gore." was surveyed into quarter sections in 1820, by Price J. Kellogg, and the lands offered for sale in 1821. Venice formed a part of Thompson township from 1820 to 1829, when it was established a separate township and organized as such. The year of its organi- zation the population was confined to families of the officers elected in 1829, and perhaps a few others.
In addition to these officers there were also among the early settlers: Governeur Edwards, John Woollet, David Kemp, Jacob Cook, Andrew Moore, William McPherson, Johnson Ford, Philip Muck, James McKibben. Mr. Ford and Mr. McPherson are living at this writing.
Honey creek courses through the township, and there are a few small creeks on both the north and south side of Honey creek:
The Baltimore & Ohio and the Pennsylvania railroads run through the township. The Columbus and Sandusky pike road runs diagonally through the township from Attica Station, a mile north of the old village of Attica, through Caroline to Carrothers. The petition of Ezra Gilbert, presented to the county board in November, 1828, prayed for the establishment of a road beginning at the town line, two and one-half miles west of Attica, and running south by east so as to intersect the New Haven road, three and one- half miles east of Attica, near the line of Huron county. The petition was granted, the line was at once surveyed by David Risdon, and cut through or underbrushed by Ezra Gilbert, Johnson Ford and Samuel Halsted.
FORD'S HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
The following is from an address delivered by H. J. Ford at the celebration in Attica, July 4, 1876: "Looking over our rich rolling farms, it is hard to realize that only fifty years ago these same fields were an extended and unbroken forest. In the mem-
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ories of the few whose silvered heads appear among us today. those seenes are distinct and real still, while we. the younger generation, must resort to fancy to catch a view. I wish it were possible to portray the dark forests, the roving Indians, the howling wild beasts, the pioneer hardships met and endured by our fathers, and make the impression go with us through life, so that we might be taught thereby to respect with a proper degree of veneration the gray hairs of the few who remain.
"A fact in the history of this township should not be over- looked in reference to the Columbus and Sandusky turnpike. Each alternate section of land was granted by the legislature of the state . to a company as an inducement to undertake its construction. Colonel James Kilbourne. of Worthington, Ohio, in 1827, was em- ployed by the company to survey and locate this road. In the same year Cornelius Gilmore built for himself a cabin on the south bank of Honey creek, where the residence of O. J. McPherson now stands, and he was thus the first settler in Venice township. Being a blacksmith by trade, his services were required by customers far and near. Ezra Gilbert settled here in 1829. In August, 1828. Samuel Halsted built a cabin house on the present site of Rininger and Silcox's store. In September of the same year Johnson Ford moved into his cabin, erected where the residence of Dr. Barber now stands. In October, the same year. Thomas West built east of the pike, near Honey creek. In November William McPherson built his house in the center of the township, and in December Elisha Fair settled on the site of L. O. Green's present residence.
"In the month of November. 1828, at the instance of Ezra Gilbert, a petition was presented to the commissioners of the county asking for a road commencing at the township line road. two and one-half miles west of Attica, and running diagonally to the south of east, to intersect the road leading to New Haven, near the Huron . county line, three and one-half miles east of Attica. The petition was granted, and David Risdon, the county surveyor, located the road, and immediately Samuel Halsted, Ezra Gilbert and Johnson Ford took their axes, and in six days they underbrushed the whole line, taking their dinners with them, and returning home at night to enjoy their frugal suppers of corn bread and crust coffee. Thus these pioneers, looking ahead to the future, gave us these important cross-roads, which proved the nucleus of our fair village.
"Ezra Gilbert, early in the spring of 1829, erected a cabin on the corner where Ford and Strannler's hardware store now stands, and opened a public tavern. Shortly thereafter, Nathan Merriman, from Bueyrus, opened out a small stock of dry goods and groceries in a log building on S. A. Ringle's corner. During 1829 the following persons settled here: Nathan Merriman, Gover- neur Edwards, Philip Muck, John Armatage, Jacob Cook, Henry
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Speaker, Jr., James Willoughby, David Roop, David Kemp. John Woolet, Samuel Woolet, Samuel Croxton and Jollier Billings. Men were also employed on the turnpike.
"On the 1st day of June, 1829, this township was a part of Bloom, and the three qualified voters residing here went to the polls of Bloom township to cast their votes for John Quincy Adams. opposing candidate to Andrew Jackson in the autumn of 1828. On the same day Ezra Gilbert presented a petition to the county com- missioners for the organization of this township as originally sur- veyed. . The name was suggested by Johnson Ford, being the name of the township in Cayuga county. New York, from whence he came.
"It is a fact worthy of note that up to 1840 no township officer made any charge for his services. The postoffice at Caroline was taken away by Gilmore, and the government refused to make other appointments for Caroline. . Then the Attica postoffice was es- tablished. From this time forward the settlement of the township and village was rapid. In 1830 or 1831 Jacob Newkirk, from the state of New York, erected the first frame house in the township, on the present site of F. H. Steigmeyer's store. Many of us re- member the old IIuddleson house. It was removed only six years since, when it was the property of David Avres.
"The first saw mill in Venice township was erected by Henry Speaker, Sr., about the year 1831, on his farm, between Attica and Caroline. The motive power was a yoke of oxen and an extra steer in a tread-wheel. It was afterwards converted by the owner into a grist mill, with one run of small stone and a carding machine. In 1836 Ebenezer and George Metcalf, with some local aid, erected a steam saw mill near the present site of the Heabler grist mill. in Attica. . In the month of March, 1840, this mill was destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss on both the owners and the community. John and Frederick Steigmeyer were the owners of the next steam saw mill erected on this site. In course of time a grist mill was connected therewith by them, and after a few changes in owners we now have our excellent flouring mill owned by J. Heabler & Bros. Early in our history a steam saw mill and also a grist mill were built at Caroline by Peter Kinnaman, both of which were afterwards swept away by fire.
"After the completion of the school house an invitation was sent to the Rev. Mr. Robinson, a Presbyterian minister living at Melmore, who came and preached to the people, it being the first sermon delivered in the township. After this his services were secured for one year, he preaching every third week on a week day.
"In the spring of 1833 a union Sabbath school was organized by Rev. Mr. Patty, an agent of the American Sabbath School Union, and Mr. Martain was chosen superintendent for one year. but he moving away before the expiration of that time, Johnson
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Ford succeeded him, and his services were retained in that capacity for twenty-five consecutive years, when he resigned on account of defective hearing.
"A Presbyterian church was organized in October, 1833, with thirteen members, by Revs. E. Conger and E. Judson, of Huron . Presbytery, and John Holmes and J. Ford were ordained elders thereof.
"The Episcopal Methodists organized a small class in 1835, and in 1838 the English Lutherans formed a church, and in 1840. or 1841, with the help of the community at large, erected the church now owned by the United Brethren. This house they were unable to finish, and the writer well remembers the rude slab benches without backs, which, for a number of years, furnished the sittings.
"This society, failing to pay for their building, were compelled to sell it, and fearing it might be devoted to other uses and the com- munity be deprived of a place for publie worship, Johnson Ford shouldered the burden of its purchase, and obtained a clear title thereto. In a short time thereafter it was reseated and improved. and for a number of years the three above mentioned denomina- tions worshiped therein, and in harmony conducted Sabbath school and church services. This is the history of the first religious denominations and church building in our township.
"About the year 1840 a one story brick school house was built on the spot where the one in present use now stands. The interior was arranged with desks running along the side walls and seated with slab benches. In the year 1841 the Attica Baptist church was organized with nine members, and on the 2d day of April. 1842, Rev. S. M. Mack became its first regular pastor. In the year 1852 this denomination built its present house of worship.
"In the winter of 1849 and 1850, as nearly as can be ascer- tained, the village of Attica was duly incorporated, and on the 6th day of April, 1850, the first election of city officers was held, result- ing as follows: Mayor, John L. LaMeraux; clerk, Samuel Miller; councilmen, Samuel Crobaugh, David K. Burg, Benjamin Kelley. John Heckman, John Ringle; board of education, Samuel Miller, M. R. Moltz, John Lay, Ebenezer Metcalf, Orlando Miller, James H. Brisco.
"At the first council meeting on the 15th of the same month, S. E. Martin was appointed marshal, and William Rininger treasurer. Thus was the village launched forth to rank among the small cities of the land.
"John L. LaMeraux served as mayor in 1850; William Miller in 1851; Wm. Rininger in the years 1852. 1853, 1854, 1858, 1860, and 1865; P. Kinnaman in 1855 and 1859; R. H. Blodget in 1856. 1857, part of 1861 and all of 1862; J. R. Buckingham was elected in 1861, but resigning, R. H. Blodget was appointed to fill his place.
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The record of 1863 and 1864 does not show who served as mayor during those years. William M. Miller was elected in 1866. April 2d, and resigned May 14th, when I. M. Chandler was appointed to fill the unexpired term. Chandler was elected in 1867, and again in 1868, and during the latter year the burden of the purchase of the town hall was imposed upon the people. II. J. Ford served in 1869; J. C. Meyers was elected in 1870 for two years, and reelected in 1872 for the same time. J. W. Simpson was elected in 1874, but failing health incapacitated him for the service, and his death oc- curred in the following winter. James L. Couch, was appointed to act during the unexpired term, and served by election in 1876-7.
"In the winter of 1853 the buildings then occupying the south- east corner of Main and Tiffin streets were consumed by fire. Wil- liam Rininger then bought the vacant lot and erected thereon his present storeroom.
"Two or three years later a conflagration occurred on the north- west corner of said streets, and the large frame hotel building erected then by William Miller, early in Attica's history, and then owned by II. M. Chandler, was swept away. Chandler then caused to be erected the brick block we see here today. Attica has been visited by several smaller fires, of which we have not time to speak.
"In the year 1856 or 1857 the school house still in use in our town was built, the contract having been let to Levi Rice, for which he received $1.328.42.
'' The Universalist society erected their house of worship in the year 1860.
" Attica has not been without her sensations, prominent among which are the great fradulent failures of Higley. Chandler, Schuyler and others in 1856 and 1857. and the discovery of the den of coun- terfeiters, and the subsequent conviction of one of our citizens for the crime.
"In conclusion we have only to add the number of public build- ings in township and village, and the population, as nearly as it can be ascertained in this centennial year of our nation and semi- centennial of our township.
"At that time the township had eight churches and thirteen school houses, and a population, including Attica, estimated at 2,300.
"Attica, within her corporate limits. contained three churches, one school house, three dry goods stores, two hotels, two hardware stores, two tinshops, two drug stores, two provision stores, two furniture stores, one cabinet shop, two undertakers, one clothing store, one marble shop. two harness shops, two blacksmith and car- riage shops, two carriage painters, one gunsmith, one flouring mill. sash and blind factory, one foundry and machine shop, one shoe factory two boot and shoe shops, three millinery stores, one photo-
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graph gallery, two cooper shops, one grist mill, one ashery. one carding machine, one confectionery and ice cream room, two bil- liard and drinking saloons, three village groceries, three tailor shops, one livery stable, one jewelry store. one printing office. one express office, two meat markets, one attorney, four practicing physicians, one dentist, one barber shop, one Odd Fellows lodge, one Masonic lodge, one Grange lodge. one weekly newspaper.
The village has increased materially in population. and the number of dwellings since the completion of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and the establishment of a station bearing the name of Attica, which occurred on the 1st of January. 1874.
"Carrothers is a small village at the crossing of the Toledo di- vision and the Sandusky division of the Pennsylvania lines. Car- rothers was laid out on sections 32 and 33. August 21, 1873, by John Newman, surveyor, for James Carrothers. The business of the place has about the usual representation for its size.
"The town of Caroline was projected and surveyed by James Kilbourne for Hector and Byron Kilbourne and Cornelius Gilmore February 28, 1828. on sections 10 and 15. There is also on record a survey of the village, alleged to have been made in June. 1837. and protracted by L. E. Holtz in 1858 for James Kilbourne, .Tr. The name was conferred in honor of Caroline, daughter of Cor- nelius Gilmore.
"The first settler near Caroline was Cornelius Gilmore in 1827 .. Before the close of 1830 he built the first house in the village. and within the following ten years the population increased to twenty- seven. When Gilmore located at Caroline there were only fifteen families in Venice township."
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