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 8
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Immediately after its organization, the county affairs werc operated similar to those in other counties. Courts of justice were established, officers elected, townships organized, roads con. structed, mills erected and the dense forest cleared.
The county thus constituted was named Seneca from the Seneca tribe of Indians. At that time Seneca county was an unbroken wilderness. An old time writer in speaking of the county at the time of the pioneer period wrote that, upon the bosom of the Sandusky river the wild fowl reposed in safety and the deer sported in their native haunts. And that along this river and its tributaries the hungry wolf prowled in search of food, and their hiding places were in the thickets of the upland. Here and there smoke ascended from the Indian wigwams. curl- ing majestically amid the branches of the towering oak; while the wily hunter pursued his game along the margin of the streams. Such was Seneca county at an early date of its history.
At that time there was but one road leading through the county. This was known as "Beall's Trail," having been sur- veyed by General Beall as early as 1812. It connected Upper and Lower Sandusky, and was opened by a Mr. Meeker. It ran along the western bank of the Sandusky river, and was later known as the "old army road." on account of it being the principal thorough- fare for troops and supplies during the war of 1812. For several years after the close of the war, large quantities of flour and other provisions for the settlements around Lower Sandusky, passed along this road. In 1821 this road was again surveyed and con- stituted a state road. In 1820, Israel Herrington surveyed what was known as the Morrison state road, leading from Croghansville to Delaware. This was the first road east of the Sandusky.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
The Sandusky river is the largest stream of water in the coun- ty, and passes through it from south to north, dividing it nearly into two equal parts. It rises in the western part of Riehland county, and after a westerly course of twenty miles, reaches Upper Sandusky, where it changes its course, running northerly until it reaches the southern boundary of Seneca county. It crosses the line in the southeast corner of Seneca township. and after deviat- ing from its northerly direction into Eden township, it crosses into Hopewell, almost due north of its entrance into the county. From Hopewell township it erosses into Clinton a little below the mouth of Honey creek, and after pursuing a northerly course in this township it enters Pleasant. After passing through Pleasant township it leaves the county, and after taking a northerly course, enters into Sandusky Bay.
Honey creek is the largest tributary of the Sandusky. It rises in the New Haven marshes, near the corners of Richland, Crawford, Huron and Seneca counties, and passes directly into the latter in Venice township. Taking a northwesterly course through Venice. it enters the township of Bloom near its northeast corner. Pursuing a southwesterly direction through Bloom, it passes into Eden township, and after making a large curve in Eden, it leaves the latter township near the northwest corner, and in Hopewell falls into the Sandusky.
The first grist mill in the county was erected upon Honey creek, just above the site of the town of Melmore. It was built in 1821. The opening of this mill was hailed with great joy by the early settlers, as they would thus be relieved from long journeys through the wilderness to Upper Sandusky, Monroeville or Mt. Vernon to get their grists ground. Later other mills were built upon this stream. It received its name from the appearance of the water when high resembling honey.
Wolf creek, another tributary of the Sandusky, rises in the southwest part of the county, and after passing through Seneca, Hopewell and Liberty townships, it falls into the Sandusky river. This stream, running through a level country, is somewhat slug- gish. It received its name on account of the large number of wolves formerly inhabiting the swamps near its source, and the thickets around the wet prairies, a little west of its mouth.
Besides the streams already described, there are numerous others in the county, some of which are deserving of notice. There are several east of the Sandusky that fall into this river below the mouth of Honey creek. One of these is Rocky creek, taking its name from the rocky appearance of the bed of the stream. This creek falls into the river at Tiffin. Tyler creek empties into the Sandusky on section seventeen. in Clinton township. Spicer's creek takes its name from the white captive elsewhere spoken of,
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
and falls into the river near the northwest corner of "Spicer's section," in Pleasant township. Sugar creek empties into the Sandusky in the same township.
The uninterrupted prosperity and success which have attended the various branches of enterprise and industry in Seneca county in a brief period of time attest the enterprise of the people and the productiveness of the soil. The county was not settled by capi- talists, bringing large amounts of money to expend in elearing the forests and in cultivating the land. Those who came and settled here were men whose physical and mental energies con- stituted their funded wealth. The pioneers were men of inde- pendent minds and efforts, whose activities were controlled by the dictates of their own judgments.
It is universally admitted that the surest index of the pro- gressive energies of an agricultural community is discovered in the condition of homes, farms and society; their light of science to illuminate and invigorate the natural powers, facilities of com- munication which tend to develop the social nature of man. and bring into visibility the various interests by which he is connected with society ; as these are appreciated, cultivated and brought into constant use, the vital energies. the enduring strength and sub- stantial wealth of a community are advanced. If we adopt this general rule in the county and take the condition of its public institutions as a criterion of its advancement in intelligente and wealth, we shall find that it has few rivals. While acknowledg- ing all the labors, all the intelligent work of the pioneer settler. the new-comer must not be forgotten. Among the men and women who settled in Seneca county since the close of her pioneer period are many who have spread around them the blessings and benefits of well directed enterprise in all branches, whether manufacturing or commercial, educational. religious or social. No county in the Union, of an equal number of inhabitants, can look back to a fairer moral record, or point out a greater proportion of inhabitants en- gaged in health-and-wealth-giving labors.
The first postoffice in Seneca county was established at Oakley in 1820, with David Risdon. postmaster. Oakley was the first surveyed village in the county, and was later known as Fort Ball and is now the Second ward of the city of Tiffin. At the time the postoffice was established at Oakley there was but one mail route in Seneca county, leading from Lower Sandusky. now Fremont, through Tiffin to Columbus. The mail was carried on horseback.
At the time the county seat of Seneca was located at Tiffin there were but six cabins in the village. the greater number of the early settlers living on the Fort Ball side of the river.
After the establishment of the seat of justice at Tiffin, the post- office was removed there and the name of the office changed to
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
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Tiffin. In 1829 Jacob Plane was appointed postmaster at Tiffin, and he was succeeded by George Knupp. From that time up to 1861 the following gentlemen were postmasters: Joseph Walker. H. G. W. Cronise, Dr. James Fisher, George L. Knupp, W. W. Armstrong and H. L. MeKee. Then came O. T. Locke, Gilford II. Kepple, General William II. Gibson, O. T. Locke. Mr. Locke was first appointed postmaster in 1882, serving part of a term. In 1899 Mr. Locke was again appointed to the same office and is now serving his third term.
Since the appointment of the present postmaster, O. T. Locke. the office has grown to be one of the most important in the state.
The rural route system was established June 14, 1901. There are nine routes out from Tiffin. The number of families delivered
&KRR.
PIONEER ENGINE AND PASSENGER CAR.
to is nine hundred, and the total number of persons served, 3,600.
The following postoffices in the county have been discontinued since the rural delivery system has been established: Cooper, Angus, Reedtown, Morris, Rockaway and Fireside.
Ground was broken for the first railroad through Seneca coun- ty at Sandusky, on September 7, 1835, by General William Henry Harrison. From the many stories and traditions concerning the different railroads through Seneca county, we take the following sketch : The road was opened from Sandusky as far as Bellevue in the fall of 1838. The first train by locomotive power was chartered. Thomas Hogg was the engineer, Paul Jones the fire-
*
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2
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
man and Charles Higgins was the conductor. The train consisted of the "Sandusky" locomotive, a small passenger car and a still smaller freight car. not exceeding twenty feet in length, which latter car remained for some time the only accommodation for con- veying merchandise. This primitive combination started from the foot of Water street, Sandusky, and made a single trip up and down daily. It has been said that the "Sandusky" was the first locomotive in America to which a regular steam whistle was ap- plied. At this time the road was known as the "Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad" and ran through Bellevue to Tiffin by way of Republic. Another route was opened through Clyde, the old track taken up, and over 191 miles of rails operated under the title of the "Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad," including the branch road from Carey to Findlay.
Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad .- The Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company, chartered January 5, 1832, located its road from Tiffin to Sandusky by way of Bellevue. In 1851, the Sandusky City & Indiana Railroad Company commenced to build a parallel road by way of Clyde, which was completed in 1854, and leased to the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company in December of that year. In June previous, the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company, agreed to pay operating expenses and interest on out bonds. February 23, 1858, the Erie County Common Pleas Court decreed that the name of the company should be the Sandusky, Dayton & Cincinnati Railroad Company. In 1865 it went into the hands of a receiver, and in July of that year the company was re-organized as the Sandusky & Cincinnati Rail- road Company. In October, the road was leased to the C. D. & E. R. R. Company, but in January, 1868, the lease was surrendered
to the Sandusky & Cincinnati Railroad Company. A few days later the title was changed to the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad Company, who, in June 1870, leased the road for 99 years. This road is now known as the Sandusky division of the "Big Four" system. It enters the county at Adrain, passes through Tiffin and leaves the county at Green Springs.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company enters the county at Fostoria, runs east through Bascom, Tiffin and Republic, and leaves the county northeast of Attica village. It dates its his- tory back to March 13, 1872, when the Baltimore, Pittsburg & Chicago Railroad Company filed articles of incorporation, and re- ceived authority to build a road from the west line of Pennsyl- vania to the west line of Ohio The work of construction was be- gun at Chicago Junction, and pushed forward by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. . In 1874 the entire road to Chicago was opened for traffic.
The Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad .- A com-
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
pany named the Columbus & Toledo Railway Company was chart- ered May 28, 1872, to build 124 miles of railroad from Columbus to Toledo. October 15, 1873. the road was located by way of Fos- toria; in November, 1876, trains were run between Marion and Columbus; in November following, the use of the Pennsylvania Company's road from Walbridge to Toledo was acquired; in Jan- uary, 1877, though business was opened, and in July of that year the road was completed. In 1881 this road was sold to the Columbus Hocking Valley & Toledo Company. This road is now known as the Hocking Valley Railroad. It enters Seneca county in Big Spring township and leaves it in Jackson township.
The Ohio Central Railroad was originally designed to run from Toledo to Pomeroy, on the Ohio river, and was chartered as the "Lake Erie & Atlantic." The road became involved and when sold the name was changed, and the work of completion pushed for- ward. In 1880 cars were run over the road by way of Fostoria. The road is now called the Toledo & Ohio Central. It enters Seneca county in Jackson township, about a mile north of Fostoria, and after passing through that city, takes a southerly route and leaves the county at Mccutchenville in Seneca township.
The Northwestern Ohio Railroad was formerly called the Tif- fin, Toledo & Eastern Railroad, and was completed in 1873, and was consolidated with the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad. The road is now known as the Toledo Division of the Pennsylvania lines. This road enters Seneca county at Carroth- ers, in Venice township, passes through Bloomville, Tiffin and Bettsville, leaving the county in Liberty township.
The New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, or "Nickel Plate," was completed in 1882. It extends from Buffalo to Chicago by way of Dunkirk, Erie, Ashtabula, Cleveland, Fostoria and Ft. Wayne. The first survey was begun in 1881. This road crosses the Baltimore & Ohio. Lake Erie & Western, Hocking Valley and the Ohio Central at Fostoria, passes by Fort Seneca and Green Springs, and leaves the county in Adams township.
The Sandusky Division of the Pennsylvania lines enters Seneca near the northeast corner of the county and after passing in a southernly direction through Flat Rock, Omar and Attica Station, leaves the county just south of Carrothers.
A number of other roads have been projected, which, if com- pleted, would have run through Seneca county, but they failed to materialize except on paper.
Railroads are great developers and civilizers. They open the country and carry prosperity and education along with passengers and freight. In a country that has few railroads, the thistle and the briar remain undisturbed, but in a state with many railroads the land yields its utmost, and the people are intelligent and thrifty.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Within the last few years another enterprise has entered the field. It is the interurban railroad, operated by electricity. In every direction these lines are reaching out and binding the coun- try with the town, and the town with the city, in quick communica- tion. Many new companies are being formed each year and more roads will soon follow.
The Lower Sandusky, Tillin and Fort Ball Plank Road Com- pany was incorporated in 1849. Ralph P. Buckland, John R. Peas, John L. Green, James Justice and John Bell. of Sandusky county ; Lorenzo Abbott. Calvin Clark, Benjamin Tomb, Cyrus Pool, Vin- cent Bell, John W. Patterson. Warren P. Noble and Rezin W. Shaw- han, of Seneca county; Chester R. Mott, Joseph Mccutchen, Robert McKelley and Andrew MeElvain, of Wyandot county, and all others associated with them, by subscribing stock, were made a body corporate and politic.
Another company, called the Tiffin and Osceola, Plank Road Company, was also chartered. and both roads put in operation. A branch road from Fostoria to intersect the former. north of the mouth of Wolf creek, was also laid. Toll-gates were erected and tolls collected. These answered the purpose for awhile, and were very popular until they began to give way by the rotting of the plank. The tolls collected proved insufficient to keep up the neces- sary repairs and other expenses. Subscribers were assessed to pay a second time, a work that always has a tendency to injure the popularity of any joint stock company. Meanwhile the roads be- came worthless and were abandoned; toll-gates broke down, and the supervisors of common highways removed the plank by putting them in piles and burning them up.
These piank roads proving unsatisfactory, pike roads even- tually took their place, and there are not now many miles of plank roads in Seneca county, nearly all the thoroughfares being piked.
How different from the Indian trails and bridle paths of pioneer times ..
A visit to Tiffin, the county seat of Seneca county, affords the stranger surprise and exceptional pleasure. From a distance the city affords an imposing view, as it nestles on both sides of the Sandusky river. Passing through its streets, one is impressed with the evidence of care. cleanliness, comfortable homes, wealth. culture, refinement and business activity. The people are thrifty, alert, enterprising, progressive and conservative. The munici- pality ranks among the best of the smaller municipalities in which Ohio is so highly favored.
The city has a number of capacious and beautiful public build- ings. Its church edifices are spacious, modern in architecture, of brick or stone, and are monuments to the religious enterprise of the people. The school houses are elaborate, particularly that of the
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
high school, which is an ornament to the city. Up-to-date busi-
ness houses and office blocks are numerous. Brick and aspalt pave- ments are largely in use. The streets are wide, and the resi- dence portion of the city in summer is beautiful with the color and shade of an abundance of trees. The homes as a rule are com- modions and ornate and are surrounded by beautiful lawns.
A very attractive feature for park purposes. is the beautiful Riverview park, nature's designer having made the place an en- hancing one. And, then. there has evidently been a generous al- lowance of funds for man's supplemental work. and besides being a popular resort for pienie parties, etc., it affords an alluring breathing space. Adjacent to this park is the Junior Order of United American Mechanics' Home for their orphan children. which is fully written up in another chapter of this work. Near
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JR. O. U. A. M. NATIONAL ORPHANS' HOME, TIFFIN.
this park there has recently been an addition to the city laid out and lots sold. Tiffin has a steady, healthful growth, as is evidenced by the fact that during the past year two hundred and sixty-one dwellings have been erected. Also two manufactories. ninety-two stables and barns, six stores and warehouses and thirty-five other buildings. Total number of buildings, three hundred and ninety- five, at a cost of $145.910.
Tiffin is about eighty miles northwest of Columbus. and forty- two southeast from Toledo. £ It is the seat of Heidelberg Univer- sity and other institutions of learning. It has numerous manu- factories and is in the midst of a very productive agricultural region. It was named for Ohio's first governor, Edward Tiffin.
The pioneers of Tiffin built well indeed. All their day dreams have been realized. and a city has sprung up out of the ancient groves, extending from plateau to plateau on each side of the old,
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
ever-running, boisterous river. Here we find the inventive, enter- prising, fearless Yankee, the Pennsylvanian. a man of iron nerve, the children of Vermont and New Hampshire delving low for some new rock, the shrewd Irishman, the fair-haired German-all sitting together as peaceful citizens of old Seneca. The combination of these race elements has made a community of people whose one in- terest has been advancement. Because of such men as these we can see smoke from numerous factories and enterprises, making Tiffin a business center as well as one of intellectual attainment.
Highland is a manufacturing suburb of Tiffin, and electric cars run there to accommodate those employed at the shops in that part of the city.
During the recent session of congress, a bill was passed au- thorizing the erection of a Federal building in Tiffin, and naming appropriations for the same. A number of sites have been offered but no selection has yet been made.
The contract for building the first jail was awarded to Elijah Farquson, July 4, 1825. The building was a solid log box, laid off in two compartments, with its corners protected by wagon-tire bindings. At the south end of the jail there was a small build- ing erected for the sheriff's residence. These buildings stood on the northeast corner of the public square. The brick used in building the chimney of the jail was from the first brick kiln burned in the county. This jail was torn down in 1840 and a new one with a sheriff's office was built in the spring of 1878. This build- ing fronts on Market street, in rear of the new court house.
The first meetings of the commissioners' board were held in Abel Rawson's office until December, 1824, when the county rented from George Park a room in Eli Norris' tavern, standing where is now the National Hall building. This room was used as the clerk's and auditor's office, and commissioners' room, until moved to the IIedges building, on Virgin Alley, a two-story frame house which stood on a part of the site of the present Advertiser office, and in which Judge Lane opened the first court April 12, 1824. The recorder and sheriff used their own offices and charged the county rent for same. In May, 1829, the commissioners arranged with Donaldson, trustee of the Methodist meeting house, to have the use of such house for terms of courts until the completion of a county building, then proposed. The old church, a brick structure, stood where the Joseph Harter marble yard was later located; was early English in style, and used until August 19, 1836, when the first county court house was completed.
The court house, which was begun in 1834, and completed August 19, 1836, was destroyed by fire, May 24, 1841. Owing to the energy of the people, part of the county records was saved. The office of Cowdery & Wilson was in the building. in connection with
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
which is the story of Judge Lang's extraordinary escape. Cow- dery learned that a number of valuable papers were not vet saved from the flames, and asked Judge Lang. then a young man, to rescue the "pigeon-hole" and its contents. Without hesitating the latter leaped into the room, cast out the "pigeon-hole." and jumped from the window at the moment when the logs and sand of the second floor fell in. Even after leaping to the ground. the cornice and debris came tumbling down, from under which he had to be extricated.
From the destruction of the first court house to the completion of the second one, in January, 1843, courts were held in the Metho- dist Protestant church, while the official business of the county was
THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE.
carried on at such places as suited the convenience of the officers. July 23. 1841. John Baugher. under contract with the county, en- tered upon this work of rebuilding. The walls of the old house, then standing, were used in the restored structure, and this (with the additions made in 1866) was the court house of Seneca county, until the spring of 1884, when the building was removed to give place to the present house, the officers being transferred to a large brick building and frame annex. which fronted on Market street. The cost of restoration was over $4,400. The court house square 'was cleared of the old locust trees in April. 1863.
The corner stone of this magnificent building was laid June
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
24, 1884, with appropriate ceremonies. The members of the com- mittee, appointed by the commissioners to arrange for the laying of the corner stone, met at the office of N. L. Brewer, and organized by electing N. L. Brewer, chairman; J. A. Norton treasurer, and E. B. Myers secretary. The cost of the building was $149,126.55.
Hon. James A. Norton. one of Seneca county's most gifted sons, was chairman of the ceremonies attending the laying of the corner stone. J. II. Good. D. D., invoked the Divine blessing upon the work, and Mayor Rover delivered the address of welcome. General W. H. Gibson delivered the oration in English, and Judge William Lang delivered an historical address in German.
The corner stone is a huge rock, six feet two inches in length. two feet ten inches wide, and one foot seven inches thick, and weighs over 6,000 pounds. It was placed in position by the Masonic Order, with the usual impressive ceremonies. The officers officiat- ing were: J. M. Goodspeed. of Athens, G. M .; A. H. Newcomb. Toledo, P. G. M .; Sam Stackerwilliams. Newark; A. F. Vance, Urbana, G. S. W .; Levi C. Goodale, Cincinnati, G. J. W .; J. M. Chamberlain. Newark, G. T .; John D. Caldwell, Cincinnati, G. S .; C. C. Park, Tiffin, G. T .; Rev. J. S. Reager, G. C .; Dr. C. E. Davis, G. J. D.
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