History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 20

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088

USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 20

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

He arrived at New York, July 5 of that year, after a journey from Ipswich, Mass., in his sulky. He obtained lodgings at the "Plow and Harrow," and saw that his good horse was properly cared for and fed at the same place. Congress was then in session, and he had come on a mission for the Ohio Com- pany, to negotiate their grant and its privileges in the new Territory of Ohio. He remained in New York three weeks, constantly engaged in the work vital to the interests of the future great State. But he secured the installment of the principles deemed the corner-stone of a future powerful State constitution. Mr. Poole, Librarian of the Chicago Public Library, searched assiduously for con- clusive proof of Dr. Cutler's right to this honor, and in the North American Review, Vol. 122, this is emphatically set forth with substantiating proof under his signature.

Other facts have been discussed and proven at a very recent date, relative to the State of Ohio, which heretofore have been omitted, and nearly lost from the historic thread which unites the present with the past.

The first settlement of the lands of the Northwest is necessarily surrounded with interest. But those were exciting, troublesome times, and a few links were passed over lightly. However, the years are not so far removed in the past but the line may be traced.

Mr. Francis W. Miller, of Cincinnati, has supplied some missing chapters. The earliest documentary trace extant, regarding the southern settlement at Cincinnati, is an agreement of partnership between Denman, Filson and Pat- terson, in the fractional section of land to which the city of Cincinnati was originally limited. It bears the date August 25, 1788. This was entered on the records of Hamilton County, Ohio, October 6, 1803.

179

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

A letter from Jonathan Dayton to the Hon. Judge Symmes, dated Septem- ber 26, 1789, says: "You have been selling your lands, I am told, for two shillings specie, the acre. The price at this moment is, and seems to be, and undoubtedly is, a good one; but as much cannot be said of it when you find hereafter that in consequence of the rise of certificates, another acre, in another payment, may cost you in specie two shillings and sixpence."

A letter from John C. Symmes to Capt. Dayton, dated April 30, 1790, says: "The land in the reserved township is held at much too high a price. Not a foot of land beyond the five-acre lots will sell. Five shillings, specie, or two dollars in certificates, is the utmost they will bring, and they will rarely sell at that."

This state of affairs was in a large degree brought about by the breaking-up of North Bend and a removal of the town to Fort Washington, or Cincinnati, later. A search through the old letters and other preserved documents prove that North Bend was at one time the beginning of the great city on the Ohio, rather than Cincinnati. Judge Symmes wrote, May 18, 1789: " I have not as yet been able to make a decisive choice of a plat for the city, though I have found two pieces of ground, both eligible, but not upon the present plan of a regular square. It is a question of no little moment and difficulty to deter- mine which of these spots is preferable, in point of local situation. I know that at first thought men will decide in favor of that on the Ohio, from the supposition that the Ohio will command more trade and business than the Miami. * * But if it were built on the Miami, the settlers throughout the purchase would find it very convenient."

Another of the earliest selections of town sites was adjacent to the most southerly point of what is now Delhi Township. To this the name of South Bend was given. Judge Symmes reports November 4, 1790, of this place, over forty framed and hewed-log two-story houses, since the preceding spring. Ensign Luce is said to have taken his troops to North Bend, but decided to remove to Cincinnati, on account of the object of his affections having settled there-the wife of a settler. But this story is refuted by contradictory evi- dence from Judge Symmes' letters, which illustrate the fact that the post of North Bend was abandoned by Ensign Luce and his men in consequence of a panic, caused by Indian attacks. The removal of the troops caused a general decline of the town. Again, history and letters from the same eminent Judge, assert that Fort Washington was completed and garrisoned by Maj. Doughty before the close of that same year, and was begun by him during the summer, that Ensign Luce must have still been at his post at the bend at that time. It has been, therefore, recently accepted that the traditional "black eyes" and the "Indian panic," had nothing to do with the founding of Cincinnati, and that the advantages of the position gained the victory.

Cincinnati has advanced, not only in prosperity and culture, but in national significance. Our readers must have observed, in perusing these pages, that

180

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

from this city and the State which it represents, have emanated some of the superior intellects which have used their wise faculties and talents, tempered by a wise judgment, in behalf of the American Union.

The originality of the Senecas and Wyandots have been debated at some length, while others have called the tribes the same, having two branches. We have searched the earlier records and have found an authenticated account of these two tribes.

The Indian tribes of Ohio were originally bold, fierce and stalwart. The country watered by the Sandusky and its tributaries was frequented by the Wyandot tribe, who came from the north side of the St. Lawrence River. The Senecas were blood relatives of this tribe. Both tribes were numbered by the thousands. A war originated between them, in this manner: A Wyandot chief desired to wed the object of his affections, who laughed him to scorn, because he had taken no scalps, and was no warrior " to speak of." To change her opinion, he led out a party, and falling upon a number of Senecas, slaugh- tered them mercilessly, that he might hasten to the side of his dusky belle, with his trophies. This act inaugurated hostilities, which extended through a century. The Wyandots began to fear extermination, and, gathering their entire effects, the natives escaped to Green Bay, and settled in several villages. But the Sen- ecas made up a war party and followed them, killing many Wyandots and burn- ing some of their villages. They then returned to Canada. Soon thereafter, they secured fire-arms from the French. Again they followed the Wyandots, firing their guns into their huts, and frightening them severely. They did not succeed as well as they expected. But the third party nearly exterminated the villages, because the young warriors were nearly all gone to war with the Foxes. The few at home escaping, promised to return with the Senecas, but desired two days for preparation. The Wyandots sent word to the two villages left undisturbed, and held a consultation. They decided to go as near the Senecas as possible, unobserved, and discover their real motive. They found them feast- ing on two roasted Wyandots, shouting over their victory. They danced nearly all night, and then fell asleep. A little before daylight, the Wyandots fell on them, leaving not one to carry back the news.

The Wyandots then procured guns, and began to grow formidable. They set out to return to their own country, and proceeded on their way as far as Detroit, where they met a party of Senecas, on the lake. A fierce conflict ensued, and the Wyandots beheld the Senecas fall, to the last man, suffering fearful carnage themselves. They soon settled in this part of the world, their principal village being on the Sandusky. Northwestern Ohio was particularly dangerous with new Indian tribes, and the Wyandots were cruelly aggressive. The death of their chief, and their total defeat by Harrison, destroyed their power forever.

On the 29th of September, 1817, a treaty was held, at the foot of the rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie, between Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur,

181

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

Commissioners of the United States, and the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, Potawattomie, Ottawa and Chippewa nations. All their lands in Ohio were ceded to the United States forever.

There was really not a Seneca in the Seneca nation. They were chiefly Cayugas, Mohawks, Onondagas, Tuscarawas, Wyandots and Oneidas. But the Mingoes were originally Cayugas, and their chief was the celebrated Logan. After the murder of his family by the whites, the Mingoes were scattered over the territory northwest of the Ohio.

The notorious Simon Girty was adopted by the Senecas. Girty's name was a terror and fiendish horror for many years. He not only led the Indians in their atrocities, but he added barbarism to their native wickedness.

CONCLUSION.

When peace was proclaimed, after the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. U. S. Grant, the volunteer troops disbanded, and a return to home indus- tries instituted, Ohio, like many other States, gave direct attention to the inter- ests of returned soldiers. The thrift of the State was augmented by a spasmodic, and thereafter recognized as a fictitious, demand for products, commercial and industrial pursuits redoubled their forces. But the great wave of stagnation swept over this fair land-the re-action of a war excitement. Laborers were many, but wages were inadequate. Deeper and deeper settled this lethargy- called by many " hard times"-until the wheels of commercial life revolved slowly, and from the workshops and the factories went up the echoes of priva- tion and distress. There was no famine, no fever, no epidemic, it was simply exhaustion. In the larger cities there was much suffering. Idle people loitered about, barely seeking employment, the task seeming worse than hopeless.

During the years 1870, 1871 and 1872, the stringent measures brought about by the depressed state of business retarded any material advancement in general matters. The years 1873-74 were marked by a preceptible improve- ment, and a few factories were established, while larger numbers were employed in those already founded. The year 1875 was under the direction of a Demo- cratic Legislature. It was marked in many respects by a "reverse motion " in many laws and regulations.

The Legislature which convened in 1876, January 3, was Republican in the main. It repealed the "Geghan Law " passed by the preceding body. At the time of its adoption, there was the most intense feeling throughout the State, the charge being made that it was in the interests of the Catholics. Among the general enactments were laws re-organizing the government of the State insti- tutions, which the previous Legislature had ordered according to their own belief to follow new doctrines. The office of Comptroller of the Treasury was abolished. The powers of municipal corporations to levy taxes was limited, and their authority to incur debts was limited. Furthermore, this body prohibited any municipal appropriations, unless the actual money was in the Treasury to meet

182

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

the same in full. A law was passed for the protection of children under fourteen years of age, exhibited in public shows.

The temperance cause received more vigorous and solid support than was ever rendered by the State previously. A common-sense, highly moral and exalted platform was formed and supported by many leading men.

This year witnessed the serious "strikes" among the miners in Stark and Wayne Counties. The consequences were painful-distress, riots and distruc- tion of property.

The State Mine Inspector reported 300 coal mines in the State, with only twenty-five in operation. Not over 3,000,000 tons of coal were raised during the year, owing to the dullness of the times.

The State charities reported the aggregate number under public care to be 29,508. The taxation for the maintenance of these classes was one and one six-hundredth of a mill on each dollar of taxable property.

The reports given of the year 1877 indicated a revival of business interests and prosperity. The State produced of wheat, 27,306,566 bushels; rye, 914,106 bushels; buckwheat, 225,822 bushels; oats, 29,325,611; barley, 1,629,817 bushels ; corn, 101,884,305 bushels ; timothy, tons of hay, 2,160,334 ; clover, tons of hay, 286,265; flax, pounds of fiber, 7,343,294; potatoes, 10,504,278 bushels; sweet potatoes, 126,354} bushels; tobacco, 24,214,950 pounds; sorghum, sugar, 7,507} pounds ; syrup, 1,180,255 gallons ; maple sugar, 1,625,215 pounds; maple syrup, 324,036 gallons; honey, 1,534,902 pounds.

The growth of manufacturing industries, the remarkable annual increase in stock and in agricultural products since 1877, leave no room to doubt the rapid advancement of Ohio in general wealth.

PART III.

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

CHAPTER I.

TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY,

SENECA COUNTY is bounded on the north by Sandusky, on the east by Huron, on the south by Crawford and Wyandot, and on the west by Wood and Hancock Counties, embracing fifteen original surveyed townships, extend- ing north from the parallel of latitude 41º north to latitude 41º 18', and east from the west line of Range 13, east of longitude west of Washington, D. C., 7º 50', the principal meridian, to the east line of Range 17, east of longitude west 7º 50', or over 540 square miles. The population, according to the census of 1880, was 36,947, but the estimate for 1885, based on school statistics, places the number of inhabitants at 41,000 or 75.92 inhabitants per square mile.

The altitude at Berwick is 345 feet above the level of Lake Erie; at Repub- lic. 308 feet; at Lodi, in Reed Township, 282 feet, and at Tiffin, 183 feet. Geologists claim that Attica is the highest point in the county.

The Sandusky River enters the county in Section 36, Seneca Township; winds east into Section 31, Eden Township; thence west into Seneca Town- ship, flowing north by east through the southeastern sections of Hopewell Township, the city of Tiffin, the northwestern sections of Clinton Township, and, entering Pleasant Township, flows on in its tortuous channel, leaving that township in Section 5. The Sandusky River is associated with much of the early history of Ohio. Along its banks the beginnings of many little common- wealths were made, but to-day those beginnings have almost disappeared, to give place to the many important cities, beautiful villages and pleasant farm homes which grace its valley and terraces.

Honey Creek, a name endeared to hundreds of old settlers, Indians and half-breeds, has its head-waters in Huron County, and flows through Venice, Bloom and Eden Townships, entering the Sandusky in Section 36, Hopewell Township. This creek is fed by numerous streams, all, like the parent river, contributing to the wealth of one of the most fertile tracts in all Ohio. Silver Creek, which may be called a native of Bloom Township, is one of Honey Creek's principal feeders, entering the latter almost on the Eden Township line. The plateau on Section 20, Eden Township, is fifty-eight feet above the summer level of Honey Creek.

Rock Creek has its head-waters in Section 33, Reed Township, flows north into Section 17, joins other streams, and thence enters the lake on the Beeghley farm, in Section 18, Reed Township; thence runs southwest through Republic, to Section 10, Eden Township, where it takes a northwesterly course, to join the

188

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Sandusky, east of Washington Street bridge, at Tiffin. In the history of the townships and of Tiffin City, many references are made to this little river.

Sugar Creek, in its course through Section 27, Pleasant Township, flows 42} feet below its plateau. Wolf Creek rises in Seneca Township, flows north- east through Hopewell, Liberty and Pleasant Townships, and leaves the county in Section 6, Pleasant. This creek drains a very large area, being the reservoir, so to speak, of the numerous little creeks in Hopewell and Liberty Townships. Harrison Creek and the western fork of Wolf Creek rise in Loudon Township, and flow north through Jackson and Liberty Townships, entering the main stream below Bettsville. Risdon Creek and tributaries flow north through the western sections of Jackson Township, and, with Little Portage Creek, afford good drainage. There are hundreds of small streams (many of which, like that on the Coleman farm in Seneca Township, never freeze up) to be found in the county, to which names have never been given; in fact, every section may be said to claim some water-right, thus bestowing upon the land a high value.

Along the Sandusky and other large streams the face of the country is somewhat broken, the terrace in Section 24, Seneca Township, being 63} feet above summer level, but outside the river valleys proper the land may be said to be slightly rolling, except in Thompson Township, which is marked by decidedly rolling lands. Even the Big Spring marsh, so long barren, has been brought under cultivation. In ten of the fifteen townships, which make up the county, there is an abundance of large hardwood timber of almost every species.

Townships and Cities .- The fifteen townships, into which the county is divided, are named as follows, with the number of original surveyed township and range:

Big Spring, 1 north, Range 13 east. Bloom, 1 north, Range 16 east.

Eden, 1 north, Range 15 east. Seneca, 1 north, Range 14 east.

Venice, 1 north, Range 17 east. Clinton, 2 north, Range 15 east.

Hopewell, 2 north, Range 14 east. Loudon, 2 north, Range 13 east.

Reed, 2 north, Range 17 east.

Scipio, 2 north, Range 16 east.

Adams, 3 north, Range 16 east.

Jackson, 3 north, Range 13 east.

Liberty, 3 north, Range 14 east.

Pleasant, 3 north, Range 15 east.

Thompson, 3 north, Range 17 east.

Tiffin, the county seat, is a beautiful city, most conveniently situate, and re- plete in everything which wealth and intelligence suggests. The main part of the city of Fostoria is in this county, and like her older and greater sister Tiffin, is one of the most pleasant and business-like towns in northwestern Ohio.

Postal Towns .- The postal towns of the county in 1885 are Adrian, Alvada, Amsden, Angus, Attica, Bascom, Berwick, Bettsville, Bloomville, Carrothers, Cromer's, Flat Rock, Fort Seneca, Fostoria, Frank, Green Spring, Kansas, Melmore, Morris, New Riegel, Old Fort, Omar, Reedtown, Republic, Rocka- way, St. Stephen, Siam, Tiffin, Watson, West Lodi. The pay attached to these offices, in 1884, ranged from $4.38 to $2,200, viz. : Angus, $4.38; Old Fort, $34.37; Cromer's, $42.91; Amsden, $48.08; Fort Seneca, $86.77; Kan- sas, $207.79; Bettsville, $384.70; Fostoria, $1,900; Tiffin, $2,200. Owing to the reduction in postage, the value of many of the offices to the incumbents has been lessened. The new settlement on the Nickel Plate Railroad, named Iler, was established as a postal town in September, 1885.

Scattered throughout the county are a number of small settlements, many of which cannot, however, take on the dignity of villages for some years. Others consist of a few houses grouped around a post office. These tiny set- tlements will, no doubt, spring into activity and request the future historian to record them as villages or cities before many decades. So early as 1844 a few

189

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

of these hamlets aimed at importance. Then came the central cities and the mining stampedes, and an age intervened; then came the war, when the graces and amenities of civilized life were ignored for the "signal-sound of strife" and "battle's magnificently-stern array." A large delegation was taken from each village to serve in all branches of the new industries the first year of the struggle, and each succeeding levy gradually drained the vicinity of very much of the enterprise and public spirit which had come in and manifested its presence by works in former years. As a consequence, improvements for the period between the firing upon Fort Sumter and the surrender at Appomattox were neither numerous, costly nor architecturally elaborate. The same is to be remembered with reference to the advent of citizens at that time, neither were they numerous nor valuable, save, of course, in exceptional instances. The village, as will be readily conceded, escaped remarkable growth or develop- ment; but as years grow apace they give some evidence of advancement.

Geology .- Political lines have a most supreme disregard for geological boundaries; but the county in this respect is a part of a vast territory which has been more or less carefully explored and its obvious characteristics noted. The townships of Pleasant, Liberty, Jackson, Hopewell (in the northerly part), and Loudon (in the northwesterly part), show the Niagara system above the drift; sand-formations and healthy looking boulder rock. Over the greater area of these townships the rock and sand are covered by a drift material. A complete knowl- edge of the history of a single pebble composing this drift would give its possessor more knowledge of geology than is now extant in the wide world. East of the Sandusky River (the same territory which, in 1820, was attached to Sandusky County under the name of Seneca Township) the outerop of the Niagara rock is a phenomenon. The State geologist, in his first report on this county, says: "The eastern part of the county is considerably more elevated than the middle and west- ern, and the surface is characterized at once by longer and more considerable undulations, which have the form, very often, of ridges evenly covered by drift, running about northeast and southwest. * * There are still, even in * the eastern part of the county, flat tracts where the drainage is so slow that the washings from hill sides have leveled up the lower grounds with alluvial and marshy accumulations. In such cases the elevated drift knolls are gravelly, and show occasional boulders; but in the level tract, which has been filled, no boulders, or even stones of any kind, can be seen.

The Niagara limestone, in Pleasant Township, found in the bed of Wolf Creek and on Section 10, shows a northeast dip, and a variable dip on Section 20. Below the dam, in the Sandusky, near Fort Seneca. a remarkable hard or flinty blue stone, presumably of the Niagara conformation, was quarried some years ago, and has since been used for macadamizing and other purposes. On Spicer Creek, Section 28, Pleasant Township, a more pronounced Niagara lime- stone exists.

In the extreme southeastern corner of Jackson Township, in a tributary of Wolf Creek, there is an exposure of limestone, and also along the railroad on Section 22. Also in the old town of Risdon, and north of it along the county line, the Niagara stone shows itself. The lime manufactured at Fos- toria is equal to that of Springfield or Carey.

The outcrop in Hopewell Township is decided in Sections 22 and 16, and by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. at Bascom. The immense boulders and beds of Niagara above Tiffin, in the Sandusky River, also belong to the out- crop in this township.

In Liberty Township, on Section 4, this rock outcrops, dipping gradually west. Along Wolf Creek there are several surface showings of this rock, and

190

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

in almost every part of the township it may be considered as merely covered by the drift. In the southern tier of sections this stone is quarried and exten- sively used in housebuilding, bridges, lime manufacture and macadamizing. About the year 1870, George King's house was constructed of this rock.

In Clinton Township the river may be said to act the part of the old quarryman. For centuries the Sandusky has been carving an under channel for its waters until, in 1825, man came to its help. Along the front of old Fort Ball, now in Tiffin City, the Niagara or rather Guelph stone shows itself very distinctly. In fact the whole north bank of the river may be considered a rock, extending from the summer level of the river up the terrace about sixty feet in depth, with an exposure of about eighteen feet, dipping from five to ten degrees southwest. The main showing of waterlime is found at this point. A junction of the Niagara and waterlime formations occurs within Tiffin City, above Washington Street bridge.

In Section 22, Hopewell; Section 23, Seneca; and Section 29, Clinton; waterlime is exposed, while in many other townships it appears in beds of creeks.

The conformation known as Oriskany sandstone underlies portions of Adams, Pleasant, Clinton and Eden Townships.

The lower corniferous outcrop appears in Scipio. Bloom, Eden and Adams, while the upper corniferous gives good exposures in Thompson and Bloom Townships, where extensive quarries are worked.

The drift formation is evident throughout the county, particularly in Eden and Venice Townships.

The economical geology is represented by numerous stone quarries, de- posits of bog-iron ore, brick clay and pottery clay. The red brick, manufac- tured in almost every division of the county, are of excellent quality, but wanting in some cases that regular, tradesmanlike finish, which have won for foreign manufacturers a large trade. This burned clay, when pulverized and mixed with other products, such as bone and sand, makes a cement equally as durable as Portland cement and far less expensive. The tile industry of Seneca has made much greater advances toward perfection than the older brick-making industry, and for this reason the product of sewer and drainage tile, pottery, etc., has grown very large. A reference to the pages of local history will point out many of, if not all, the various workers in the field of economical geology.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1088

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088