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 27

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 27

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December 8, 1824, the north room in George Park's house was rented, at $1 per month, to be used for clerk and auditor's office. The commissioners concluded their first year's work by declaring new roads to be public highways, and appropriating pay for their clerk, D. Smith, and themselves.

December 8, 1824, the commissioners ordered that the fraction on the west side of Sandusky River, included in original Township 2 north, Range 15, together with the fraction on the east side of the river, included in Town 2 north, Range 14, be attached to Clinton Township.

At a meeting of the commissioners, held March 7, 1825, Township 1, Range 15; Township 1, Range 16; and Township 1, Range 17, south of base line, were set off as one township under the name of Sycamore, and an elec- tion ordered to be held March 25, 1825.

A road was authorized from James T. Percas land Section 2, Township 3, Range 16, to the town of Tiffin. Willard Knight, W. D. Sherwood and Joseph Pool were appointed viewers and David Risdon, surveyor. William Mead, John Craig and Alexander McNutt entered security for the establish- ment of this road. Elijah Brayton petitioned for a road from his saw-mill, via Chaffee's and Whitaker's stores, to the state road. Agreen Ingraham, Rollin Moler and James Gardin were appointed viewers; E. Brayton and James Richards were securities. A road from Upper Sandusky to the city of San- dusky was authorized. On the application of the inhabitants of Crawford Township, the electors of Township 1, Range 13 south, were ordered to elect on the last Saturday of March, 1825, three trustees and one treasurer to manage the school lands of the district. A similar decree was entered in the case of Scipio Township, the meeting to be held at John Wright's house. On petition of Neal McGaffey a road from the east end of Miami Street, Fort Ball, to the public square of Tiffin was authorized. McGaffey, Ingraham and John Galbraith offered security.

In March, 1825, John Mimm asked for a road from Tiffin to Thomas Leaper's house, on the Negro Town road. N. Egbert, James Earl and S. S. Palmer, viewers, Solomon Kuder and Josiah Hedges were securities. Russell Vibber, John Seitz and Willard Knight were appointed viewers of a road from the north end of Washington Street to intersect the easterly end of Adams Street, in the town of Fort Ball. In March, 1825, the electors of Clinton Township were ordered to meet in April and elect three trustees and one treasurer to take charge of the school lands of Clinton. William Connell was appointed keeper of the standard measure on March 9. On the same day the commissioners declared the roads which they authorized to be

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public highways, and, after appropriating their own and clerks' salary ad- journed.

The fourth session of the commissioners was held June 6, 7 and 8, 1825. A number of road petitions were granted, and bills aggregating about $70 were ordered paid; including $4.50 to George Park for use of room for four and a half months.

The commissioners assembled in special meeting July 4, 1825, to consider proposals for building a jail. Elijah Farquson was granted the contract on his bid of $450. Josiah Hedges signed the contractor's bond. An adjourned meeting was held October 15, to receive Assessor William Patterson's account. He was allowed for assessing the county, $48.

The principal business of the commissioners, in session December 5, 6 and 7, 1825, pertained to roads. December 5, organic changes were made in Clinton and Hopewell Townships. December 7, Neal McGaffey was allowed $17.85 for blank books and repairing clerk's and auditor's room, and David Smith $4.50 for blank books supplied to the auditor. Benjamin Whitman was allowed one day's pay for services on the Board of Equalization and one day's pay for inspecting work on new jail. Chris. Stone, appraiser of Clinton Township, was allowed $1 for his services during the year 1825. Each of the commissioners received pay for three days' services.

December 5, 1825, Agreen Ingraham presented a petition from the inhabitants of the townships of Clinton and Hopewell, praying that all that part of the original surveyed township of Clinton, lying on the west side of the Sandusky River, should be attached to Hopewell Township. This petition was granted, it appearing to the commissioners that the want in bridge con- veniences justified a partition of the original town of Clinton.

The commissioners met March 6, 1826, when on petition they authorized the establishment of "Tyamochtee" Township from Crawford Township. Thomas Johnson was allowed $51 for blank books. Elijah Farquson received $150 on account of jail building in $15 orders. The time of completing the jail was extended to July 1. 1826. March 31, 1826, the commissioners met to accept the jail building from the contractor, and issue orders for $200 in his favor.

March 7, 1826, an application was made to the commissioners to set off Township 1, Range 14 south, from Crawford Township and establish the township of " Tyamochtee," which was granted. The electors of Crawford were ordered to meet in April at the house of Joseph Chaiffer to choose officers, and the electors of the new township to meet at the house of Jesse Gales.

The special meeting of June 5 and 6, 1826, was devoted to road affairs and accounts. Josiah Hedges was allowed $25.85 in exchange of an order issued and paid for the location of the seat of justice for Seneca County, on the treasurer of Sandusky County. Milton McNeal was reappointed treasurer of the county, and William Patterson tax collector. Thomas Boyd, Ben Whitmore and James Gordon were commissioners.

The meeting of December 5, 1826, was devoted to road permits and organic changes. Reed and Adams Townships were set off; a portion of Clinton was attached to Hopewell. The commissioners organized with James Gordon, com- missioner for one year; Timothy P. Roberts, for three years, and Thomas Boyd, two years.

Reed Township was set off December 5, 1826. It comprised Township 2, Range 17, together with the fractional Township 2, Range 18, including land east to Huron County line. The election was ordered to be held at Seth Reed's house in January, 1827.

Silas & Stackhouse

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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Adams Township was set off December 5, 1826. It comprised fractional Township 3, Range 16, including one tier of sections off the west side of Township 3, Range 17. The election was ordered to be held at Samuel White- man's house December 25, 1826.

The commissioners decreed that all that part of Clinton Township, or Town- ship 2, Range 15, lying on the west side of the Sandusky River, should be attached to Hopewell Township, December 5, 1826.

The meeting of March 5, 1827, granted authority to construct a number of new roads. Milton M. Neal reported $643.69 in county orders, being part of his credits as treasurer for 1826. Neal McGaffey presented $27.05 as amount of office rent and stationery. David Risdon was appointed assessor; a bounty of $2 in addition to State bounty, was offered by the commissioners in March, 1827. A special meeting was held in June, 1827. David Risdon received $63.50 for assessor's services of 1827. The taxes decided upon were 3 mills per dollar for State tax; 8 mills per dollar for county tax; 3 mills per dollar for road tax, and 3 mill per dollar for school purposes. In August, 1827, the board met to consider the propriety of building a bridge across the Sandusky River, and ordered one day's pay for each member.

December 3 and 4, 1827, Case Brown, Timothy P. Roberts and Thomas Boyd, county commissioners, met at Tiffin. William Toll, jailer, presented his bill of $3.46 for fees and boarding prisoners. The repairs of the jail, in 1827, cost abont $70.

The commissioners met March 3, 1828. John A. Rosenberger presented a petition, praying that a part of the original town of Clinton, on the west side of the Sandusky, should be attached to Clinton Township; not granted. David Bishop was appointed sealer of weights and measures. The board at a special meeting held March 24, 1828, decided to build a court house, and on April 11, 1828. advertised for proposals. There is no record of their meeting on April 14, 1828.

Granting petitions to establish roads was the only business of importance before the board in December, 1828.

The commissioners in session, March 2, 1829, ordered that the State treas- ury be called upon to pay $15.91,3%, the amount of three per cent fund apportioned to Seneca County, under the act of February 9, 1826. The clerk of the court of common pleas was authorized to purchase a desk for his office.

At a special meeting held June 1, 1829, Ezra Gilbert presented a petition from the people of Township 1. Range 17, praying to have that township set off under the name of Venice.

The township of Venice was set off June 1, 1829; as then established, it comprised Township 1, Range 17, and fractional Township 1, Range 18, which was attached to Bloom, formerly. The petition to establish was presented by Ezra Gilbert.

David Beck was allowed $24 for making a secretary's desk for clerk's office, in June, 1829. Joseph Howard, the county clerk, was allowed $10 in advance to purchase stationery for the use of his office. The board of equalization made heavy additions to the capital of local merchants.

The commissioners-James Gordon, T. P. Roberts and Case Brown-met December 8, 1829. They allowed George Donaldson, trustee of the meeting- house, $18 as rent of the same, for May, August and November terms of court in 1829. William Toll, jailer, presented his account for the year, which amounted to $12.42}.

This session of the commissioners opened March 1, 1830, with Gordon, Brown and Roberts, present. Apart from the establishment of public roads,

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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

little other business was transacted. Jacob Plane, treasurer, was instructed to demand from William Clark the county orders he received in June, 1828. The $15.91-3 of the three per cent fund was appropriated for the Mt. Vernon road between Tiffin and Morrison State road. Matthew Clark was allowed $11.12 for a stove for the jail.

At the June meeting William Toll, jailer, was allowed $83. 79 for boarding Peter Pork. 211 days; Walter Bates. 49 days; Merrit Goodyear. 2 days; together with jailer's fees, for the year ending June, 1830. One-half of three- fourths of a mill was authorized for township tax in Hopewell. 7 mills for county purposes and 3 mills for road purposes. Harry Blackman, of Bloom Township, was appointed a commissioner to expend the three per cent fund on the Kilbourne State road. In August a special meeting was held, which adjourned to September 18.

January 27, 1831. a meeting was held to consider road petitions. At the June meeting a number of roads were authorized; Pleasant Township was established. The tax levy was S mills for county purposes. 3 mills for roads and 1 mill for schools. A special session was held in December, 1831.

At a meeting of the commissioners, held June 6, 1831. a petition was pre- sented by Caleb Rice, from the inhabitants of Seneca Township, praying for a new township, to be named Pleasant. The board ordered that fractional Township 3, Range 15. and all that part of the Seneca Indian Reservation, lying within Seneca County, be established under the name of Pleasant.

The commissioners met March 5, 1832. A number of road petitions were granted and viewers appointed. Loudon Township was established. In June, 1832. Liberty Township was set off. The tax levy was placed at 5 mills for county purposes, 1 mill for school purposes, and 3 mills for road purposes. Jackson Township was established December 4, 1832. The sum of $6 was allowed to George Donaldson. trustee of the meeting-house, as rent for that building during the March term of court.

The commissioners, in their order of March 5. 1832, decreed that Town- ship 2 north, Range 13 east. be organized as a separate township under the name of London.

December 4, 1832, the inhabitants of Township 3, Range 13, Jackson. petitioned the board to set off that division of the county as a separate town- ship, under the name of Jackson. This petition was granted.

A petition was presented by John S. Fleck, from the inhabitants of Town- ship 3, Range 14, Liberty, then attached to Seneca Township, June 5, 1832. In granting this petition, the commissioners conferred the name of Liberty upon the new township.

March 4, 1833, John Keller. David Risdon and Case Brown, commission- ers, assembled at Tiffin. At this meeting the question of changing the town- ship boundaries was discussed. The boundaries of Thompson, Scipio, Adams, Clinton and Pleasant Townships were altered so that each would comprise an original surveyed township. In March. 1833, John Tennis presented a peti- tion praying for the organization of Township 2 north, Range 13, for school purposes. This petition was granted.

In June, 1833, a number of road petitions were granted. In December that portion of original township of Clinton, lying west of the Sandusky, was detached from Hopewell and attached to Clinton. The commissioners decided to erect county buildings, in December, 1833, and made application to Valen- tine Pentzer, of Mechanics Town, Va., for a loan of $6,000. Calvin Bradley and John Baugher were appointed commissioners to visit the county seats of Lorain, Portage and Richland Counties, and to take a correct description, cost,

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etc .. of each court house. John Seitz, Marcus Y. Graff and John Crum were commissioners.

The question of erecting good county buildings was discussed in Novem ber, 1833. John Baugher and Calvin Bradley were appointed commissioners by the board to visit Ravenna, Elyria and Mansfield, with a view of selecting a plan for the new county buildings. The site for the jail was purchased from Josiah Hedges.

In March. 1833, at the twentieth meeting, the boundaries of Thompson were so altered as to embrace the original surveyed townships 3 north. Ranges 17 and 18.

The boundaries of Scipio Township were so changed under order of March 4, 1833. as to embrace Township 2 north, Range 16.

The boundaries of Adams Township were so altered in March, 1833, as to embrace the original surveyed Township 3 north. Range 16.

The boundaries of Clinton Township were changed in March, 1833. so as to include the fractional part of the original surveyed Township 2 north. Range 15, which lies in the Seneca Reservation.

The boundaries of Pleasant Township were changed in March, 1833. so as to embrace only original surveyed Township 3 north, Range 15.

On petition of George W. Gist, that portion of the original township of Clinton. on the west side of Sandusky River, was detached from Hopewell and reattached to Clinton. December 3, 1833. In March, 1834, David Risdon pre- sented a remonstrance from the inhabitants of this part of the county.

In January, 1834, the visiting committee in re court house matters reported in favor of adopting the style of the Portage County building. The bill of expenses presented by this committee was $93.80, which was ordered to be paid. January 17, the board ordered advertisement for proposals to build a court house, and February 14, the commissioners entered into a contract with John Baugher to build a court house in the town of Tiffin, for $9.500. David Campbell was allowed $2 for printing the proposals in the Tiffin and Sandusky Clarion.

In March, 1834, the twenty-second meeting of the commissioners accepted a deed from Josiah Hedges for a certain lot of land for the purpose of erecting a jail, valued at $150, in part payment of materials named in said Hedges bond due said county. Marcus Y. Graff, one of the commissioners, notified Mr. Hedges that the commissioners required payment of the residue of the moneys and materials due on said bond. David Risdon presented a remonstrance from the people of that portion of Clinton Township west of the river, against the action of the commissioners in reannexing it to Clinton in their order of December, 1833. The board decreed that it was inexpedient to repeal their last order in regard to this biennial question. A petition was presented by Charles W. Foster from twenty electors in Loudon Township, praying that three trus- tees and a treasurer be elected to take charge of School Section 16, agreeable to an act to incorporate the original surveyed township. The petition was granted. In March, 1834, Enoch Trumbo asked for an order to elect trustees and treasurer to take charge of School Section 16, in Jackson Township. The order was issued.

Brown and Magill were allowed $3.25 for printing notices to build court house, and Calvin Bradley $15 for furnishing draft and bill of particulars for court house. Orders for those amounts were issued in March, 1834. A sum of $50 was appropriated toward building a bridge over Rock Run. at the east end of Market Street, in the town of Tiffin. The board gave a bond to Jacob Stem, and authorized him to obtain a loan of $6,000. David E. Owen,

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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

county auditor, was allowed $58. 79 for his services for the year ending March 6, 1834. In May, 1834, Jacob Stem obtained the loan of $6,000, and lodged the amount in the Baltimore Savings Institution, Maryland. The board loaned this money to Stem until April, 1835, the interest being considered equivalent, to his services in raising the money. In June $59.42 were appropriated for the sustenance of Warren C. Burns, a convict in the county jail, from Septem- ber, 1833, to May, 1834; James W. G. McCluer received this money. At the June meeting Enoch Umsted was allowed $18 for the use of Methodist Episco- pal Church as a court room in May, 1834. The cost of assessing the county, in 1834, was $47.25. The tax of 1834 was 5 mills for county, 2} mills for county buildings, 1 mill for schools and 3 mills for roads. Nicholas Goetchius, John Crum and John Seitz, were commissioners. In August, 1834, $2,000 were paid John Baugher on account of work on the court house. The commission- ers, in November, 1834, were John Seitz, Benjamin Whitmore and Lorenzo Abbott. A sum of $45 was granted Alonzo Rawson for advertising "Exhibit of Receipts and Expenditures" in the Independent Chronicle.

March. 1835, session of the commissioners was devoted mainly to the con- sideration of petitions for county roads. Willard Whitney presented a peti- tion asking relief from tax on his mercantile capital, as assessed in 1834. Reuben Williams resigned his office of assessor. M. Y. Graff reported the expenditure of $50 on the Rock Run bridge, at the east end of Market Street. In April a special session was held. The June session opened with Benjamin Whitmore, Lorenzo Abbott and John Seitz, present. The tax levy ordered was 4} mills, county; 13 mills, school, and 23 mills for road purposes, of which total, 1} mills were ordered to be reserved for public buildings. Three mills were added to the road tax in Scipio Township. In December, Nicholas Goet- schius and Joel Stone presented bills for sustaining the prisoners Benjamin Alcut and James King. A sum of $18 was allowed Henry Ebbert as rent for the Methodist Episcopal Church in use during two sessions of the court in 1835. Abel Rawson was allowed $25 for office rent and fire-wood for the year ending December 6, 1835. John Walsh was sworn in as assessor. Alonzo Rawson was allowed $2. 75 for printing the sheriff's proclamation.

During the spring and summer sessions of 1836 a large number of road petitions was presented and granted. The tax levy ordered was 43 mills for county purposes, 1} mills for school purposes and 3 mills for road purposes. A further appropriation of $100 was made to complete the West Market Street bridge. In August, 1836, David E. Owen, auditor, resigned, and Levi Davis was appointed. In September. 1836, Ebenezer Smith was granted $100 to build a bridge over Beaver Creek. In December $27 were granted as rent for use of Methodist Episcopal Church during the three terms of court. Eli Norris received $17.50 as rent for jury room during two terms in 1834, three terms in 1835 and two terms in 1836.

In March, 1837. Lowell Robinson was appointed county assessor, John C. Donnell and A. Maloney were appointed assistant assessors. The auditor was sustained in his suit against Latham Stone & Co., "for attempting to show their natural curiosities and horsemanship at Republic, on May 21, 1837." One hundred and thirty-three dollars were appropriated toward the free bridge over the Sandusky road on West Market Street. About this time the now familiar notice, "no person shall be allowed to ride over this bridge faster than a walk," was adopted. The limit of traffic was confined to ten head of cattle or ten head of hogs at any one time.

The tax levy for 1837 was 43 mills for county, 1 mill for school and 3 mills for road purposes. In August, 1837. it was resolved to re-roof the court house,

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and. in November, Uriah P. Coonrad presented a bill of $281.50 for this work. In March, 1838, Isaac P. Ingraham was appointed assessor, vice the assessor elect, who failed to give bonds. Joel Stone received $33 for services in guarding prisoners at night during the year ending June 9. The first account for lamp-oil was rendered about this time. John W. Vrowman was released from payment of $7.30. tax on $1,000 alleged to be loaned by him on interest. In December Francis Bernard was allowed $9 for calcimining and cleaning the county jail. Abel Rawson was allowed $29 for record book and transcription of Seneca lands. John Terry, John Seitz and Lorenzo Abbott presided at the last session in 1838.

MEETINGS FROM 1839 TO 1866.

The several sessions of the commissioners in 1839 were principally devoted to road matters. In December Joshua Seney was allowed $30 for attorney's services rendered in the suits against Josiah Hedges and Jonathan Reed & Co.

In January, 1840, Lorenzo Abbott and Andrew Moore, commissioners, present, $11 were granted to Samuel A. Griswold for printing. John Terry was present in March, 1840. In June the tax levy was fixed at 32 mills for county, 1 mill for school and 3 mills for road purposes. The taxes on Josiah Hedges' saw-mill, $6.373, were remitted in December, 1840.

The transactions of the commissioners in 1841, outside of road affairs, com- prise the appointment of G. J. Keen, county agent, to collect $64 from James Durbin, formerly county surveyor, paid him on an order issued July 10, 1838, for obtaining plats and field notes of Seneca County from the surveyor-general's office, a duty which had to be performed in 1840 by John Terry. In March, 1841, the sheriff was authorized to give the use of the court house for religious and political meetings, as he may deem proper. In June, 1841, the auditor was instructed to advertise for proposals to rebuild the court house in the Van Burenite and Gazette of Tiffin, the Ohio Statesman and Ohio State Jour- nal, of Columbus, the Norwalk Experiment the Sandusky Democrat, and the Findlay Courier. For some time after the court house was destroyed in 1841, courts were held in the Methodist Protestant Church. The county paid the Methodist Protestant Society $25 for rent for use of church in May and June, 1841.

In July, 1841, the question of rebuilding the court house was before the board; John Baugher proposed to complete the carpenters' and joiners' work for $2,990; Jacob Emick and Jacob Rowk contracted to do all the stone and brick work for $800; Allison Philips the plastering for $450. These proposals were accepted. John Andrews' bid to point the brick work for $150 was accepted. George Stoner, John Terry and Andrew Moore were the commis- sioners.

In March, 1842. Robert G. Pennington presented a petition to the board. setting forth that the Seneca County Agricultural Society had organized according to law, and asking for a county subscription. The commissioners appropriated $100. At this time also the act of January 13, 1829, to "improve the breed of sheep," was adopted by the board of Seneca County.

In April, 1842, Uriah P. Coonrad received $13.75, for boarding an insane man named Samuel Dorland. At the same time Dr. Ely Dresbach pro- nounced the man's insanity only periodical, and the commissioners ordered his discharge.

Vincent Bell asked that the assessment for 1842, on his saw and grist- mills, be remitted, as they were useless. In December Joseph Mcclellan took his place on the board. John G. Breslin's bill of $202.50 for publish-

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ing the delinquent list of the county, was allowed. The notes of the Gran- ville Bank and other uncurrent notes were ordered to be exchanged. Eden Lease presented a bill of $3.75 for guarding of the jail five nights during the confinement therein of Thomas C. Bartlett. Dr. N. R. R. McMeen received $2, for medical services to another prisoner, named Hiram Coch- rane.

In June. 1843, the lightning-rod man placed a rod on the jail, at a cost of $20. The new court house was completed in the summer of 1843. Pro- posals for building a jail and sheriff's residence were opened June 9, 1843, T. B. Platt's bid of 83, 487 was accepted. but he failed to give bond. The contract was soll the same month to Ephraim Riker, of Erie County. In December Morris P. Skinner took his place on the board.

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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