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 44
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140
In 1880 there were 3,168 farms; 247,031 acres of improved lands, valued at $21.513,612; farming implements valued at $563,961; value of live stock, $1,428,339; cost of building and repairing fences (in 1879), $74,294; estimated value of all farm productions in 1879, $2,825,399.
The crop and produce statistics of Seneca County, for 1884, are set forth as follows: Acres of wheat, 65, 118-product of crop of 1883, 520,037 bushels; cost of commercial fertilizers, $234; acres of rye, 321 (about 3,200 bushels); acres of buckwheat, 134-product, 1,088 bushels; oats, 19,551 acres-product, about 700,000 bushels; barley, 558 acres-product, 11,558 bushels; corn, 38, 263 acres-product, 911, 418 bushels; broomcorn, 15 pounds; meadow, 20,874 acres; hay, 24,542 tons; clover, 16,397 acres; hay, 17,557 tons; seed. 14,519 bushels; plowed under for manure, 845 acres: flax, 94 acres-product, 879 bushels of seed; potatoes, 1, 728 acres-product, 208,610 bushels; tobacco, 20 pounds; milk sold for family use, 19,200 gallons; home-made butter, 760, 536 pounds; cheese, 80 pounds; sorghum, 58 acres-90 pounds sugar and 3,537 gallons of syrup; maple sugar, 3,537 pounds and 7, 130 gallons of syrup; bee hives, 2,064; pounds of honey, 26,122; eggs, 401,574 dozens; acres of vineyards, 14-pounds of grapes, 21,235; gallons of wine, 367; sweet potatoes, 3 acres-454 bushels; orchards, 5,989 acres; bushels of apples, 93,683, of peaches, 161, of pears, 1,183, of cherries, 35, of plums, 16; acres of land owned and cultivated, 199- 698-in pasture, 27,044, in woodland, 60,708, waste, 1,140; total acreage, 288- 590; wool shorn in 1883, 325,907 pounds; milch cows, 8,298; dogs, 2,273; sheep killed by dogs, 398, injured, 261; animals died from disease, hogs, 2,081, sheep, 1,338, cattle, 297, and horses, 170.
The following is an abstract of the personal property, moneys and credits in Seneca County, as returned by the assessors and equalized by the city and county boards for the year 1885:
AB Mcclelland
395
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
No
TOWNSHIPS AND PRECINCTS.
Horses.
Cattle.
Mules.
Sheep.
Hogs.
Carriages.
Other Pers'n'l Prop- erty.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
1 Adams
407
$22055
750
$11450
7
$335
5891
$8810
1703
$4220
109
$2130
$14235
2 Green Spring
77
3810
125
1611
2
100
1030
1795
235
554
13
565
1621
3 Big Spring ..
596
32295
1093
14010
9
390
1756
2765
2799
5400
176
4215
24025
4 Bloom
534
22260
1177
11040
18
735
7521
11785
1714
4240
30
1090
26105
5 Clinton
603
30555
1274
16255
3
120
4253
5885
1907
5650
296
6440
28185
6 Eden ..
624
30930
1491
17165
6
370
6700
11530
2402
5995
159
5815
35145
7| Hopewell
511
25000
1065
14260
4
200
922.
1470
2207
4270
129
2705
22540
8 Jackson
646
33105
1421
16542
10
475
1805
2810
2235
5608
167
6400
22980
9 Liberty
752
37294
1512
15708
305
1516
2293
2738
6049
149
3715
24541
10 Loudon
524
28915
1026
16450
10
550
1385
2540
1404
3440
70
2485
19460
11 Fostoria
210
12515
116
1960
4
160
71
165
139
420
137
5615
31900
12 Pleasant
531
26705
1002
12335
4
180
4281
6540
1980
4825
131
3530
21990
13 Reed
636
29945
1260
16015
11
425
7226
11980.
1646
4055
222
4540
19450
14 Scipio.
660
35250
1171
13840
11
450
11542
18330
1678
4405
210
6130
26315
15 Seneca
644
36980
1285
17252
7
320
2024
3467
2593
6421
129
3180
29054
16 Thompson.
667
31540
1195
14620
7
405
1043
2065
2149
5257
248
4760
23268
17 Venice
799
40255
1437
17285
11
665
8070
12855
2321
6205
191
6750
23815
18 Tiffin
518
23522
300
4808
32
1060
4
5
363
857
421
15365
105719
Totals
9939 $502931
18700 $232606
163
$7245 67040 $107095
Manu- factur- ers' Stock.
Value Value of of Moneys Credits.
Money Inv'st'd in Bonds, Etc.
Total Value, Except Dogs.
Dogs.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
1 Adams
55
$625
29
$755
$
$ $1655
$11245
$52075
$120640
125
2 Green Spring ...
16
248
14
690
8579
1730
3225
7572
32100
14
3 Big Spring.
17
195
17
555
3365
220
1335
86845
175660
141
4 Bloom
49
735
62
1500
20140
3315
1230
161805
265980
133
5 Clinton
83
955
40
1225
25
1075
104250
20910
221530
123
6 Eden
49
675
40
1215
1095
3130
7295
79120
199480
105
8 Jackson
73
970
50
1755
300
1875
10550
59325
162695
167
9 Liberty
64
704
73
1807
14050
2780
12420
65844
187510
171
11 Fostoria
147
3242
96
6650
11540
200
15438
27225
74710
1200
296170
173
12 Pleasant
10
170
38
965
2500
2550
8890
65345
8750
165280
98
13 Reed.
61
725
43
1365
5750
5125
65935
250
165560
140
14 Scipio
115
1555
77
3440
12620
5305
8680
74370
210620
152
15 Seneca
59
474
45
1380
882
2300
2450
3730
105500
197870
178
17 Venice
132
1865
77
2620
32030
10320
8173
165747
328590
152
18 Tiffin
260
5572
212
13000
165132
3575
25416
44109
116109
3450
527720
168
Totals
1343
$20245
990
$41067||
$384748
$3775
$85534 $463542 $1177677
$34310 $3724575
2615
Following is the assessors' returns of the wheat crop of 1884-85.
TOWNSHIPS, WARD AND PRECINCTS.
Acres sown 1884.
Bushels produced 1884.
Acres sown 1885.
Adams.
Green Spring Vil.
456
6,829
480
Big Spring.
4,482
59,778
4,349
Bloom
3,661
55,029
3,5724
Clinton.
3,869
53,246
4,514
Eden.
4,220
78,164
4,466
Hopewell
4,468
63,888
4,632
Jackson. .
3,792
47,745
3,792
Liberty, South Precinct.
2,933
37,094
3,132
Liberty, North Precinct.
1,216
15,247
1,364
Loudon
3,888
55,059
4,042
Pleasant.
4,379
59,523
4,376
Reed.
3,174
44,926
3,225
Scipio
4,673
68,148
4,703
Thompson.
6,234
125,405
3,338
Venice
3,319₺
49,774
3,831
Tiffin-Third Ward.
30
525
Totals.
61,437₺
907,616
60,533}
No
TOWNSHIPS AND PRECINCTS.
Watches.
Pianos and Organs.
Mer- chants' Stock, ---
Value Listed as Banker, Etc.
No. of
7 Hopewell.
38
450
24
590|
940
1400
69145
142970
201
10| Loudon
18
315
13
350
2050
72125
63060
166450
202
16 Thompson
97
770
40
1205
3,605
50,184
3,585
3,038
37,052
3,132
Seneca
32213
$77871
2987
$85430
$500348
7
-
148680
172
3980
396
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
NEW STRUCTURES.
Below we give the number of new buildings returned by the assessors in 1885, giving the aggregate values as returned. These values are likely to be changed somewhat by the city and county boards of equalization:
TOWNSHIPS, WARDS AND PRECINCTS.
No.
Value.
Adams.
6
$ 1,485
Big Spring.
17
3,300
Bloom.
9
3,975
Clinton.
8
2,325
Eden.
4
2,600
Fostoria.
43
19,225
Green Spring
5
1,935
Hopewell.
11
2,975
Liberty-Bettsville
7
1,375
Pleasant.
6
990
Reed
3
400
Scipio.
16
4,675
Seneca.
8
1,280
Thompson
8
3,440
Venice.
11
6,200
Tiffin-First Ward.
7
3,625
-Second "
9
12,440
-Third
6
1,525
-Fourth .€
2
800
-Fifth
14
8,175
Totals
212
$87,895
BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
Report of the births and deaths in Seneca County, for the year ending March 31, 1885.
BIRTHS.
DEATHS.
TOWNSHIP, WARDS AND PRECINCTS.
Male.
Female.
Total.
Male.
Female.
Total.
Adams.
18
4
22
8
2
10
Green Spring
3
2
5
1
1
Big Spring.
25
27
52
12
11
23
Bloom.
29
23
52
12
11
23
Clinton.
14
24
38
6
10
16
Eden. .
12
19
31
23
16
39
Hopewell.
26
29
55
10
5
15
Jackson. .
12
12
24
5
10
15
Liberty, South Precinct.
23
4
27
6
6
12
Liberty, North Precinct.
10
6
16
5
4
9
Loudon.
17
11
28
4
6
10
Fostoria.
17
17
34
14
17
31
Pleasant.
7
8
15
2
3
5
Seneca.
25
18
43
12
9
21
Thompson.
15
27
42
15
9
24
Venice.
22
27
49
11
6
17
Tiffin-First
Ward.
1
5
6
5
5
-Second
13
7
20
7
6
13
-Third
18
10
28
15
5
20
66
-Fourth
13
10
23
8
6
14
-Fifth
7
13
20
4
2
6
Totals.
368
339
707
199
160
359
9
Scipio.
23
18
41
11
10
21
Reed.
18
18
36
3
6
Jackson. .
9
2.950
Liberty-South Precinct.
3
2,200
Loudon
397
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
THE ASSESSORS.
Table showing the time occupied by the assessors, the assistance received, and compensation allowed in 1885.
TOWNSHIPS, PRECINCTS, WARDS AND ASSESSORS.
Days occupied.
Days assistance.
Compensation.
Adams, E. B. Williams.
30
3
$ 66 00
Green Spring, D. K. Hill
19
38 00
Big Spring, Peter Goshe.
30
9
78 00
Bloom, S. S. Lehman. ..
32
6
76 00
Clinton, M. L. Woodside
37
9
92 00
Eden, R. A. Cole.
28
19
94 00
Hopewell, Namon C. Knight.
28
5
66 00
Jackson, Jacob W. Good ..
21
42 00
Liberty, South Precinct, George Schuster.
33
8
82 00
Loudon, John J. Peter. .
37
11
96 00
Fostoria, W. H. H. Leech
36
7
86 00
Pleasant, Lewis Shannon.
28
5
66 00
Reed, James Decker.
30
6
72 00
Scipio, Alva Jones.
30
15
90 00
Seneca, Joseph W. Parks.
31
5
72 00
Thompson, Jacob Greulich.
31
5
72 00
Tiffin-First Ward, P. H. Ryan.
37
9
92 00
-Second
David Bowersox.
31
10
82 00
-Third
John Silvers ..
41
-
82 00
-Fourth
Frank Cornely
43}
87 00
-Fifth
Nicholas Haffey.
36
10
92 00
Totals
727₺ 152
$1759 00
36
10
92 00
Liberty, North Precinct, Amon Frees.
22
44 00
Venice, J. T. Myers.
The uninterrupted prosperity and success which have attended the various branches of enterprise and industry in the county from its earliest settlement to the present day, the change from an almost unbroken wilderness to a rich and populous county in a brief space of time, naturally lead the mind to con- templations of deep interest and inquiry, with regard to the condition which the progressive energies of its people will work out in its future. We have only to examine the resources of wealth which the county naturally presents for improvement-the strength, skill and aptitude of the people to lay hold of natural advantages and convert them to the most profitable form, in order justly to appreciate the energies which have been put forth by the early set- tlers and the new, the results of which are so attractive to the traveler. It should be borne in mind that the county was not settled' by capitalists, bringing large amounts of money to expend in subduing and cultivating new lands, but almost exclusively by men who were unable to purchase farms in the old States-whose physical and mental energies constituted their funded wealth. This was the capital invested in the settlement and improvement of the county -a currency not subject to fluctuations. The pioneers were men of independ- ent minds and efforts, whose activities were controlled by the dictates of their own judgments. The bosom of the earth, teeming with fertility, was spread out before them, and it is to their labors that we must look for the beginnings of nearly all of the wealth of the county. It is universally admitted that the surest index of the progressive energies of an agricultural community is dis-
398
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
covered in the condition of homes, farms and society; their light of science to illuminate and invigorate the natural powers, facilities of communication 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, culti- vated and brought into constant use, the vital energies, the enduring strength and substantial wealth of a community are advanced. If we adopt this gen- eral rule in the county and take the condition of its public institutions as a criterion of its advancement in intelligence and wealth, we shall find that it has few rivals. While acknowledging 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 engaged in health and wealth-giving labors.
CHAPTER XIV.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
A DAMS TOWNSHIP, or original surveyed Township 3 north, Range 16 east, was surveyed outside the boundaries of the Indian Reservation, by Sylvanus Bourne, in 1820, and, after the last treaty of cession by the Indians, the remainder was surveyed by C. W. Christmas, in 1832.
The outcrop of the lower corniferous conformation on the southeast corner of Section 34, and the several exposures of this and other rocks made by quarrymen. together with the numerous brick and tile yards visible throughout the township, convey at once an idea of the geological value of the township, viewed from an economical stand-point. The State geologist, writing in 1873, makes mention of the Sulphur Spring. He says: "The greatest natural cu- riosity in Adams Township is the Sulphur Spring. This is nearly in the middle of Section 7, on land formerly owned by Josiah Hedges, the original proprie- tor of Tiffin. This spring is a natural rising of water impregnated with all the ingredients which are contained in the spring of the famous water cure, situated in the town, Green Spring, of which further mention hereafter. The spring in question issues from the earth, and is cold and refreshing, and not unpleasant to the taste. Many petrified substances are found in the bed of this spring. The current flowing from it is large and steady, no drought having any apparent effect in diminishing the supply. After a southerly course of almost thirty rods, it mingles with the waters of Beaver Creek." Just north of the county line is the great Sulphur Spring, referred to in the chapter on geology, as well as in the sketch of Green Spring.
The creeks of the township are known as Sugar Creek, watering the south- western sections, and Beaver Creek, which may be said to drain the whole town- ship. This latter stream rises in Section 36, flows west to the Scipio Bend, thence in a general course northwest to Grove's Lake, on Section 7, passing south of the Great Sulphur Springs, in the southeast quarter of that Section, then through Sections 12 and 1, Pleasant Township, to the north line of the county ..
399
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
The eastern fork of Beaver Creek rises in Thompson Township, flows generally westward, and enters the main creek on the line of Sections 9 and 16, Adams Township. A small creek courses through the extreme northeastern part of the township, while a few rivulets, or small spring creeks, are found almost in every section. The name, Beaver Creek, is derived from the fact that it was a favorite camping resort of the beavers, long before the Senecas came to this district. On this creek, just west of the township line, Josiah Hedges had a grist-mill erected in 1838.
The township has a rolling surface, is very fertile, and is inhabited by a good class of citizens. The population in 1830 was only 830; in 1880 it increased to 1,624, and is now estimated, including Green Spring Village, at 2,000 in- habitants.
Railroads are represented in the township by the Indiana, Bloomington & Western and the "Nickel Plate," the former an old friend of its northwestern corner, the latter a new friend, equipped after the fashion of modern days.
Organic and Official .- The township, as established December 6, 1826, com- prised Township 3, Range 16, and the western tier of sections in Township 3, Range 17; minus the lands of the Seneca Indians, to which the Indian grant was added in 1832. The first election was held at Samuel Whiteman's house, December 25, 1826, when Martin Olds, L. T. Butler and Thomas Longwith were elected trustees; Charles Shelby and Thomas Whiteman, overseers of the poor: G. Lee and Samuel Hartsock, fence viewers; Cyrenius Wright, treasurer; William Myers, William Mead and Francis Evans, supervisors, and Moses Pyatt, constable.
Twelve years after the organization of Adams Township, on December 6. 1838, a petition was presented to the commissioners, asking for the establish- ment of a new township, out of Adams and Pleasant, to be named Sulphur Springs. This petition was not granted.
1827. Record partially destroyed: Samuel Whiteman, justice of peace.
1828. Martin Olds, William Mead, Samuel Whiteman, trustees; Abram Rine, clerk.
1829. Lyman Amsden, Thomas Webb, Samuel Whiteman, trustees; Abram Rine, clerk. 1830. Samuel Elder. Samuel Whiteman, Lyman Amsden, trustees; Abram Rine, clerk; Samuel Whiteman and Martin Olds, justices.
1831. Same trustees; W. Mead, John Paine, M. Olds, trustees of school laws.
1832. Same trustees and clerk.
1833. Samuel Elder, Jacob Rine, Lyman Amsden, trustees; Abram Rine and Zimri Butler, justices: Samuel Whiteman, clerk.
1834. John Bebe, Samuel Elder, Abram Rine, trustees; Samuel White- man, clerk.
1835. James C. Hocket, D. H. Dana, Abram Rine, trustees; E. D. Fol- let. clerk; Ira Phelps, justice. 1836. John Paine, E. Smith, James Crockett, trustees; E. D. Follet, clerk.
1837. John Petticord, S. Whiteman, John Paine, trustees: A. Crockett, clerk.
1838. D. H. Dana, John Craig, John Petticord, trustees; S. Whiteman, clerk; E. D. Bradley, justice.
On May 5, of this year, the township was laid off into school districts.
1839. D. B. Lee, John Petticord. John Waters, trustees; I. W. Small. clerk.
400
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
1840. James Crockett, Samuel Whiteman, J. A. Watrous, trustees; I. W. Small, clerk.
1841. Earl Church, Samuel Whiteman, J. A. Wartrous, trustees; I. W. Small, clerk.
1842.
George Kline, John Guisbert, John Petticord, trustees; J. W.
Payne, clerk.
1843. George Kline, Ephraim Porter, John Petticord, trustees; Abram Rine, clerk.
1844. George Kline, Ephraim Porter, Reuben Drinkwater, trustees; I. W. Small, clerk.
1845. Jacob Bogart, Isaac Smith, Abram Rine, trustees; James Paine, clerk.
The persons over eighteen and under twenty-one years of age in the town- ship, in 1845, numbered twenty-seven, over twenty-one and under forty-five, sixty-one.
1846. Nicholas Noel and Isaac W. Small were elected justices; Abram Rine, H. Neikirk and D. B. Lee, trustees; L. C. Stone, clerk.
1847. A. M. Stem, Ezra West, Abram Rine, trustees; L. C. Stone, clerk.
1848. D. B. Lee, Ezra West, Abram Rine, trustees: L. C. Stone, clerk; John W. Payne, justice.
1849. Same trustees; George Kline, clerk.
1850. R. B. Alexander, A. G. Whiteman, D. Petticord, trustees; James Collins, clerk.
1851. D. H. Patterson, D. Petticord, A. G. Whiteman, trustees; Isaac Stillwell, clerk.
1852. Levi Coup, D. H. Patterson, A. G. Whiteman, trustees; R. B. Mead, clerk.
1853. Levi Coup, William Jordan, A. G. Whiteman, trustees; D. H. Pat- terson, clerk.
1854. Abner Nims, William Jordan, A. G. Whiteman, trustees; Isaac Still- well, clerk.
1855. Samuel Hunter, Abner Nims, W. Jordan, trustees; J. B. Buck, justice; A. G. Whiteman, clerk.
1856-57. Samuel Myers, J. W. Payne, James Crockett, trustees; Joel Bar- ber, clerk.
1858. N. Noel, D. Hartsock, J. Crockett, trustees; Horace Hall, justice; George K. Kline, clerk.
1859. N. West, J. T. Kistler, Henry Metzger, trustees; D. H. Patterson, clerk.
1860. Isaac Stillwell, J. T. Kistler, Henry Metzger, trustees; H. White- man, justice; Isaac Stillwell, clerk.
1861-62. A. G. Whiteman, W. C. Myers, I. Stillwell, trustees; Horace Hall, D. H. Patterson, justices; J. Goodin, clerk.
1863. D. Petticord. A. G. Whiteman, James Crockett, trustees; J. Goodin, clerk.
1864. Monroe Kistler, D. Petticord, Thomas Almond, trustees; J. S. Brown, Isaac Stillwell, justices; P. H. Myers, clerk.
1865. J. S. Myers, Thomas Almond, H. P. Whiteman, trustees; Daniel Metzger, justice; P. H. Myers, clerk.
1866. Same trustees; Humphrey Whiteman, justice.
1867. James Paine, John Wales, Jr., J. S. Myers, trustees; P. H. Myers, clerk.
1868. Peter Coffman. P. S. Myers, James Paine, trustees; W. P. Myers, clerk.
401
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
1869. S. H. Smith, Humphrey Whiteman, Thomas Almond, trustees; Jacob Bonnell, clerk.
1870. J. McIntire, M. H. Hensinger, H. Hoeltzell, trustees; J. S. Myers, clerk.
1871. Same trustees; John Summers, justice; J. S. Myers, clerk.
1872. B. F. Pontius, H. Hoeltzell, James McIntire, trustees; W. J. Payne, clerk.
1873. F. S. Mohr, M. Kistler, Sol. Reiter, trustees; John S. Myers, clerk.
1874. J. J. Miller, F. S. Mohr, Jesse Paine, trustees; John S. Myers, clerk.
1875. John Guisbert, J. J. Miller, W. H. Groves, trustees; Wilson Pon- tius, clerk.
1876. John Westerhouse, John Guisbert, W. M. Engler, trustees; John Gibbons, clerk.
1877. J. S. Myers, John Guisbert, H. Detterman, trustees; John Gib- bons, clerk.
1878. Monroe Lee, John Guisbert, Edward Nims, trustees; James Drinkwater, clerk.
1879. A. McHasser, M. Kistler, S. Detterman, trustees; Daniel Metzger, John S. Myers, justices; James Drinkwater, clerk.
1880. W. J. Johnson, S. Detterman, Monroe Kistler, trustees; J. C. Metzger, clerk.
1881. W. J. Payne, M. Kistler, Frank Crockett, trustees; R. K. Will- iams, justice; J. C. Metzger, clerk.
1882. Frank Crockett, W. J. Payne, E. B. Williams, trustees; W. J. Merchant, A. Kistler, justices; J. C. Metzger, clerk.
1883. Michael Schriner, J. H. Westerhouse, H. Harrison, trustees; William Engler, clerk.
1884. C. D. Holtz, J. H. Westerhouse, M. Schriner, trustees; R. K. Williams, justice; William Engler, clerk.
1SS5. D. W. Whiteman, George W. Fitz, C. D. Holtz, trustees; William Engler clerk; D. J. Myers, Walter Merchant, justices.
The township and school boards of Adams, have generally attached great importance to economical administration. Notwithstanding this feature of the township's official life the roads are well made, the schoolhouses are numer- ous and substantial, and all those minute details which mark the progress of each little commonwealth of the county are observed.
School Lands .- September 30, 1843, a meeting of the citizens of Adams Township was held to vote on the question of selling school lands- the west half of Section 12. George Kline, Solomon Drown and L. C. Stewart, judges, and T. W. Small and James Paine, clerks, conducted the election. The number of votes polled was eighteen, all in favor of the sale of school lands. On May 14, 1845, John T. Kistler purchased the west half of northwest quarter of Section 12; Isaac Parker, the east half of the northwest quarter; John Kistler, the west half of the southwest quarter, and Isaac Parker, the east half of the southwest quarter. The entire tract brought $2,780, and the sale was con- ducted under order of chancery on appraisement of Thomas R. Ellis, Jacob Souder and William Toll, and on the Heming survey. (Record of School Lands in Auditor's office. ) The sale of school lands in Adams Township has been attended with some peculiar features. For years after the township was established there was no Section 16 acknowledged, as that sec- tion was within the Seneca Indian Reservation, and consequently without the reach of all parties, save the Indians, for whom it was reserved. Under
402
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the treaty of Washington, negotiated February 28, 1831, the tribe ceded their 40,000 acres, and in November, 1832, the tract was offered for sale-the school section excepted. Prior to this, however, in 1826, the west half of Section 12 was granted to Adams in lieu of Section 16. Nothing was done toward the sale of half-Section 12 until May 14, 1845. Eleven years before this, and under authority of an act approved January 30, 1836, all Section 16 was granted to the township for school purposes, and its sale was soon after effected, thus giving Adams one section and a half, or 320 acres more than should be apportioned. In 1846 an effort was made to rectify this error, but the subject was dropped until recent years, when it was re-opened under the title of "Andrew Jackson's Mistake."
Pioneers of Adams Township .- The settlement of the township was effected without the noise and bustle which marked the occupation of the older town- ships of Seneca. This was due to the fact that it was not a wilderness in the sense that the country west of the Sandusky was; but a well-trailed land, partly surveyed, and adjacent to the old settlements. In all other respects the work of the pioneer did not differ in quantity or quality from the earlier settlers of Venice or Big Spring, Thompson or Liberty, Reed or Loudon Townships. It is true that the romance of life among the Indians of the great Sulphur Spring region, and the pleasures which the neighborhood of natural phenomena or curiosity bring, were present to lighten, as it were, the load of care by with- drawing attention from ordinary life among the great trees, and lending it to the wonderful in nature. In the following sketches several prominent pioneers are named; while the greater number of pioneers and old settlers find mention in the personal history of Adams Township, and in the chapters of the general history.
Samuel and Elizabeth (Kating) Bartlett, natives of Main, grandparents of Robert M. Bartlett, of Adams Township, settled in this county in 1826, where they died. Oliver L. Bartlett, their son, the father of Robert M., began farm life in this county at an early day, and married, in 1844, Hannah E. Warner, of Virginia, whose mother, when a widow, came about 1833, with her family, to this county, where she died. .... George R. Bosworth, a native of Vermont, born in 1800, came with his family to Adams Township in 1834. .... Jacob Bowerman settled in the township in 1830. died in August, 1876. . ... John Bowerman settled in the township in 1831; served in the war of 1812.
Elijah and Catharine Brown, parents of Mrs. Edward Crockett, of Adams Township, formerly of Scipio Township, (former a native of Maryland, latter of Perry County, Ohio, ) came to the county in 1842. .... Warren Brown, born in New Hampshire, in 1814, came, in 1839, from Pennsylvania with his par- ents, Solomon and Fanny (Dennis) Brown to this county (where the latter both died), and settled in Adams Township.
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.