USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, from the close of the revolutionary war to July, 1880 > Part 36
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D). Y. Chapman, from 1879 to 1880 inclusive.
Secretaries:
Joseph Walker, 1842.
F. W. Green, from 1843 to 1847 inclusive.
G. J. Keen, 1848.
H. W. Owen, 1849.
J. P. Pillars, 1850.
T. C. Tunison, 1851.
R. Williams, 1852.
G. E. Seney, 1853.
James Pelan, 1854.
J. G. Kennedy, 1855.
George H. Heming, 1856.
J. M. Stevens, 1857.
M. H. Church, 1858.
J. D. Arndt. 1859.
L. M. Loomis, from 1860 to 1863 inclusive.
J. G. Gross, from 1864 to 1867 inclusive.
Charles Martin, from 1868 to 1870 inclusive.
J. H. Frost, 1869.
B. G. Atkins, from 1871 to 1875 inclusive, and 1878.
N. N. Speilman. from 1876 to 1877 inclusive.
J. E. McCormack, from 1879 to 1880 inclusive.
TIFFIN LODGE NUMBER 320.
W. M .:
Robert Crum, from 1858 to 1860 inclusive.
D. F. De Wolf, from 1861 to 1863 inclusive.
A. T. Barnes, from 1864 to 1865 inclusive.
F. E. Franklin, 1866.
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Secretaries:
F. D. Benham, 1858. J. G. Kennedy, 1859. E. W. Reeme, 1860. L. Adams, 1861.
A. T. Barnes, 1862.
C. Cronise, 1865.
R. Lysle, 1864 and 1865. . G. F. Hertzer, 1866 ..
SENECA CHAPTER NUMBER 42, R. A. M ,
Was organized February 7th, 1849, by Jacob Groff, M. E. G. H. P., with the following charter members, viz: John J. Steiner, R. W. Reid. Alexander Smith, Joseph Mccutchen, Agreen Ingraham, Abner Root, Henry Kuhn, Robert Crum, Peter Vannest.
High Priests:
R. W. Reid, 1849.
F. W. Green, 1850 and 1851.
C. K. Watson, from 1852 to 1854, and from 1866 to 1869 inclusive.
H. Kuhn, 1855, 1857, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1863.
Robert Crum, 1856.
J. E. McCormack, 1859.
G. W. Sampson, 1865.
C. C. Park, 1870, 1871, and 1872. .
J. W. Chamberlain, 1873, 1874, and 1875.
C. D. Davis, 1876 and 1877.
J. P. Kinnaman, 1878 and 1879. Charles Martin, 1880.
Secretaries: J. S. Barber, 1850.
H. D. Crum, 1851.
H. W. Owen, 1852.
T. W. Boyce, 1853 and 1854.
N. R. Kuntz, 1855.
H. Noble, 1856.
J. E. McCormack, 1860.
G. W. Sampson, 1862 and 1863.
J. G. Gross, 1865, 1866, and 1867.
Charles Martin, 1868, 1869, and 1870.
J. H. Frost, 1871 and 1872.
J. M. Stevens, 1873, 1874, and 1875. James Smith, 1876, 1877, 1878, and 1879. R. Lysle, 1850.
CLINTON COUNCIL NUMBER 47, ROYAL AND SELECT MASONS, Was organized April 9th, 1867, with the following charter members, viz: C. K. Watson, C. C. Park, G. K. Brown, Charles Martin, J. F.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Marquardt, A. H. Byers, J. G. Gross, Jonathan Smith, Peter Vannest, Evan Dorsey, H. H. Souder.
T. I. Masons:
C. K. Watson, 1867 and 1868.
C. C. Park, 1869 and 1880.
A. H. Byers, 1870 and 1871.
Charles Martin, from 1872 to 1879 inclusive.
Recorders:
G. K. Brown, from 1867 to 1872, and from 1875 to 1876 inclusive. 1
J. M. Stevens, 1873 and 1874.
J. W. Chamberlain, 1877, 1878, 1779, and 1880.
DE MOLAY COMMANDERY NUMBER 9, KNIGHTS TEMPLARS,
Was organized at Republic August 10th, 1848, with the following char- ter members, viz: Josiah Roop, John P. Worstell, H. Benton, Platt Benedict, Daniel Watersons, Daniel Brown, Hiram Humphrey, M. V. Bogart, Edward Winthrop, H. L. Harris.
It remained at Republic until February 24th, 1869, when the first meeting was held at Tiffin, where it has remained ever since.
Eminent Commanders:
Edward Winthrop, from 1848 to 1851 inclusive.
Platt Benedict, from 1853 to 1857 inclusive.
M. V. Bogart, from 1858 to 1864 inclustve.
HI. Bromley, from 1865 to 1870 inclusive.
J. W. Chamberlain, 1871, 1872, 1876, 1877, 1878, and 1880.
C. C. Park, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1879.
Recorders:
HI. P. Benton, 1848 and 1849.
E. T. Stickney, from 1850 to 1854, and from 1866 to 1867.
J. S. Smith, 1855.
II. Bromley, from 1856 to 1864 inclusive.
D. M. Neikirk, from 1868 to 1872 inclusive.
J. M. Stevens, from 1873 to 1875.
R. Lysle, 1879 and 1880.
All these Masonic bodies meet at Masonic hall, in the third story of Gross's block, corner Perry and Washington.
Stated meetings are held as follows:
Tiffin LodgeNo. 77 -First and third Tuesday evenings of each month.
Seneca Chapter No. 42-First Friday of each month.
Clinton Council No. 47-Second Monday evening of each month.
De Molay Commandery No. 9-Fourth Wednesday evening of each month.
ST. JOHN'S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY Was organized March 28th, 1868, by Michael Kirchner, John Houck
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THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN.
and Paul Vallmer, who called the first meeting. The first officers were:
President (from 1868 to 1878)-M. Kirchner.
Vice-President-A. J. Brickner.
Secretary-George Spies.
Treasurer-Anton Knebler.
The present officers are:
President-Francis Wagner.
Vice-President-John Ehrenfried.
Corresponding Secretary-W. Steltzer.
Financial Secretary-Philbert Houck.
Treasurer-Louis Ulrich.
Directors-A. J. Brickner, John Ewald, Peter Bonnuth.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, NUMBER I.
Organized June 10th, 1876, with the following named gentlemen, who were the first officers, viz:
County Delegate-John K. Bresnin.
President-John Lyons.
Vice-President-T. T. Collins.
Recording Secretary-William Burke.
Financial Secretary-James Blake.
Treasurer-William Colthurst.
Present officers:
County Delegate-James Blake.
President-T. T. Collins.
Vice-President-James Whalen.
Recording Secretary-William Burke.
Financial Secretary-John Dore.
Treasurer-Michael Coughlin.
UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.
This is a German institution exclusively. It was organized on the 29th of April, 1859. The charter members were: Jacob Zimmer, Leopold Rose, J. C. Spindler, William Wolf, Philip Scheib, G. A. Lau- termilch, Guenther Herzer, Benjamin Schimmes.
These eight men met with much difficulty in getting a lodge on foot, and conquering the prejudices so common against secret benevolent societies. Soon after the organization Jacob Zimmer, one of the best members, died, and the institution decreased to but five members, and seemed to approach dissolution. But by perseverance and patient en- durance, the order here increased to sixty members. Of this number some have died and others moved away, so that there are now but forty active members left. Much has been done, however, during the twenty- one years last past to dry human tears and afford relief in time of need.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
The present officers are:
Grand Officers-George A. Lautermilch, D. D. G. A.
Representative-Joseph Meyer.
Officers of Humbolt Grove No. 15, U. A. O. D .:
N. A .- Christ. Trothe. W. A .- Frederick Schrikel.
Secretary-Charles Yung.
Treasurer-J. U. Moshinger.
Inner Guard-August Dressel.
Outer Guard-Mathias Pfeifer.
Trustees-Balthasar Waelfling, Henry Lemp, John Reif.
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CHAPTER XXII. THE BENCH AND BAR.
W HEN the Hon. Ebenezer Lane was president judge and lived in Norwalk, his circuit embraced the entire northwestern portion of Ohio, including Huron, which extended north to Lake Erie, The first court was held in Tiffin, on the 12th day of April, 1824.
Present: E. Lane, President Judge; William Cornell, Jacques Hul- burt, Matthew Clark, Associate Judges; Neal McGaffey, Clerk; Agreen Ingraham, Sheriff.
Under the old constitution of Ohio clerks of the supreme and circuit court were appointed by the judges thereof. The judges themselves were elected by the legislature for seven years.
The first lawyer who settled in Fort Ball was Mr. R. Dickinson, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere. Mr. A. Rawson was the second lawyer who made his home here. Mr. Dickinson remained but a short time in Tiffin, from whence he moved to Lower Sandusky. Mr. Raw- son remained here the rest of his life.
The first session of the supreme court began here on the 28th day of July, 1826, before Jacob Burnett and Charles R. Sherman, supreme judges. The next term was held by Judges Calvin Pease and Charles R. Sherman.
The judges holding these courts generally traveled their circuits on horseback, and the pioneer lawyers traveled with them in the saine manner; all with large saddle-bags on their saddles, with law books and briefs, etc., in one end and refreshments in the other. Among the ยท foreign lawyers who attended court here at that time were many dis- tinguished gentlemen of marked character. Andrew Coffinberry, John C. Spink, John M. May, O. Parish, Frank Parish, James Purdy, were all able and distinguished lawyers. There was also Charles Olcott, and later came Charles I .. Bolt. Ezra Stone, Mr. Beecher and others. My venerable old friend, Mr. James Purdy, of Mansfield, is the only sur- vivor of all these foreign lawyers. He has promised to send a sketch
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of his early recollections of frontier practice, but said in a note of the Toth of February, 1880, to the writer: " At the age of 87 my memory is not retentive, but I will comply with your request as best I can in due time; at present my whole time is occupied with business.
J. PURDY."
The record of the lives of these gentlemen, their practice, and inci- dents connected therewith, the scenes they participated in, and the events that transpired in their time would make a highly interesting book, and the writer had intended to write out sketches of some of them, but to keep this book within the limits marked out for it, he must abstain. I will say, however, that Mr. Coffinberry (Count Coffin- berry as he was familiarly called) was the most remarkable figure of them all. In appearance he was the very image of Oliver Goldsmith. He had large features and a very striking appearance; he shaved smooth and his face carried a smile mixed with sarcasm. He was learned and witty, a good historian and exceedingly entertaining n conversation. He was a natural poet and published one of his poems called " The Forest Ranger " in book form. Selah Chapin settled here in the law practice at an early day; also Mr. Curtis Bates and Mr. Joshua Seney, Sidney Smith, William W. Culver, John J. Steiner and others. John K. Gibson, a promising young man, and older brother of General Gibson, was the first law student in Mr. Rawson's office in Tiffin. He died before he was admitted to practice.
The writer became associated with the profession when he com. menced reading law in Tiffin, in 1840, and having, for forty years, been in daily intercourse with legal gentlemen, and amongst whom he counts his warmest and best friends, it would be a very great pleasure to re- member them all and make a pen-picture of each one; but for the reasons already assigned a few only are sketched to any length.
During a number of years, when Judge Lane and Judge Reuben Wood were on the supreme bench together, they took for their part of the work the northwestern part of Ohio. They formed a wonderful . contrast on the bench. Judge Lane was a very short, compactly built man; was near-sighted, had small black eyes, wore spectacles, had black hair, which he brushed straight down over his forehead, and when he read he held the book or paper close to his nose. He was a rapid talker and exceedingly active. Judge Wood was a six footer: very straight: had large forehead, light brown hair, brushed over to the right side: had large blue eyes, a large fleshy nose, clenched lips. deep and sonorous voice; spoke slowly and very impressively; thus they formed a striking contrast in their personal appearance on the bench.
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They were both on the bench in Lower Sandusky, on the 25th of July, 1842, when Judge Lane administered the oath to the writer, admitting him to practice law. These two judges seemed to have their work divided by the decisions they delivered. Judge Wood decided all or nearly all the criminal matters, while Judge Lane decided chancery cases, as a general thing. There was a certain degree of awe, import- ance and dignity attached to the bench in those days, that has van- ished, to a very great extent, since the judges are elected by the people, and the office has become, at least, quasi-political.
The Hon. David Higgins succeeded Judge Lane on the common pleas bench and his jurisdiction at first extended all over the northwest of Ohio. He was succeeded by the Hon. Ozias Bowen, of Marion, who held his first court in Tiffin, on the 2d of April, 1838. His judicial district was then composed of the counties of Marion, Crawford, Huron, Seneca, Sandusky, Erie, and later, Wyandot.
Judge Bowen's time expired with the old constitution.
The first legislature under the new and present constitution, which . divided the state into judicial districts, fixed upon nine as the number and designated them. These were then divided into five judicial cir- cuits, the following counties constituting the first circuit, viz: Butler, I'reble, Darke, Montgomery, Miami, Champaign, Warren, Clinton, Greene, Clark, Shelby, Auglaize, Allen, Hardin, Logan, Union, Marion Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam, Paulding, Defiance, Williams, Henry, Fulton, Wood, Seneca, Hancock, Wyandot and Crawford. The five, circuits made one for each supreme judge. Some fourteen years there- after the supreme judges were by law excused from attending upon the circuits.
In 1853 the nine judicial districts were again changed and Seneca was put into the third sub-division of the third judicial district. This third sub-division was composed of the counties of Wood, Seneca, Hancock, Wyandot and Crawford. L. W. Hall was the first judge elected under the new constitution in this sub-division. The regular succession of judges hitherto is as follows: Hall, Whitely, Mott, Jack- son, Beer. The following are the additional judges elected in. the following order, viz: Plants, Seney, Pillars, Dodge, McCauley. The legislature .changed the sub-district and the succession of the judges as follows:
On the 17th day of April, 1857, an act was passed providing for an election of an additional judge for the third sub-division of the third judicial district, composed of the counties of Seneca, Crawford, Wyan- dot, Hancock and Wood, and in the fall of the same year George E.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Seney was elected judge, and about the time his term expired, the legislature changed the district.
On the 8th of April, 1858, an act- was passed creating the tenth judi- cial district and changing the sub-division, of which Seneca was a part. By this act the tenth judicial district was composed of the counties of Lucas, Wood, Seneca, Crawford, Hancock, Wyandot and Putnam. The counties of Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot were made the third division. Four days thereafter another act was passed attaching Lucas to the fourth district and making Seneca county the first sub-division of the tenth district, Wyandot and Crawford the second and Hancock, Wood and Putnam the third sub-division, leaving Judge Seney in this county, Seneca being then a sub-division.
Judge Whitely's time expired in 1861 and he was re-elected in the then third sub-division. Josiah S. Plants was elected in the second sub-division in the fall of 1858. In the fall of 1863, Judge Plants, while out in Indiana hunting prairie chickens, was mortally wounded by the accidental discharge of a gun. He was brought home to die; and , Ohio lost one of her brightest, best and most promising young men.
Judge Plant's term had nearly expired when he died. Nobody was appointed to fill his place.
In the fall of 1862, and shortly before the expiration of his term of office, Judge Seney went to war with the 101st regiment O. V. I. as its quartermaster.
On the ist day of May, 1862, another act was passed abolishing the tenth district and re-organizing the third district thus, viz: first sub- division, Logan, Union, Marion; second sub-division, Auglaize, Allen, Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam; third sub-division, Paulding, Defiance, Williams, Fulton, Henry and Wood; fourth sub-division, Seneca, Han- cock, Wyandot, Crawford.
Under this act Whitely remained in this fourth sub-division, and Plants also, up to his death; so that now, and under this act, Whitely. Metcalf, Latta, Lawrence and Plants were the judges in 1863, Whitely serving in the second term.
This last named act provides for an election to be held in this fourth sub-division for a judge in 1866. At this time Judge Whitely's term expired, and Chester R. Mott was elected. He was succeeded by A. M. Jackson, who resigned his office, and Thomas Beer was appoint- ed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term of Jackson, and at the expiration of that time (1876) was elected and is on the bench now. So far we have traced the time of the election of the judges in regular succession.
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yours truly N. Rawson
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On the 21st of February, 1868, another act was passed adding the county of Marion to this fourth sub-division and authorizing the elec- tion of an additional judge therein at the April election, 1868. James Pillars was elected judge under this act; re-elected in 1873, and was succeeded by Judge H. H. Dodge in 1877.
To recapitulate in short: Hall was elected in 1851, Whitely in 1856; re-elected in 1861; Seney in 1857 and Plants in 1858; Mott in 1866; Jackson in 1871; Beer in 1876; Pillars in 1868, re-elected in 1873; Dodge in 1877; McCauley in 1879.
On the 7th day of June, 1879, the " combined wisdom of Ohio " passed an act establishing a new district, number ten, again, and to be com- posed of the counties of Wood, Hancock, Seneca and Hardin, to be the first sub-division; Crawford, Marion and Wyandot to be the second sub-division, and Union and Logan to be the third sub-division of the tenth district. The act authorized an election of a judge in the first sub-division, and in October, 1879, John McCauley, of Tiffin, was elected under this act the first judge of the new sub-division.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
An individual of low extraction, without notable excellence or ances- tral distinction, may, by rashness or the caprice of fortune, gain mag- nificent achievements and temporarily acquire an eminent position in society. His success, like the transit of a comet, may dazzle the vision by the rapidity and intensity of its brilliancy; and yet, leave little or no durable impress for the gratification of his descendants or the social advancement of mankind. Such history is generally exceptional, and constitutes no reliable basis for progressive imitation. But when an individual of humble origin, and perhaps the subject of some perma- nent bodily infirmity, without the prestige of wealth or influential rela- tives, by patient toil against long continued adversity, secures the esteem and confidence of the community around him, it is quite natural to seek the co-operatives which have produced these auspicious results. In whatever sphere he may have moved or whatever may have been his vocation, whether elevated or lowly and unpretentious, it will generally appear that he has been true to its requirements. At all events, the example will be impressive and instructive.
Again, where under the influence of free institutions, like those of - the United States, inducements for success and social progress are open to all, the hopeful expectation of future respectability, if not of eminence, will naturally invite every considerate, ambitious young man to prepare himself for and seek some honorable occupation and com-
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mendable position in society and the attainment of moral, intellectual, and religious habits. He early appreciates the necessity of self-reli- ance and self-exertion, assured that a praiseworthy notoriety and an approving conscience can be acquired and perpetuated only by secur- ing the respect and confidence of the good. Therefore, stimulated by a laudable ambition, and hopeful of success, he cheerfully combats adversity, and ultimately acquires and retains the good opinion of the community, the basis of his usefulness and goal of his ambition. Influenced by the tenacity of his purposes and stimulated by his example, others, and especially his descendants, will be naturally, and yet, perhaps, unconsciously, induced to eschew the illusions of evil on the one hand, and cultivate, on the other, with patient assiduity, the love and practice of virtue as the only thornless pathway to happiness, distinction and success.
LIFE OF ABEL RAWSON. [Abridged from notes written by himself.]
Abel Rawson was born at Warwick, Massachusetts, May 11, 1798: the third son of Lemuel Rawson and Sarah Barrus, who were married Septem- her 8. 1791. Abel was a lineal descendant of the sixth generation from Edward Rawson, who emigrated from England as early as 1637, and acted as secretary of the colony of Massachusetts Bay from May, 1650 to 1686.
When less than four years old he was seized with fever followed by disease of the tibia of the left leg, which, after years of intense suffering, resulted in the loss of the bone and deformity of the ankle and foot which ever after- wards remained.
At the age of sixteen, the crippled son was advised to secure sufficient education to prepare himself for a teacher. The parents could give their children a common school education, but, as Abel inclined to the legal pro- fession, they agreed to furnish him with such clothing as could be manu- factured in the family, while he must earn the expense required for tuition and board at the academy or at college and to obtain his profession.
The offer made by his parents was accepted by Abel. and he resumed his place in New Salem Academy, and during two or more ensuing years taught school in the winters for educational support.
Thereupon he was admitted to the Dartmouth University, at Hanover. New Hampshire, and remained until the middle of his junior year, when the decision of the " Dartmouth College case," by the United States supreme court, in February, 1819, closed the institution.
In view of these adverse circumstances, Mr. Rawson decided to enter upon Iris legal studies, and during two years remained with Messrs. Gregg and Smith, at New Salem. Massachusetts, but completed his course with S. C. Allen and John Nevers, of Northfield, in 1822. He was examined in May, 1823, and admitted to the bar at the term of court in August following, and during the fall and winter of 18234 opened an office at New Salem.
March 24, 1524, Mr. Rawson took the stage coach for Albany and thence to Buffalo, New York, being six days and nights on the road. He came to
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Newberry. Geauga county, Ohio, and soon after went to Steubenville. but met with disappointment and returned to Newberry. He taught school for several months in Dover, Wayne county, Ohio, and in November, 1824. removed to Norwalk, in Huron county, where he taught school during the ensuing winter, and in March, 1825, obtained employment in the clerk's office.
At the August term of the supreme court, in 1825. he was admitted to the bar, the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey being chairman of the examining com- mittee.
In June, 1825, Mr. Rawson visited Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, for the first time.
Hle passed through Bellevue, where stood but a single cabin. and thence through a dense forest to Titlin. The territory was then occupie-1 by the Seneca tribe of Indians.
Tiffin consisted of about a dozen families dwelling in rude cabins. The timber had been mostly removed on Washington street, south from the Sandusky river to Market street. There was no hotel in Tiffin, so Mr. Raw- son forded the river and stopped at a tavern kept by one Elisha Smith, at Fort Ball, where he remained over one day.
Seneca county could give then but 300 votes. Tiffin had abundant water power, unimproved except by a primitive grist and saw mill, erected by Josiah Hedges, and everything appeared prospective and disheartening to aspirations for even the current expenses of Mr. Rawson.
He returned to Norwalk unassured, and finally went to a brother in Rich- field, now in Summit county, in September, 1825.
After a crisis of mental anxiety, he started again for Seneca county, in February, 1826, and on the 15th he arrived in Fort Ball with less than ten dollars in money and a law library of the first volume of Swift's Digest and of Chitty's Pleading.
He opened an office in a small brick building, 14x16 feet and one story high, and still (1850) standing on the west side of Sandusky street, in the second ward of Tiflin, being the first brick building erected in the county. and also occupied by Dr. Eli Dresbach.
At the May term of the court of common pleas, May 5th, 1826, Mr. Rawson was appointed prosecuting attorney, to succeed Rodolphus Dickinson, in which position he was retained until October, 1833. During eight or ten years after Mr. Rawson opened his office, the president judge and members of the bar were entertained at Fort Ball for want of accommodations at Tiffin, and twenty-four to twenty-five attorneys from Columbus, Marion. Delaware, Mansfield. Norwalk, Sandusky City and Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) made frequent excursions in attendance upon court at Tiffin, attended by privation and exposure which now appears incredible.
About this time Fort Ball and Tiffin were bitterly contesting the question of the county seat, and many law suits were brought against Josiah Hedges, the proprietor of Tiffin. in regard to the extent of his right to the bed of the Sandusky river. Mr. Rawson was urged to take part in this litigation but declined, and finally the suits died away.
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