USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 5
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In primitive times the geographical position, extent and surface diversi- ties were but meagerly comprehended. In truth, it may be asserted they
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could not have been more at variance with actual facts had they been laid out "haphazard." The Ordinance of 1787 represented Lake Michigan far north of its real position, and even as late as 1812 its size and location had not been definitely ascertained. During that year Amos Spafford addressed a clear, comprehensive letter to the governor of Ohio relative to the boundary lines between Michigan and Ohio. Several lines of survey were laid out as the first course, but either Michigan or Ohio expressed disapproval in every case. This dispute came to a climax in 1835 when the party beginning a "perma- nent" survey began at the northwest corner of the state and was attacked by a force of Michigan settlers who sent them away badly ronted and beaten. No effort was made to return to the work until the state and various parties had weighed the subject, and finally the interposition of the government became necessary. A settlement resulted in the establishment of the present boundary line between the two states, Michigan being pacified with the grant of a large tract in the northern peninsula.
Ohio is situated between the 38° 25' and 42º north latitude, and 80° 30' and 84° 50' west longitude from Greenwich, or 3º 30' and 7º 50' west from Washington. From north to south it extends over two hundred and ten miles, and from east to west two hundred and twenty miles-com- prising thirty-nine thousand nine hundred and sixty-four square miles.
The state is generally higher than the Ohio river. In the southern counties the surface is greatly diversified by the inequalities produced by the excavating power of the Ohio river and its tributaries. The greater portion of the state was originally covered with timber, although in the central and northwestern sections some prairies were found. The crest or watershed be- tween the waters of Lake Erie and those of the Ohio is less elevated than in New York or Pennsylvania. Sailing upon the Ohio the country appears to be mountainous, bluffs rising to the height of two hundred and fifty to six hundred feet above the bed of the river. Ascending the tributaries of the Ohio, these precipitous hills gradually lessen until they are resolved into gentle undulations and toward the sources of these streams the land becomes low and level.
Although Ohio has no inland lakes of importance, it possesses a favor- able river system which gives the state a convenient water transportation. The lake on the northern boundary, and the Ohio river on the south afford convenient outlets by water to important points. The means of communica- tion and transportation are superior in every respect, and are constantly being increased by railroad and electric lines.
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ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES AND EARLY EVENTS.
Adams county was named in honor of John Adams, the second Presi- dent of the United States. Governor St. Clair proclaimed it a county on July 10, 1797. The Virginia Military Tract included this section, and the first settlement made within its boundaries was in this county in 1790-91, between the Scioto and Little Miami, at Manchester, by Gen. Nathaniel Massie. In this town was held the first court of the county. West Union, the present county seat, was laid out by the Honorable Thomas Kirker. It occupies the summit of a high ridge. The surface of this county is hilly and broken, and the eastern part is not fertile. It produces corn, wheat and oats. Its hills are composed of aluminous shale.
Ashland county, one of the finest agricultural sections, was formed February 26, 1846. Wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, grass and fruit are raised. Ashland is its county seat and was laid out by William Montgomery in 1816. It was called Uniontown for several years. Daniel Carter raised the first cabin within the county limits in 1811.
Auglaize county was formed in February, 1848, from Allen and Mercer counties. Wapakoneta is its county seat. Auglaize is a great agricultural county, producing all the kinds of grain raised in Ohio.
Allen county was formed from the Indian territory April 1, 1820. Lima is its county seat. In Allen county are some of the greatest gas and oil fields in the United States and the section is also very rich in agriculture.
Ashtabula county was created June 7. 1807, and was organized January 22, 18II. The surface is level near the lake, while the remainder is undu- lating. The soil is mostly clay. This was the first county settled on the Western Reserve and also the earliest in northern Ohio. On the 4th of July, 1796, the first surveying party arrived at the mouth of Conneaut creek. Judge James Kingsbury was the first who wintered there with his family. He was the first man to use a sickle in the first wheat field in the Western Re- serve. Their child was the first born on the Western Reserve and was starved to death. The first regular settlement was at Harpersfield in 1798. Jefferson is the county seat. Ashtabula is pleasantly situated on the river, with a fine harbor two and a half miles from the village. The first church on the Western Reserve was founded at Austinburg in 1801.
Athens county was formed from Washington March 1, 1805. It pro- duces wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. The surface is hilly and broken, with rich bottom lands between. Coal, iron ore and salt add materially to its com-
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inercial value. Athens, its county seat, is situated on the Hocking river. Ohio University, the first college founded in the state, is located here.
Brown county was formed March 1, 1818, from Adams and Clermont. It produces wheat, corn, rye and oats. The southern part is prolific in grain, while the northern is adapted to grazing purposes. The surface is undulating, with the exception of the Ohio river hills. Over this county Tecumseh once held sway. Georgetown, the county seat, was laid out in 1819. Ripley is the largest business town in the county.
Belmont county was created by Governor St. Clair September 7, 1801. It produces large crops of wheat, oats, corn and tobacco. It is a picturesque tract of country, and was one of the pioneers in the early settled portions. In 1790 Fort Dillie was erected on the west side of the Ohio. Baker's Fort was a mile below the mouth of the Captina. Many desperate Indian battles were fought within the limits of this county, and the famous Indian scout, Lewis Wetzel, roamed over the region. Saint Clairsville is the county seat, situated on the elevation of land, in a fertile district. Captain Kirkwood and Eliza- beth Zane, of historic fame, were early pioneers here.
Butler county was formed in 1803 from Hamilton. It is within the blue limestone formation, and one of the most fertile sections of Ohio. Ham- ilton, the county seat, is situated on the Great Miami. Its hydraulic works furnish superior water power. Rossville, on the opposite side of the Miami, is a large mercantile town. St. Clair passed through this county on his Indian campaigns in 1791, building Fort Hamilton on the Miami.
Champaign county was formed March 1, 1805, from Greene and Frank- lin. It is drained by Mad river and its tributaries. The soil is fertile, and produces wheat, corn, barley, hay, while beef and wool add to the general wealth. Urbana, the county seat, was laid out in 1805, by Col. William Ward. He was the chief owner of the land and donated many lots to the county under condition that their proceeds be devoted to public improvements. Joseph Vance and George Fithian were the first settlers. The Methodists built the first church in 1807. The main army of Hull concentrated at this point before setting out for Detroit. Many Indian councils were called here and Tecumseh was located for a time near Deer creek.
Carroll county was formed from Columbiana in 1832-33. It produces wheat. oats and corn, and valuable coal and iron. The surface is hilly. Car- rollton is its county seat.
Clark county was formed March 1, 1817, from Champaign. Madison and Greene. Its second settlement was at Kreb's Station in 1796. It is highly cultivated, well watered and very fertile. Tecumseh, the old Indian
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warrior, was born at the ancient Indian village of Piqua, on the Mad river on the site of New Boston. Piqua was destroyed by Gen. George Rogers Clark. Skeletons, beads, gun barrels, tomahawks, kettles, etc., have been found in the vicinity. Springfield, the county seat, is situated on the national road. It has convenient transportation facilities, is handsomely laid ont, and is noted for its cultured citizens. It is near Mad river and Buck creek runs through it.
Clinton county was formed in 1810. Its surface is undulating, in some parts hilly, and the soil fertile. The county was settled in 1798-99. Wil- mington is the county seat, and was laid out in 1810. The first log house was built by William Hobsin. Clinton county is rich in agriculture and is noted for its macadamized roads.
Clermont county was the eighth formed in the Northwest Territory by proclamation of Governor St. Clair, December 9, 1800. The soil is exceed- ingly rich. and the surface is broken and, near the Ohio, hilly. Wheat, corn, oats, hay, potatoes, tobacco, barley, buckwheat and rye form the main crops. Batavia, its county seat, is situated on the Little Miami river and was laid out in 1820 by George Ely.
Columbiana county was formed March 25, 1803, from Jefferson and Washington. Its soil is very fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It is wealthy in mineral deposits, coal, iron ore, lime and freestone being abundant. Its water-lime stone is of superior quality. It was settled in 1797. Lisbon is the county seat. The first paper mill in Ohio was erected in this county, on Little Beaver creek, by John Coulter and John Bever.
Coshocton county was organized April 1, 1811. Hills and valleys alter- nate along the Muskingum river. Coal and iron ore add to its general im- portance. Coshocton. the county seat, is built on four wide, natural terraces, at the junction of the Tuscarawas and Walhonding.
Cuyahoga county was formed June 7. 1807, from Geauga county. Near the lake the soil is sandy, while a clayey loam may be found elsewhere. As early as 1775 there was a French settlement within the boundaries of Cuya- hoga. In 1786 a Moravian missionary came to the present site of Cleve- land and settled in an abandoned village of the Ottawas. Circumstances pre- vented a permanent settlement, and the British tacitly took possession, even remaining upon the lake shores after the Revolution. The first permanent settlement was made at Cleveland in 1796. Job V. Stiles and family and Edward Paine passed the first winter there, their log cabin standing where the Commerical Bank is now located. Rodolphus Edwards and Na- thaniel Doane settled here. In 1813 the town was a depot of supplies and a
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rendezvous for troops engaged in the war. Cleveland, the county seat, is situated at the northern termination of the old Ohio canal on the lake shore. In 1814 it was incorporated as a village, and in 1836 as a city. Its elevation is about a hundred feet above the lake. Ohio City is another important town nearly opposite Cleveland on the Cuyahoga. It was incorporated in 1836.
Crawford county was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian Terri- tory. The entire county is adapted to grazing. The soil is generally com- posed of rich vegetable loam and in some parts the subsoil is clay mixed with lime. Rich beds of shell marl have been discovered. Bucyrus, the county seat, was laid out February 11, 1822, by Samuel Norton and James Kil- bourn, original owners of the land. The first settler in the town proper was Samuel Norton. Crawford's sulphur springs are located nine miles from Bucyrus. The water is impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen and deposits a reddish-purple sediment. In its nature the water is a cathartic, and is diuretic and diaphoretic in its effect. The Annapolis Sulphur Spring is clear and has gained considerable fame by its curative qualities. Opposite Bucyrus is a chalybeate spring of tonic qualities.
Darke county was organized in March, 1817, from Miami county. In this county occurred the lamentable defeat of St. Clair, and the treaty of Greenville. Greenville, the county seat, was laid out August 10, 1808, by Robert Gray and John Dover. In December, 1793, Wayne built Fort Green- ville on this spot, which covered about the same extent as the present town.
Delaware county was formed February 10, 1808, from Franklin. Dela- ware, the county seat, was laid out in the spring of 1808, by Moses Byxbe. Because of its rich soil, Delaware is an important agricultural county. The historic streams, the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, run through the county a long distance.
Defiance county was created March 4, 1845, from Williams, Henry and Paulding. The Maumee, Tiffin and Auglaize flow through it. The county is now one of the largest producers of sugar beets in Ohio. Defiance, the county seat, is situated on the Maumee. It was laid out in 1822 by B. Level and H. Phillips. A large Indian settlement occupied its site in very early times. Wayne arrived here August 8, 1794, captured the place, finding about one thousand acres of corn, peach and apple orchards and vegetables of all varieties. Here he built Fort Defiance.
Erie county was formed in 1838 from Huron and Sandusky. The soil is alluvial and yields large crops of wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It pos- sesses inexhaustible quarries of limestone and freestone. The Erie tribe is said to have once occupied the land and were extirpated by the Iroquois. As
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early as 1754. the French had built settlements here. In 1764 the county was overrun by Pontiac, who came here with warlike demonstrations, but made peace with the whites. Erie was included in the "fire lands" of the Western Reserve. Sandusky City is the county seat and was laid out in 1817, then termed Portland. At that time it contained two log huts. The town is finely situated and is based upon an inexhaustible quarry of the finest limestone. In the "patriot war" with the Canadians, this city was the rendezvous for the "patriots."
Franklin county was formed April 30, 1803, from Ross. It was in early times occupied by the Wyandot Indians. Its first white settlement was made in 1797 by Robert Armstrong and others. Franklinton was laid out in 1797 by Lucas Sullivant. Worthington was settled by the Scioto Company in 1801. Colonel Kilbourn, who was interested in the work, constructed the first map of Ohio during his explorations by uniting sectional diagrams. Columbus, the capital of the state, is also the county seat of Franklin county. In 1810 the sessions of the Legislature were held at Chillicothe, in 1811 and 1812 at Zanesville, removing again to Chillicothe, and in 1816 being located at Columbus. The town was laid out during the spring of 1812. A penitentiary was erected in 1813 and the state house was built in 1814. It was incorpor- ated as "the borough of Columbus" February 10. 1816. The city charter was granted March 3. 1834. It is beautifully located on the east bank of the Scioto. The Ohio Lunatic Asylum, the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind and the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb are located at Columbus.
Fairfield county was formed by proclamation of Governor St. Clair. December 9. 1800. The soil is varied, being in some parts exceedingly rich, and in others very sterile. Lancaster, the county seat, was laid out by Ebenezer Zane in 1800. In 1797 he opened the road known as "Zane's Trace," from Wheeling to Limestone-now Maysville. It passed through Lancaster at a fording about three hundred yards below the present turnpike bridge.
Fayette county was formed from Ross and Highland in 1810. Wash- ington, its county seat, was laid out in 1810. Colonel Stewart was active in the interests of this section and his memory is sacredly revered. Jesse Milli- kan was prominent in early public affairs. Fayette is one of the richest agri- cultural counties in the state and is especially noted for the raising of fine horses.
Fulton county, bordering on Michigan, was organized in 1850. It is (5)
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drained by Bean creek and other small affluents of the Maumee river. The surface is nearly level and the soil fertile. Wauseon is the county seat.
Guernsey county was organized in March, ISIo. It produces wheat. corn and oats. Cambridge is the county seat and was laid out in June, 1806. Mr. Graham was the first settler on the site of the town and his was the only dwelling between Lancaster and Wheeling. The first cannel coal found in the county was discovered near Mill's creek.
Greene county was formed May 1, 1803, from Hamilton and Ross. It produces wheat, corn, rye. grass seed, oats, barley, sheep and swine. The Shawnee town was on the Little Miami and was visited by Capt. Thomas Bullitt in 1773. When Daniel Boone was captured in 1778, he was brought to this town and escaped the following year. General Clark invaded this county and the Indians reduced the town to ashes. Xenia, the county seat. was laid off in the forest in 1803 by Joseph C. Vance. The first cabin was erected in April. 1804, by John Marshall. The Rev. James Fowler built the first hewed-log cabin. David A. Sanders built the first frame house. Nine miles north of the town, on the Little Miami river, are the Yellow Springs, which are impregnated with sulphur.
Geauga county was formed in ISo5 from Trumbull. It is situated at the head of Chargrine, Cuyahoga and a part of Grand rivers, on high ground and is subjected to snow storms more frequently than any other part of the reserve. Its first settlement was made in 1798 at Burton. Chardon is four- teen miles from Lake Erie and is six hundred feet above it. It was laid out as the county seat in 1808.
Gallia county was formed April 30. 1803. from Washington. The sur- face is generally broken. Its first settlement was made in 1791 by a French colony at Gallipolis. This colony was sent out under the auspices of the Scioto Company. This town is now the county seat.
Hamilton county was the second established in the Northwest Terri- tory hy proclamation of Governor St. Clair, January 2, 1790. Its surface is generally rolling. It produces the ordinary farm products and a great variety of fruits and vegetables for the Cincinnati market. This county was the second settled in Ohio and the first within the Symmes Purchase. Settlers arrived at the spot now occupied by Cincinnati and three or four log cabins were erected. Gen. Arthur St. Clair arrived here in January, 1790. The army of Wayne encamped here later, at Fort Washington. Mr. Maxwell established, in 1793, the Sentinel of the Northwestern Territory, the first newspaper printed north of the Ohio river. In 1796 Edward Freeman be- came its proprietor and changed the name to Freeman's Journal. January
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II, 1794, two keel-boats sailed from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, making regu- lar trips every four weeks. In 1801 the first sea vessel built at Marietta came down the Ohio. Cincinnati, the county seat, was incorporated January 2. 1802. It was chartered as a city in 1819. The city is beautifully laid out and delightfully situated. Its public buildings are elegant and substantial, includ- ing the court house and many literary and charitable institutions.
Cincinnati is a large manufacturing city and possesses fine water-power facilities. It communicates with the world by means of the Ohio river, rail- ways and electric lines. North Bend is another prominent town in this county, having been the residence of Gen. William H. Harrison and the site of his burial place. The town was of considerable importance in the early settlement of the state. About thirty yards from Harrison's tomb is the grave of Judge Symmes.
Hancock county was formed April 1, 1820. The surface is level and its soil is fertile. Blanchard's Fork waters the central and southern part of the county. Findlay, the county seat, was laid out by ex-Governor Joseph Vance and Elnathan Corry in 1821. It was relaid in 1829. William Vance settled there in the fall of 1821. Hancock county has extensive gas and oil fields.
Hardin county was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian Terri- tory. A portion of the surface is level and the remainder undulating. Fort McArthur was built on the Scioto river but proved a weak stockade. Kenton is the county seat, situated on the Scioto river.
Harrison county was formed from Jefferson and Tuscarawas, January I, 1814. The surface is hilly, abounding in coal and limestone. Its soil is clayey. In April, 1799. Alexander Henderson and family settled in this county, and at the same time Daniel Peterson and his family resided at the forks of Short creek. The early settlers were much annoyed by Indians and wild beasts. Cadiz is the county seat and was laid out in 1803 and 1804 by Messrs. Briggs and Beatty.
Henry county was formed from the old Indian Territory April 1, 1820. Indian corn, oats, potatoes and maple sugar constitute the main products. The county is well supplied with running streams and the soil is unusually rich. The soil is superior for grain. Fruit thrives and all varieties of vege- tables are produced in large quantities. Simon Girty, notorious for his wicked career, resided in this county. Girty led the attack on Fort Henry in September. 1777. He demanded the surrender of the fort, and menaced its inmates with an Indian massacre in case of refusal. The action began, but the fort gained the victory. He led a ferocious band of Indians and com-
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mitted the most fiendish atrocities. Napoleon, the county seat, is situated on the Maumee river.
Highland county was formed in May, 1805, from Ross, Adams and Clermont. It is a wealthy. productive county. Its first settlement began in 1801, at New Market by Oliver Ross, Robert Keeston, George W. Barrere, Bernard Weyer and others. Simon Kenton made a trace through this county in early time. Hillsboro is the county seat and was laid out in 1807 by David Hays on the land of Benjamin Ellicott. It is situated on the dividing ridge between the Miami and Scioto. The Hillsboro Academy was founded in 1827.
Hocking county was formed March 1, 1818, from Ross, Athens and Fairfield. Its surface is broken and hilly, but is level and fertile beside the streams. The Wyandots once occupied this tract and built a large town herein. In 1798 a few white families ventured to settle. Logan is its county seat and is situated on the Hocking river.
Holmes county was formed from Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Wayne January 20, 1824. The southwestern portion is broken. Thomas Butler was the first settler in 1810. Millersburg is the county seat and was laid out in 1830. This is an excellent agricultural county.
Huron county was organized in 1815. Norwalk is the county seat.
Jackson county was organized March, 1816. The country is rich in minerals and abounds in coal and iron ore. Jackson, the county seat, was laid out in 1817. The old Scioto salt works were among the first worked in Ohio by the whites. Prior to this period the Indians came some distance to this section to make salt. When Daniel Boone was a prisoner he spent some time at these works.
Jefferson county was proclaimed by Governor St. Clair July 29. 1797, and was the fifth county established in Ohio. Its resources in coal are also extensive. The surface is hilly and the soil fertile, producing wheat, corn and oats. The old "Mingo" town was on the present farms of Jeremiah Hallock and Daniel Potter. The troops of Colonel Williamson ren- dezvoused at this point when they set out in their cruel Moravian campaign and also the troops of Colonel Crawford, when they started on the campaign against the Sandusky Indians. Here Logan, the powerful and manly chief of the Mingo nation, once resided. He took no active part in the old French war, which closed in 1760, except that of a peacemaker. He was a stanch friend of the whites until the abominable and unprovoked murder of his father, brother and sister, which occurred in 1774 near the Yellow creek. He then raised the battle cry and sought revenge.
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However, Logan was remarkably magnanimous toward prisoners who fell into his hands. The year 1793 was the last spent in Indian warfare in Jefferson county. Fort Steuben was erected on the present site of Steuben- ville, the county seat, in 1789. It was constructed of block-houses, with palisade fences and was dismantled during Wayne's campaign. Bezaleel Wells and Hon. James Ross laid the town out in 1798. It was incorporated February 14, 1805. It is situated upon an elevated plain. In 1814 Messrs. Wells and Dickerson built a woolen manufactory and introduced Merino sheep to the county.
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