USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 106
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 106
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First. Flour Mitl .- The first flour mill erected on the St. Marys within the township was built by John Rhodes.
The Old Store .- It may not be wasted time to cast a glance at an old account book of John Greaves, who became a merchant at an early day, immediately succeeding Anthony Madore, the pioneer trader. We ex- tract a few accounts, and present them as they appear in the original books.
Account Book of John Greaves.
ANTHONY MADORE, Dr.
1821. Sept. 26. For sundries
$5 75
Oct. 22. 0 1 lb. hyson tea 2 00
Nov. 16.
2 00
# 28.
2 00
M 30. 4 panes glass 1 00
Mar. 25. 6
+ b. Y. H. tea .
1 00
May 11. " 4 th shot .
1.50
Aug. 10. 4 1 lb. tea and 4 lb. shot
3 00
Oct. 1. 4 am't of sundries
4 25
$22 50
Oct. 1. For amount of cash to balance $4 50
26. " .. ass'd for Boziel
3 50
Nov. 1. " 53 yards Hannel
4 12
$12 12]
ANTHONY MADORE, Cr.
1822. May 11. By 12 lbs. butter $3 00
Sept. 25. " hauling for self and Ewing and one hide . 15 00
Oct. 1. " cash to balance . 1.50
$22 30
" This account proved and ready for settlement with J. Barnett, adm'r of estate."
JACOB BUSU, Dr.
1821. For amount in old hook .
846 1>1
Aug. 22. . 22. Sundries .
29. For 1 lb. coffee and } 1b. tea
30. " 20 lbs, sugar
2 00
# 1 xet cups and saucers
1 00
44
* whiskey
120
Oct. 22. " 1 gt. whiskey
# 26. " amount of sundries
4 12)
" 30. " 1 gt. whiskey and I qt. salt
62
Nov. 1. " balance in items 1
4. 8. " 1 qt. whiskey
3 73
# 1 small bottle
41
408
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
1821. Nov. 10. For 2 qts, whiskey
$ 75
13. .
16. ..
aint. of sundries .
46
1 qt. cranberries
1 Jh. sugar .
25
At the election hell October 8, 1839, 72 votes were cast. Robert Wiley and John R. Webb served as clerks, and P. S. Hitchmer, Asa J. Petro, and Robert Grant as judges.
Election April 6, 1840. Clerks, Smith H. Clark and Elihu Compton Officers elect : Justice of the Peace. Asa J. Petro. Trustees. P. S. Hitcher, H. G. Blossom, and A. Miller. Treasurer, David Hays. Clerk, G. S. Barks.
October 11, 1840, 148 votes were cast.
At the April election, 1841. 91 votes were cast, and the following officers cleeted: Trustees, P. S. Hiteher, H. G. Blossom, and Abraham Miller. Treasurer, David Hays. Clerk, G. S. Barks. October 12, 1-41. 95 votes were cast.
At the election April 4, 1542, the number of votes was $7, with the following result : Trustees, Hiteltner, Blossom, and Miller. Clerk, J. II. Banks. Treasurer, David Hays.
October 11, 1512, 106 votes were cast. For Justice of the Peace Elihu Compton, 61 votes, and Lawrence Fulton, 45 votes were cast.
April 3, 1843. For Justice, Asa J. Petre, 77 votes were cast : David Work, 56 ; W. B. Hedges, 43. Trustees, Abraham Miller, 92: Hanson Hays, 86; Jacob Primby, 58; Scattering, 29. Treasurer, Davul Hays 63. Clerk, J. H. Barks, 79.
October 10. 1843. 100 votes were cast.
April 1, 1844, 103 votes were cast. Trustees, Miller, Primby, and Harrison Hays. Clerk, G. S. Barks. Treasurer, David Hays.
October S, 1844, 101 votes were cast.
November 1, 1844, 121 votes were east. Polk and Dallas, 61 ; Clay and Frelinghuysen. 60.
April 7, 1845. Trustees, Miller, Primby, and Hays. Clerk, G. S. Barks. Treasurer, David Hays.
October 14. For Justice of the Peace, Elihu Compton, 37 votes were cast; Solomon Stake, 5 votes were cast.
April 6, 1846. Justice of the Peace. W. B. Hedges and A. G. Petro. Trustees, Joseph Sidenbender, A. Miller, and Harmon Hays. Treas- urer, David Hays. Clerk, C. W. Alexander.
October 12. 98 votes were cast.
April 5, 1847, 82 votes were cast. Trustees, Sidenbender, Miller, and Hays. Treasurer, David Hays. Clerk, C. W. Alexander. October 12, 90 votes were cast.
April 3, 1848, 126 votes were cast. Trustees, Sidenbender, Miller, and Hays. Treasurer, David Hays. Clerk. C. W. Alexander. October 10. 1848, 132 votes were cast.
November 7. 1848, 145 votes were cast. Cass, 89 ; Taylor, 56.
April 2. 1949, 111 votes were cast. Justice of the Peace, Ava J. Petro and W. B. Hedges. Trustees, Harrison Hays. Elf Compton, and A. W. MeClung. Treasurer. David Hays. Clerk, J. II. Barks.
October 9, 1819, 58 votes were cast.
November 13, 1819. 36 votes were cast. Hekl to elect a successor th F. G. Dugdale, justice of the peace, deceased. Elihu Comptou, 33 ; W. R. Davis, 3.
April, 1×50, 115 votes were cast. Trustees, A. Van Gundy. Jacob Counterman, J. Halenberger. Treasurer, David Work. Clerk. C. W. Alexander.
October 8, 1850. 88 votes were cast.
April 7, 1851. 105 votes were cast. Trustees, old board re-elected. Treasurer. same. Clerk. same.
June 17, 1851, 124 votes were cast. For the new Constitution, "yes," 53 ; No," 71.
Same date, 105 votes were east on liquor question. For license to sell, " yes," 78; "no," 27. This election was held in the village of Mercer.
October 14. 1851. 120 votes were cast.
April 5, 1952, 95 votes were cast. Justice of the Peace. C. W. Mes- ander and Win. Dilbone. Treasurer, David Work. Chk. G. F. Bor- chers. Trustees. J. Counterman, Alex. Eicher. A. Van Gundy.
October 12, 1452. 140 votes were cast. Justice of the Peace, Elihu Compton, re-elected.
November 2, 1:52, 182 votes were cast. Pierce, 103 ; Seott. 79.
April 4. 1-33. 109 votes were cast. Trustees, same board. Clerk, same. Treasurer. same.
August 13, 1853, 50 votes were cast. G. F. Borchers elected justice of the peace.
October 11, 1853, 134 votes were cast.
April 3, 151, 146 votes were cast. Trustees, A. Van Gundy. A. J. Petro, G. Speaker. Chak. G. F. Borchers. Treasurer, David Work.
April 2, 155. 171 votes were cast. Justice of the Peace. Wm. Dil. bone and Smith H. Clark. Trustees, Jacob Barks, Jackson Hays, and John H. Dysert. Clock, W. B. Helges, Treasurer, Harrison Hays. October 9. 1-55. 118 votes were cast.
Apost T. ING. 161 votes were cast. Trustees. J. Counterman. A. Van Goods, and Jacob Barricks. Treasurer, M. Hays. Clesh. W. B. Hedges, Jr.
CR.
By amt. of full account
CAPT. JAMES RILEY, Dr.
1822. Apr. 20. For 100 lbs. sugar, 6} c. . $6 25 .. 1 smoked skin 1 00
87 25
CR.
1823. Jan. 23. By note in full of account here aud at Willshire $1 25
Valuation and Taration.
In June. 1824, John P. Hedges was appointed County Treasurer, and he appointed Sammel Hanson as deputy, who was to collect all the taxes of Mercer and Van Wert Counties for the sum of $5.00. The valuation of lots in Shanesville was $20.87, while the whole township tax was $46.66. Let this exhibit be compared with the abstract of appraisement for 1980, which is hereafter submitted.
' Organization.
The township was organized in 1824, and then included the whole berth part of the county. Other townships were afterward struck off and organized, until Dublin was reduced to the regular size, contaming thirty-six square miles.
List of Officers.
Our search failed to discover any official records antedating 1-39. Under date of Aquil 1. 1-99, we find the following record :-
" We certity that the number of voters at this election are 71.
H. G. BLOSSOM, A. J. PHARo. P. S. Harcost, 1
Attest-Iso. B. Wenn, BARG COMPEUN. Clerks.
1
=
25.
1822. Jan. 2.
=
cottoti
:
1.
21 lbs. sugar
14
10.
= 14.
16.
:
26.
28.
Feb. 3.
6 I qt. whiskey
374
..
salt and 4
sundries
3 75
:
14. Due on p. 29 of day book
5 43}
23.
:
p. 30 of
4 625
Mch. 5.
p. 31 of
2 6-1
" 14.
=
p. 32 of
4 875
Apr. 10.
p. 32 of
2 373
:
26. For 1 lb. shot
375
Amount carried up
$50 875
CR.
By cash credited in old book
$7 75
Ang. 28. " cash
2 00
Nov. 7. " .
1 00
Jan. 28. " 2 raccoon skins
603
$11 413
DR.
1822.
For amt. of account brought up
850 874
Apr. 26. " half lh, lard
25
May 7. " mint. per Monsett
1 00
# # 2 ets. salt .
50
$52 62}
JOHN P .. HEDGES, Dr.
1821. Nov. 21. For amt. of sundries on p. 15 day book
. $8 25 2 931
..
# 11. hy sơn tea
62+
1
..
30.
sundries
Dec. 4.
10. 1 qt. whiskey
4. 12.
21 Ths, sugar
621
=
15.
1 qt. whiskey
18.
sundrr's
1 qt. whiskey
1 pt.
sundries
2 374
sugar and whiskey
50
1 qt.
374
sundries
1 874
87+
:
25
3 lbs. sugar
878
Oct. 23.
22 Hs. four per son Isaac
1 37;
potatoes
874
:
37}
871
3 qts. salt
024
181
At this election the following-named officers were duly elected : True. tees, Philip S. Hitchuer, Asad. Petro, and Horatio G. Blossom. Clerk, A. R. Hunter, Treasurer, David Hays.
$11 182
8.
.
October 15, 1856, 208 votes were cast. November 4, 1:56, 206 votes were cast. Fillmore, 19; Buchanan, 119 ; Fremont. 68.
April 6, 1857, 125 votes were cast. Trustees, Counterman, Van Gundy, and George Speaker. Treasurer, Work. Clerk, Alexander.
October 13, 1857, 202 votes were cast. For Governor, Payne, 118 ; Chase, 82.
April 5, 1858, 177 votes were cast. Justice of the Peace, C. W. Alex- ander, J. B. Young. Trustees, A. Van Gundy, J. Counterman, and Benjamin Roebuck. Treasurer, Work. Clerk, Alexander.
October 12, 1858, 175 votes were cast. For Real Estate Assessor, H. F. Holbrook. From 1858 to 1863, C. W. Alexander served as clerk, G. B. Pampel in 1863, G. Lankhart in Isit, C. W. Alexander from 1865 till Is68, P. F. Robinson in 1968. C. W. Alexander in 1969, IL. D. Mc- Kinney in 1870, and P. F. Robison in 1871.
The election of 1871 was contested for justice of the peace, and a new election called for May 6. Jacob S. Keith was elected Justice of the Peace. Treasurer, C. Smith. Clork. P. F. Robison. Trustees, Jack- son Ilays, J. S. Decker, John Shellabarger.
April 1, 1872. Trustees, A. Van Gundy, J. S. Decker, and Harmon Hughes. Treasurer, C. Smith.
April 16, 1872. Treasurer. Smith. Trustees, Van Gundy, Decker, and John Bevington. Clerk. J. W. Miller.
April 7, 1874. Justice of the Peace, J. S. Keith. Trustees, old board. Clerk. Win. Hunter. Treasurer re-elected.
April 5. 1875. Trustees, Counterman, Deeker, and L. L. Dysert. Treasurer. J. P. Dysert. Clerk, J. W. Miller.
October 12, 1875. For Governor, Hays, 120; Allen, 216.
April 3. 1876. Trustees, Counterman, Decker, and John Bevington. Treasurer and Clerk re-elected.
April 2, 1877. Justice of the Peace, J. S. Keith. Trustees, J. S. Decker, M. R. Hays, Jr., A. T. Sutton. Treasurer and Clerk re-elected. April, 1>78. Trustees, Hays, J. Counterman, and J. W. Smith. Treasurer and Clerk re-elected.
April 7, 1879. Trustees, Jacob Counterman, H. Van Tilburg, J. S. Decker. Clerk and Treasurer re elected. Justices of the Peace, A. H. Frysinger, P. F. Robison.
April 10, 1880. Trustees. J. S. Decker, Henry Van Tilburg. Clerk and Trensurer, same. Justice of the Peace. C. W. Alexander.
May 22. 1880. G. W. Koopple was appointed to fill vacancy on board of Trustees occasioned by resignation of H. Van Tilburg.
April 9, 1881. Trustees, Milton Hays, J. S. Decker, Geo. W. Koepple. Treasurer, J. P. Dysert. Clerk, J. W. Miller.
Schools.
The schools hereghs elsewhere in the county, had their foundation in the subscription plan, which was followed for several years. Schools, however, were founded and sustained according to the ability of the settlers, and a foundation laid for the more comprehensive system of to-day. The following tables show the number of districts and enumera- tion at different periods :--
185€.
1861.
1866.
No. of Dist. Enumeration.
No. of Dist. Enumeration.
No. of Dist. Enumeration.
1
1
1
92
100
2
86
3
68
3
53
3
4
18
45
1
56
5
63
5
56
5
53
G
49
G
51
G
46
8
. 62
8
65
77
9
1871.
1876.
1890.
1
103
2
112
3
110
1
64
5
G
54
7
25
8
5.1
39
N
6-4
56
10
10
46
Churches.
String Tmien U. B. Church -This organization was efforted at the house of " Mother" Fichar, in Anzust. 1 41, with the following mem- bership: Jolin Custer, Catharine Custer, Elizabeth Fichar, Nancy Hines, Michael Koopple, Andrew Koopple. -- Koopple, Reuben Cheving. ton, John Sutton, E. P. Blossom, Nancy Blossom, and Mary Custer.
Thomas Shell was the first kader of the organization. The first buildl- ing was a log low-e occupying the site of the present building, and was erected abent. 1850. The present building was erected in twee, at w cost of $1600, and has one acre of ground attached for cemetery purposes
The first person buried here was a child of Michael Koopple, which died in 1850. The second burial was that of a man named Elliott. A Sun- day school is contacted under the auspices of the congregation, and lite an attendance of about sixty popits. Superintendent, James Higgby; first pastor, Abraham Shingledecker; present pastor, Rev. Abbott.
STATISTICS.
Population 1880, 2001.
Decennial Abstract of Real Estate, as returned by the Appraiser for the year 1880 .- Number of acres, 20.101; value, $355,010. Average value per acre, $17.66. Value of buildings. 8 38.220. Aggregate value of land and buildings, $393,200. Average value per acre, including buildings, 819,56, Aggregate value of lots and buildings, 855.290. Num- ber of aeres of arable land, 9606. Number of acres of meadow or pasture land. 2202. Number of aeres of uncultivated wood. $293.
Abstract of personal property, moneys and credits .- Number of horses. 557; value, $22.895. Number of cattle, 1191; value, $13.430. Number of mules, 8; value, 8560. Number of sheep. 963; value, 81958. Num- ber of hogs, 1986; value, $1548. Number of carriages, 265; value, 85165. All other personal property subject to taxation and not already included. $12,150. Number of watches, 18; value. 8160. Number of pianos ant organs, 13; value, $620. Merchants' stock, value, $330. Manufacturers' stock, value, 82270. Moneys on deposit or subject to order, $2960. All credits after deducting bona fide debts, $12,020. Number of dogs. 1; value, $20. Bank and other corporation property, 85950. Total value of-all taxable property except per capita tax on dogs, 854,948. Number of dogs, one dollar each, 150.
ELECTION 1880-1.
1880 .- Secretary of State, Charles Townsend (R.), 182; William Lang (D.), 255; Total, 439. President, James A. Garfield (R.), 196; Winfield S. Hancock (D.), 280; Total, 476.
1881 .- Governor, Charles Foster ( R.), 148; John W. Bookwalter (D.), 216; A. R. Ludlow (P.), 28.
SHANESVILLE.
This town is almost identified with the Indian village " Old Town." and is situated on the south bank of the St. Marys River. As a laid out town duły platted and recorded. it is older than any of the surrounding county seats. The distinction of being the seat of justice once belonged to it, but afterward was transferred to St. Marys, another old town of some distinction, but also the loser of the importance it once enjoyed as a county-seat. Shanesville and St. Marys and " Coil Town" were the early contestants for the seat of justice, and when the prize passed from Shanesville to St. Marys the former still lived, while Coil Town passed from sight and became a cultivated fieldl. Still, at Shonesville was held the first term of court in this county, with Fudge Low presiding. The associate judges were Joseph Grier, James Wolcott, and Thomas Sorry The memory of the Indians, Anthony Shane, the Godfreys, Crescent. Labadie, and Charlie, cluster about the town. lleve, too. may be found the recorded statement of the ice blockade which hemmed in the pirogues which were making a desperate endeavor to transport provisions from the old base of supplies at Fort Barbee to the suffering army of Generat Winchester. The memory of Anthony Malore also haunts the phie. although he is gone, and had come at a period too early to be discoveral from the records, or revealed by the farthest-reaching memory. He was here and traded with the Indians when the white settlers came. Even Anthony Shane remained until 1332, living to lay out the town and heu the promise of its permanent growth. He then passed away and found his home among the Shawnese of Kansas. The town was laid out imme- diately after the arrival of that class of settlers who came here just after the treaty of ISIS was concluded at St. Mary's, as shown by the sub- joined " Plat and Survey of the town of Shanesville, in Mercer County.
Explanation of the map or plat of the town of Shanesville; laid out on a piece of ground granted by the United States to Anthony Shane, ou the St. Marys Biver. Main Street runs due north and south from the east side of the lots to Front Street, and is five poles wide. Franklin Street runs the same course from the south side of the late to Front Street, and is three and a half poles wide. Market Street is live poles wide, and running east and west from one side of the lots to the oil. r. Front Street runs the same course as Market Street, and is four poles wide from Franklin Street to the east side of Main Street. Comgibt Street is three and a half poles wide, and running the same cuirse as Market Street from one side of the lot to the other. Bridge Street rans the same as Market Street from the west side of the lots to Water Street. and is four poles wade. Water Street on the west side is bomdet an Follows, to wit; beginning at Front Street, north 212 west to Bril . Street : thener to the northeast corner of lot No. 1; thence along the front of sand lot to the northeast corner; thence north Co 40' east to the river, and the other side founded by the meupters of the river. Allthe alley's cross the streets at right angles, and are one pfe wide. Lot Na
1
1
1
96
·
42
40
45
1
5
33
10
31
409
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
410
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
I begins at the southwest corner on Bridge Street ; thenee north 13} poles; thence south 13' east 125 perches; thence sonth 6% 10' west 3.19 perches; thener south 71º 45' west 1.72 perches ; thence south 210 west 5.76 perches; thence to place of beginning, 8.62 poles, containing 166.35 square perches of land. Lot No. 2 is 1.40 poles on Water Street, and 11.6 poles on the north side. 13.20 poles and five poles on the west side, and containing 66 square poles of land. No. 3, on Water Street, is 4.98 perches on Water Street and the alley ; 13,60 poles west, and is 4 poles. north side 14.60 poles, containing 60 5 square poles. Nos. 6, 7, 41, 42 are each in front 11 poles and back from Front Street 55 poles, and con- taining 21; perches. Nos, 9, 10, 11, on Front Street, and 22, 23, 24. on Market Street, are each 5 poles in front and nine back, and containing 45 square poles of ground. Nos. 12, 13, 14. 19, 20, 21, fronting on Co- lumbia Street, are each in front 5 poles and back S poles, and containing each 40 square poles. Nos. 29, 30, 31 are in front 5 poles and in rear 9 poles, and containing 45 square poles of ground each. Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 28, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39 on Main Street, are each 4 poles in front and 9 poles back, and containing 36 square polos each. Nos. 26, 21. 23. 31 are on Main Street, the greatest 3 poles and in the least front 2 poles; on Market Street greatest front 7 poles, the least front 2 poles, and each 41 perches. Nos. 8 and 40 are in front 33 poles, and back 9 poles, and con- taining 315 square poles.
In testimony whereof, Anthony Shane hath herewith set his hand and seal as proprietor of said town, this 23d day of June, in the year of our Lord 1820.
A. SHANE. [SEAL.]
Signed and sealed in the presence of JOHN BEERS.
The State of Ohio, Darke County, ss.
Before me the undersigned, a justice of the peace within and for said county, personally came the within-named Anthony Shane and acknowl- edged the within plat of the town of Shanesville and the explanation there written, to be his voluntary aet for the uses aud purposes therein specified.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 23d day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred aud twenty.
JOHN BEERS, [SEAL.] Justice of the Peace.
I hereby certify the annexed plat and explanation of the town of Shane-ville to be a true copy from the records in this office and recorded in book A No. 1, pp. 150-1 and 152. In witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Greenville. Darke Co., O., Nov. 17, 1-36.
J. D. FARRER. Rec. Darke Co., O. Recorder's Office, Greenville, Darke Co., O., Nov. 17, 1-36.
Entered for record Jan. 6, 1837, and recorded same day. J. W. RILEY, Recorder.
Shanesville was thus laid out at an early day, and in fact occupies the site of an oldl trading post held and conducted by the Indians prior to the war of 1812. Anthony Shane, a half-breed Indian, was the old trader and storekeeper prior to the advent of Anthony Madore, the French trader. He was followed in the business by W. B. Hedges, his former clerk. John T. Greaves next entered the business, but only continued a few years. Then came Dr. John H. Barks, who introduced drygoods in connection with the usual supplies. For these the principal exchange or currency was skins and fors. As early as 1854 or '55 Jacob S. Collins and Henry Van Tilburg opened a store, but Collins died about a year later, and Abel Gondy entered into partnership with Van Tilburg. A few years afterward the firm changed to H. F. Holbrook & Co., and again in 1869 to H. Van Tilburg and D. H. Robison, which is at this writing one of the principal firm- of the town.
A list of the names of those who did business with John Greave at Shanesville as early as 1>21 :-
Jacob Bush. in 1821; Ww. Turner; Anthony Madore: Israel Taylor; Barnett & Hanna, lived at Fort Wayne: Richard Delval. Fort Wayne ; George Civott. Fort Wayne: Daniel Yount. Fort Wayne; David Arm- strong, St. Mary's; William Preston: John E. Schwarz; Wm B. Hedges; Adam Millman, a hatter; James White; Peter Pracatt, an Indian seven feet high ; John P. Hedges; David Mae Kee; John Luther : Luther & Troutner; Louis Godfrey : Capt. Jas, Riley; Richard Chobert ; Francia Comparet; Peter Felix; Peter Curville; Chas Shaw : Moses Barnett : Wilham Johnson. at. Piqua; Thomas Robb; Ales. Ewing ; John B. Richardville, an Inchan: George Homer; Joseph Wise: Samuel Hanson. The following list will give an idea of the prices of articles at an early days is21 :-
Aug. 29. 1 pound of coffre, 3 pound tea
$1 75 30. 20 The, sugar . 2 00 " I set cups and saucera 1 00
Oct. 22. 1 small bottle 371
1. 1 qt. whiskey
371
30. 1 qt. whiskey, I qt. salt
Nov. 16. 1 qt. cranberries
" 1 lb. sugar 23. 22 lbs. of flour Dec. 25. 3 lbs. salt
25
1
75
We find the following credit on the same bill :-
$ 1b. load 2 rhecoon skins 665
2 qts. of salt 50
50
371
25 25
Such was the early beginning of the town, which took its name from its founder, Anthony Shane. The name Shanesville was applied to the town from its foundation up to its incorporation, although the post office name was Shane's Crossing from the first. At the incorporation of the town in 1866 the name was changed to Shane's Crossing instead of Shanesville, in order to correspond with the post-office name. The name appears very significant and appropriate when this is remembered as the old home of Anthony Shane, and the crossing of the river by the army of General Wayne. From the first the growth was slow and marked bs no particular or fictitious increase of population. The surromeling country was steadily improving, and the town partook of the slow but constant growth-which marked the settlement of the whole country. Even in 1834 but a few residents can be recalled, among whom were C. B. Whittley, a blacksmith ; W. B. Hedges, a laulholder and J. P .; David Work, a tanner : Robert Gordon, a storekeeper: J. D. Ral-ton, a shoe- maker; Basit Lint, a hotel-keeper; Samuel Prayer, a wheelwright ; Abraham Meller, a blacksmith, and Solomon Barks, a farmer. This list perhaps includes all the actual residents of the village at the date men- tioned.
Incorporation.
A petition signed by forty-one citizens, praying for the incorporation of the village of Shanesville, was presented and acted upon by the com- missioners and plat filed March 7, 1966.
Commissioners Response .- After due examination of the prayer of the within petitioners, we do find the law of the State of Ohio in sten cases made and provided, fully complied with. We do therefore derm it right and proper that the requests of said petition be granted, and we do hereby declare that the village of Shane's Crossings, Mercer County. O., may be incorporated and organized. Done this 5th day of June. ... D. 1866. Rec'd for record June 12, 1366, and recorded June 19, 1866.
ADAM BAKER, G. MEYERS, Com's of Mercer Co., O.
T. G. TOUVELLE, Rec. of the Co.
List of Officers.
At the first election held in the incorporated village of Shane's Cross- ing, in Dublin Township. Mercer County. Ohio, on the 24th day of Sep- tember, 1866, 44 votes were cast. The following officers were elected : Mayor, P. F. Robinson. Recorder. C. W. Alexander. Treasurer, li. C. MeGavren. Marshal, H. F. Holbrook. Trustees, or Councilmen, Henry Van Tilburg, Davis Guy, Lewis Funalman, C. R. Brents. and Joshua Vanfleet.
At the election April Ist, 1967. 49 votes were cast. The following officers were elected: Mayor, P. F. Robinson. Clerk, C W. Alexander. Councilmen. G. Lockhart, Il. Van Tilburg. Lewis Funalman. C. B. What- ley, and A. Tolan. Marshal. H. F. Holbrook.
In IMES, 43 votes were cast. Mayor, al. F. Robinson (resigned) Councilmen, Harrison Guy, Davis Guy, F. M. Davis, and %. A. Pavi -. Recorder, C. W. Alexander, Treasurer, D. H. Robinson. Vucht. A. King.
In 1469. 40 votes were cast. Mayor. Goo. F. Borchers. Councilmen, Jas. Sidenbender, J F. Moore. C. H. Bentz, and J. H. Robinson. Treas- urer. %. A. Smith. Marshal. A. King.
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