History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 42

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878

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 42
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 42

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).

About the years 1838-9 money matters were very close, and raccoon skins became legal tender even for the payment of taxes. As a conse- quence many of the settlers, armed with rifle and axe, and accompanied by their dogs, gave their attention very largely to the business of hunt. ing. In the spring of 1839, a good raccoon skin sold for $1.12; deer skins brought $2.50; while venison soldi at 20 cents per pound.

133

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

MURDER TRIAL.

The first trial for a capital erime resulted in the conviction of Daniel MeGraw, who was executed. The murder occurred at the grocery of a man named Golliver, near the present town site of Delphos, who with his wife and son were the principal witnesses for the State. In a drunken fight which occurred at this store a man named - received injuries which proved fatal about three days later. Daniel MeGraw, a young Irishman, apparently about twenty-five years of age, of pleasant appear- ance and auburn hair, was at once arrested and held for trial. He entered the plea of self-defence, but pending trial he was taken to Lima and incarcerated, as the jail at Van Wert was not considered safe. At the time of his arrest he bore terrible marks of violence, his jaw being broken and his head bearing fearful wounds, telling of an assailant who inflicted almost mortal blows. When the time came for trial McGraw was brought from Lima and was held in charge by Sheriff Thomas R. Kear. Judge Goode presided during the trial, and after the case was called the prisoner entered a plea of self-defence. After hearing the case the jury retired, and after deliberating all night brought in a ver- dict of guilty of murder in the first degree. This fell as a shock on the community, as none had dared believe the prisoner would suffer greater punishment than a short term of imprisonment. The death sentence was passed by Judge Goode and the prisoner remauded to jail to await execution. Here he remained about six months, during which time he became much attached to Sheriff Kear and his family. Mrs. Kear, to whom the tragedy proved almost a deathblow, remembers the prisoner well and speaks of him as becoming so familiar, kind, and cheerful, as to "appear like one of the family." During the whole period of his confinement he exhibited a fortitude and composure which left a favor- able and sympathetic impression with all who saw him. Resigning him- self to his fate, he only consoled himself by the thought, oft expressed, that " The Lord will avenge his own." The night previous to his exe- cution the inclosure erected by the sheriff was torn down and carried off by crowds who had congregated during the day from distant parts of the country in order to be present at the execution.

The scaffold was therefore openly exposed, as neither time nor mate- rial were at command to construct a new inclosure at the side of the small log jail. When the condemned man took his leave of Mrs. Kear, the wife of the sheriff and other members of the family, he still preserved his cheerful expression, spoke kindly to Mrs. Kear, and observed it had been his intention to speak from the scaffold, but he was then so con- vinced of the prejudice of the public against him that he had concluded it useless to say anything, and so abandoned his original intention. He was attended by a minister of the M. E. Church, who spoke and prayed from the scaffold. To the last he denied any deeper guilt than that of acting in self-defence. When death ensued his body was taken in charge and buried by the county, but fate held in store for his corpse the very thing he dreaded and the very thing he had asked might be prevented, for the very same night his body was taken up and found its way to the dissecting-table, although he had declared he would not have that occur for ten thousand worlds. Indeed, this appeared the only thing he dreaded, and it affected him to deep emotion, when death itself seemed to have lost all its terrors. This was the first and last execution in the county, and was looked upon at the time by many as a tragedy, which foreboded evil to the whole community.

WOLVES.

The early pioneers had to contend with the annoyances and losses to which they were subjected by the depredations of large numbers of wolves which infested the wilds of this and the adjoining counties. The commissioners of Van Wert offered a bounty for the scalp of each wolf killed within the county. The killing had to be proved before the clerk of the courts, who issued a warrant payable at the State treasury. This certificate was taken by the county treasurer in payment of taxes, and by him paid over to the State in his annual return.

We give a statement from the official records of Van Wert County, called the "wolf book," showing the date and amounts paid :-

Dec. 1837. Scalps $17 00 Feb. to Nov. 1850. Sealpy $31 25

Feb. to Dec. 1838.

107 75 Feb. to Nov. 1851. 66

8 50

Jan, to Oct. 1839.

124 30

May to Dee. 1852.

35 75

Jan. to Dec. 1810.

72 25 Jan. to May 1853. 46

57 47

Jan. to Dec. 1841.

91 00 Ap'l. to Nov. 1854.

21 25

Jan. to Nov. 1843.

77 00

Jan. to Dec. 1856.

37 00

Jan. to Dec. 1844.

93 50 Apl. to Ang. Is57.

53 25

Jan. to Sep. 1845.

71 50

Feb. to Dee. 1858.

29 75

Jan. to Dee. 1816.

31 25 Jan. to April 1859.

21 25

May to Dec. 1847.

38 25 Jan. to Nov. 1860.

4 25

Jan. to Nov. 1848.

46 75

In October 1870.

15 00

Feb. to Oct. 1859.

46 25

$1273 37

Average amount paid for each scalp $4. Over three hundred and eighteen were killed.

TAXES.

The taxes collected for school purposes in 1839 amounted to $29.87. Amount paid into State treasury on State levies $55.33. The county drew from the State for school purposes $114.93.

In 1840 the taxable land amounted to 11, 168 aeres. In addition to this there were 312 horses and 663 head of cattle subject to taxation, making a total valuation of taxable property of $73,510. Total tax levied thereon $1102 65 or fifteen mills on the dollar.

VOTERS IN 1839.

The whole number of ballots cast in 1839 was 232. The different township votes were as follows: Willshire, 86; Ridge, 35; Harrison, 21 ; Jennings, 54; and Pleasant, 36.

EARLY PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio. At a special meeting of the Com- missioners for the county of Van Wert, at the town of Willshire, on the twenty-ninth day of April, A. D. 1835, were present: Jesse Atkinson and Joshua Goodwin, Commissioners ; and, the certificates of election being examined, the Board organized for the transaction of business. There being no anditor present. the Board appointed Ansel Blossom special clerk for the present session.

It appearing to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that John Mark, who was elected assessor of this county, is a non-resident, it is deemed that said office is vacant; and thereupon the Board appointed John Keith assessor, to serve until the next annual election, and it is ordered that said Keith, on executing his bond in the penalty of two thousand dollars, to be approved by any one of the Commissioners in vacation. and being sworn, proceed to excente the duties enjoined on him by law. And the Board adjourned without day.

Signed, JESSE ATKINSON, JOSHUA GOODWIN. Commissioners.

At a session of the Commissioners holden at Willshire on the fifth day of June, 1837: present, Jesse Atkinson and Joshua Goodwin. Com- missioners, Daniel D. Cross appearing, presented his certificate of cler- tion as auditor, with an endorsement thereon that he had been sworn into office and forthwith executed his bond to the acceptance of the board in the penalty of two thousand dollars, with William Case and Ansel Blossom his securities, and entered upon the duties of his office.

William Case appeared and presented his certificate of election and oath of office as treasurer, and executed his bond in the penalty of four thousand dollars, with D. D. Cross, Ansel Blossom, Peter Bolenbaugher, and John Johnson his securities.

Ordered, that the auditor take and keep the treasurer's bond as exe- ented, and that the treasurer in like manner preserve the bond of the auditor; and said bonds were respectively delivered for safe keeping.

On the petition of certain citizens of that part of the county known as Sugar Ridge, it is ordered that Town Two, South of Range Two East.

35 25

Jan. to Dec. 1842. 66

107 50 Mar. to Dec. 1855.

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

be set off as a civil township under the name of Pleasant, and that Town One, South of Range One and Two, and the North half of Town Two, South of Range One East, be attached thereto for township purposes, and that the auditor by proper notices notify the electors in said town- ship to elect their township officers, at the house of James Maddox, on the twentieth day of June, 1837, at the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

William Priddy appeared, produced his certificate of election as com- missioner, and took his seat.

A petition for a new township, to be set off and called Ridge, being presented, it is ordered that Township Number One and Two in Ranges Number Three and Four, be organized under the name of Ridge Town- ship, and that when said territory shall again be divided Town Two, in Range Three, shall hokl the name, and it is ordered that the auditor notify the electors to meet for the election of township officers at the house of William Priddy, on the fourth Saturday in June next.

Ordered that Town-hip Number Three, South in Ranges Number Three, and Four East, be continued and known as Jennings Township.

Ordered that Township Number Three of Ranges Number One, and Two East, and the south half of Township Number Two South of Range Nuinber One, be organized as Willshire Township.

The assessor presented his list of taxable property for examination, and after a careful examination of the same do find no particular error in said list, and that the said assessor be allowed one dollar and fifty cents per day in taking the assessment.

Ordered that an order be issued upon the treasurer for the aforesaid amount.

The meeting then adjourned until to-morrow morning at 8 A. M.

June 6th, A. D. 1837. Met according to adjourument and proceeded to business. First, to levy the percentum necessary to defray the ex penses of the county for the present year.

Ordered that one and one-fourth per cent. be assessed on the dollar for State, Canal, School, and County purposes for the present year, and that the auditor in making out his duplicates, divide the amounts, so as to give the State, canal, and school their several claims, and the remain- der for county purposes.

Ordered, that whenever it becomes necessary to advertise any matter in the public paper, and as there is none printed in said county, the same may be done by posting up written notices, one in each township within the county by the anditor thereof.

There being something near seven hundred dollars in the treasury of the old county Mercer, belonging to Van Wert County for road pur- poses, it is therefore ordered that the same be expended on the public roads in said county, in the manner here provided; fifty dollars on the road from St. Marys to Fort Wayne, in finishing a bridge erected across Duck Creek, in Willshire Township. Three hundred dollars to be ex- pended on the Bucyrus road to Fort Wayne, commencing on the east side of the county.

One hundred and twenty-five dollars to be expended on the road from Shanesville to Defiance, within said county.

One hundred on a county road leading from Shanesville to a certain stone quarry in Jenning's Township.

Seventy-five dollars in opening a certain county road from Guilford to Jenning's prairie, in the aforesaid county.

Ordered, that the commissioners of said county serve as road commis- sioners to expend the several sums above described, according to law, in such case.

Ordered, that an order be issued to the treasurer of Van Wert County, on the treasurer of Mercer County, for the proper proportion of the money in said county treasury belonging to Van Wert County, for road purposes, or their proportion of the three per cent. fond.

Ordered, that notices be given to the commissioners of Mercer County that the commissioners of Van Wert County are authorized by law to call on said commissioners for settlement, agreeable to law in such cases.

Having no other business to transact the meeting adjourned.

Signed, WILLIAM PRIDDY,

. JESSE ATKINSON.

Joseph Johnson, Henry Reichard, and William H. Purdy were elected Commissioners of Van Wert County at the late annual election, and were severally sworn by Ansel Blossom, Clerk C. C. P., of said county, on the 10th day of November, 1837, to discharge the duty of such offices during their continuance in office, faithfully and impartially, and to sup- port the Constitution of the United States and the State of Ohio.

St. Mary's, Mercer Co., Nov. 13, 1837. Special session convened for the purpose of settling with the Commissioners of Mercer County, agree- able to previous notice. Were present: William H. Purdy, Henry Reichard, Commissioners of Van Wert County.

There being no auditor present the board appointed John F. Dodds special clerk for the present session,

Mercer County Commissioners present: Samuel Ruckman, Picket Doute; Franklin Linzee, Auditor.

The board of commissioners of the said counties of Van Wert and Mercer, upon an examination of the books, exhibits, and vouchers, do find that there is due to the county of Van Wert, and now in the hands of the treasurer of Mercer County the following sums: Three per cent. and road funds, $841.36; school funds, $25.84. Also, an additional sum of three per cent. school funds in the hands of Samuel Ruckman, $38.75. which sum is to be paid to Henry Reichard and William H. Purdy on the order of the auditor of Mercer County.

The auditor of Mercer County is also directed by the commissioners of said county to issue the following orders on the treasurer of Mercer County in favor of the treasurer of Van Wert County. One being in full of the three per cent. funds. $825.85; one being in full of road funds due said county, $15.50; and one being in full of school funds due said county, $25.84.

Also, an order on Samuel Rockman in favor of the commissioner of Van Wert County for the sum of $38.75, being in full of three (3) per cent. funds in his hands due said county.

And thereupon the commissioners present agreed upon finding the foregoing to be an adjustment and settlement of accounts between Van Wert and Mercer counties, and that said counties shall henceforth have no claims each upon the other for three per cent. or other funds.

Signed, HENRY REICHARD, WILLIAM H. PURDY. SAMUEL RUCKMAN, PICKET DOUTE.

Attest-FRANKLIN LINZEE, Auditor.

I, Franklin Linzee, Auditor of Mercer County, do hereby certify the above to be a correct copy of the final settlement between the commis- sioners of Van Wert and Mercer counties, at St. Marys, Nov. 13, 1837.

FRANKLIN LINZEE, Auditor, Mercer County. Attest-JOHN F. DODDS, Clerk.

At a session of the commissioners of Van Wert County, Ohio, con- vened at Wiltshire, Dec. 4, 1837. Present: Henry Reichard, William Purdy, Joseph Johnson. John F. Dodds, Auditor.

John F. Dodds upon being appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Daniel D. Cross, was duly sworn into office and forthwith executed his bond to the acceptance of the board, in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, with James G. Gilliland and James M. Young as sureties, and entered upon the duties of his office.

Eli Compton appeared, presented his certificate of election, and oath of office as County Assessor, and executed his bond in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, with Anset Blossom and Amos Compton as securi- ties. Accepted by the board and deposited with the auditor

James G. Gilliland appeared, presented his certificate of election and oath of office as County Treasurer for the term of two years from and after the first Monday in Jane, and executed his bond in the penalty of four thousand dollars, with Peter Wills, James M. Young, and John F. Dodds as securities, which was accepted and deposited as the law directs.

At the late session held at St. Mary's the Commissioners found a balance of thirty-eight dollars and seventy five cents of the three per cent. fand in the hands of Samuel Rockman, for which the auditor of Mercer County issued an order in favor of the Commissioners of Van Wert. Upon subsequent examination it was ascertained that there was

135

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

an error of one dollar, and that the actual sum was thirty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents (37.75), which sum was drawn upon said order by H. Reichard. Henry Reichard, after deducting six dollars which he paid John F. Dodds for services as clerk at St. Marys; and four dollars and fifty cents which he paid William H. Purdy for services as Commis- sioner, and six dollars as a compensation allowed for his own services, paid over to the treasurer, Win. Case, the balance, which is twenty-one dollars and twenty-five cents.

Ordered, that John F. Dodds receive an order on the treasurer for three dollars, it being a sum expended by him for a book of records.

The treasurer received of H. Reichard three different orders ou the treasurer of Mercer County, as follows : one for eight hundred and twenty-five dollars and eighty-five cents, three per cent. fund; one for fifteen dollars and fifty cents, road funds; and one for twenty-five dol- lars and eighty-four cents, school fund.

The Board then adjourned sine die.

JOSEPH JOHNSON, HENRY REICHARD, WILLIAM H. PERDY, Commissioners of Van Wert Co.

JOHN F. DODDS, Auditor.

Willshire, Jan. Ist, 1838. Convened with William Case, treasurer, Ansel Blossom, clerk for auditor, for the purpose of settling up all accounts for the year 1837, and upon examining the duplicate orders, redeemed vouchers for the three per cent. road and school funds, do find the aggregate amount of three per cent. road and school funds, and county, school, State, and canal tax now remaining in the treasury to be $969.253. (For items see Book B, page 16.)

JOHN F. DODDS. Auditor of Van Wert County.

Willshire, Van Wert County, March 5, 1838. At a session of the Commissioners convened at Willshire March 5, 1838, John F. Dodds appeared and gave bond to the acceptance of the Board, with William Priddy, Oliver Stacey, and James Maddox as sureties, was qualified and entered upon the duties of his office as auditor.

A petition being presented and read from certain citizens in Willshire and Pleasant townships praying for the location and establishment of a road, to commence, at Willshire and to run from thence on the nearest and most suitable ground to the town of Van Wert; and as John F. Dodds and Charles Mount have entered into bonds for all costs and expenses arising from a view and survey of the same unless the same shall become a public highway, it is hereby ordered: That James G. Gilliland, William Priddy, and John Bolenbaucher be and are hereby appointed to view, and that Martin B. Wilson be and is appointed to survey said road, and to meet for that purpose in the town of Willshire on Monday, the 12th day of March inst : and after being duly qualified, proceed and make return according to law.

A petition from certain citizens in Willshire Township being presented and read, praying for the location and establishment of a road to com- mence at some point on the State road between James Major's mill and Henry Reichard's brick house, by Ansel Blossom's to the N. E. corner of Sec. 31; thence one mile; thence by David Wright's to the county line where said line crosses the four mile run, or in a direction to inter- seet the road to Lima: and as Solomon Herzogg and Ansel Blossom have given bond for all costs and expenses accruing from a view and survey of said road unless the same shall be established a public high- way, it is hereby

Ordered that John Frysinger. John Thatcher, and John Johnson be and are appointed to view, and that Martin B. Wilson be and is hereby appointed to survey the same, and that they meet for that purpose in the town of Willshire on Monday, the 19th day of March inst., for that purpose, and after being qualified, proceed to view, survey, and make return according to law.

A petition from certain citizens in Willshire Township being presented and read, praying for the location and establishment of a road leading from the western extremity of Wolcott Street, in the town of Willshire, to run in the best and most direct route to the termination of the road leading from Decatur, Indiana, to the State line, and as Charles Mount

and David Major have entered into bond for all costs and expenses, unless the same shall be established a public highway, it is hereby or- dered, that John Frysinger, John Thatcher, and John Johnson be and are appointed to view, and Martin B. Wilson be and is appointed to sur- vey the same, and that they meet for that purpose in the town of Will- shire on Monday the 19th day of March inst., and after being duly qua- lified, proceed and make return as the law directs.

Ordered, that Oliver Stacey receive an order upon the treasurer for six dollars as a remuneration for hauling law books from the Auglaize River to the town of Willshire.

Whereas, a petition signed by certain citizens of Ridge and Pleasant townships has been filed in the auditor's office praying for certain alter- ations on the State road that leads from Bucyrus to Fort Wayne, it is hereby

Ordered, that the board will attend to receiving remonstrances against said petition (if any are presented), ou the 5th day of June A D. 1838. and that the auditor give legal notice of the same.

The board theu adjourned until to-morrow at 9 o'clock.

Willshire, March 6, 1838. The board convened at 9 o'clock ; ordered. that one hundred and forty lots be laid out on the land belonging to the county in order to fill out and make square in form the original surveyed and recorded plat of the town of Van Wert; and that the same be known as the county's addition to the town of Van Wert, and be it farther

Ordered, that Martin B. Wilson be and is hereby appointed to survey and lay off the same, and that after he is duly qualified he shall, after having selected and qualified chain carriers, markers, etc., proceed on the 15th or 16th of March inst., to lay off the aforesaid number of lots in the same manner as the lots are laid out on the original recorded płat.

Ordered, that the lots in the town of Van Wert which belong to the county be offered at public sale on Tuesday the 22d day of May A. D. 1838;

Ordered, that the auditor get fifty advertisements and one hundred and fifty blank bonds printed at the expense of the county; also, get a notice of the sale inserted twice in the Dayton Journal.

Ordered, that the commissioners meet on the 19th day of March, in Willshire. to sell out two contracts to the lowest and best bidder: one to extend the bridge across the St. Marys River at Willshire, 110 fert in length, and supposed to be above high-water mark, and the other to finish the bridge across Duck Creek.

The board then adjourned.

W.M. II. PURDY. HENRY REICHARD, JOSEPH JOHNSON. Commissioners Van Wert County, Ohio.

JOHN F. Dopps, Auditor,

Van Wert County, Ohio.

Deed .- Peter Aughenbaugh & Co. to Van Wert County.

Know all men that I, James Watson Riley, for and on my own account, and as agent and attorney in fact for Peter Aughenbaugh and Elizabeth bjs wife, and George Marsh aud Caroline his wife, as proprietors of the town of Van Wert. in the county of Van Wert and State of Ohio, under the name and firm of Peter Aughenbaugh & Co., in consideration of a contract heretofore made between said Peter Aughenbaugh & Co. and Louis Dille, James Fergus, and Justin Hamilton, commissioners ap- pointed by joint resolution of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, to locate the seat of justice for the county of Van Wert, whereby the following described real estate was given as a donation to the county of Van Wert upon condition that the seat of justice for said county should be fixed at the town of Van Wert, which condition was complied with by said commissioners and accepted by the county through her con- stituted authorities, and by authority of regularly executed powers of attorney from the said Peter and Elizabeth Aughenbaugh and George and Caroline Marsh, duly recorded upon pages " three hundred and fifty-six (356), and three hundred and fifty-seven (357), and four hundred and ninety (490) of Book E, Mercer County, Ohio Records," do by these presents release, convey, and confirm unto Henry Reichard, Win. Purdy, and Joseph Johnson, as commissioners of the county of Van Wert in the State of Ohio, for the time being, and their successors in office for the use of the county forever, all the lots of odd numbers in the original

136

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

plat of said town of Van Wert, from number one to number seventy seven inclusive, saving and excepting number three, which is set apart as a school lot, and so recorded, and all of the east half of the north- west quarter and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of see- tion number thirteen in township number two, south of range number two east, not laid out in lots, streets, or alleys, or appropriated as commons on the original plat, supposed to be about one hundred aeres, but be the same more or less, according to the legitimate subdivision of the section. To have and to hold the same unto the said commissioners and their suc- cessors for the use of the county of Van Wert forever. Hereby cove- nanting that the title hereby conveyed is clear, free, and unencumbered, and that the said party of the first part will warrant and defend the same against all persons claiming or to claim by, from or under them their heirs or assigns. In witness whereof the said James Watson Riley for and on his own account, and as agent and attorney in fact as afore- said, together with Susan Q. Riley, the wife of said James Watson Riley, who releases her dower in said premises, have hereunto set their hands and seals at St. Marys the twelfth day of April A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-eight.

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History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 42

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton Number of Pages: 878

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878