History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 49

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 49
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 49

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).

section 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 sere -. 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 successors for the use of the county of Van Wert forever: Hereby covenanting that the title hereby conveyed is clear, free, and unencumbered, and that the said party of the first part will warrant amt 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 aforesaid, together with Susan Q. Riley, the wife of said Jame- Watson Riley, who releases her dower in said premises, have hereunto set their hands and seals at St. Marys, this twelfth day of April, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty eight.

JAMES WATSON RILEY.

SUSAN Q. RILEY.

PETER ALGHENHAUON.

ELIZABETH AUGHENBAUGH. ESEAL. ] GEORGE MARSH. [SEAL .. ]

CAROLINE MARSH. [SEAL .. ]

By JAMES WATSON RILEY, Attorney in Fact.

Signed, sealed, and acknowledged in the presence of B. F. SCHROEDER. CALEB MAJOR.

161 -162

MRS. HARRIET B. GLEASON .

JOSEPH B. GLEASON

S. SWINEFORD.

MAJOR I. D. CLARK .

ROBERT GILLILAND

JAMES G. GILLILAND

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

The State of Ohio, Mercer County 88:

On the twelfth day of April, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, came James Watson Riley before me, the undersigned, and acknowledged the signing and sealing of the above deed on his own account, and as attorney, for the purpose therein specified; and also Susan Q. Riley, the wife of said James, who, upon a separate examination, declared that she signed the same voluntarily, knowing the contents thereof, and was still satisfied therewith.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal. CALEB MAJOR, J. P. [SEAL.]

VAN WERT COUNTY, OHIO, Recorder's Office, March 9, 1839. This deed was received and recorded this day.

Attest : CHARLES MOUNT, Recorder.

At a Session of the Commissioners held at Willshire March 6, 1838, it was 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 further ordered, That Martin B. Wilson be and hereby is 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 next, to lay off the aforesaid number of lots in the same manner as the lots are laid out on the original recorded plat. 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."

Under the provisions of these orders the lots were duly laid off and platted in March and offered at publie sale May 22, 1838, at which date lots number 1, 5, 7, 9, 11. 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 35, 37, 41, 43, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, and 77 were sold.

At a Session of the Commissioners held March 234, 1839, it was "Ordered, That the Auditor notify John G. Morse, County Surveyor, to survey a number of town lots in the northwest addition of Van Wert;" and further "Ordered, that the lots in the town of Van Wert which belong to the county be offered at public sate on Wednesday, the 22d day of May, A. D. 1839." At this sale sixty-nine (69) lots were sold. The purchasers' names and the numbers of the lots purchased will appear by reference to " Early Proceedings of the County Commission- ers," found elsewhere in this volume. .

INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS. BY AN OLD PIONEER. 1937-39.

In the fall of 1838 the startling intelligence that a small boy by the name of Manley was lost in the woods, flew over the settlement in the southwest part of the county, and soon about one hundred men were in search of the lost child. The parents of the child lived in the north- western part of Willshire Township, and the whole country north of them for many miles was an unbroken wilderness, except two or three families living some six miles north. It was on Saturday the boy was lost. He started from the house to go a short distance into the woods, where his father and an older brother were at work, and missing his course, wan- dered away from home. An unsuccessful search was made Saturday evening and the following night by the family and a few neighbors who bad been apprised of the fact. Early Sunday morning the word that a boy was lost was rapidly carried to the settlers for miles around, and by night there were perhaps one hundred men at Mr. Manley's house. Those who had been on the search reported at night that no trace of the lost boy had been discovered. Monday morning, as soon as it was light enough to see to travel, the company started out in an easterly direction, went in a line abreast so near each other that each one could are those nearest to him on his right and left. In this way they travelled some five'miles easterly, then turned to the left, and spread over ground north of that traversed and returned to the cabin of Mr. Manley. After get- ting such refreshments as could be obtained at Mr. M.'s and a few kind

neighbors, the company started again in a northerly direction. Nearly every man carried a rifle. A signal for finding the boy was agreed upon to be the firing of three guns in succession, and then if the boy was found alive a volley by as many as knew the fact. That arrangement gave each one the privilege of shooting a wolf or bear, should be chance to meet one, without disturbing the search, as no shooting was to apply to the object of the search except three guns in immediate succession at one point or place. Most of us had now been one night with the family whose boy, if alive, was in the wilds of the forest, liable to be torn in pieces by wild beasts, and we men in deep sympathy with the distressed and weeping parents, brothers and sisters of the lost child. For two nights he had already been in the woods without food or shelter. Our company was again spreading out in line for another search, and had moved something like a hall' mile from the house when word came to the centre that the boy was found and was then some six miles north, at the house of a Mr. Johns, alive and well. The three signals were given, and such a scene followed as language cannot describe. Every one discharged his rifle, every one hallooed, threw up his hat, and in the wildest enthu- siasm and joy ran back to the house to congratulate the heart-stricken family on the safety of their child ; after which the people returned to their homes, it now being nearly night. The boy had been in the wood, two days and two nights, during which time he wandered about seven miles from his home, came to the cabin of a Mr. Johns, who had not as yet heard that the boy was lost; however, he soon obtained the informa- tion from the boy himself. They took him in and gave him something to eat, and learned his name. Thinking that the boy was too weak to go home that day, Mr. J. went immediately to inform the friend- of his whereabouts. The boy said that he slept in a hollow log one night, and that a very pretty little spotted dog came to him and slept with him. It is supposed that little spotted dog was a skunk.

It was no infrequent thing for persons to get lost in the woods and lie out one night. I remember of two or three instances of old women getting lost and lying out a night in the woods, and be wonderfully tor- mented by the tens of thousands of hungry mosquitoes that were con- stantly swarming about them.

In the early spring of 1838 our provisions were getting short. and it became necessary that a new supply should be obtained, and for the pur- pose of getting this supply my eldest brother started with an ox-team for a tramp mill owned by a Mr. East, near Lima. At this time the small creeks were full of water, consequently the roads were unusually muddy. When he left home it was arranged that I should meet him on the fourth day of his absence at the Little Auglaize Creek to assist in crossing the same. In pursuance of this agreement I started pretty early on the morning of the fourth day after he left home, and arrived about noon at the crossing of the Little Auglaize, where, awaiting his arrival until it was quite dark, and being satisfied he would not come that evening, retraced my steps some two miles back to the house of Mr. O. Stacy, stayed over night there, and next morning, as soon as one could see to travel, again started eastward to meet him ; went some ten miles, met him at the Big Auglaize River a little before noon, about where the railroad crosses now. We drove down to Mr. Clawson's, the last house we should pass in entering the long woods. Here we got dinner, and some provisions for supper and breakfast; also some straw. with a view of camping out the following night. That afternoon we drove some three or four miles, arriving in the evening on the banks of the Middle Jennings Creek, near where Delphos now stands. Here we took our oxen from the wagon, cut down a few saplings, so as to form a pen abont twenty-five or thirty feet square, in which we placed om oxen and fed them for the night, partook of our cold grub, and about nine or ten o'clock crawled into our wagons to sleep. We did not remain quiet in this condition but for a short time, when the wolves began a terrible howling, apparently in three or four directions but a short dis. tance from us, at which I was somewhat alarmed, and got up and went to where we had left the axe, got it, and took it into the wagon with the. We were destined to have more imaginary trouble, for soon afterwards we heard a rustling noise in the leaves which we supposed to be wolves coming to attack our oxen. We sprang up with axes to frighten them ott. The moon was shining, consequently the woods were pretty well lighted up. After having examined the ox-pen and the surrounding

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

forest for a short distance, we could see no ravenous beasts or anything other than ourselves, and went back again to our wagon to rest. The wolves continued their howling at intervals. In a short time we again beard the rustling noise in the leaves, at which we carefully pulled aside a portion of our wagon cover to see if the wolves were again upon us. This occurred several times and prevented us from sleeping. In the mean time the night had become quite cold, and ice was forming on the water, and now we were too chilly and cold to sleep in the wagon, so we got up, built a good birch fire near our ex-pen, took the cover from our wagon, and constructed a kind of tent close by the fire, in which we put some straw we had in the wagon; here we tried to get some rest. It was now about midnight ; the wolves were still saluting us occasionally with their hideous howling. At last daylight broke upon us, and we were up again preparing for our homeward journey. Upon examination of affairs in the morning we were satisfied that the wolves had made no attempt to attack us or our oxen; that our serre came only from the wind at intervals blowing and disturbing some dry leaves on a young white-oak tree standing close to our wagon.

We examined the ford of this creek and were satisfied we could not take our wagon through without wetting our sacks of corn meal. We then went up the creek some thirty or forty rods, and found a beaver dam which had been constructed some time in the century past; here seemed to be the most favorable place to cross, but to make the thing sure of success we concluded to make a sounding of the depth of water. The creek had overflowed its banks, and ice a quarter to a half inch thick bad formed during the previous night. Taking up a good substantial stick, with which to break the ice, I waded to the channel and by sound- ing with my stick and person found that we could pass through at this place by placing our meal sacks on top of the wagon box. I went back to our camping ground, cut a number of small poles into such lengths as would reach across and lie upon the top of our wagon box. upon which we placed the sacks, hitched on our team, cut a road to Beaver Dam, and made the crossing without damage to the load. Some time about the middle of Thursday we arrived at the Little Auglaize. This stream was also overflowing its channel ; a flat on the eastern side was covered with water some ten or twelve rods in width; here we halted. and in order to make a crossing we had to carry the sacks across on our shoul- ders. To effect this we had to wade through the overflow, some places two feet deep, carrying the sacks on our shoulders to a large black wal- nut log that had been felled across the channel; upon this log we would las our sacks, then climb up and take them across to dry ground. In this manner we conveyed our load over the stream. The next thing was to get our oxen and wagon across, which was done as follows: we prepared a strip of linn bark some forty feet long, drove the oxen and wagon through the overflow to the channel, which was seven or eight feet deep; here we loosened the oxen from the wagon and made them swim across, then tied the bark to the end of the wagon tongue and placed it as near the channel as we could, then I swam across with the other end of the bark, to which we hitched the oxen and drew the wagon across. It, however, went down some with the current of the stream, which brought the side to the bank, so as to give us some trouble to get it out of the water ; also the box came very near leaving the wagon and swimming down the stream. The day was now pretty warm and pleasant, the ice having all melted before we reached this stream.

We reloaded our wagon and started again for our homes. . Having a much better road than the one just passed over, we got along quite com- fortable until we came within a mille or so of home. It was now night. and in attempting to ford the creek, some two miles west of town at a point a mile ofse above where the Fort Wayne road crosses, the wheels of the wagon became tangled by a dry black ash pole, which had formerly been used by the Indians for a coon choker. We were in water about two feet deep, and the pole had got through the spokes of the kind wheels in such a manner that it completely locked them and brought us to a dead halt. Before we could extricate ourselves from this difficulty we were compelled to chop the pole in two. It was a foot or so under the surface of the water, and it was now dark. We worked perhaps more than one hour before we were liberated, and did not reach home until near midnight. Something more than five days had been occupied in this trip.

The accessions to town this year were Robert Gilliland, County Com missioner ; E. R. Wells, County Auditor ; Joseph Gleason, County Recorder and Justice of Peace and tavern-keeper ; Thomas R. Mott. merchant ; Mr. Clayton, tailor; Asahel Alderman, shoemaker; Simeon Alderman, clergyman in the M. E. connection ; Widow Daugherty and ber son Isaac, and two young men, brothers, by the name of Stripe. Jacob Stripe boarded in town for a year or so, and in the mean time built a log cabin and cleared some ground on a tract of some three hun- dred acres of land he had previously entered, about three miles north of town, where he commenced keeping bachelor's hall and improving his land is best he could. After having realized the ills and discomforts of a single life alone in the wilderness for some two years, he found a Miss Harvey who was willing to cheer his log cabin with her presence. as partner of his joys and sorrows. Mr. S. made it a point to attend strictly and promptly to all his own affairs and let others alone; conse- quently he prospered, made a large farin, raised about him a respectable family, and is still living on the farm in independent circumstances. The other brother, William, had also entered land adjoining that of Jacob's, but he preferred to remain in town and improve as best he could! the property he owned in it. He at once set to work to clear away the timber, logs, and brush that had grown upon one of his lots on the corner of Main and Walnut streets, preparatory for further improvements. Then, in the course of another year, he built a small frame house of two rooms; this was the first frame house in Van Wert, or within fifteen miles of it. Mr. S. did all the work on his house himself except raising the frame, although he had been raised a farmer. He also built several log cabins to rent ; also a frame shop for coopering, in which he worked for several years, filling such orders for barrels, tubs, etc., as the neces- sities of our little settlement required. After a residence of some three years among us, he obtained the consent of Miss Lydia Royce to become a partner in the enterprise in which he was engaged. Mr. S. died some twelve or fifteen years ago, leaving a small family and fine property that he had accumulated by industry and economy. He was a good citizen, strictly honest and temperate in all his life with us. His widow is now living in the same building he erceted some thirty-five years ago.

James II. Easton married a wife in Crawford County, Ohio, and com- menced housekeeping in the western part of Pleasant Township. Van Wert County, this year, and dirceted his attention to clearing up a farm. After a residence of a year or so his wife died, and Mr. E. went back to Crawford County.

During this year, 1839, Harrison Township was organized.

I am not aware that the Church or Conferences in the older settled portions of the State, or any ecclesiastical authority, made any provision for the preaching of the gospel in our new county prior to the year 1839. Yet we were not without the preached word and means of wor- ship, for among the earlier settlers were many who had been church members in their former homes, and their religious zeal did not die out when they came into this wilderness. Among them were a number of local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal connection. In the settle- ment in Ridge Township were Mr. William Priddy. Oliver Stacy, John Summersett, John Hill, Thomas W. Bowdell, and William H. Ramsey : and in Jennings Township, Jesse Tomlinson, all local preachers. The most of these men were untiring laborers in the cause they had expoused, holding meetings here and there in the log cabins of the settlers through- out the conuty

One of the earliest societies formed in the county was in Ridge Town- ship, and known as the Ridge Society, or church, although they had no church edifice or house for public worship for a number of years later. Besides the local preachers already named, there were a number of strong members, whose example and kind labors in the cause was a power that could not be unnoticed-a light that could not be hid. This society ha- had an onward and upward growth until the present time ; they have a large membership and a fine brick edifice in which to worship Within the last year the writer attended a meeting of this society held in their new church, at which several of the old pioneer members spoke of the carly history of the society, and rejoiced that they had been permitted to live and see so much accomplished from the little beginning they helped to make about forty years ago.

When we duly consider the wants of the pioneer, in a moral or reli-

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HISTORY OF VAN,WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

gious point of view, we cannot but admire the system of itineracy of the M. E. Church. It is truly a system of aggressiveness on the power of darkness; it is the angel of God flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach, and to some extent the fulfil- ment of the prediction that " Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." It also seems to be in perfect accordance with the divine commission, "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

In this system there is no waiting for men to form themselves into a society, and then call in a minister to be their pastor and dispense the church ordinance to chem; for no sooner has the pioneer erected his log cabin, and quietly domiciled his family therein, than a Methodist preacher is standing at the door, and says, "Come, go with us, an ! we will do you good." Thus leading, and inviting the people to follow- searching out the rich and the poor, the civilized and the savage, making the wilderness resound with shouts of joy and anthems of praise.

Faithfully, too, has it filled its mission and done its work with ns. As time progressed societies were formed here and there, keeping pace with the growth of the settlement until the county is dotted all over with neat and commodious church edifices and large congregations to worship therein.

It would, however, be unjust to some other denominations to give all the praise to the M. E. Church in supplying the spiritual wants of our people, for we would here award a goodly portion to the Presbyterian, Baptist, Lutheran, and some other denominations who have also labored faithfully in the cause of the Master and co-workers with the M. E. Church, and to-day have a strong hold upon the affections and moral status of our people (1876).

EARLY DEEDS.

Decd-George Marsh to Thomas Carter .- Know all whom it may con- cern that we, George Marsh and wife. Caroline Marsh, of the town of Atliens in the county of Athens, and State of Ohio, for and in consider- ation of the sum of thirty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents to us in hand before the ensealing hereof, and truly paid by Thomas Carter, of Ames Township in the county and State aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained, and sokl, and by these presents do freely and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, re- mise, release, convey, and confirm unto him the said Thomas Carter and his heirs and assigns'forever, all of the following described real estate, to wit: Lots numbered 123, 220, and 206 in the town of Van Wert, in the county of Van Wert and State of Ohio aforesaid; to have and to hold the said granted and bargained and described premises, together with all the privileges and appartenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining to him the said Thomas Carter and his heirs and assigns forever to his and their only proper use and benefit and behoof forever.

And we, the said George and Caroline Marsh, for ourselves and our heirs, executors, and administrators do covenant to and with the said Thomas Carter and his heirs and assigns forever, that we are lawfully seized and possessed of said premises in our own proper right as a good, perfect, and absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple, free and clear of all incumbrances whatsoever, and that we have full power and author- ity to sell and convey the same in manner and form as aforesaid; and, furthermore, that we will and our heirs, executors, and administrators, shall warrant, secure, and defend the same to him the said Thomas Car- ter and his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and de- mands of all persons. In testimony whereof we the said George Marsh and Caroline, have bereunto set our hands and seals this eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- seven.

Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of us-

JOHN E. ANDERSON, A. N. BROWN.

GEORGE MARSH. [SEAT_]

CAROLINE MARSH. [SEAL]

Acknowledged July 18, 1837, before A. N. Brown, J. P. Examined and recorded April 12, 1838. Joseph Gleason, Recorder.

EARLY ENTERPRISES AND INDUSTRIES.

Hotels.

Daniel Cook, the first inhabitant of the town, moved into the cabin erected by the Riley surveying party, and opened what was known as "The Tavern." This building was constructed of small round logs, atl consisted of two rooms, each eighteen feet square, one of which was pro- vided with a fire place. It was built for J. W. Riley by Wm. Priddy and sons, of this county. In 1837 Mr. Cook erected a hewed log house. 18 by 24 feet in dimensions, and one and a half stories high. It stood near where the "Commercial Hotel " now stands. On the north side of the main building was a kitchen which was provided with a clay fire- place. The main building was divided into two apartments, one serving as dining-room, parlor, and family bed-room, and the other as office and bar-room, from which the stairway ascended to the sleeping room. . 1, there was no door through the partition below, communication was effected through the outside doors which opened to a porch running the whole length of the building. The floors were all of hewed puncheons. and the rafters and shingles formed the upper ceiling.

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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 49

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