USA > Ohio > Fulton County > The County of Fulton: A History of Fulton County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special Chapters on Various Subjects, Including Each of the Different Townships; Also a Biographical Department. > Part 10
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
88
Digitized by Google
89
THE LAST FORTY YEARS
. onel Smith's interest and again became sole proprietor. He con- ducted it successfully until about 1881, when a half interest was taken by E. M. Ogle, but the latter only remained in the office a few months, when he sold to W. C. Williams, who was associated with Mr. Sherwood continuously until 1896. Since the latter year, the "Republican" has been published under the management of James H. Sherwood & Sons, and we may properly add, with marked ability and success.
Col. Albert B. Smith, who was for years prominently identified with Fulton county newspapers and other public affairs, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, July 15, 1839, and settled in Fulton county in 1859. He enlisted at Wauseon, August 2, 1862, in Company H, One Hundredth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (having served three months previous to this in the Fourteenth Regiment). In Sep- tember, 1862, he was promoted to first sergeant, in December, 1862, to second lieutenant, and again in February, 1863, to first lieuten- ant, in August following to captain of Company E, and immediately transferred to Company H, and breveted major in June, 1865, and lieutenant colonel in August following, which position he held when the war closed.
In the year 1863, Wauseon made an attempt under an act of the Legislature, known as "an enabling act," to secure a removal of the county seat from Ottokee, but, on a submission of the proposition to the people, it was voted down. The town of Delta then asked that the seat of justice be removed to that place, and urged, in sup- port of argument, that a tier of townships would be taken from Lucas county on the east, thus increasing the area and population of Fulton county ; and, furthermore, that Delta would then be situ- ated in the geographical center of the county, as enlarged, and the inost accessible place for the county seat. In the legislature of 1864, an act was passed similar to the Wauseon act, and the question was submitted to the people, but the proposition was defeated by a large majority. In the midst of this agitation for the removal of the seat of justice, on July 16, 1864, the court-house building at .Ottokee was destroyed by fire, and with it all of the county records and other valuable articles in the offices of the county officials. During the following year, 1865, the county commissioners entered into a con- tract with Hiram Pritchard for the erection of a new brick court house on the site of the old structure. This was a one-story brick building, plain but substantial, and it was arranged to be used only for court purposes, the county officers' apartments being in a sepa- rate building, on land adjoining the court house. These buildings answered the needs of the county for several years; but attending court or transacting other business at the county seat was attended with great inconveniences. The railroad had become a recognized thoroughfare of travel, and to all parties from outside the county, as well as many within it, a carriage or stage ride of at least four miles was necessitated. This inconvenience was all the more marked, as the growing towns of Wauseon and Delta were on the line of
Digitized by Google
90
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY
the railroad, and naturally there was soon another and a successful effort made to remove the seat of justice. In the year 1869, the Leg- islature passed another enabling act, permitting the people of Fulton county to vote upon the question of removing the county seat from Ottokee to Wauseon. The election was held in October of the above year, and although the result was close. the proposition was carried by a safe majority. The enabling act contained a condition that before the change could be accomplished, there should be donated by those desiring the change the sum of $5,000, which sum should be paid over to the county commissioners and used as a part of the building fund. On January 19, 1870, Isaac Springer, trustee of the required fund, which had been raised in full by subscription, paid the same into the hands of the county commissioners. The gentlemen who comprised the board at that time were Joseph Ely, A. B. Gunn and M. O. McCaskey, and lots No. 149 and 189 of the original plat of Wauscon were deeded to them and their successors in office, for the site of the court-house building. These lots were situated at the southwest corner of Fulton and Chestnut streets, and thereon the court-house was erected. A sale of the contract for building was advertised and held, and the lowest bidder was F. M. Brooker; but after the contract had been let to him he failed to give the required bond, and it was then awarded to Alexander Voss and H. B. Bensman, their bid being $44,350. The contract for the con- struction was made on May 31, 1870, and the building was first used for court purposes in the early part of the year 1872. The structure is of brick, two stories high, with a tower and belfry on the front which faces on Fulton street. It is a very substantial building, the interior being admirably arranged for the accommodation of the county officials and others having business therein. The total cost of the building, including all extra work, amounted to $45,772.27.
...
Joseph Ely, who officiated as one of the county commissioners during the construction of the court house at Wauseon, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1814, and lived a portion of his early life in Morrow county, Ohio. He settled near Fayette, in what is now Fulton county, in 1838, and soon became a leading man in public affairs. He served as county commissioner for fifteen years, as clerk of Gorham township four years, township trustee four years and justice of the peace three years. He was a prominent farmer and stock raiser.
Alfred B. Gunn, another member of the board of commissioners at that time, was born in Franklin county, Massachusetts, January 28, 1817, and the same year was brought to Ohio by his parents, , who were early settlers in the Maumee Valley. In 1844, Mr. Gunn located in York township, at that time a part of Henry county, but which afterwards was set off as a part of Fulton. He was one of the delegates to the convention which fixed the boundary line of the county, and filled many other positions of honor and trust. He was postmaster at Beta for many years, filled the office of assessor two
Digitized by Google
91
THE LAST FORTY YEARS
years, justice of the peace six years, and county commissioner nine years.
The first post of the Grand Army of the Republic in the county was organized at Wauseon, in the latter part of the year 1866. It remained in existence for a few years, when dissensions arose and it was disbanded.
During the summer of 1867, occurred the first match game of base ball, in Wauseon, and probably in Fulton county. There appeared to be a great interest in the national sport, that year, as the people were being taught the distinction between it and "town ball," or "two-old-cat.'
. It was in the autumn of 1867 that Weston, the great pedestrian, accomplished the remarkable feat of walking from Portland, Maine, to Chicago, over the post road-a distance of 1,228 miles-in twenty- six days. His route lay through Fulton county, and great interest was manifested by the citizens thereof in the walker's contest with distance and time. He passed through Wauseon on Friday, Novem- ber 23, and the streets were well filled with people curious to see the pedestrian and his retinue.
The census report showed that, in 1870, the population of Fulton county was 17,789. The increase during the previous decade had been 3,749.
The political campaign of 1872, Grant and Greeley being the con- testants, aroused much political enthusiasm, features of which were the tannery habiliments, worn by the followers of one candidate, and the conspicuous white hats, representing loyalty to the other.
In the year 1872, the Chicago & Canada Southern Railway Com- .pany completed the construction of its line to Fayette, and ran the first train to the town, July 4, since which date Fayette has been the terminal point. It furnished a good outlet for the produce of the country contiguous, and makes that village a good market for all country produce. The construction of the Wabash line, with a sta- tion one and a half miles directly north of the village, also furnishes good shipping facilities, with a healthy competition in Gorham town- ship. Its station is called North Fayette, just over the State line.
.
A serious epidemic, known as "epizootic," crippled all industries requiring the use of horses during the latter part of 1872, and left horse owners with diseased and imperfect animals for a number of years afterward. The plague was universal throughout the country.
In 1873, Fulton county sent the late Ozias Merrill. as a repre- sentative to the State constitutional convention. Mr. Merrill was a native of Maine, and came to Fulton county with his parents in 1838.
The Grange movement took shape in this county in 1873, and organizations came into existence all over the county. Some of these are still in existence, though most have been abandoned. Among the active movers during the early agitation were Messrs. M. H. Hayes of Clinton township; J. H. Brigham of Delta, and W. A. Blake of Clinton. With these were associated other local workers
Digitized by Google
92
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY
in various townships, among them being the . following: George Gasche, Lafayette Ely, George Roos, Albert Deyo, Socrates H. Cately and S. B. Skeels. These names will all be recognized as of men who were leaders in all movements looking to the betterment of conditions generally. The first subordinate Grange organized was Fulton Grange No. 217, which was instituted November 15, 1873, in a vacant dwelling house on the farm of S. B. Skeels, in the south- east part of York township. The first corps of officials were: S. B. Skeels, master; Henry Bowen, overseer; S. G. Aumond, lecturer; J. F. Baker, steward; James Slater, assistant steward; George Miller, chaplain; E. R. Bowerman, treasurer; A. B. Gunn, secretary ; A. C. Tremaine, gate-keeper; Mrs. Jane D. Gunn, ceres; Mrs. Catharine Tremaine, pomona; Mrs. Ida L. Tremaine, flora; and Mrs. S. B. Skeels, lady assistant steward. North Star Grange was organized in Wauseon, December 7, 1873. Col. J. H. Brigham was its first master, prominent among the members being M. H. Hayes and wife, J. M. Williams and wife, Tilden Williams, W. A. Blake and wife, Adam Rupert and wife, George Gasche and wife, A. S. Fleet and wife, John Linfoot and wife, and others. Aetna, Ottokee, Chester- field, Gorham, Champion, Franklin and Royalton Granges were or- ganized the following year. Among the earlier members were the following: W. W. Williams, G. P. Roos, G. W. Roos, C. H. Stutes- man, J. H. Turner, R. P. Boody, A. M. Lee, O. B. Verity, J. D. Ald- rich, J. L. Chatfield, Joseph Shadle, J. W. Howard, G. M. Tappan, J. M. Sindel, W. H., E. M. and E. S. Strong, R. H. Scott, W. P. Garrison, John Borton, L. G. Ely, H. S. Persing, A. W. Borston and their wives, besides many others. The Fulton County Pomona Grange, membership in which is one degree higher than in the subordinate lodges, was organized in Wauseon, September 2, 1876, W. W. Williams of Chesterfield being chosen master. Mr. Williams died soon afterward and S. B. Skeels was elected his successor, hold- ing the position for several years. The present membership of the Pomona Grange is about one hundred and fifty. There are also nine subordinate granges in the county, with an approximate mem- bership of seven hundred. Particularly prominent in the Grange movement became Col. J. H. Brigham, and he probably was the most widely known member of the order in the United States. As Master of the National Grange he traveled extensively, and he filled other positions of great responsibility, all of which are mentioned in a sketch of him which appears on another page. Marcus H. Hayes was an influential and representative man of Fulton county, and was born in Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, June 7, 1822. In early life he became engaged in the mercantile business in Iowa, and for several years was a justice of the peace and mayor of Guttenburg, that state. He came to Wauseon in June, 1854, and became engaged in the buying and selling of stock. He was elected sheriff of Fulton county, in 1856, and again in 1858, and after the expiration of his term of service in that position he devoted his atten- tion to farming, which occupation he followed until his retirement
Digitized by Google
93
THE LAST FORTY YEARS
itom active life, a few years before his death. The latter event oc- curred April 9, 1895.
The year 1874 is remembered as the time of the "Women's Cru- sade." The movement developed in the mouth of February, and though perhaps but few, if any, saloon-keepers were driven out of business, yet the sentiment created, no doubt, had a salutary effect in curtailing lawlessness in the liquor traffic. From it developed the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which has accomplished great good, and is going forward yet in the work.
In 1874, the need of a building for the poor gained official action. The increase in population in this locality, the same as in nearly every county in the State, the incoming of new families, the infirmities of age and the unfortunate condition of some persons who had become a charge upon the public, led to the establishment of an institution within the county, to be maintained at public expense, called the Infirmary, by which it is commonly known throughout most locali- ties, as a home for aged, decrepit and indigent persons. The build- ings at Ottokee having been vacated by the change of the county seat, were still owned by the county, and early in the month of May, 1874, they were turned over by the commissioners to James Riddle, Robert Lewis and O. A. Cobb, as infirmary directors, and the work of making the changes necessary for the intended use was at once commenced. A tract of land, some three hundred acres ir. extent, was purchased in the vicinity and a sufficient county farm was established, the same being ready for occupancy on May 1, 1874. These buildings sufficed for the county's needs for about twenty years, but, in 1894, new ones were erected, and in the autumn of that year new quarters were occupied by the county's wards. These new buildings are elaborate and expensive, and with the grounds surrounding them cover several acres of land. The in- firmary proper is a three-story brick structure, with a basement, con- veniently arranged for heating, with the least possible danger of fire. An insane ward is also provided for the care of patients designated as "harmless and incurable." . A district school, near by, affords the means to properly rear and train the unfortunate children who are taken in charge at the infirmary. The farm contains two hundred and eighty acres, and produces surplus products not consumed in the institution, to the value of about two thousand dollars annually. The infirmary directors have supreme control, and employ, subordinate to their directions, a superintendent and matron, who attend to the details of the institution. Inmates who are able to work are em- ployed on the farm, or in caring for stock and "choring" on the premises. Good, wholesome and substantial food is provided in abundance, as is also comfortable and seasonable clothing, and a church near by, at which services are held regularly, supplies the spiritual needs. At the time of the semi-annual report in March, 1905, there were forty-three inmates in the institution.
James S. Riddle, who served on the first board of infirmary direc- tors of Fulton county, was one of the representative men of Frank-
Digitized by Google
94
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY
lin township. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1812, and settled in Fulton county in 1845, purchasing his homestead of eighty acres in Franklin township and paying for the same two dollars and fifty cents per acre. He had a wife and five children, and began life here with a York shilling in his pocket, and, as may be said, in the dense forest of Franklin. township, which was almost literally true at that time. Mr. Riddle served as justice of the peace for fifteen years, as trustee, and as infirmary director for three terms.
Oscar A. Cobb was a pioneer of Dover township, and was born in Griswold, New London county, Connecticut, in 1817. He settled in what is now Fulton county in 1846, and soon became active in public affairs. He served as sheriff of the county four years, from 1860 to 1864, was director of the infirmary two terms, and also held other minor offices.
No effort was made to establish a Democratic paper in Fulton county after those recounted in a previous chapter, until in the month of January, 1875, when William H. Handy launched the "Democratic Expositor." Mr. Handy conducted the paper until April, 1877, when by sale it passed into the hands of J. C. Bollmeyer, who was its editor and publisher from that time until his death, November 3, 1898. It was then conducted by the family of the de- ceased until June, 1899, when the paper was purchased by W. W. Croninger, who has since continued its publication. The "Expositor" is a six-column quarto, in clean dress, and makes an attractive ap- pearance, its local department being, perhaps, as full and complete as any of the other papers of the county. For the past forty years, Fulton county has been very creditably represented by newspapers, reflecting, of course, differing political views, but at the same time registering the story of the county's progress and prosperity. We are largely indebted to the files of these weekly publications for a great deal of the history contained in this chapter.
In January, 1876, a newspaper was established at Fayette, called the "Fayette Record," by W. A. Baker. The following month, Feb- ruary, O. H. Holcomb and M. Lewis assumed control of it and ran the journal till May, 1878, when Mr. Holcomb sold out to G. W. Griffin, the firm name then changing to Lewis & Griffin. In a dis- astrous conflagration that occurred at Fayette on May 8, 1880, the entire plant was destroyed, but in about sixty days' time another office was established, and the "Record" again appeared in a com- plete new dress. The office, too, was much improved by the intro- duction of a new cylinder press, the first to be used in the county. In 1882, the publishers erected a substantial two-story frame build- ing, which they occupied until February 28, 1883, when the entire office was again destroyed by fire. But phoenix-like, the enterpris- ing proprietors again "arose from the ashes," rebuilt their office and issued the "Record" within the brief space of thirty days, in a new outfit. Lewis & Griffin conducted the paper for several years tonger and then sold the outfit and good-will to John Young. Since 1 1043, Frank C. Young, son of the above, has officiated as editor and
Digitized by Google
95
THE LAST FORTY YEARS
publisher, and under his management the paper is meeting with well-merited success.
A new weekly paper was established at Delta, in 1876. The "Delta Avalanche," E. L. Waltz, editor, issued No. 1 of volume I, on Feb- ruary 22. It aimed to furnish for its readers both local and general news, such as would prove of interest and value, without espousing the cause of any political party. About three years later, the name of Col. Albert B. Smith appeared as editor and publisher, but the connection of the latter with the paper was of but short duration, for in about one year he sold to E. J. Patch, by whom it was con- tinued for about the same length of time. Mr. Patch sold to W. O. Knapp, who officiated as editor until 1884, when he exchanged his ownership therein 'for a half interest in the "Fulton County Tribune" with J. H. Fluhart. The latter made the "Avalanche" a Republican paper, and continued its publication for several years, when he sold the paper to the Atlas Printing Company, who merged it into the "Delta Atlas."
Although Ottokee ceased to be the county seat of Fulton county in the year 1871, the jail, the place of confinement for offenders, was maintained at that place for nearly four years longer, and until the building of the present jail and sheriff's residence at Wauseon, in the year 1876. The contract for this building was let on the 16th day of February, of that year, to John Lichtenberger of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the contract price being $18,500. The building was com- pleted in the autumn following, and is in all respects a model county jail, both in point of security and arrangement.
John Spillane, an early settler in Clinton township, died in March, 1879. . For years he was a prominent farmer and dairyman in the township. He was born in Buffalo, New York, May 4, 1824, and settled in Fulton county, thirty years later. He filled the office of county surveyor and was otherwise connected with public affairs.
The telephone made its appearance in Fulton county at about this time. It was looked upon with the same curiosity which met the in- troduction of electric railways, in more recent years. A telephone exchange was established at Wauseon, a little later, by which time the new invention had been greatly improved and popularized.
The results of the census of 1880 showed a total population for Fulton county of 21,053, a gain over 1870 of 3,264.
The news of the shooting of President Garfield on July 2, 1881, created tremendous excitement. After his long period of suffering, and final death, the citizens of Wauseon showed their grief and sym- pathy by holding a meeting of all creeds, where the pastors of the various churches and others conducted a fitting memorial service in the presence of a vast throng of sorrowing people. All public offices and business houses were closed from ten to four o'clock.
On October 27, 1881, occurred the death of Rev. John Miller, who was well known to the citizens of Wauseon and surrounding country, having been the founder of the United Brethren church in that vil- lage and a prominent worker in the evangelistic field.
Digitized by Google
96
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY
On February 22, 1883, the Fulton County Pioneer and Historical Association was formed. embracing among its charter members a number of men whose families were among the earliest pioneers of Fulton county. The account of its organization is thus given in Aldrich's history of Fulton county: "For a period of several years prior to the actual organization of this association its necessity was recognized by the older residents of the county. It was felt that to the pioneers, who at an early day located in this region, and who by their lives, privations, toil and industry, succeeded, through a period of almost incredible hardships and sufferings, in laying the foundation upon which the superstructure of the county has since been built and enlarged by new-comers and later generations, there should be erected in some suitable manner, a monument to their memory, and the memory of their deeds and lives; a monument, per- manent and imperishable, that the children of all coming generations might know to whom the honor and credit of the early settlements of the county is actually due. It was therefore considered advis- able that a society should at once be organized, the object of which should be to gather while possible the facts and incidents relative to the pioneer days of the county, and to record them in substantial form for future use and reference. It was deemed important, too, that this work should be done, if ever, during the lifetime of the pioneer, while a complete and accurate record could be made. To this end, and for the accomplishment of the purpose expressed, a call was made upon the older residents of the county, inviting them to meet at the court house, at Wauseon, on February 22, in the year 1883, that there might be a full and free interchange of views on the subject, and complete organization effected. In obedience to the invitation there was a large attendance upon the occasion, and for the purpose of temporary organization, Michael Handy was made chairman and L. G. Ely, secretary. The object of the meeting was then fully and carefully outlined by Hon. D. W. H. Howard, sub- stantially as set forth in the early part of this sketch, after which a committee on constitution and by-laws was appointed as fol- lows: D. W. H. Howard, Albert Deyo, Joseph Shadle, L. G. Ely and James S. Dean. Upon the report of the committee the con- stitution and by-laws were adopted, and the society, to be known as the "Fulton County Pioneer and Historical Association," was brought into existence. It was provided that the president should be the person who had resided the greatest number of years in the Maumee Valley, and that the vice-presidents should be the persons who had the longest residence in the townships from which they were respectively chosen, it being provided that there should be one vice- president from each township in the county." Hon. Dresden W. H. Howard, being at that time the oldest resident, was made president of the association, an office he filled most acceptably and capably until his death, November 9, 1899. The vice-presidents were as fol- lows: John Jones, York; J. M. Williams, Clinton; John S. Butler, Chesterfield; Heman A. Canfield, Gorham; J. S. Riddle, Franklin ;
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.