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 14
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grist-mill built and run in the township, and was owned by Mr. Bird until his death, in 1842. It was abandoned at a very early date, 1849 or 1850. This was, without doubt, the first regular grist- mill in Fulton county. In 1850, George Kibler built a grist-mill in connection with a saw-mill, and run them until his death, in 1864, when they passed to other parties, and were soon abandoned. These were both water mills and were built on Mill Creek. No . industry of this kind, by water or steam, is carried on today with- in the present limits of Franklin township. As early as 1837 or 1838, Albert Chatfield built a saw-mill on Bean Creek and carried on quite an extensive business for many years, but the mill has long since fallen into decay. A grist-mill was built near the old saw-mill, many years after, and after running a few years was burned.
In the fall of 1834, John W. Harter, the first settler in Fulton township, finding the Six Mile Woods settling apparently with permanent inhabitants, went back to Huron county, his former. home, and induced a mill-wright by the name of Bryant Hanly to accompany him back to his new residence. In the spring of 1835, they built a grist-mill on Mr. Harter's land, which was known as the "Horse Mill." Mr. Hanly superintended its construction, and Thomas C., Nicholas Q., and William Berry did the most of the work. The two last named sawed all the lumber for the mill with a whip saw. This was done by rolling a log on a skidway, high enough for one man to stand under the log to manage the lower end of the saw, who was designated as the "pit-sawyer." The top sawyer stood on the top of the log and managed the upper end of the saw. It required great muscular power to run this kind of a saw-mill, the first in Fulton township, but that was a qualification possessed by Nicholas Q. and William Berry, far above the average man. The horse mill had a grinding capacity of from two to five bushels per hour. The horse would trot around the circle designated, hitched to a sweep sixteen feet long, but horses being very scarce, oxen had to be used on many occa- sions for the propelling power to the mill. On such occasions the motion proved too slow for doing good work, and through the mechanical skill of Thomas C. Berry, the mill was geared so that oxen could be successfully used. The bolt of this mill was turned by hand, similar to turning a grind-stone, and although the flour made would hardly compare with the roller process of today, yet those pioneers ate their bread and cake with as good a relish, and enjoyed their buckwheat cakes and corn dodgers, prepared from the flour thus obtained, as we of today with all our modern mill improvements. Many of the settlers had no teams, and they would carry their grist of wheat, corn or buckwheat, on their shoulders, or haul, in the winter season, on hand sleds to this mill, some two to six miles, guided only by blazed trees or Indian trails, and in many instances returning long after dark. This mill, in 1840, was moved one mile south on Swan Creek, and converted into a
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water-mill by Harter & Stair. It sustained a good mill reputa- tion and proved to be of great convenience to the early settlers. Pilliod Brothers, in 1887, put up a flouring mill at Swanton, which is still in successful operation, and a grist-mill was built at Ai, in 1866, by Miles Hayes.
David Salsbury, at his residence upon the south side of Pike township, in the first settlement, ran a feed mill for grinding corn, which was constructed by dishing out a large black walnut stump as a mortar, and preparing a large, heavy stone, corrugated with the chisel and pick, and hung in a frame work fixed so that it could be raised from the depression in the stump and then attached to a sweep drawn round and round by oxen, the first power. This for a time made for the inhabitants a good corn meal, which saved much valuable time of the settlers, who would otherwise have been compelled to go to Maumee, through the country without roads or bridges. The mill was afterward changed to one of more modern date, as soon as means could be obtained to buy one, and it served the inhabitants for a number of years, the frame work and the old stump being visible up to 1850 or later.
About 1857-8, a grist-mill was put up at Spring Hill, in Dover township, and did a good business until it was burned down, in 1860. It was rebuilt, but afterwards moved away.
Of these early flour producers of Fulton county, some deserve especial mention. Rensselaer S. Humphrey was one of the pio- neers of the county, and settled in Gorham township in 1843. He was one of the first to clear up the land where Fayette now stands, and built the first frame house and the first schoolhouse in Gor- . ham township. In 1844, he cut the road out which is now the principal street of Fayette; in 1847, built a steam saw-mill, the first in the township; in 1850, built a store and blacksmith shop, and in 1857, a steam grist-mill. He was a member of the board of education for twenty-one years, and township trustee three terms. He was born in the State of New York, July 29, 1821. Dr. Joseph O. Allen, who was a partner of Mr. Humphrey in some of his early enterprises, was also born in the State of New York, in 1830, and settled in Fulton county in. 1851. He served as township treasurer ten years, and also as member of the board I of education and on the village council.
1 Any amount of material exists in Fulton county for the manu- facture of brick and tile, and in any township that industry can be made to pay if properly developed. In Amboy township, clay suitable for brick-making can be found in abundance, but, as yet, comparatively few bricks have been made there. Joseph Roop made the first brick in that township and carried on the industry for many years. Many of the old settlers yet show the brick which was manufactured by Joseph Roop, still used in comfortable dwell- ings. John Reis, in the eastern part of the township, for years carried on the tile and brick making business to quite a large ex-
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tent, and the brick and tile there manufactured were entirely used by the farmers.
George Mikesell manufactured the first brick in Clinton town- ship, and it is thought, in Fulton county. In 1838, he burned a kiln of brick on his farm just west of Wauseon, near the present residence of Campbell Bayes, for the purpose of securing brick for a large fire-place and chimney in the residence he was then con- structing. The next year, 1839, John Tigert established a brick yard in the northern part of York township, which was in operation for about fifteen years. In 1840 or 1841, Shipman Losure estab- lished a yard for the manufacture of brick, a little over a mile northeast of the present site of Wauseon, and brick was turned out there until some time during the early 60's, when the enter- prise was abandoned. About 1848, Elisha Williams and sons, southeast of Wauseon, established a brick kiln, and burned a suffi- cient quantity of brick to build a large dwelling house for the family, besides disposing of a quantity to others. About 1863, one was established in Wauseon, and brick was burned for the purpose of building the Brooker block. Frederick Brooker was the proprietor and the factory was kept in operation for about twenty years. Of the two brick yards now in Wauseon, one was established in the late 70's, and the other a few years later, prob- ably about 1883. They are each doing a flourishing business. Clay, suitable for brick and tile making, can be found in abundance all over Clinton township, with good sand for tempering. Many tile have been used in this township, with some from their first manufacture, years ago.
Tile and brick were first made in Pike township by E. M. Strong, who conducted the business for a great many years, until 1887, when he abandoned it.
Brick, tile and pottery were first made in Dover township by Eben French (familiarly known as "Old Man French"), who put up an oven near what was known as "Chatfield's Corners," where he made all kinds of pottery, which was peddled through the coun- try at a very early date, about 1846. He also made brick in small quantities, and made the first tile that was ever manufactured in the county. Mr. French also put up a kiln and burned brick on the land afterwards owned by Levi McConkey. Brick were made soon after by Joseph Shadle, and the manufacture was continued for a number of years on his farm, south of Ottokee, but stopped in 1865, after burning brick enough for the new county buildings, then being erected. "Long Bill" Jones, in 1839, made brick on the farm afterward owned by DeWitt Williams, and this was as early as any were made in that township. The last brick made in the township were made by Amasa B. Verity, upon the premises owned by the late Oliver. B. Verity. Tile was manufactured for one or two years, at the saw-mill of James Kahle.
Of the mercantile establishments of early days mention is made in the various township chapters. We will state here, however,
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that the freight wagons which gave Fulton county merchants their transportation facilities to the canal, thence reaching the East and South, have long since become obsolete, their places being taken by the railroads. Of these, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern has twenty-five miles of main track and the same number of miles of second track and sidings in the county ; the Wabash system, thirty miles of main track, and the Detroit Southern, sixteen miles of main track. The total for the county is seventy-one miles of main track and twenty-five miles of second track and sidings. These roads pay nearly $40,000 taxes annually upon their property in the county.
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CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
T HE first schools in what is now Fulton county were sup- ported by subscription or by assessment upon the patrons according to the number of children they sent to school. True, the law requiring the establishment of public schools in Ohio went into effect in 1825, but it was a good while after that before anything closely resembling the common school system of today had been evolved. But it should not be hastily concluded from this that education was entirely neglected. Par- ents who could afford it gave their children the advantages of good schools, as good as could be maintained, and among those who were very poor there was much self-sacrifice that the children inight be educated and prepared for better success than their fathers and mothers had attained in the struggle of life. Some very poor boys in Ohio, in that period when there were no com- mon schools, supplemented the little schooling they could obtain by fire-light reading, and so beginning, became in later years the great men of the State, and a few of them the greatest men of the nation. The difference, comparing the present with the early days in Fulton county, is that now the schools are open without "cost to boys and girls, without regard to their family importance or family wealth, and it is no disgrace to attend a free school. Then it was, and free schools were sometimes called "pauper" schools. So, it may be observed, we are more truly democratic today, in this, than the fathers were who considered themselves the special champions of human equality.
This' clearly illustrates a point which is too often overlooked by those who pretend to think upon economic or social questions. The righteousness of the principle of human equality (not in mental or physical endowment, but as heirs to the blessings of Providence) is recognized inherently by all mankind. And we might say with considerable historical accuracy that there has never been a time when this principle was not advocated, more or less, and oftimes, by those who in practice encouraged the enslavement of their fellow-men. The individual is the creature of social conditions, and so long as conditions were such that only the poorest of the poor rejoiced over the introduction of the common school system, the more opulent ones, with a heartlessness which is too often a companion of wealth, sought to render the movement unpopular by stigmatizing those feeble institutions of
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ยท learning. How great has been the change and how much we have improved in three-quarters of a century! With the record of the past before him, it would be a reckless man, it seems, who would attempt to limit the possibilities of the future. Socialism is, or should be, a growth or advancement towards better social conditions; and those who meet the arguments of the over-zealous advocates of Universal Brotherhood with the time-worn expres- sion, "It is impossible, Sir," base their reasoning and conclusion (unconsciously, however), upon premises that cannot be denied- their own unfitness for such an Utopian state. Altruism will not displace egoism as the result of a statutory enactment-the change must be evolutionary in its nature. And the common school system of America is a powerful factor in the onward and upward movement.
The first school taught in the western part of York township was by Mrs. Emily Spencer, wife of the late William Spencer (son of Rev. Uriel Spencer), and was kept in the house of Uriel Spen- cer, afterward owned by Samuel Biddle. This was in 1837. A year or two later, Miss Sophronia Fluhart taught a winter term of six weeks and three days, at the same place, and received sixty- two and one-half cents per week, boarding herself at home. These schools were kept near the York and Clinton line, east of Wau- seon. The first schoolhouse built in York township stood upon the Willard Trowbridge farm, one mile west of Delta. There are, at the present time, thirteen subdistricts in that township, besides one graded school in Delta, all in a very flourishing con- dition.
The first schoolhouses were built of course in most instances of logs, and .considering the abundance of timber, they could well have been constructed much larger and more commodious. A description of one of them would doubtless answer for all. The desks were placed around the wall, and the seats were mostly made of basswood logs, split into halves. Upon these rude and uncomfortable seats, pupils of all ages and conditions were com- pelled to sit the six hours per day of school. These pioneer schoolhouses were in strange contrast with the light, airy and commodious school buildings in every district in the county to- day; and yet it is a fact that as much solid work was done by the pupils in those early school buildings as in the more elegant ones of the present. Wood was furnished by the patrons in propor- tion to the number of children sent. Often, it was drawn to the schoolhouse by the parents, in the log, and cut up by the pupils. Most of the pupils found their way through the woods to the schoolhouses, roads being comparatively unknown. Along .these school trails they went to school, and at night to spelling schools, lighting their way, in the night time, with torches made from the bark of hickory trees.
The old-fashioned spelling school is seldom now heard of, but it is doubtful if any modern entertainment can equal it in interest
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or in lasting benefit to the participants. The young people would go miles to attend one of these events. It was district against district, and it was wonderful how each would back their cham- pions. The method was different at times in spelling down. Sometimes they would stand up and spell around, and the last one up was the winner. Another method, and by some thought to be a more thorough test, was to stand up two and two, and the one who was able to spell the whole crowd down in that way would carry off the championship. Those friendly mental con- tests were often very exciting and continued until late into the night. Webster's .Elementary spelling book was used for many years, and finally gave way to McGuffey's. That the pupils in our common schools then were much better spellers than now is beyond all question.
There was a general uniformity of school books throughout the county, McGuffey's readers, the old edition, being introduced into the schools at an early period. Previous to that, other books were used as readers, the New Testament being prominent among them. No uniformity in regard to arithmetics was practiced until the adoption of Ray's series, and these have been in quite general use, since. His Third Part, or Practical, was the standard for many years, and there are many who think it has never been excelled for the purpose for which it was designed. No particular system of penmanship was ever taught, being as various and everchanging as were the teachers. Davies' algebra was at first used by the advanced pupils, but it was supplanted by Ray, who has ever since apparently held the ground.
Thirteen schoolhouses furnish the facilities for education to the children of Swan Creek township, and the average yearly at- tendance is about three hundred pupils. All these school build- ings are frame.or brick, the old log houses having entirely disap- peared. Educational interests were somewhat slow in developing in Swan Creek, especially in the southern part of the township where the people were very poor. The land was marshy, mias- matic troubles plagued the residents a great deal; and to add to these difficulties, a large part of the soil was owned by non-resi- dents and speculators. These ills were all banished by the ap- plication of one treatment-ditching. Marvels were wrought in the increased productiveness of the land, the purification of the atmosphere to such a degree that it became as healthful as any other locality; churches and convenient schoolhouses made their apearance, and evidences of material thrift and mental cultivation were soon visible everywhere. It may be a slight digression, but as this is a chapter on Educational Development the writer can not refrain from calling attention to an object lesson which pre- sents itself in this connection, local perhaps in interest, but wide- spread in application. The cost of ditching being charged as a tax on the land values of Swan Creek township, the speculators soon disposed of their real estate there, and it was then divided
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and sub-divided, going into the hands of resident owners, who have cleared, ditched and otherwise improved it. Could any argu- ment be more potent than this in portraying the evils of land monopoly, or more convincing in showing the good results that follow the taxing of land values alone?
There are five school districts in Amboy township, located as follows: One upon the south side of section 4, one upon section 7, one upon section 16, one upon section 29, one upon section 26, and a special district at Metamora. All of the districts have well built houses.
In the very first days of Chesterfield township there were no . schools for a year or two, and the children were taught at home by the mother or elder daughter until such time as the population would warrant a school building. The first attempt of the people to levy a tax for school purposes failed at the first election, but at the second it was carried by a majority vote of the people, and soon thereafter provison was made for a school. Accordingly, the inhabitants hastily constructed a school house on section 16, on the northeast corner, just south of the Hawley cemetery. Flavel Butler taught the first school in the winter of 1837, and this was the first school ever taught in the township. At that time, Chester- field included the greater part of Gorham, and the northern half of Dover, running to the Fulton line on the south. The town- ship has no schools except the common schools of the state, of which it contains seven in sub-districts, in all of which they have improved structures, either brick or wood, and all are in a flour- ishing condition and the pride of the township.
The first schoolhouse built in Royalton township was on sec- tion 15, in 1837, and the first teacher was Olive Green. The sec- ond schoolhouse was on the farm of Amos Rathbun, who built the same. In 1858, Warren J. Hendrix built and taught for a number of years thereafter, a high school at Lyons. Royalton has now six sub-district schools and one special school.
The first school taught in Clinton township was by Erastus Briggs, and it was held in the cabin first put up by Elisha Wil- liams. The first schoolhouse was built on the land of John Lozer, section 15, but was not used long. In 1840, one was built at the center of section 14, which was used about six years. Other parts of the township put up buildings and began schools about the same time. The house on section 14 had a brick fireplace and chimney, the brick being made by John Tigert. The present num- ber of school districts of the township is twelve, added to which is one special joint district at Pettisville, the schoolhouse being located in Clinton township. Other than these there is one graded school in the village of Wauseon. All districts are provided with substantial, well built structures. In 1881, an institution of learn- ing was established at Fayette, called the Fayette Normal, Music and Business College. It continued in operation at the above named place until 1888, when it was moved to Wauseon and con-
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tinued under the name of the Northwestern Collegiate Institute. A fine new building was erected and the school flourished during the six years of its existence in Wauseon, but at the close of the school year, in 1894, it ceased to exist and no more sessions were held. The building has since been used by the excellent high school of Wauseon.
The first organized school district in the township of Gorham was in the Cottrell settlement, in 1836, and a log school house was built upon the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 21. In 1842, another district was organized in the "Snow Settlement," and a frame schoolhouse was built by R. S. Hum- phrey, it being the first frame schoolhouse in the township. At about this period another school district was organized in the east part, and a log schoolhouse was built. Oliver B. Verity taught the winter school of 1844 and '45, at fourteen dollars per month, and boarded around, which all teachers of that age did-a practice that never went out of date until the adoption of the free school system, in 1854. Thus began school education in Gorham town- ship, and the demand for other districts kept apace with the im- provement and population. The township now has eight school districts, and one joint sub-school district in the southeast corner, besides a special school district for Fayette. Lucinda Rogers taught the first school in Gorham township, commencing in May, 1836, in the Cottrell district. She commenced her school under the jurisdiction of the territory of Michigan and ended it under the jurisdiction of Ohio. As the teacher got her wages by a "rate bill," the transfer did not interfere, as the bill was collected of the parents of those attending the school. This schoolhouse was used for about fifteen years for school and church purposes combined, and was standing as late as 1862. The first school in the southwest part of the township was taught in a log building, and was, in an early day, known as the Severance schoolhouse. It was situated in the southeast corner of section 26, but it had no legal organization and was supported by subscription. Elizabeth Freeman, afterwards the wife of Waldron Severance, taught there in the summer of 1842. In 1845, a frame schoolhouse was built on the northwest corner of section 35, and was painted red, as will be remembered by many of the inhabitants living at the present time. Miss Minerva Cottrell, daughter of Asa Cottrell and later the wife of George Acker of Morenci, Michigan, was the first teacher in the red schoolhouse. It has since been changed, and the district center located on the south side of section 26. There are no small districts in the township, and it can boast of as good schools as any in the county. Fayette is a special school district. The public school building is a large and convenient brick structure, with four departments, and has an average at- tendance of about one hundred and fifty pupils. The establish- ment of the Fayette Normal, Music and Business College has already been mentioned, as has its removal to Wauseon, in 1888. Appreciating the value of such an educational institution, the peo-
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ple of Fayette immediately set about securing another school of like nature, and, in September, 1888, the Fayette Normal Univer- sity was opened to students. This school flourished exceedingly for a number of years, but finally the citizens of Fayette became convinced that its presence in their midst militated against the complete success of their graded schools. Consequently, they withdrew the necessary support from the institution, and at the close of the school year, in the spring of 1905, the Fayette Normal University closed its doors and went out of existence. There are no schools now in Fulton county, other than those supported by public taxation.
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