USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 16
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Ottawa County was formed from Erie, Sandusky and Lucas, March 6, 1840, It is mostly within the Black Swamp, and considerable of its land is prairie and marsh. It was very thinly settled befere 1830. Extensive plaster beds exist on the peninsula, which extends into Lake Erie. It has also large limestone quarries, which are extensively worked. The very first trial at arms upon the soil of Ohio, during the war of 1812, occurred upon this peninsula. Port Clin- ton, the county seat, was laid out in 1827.
Perry County was formed from Washington, Fairfield and Muskingum, March 1, 1817. Fine tobacco is raised in large quantities. Wheat, corn, oats, hay, cattle, pork and wool add to the general wealth. This county was first set- tled in 1801. First settler was Christian Binckley, who built the first cabin in the county, about five miles west of Somerset, near the present county line. New Lexington is now the county seat.
Paulding County was formed from old Indian territory August 1, 1820. It produces corn, wheat and oats. Paulding is the county seat.
Pickaway County was formed from Fairfield, Ross and Franklin, January 12, 1810. The county has woodland, barren, plain and prairie. The barrens were covered by shrub oaks, and when cleared are adapted to the raising of corn and oats. The Pickaway plains are three and a half miles west of Circleville, and this tract is said to contain the richest land in Ohio. Here, in the olden times, burned the great council fires of the red man. Here the allied tribes met Gen. Lewis, who fought the battle of Point Pleasant. Dunmore's campaign was terminated on these plains. It was at the Chillicothe towns, after Dun- more's treaty, that Logan delivered his famous speech. Circleville, the county seat, is situated on the Scioto River and the Ohio Canal. It was laid out in 1810, by Daniel Dresbach. It is situated on the site of ancient fortifications.
Portage County was formed June 7, 1807, from Trumbull. It is a wealthy, thriving section. Over a thousand tons of cheese are annually produced. It also produces wheat, corn, oats, barley, buckwheat, rye, butter and wool. Ravenna is the county seat, and was originally settled by the Hon. Benjamin Tappen in June, 1799. In 1806, an unpleasant difficulty arose between the settlers and a camp of Indians in Deerfield, caused by a horse trade between a white man and an Indian. David Daniels settled on the site of Palmyra in 1799.
Pike County was organized in 1815. The surface is generally hilly, which abound with freestone, which is exported in large quantities for building pur- poses. Rich bottom lands extend along the Scioto and its tributaries. John Noland and the three Chenoweth brothers settled on the Pee Pee prairie about 1796. Piketown, the former county seat, was laid out about 1814. Waverly, the present county seat, is situated on the Scioto River.
Preble County was formed March 1, 1808, from Montgomery and Butler. The soil is varied. Excellent water-power facilities are furnished.
Eaton, the county seat, was laid out in 1806, by William Bruce, who owned the land. An overflowing well of strong sulphur water is near the town, while directly beside it is a limestone quarry. Holderman's quarry is about two
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miles distant, from which is obtained a beautifully clouded gray stone. Fort St. Clair was built near Eaton, in the winter of 1791-92. Gen. Harrison was an En- sign at the time, and commanded a guard every other night for three weeks, during the building. The severe battle of November 6, 1792, was fought under its very guns. Little Turtle, a distinguished chief of the Miamis, roamed over this county for a time. He was witty, brave and earnest, and, although engaged in several severe contests with the whites, he was inclined toward peace. But when his warriors cried for war he led them bravely.
Putnam County was formed April 1, 1820, from old Indian territory. The soil is fertile, its principal productions being wheat, corn, potatoes and oats. Large quantities of pork are exported. Kalida, once the county seat, was laid out in 1834. Ottawa is the county seat.
Ross County was formed August 20, 1798, by the proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, and was the sixth county formed in the Northwestern Territory. The Scioto River and Paint Creek run through it, bordered with fertile lands. Much water-power is obtained from the many streams watering it. The main crops are wheat, corn and oats. It exports cattle and hogs.
The Rev. Robert W. Finley, in 1794, addressed a letter of inquiry to Col. Nathaniel Massie, as many of his associates had designed settling in the new State. This resulted in packing their several effects and setting out. A triv- ial Indian encounter was the only interruption they n . with on their way. After Wayne's treaty, Col. Massie and many of these carly explorers met again and formed a settlement-in 1796-at the mouth of Paint Creek. In August of this year, Chillicothe was laid out by Col. Massie, in a dense forest. IIe donated lots to the early settlers. A ferry was established over the Scioto, and the opening of Zane's trace assisted the progress of settlement.
Chillicothe, the county seat, is situated on the Scioto. Its site is thirty feet above the river. In 1800, it was the seat of the Northwestern Territorial Government. It was incorporated as a city in January, 1802. During the war of 1812, the city was a rendezvous for the United States troops. A large num- ber of British were at one time guarded here. Adena is a beautiful place, and the seat of Gov. Worthington's mansion, which was built in 1806. Near this is Fruit Hill, the residence of the late Gen. McArthur, and latterly the home of his son-in-law, the Hon. William Allen. Eleven miles from Chillicothe, on the road to Portsmouth, is the home of the hermit of the Scioto.
Richland was organized March 1, 1813. It produces wheat, corn, oats, hay, potatoes, rye, hemp and barley. It was settled about 1809, on branches of the Mohican. Two block-houses were built in 1812. Mansfield, the county seat, is charmingly situated, and was laid out in 1808, by Jacob Newman, James Hedges and Joseph H. Larwell. The county was at that period a vast wilder- ness, destitute of roads. From this year, the settlement progressed rapidly.
Sandusky County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian Territory. The soil is fertile, and country generally level. It mainly produces corn, wheat,
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oats, potatoes and pork. The Indians were cspecially delighted with this tract. Near Lower Sandusky lived a hand of Wyandots, called the Neutral Nation. These two cities never failed to render refuge to any who sought their protec- tion. They preserved their peacemaking attributes through the Iroquois conflicts. Fremont, formerly called Lower Sandusky, the county seat, is situated at the head of navigation, on the Sandusky, on the site of the old reservation grant to the Indians, at the Greenville treaty council. Fort Stephenson was erected in August, 1813, and was gallantly defended by Col. Croghan.
Summit County was formed March 3, 1840, from Medina, Portage and Stark. The soil is fertile and produces excellent fruit, besides large crops of corn, whicat, hay, oats and potatoes. Cheese and butter may be added as products.
The first settlement made in the county was at Hudson, in 1800. The old Indian portage-path, extending through this county, between the Cuyahoga, and Tuscarawas Branch of the Muskingum. This was a part of the ancient boundary between the Six Nations and the Western Indians. Akron. the county seat, is situated on the portage summit. It was laid out in 1825. In 1811, Paul Williams and Amos and Minor Spicer settled in this vicinity. Middlebury was laid out in 1818, by Norton & Hart.
Stark County was formed February 13, 1808. It is a rich agricultural county. It has large quantities of mineral coal, iron ore, flocks of the finest sheep and great water power. Limestone and extensive beds of lime-marl exist. The manufacture of silk has been extensively carried on. Frederick Post, the first Moravian missionary in Ohio, settled here in 1761.
Canton is the county scat, situated in the forks of the Nimishillen, a tribu- tary of the Muskingum. It was laid out in 1806, by Bezaleel Wells, who owned the land. Massillon was laid out in March. 1826, by John Duncan.
Shelby County was formed in 1819, from Miami. The southern portion is undulating, arising in some places to hills. Through the north, it is a flat table- land. It produces wheat, corn, oats and grass. The first point of English set- tlement in Ohio was at the mouth of Laramie's Creek, in this county, as carly as 1752. Fort Laramie was built in 1794, by Wayne. The first white family that settled in this county was that of James Thatcher, in 1804. Sidney, the county scat, was laid out in 1819, on the farm of Charles Starrett.
Seneca County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory. Its principal products are corn. wheat, grass. oats, potatoes and pork.
Fort Seneca was built during the war of 1812 The Senecas owned 40,000 acres of land on the Sandusky River, mostly in Seneca County. Thirty thousand acres of this land was granted to them in 1817. at the treaty held at the foot of the Maumee Rapids. The remaining 10,000 was granted the following year. These Indians ceded this tract, however, to the Govern- ment in 1831. It was asserted by an old chief, that this band was the remnant
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of Logan's tribe. Tiffin, the county seat, was laid out by Josiah Hedges in the year 1821.
Scioto County was formed May 1, 1803. It is a good agricultural section. besides producing iron ore, coal and freestone. It is said that a French fort stood at the mouth of the old Scioto, as early as 1740. In 1785, four families settled where Portsmouth now stands. Thomas McDonald built the first cabin in the county. The "French grant" was located in this section-a tract com- prising 24,000 acres. The grant was made in March, 1795. Portsmouth, the county seat, is located upon the Ohio.
Trumbull County was formed in 1800. The original Connecticut Western Reserve was within its limits. The county is well cultivated and very wealthy. Coal is found in its northern portion. We have, in our previous outline, given a history of this section, and it is not, therefore, necessary to repeat its details. Warren, the county seat, is situated on the Mahoning River. It was laid out by Ephraim Quinby in 1801. Mr. Quinby owned the soil. His cabin was built here in 1799. In August, 1800, while Mr. McMahon was away from home, a party of drunken Indians called at the house, abused the family, struck a child a severe blow with a tomahawk and threatened to kill the family. Mrs. McMahon could not send tidings which could reach her husband before noon the following day. The following Sunday morning, fourteen men and two boys armed themselves and went to the Indian camp to settle the difficulty. Quinby advanced alone, leaving the remainder in concealment, as he was better acquainted with these people, to make inquiries and ascertain their intentions. He did not return at once, and the party set out, marched into camp, and found Quinby arguing with Capt. George, the chief. Capt. George snatched his tomahawk and declared war, rushing forward to kill McMahon. But a bullet from the frontierman's gun killed him instantly, while Storey shot "Spotted John " at the same time. The Indians then fled. They joined the council at Sandusky. Quinby garrisoned his house. Fourteen days thereafter, the Indians returned with overtures of peace, which were, that McMahon and Storey be taken to Sandusky, tried by Indian laws, and if found guilty, pun- ished by them. This could not be done. McMahon was tried by Gen. St. Clair, and the matter was settled. The first missionary on the Reserve was the Rev. Joseph Badger.
Tuscarawas County was formed February 15, 1808, from Muskingum. It is well cultivated with abundant supplies of coal and iron.
The first white settlers were Moravian missionaries, their first visits dating back to 1761. The first permanent settlement was made in 1798. Miss Mary Heckewelder, the daughter of a missionary, was born in this county April 16, 1781. Fort Laurens was built during the Revolution. It was the scene of a fearful carnage. It was established in the fall of 1778, and placed under the command of Gen. McIntosh. New Philadelphia is the county seat, situated on the Tuscarawas. It was laid out in 1804 by John Knisely. A German
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colony settled in this county in 1817, driven from their native land by religious dictation they could not espouse. They called themselves Separatists. They are a simple-minded people, strictly moral and honest.
Union County was formed from Franklin, Delaware, Logan and Madison in 1820. It produces corn, grass, wheat, oats, potatoes, butter and cheese. Extensive limestone quarries are also valuable. The Ewing brothers made the first white settlement in 1798. Col. James Curry, a member of the State Leg- islature, was the chief instigator in the progress of this section. He located within its limits and remained until his death, which occurred in 1834. Marys- ville is the county seat.
Van Wert County was formed from the old Indian territory April 1, 1820. A great deal of timber is within the limits of this county, but the soil is so tenacious that water will not sink through it, and crops are poor during wet seasons. The main product is corn. Van Wert, the county seat, was founded by James W. Riley in 1837. An Indian town had formerly occupied its site. Capt. Riley was the first white man who settled in the county, arriving in 1821. He founded Willshire in 1822.
Vinton County was organized in 1850. It is drained by Raccoon and Salt Creeks. The surface is undulating or hilly, and is extensively covered with forests in which the oak, buckeye and sugar maple are found. Corn, hay, but- ter and wool are staple products. Bituminous coal and iron ore are found. McArthur is the county seat.
Washington County was formed by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair July 27, 1788, and was the first county founded within the limits of Ohio. The surface is broken with extensive tracts of level, fertile land. It was the first county settled in the State under the auspices of the Ohio Company. A detachment of United States troops, under command of Maj. John Doughty, built Fort Harmar in 1785, and it was the first military post established in Olio by Americans, with the exception of Fort Laurens, which was erected in 1778. It was occupied by United States troops until 1790, when they were ordered to Connecticut. A company under Capt. Haskell remained. In 1785, the Directors of the Ohio Company began practical operations, and settlement went forward rapidly. Campus Martius, a stockade fort, was completed in 1791. This formed a sturdy stronghold during the war. During the Indian war there was much suffering in the county. Many settlers were killed and captured.
Marietta is the county seat, and the oldest town in Ohio. Marietta College was chartered in 1835. Herman Blannerhassett, whose unfortunate association with Aaron Burr proved fatal to himself, was a resident of Marietta in 1796. About the year 1798, he began to beautify and improve his island.
Warren County was formed May 1, 1803, from Hamilton. The soil is very fertile, and considerable water-power is furnished by its streams. Mr. Bedell made the first settlement in 1795. Lebanon is the county seat. Henry
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Taylor settled in this vicinity in 1796. Union Village is a settlement of Shakers. They came here about 1805.
Wayne County was proclaimed by Gov. St. Clair August 15, 1796, and was the third county in the Northwest Territory. The settlement of this sec- tion has already been briefly delineated. Wooster is the county seat. It was laid out during the fall of 1808, by John Beaver, William Henry and Joseph H. Larwell, owners of the land. Its site is 337 feet above Lake Erie. The first mill was built by Joseph Stibbs, in 1809, on Apple Creek. In 1812, a block house was erected in Wooster.
Wood County was formed from the old Indian territory in 1820. The soil is rich, and large crops are produced. The county is situated within the Mau- mee Valley. It was the arena of brilliant military exploits during early times. Bowling Green is the county seat.
Williams County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory. Bryan is the county seat. It was laid out in 1840.
Wyandot County was formed February 3, 1845, from Marion, Hardin, Han- cock and Crawford. The surface is level, and the soil exceedingly fertile. The Wyandot Indians occupied this section, especially the reservation, from time immemorial until 1843. The treaty of 1817, by Hon. Lewis Cass and Hon. Duncan McArthur, United States Commissioners, granted to the Indians a reservation twelve miles square, the central point being Fort Ferree, now within the corporate limits of Upper Sandusky. The Delaware Reserve was ceded to the United States in 1829. The Wyandots ceded theirs March 17, 1842. 3 Col. John Johnston, the United States Commissioner, conducted the ยท negotiations, and thus made the Indian treaty in Ohio. It was the scene of Col. Crawford's defeat and tragic death, June 11, 1782. The Wyandots were exceedingly brave, and several of their chiefs were distinguished orators and men of exalted moral principles.
Upper Sandusky is the county seat, and was laid out in 1843. Gen. Har- rison had built Fort Ferree on this spot during the war of 1812. Gov. Meigs, in 1813, encamped on this river with several thousand of the Ohio militia.
The Indian village of Crane Town was originally called Upper Sandusky. The Indians, after the death of Tarhe, or " the Crane," transferred their town to Upper Sandusky.
GOVERNORS OF OHIO.
The Territorial Governors we have already mentioned in the course of our brief review of the prominent events of the State of Ohio. After the Terri- tory was admitted as a State, in 1802, Edward Tiffin was elected to that posi- tion, and again received the same honor in 1804 and 1806. In 1807, circum- stances led him to resign, and Thomas Kirker, Speaker of the House, acted as Governor until the close of the term.
Edward Tiffin was born in Carlisle, England, coming to this country in 1784, at the age of eighteen. He entered the University of Pennsylvania, and applied himself to the study of medicine, graduating and beginning his practice at the age of twenty, in the State of Virginia. In 1789, he married Mary,
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daughter of Col. Worthington, and sister of Thomas Worthington, who subse- quently became Governor of Ohio. In his profession, Gov. Tiffin was highly esteemed, and his public labors were carried forward with a zealous earnestness which marked his career as one of usefulness. He settled in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1796, where he died, in 1829.
Samuel Huntington, the recipient of the honor of second Governor, was inaugurated in 1808. He was an American by birth, Norwich, Conn., being his native place. He was a diligent student in Yale College, graduating in 1785. He removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1801. He attained a reputation for integrity, ability and rare discretion. As a scholar, he was eminently supe- rior. He resided in Cleveland at the time of his death, in 1817.
Return Jonathan Meigs followed Gov. Huntington. He was born in Mid- dletown, Conn., in 1765. He was also a student in Yale College, graduating in 1785, with the highest honors. He immediately entered the study of law, and was admitted to practice in his twenty-third year. He married Miss Sophia Wright, and settled in Marietta, Ohio, in 1788. He took his seat as Gover- nor in 1810, and was re-elected in 1812. In 1813, President Madison appointed him to the position of Postmaster General, which occasioned his resignation as Governor. Othniel Looker, Speaker of the House, acted as Governor during the remainder of the term. Mr. Meigs died in 1825, leaving as a memento of his usefulness, a revered memory.
Thomas Worthington, the fourth Governor, was born in Jefferson County, Va., in. 1769. He gained an education in William and Mary's College. In 1788, he located at Chillicothe, and was the first Senator from the new State. He was also the first man to erect the first saw-mill in Ohio. He served two terms as Senator, from 1803 to 1815, resigning in 1814, to take his position as Governor. In 1816, he was re-elected. He was exceedingly active in paving the way for the future prosperity of Ohio. His measures were famous for practical worth and honesty. Chief Justice Chase designated him as " a gentleman of distinguished ability and great influence." He died in 1827.
Ethan Allen Brown followed Mr. Worthington. His birthplace was on the shore of Long Island Sound, in Fairfield County, Conn., July 4, 1766. His education was derived under the most judicious instruction of a private tutor. In classics, he became proficient. Directly he had reached the required stand- ard in general education, he began the study of law, at home. After becoming conversant with preliminary requirements. he entered the law office of Alex- ander Hamilton, who at that time was a national pride, as a scholar, lawyer and statesman. Opportunities coming in his way, which promised a fortune, he abandoned the law, and achieved success and a fortune. He then decided to return to his study, and was admitted to practice in 1802. Thereafter, he was seized with an exploring enthusiasm, and with his cousin as a companion, set out upon a horseback tour, following the Indian trails from east to west, through Pennsylvania, until they reached Brownsville, on the Monongahela River. Here
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they purchased two flatboats, and fully stocking them with provisions and obtaining efficient crews, started for New Orleans. Reaching that city, they found they could not dispose of their cargoes to any advantage, and shipped the flour to Liverpool, England, taking passage in the same vessel. They succeeded in obtaining good prices for their stock, and set sail for America, arriving in Bal- timore nine months after first leaving " home," on this adventure. Mr. Brown's father decided to secure a large and valuable tract of Western land, as a per- manent home, and authorized his son to select and purchase the same for him. He found what he desired, near Rising Sun, Ind. After this, he settled in Cincinnati, and engaged in the practice of law, speedily achieving prominencey and distinction. Financially, he was most fortunate. In 1810, he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, which position he filled with honor, until he was chosen Governor, in 1818. He was re-elected in 1820. In 1821, he received the honor of Senator, and served one term, with the highest distinction, gain- ing emolument for himself and the State he represented. In 1830, he was appointed Minister to Brazil. He remained there four years, and returning, was appointed Commissioner of Public Lands, by President Jackson, holding this position two years. At this time, he decided to retire from public life. Since he never married, he was much with his relatives, at Rising Sun, Ind., during the latter part of his life. His deathi was sudden and unexpected. occur- ring in February, 1852, while attending a Democratic Convention, at Indianap- olis, Ind. He was interred near his father, at Rising Sun.
Jeremiah Morrow, the sixth Governor of Ohio, was born at Gettysburg, Penn., in October, 1771. His people were of the " Scotch-Irish " class, and his early life was one of manual labor upon his father's farm. During the winter, he had the privilege of a private school. With a view of establishing himself and securing a competency, he bade the old home farewell, in 1795, and set out for the " Far West." A flatboat carried him to a little cluster of cabins, known by the name of Columbia, six miles from Fort Washington-Cincinnati. He devoted himself to whatever came in his way, that seemed best and most worthy -teaching school, surveying and working on farms between times. Having accumulated a small capital, he ascended the Little Miami, as far as Warren County, and there purchased an extensive farm, and erected an excellent log house. In the spring of 1799, he married Miss Mary Packtrell, of Columbia. The young couple set out upon pioneer farming. Gaining popularity as well as a desirable property, he was deputized to the Territorial Legislature, which met at Chillicothe, at which time measures were inaugurated to call a Constitutional Convention, during the following year, to organize the State of Ohio. Mr. Morrow was one of the Delegates to this convention, and steadfastly worked in the interests of those who sent him, until its close in 1802. The following year. he was elected to the Senate of Ohio, and in June of the same year, he was appointed the first Representative to the United States Congress from the new State.
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