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 44
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During the time Giles held the office, some malicious party sent a re- port to Washington that the mail matter wns turned upon the counter and every one who came in was Postmaster. This was false, as Giles never had a counter in his office, and would not let people in while changing the mail. A secret agent came along one cool morning, jumped from the coach (for this was the time of old stage coaches), and was going to rush into the office, when he was informed by Giles " that he couldn't come in," but that. he could go into the printing-office.
The agent did as ordered, and when the mail was overhauled, reported to Giles his mission, and said, " I am glad to find the report about your office false. I will report you all right when I return." Giles said, "So far as the report goes, it is all false, but when you get back to Washington, you can tell them if they do not like the way this office is managed, they can take it and go to the devil with it." What report was made is not known, but Mr. Giles kept the office till he resigned.
Giles often relates his mode of living, and laughs over early days at
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Upper Sandusky, and tells of the time several parties procured a license for an old couple, on conditions that they would mount some boxes in front of a store, and get married. Col. Kirby was then Justice of the Peace, and tied the knot.
The Democratic Pioneer, in the face of all trials and tribulations, pros- pered in the hands of W. T. Giles up and until the spring of 1849, when he sold a part of the office to Josiah Smith, and gave the other half to Eli- jah Giles, his brother. Mr. Smith paid but a small amount down, and W. T. Giles gave the notes to Elijah, who bought Smith's interest, paying him with his own notes. When Giles started for California with Col. Lyle, one of God's own noblemen, Col. A. McElvain, his sons William and Purdy, Messrs. Jones and Walker, he left the Pioneer well supplied with ink, pa- per, etc At the time of the departure, Col Lyle and Giles were in poor health, and it was not supposed that either would live to get to St. Joseph, Mo. Their friends tried to persuade them to give up the trip, but it was a useless effort. We well remember the morning they took teams and started for Carey, no railway running to Upper Sandusky at that time. At Carey they took the cars for Cincinnati, and a steamer thence to St. Louis, where a change of steamers had to be made for St. Joseph. Col. McElvain and his son, Purdy, took horses and money and went overland to St. Joseph to buy up cattle, with which to cross the plains. They bought seven yokes, or two teams. Giles, having some ready money, got more than his share in this purchase, but never got it out of the teams, for all the cattle died. On the way up the Missouri River, Mr. Walker, father-in-law of Henry Miller, took the cholera and died at St. Joseph, destitute, excepting what he received from Giles. Buck Kirby, a colored man, whom all the old settlers well remember, concluded to go to California with this party. Mr. Giles provided him with boots and some clothing for the trip, and paid his bills at St. Joseph for some weeks till the teams arrived, and just before starting out of this city Giles was seized with cholera, and had to be taken from his horse and placed in a wagon. His recovery was very doubtful, but hav- ing lots of determination, had his party hitch up the cattle and drive on, saying, "If I die, I will die as far out as I can get." The result was Giles got well, and soon Col. McElvain was taken with the same disease, and all thought would die, but he also recovered.
In crossing the plains at that time it was necessary to go in large bodies, and a train of about thirty or forty teams formed a company and elected Col. McElvain Captain. The front team had to take the rear the following day. One day Buck Kirby, as he was called, was driving one of the teams, the last team in the train. Buck crawled into the wagon and went to sleep. One of the oxen became unyoked and strayed off, and the train traveled two or more miles before the discovery was made, and when Capt. McEl- vain heard of the lost ox, it is unnecessary to tell those who knew him, that he swore a blue streak. He threatened to shoot Buck if he should ever do such a trick again. The ox was found grazing, drove up, put in place, and the train moved on. Giles had been out hunting, and when he returned to the train he found Buck greatly alarmed, wanting to leave and go into a train, mostly from Marion, Ohio. Giles tried to persuade him out of the notion, but Buck insisted on going for fear that McElvain might shoot him in the absence of Giles. It was agreed that Buck might take the boots and clothes bought for him and go, which he did, and it was reported got through to California and died. No member of the party ever saw Buck after he went into the Marion train.
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A sad event took place at Fort Laramie to the party from Upper San- dusky. They arrived there and concluded to rest the teams and sun their clothes. Here they found Maj. Sanderson, of the regular army, in com- mand. Major was an "Ohio man," and acquainted with Capt. McElvain, who had boarded with him in Columbus, so he invited McElvain and his friends to dinner. Col. Aaron Lyle and Giles were great friends-always together at home, and never broke friendship on the plains. They slept together in a wagon. While lying at the fort they sunned their clothes, and that evening Colonel said he was very hungry, and Giles said, " Buck, Col. Lyle is hungry; get up a good supper." Colonel ate heartily, but he coughed severely. At night Giles had to go out on guard duty till 1 o'clock, and did so, riding about two or three miles. When he returned to camp he was surprised to find Col. Lyle sitting up in the wagon. Colonel said, "Giles, will you bring me a canteen of water?" The reply was, " Yes." Giles went to the Laramie River, brought the water; Colonel drank and lay down; Giles got into the wagon-put down the curtains, when Colonel remarked, "Please put it up, it seems so close." In the morning when Giles was called, he found the Colonel lying by his side dead! The shock given Giles can better be imagined than expressed. In fact, although the death was daily expected, yet all were surprised. He passed away easily, for his arms were resting across his breast as if he passed from earth without a struggle. After making a coffin, and burying Col. Lyle in the burying-ground belonging to the fort, the party left for California. They took in Salt Lake; heard Brigham Young preach three
sermons. Here Giles, McElvain and one or two others boarded for several days with a prophet who had two wives. One of the wives wanted to go with the train to California, but it was not a safe thing at that time to meddle with the wives of Mormons. While at this city, Giles traded horses and bought one, and in company with seven other men, packed through to California, leaving the teams with McElvain and son and a Mr. Jones, whom they were taking through. Jones was a merchant in Upper San- dusky at an early day. What became of him after arriving in California, the writer does not know. Giles, on horse, and with his pack animal, arrived in California several weeks before McElvain and son, for it will be remembered William McElvain died at Independence, Mo., before going on the plains. Giles and his comrades who packed through bought a rocker, and made several hundred dollars each in the mines, in that many weeks. They sold their claim for a mule, for which Giles paid $85. This claim panned out about $100,000. Giles bought a few more animals at Sacramento City, packed them with provisions, and went up the Sacramento Valley to Lawson's ranch, where he found McElvain and son, nearly destitute. After some days' rest. Giles got some cattle, and the party hitched to a wagon and worked their way to Yuba City, where they opened a trading- post, and soon another at Shasta City. Shortly after Giles returned from Shasta City he was taken sick; and just at a time it was not certain whether he would live or die, McElvain took the money on hand and left for Ohio. Giles recovered, went to work, put up a large amount of hay, several thou- sand dollars' worth, and most of this was set on fire and burned. Then he had two teams and about $300 in money left. What was to be done he did not know, but it would not do to sit down and waste what little he had, so he loaned a mule to a friend who had also been a sufferer by fire, and the two went to the mountains to seek fortunes, but found nothing to suit them, and after spending some weeks in the mountains, returned to Yuba
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City, and Giles went over to Marysville, and here he found his friend, Hon. J. W. McCorkle, the Member of Congress from that district, and also an "Ohio man." Mac said to Giles, "Where have you been ? I sent over to your town for you, but got no information of your whereabouts. Col. Rust was here-wants a partner to start a Democratic paper, and I referred him to you." Giles said, "Send Rust word I am here; come to Marysville, and I will meet him." Mac did as requested, and in a few days Rust came to Marysville, and arrangements were made to start the paper. Giles borrowed some money on his teams, and with Rust went to San Francisco, where they found a Mr. Gee, got him interested in the paper, and in a few weeks their presses and types were packed and shipped to Marysville, where on November 3, 1851, the California Express came out, published by Gee, Giles & Co., and edited by Col. Richard Rust. It was
not long till Gee became discontented, and sold his third of the office to W. T. Giles, and the paper ran in the firm name of William T. Giles & Co. until about the 15th of July, 1852, when, through Col. Rust, Giles consented to take in other partners, and sold a portion of his interest, retaining one- fourth. Soon Giles found his mistake, hired John L. Mitchell to run his interest and went to San Francisco, bought presses and types, and went to Downieville, Sierra County, Cal., where on the 10th day of June, 1852, he put out the first issue of the Mountain Echo. He sold this paper after publishing it for some time, went back to Marysville, and ran his own interest for a short time in the California Express, and in the spring of 1853, sold the entire interest in the establishment and returned to Ohio.
After looking about and visiting for some time, Giles settled down, and resumed publication of the Wyandot County Pioneer. Soon after taking hold of the paper he went to Cincinnati, bought new types, press, etc., en- larged the paper, and made it one of the neatest as well as one of the best country papers in the state. Mr. Giles felt disappointed after he started this paper, for the promises made to him were not fulfilled as he thought, and he sold out, and in company with Irey Quaintance, went to Iowa, bought land and lots, returned here and wintered over 1854, and in the spring of 1855 he bought some teams, took Elijah Giles and family, Henry Giles and another young man to Newtown, Jasper County, Iowa. In the fall of 1855 Irey Quaintance and W. T. Giles returned to Upper Sandusky and wintered. In the spring both married, Mr. Giles taking Miss Mary E. Scroggs, and Mr. Quaintance Livonia Trager. In the spring of 1856, the four returned together to Newton, Iowa, but W. T. Giles could not remain long out of the editorial harness. He sold out in Iowa; went to Freeport, Ill., bought the Bulletin and published it for many years. He sold the Bulletin to his brother-in-law, J. R Scroggs, in 1864, and in that spring went by team to Virginia City, Montana Territory. Here he broke a leg, and spent two years and some money, and returned to Illinois; sold out there and removed his family to Council Blutis, Iowa, where he owned and published the Bugle, and a German paper for a time. During the time Giles was in Council Bluffs, J. R. Scroggs died at Freeport, Ill., and this left the Bulletin without an editor, and Giles returned and resumed charge of the paper. In a short time after this, he started the Lee County Demo- crat at Dixon, Ill., but soon sold that paper, and continued in the Bulletin for a long time, and sold it. Since then he started the Illinois Monitor, in Freeport, and published it over three years. He edited the Dakota Herald, at Yankton, Dakota Territory, for several months, and is now pub- lishing the Freeport Democrat.
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During Giles' early days in Upper Sandusky, we remember one incident that occurred to him and our friend J. G. Roberts. It was when Giles was keeping bachelor's hall. A show came along, and Giles being the only editor in this section, got a family ticket, so Roberts and Giles agreed to go, and each take two ladies. This was done; Giles sending all the family in first, and then passing the ticket, followed. The doorkeeper surprised, muttered out, "That fellow has a h-l of a family to keep bachelor's hall."*
Robert D. Dumm, the senior member of the firm of Dumm & Brunner, editors and proprietors of The Wyandot Union, was born in the city of Pittsburgh, Penn., July 3, 1835, being the fourth son of Andrew and Mary (Shall) Dumm. His father served in the American Army during the war of 1812-15, and his paternal grandfather, who was a native of Baden, Ger- many, served as a soldier during the Revolutionary struggle. His grand- parents upon his mother's side were of English origin. In 1842, with his parents, he came to this part of Ohio, and settled at Mccutchenville. Three years later he became a resident of the town of Upper Sandusky, and at the age of ten years entered the Pioneer printing-office as an apprentice under William T. Giles. He served with Mr. Giles four years, receiving during that time six months' schooling as per contract. During the year 1849, in connection with J. Zimmerman, he published the Pioneer, with Elijah Giles as editor. In 1852, he published the paper alone, Elijah Giles still remaining as editor, and continued to be employed in that capa- city until 1853, when he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University as a student. In 1854, however, he was induced to leave school and start a new Demo- cratic newspaper at Upper Sandusky, termed the Vindicator, of which he was editor and publisher. This proceding was deemed necessary on the part of the Democratic leaders of the county, by reason of the fact that the old Pioneer had degenerated into a Know-Nothing organ. Mr. Dumm continued to publish the Vindicator about eighteen months, when he sold out to N. W. Dennison, and began the study of law with Hon. Chester R. Mott. In the winter of 1856-57, he attended the Cincinnati Law School, where he graduated with honor and was admitted to the bar. Soon after he located at Freeport, Ill., where he remained nearly one year. He then returned to Upper Sandusky, married, and in February, 1858, purchased the then recently established Union, a journal which he conducted in a very successful manner for a period of eleven years. Having sold out the Union to E. Zimmerman, he removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., in November, 1868, and during the succeeding five years edited and published the Fort Wayne Sentinel,-a daily and weekly newspaper-with unwearied and, we may add, marked ability. In August, 1873, he again returned to Upper Sandusky, purchased a one-half interest in his old paper, the Union (yet still retaining his share in the Sentinel), and with, L. A. Brunner as his partner, pub- "shed the Union for a little more than one year, when Charles L. Zahm, by purchase, became the owner of the Union office. Subsequently Mr. Dumm disposed of his disastrous investment at Fort Wayne, and in the fall of 1875 was elected by a very flattering majority to the office of Clerk of Wyandot County. In 1878, he was re-elected to the same position, and thus served for a continuous period of six years. On the 27th of November, 1879, the Union again passed into the hands of its present pro- prietors-Messrs. Dumm & Brunner. On the 1st of September, 1882, this firm purchased one-half of the Marion Mirror office, and during the political
*Copied from an article which was published in the Wyandot Union in December, 1883.
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campaign of 1883 Mr. Dumm edited that paper with a vigor and ability not easily surpassed.
We have thus briefly outlined the active business career of a gentleman who has been closely identified with the interests of Wyandot County since its establishment. One who, although a strict party man, and a zealous worker for the success of the Democratic party, has ever been consistent, and has so demeaned himself as to challenge the admiration of even the most bitter of his political opponents. His untiring efforts for the promo- tion of the material interests, and the general prosperity of his town and county, have also secured for him the gratitude and respect of Wyandot County residents in general, and to-day none stand higher in their estimate of character and true worth than Robert D. Dumm. As already shown, he has grown up, and has been educated in the printing office, and, probably, has done more to bring Wyandot County journalism up to its present proud position than all others combined. As an editorial writer he has acquired a reputation truly enviable, and which, indeed, is not confined by State limits. Ever careful, vigorous, versatile, brilliant and facetious, his readers are never disappointed in the perusal of an article prepared by him.
He was married on the 29th day of December, 1857, to Miss Sarah J., only daughter of Dr. R. A. Henderson, of Upper Sandusky. The results of this union are two sons, both of whom are young gentlemen of notable qualifications-William G., the present efficient Deputy County Clerk, and Frank E., who is now employed in the Union office.
Hon. Louis A. Brunner is of German ancestry, and was born in Fred- erick City, Frederick Co., Md. He fully availed himself of the advantages of an elementary and classical education, and after a thorough course of theological study was licensed, in the summer of 1846, to preach at Colum- bus, Ohio. Subsequently, he entered upon the duties of the ministry, and served several Presbyterian congregations. In the spring of 1852, he was elected by the Presbytery of Marion, Ohio, Commissioner to the General Assembly, and attended the sittings of that body in Philadelphia, Penn., in May following. In 1860, his nervous centers gave way, prostrating him to such an extent as to force him to relinquish his chosen profession. How- ever, having from a young boy dabbled in printer's ink, and being com- pelled to labor for a livelihood, he purchased a printing office, and took charge of the editorial department, and, while not engaged in the duties of the tripod, worked at the case sticking type. He has performed editorial work on the Odd Fellow, published at Boonsboro, Washington Co., Md .; the Pioneer and the Union of Upper Sandusky, and the Ft. Wayne Daily Sentinel, an interest of which he owned in 1868 and 1869. He has resided in Wyandot County since 1849, excepting four years passed in Maryland. from 1856 to 1861. He has served on the Board of School Examiners of Wyandot County, as a member of the Village Council, and was elected a member of the Sixty-first, Sixty-second, Sixty-fifth and Sixty-sixth General Assemblies of the State of Ohio, occupying, during the session of 1883-84, the honored position of Speaker pro tem. In the Sixty-fourth General Assembly, he served as Clerk of the House, and his large experiences as a law-maker, and his peculiar fitness for clerical duties-the result of early training-made him one of the best clerks the Assembly ever had, and it was so acknowledged by the members of both parties. Hence, as a mark of recognition, embodying the admiration of members, he was presented at the close of the session with a costly gold watch and chain, which he still carries with pardonable pride. Mr. Brunner's first year in the General
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Assembly was marked with ability and true statesmanship, and although it is seldom the lot of a new member to take prominence at the beginning, his experience was an exception, for before the close of the session he was the recognized leader of his side of the House, and this position he has ably and gracefully maintained during every term of his legislative career. His superior qualifications as a presiding officer attracted attention from all parts of the State, and in the Sixty-sixth General Assembly he was the almost_unanimous choice of his party for Speaker, yet his usefulness upon the floor, and his own inclinations for activity amid conflict, induced him to decline the honor, and to accept at the demands of his party the position of Speaker pro tem. He is perhaps the finest parliamentarian in the State, and we cannot better express this opinion than to give an extract from a letter written by a newspaper correspondent during the session of 1883-84: " The Wyandot Sachen, Brunner, as speaker pro tem., has demonstrated himself to be a superior presiding officer, fit to have held the gavel of the Long Parliament of Cromwell's days, and whose legislative career has given his solid little Gibraltar (Wyandot County) a cameo-like prominence in the State's councils."
In 1879, Mr. Brunner, in connection with Robert D. Dumm, purchased the Wyandot Union of D. J. Stalter, and by their united labors again made the old Union one of the best county newspapers in the State. It now en- ·joys a large circulation, and an enviable, widespread reputation. As an editor, Mr. Brunner has few superiors. He is logical, clear and very effect- ive, and has gained many admirers from his humorous touches of local inci- dents; but his great force and efficiency is as a campaigner, filling his well- rounded and emphatic periods in that direct and forcible manner, which leaves no room for effective reply. While a ready, spicy and able writer, he is equally as ready and effective as a speaker, which his prominence in the House, on all the important questions of state policy, has fully made clear. His polish as a gentleman, and his great tact in winning and retaining the admiration and esteem of his fellow-citizens is due to some extent to his genial nature, thorough education and wide range of informa- tion gained through the avenues of an extensive and careful study of books and men. In September, 1882, he, with his old partner, Mr. Dumm, bought a half interest in the Mirror, at Marion, Ohio, and although it proved to be a profitable investment, and their connection with the Democracy of Marion County highly acceptable and pleasant, after eighteen months they sold their interest to their partner, Col. J. H. Vaughan. A part of this time Mr. Brunner was editor of the paper, and in the memorable campaign of 1883 gained a host of admirers for his efficient editorial work.
Since the close of the legislative session of 1883-84, he has assumed a. controlling interest and editorial charge of the Seneca Advertiser, one of the oldest and best newspapers published in Ohio, and he has fully made up his mind to make that city his future home. He still holds his connection with the Wyandot Union with Mr. Dumm, but undoubtedly in the near future will sever that relation and give his whole attention to the Advertiser, which will advance under his influence and enterprise, and rapidly become the leading county paper of the State.
He was married in 1850 to Miss Jane Sherman, of Delaware, Ohio, who was a native of Watertown, N. Y. Their three children are Mary, now the wife of John W. Geiger, of Tiffin, Ohio; Addie, now Mrs. B. W. Holman, of Washington, D. C., and Grace.
Pietro Cuneo, the present editor and proprietor of the Wyandot County
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Republican, is a native of Pian de Cuni (a small village in Italy, which is situated about twenty-five miles southeast of Genoa, and five miles east of Chiavari), where he was born September 29, 1837. His early life was passed amid scenes common to the peasant class of his native country, and which are vividly portrayed by himself in his highly interesting lecture entitled, " Recollections of Italy." On the 6th of March, 1849, accompanied by his father, he bade adieu to his mother, sisters and brother, and en route to America set out on foot for the seaport town of Genoa. About the 10th of March, the ship upon which the father and son had secured passage sailed, and on the 10th of May, 1849, it safely landed its passengers at the city of New York.
" When I arrived in New York," says Mr. Cuneo, "I could not under- stand a solitary word of the English language, had no trade, and could not read nor write my own name in any language. I was, therefore, compelled to labor for very low wages, and I soon abandoned the hope of amassing a fortune. In about two years, in consequence of sickness, my father was compelled to return to Italy, and left me alone, with the expectation that I would also return in about two years more." After various discouraging trials and vicissitudes, young Cuneo obtained employment in the fall of 1852* with Josiah Starn, a farmer, who lived three miles from Camden, N. J. At that time he purchased a spelling book and endeavored to master the English alphabet, but after a few evenings he became utterly discour- aged and gave the book away. ' However, during the following winter he effected an arrangement with John Hinchman, who lived one mile east of Gloster, N. J., to work for his board and attend the district school. About the 1st of December, 1853, he started to school aud took his first lesson in learning the alphabet. " I tried hard to learn," says he, "and the teacher and pupils took particular pains to assist me. By the 1st of March, when I again commenced to work, I had progressed so far as to be able to read and write a little."
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