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 79
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CRANE TOWNSHIP.
Elizabeth (Donor) Hale, early settlers of this county. They are the parents of six children, five still living, namely: Carrie B., Lizzie M., Grace E., Mary V. and Myrtle A. John V. is deceased, dying at the age of ten months. Mr. Wirick is a member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum and Knights of Honor. In politics, he is a Democrat.
HON. SAMUEL M. WORTH, Justice of the Peace, and a time-honored pioneer, was born in Starksboro, Vt., May 1, 1814. He is the son of Joseph and Charlotte (Ellison) Worth. Mr. Worth learned the printer's trade at the age of fourteen, and engaged in this craft about eight years, after which time he removed to Ohio, settling at Little Sandusky, where he resided a number of years. In 1845 he was elected County Auditor, being the first officer chosen for that position in this county, and served in that capacity with credit to his constituents five years. At the expiration of his term of office he returned to Little Sandusky, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits fifteen years. In 1865 he was elected Representative of the county, and in 1867, re-elected to the same office, after which he removed to Upper San- dusky, where he has since resided, and where he engaged in the dry goods business several years. Mr. Worth served two years as County Commis- sioner, was one year in the City Council, and was elected Justice of the Peace in 1882, in which capacity he is now serving. He was captain in the militia in 1837, and has always been a thorough Democrat. His mar- riage to Betsey A. Fowler occurred April 28, 1846. She is a daughter of Dr. Stephen and Leefe (Stephens) Fowler, the former being one of the founders of Little Sandusky, and among the earliest and most distinguished pioneers of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Worth are the parents of six chil- dren, five of whom are living-Charles F., Irene, Effa, Leefe and Zilla. The deceased was Wayne W., whose death occurred at the age of four years.
ELIZABETH ZIMMERMAN was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., March 5, 1808. She is the widow of Henry Zimmerman and daughter of Jacob and Susan (Williams) Steelsmith. Her marriage to Henry Zimmerman, also a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., occurred October 28, 1830, and twelve children were born to them-eight now living; their names are as follows: Jacob, Rebecca L., Susan, Margaret, Minnie, Lydia, Henry S. and Annie B. The deceased are Catharine A., Mary A. and Zeruiah-all infants, and Bela B., who died at the age of thirty-eight, and was a soldier in the late war in Company D, Fifteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. During the greater part of this time he was engaged in the Signal Service on Lookout Mountain, receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He re- turned home and soon after entered the Poughkeepsie Business College, graduating in 1865, and subsequently engaged seven years as conductor on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. His health failed, and after three years as proprietor of the Zimmerman House, at Greensburg, Penn., he died June 29,1880. Henry Zimmerman, husband of our subject, removed to Stark County, Ohio, from Pennsylvania, in 1840, and to Upper Sandusky in 1845. He was among the first settlers, and was proprietor of the old " Blue Ball Hotel" from 1848 to November 22, 1866-the date of his death. Mrs. Zimmerman is still living, now in her seventy-sixth year. Her second daughter, Rebecca L., who has been for many years a teacher in the public schools of Upper Sandusky, was married October 31, 1867, to William H. Jones, who died March 8, 1870, aged forty-nine years. He was a promi- nent citizen of the county, having served both as President and Secretary of
27
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
the Agricultural Society, and as member of the Union School Board. Jacob, the eldest son, is a leading citizen-Representative of his district-of Wabash County, Ill., to which place he removed in 1852. The first decade was spent in journalism, editing at one time the Illinoisan, of Clark County, and sub- sequently the Constitution, of Urbana, Champaign County. Since then he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, but ever taking a deep interest in everything that pertains to the elevation of the community at large.
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ANTRIM TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER II.
ANTRIM TOWNSHIP.
ANTRIM TOWNSHIP PRIOR TO 1845-LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES- EARLY SETTLERS-OWNERS OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE TOWNSHIP IN 1845-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-HISTORY OF THE VIL- LAGE OF NEVADA-HOTELS-MERCANTILE AND MANUFACTURING INTER- ESTS -DEPOSIT BANK-CHURCHES-CEMETERY ASSOCIATION - SCHOOLS- SECRET SOCIETIES-VILLAGE OFFICERS-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
P RIOR to 1845, the territory now comprised in Antrim Township was included in the counties of Marion and Crawford. At the organization of this county it assumed its present boundaries-the east and south by Craw- ford and Marion Counties respectively, the west by Pitt and Crane Town- ships, and the north by Eden Township. Sections 3 to 10 inclusive of the southern part of this township was detached from Grand Prairie, of Marion County, these divisions comprising a tract two miles wide, extending en- tirely across the township. The old Reservation line extends east through the northern part of Sections 31, 32 and 33, to a point near the center of the northwest quarter of Section 34, from which it extends directly north through Sections 27, 22, 15, 10 and 3 respectively.
Throughout the entire township the surface is undulating and well watered by the Sandusky, its tributaries and several constant springs. The Sandusky River enters at a point near the center of the eastern line of the southeast quarter of Section 34, and extends in a northwesterly direction through the same; also through Section 28, in the same direction, converg- ing to a due west course at a point about midway of the half-section line in the northern part of Section 20; thence trending southwest from a point near the eastern boundary of the northeast quarter of Section 19, passing out at the southwest corner of the latter. Broken Sword Creek enters the township at the north at a point near the northeast corner of Section 5, and flows in a south and southwest direction through Sections 4, 8, 17 and 18, cutting the northeast and southwest corners of the latter respectively, and entering the Sandusky near the center of Section 19. Grass Run and Gray Eye Run flow from the eastern part of the township, form a juncture in Sec- tion 21, and empty into the Sandusky near the southwest corner of Section 20. The soil of Antrim Township is very fertile and well adapted to wheat raising, as well as to the culture of oats, corn and other ordinary cereals. Large crops of corn from the bottom lands, and wheat from the elevated as well as the lower tracts are annually gathered, and the township has the honor of supporting some of the most prominent farmers of the county.
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
The first white settler who located in Antrim Township was John Kirby. He settled on land in 1819 that Col. M. H. Kirby entered in 1820. He was born in Halifax County, Va., and came to Highland County, Ohio, in 1814, and from there to this county, where he died about 1847 or 1848, having reared a large family of children. Jacob Coon also located in this township
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
in the fall of the same year. He came from Pickaway County, and located in the southeastern part of the township in 1819, and resided on the same farm sixty years.
Zachariah Welsh came to this county in 1821, and settled in Wyandot Village. He died in 1849; his wife's demise occurred in 1857. Edmund R., his son, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1810. He came to this county with his parents and died January 29, 1880, in Nevada, to which place he removed in 1865. He came from Fairfield County.
:Jesse Jurey came from Highland County in 1820 or 1822, and settled west of the village of Wyandot, where he lived and died. Walter Wool- sey came from New York State and settled in the township in 1820.
In 1820, Col. M. H. Kirby entered 640 acres where Wyandot now is situated. He made additions to this till he owned 1,200 acres, on which he moved from Columbus in 1839, remaining till 1843, when he was appointed Receiver of the Northwestern Land Office. These were the principal set- tlers up to the date last mentioned, and, in fact, to the date of the organ- ization of the county, 1845, after which time settlements were rapidly made.
Isaac Longwell came from Licking County in 1821, and took up his abode in this township. William T. Howe settled here about the same time. Thomas Terry came soon after from Highland County, Ohio. He was formerly from Old Virginia. He died in Marseilles Township. His son-in-law, Josiah Robertson, moved to the township with him. Abner Jurey located in Antrim in 1822. He was born in Virginia, and was married in this county to Priscilla Winslow, who now resides at Wyandot. He died in 1851. Jacob Brewer moved to the township from the Darby Plains in 1824. Henry Brown, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1818, and to this township in 1826.
Thomas Thompson moved from New Philadelphia to this township in 1827. He was afterward a missionary, and was employed on the Mission farm. He was also a school teacher. He died in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1884. Isaac Miller first settled here in 1836. He was born in Rockingham County, Va., in 1784. John Leith came from Fairfield County in 1832 or 1833.
George W. Leith moved to Antrim in 1837. In 1845, he was appointed Associate Judge, serving seven years. He died at Nevada March 10, 1883. Lair, Isaac and Jacob Miller were also settlers of 1836-37, coming with their parents, and being then almost grown to manhood. Jacob Keller first purchased land here in 1825, and still lives in the township. He was born in Virginia in 1797. Benjamin Hite came in about 1840. He was born in Perry County in 1815. D. W. Wilson was one of the early settlers, as was also James Daughmer. Peter Brewer was born in this Township in 1825.
The first house, a hewed-log structure, was erected by John Kirby, on the land entered by Col. Kirby in 1819. Isaac Longwell and Sarah Wins- low were the first who were joined in marriage in the township, and Re- becca Welsh, daughter of Zachariah and Hannah (Stein) Welsh, was the first white child born therein, the date of her birth being 1822. Magdalene Hite was born in 1823, probably the second white child born in the town- ship. Abner Jury, an infant, was the first to pass away, the date of his death being August, 1821. He was buried in the Macedona Graveyard, and the little marble slab that marks the spot is brown with age. In 1825-26, David Bibler built a grist mill east of Wyandot on the Sandusky River, the first mill constructed in the township. He was also the first " tavern- keeper " in the township. John Kirby had the honor of being the first
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ANTRIM TOWNSHIP.
merchant of Antrim, his store being located in the village of Wyandot. Most of the settlers, the early settlers, were located within the village of Wyandot, south and east of the Reservation line, but at the date of the organization of the county, or soon after, the settlement was more general, and quite extensive, as will be seen by the following list of tax payers of the township in 1845, and the number of acres owned by each:
.
OWNERS OF REAL ESTATE.
John Bibler, 169 acres; George Bricker, 90} acres; Bain & Williams, 52 acres; William Bain, 62 acres; Goodlove Bowman, 160 acres; John A. Bibler, 92 acres; Samuel Bretz, 12 acres; Michael Battenfield, 80 acres; Cox & Hampton, 240 acres; Bank Clinton, 6642 acres; Jacob Coon, 80 acres; John N. Cox, 320 acres; Josiah Copeland, 80 acres; Benjamin Cope, 2 acres; Reuben Drake, 160 acres; Mary Drake, 80 acres; James Daughmer, 48 acres; Joseph Drake, 27 acres; Andrew Eby, 80 acres; Zurial Fowler, 220 acres; Tira Garrett, 98 acres; Charles B. Garrett, 312 acres, also carding machine; John Goshorn, 80 acres; George Garrett, 159 acres; Eli W. Groyman, 160 acres; David Hite, 35 acres; Benjamin Hite, 72 acres; Will- iam T. Howe, 240 acres; Jacob Howenstine, 80 acres; Abner Jurey, 80 acres; Lewis Jurey, 200 acres; John Jurey, 80 acres; Jacob King, 365 acres; Den- nis Leninger, 52 acres; Isaac Longwell, 157 acres; George and James H. Moore, 320 acres; John McElvain, 805 acres; Neil & Neiswanger, 840 acres; Carson Porter, 80 acres; Carson and Mary Porter, 80 acres; Rodney Spald- ing, 11¿ acres; Thomas Salmon, 58 acres; Jacob Staley, 80 acres, also a tannery; Solomon Sturges, 267 acres; Gottlieb Schellhorn, 160 acres; Charles White, 130 acres; Daniel Wilson, 160 acres: John W. Winslow, 49 acres; Benjamin Welch, 240 acres; Samuel Winslow, 38 acres; Abigail Winslow, 52 acres; Walter Woolsey, 108 acres; Daniel Wright, 109 acres; Wilson, Butler & Baldwin, 641 acres; James S. Reed, 40 acres.
TOWN OF WYANDOT.
William Brown, Inlot No. 14; Hiram Chapman, Inlots 8, 9, 1, 4, 7; Hannah French, Inlot No. 13; David Miller, Inlot No. 5; State of Ohio, Inlots 2, 3, 6, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 10, 11; H. N. Wheeler, Inlot No. 15; Charles White, Inlot No. 20; Wayne Rood, 80 acres; John A. Bibler, 80 acres; James S. Reed, 40 acres.
TOWN OF HALIFAX.
State of Ohio, Inlots, 1 to 20 inclusive.
OWNERS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Zirą Alford, Frederick Alford, William Anderson, Joseph L. Brooks, Thomas Blunder, Eli Bricker, George Bricker, John Bricker, Samuel Burk- hart, Joseph Bochtel, Samuel Beals, Charles Beals, John Barger, Benjamin Cope, Hiram Chapman, Jacob Coon, Thomas Comstock, Jacob Collins, James Corbin, William Daily, David B. Drake, James Daughmer, James Eldridge, Noah Ely, Noah French, Zuriel Fowler, James Fredregill, Wil- liam Ford, Samuel Gorman, John Gorman, Christian Hoover, William T. Howe, William Howe, Benjamin Hite, Elizabeth Hite, Jacob Holderman, David Holderman, Benjamin Hawk, John Leith, George Longwell, Lewis Longwell, Isaac Longwell, Joseph Mount, Jason Miller, Augus- tus W. Munson,* Irum Porter, Samuel Reamy, Joseph Remington,
*A physician.
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
Abrer Jurey, John Jurey, Lewis Jurey, Reuben Johns, Ambrose King, Al- fred Keller, Jacob King, Jacob Keller, John Kirby, Virgil Kirby, Samuel Kirby, Jacob Staley, Abraham Smith, John Shepard, Orlando Shepard, John Shields, Jacob Schellman, Asa Sherwood, George I. Smith, David Wilson, Hezekiah Woolsey, Elizabeth Winslow, Daniel Wright, Walter Woolsey, Robert Wolverton, John Wilmoth, Benjamin S. Welch.
SCHOOLS.
. The early schools of Antrim were conducted under very great difficulties, the neighbors being far apart and the facilities meager. According to the best information we are able to obtain, the first schools of the township were held in a log cabin in the door-yard of Thomas Terry, Ethan Terry being the first teacher. It is also stated that schools were held in the dwellings of Messrs. Howe and Longwell, and that Nathan Howe was, perhaps, the first teacher. It is quite certain that the first schoolhouse was erected in the village of Wyandot in 1827-28. It was, of course, a cabin, and the first teacher who flourished the "rod of correction and shot the young idea " within its walls was Thomas T. Thompson, who subsequently taught in the mission schools. One Martin lays some claim to the same honor, however. William Brown was the third teacher in this educational institution. The schools of the township at the present time are perhaps as well conducted as any in the county, and their interests are as carefully guarded, most of the schoolhouses being built of brick and well furnished.
CHURCHES.
As early as 1820 the people of Wyandot and vicinity began to assemble occasionally for divine worship. The first meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse in the northeast part of the village, and these were continued with more or less regularity till 1835, when an organization was effected. The members were of the Methodist Episcopal persuasion and few in numn- ber, William Brown and his wife Margaret being the only members from the village. In 1838, the Methodist Episcopal Church building was erected just south of the village, being the first building of the kind erected in the township. It has since been abandoned and is owned by H. M. Welsh, and will be converted into a township hall. In 1858, the United Presby- terian denomination erected a frame building, 40x60 feet in dimensions, and in 1884, this was purchased by the Methodist Episcopal Church at a cost of $300. The pastors who have labored in this field are Revs. Pilch- ard, Blampede, Rogers, Feckley, Close, Bruce, Neal, Barron and perhaps a few others. The present incumbent is George Zeigler. The present Trus- tees are Noah Bunnel, Jacob Ranch and James Shaffer. The society now
comprises seventy-four members. The most important revival was con- ducted by Rev. Barron, in 1880, resulting in about thirty members being added to the list. The church has had many trials, but the outlook for the future is promising, as the society is in good working order and now has the advantage of a commodious and comfortable building.
Broken Sword Presbyterian Church .- This society was organized in 1850, at the schoolhouse, which is located on the southwest corner of Section 17; the first meeting having been held in the same year at the same place under the supervision of Rev. Charles Thayer. The society then comprised six members, namely: Sireno Burke, Tirza Burke, Susan Burke, Mrs. McBeth, Lemon Armstrong and Mrs. Arm-
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strong. In 1856, a church building was erected on the southeast quarter of Section 8. It is a frame structure 26x36 feet, and cost $1,000. It is now owned by the Methodist Episcopal society.
NEVADA.
This beautiful and thriving village bearing the above title was named · from the State bearing the same name and which was attracting considera- ble attention in the year 1852.
The town as originally laid out was situated in the northwest fractional quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 4, Range 15 east, and contained seventy-two lots, each 60x180 feet, making an area of 10,800 square feet. Railway street is 100 feet wide; Morrison street, or Main street, 80 feet wide; Ayres and Garrett streets each 60 feet wide, and situated east and west of Morrison street respectively. All the regular streets and alleys cross each other at right angles, their bearing being 1° 30' east. The stone which by law is required to be placed at the corner of one of the lots is situated at the southwest corner of Lot 18, the original survey having been made by J. H. Williams, October 14, 1852.
The additions made to the area included in the original plat, with the names of the persons who made them are as follows: William Welch's addition, twenty-four lots, was made May 16, 1860; William F. Good- bread, twenty lots, January 12, 1863; J. L. Cook, twenty-five lots, March 28, 1863; Goodbread, Welch & Dombaugh, seventy-one inlots, four out- lots, February 26, 1866; Joseph Braun, four lots, April 20, 1866; Robert Dixon, sixteen lots, March 11, 1864; George I. Miller, sixteen lots, and two outlots, September 18, 1865; William Balliet, twenty-one lots and four out-lots, April 13, 1866; W. S. Gregg, ten lots, June 21, 1876; Will- iam Petrey, four lots, February 26, 1877; William Welch's second addi- tion, fifteen lots, July 3, 1879; James McLaughlin, twenty lots, 18 -; H. D. Keller, six lots, October 8, 1881; and J. L. Cook's Second Addition, thirteen lots, December 2, 1881.
The founders of Nevada were Jonathan Ayres and George Garrett. The land on which it is located was purchased of the Government by William Mckibben, of Ashland County, Ohio, and was purchased of him by Messrs. Ayres and Garrett, who laid out the town, consisting of seventy-two lots, in October, 1852. Garrett was of mixed blood-Indian and white.
Jonathan Ayres is a son of Dr. Isaac and Eliza (Coulter) Ayres, and was born in Beaver County, Penn., March 12, 1822. He removed with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1846, he moved to Upper Sandusky, and has been a resident of that city most of the time since. In 1854, he engaged in the dry goods business and con- tinued in this trade ten years. Being a member of the Ohio National Guards, he was called into service in 1864, and was made Adjutant of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, participating in the battle of Monocacy Junction, and also an engagement with Mosby's Cavalry, the regiment under his command doing gallant service in the latter action. He was discharged as Lieutenant Colonel March 1, 1866, and is now a resident of Upper Sandusky. He was married in 1856, to Miss Jennie Harris, of Detroit, Mich., a daughter of Norman and Lucy Harris. Mr. Ayres' father, Isaac Ayres, was born in York County, Penn., in September, 1782.
When the site for Nevada was first chosen by its founders, the future for the town was not promising, or at least not brilliantly so. The site had the
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
advantages of an elevated location and the proper distance from county seats; but this was the most that could be claimed for it. The land at that point was at that time covered by a dense growth of timber, and the con- trast in surroundings between the future Nevada and the sleepy, old village of Wyandot, which was henceforth to be considered a rival, was strongly in favor of the latter town. But the embryo Nevada had within it the " ele- ments of greatness," and with the Pittsburgh Railroad to strengthen its spine, and the rich farming country both north and south to supply it with the proper commercial nourishment, its success was soon placed beyond ques- tion. The woods were rapidly cleared away, the mercantile establishments began with a vitality that was unquestioned, and the point was settled. Nevada was to be a town and have a history.
ORIGINAL IMPROVEMENTS.
When the survey for the original plat of Nevada was made, the only houses standing within its limits were the dwellings of Lair Miller, James Mclaughlin and Samuel Ellison. Mr. Miller's residence was built about 1846-47; Mr. McLaughlin's in 1850, and Mr. Ellison's in the same year in which the town was laid out, 1852. After that date building proceeded quite rapidly as the success of the village was soon a pronounced certainty.
William McJunkins has the honor of being Nevada's pioneer merchant. He erected the first storeroom in the place in 1853. It was a frame struc- ture of considerable dimensions and was well filled with a stock of general merchandise valued at not less than $2,000. Mr. McJunkins was Postmaster and railroad agent at the same time and did a good business, continuing in the place several years. William Fredregill had previously erected a small frame building 18x26 feet, and did a small grocery business in front and a large saloon business behind. The building which he occupied is now used by William Nye as a dwelling. The McJunkins building was destroyed by. fire in 1872.
The second store-room was built by Jonathan Ayres who sold the same to J. L. Cook and William F. Goodbread. It was also a frame structure 20x40 feet and is still standing near where it was first erected-on Main street, east side, south of the railroad-used for a general storage room. The store was opened by the firm of Cook & Goodbread with a stock of $4,000 to $5,000 and an extensive and profitable business was conducted by this firm for about three and one-half years when they sold out to William Balliet. Their stock consisted of general merchandise and in connection with this branch of their business they erected the first stock scales in the town and did an extensive business in the purchase and sale of all kinds of grain, live stock, etc. Messrs. Cook & Goodbread may also be considered pioneer merchants of Nevada. For complete sketches of their respective lives the reader is referred to the biographical notices given in connection with the history of this township in succeeding pages.
The third store of the village was established by S. S. Miller, who died a few years afterward and his stock of $2,000 in general merchandise was sold out at auction. From this time the mercantile interests went strongly forward till at the present date (1884) Nevada is second to but few "coun . try " towns in Central Ohio, being provided with numerous stores, a sub- stantial bank, good schools and churches, shops, mills and factories.
MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS.
One of the foremost stores of Nevada at the present date is that of Cook
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ANTRIM TOWNSHIP.
& Morris, Main street, east side, north of railroad. It was first established in 1865 by J. S. Leith & Co., who, after conducting it about two years, sold out to the Elliott Brothers, who again disposed of it to Hall & Cook in 1879. Two years later Mr. Hall sold his interest to Mr. Cook who con- ducted the business one year alone, then admitting W. H. Cook, the firm afterward operating two years as J. L. & W. H. Cook. The establishment was then consolidated with that of George Benedict, making three depart- ments, dry goods and notions, boots, shoes and clothing, and groceries and provisions. One year after this change, De Jean purchased Benedict's in- terest and the business was conducted two years under the firm name of Cook, De Jean & Co. W. H. Cook subsequently withdrew and the firm of Cook & De Jean continued the trade till July 1, 1881, when S. Cook pur- chased De Jean's interest and the firm became J. L. & S. Cook, doing busi- ness as such till January 1, 1883, when R. E. Morris purchased S. Cook's interest and the present firm of Cook & Morris was established. They carry a stock of dry goods, notions, carpets, boots and shoes valued at about $7,000 and do a large business. J. L. Cook the senior partner of the firm has been identified with the mercantile interests of the town for about thirty years.
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