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 87

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072

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 87

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

13, 1857; Tully C., May 21, 1860; the mother was' born August 4, 1832. Dr. Turney is a member of the Ohio Medical Association, and a Repub- lican in political faith.

WILLIAM WELCH was born in Huron County, Ohio, April 25, 1818; he is a son of John and Sarah (McMillen) Welch, natives of Beaver County, Penn .. the father born about 1792, the mother a few years later; his parents left Beaver County about 1816, and located in Huron County, moving to Seneca County in 1820, being the fourth white family of the early settlers. They resided there twenty-three years, and then moved to this county; he served as County Assessor two years; was Justice of the Peace nine years, and twice elected to the Legislature; he located near Nevada about 1843, and subsequently served as Justice of the Peace two or three terms, and as Commissioner nine years. He died in 1860. William Welch, our subject, resided with his parents till twenty-three years old; he came to this county in 1843, and purchased fifty-five acres at the land sales, residing on this farm seven years; he then sold out and purchased 108 acres in Nevada, where he lived twenty-three years, owning at the same time his present home of sixty acres; he was twice engaged in the livery business, and for fifteen years dealt more or less in live stock, doing some shipping. He laid out thirty-nine lots to the town of Nevada. Mr. Welch was married, November 4, 1841, to Margaret A. Smith, a native of Montgomery County, Penn., born January 1, 1818, daughter of George W. and Margaret (Hart) Smith; her father, a native of New Jersey, a soldier in the war of 1812, and dying at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have had six children, namely: Jasper M., born November 3, 1842; Miranda J., May 22, 1844; James A., August 14, 1846; Amanda A., July 15, 1848; William Mc., June 13, 185]; Ransom H., August 17, 1853. Miranda J., died December 14, 1869; Ransom H., December 11, 1863; William Mc., October 17, 1883. Mr. Welch is a Democrat " dyed in the wool;" he served as Trustee several terms, and is, with Mrs. Welch, a member of the Lutheran Church.

JAMES A. WELCH was born in Eden Township, August 14, 1846. He is a son of William and Margaret (Smith) Welch, and was reared and edu- cated principally in Antrim Township; he resided with his parents on the farm till his marriage to Sarah Keller, May 13, 1869. Mrs. Welch is a native of Crawford County, Ohio, daughter of Henry and Maria (Geib) Keller, and was born July 13, 1847. The children born to them are Leona, March 1, 1870; Cuba L., December 3, 1871; Bartie M., July 9, 1874; and Leefe E., August 14, 1876. Bartie M. died September 27, 1876. After his marriage, Mr. Welch devoted his attention to the various avocations of farming. teaming and threshing (introducing the first steam thresher in Antrim and Eden Townships), residing in Nevada till 1879, when he moved to his farm of fifty-three acres, purchased in 1875. To this he has since added 20 acres, the whole being well improved, and valued at $100 per acre. He is the owner of the livery stable building, which he erected in Ne- vada in 1882, conducting the business two years, and keeps on his farm eight cows, from which he supplies the village with milk.

HENRY M. WELSH, one of the prominent farmers of this county, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, May 2, 1840. He is a son of E. R. and Sarah A. (McClain) Welsh, his father having come to this county about 1820, doing an extensive business in stock dealing in this and Crawford County. He also dealt to some extent in real estate and controlled a large amount of property up to the date of his death, in 1880. Henry M. Welsh, the subject of this sketch, was engaged on the farm with his father till he

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ANTRIM TOWNSHIP.

attained his majority, soon after which he enlisted in the Eleventh Ohio Battery and entered the United States service. He participated in the bat- tles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, and Iuka, but was chiefly employed on the march or post duty. He was wounded in the battle of Iuka, Miss., by a musket ball, which fractured his lower jaw, resulting in the loss of half of the osseous structure of that member. He was discharged in November, 1862, returned home and has since engaged in farming and stock dealing. In 1861, he obtained 450 acres from his father's estate, and has increased that number by subsequent purchases till he now owns 1,436 acres, valued at $60 to $75 per acre. He does an extensive farming business, usually sowing 300 to 500 acres of wheat and planting 200 to 400 acres of corn. Besides his large farming and stock-raising interests in this county Mr. Welsh is also interested in an extensive cattle ranch in Wyoming Territory. Mr. Welsh has always conducted his business independently, and may fairly be considered one of the most successful operators in the county. He was married November 24, 1863, to Miss Emily Hoover, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, her parents being early settlers in that locality. She is a daughter of William and Phoebe (Swisher) Hoover, her father being one of the leading farmers and stock-dealers of Crawford County. By this marriage three children were born, namely: Edmond T., Sanford C, and Myrtie E., aged seventeen, fifteen and fourteen respectively. Mr. Welsh is known throughout the county as a thorough business man, and is highly esteemed as a citizen.

MANINGTON WELSH was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 4, 1816. He is a son of Zachariah and Hannah (Stein) Welsh, who were prob- ably born in Virginia. His parents resided there in Washington's time, being neighbors to one of his brothers; they subsequently moved to Fair field County, where they lived many years, moving to this county in 1821 and locating near what is now the village of Wyandot. At the date of their settlement, there were but two white families in the township, the Kirbys and the Garnetts. His father entered 160 acres, on which he resided till his death in 1842, the mother following in 1864. Mr. Welsh resided with his parents till twenty years of age, and when twenty-one purchased forty acres in Crawford County. In the fall of 1853, after the purchase and sale of several tracts, Mr. Welsh obtained 120 acres of his present farm, to which he made additions till he owned 288 acres, valued at $75 per acre. He has always dealt largely in sheep and cattle, and has also done an extensive farming business, having been one of the leading business men in the county. He was married in May, . 1839, to Mary Snyder, and two children were born to them-William H. and Mary J., the latter deceased. His first wife having departed this life Mr. Welsh was married in May, 1849, to Nancy Comstock, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, July 4, 1824. Her parents, Gideon and Lucy (White) Comstock, were na- tives of New York and Virginia respectively, and spent most of their lives in Pickaway County. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Welsh had eight chil-

dren, namely: Winfield S., June 15, 1851; Charles W., April 27, 1853; Rebecca A., July 20, 1861; Alice P., May 15, 1856; Frank S., June 17, 1859; Kate, October 20, 1861; Alice P. Mr. Welsh is perhaps the oldest resident of the township, if not the county, having been identified with its interests sixty-three years and done much for its development. He was formerly a Whig, later a Republican, and now a Democrat, being one of the most honored citizens of his community, and, as a pioneer, one of its most distinguished members.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

EDEGAR R. WILLIAMS is a native of Adams County, and was born March 18, 1862, His parents were Dr. A. N. and Martha M. (Rothrock) Williams, the former a native of Highland County, Ohio, born June 18, 1827; the latter of Pennsylvania, born March 8, 1834. Their ancestors were natives of Holland and Germany; Edegar and Marella were their only children, the latter born August 15, 1854, died October 16, 1859. Dr. Williams was reared and educated in Highland County. He graduated at the Columbus Medical College, and spent thirty years in the practice of his profession in Pike and Adams Counties. In September, 1882, he came with his son, E. R., to Nevada, and purchased a stock of drugs of R. M. Stewart & Co., conducting the business till his death, September 6, 1883. Mrs. Williams' death occurred October 20, 1874. Our subject was reared in Adams County; obtained a fair education in the country schools, finishing his studies in the Lebanon Normal School in 1879. After a two years' clerkship in Wheat Ridge and Springfield, Ohio, in the wholesale grocery store of W. T. Robb, of the latter place, he came with his father to Nevada, and at the latter's death became the possessor of his entire property. He is an energetic, young business man, has a fair patronage, and the general esteem of the citizens of his community.

JOHN WOESSNER was born in Wittenberg, Germany, September 27, 1827, and is a son of John and Catharine Woessner, also natives of Ger- many. He emigrated to America in 1856-57, landing in New York He soon after went to New Jersey, and one year later came to this county, through the influence of " Stuff " Halterman, who employed German laborers from the East, and paid their railroad fare to Marion County, where he re- sided. He labored as a farm hand several years and, in 1864, being a " home guard," was called into service, and participated in the battle of Monocacy Junction, doing guard duty during the rest of his four months' service. los- ing health by exposure. In 1855, he purchased a small farm, where he still resides. Mr. Woessner was married, January 1, 1858, to Jane Hughey, who was born in this county August 27, 1835. Her parents, William and Eliza (Louis) Hughey, were natives of Ohio and New York respectively, and were early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Woessner are the par- ents of six children, namely. Eliza J., born October 20, 1858; John, May 2, 1861; Robert L., October 14, 1866; Peter S., September 10, 1875; Charles E. and Clyda E. Eliza is now wife of O. H. Jacobs, and has four children. Their marriage occurred October 24, 1878.

DAVID B. WOLF, proprietor of dry goods store, Nevada, was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 15, 1833. He is a son of John and Mar- garet (Baughman) Wolf, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, his father having been an early settler in Richland County, where he died, his wife's death having occurred several years previous to his own. Their chil- dren were Susanna, David B., Abraham E., Minerva M. and Margaret, all living; the deceased are Rachel, Rebecca, Adam, Amanda and Solomon S. David B., our subject, obtained a fair education in the district schools, and farmed with parents till twenty-one years of age. He subsequently learned the carpenter's trade, which he pursued almost continually till 1872. In the meantime, he spent nearly two years in the wilds of Montana and other western points. In 1872, in partnership with H. H. Welsh, he established a store of general merchandise, and has since engaged in that business, pur- chasing Mr. Welsh's interest five years later. Mr. Wolf has been a resident of Nevada since 1855, and has built up an extensive and profitable trade. He was married, September 27, 1859, to Almira B. Souder, daughter of

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ANTRIM TOWNSHIP.

William and Nancy (Stevens) Souder, then residents of Crawford County, both now deceased. Five children have resulted from this union-William A., born July 18, 1860; Myrta L .. February 2, 1862; Anna M., March 21, 1878. The deceased are Otho C., born May 16, 1872, died August 20, 1873; Paul, born March 7, 1876, died April 4, 1876. Their mother was born in Crawford County, Ohio, November 6, 1836. Mr. Wolf owns some valuable town property and eleven acres of land within the village corporation; he also carries a stock of goods estimated at about $5,000. He is a Democrat in politics; has served in the Town Countil seven years; has been a member of the School Board six years, and is also a member of the F. & A. M., hav- ing served as Worshipful Master in that society two years.

WILLIAM B. WOOLSEY, Postmaster, Nevada, Ohio, was born March 10, 1847. He is a native of this township, and is a son of Walter and Harriet (Fraser) Woolsey, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respect- ively. They were joined in marriage at Little Sandusky in 1832. Their children were nine, four now living-Almira, wife of A. J. Peters; Martha, wife of James Reynolds; William B., and Henrietta F., wife of E. R. Irmer. The father came to this county in 1831, his death occurring October 6, 1851. Alexander Fraser was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving till the surrender of Hull at Detroit. He was taken prisoner, but was released, and made his way home on foot to Pickaway County, Ohio, in company with a comrade. In the course of their journey they narrowly escaped death by the hand of an Indian, who found them " napping," and snapped his gun at one of them. Mr. Fraser, awakening, killed the Indian on the spot. Mr. F was one of the first settlers of Wyandot County, locating at Little Sandusky in 1831. Harriet Woolsey died May 20, 1883. She had remarried in 1855 to Benjamin Kerns, two children, Scott and Joseph, being born. In 1865, she was again left a widow, and died as above stated. William B. Woolsey was reared on the old homestead, and obtained a fair education. At the death of his step-father he took charge of the farm, where he resided several years. In 1874, he located in Nevada, and engaged in the grain and wool trade under the firm name of Hunt, Elliot & Co., in which business he con- tinued four years. In 1881, he received the appointment of Postmaster, since serving in that capacity. He was married October 23, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Smith, daughter of John H. and Sarah (Wirick) Smith, one son, Franklin H., born September 12, 1874. Mr. Woolsey served as Treasurer of Antrim Township three terms, as Corporation Treasurer four years, and was elected Mayor of Nevada in 1883. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and I. O. O. F., and a Republican in politics. Jerome Woolsey, an elder brother, was a member of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, and died of typhoid fever, being buried on the banks of the Tallahassee River, Fla.

JOHN R. YOUNG was born in this county December 13, 1851. He is a son of Tobias and Elizabeth (Klinger) Young, and was the, only child. The former was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in October, 1824, and the latter in the same county May 15, 1825, They were married December 2, 1849, and April 11, 1850, erected a log cabin in Crawford County, into which they moved without a door or window. Wild animals were numerous. Mr. Young died March 10, 1853. His widow subsequently married Stephen Crawford, and had one son, William H. His father purchased eighty acres of land in 1846; his mother subsequently marrying Stephen Crawford, with whom she is still living. Mr. Young resided with his mother till twenty-four years of age, but preferring the out-door sports to the tedious tasks of the school- room, he obtained but a limited education. He inherited eighty acres from

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

his father's estate, where he has resided most of his life and is still located. He was married March 9, 1876, to Rachel E. Mollenkopf, a native of Lucas County, Ohio, and daughter of Philip and Dora (Hinely) Mollenkopf. Her parents were born in Germany, were married there, and emigrated to Amer- ica about 1855, locating three years in Lucas County. They then moved to Crawford County, where they still reside. Their children now living are Dora, Philip, John, Rachel, Lewis, Mary and Jacob. Mr. and Mrs. Young have three children-Lewis T., born March 4, 1878; Clara J., December 21, 1879; and Huldah, July 28, 1882. In politics, Mr. Young is a Democrat. SAMUEL ZULAUF is a native of this county, and was born December 7, 1849. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Christman) Zulauf, natives of Switzerland and Bavaria respectively. His parents were married in this country, and removed to this county from Wayne County about 1843-44. They first purchased eighty acres of land, on which they resided for several years. They subsequently added forty acres more to their possessions, but have now abandoned the farm, and reside in Upper Sandusky, enjoying the fruits of their toil. Samuel Zulauf resided with his parents till twenty-one years of age. He then worked by the month one year, rented land, and engaged in farming five years, purchasing forty acres in 1876. In 1882, he added eighty acres to this tract, and since has obtained sixty acres as & gift to his wife from her father. His farm is well improved, and valued at $75 per acre. Mr. Zulauf was married April 1, 1875, to Barbara Ritter- spach, a native of this county, born June 25, 1849 (see sketch of Henry Ritterspoch). They have four children-Charles R., born January 21, 1876; Mollie G., November 27, 1877; John H., March 6, 1879; Harry S., Decem- ber 10, 1881. Mr. Zulauf deals somewhat in stock, and is an energetic and enterprising young farmer. He is a Democrat, and is serving his second term as Township Trustee.

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CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER III.

CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP-

INTRODUCTORY-THE TOWNSHIP A HUNDRED YEARS AGO-THE CRAWFORD MONUMENT-THE STORY OF MATTHEW BRAYTON, THE LOST CHILD- EARLY SETTLERS-EXTRACTS FROM WILLIAM BROWN'S DIARY-INHAB- ITANTS OF THE TOWNSHIP IN 1845-ORIGINAL IMPROVEMENTS, ETC .- ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH-OFFICERS SINCE 1866-HISTORY OF CAREY VILLAGE-ITS MERCANTILE AND BANKING INTERESTS-MILLS, MANUFACTORIES, ETC .- HOTELS-RELIGIOUS-EDUCATION, ETC .- SECRET SOCIETIES-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP.

N TO portion of Wyandot County is richer in historic interest or more replete with historic incident than the above-named township. The name of Crawford is here synonymous for all that is barbarous and cruel in Indian customs and warfare; for here it was that the lamented Colonel suf- fered death by burning at the stake amid the hideous jeers of his savage torturers, and from the wilds of this locality the unfortunate child, Mat- thew Brayton, was carried captive into barbarism, from which it is not abso- Itely certain he ever returned.

Crawford Township was organized in the county of Crawford in 1825, and became a part of this county in 1845. It is one of the northern tier of townships of Wyandot, bounded on the north by Seneca County, on the east by Tymochtee Township, on the south by Salem, on the west by Ridge. The soil of this locality is very fertile, and supports a prosperous farming community. Tymochtee Creek cuts the southeast corner of the township, and the other portions are drained by numerous natural and artificial drains, which renders the production of the ordinary grains and vegetables quite successful.

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

The territory comprised in this township was one of the most famous of the early Indian sporting grounds, being the seat of an extensive village of the Delaware Indians, who, under the command of Capt. Pipe, the notori- ous Delaware chief, executed Col. William Crawford in 1782. The exact spot on which the burning took place is not now positively known, though a monument has been erected to the unfortunate hero near the place where the horrible death is supposed to have been inflicted This monument was erected August 30, 1877, on a high bank south of Tymoch- tee Creek, near the east line of the southwest quarter of Section 26, on lands now owned by Alfred K. Davis. It was obtained as a result of the efforts of the Wyandot Pioneer Association, and in the presence of near 8,000 citizens was dedicated to the memory of him whose name is inscribed upon its surface. On the occasion referred to, Col. M. H. Kirby was chosen as President and Curtis Berry, Jr., Secretary. Prayer was offered by Rev. R. C. Colmery and Rev. John Sherrard, of Bucyrus, grandson of John Sherrard, who was under the command of Col. Crawford at the time of his defeat in 1782, delivered the opening address, followed by other speeches by the old pioneers. A collection was taken to defray the expense of the mon-

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

ument, a basket dinner was partaken of by the myriads present, after which followed an able address by Gen. William H. Gibson, whose brilliant ora- tory did great credit to the subject and the occasion. The dedicatory remarks were made by the Secretary, Hon. Curtis Berry, Jr., who origi- nated the idea of erecting the monument, Mr. John Gormley suggesting its form and altitude.

This shaft is made of Berea sandstone, and is eight and one-half feet in height. It is supported by a base six inches larger in diameter than the main shaft, and bears the following inscription:

In memory of Colonel Crawford, who was burnt by the Indians in this valley June 11, A. D. 1782.

On the base:

Erected by the Pioneer Association of Wyandot County August 3, 1877.

Many of the old pioneers of the county were present to share the honors of the day, and recount the scenes and hardships of their early days and efforts in the wilds of Wyandot, among them being Hon. George W. Leith, Daniel Funk, James and Rhoda Miller, Mary Karr, Frances Brackley, Solomon Spoon, Adam High, Jacob Stryker, Jacob Corfman, George James, John Ribley, Hamilton Morrison, and many others whose ages ranged from seventy to ninety years.

At the time of Crawford's battle with the Indians, the Delawares, under Capt. Pipe, had a large town a few miles to the northwest of the scene of the engagement, the vicinity of the present village of Crawfordsville. In anticipation of defeat the old men, women and children of the tribe were concealed at the mouth of Tymochtee Creek, and runners communicated with them every hour at the camp, giving information as to the progress of the battle, the intention being to flee to the " Black Swamp," a large expanse of land, lying east of the Maumee River, in case of defeat. A colored man, by the name of Samuel Wells, was with these Indian families at the time referred to, and is said to have been the servant of Simon Girty, the semi- savage, who played so conspicuous a part in the Crawford horror. This negro slave lived to the advanced age of one hundred and ten years, and, as late as 1857, was a township charge in Eden Township, this county.

MATTHEW BRAYTON.

Since the aggressive and progressive Caucasian set foot upon the shores of America the instances of the capture of their children by barbarous tribes along the borders of civilization have been numbered by the score. Page after page and volume after volume have been written to picture the thrill- ing incidents which captives have experienced at the hands of their captors, or witnessed while in their custody, and to portray the agony of grief into which devoted parents have been plunged by the loss of sons or daughters by these human hyenas of the forest. Of all these instances, whether in song or story, none are perhaps fraught with deeper or sadder interest than the capture of Matthew Brayton, who was stolen from his home in this township in 1825. Additional interest is derived from these facts, that neighbors and friends who witnessed or experienced the first deep bursts of anguish from stricken hearts at the loss of so dear a treasure are still among us, and though sixty years have gone by since the helpless and innocent

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child was borne away in terror by his merciless captors, the flowers of mem- ory are still green, moistened by brothers' tears.

The circumstances of the capture of Matthew Brayton are related in substance as follows: On the 20th of September, 1825, William Brayton, with his younger brother, Matthew, then nearly seven years old,* started in search of some stray cattle. They proceeded two or three miles in the di- rection of the place where William Brayton now lives, but finding no trace of the missing cattle, and meeting a neighbor, Hart, who was on the same errand, Matthew Brayton, unable to endure a more extensive search, was sent to the house of a Mr. Baker, about sixty rods distant, where he was to remain until the return of his brother and Mr. Hart, who were to continue the search for the stray cattle. The two men set out on their cattle hunt- ing expedition, and left little Matthew to find his way to Mr. Baker's house by the narrow and ill-defined pathway. At the close of the day, William Brayton called at Mr. Baker's residence, but found to his astonishment that Matthew had not been seen by any of the family. He then turned his steps homeward, thinking that Matthew had changed his mind and gone home, but on arriving there found still no tidings of the missing boy. The alarm and apprehension that filled the breast of the mother on being in- formed of what had happened can scarcely be conceived. A thousand fear- ful thoughts flitted in rapid succession through her mind, but no time was lost in useless grieving, for the men and women who braved the dangers of frontier life were quick to think and prompt to act. A little party turned out at once to search for the missing boy, and restore him, if possible, to the anxious household. From the spot where the brothers had parted the path to Mr. Baker's cabin was narrowly searched and marks of the child's feet were clearly discernible. At no great distance from the place mentioned the path was intersected by a track made by some logs which recently had been drawn from the woods and at this point the traces showed that Mat- thew had stopped in doubt; they also showed that he had finally taken the log track in mistake for the regular path. Up that track his little footsteps were traced for some distance, but after awhile they became fainter, and at last disappeared altogether. On the margin of the track the woods were searched in vain for traces of his wandering feet. The Indian trail which led from Upper Sandusky to Springville, and thence to the Black Swamp to Perrysburg, crossed here, and it was possible that he had taken that trail; but his footprints, if he had really followed that path, were obliterated by those of passing Indians.

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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 87

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway Number of Pages: 1072

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072