The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 78

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076

USA > Ohio > Hardin County > The history of Hardin county, Ohio > Part 78

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Amariah Thorne came to this township from Trumbull County, in 1836, and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 15. He married Cassander Thorne, a daughter of William Thorne, one of the early settlers of Wash- ington Township. Mr. Thorne remained a resident on the land where he first located until his death, and bis remains were interred upon his brother, Noah Thorne's, farm. Mr. Thorne was a true type of the pioneer, and en- dured his numerous hardships. He was a noted hunter in those days of abundance of game. At his house was held the first election of the town- ship, where they continued to be held until the erection of a schoolhouse at Ada, about 1851. Mr. Thorne had a large family of children, most of whom are deceased-one son died while serving in the army in the war of the re- bellion. Mrs. Thorne still survives, and resides on the old home place with her daughter Tabitha. Noah Thorne, a brother of Amariah Thorne, settled at the same date on land adjoining him on the south. Here he resided several years, during which time his wife died. and soon after he removed back to their native State of Virginia.

Richard M. Johnson, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., emigrated to Richland County, Ohio, in 1820, with his parents, where they died and

711

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

where he married Rebecca Walkup, and, in the spring of 1836, removed to this county and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 15, where he entered forty acres of land, upon which he erected his cabin and commenced in the woods, and here he still lives, having made a continued residence of forty-seven years. After he located here, he says he lived six weeks with . out seeing the face of a white man. He was one of the eleven voters at the first election after the organization of Liberty Township. Mr. Johnson experienced the " true inwardness " of pioneer life. He saw the erection of the first house and the first business interest of the now thriving town of . Ada; has seen her spread her incorporate limits and erect her fine houses, until all his land is embraced within its limits and fine dwellings erected to his place and beyond it, a distance of more than half a mile northward from where the first house was built; and has also witnessed the extension of the town to an equal distance in a southward direction. And well may he exclaim, " What a wonderful change!" Mr. Johnson is a man of re- served habits, very unassuming, but of undoubted integrity. He is the father of the following children, viz .: Barbara, Margery, Andrew, Austin, John, Lydia, Mary and Samuel, all of whom are living except Margery.

David Sleichter was a native of Pennsylvania, but who became an early settler of Columbiana County; thence, about 1835-36, he removed to this township and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 32. Subsequently he removed to Ada, and in partnership with Calvin Gilbert erected a steam grist mill-the first in Liberty Township-but soon after sold the mill property and entered upon the grocery trade, but subsequently removed to Michigan; thence to Indiana, where he died. His children were George, Catharine, David, Emanuel and Jacob.

Eli Pugh settled on the southwest quarter of Section 28, about 1836-37, where he resided till his death, an honored and respected citizen. His children were as follows: Cornelius, James, Catharine, Henry and Mar- tin V.

Philip Hoon, a native of Ireland, came here from Columbiana County, Ohio, and settled on the east half of Section 28, in the spring of 1838, and here resided till his death. He died April 17, 1858, aged fifty-seven years, and his remains were interred upon his own farm, but were subsequently dis- interred and placed in an established cemetery just south of his place. He married Mary Angerstein. His children were Daniel, John, Julia Ann, Harriet, Catharine and Elizabeth.

Jacob Sapp settled on the southeast quarter of Section 21, on what has since been known as the "Dobbins place" and is now embraced in the vil- lage of Ada, about 1837. In 1839, he erected a horse mill for grinding- the first in Liberty Township-but remained here only a few years and moved away.

John Wilson, a native of Virginia, married Elizabeth Thorne, and set- tled on the southwest quarter of Section 10, about 1837-38. Here he opened a country store, being the first merchant in this township. At one time he had quite a large stock of goods, but failed to make a financial success, and finally removed his goods to Kenton. . Mr. Wilson dealt largely in stock and in furs, and especially in coon skins, and in consequence of the large amount of the latter which he purchased and sold, he was termed " Coon Skin Wilson." He at one time did quite an extensive business, and was well known over a large extent of country. Of his children were Thomas, Martin and James; the former is deceased.

John Hoon, a brother of Philip Hoon, was born in Somerset County,

712

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Penn., in 1808; in 1816, with his parents, he removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, and, in 1837-38, removed to Liberty Township with his parents, five brothers and four sisters. He entered forty acres of land on Section 28. He paid the Government $50, all the money he had. Then he worked here and there for his neighbors as he could obtain work, and finally cleared up his land, raised grain and sold it for 40 cents per bushel, pur- chased more land, and before his death owned a good and valuable farm. He lived a life of celibacy and died February 16, 1881, aged seventy-three years.

Issam G. Kindle, a native of Virginia, emigrated with his parents to Perry County, Ohio, where they died. There Issam married Anna Plum- mer, and, in 1836, removed to this county and settled on the southeast quar- ter of Section 7, where he resided till his death. He died, a few years since, at an advanced age. He was a man of marked eccentricities, yet of strict integ- rity; an excellent neighbor and a worthy citizen. He was four times mar- ried and was the father of twenty children, all of whom are now deceased ex- cept five, viz., Lucinda, Eliza, Andrew, Thomas and Harman. Robert Kindle, a brother of Issam G., came here at same date. He died many years ago. His wife survived him and died in 1881 or 1882. Of his children were Elizabeth, James, Mary, John and Catharine.

Nicholas High, a native of Germany, married Charlotte Sutter, and, in 1833, emigrated to America and settled in Richland County, Ohio. In 1838, they removed to Hardin County and settled on Section 28, Liberty Town- ship, where his son Nicholas now resides, and here remained till, his death, on October 6, 1846. His widow still survives, and resides on the old home- stead with her son. After their arrival, and before their cabin was com- pleted, he was taken sick, and Mrs. High chinked and daubed the cabin and brought it into condition so they could live in it. For some time they hauled and carried their water from the Runser place, a distance of nearly two miles, until they succeeded in getting a well dug. They were a family who knew and experienced full well the deprivations and hardships of pioneer life; but their labors were not in vain, for were duly rewarded, and now they have a beautiful farm and home. They had the following chil- dren: Elizabeth, Jacob, Barbara, Nicholas and Catharine, and two who died in Germany.

Thomas Ryan settled on land now owned by Evan Jackson in Section 35, about 1835. He was crippled and could not farm, but obtained his livelihood by manufacturing measures for measuring grain, and after a few years' residence here he moved away.

Robert Hyndman was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1804; emi- grated to America in 1834, and, in the fall of 1838, came to Hardin County and settled on the south half of the northeast quarter of Section 20, where he has ever since resided. He erected a small log cabin; now he has a good farm and good buildings and improvements. Being a man of intelli- gence, and of unquestioned integrity, his fellow-citizens have repeatedly placed him in service as a township officer. He served as Treasurer twelve years successively. When he first settled here, the Wyandot Indians were in the habit of hunting through the forests, and one morning he heard the sharp crack of a rifle near his barn in the edge of the clearing, and there he found an Indian skinning a deer, who kindly gave him a piece for his breakfast. The Indians were very friendly, and often came to his cabin and ate with him. He remarked one peculiarity in the Indians-they were always hungry; and were great eaters whenever they could have an oppor-

713

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

tunity to gratify their appetites. Mr. Hyndman was accustomed to attend most of the cabin-raisings and log-rollings in the settlement for many years, and thus experienced the difficulties and hardships of the early set- tlers; for then all were glad to see new neighbors come to improve the land of the township. It was then the custom to have plenty of whisky at such gatherings, and it was generally freely used; yet Mr. Hyndman claims to have been a strict temperance man and refrained from the use of all stimu- lants on all occasions, and this virtue, with his many other good qualities, gave him a high position in the esteem and confidence of his many acquaintances.

Daniel Emerson came from Morgan County, Ohio, and settled on Sec- tion 31, Liberty Township, in 1838-39, where he resided till his death. He married Mary Swift, by whom he had several children, but all have died or moved away.

George Dougherty came from Morgan County, and bought a piece of Jand of the above-mentioned Mr. Emerson, upon which he settled in 1839- 40. He married a Miss Matheny. He died upon the place where he first settled. His wife survived him several years, and died while living with her daughter. Their children were Joseph, Mary, Daniel, Jane, George and William, of whom Joseph and George are still residents of the town- ship; all the others are either dead or moved away.

William Ansley, a native of Tennessee, became an early settler of Logan County, and, in 1838-39, removed to this county and settled on Sec- tion 34 in this township, where he now resides. He married Catharine McAdams.

John Shuster was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1800; in 1814, he removed with his parents to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he married Elizabeth Winget, in 1821. In 1839, he removed with his family to Hardin County and settled on Section 9, Liberty Township. He had previously, in 1834, entered his land. In 1841, his house was destroyed by fire; it oc- curred in the night, and nothing was saved out of the house but two feather beds, the family barely escaping in their night-clothes. He came here and commenced right in the woods with but $37. His son Daniel went to Logan County and worked at $8 per month to get provisions for the family until they could clear land and raise a crop. His wife died February 4, 1869. For further particulars of the family, see biographical sketch in another part of this work.

William Clappin was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1793, where he married Sarah Powell. In 1826, they emigrated to Quebec, Canada; from there to Upper Sandusky, where they resided four years; thence to Big Island Township, Marion County, and resided seven years; thence, in 1839-40, came to this county and settled on Section 26. About 1870-71, he left his farm and removed to Ada, and resided several years; thence re- moved to Kenton, where he now resides at the advanced age of ninety years.

Elijah Wilson was born in the State of New York in 1801, but early emigrated to Washington County, Ohio, and, in the fall of 1840, removed to Hardin County and settled sixteen miles northwest of Kenton, where he en- gaged in farming several years; thence he removed to within eight miles of Kenton, where he kept a tavern; thence he removed to Ada, where he lived till he died at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died, aged sixty-eight years. They were members of the Christian Church. Of their children, George Wilson was born in Washington County in 1821, and came with his

714

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

parents to this county in 1840, where he married and has since resided-a period of forty-three years. He labored hard, principally on the railroad, for thirty-five years. Mr. Wilson says he helped to lay the first T-rail ever placed upon a road in Ohio, at Sandusky. He is the father of eight children, of whom only three survive.

The above embrace, we think, most of the earliest settlers who came here prior to 1840. From this date to 1850, a large number came and set- tled in Liberty Township, many of whom saw and experienced as many hardships as those who came earlier, and truly lived and performed a pio- neer life. Of these, we mention John Trassel, Esq., James Mustard, John J. Garlinger, Hammond Gilbert, Eli Newman, George Rusher, Samuel Anspach, Solomon Anspach, David Klingler, Charles Asire, John Long, John Shanks and the Runser families and Horace Gilbert, all of whom have been prominent, active and useful citizens of the township.

RAILROADS, ROADS AND PIKES.

In the first settling of this township, as they opened out roads from set- tlement to settlement, the flat and wet condition of the surface made the roads, during a large portion of the year, almost impassable. The soil was deep and rich, with a wonderful capacity of retaining water. But as im provements were made, and the lands ditched and drained, so the roads became drier and in better condition for easy and comfortable travel. One railroad, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, passes through the center of the township from east to west. This was completed about 1853, and is one among the best roads in Ohio. The building of this road gave a great im- petus to the improvement and progress of the township, opening out a means of transportation both for imports and exports; since which the prog- ress of the township has been rapid and permanent. During the last few years, much attention has been given to the construction of pikes, several having been completed. In the bed of Hog Creek is an abundance of limestone, and here they have erected stone-crushers, run by steam power, by which the stone is broken up fine, and with which they build the best of macadamized pikes. Of these is the Kenton & Ada pike, which has been continued northward to within one mile of the Hancock County line, and one from Ada westward to the Allen County line, and one on the section line between Sections 30 and 31, following said line eastward to the Wash- ington Township line, and others are in contemplation. These make solid, smooth and durable roads.

SCHOOLS.

The first school existing in Liberty Township was a subscription school, taught in a cabin on Marshall Candler's place by Roxanna Vincent, in 1837- 38. Twelve scholars were obtained by the efforts of Mr. Candler. The teacher was paid $3 per scholar for a term of twelve weeks. In the north- east part of the township, the first school was taught by John Cooney, in the house of Hugh W. McElroy. Soon after, a small frame schoolhouse was erected on the southeast corner of John Garlinger's farm, opposite the present house, and Eli Strock was the first teacher. In 1873, this house was succeeded by the present neat and substantial brick house. And thus from settlement to settlement, in the different parts of the township, were established these pioneer schools, which were the germs of the present fine schools of this township. In the spring of 1850, the incorporation of the railroad company was made by the Legislature, and soon after surveys were

I. A. Stansell MiD

717

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

made, locating the road, and settlers began to locate in the vicinity of Ada, and, in 1851, a frame school building was erected on Main street, on the west side, about two squares north of the railroad. This house served the pur- poses of a schoolhouse and a place for holding elections for about fifteen years, when the great increase in the number of scholars made it necessary to build a larger and more commodious house. They erected a large, two- story brick house. This in a few years, from the rapid growth of the town, became insufficient to accommodate the children, and an extensive addition was built, attached to the former building, making it as it now exists .. Again this became insufficient, and a frame building was erected with two rooms, on the same lot near the brick house. For several years this has been one of the best and most flourishing union schools in the county. The rapid growth of the town, with its enterprising class of citizens and excellent corps of teachers, have given this school a prestige perhaps second to none in the county. These school buildings, as they now stand, have cost about $14,000; and now (1883) their capacity is insufficient to properly accommodate the increased number of scholars, and they premeditate build- ing larger this summer. Ada is also the favored location of one of the largest and best normal schools in the State, a full and extended history of which is given elsewhere in this work. The following is the last report of the Board of Education of Liberty Township:

Total receipts for school purposes, $3,807.97; total expenditures for school purposes, $3,917.17; amount overpaid by the Treasurer, $99.20. Number of schoolhouses, 8; rooms, 8; teachers, 8. Average wages per month paid teachers-male, $37; female, $22. Total valuation of school property, $6,000.

Ada Union Schools-Total receipts, $8,263.28; total expenditures, $5, - 814.29; balance on hand, September 1, 1883, $2,448.99. Number of houses, 9; rooms, 9; teachers, 9. Average wages paid teachers, male, $43; female, $30. Valuation of school property, $50,000. A Superintendent is em- ployed and paid for half-time at $60 per month. Entire enrollment of scholars, 578.

NORTHWESTERN OHIO NORMAL SCHOOL .*

The Northwestern Ohio Normal School is located in the village of Ada, Hardin Co., Ohio, on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, midway between the intersections of the D. & M. and L. E. & W. Railways at Lima and the I. B. &. W. at Forest. The village of Ada is situated in a healthy country on the water-shed dividing the waters flowing into the Gulf from those emptying into the Great Lakes. The country in the immediate vicinity, and for many miles in every direction, is very fertile and under a high state of cultivation. The population is composed principally of na- tive-born Americans. The inhabitants are generally moral, opposed to saloons and their concomitants. The village being small, numbering about 2,000 inhabitants, is free from many of the vices so prevalent in our large cities. The facilities for cheap boarding are good, and, all things con- sidered, the advantages for obtaining a practical education are most ex- cellent.

ORIGIN.

In the spring of 1866, H. S. Lehr, the present Principal of the institu- tion, came to Ada, then called Johnstown, and made the following proposi- tion to the School Board: That he be paid $60 per month for the first

* By H. S. Lehr.

718

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

year's work, and allowed the use of the school building for select school when not in public use, and that, should he prove successful in procuring foreign scholars, the citizens of the town and vicinity should assist him in erecting buildings suitable for a normal school. In a short time, the limits of the old frame schoolhouse were outgrown and a commodious brick build- ing was erected; wages were increased, commensurate with the prosperity of the school, and the school kept on increasing, when, after teaching four years in the fall of 1870 the foreign students amounted to 120, and the new schoolhouse was found too small. The propitious time for asking the citi- zens for the promised help seemed to have arrived. A meeting of the citi- zens was called, and the following proposition was made for their consider- ation: That H. S. Lehr would furnish $5,000 toward the erection of a nor- mal school building, if they would furnish a like amount. The proposition was accepted, and in order to raise his portion, Prof. Lehr admitted J. G. Park and B. F. Neisz as partners. The building was commenced at once, and in the fall of 1871 was sufficiently far advanced in construction to admit of ded- ication, and the school was formally opened August 11, 1871. The enroll- ment for the first term was 147. The enrollment for the spring term of 1883 will reach 1,000 different students.

First Faculty-H. S. Lehr, A. M., President; B. F. Neisz, B. S., Vice President; J. G. Park, Secretary; Theo. Presser.

PROGRESS AND VICCISSITUDES OF THE INSTITUTION.

The enrollment of the first term was 147, but the second, or winter, term was much smaller. The first year, the High School scholars of the Union school attended the Normal School, which increased the enrollment and helped the finances. The school did not grow much the second year, for various reasons. First, the building and furnishing of the house involved the faculty to a considerable extent, and therefore they were unable to ad- vertise. Second, some of the citizens failed to pay their subscriptions ac- cording to agreement, which gave the contractors an excuse for not com- pleting the building according to contract. The roof being deficient, afforded an opportunity for litigation between the faculty and the Board of Trustees, who represented the citizens' capital in the building. At the end of the second year, a settlement was made between the Faculty and Trustees, and the building was fully repaired and completed by the faculty. Ever since, the growth has been constant, and the ratio of increase has been 10 to 40 per cent on each preceding corresponding term.

About this time, another partner, Lewis Rutledge, was added to the firm. He purchased the half interest of H. S. Lehr. In the spring of 1875, B. F. Neisz sold his interest to J. J. Wood. In the fall of 1875, the normal school known as the Northwestern Normal School located at Fostoria, Ohio, under supervision of J. Fraise Richard, was bought by this school and moved to Ada. This removed a competitor, and as a consequence the school grew very rapidly. In July, 1876, Frederick Maglott purchased the one- fourth interest owned by J. J. Wood, and made preparations to devote his life to the normal school work.

In a short time, the number of students exceeded the facilities for ac- commodation. Another building and more apparatus must be supplied by some means. The question, " How shall the money be obtained?" pre- sented itself forcibly. The faculty proposed to the citizens of Ada that the town be taxed to the amount of $20,000 for a new building, furniture and apparatus, and that the school furnish tuition free to all the High School

719

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

scholars after passing a certain grade. After much discussion, it was found that a majority of the citizens were in favor of the project, and at a meeting of the citizens a committee was appointed to go to Columbus and secure legislation empowering them to tax themselves for this purpose. The Com- mittee consisted of J. E. Lowery, W. L. Reece, G. H. Zuschgwert and H. S. Lehr.

The Legislature passed a bill enabling the citizens to tax themselves, providing that at a special election, to be held for the purpose of determin- ing, the measure be carried by a three-fourths vote in favor of the bill. The vote stood 329 in favor, 23 opposed. The contract for a new house was let at once, and in the fall of 1879 the building was ready for use. The growth of the institution now was marvelous. In a short time, its en- rollment was doubled. The following table shows the annual enrollment:

School year 1871-72, number of pupils, 288; 1872-73, 281; 1873-74, 316; 1874-75, 357; 1875-76, 449; 1876-77, 476; 1877-78, 473; 1878-79, 695; 1879-80, 1,006; 1880-81, 1,402; 1881-82, 1,918.

In July, 1880, G. W. Rutledge sold his interest to N. G. Stringfellow and H. E. Neff. Mr. Stringfellow died February 2, 1883, his widow still owning an eighth interest in the school.

The institution has again outgrown its accommodations, and the faculty has contracted for the erection of a large frame building, to be used for recitations and a reading room. The proprietors are considering the pro- priety of changing the name and character of the school, making it a uni- versity in name and fact.

METHOD OF ORGANIZATION.

The institution is owned by the faculty, and under the immediate con- trol of the same, both as regards its finances and its government. There are eight courses sustained: Teachers', Scientific, Classical, Commercial, Musical, Telegraphic, Engineering and Medical. Arrangements are now being made for a Law Department. There have been many graduates in the classical course who have read more Latin and Greek than any college in Ohio requires in its course.

FACILITIES.

The school is well supplied with maps, charts, cabinets and libraries.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 78

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076