556 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. CHAPTER XIX.* (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) LIBERTY TOWNSHIP-DESCRIPTION AND TOPOGRAPHY-EARLY SETTLEMENTS-EARLY PRIVA- TIONS AND INDUSTRIES-SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES-CHURCHES-THE VILLAGE. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP is situated in the center of Crawford County, and the geographical center of the county lies in Liberty Township, about one mile southwest of the township center. In the survey made by the Government, Liberty is known as Township 2, of Range 17 east, and its limits at the present time are the same as when it was laid off by the Government surveyors. In 1835, the County Commissioners, at their June session, formed two townships from the territory embraced at that time within the limits of Sandusky, and to the northern township, which bore the original name, they attached the eastern fractional sections of Liberty, viz., 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36. These fractional sec- * Contributed by Thomas Hopley tions continued as a part of Sandusky several years, when they were again permanently attached to Liberty Township, which is at the present time six miles in extent from north to south, and nearly five and one-half miles from east to west: containing a few acres less than thirty-two and three-fourths square miles of territory. Liberty is bounded on the north by Chatfield and Cranberry, on the east by a small portion of Cranberry and Sandusky, on the south by Whetstone, and on the west by Holmes. The Sandusky River enters the township near the southeastern corner, and winds along toward the west, bearing to the south until it leaves Liberty at the southwestern corner. The Broken Sword Creek, which rises in this township, flows through the north- HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 557 ern portion. Bull Run, a smaller stream, which aids in forming the Broken Sword, is the natural water-course of the eastern and central lands of Liberty, while many of the farms of the western part are drained by Brandywine Creek before it enters Holmes Township. The Sandusky River and these small creeks form the watercourse by which the township is drained. When Liberty was first settled. the lands were covered by a dense forest, which contained a luxuriant growth of underbrush, weeds and wild grass, and the lands were wet most of the year. The industrious and energetic race who have occupied the township during the past sixty years, and cleared away the forests, cut down the underbrush and improved the farms, have also perfected the natural water-course by constructing numerous ditches, and, at the present time, Liberty is one of the best-tilled and most productive townships of Ohio. The eastern boundary of Liberty is the boundary line of the New Purchase, and the lands embraced in the township comprise a small portion of the immense tract purchased by the United States Government from the Indians in 1817. Thousands of the early settlers of the New Purchase, in journeying to their new homes, passed through Crawford County, and, of the vast multitude, a number turned aside and visited the forests and glades and glens of Liberty. It is not surprising then that many of these remained, and, in a few years, all the Government land in the township was entered, and most of it by actual settlers. The first families were generally from New England and the Western Reserve, and they entered land along the Sandusky River bottom. Shortly afterward came the descendants of the Pennsylvania Dutch and emigrants from Germany. These settled upon the lands in the central and northern portions of the township. Some of these pioneer settlers who first entered the lands at the Government office sold out and left for the West, but the greater portion of them remained, and their descendants are to-day occupying these same farms, and reaping the harvest their ancestors sowed a half-century ago in toil and hardship. Liberty, in 1820 an unbroken forest, without a single white inhabitant, contained, in 1830, by the United States census, 655 persons. The population of the township at each decade since that time was as follows: 1840, 1,469; 1850, 1,782 ; 1860, 1,788; 1870, 1,597 ; 1880, 1,685. These figures prove that there are less people in Liberty at the present time than in 1850 or 1860. The reason for this decrease in population is; that, from 1860 to several years after 1870, many of the smaller land-holders sold out to their more fortunate neighbors and moved to the West. Dr. J. B. Squires, in his pioneer sketch, makes the following statements in regard to the character of the country and the hardships of the early settlers: Sixty years ago the territory, of which this township is composed, was one unbroken wilderness, traversed by roving bands of red men who used it as an occasional hunting-ground, though they had no fixed habitations here. No Indian village or cluster of wigwams relieve the unbroken density of the forest. The deer, the wild turkey and other species of game, was abundant then. Numerous packs of wolves made night hideous with their discordant howls, and an occasional black bear was seen by the Indian hunter and early settler. The whole land was covered by a forest of huge trees, so dense and similar every-where in appearance that the early settler was obliged to mark his excursions from home by blazing trees, that is, cutting a strip of bark off the opposite sides of a tree and in sight of that tree blaze another, and so on, to mark his course in order to find his way home, or be able to travel in the same direction at another time. In physical comforts, the pioneers suffered privations of which those who know nothing of them can form no adequate conception. Fre- 558 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. quently, when the corn-meal was all gone, the mother would be compelled to grate enough for the supper she wished to prepare for her family. Occasionally there was a little wheat flour in the house, and then short-cake would be made for breakfast on Sunday morning. Nevertheless, they were quite often treated to luxuries which would be enjoyed in this day. A lucky shot brought down a fat deer or wild turkey, and they feasted thereon and pronounced it good, and especially after the cutting down of a bee-tree the fare was deemed excellent for a few days. Mortars were constructed for bruising corn into coarse meal, and hand mills were built. When the McMichael mill got to grinding, it was a great accommodation to the settlers, yet the river was so low that it was impossible to grind with it much of the year, and horse-mills were constructed in various parts of the country. Isaac Rise, a comparatively early settler, built one of these on the farm where he now resides, which was often thronged both night and day by people waiting their turn to hitch on their teams, some times a yoke of oxen, and grind their grists, for they were all anxious to get started for home. There were mills running at Mansfield and on the Mohican. but these were too far off to visit frequently at that early day when there were no roads. However some of the settlers would occasionally patronize them, but it generally took two whole days to go to and return from the Mansfield mills. The grist was placed on the back of a horse, and the man or boy walked and led the faithful animal. Fruit trees were early planted, and soon peaches became abundant, but apple-trees took a longer time to come into bearing. Sheep and cattle became plenty after a few years, and milk, butter, beef and mutton, as well as fruit, were added to the material comforts of life." Several years previous to the settlement of Liberty Township. Johnny Appleseed had visited the southwestern portion, and planted one of his numerous nurseries on the farm afterward entered by the first settler; but the first cabin built in Liberty as a home for the white man. the nucleus of civilization, the first breaking of ground in that savage wilderness of nature, was in 1820 by Daniel McMichael. who settled upon the 160 acres of land comprising the southwest quarter of Section 32. This farm is now owned and occupied by Nathan Cooper. Daniel McMichael was born in Ireland. and near the close of the eighteenth century, when he was sixteen years old, his parents emigrated to America and settled in Westmoreland County, Penn. In a few years, McMichael formed the acquaintance of a "Scotch lassie," and they were married. The following seven children were the result of their union : David. born November 30, 1806 ; Mathew November, 1808: William, December 17, 1810: Martha. January 23, 1813: Mary, February 22, 1815 ; Daniel, March 18, 1817: Allen, July 14, 1819. In 1820, McMichael removed with his wife and family to Crawford County, and settled for a few weeks on what is now the northern part of Bucyrus corporation. He desired to engage in the milling business, and finding a more suitable location about four miles up the Sandusky River, removed his family to the land he first entered in Liberty Township. In a few months, he commenced work on this new enterprise, which was the first mill erected in what was then Crawford County. Until it was built, the settlers in the neighborhood were compelled to visit the Hosford Mill, near what is now Galion that is, if they desired grinding without going over a score of miles. McMichael soon found he could not depend upon the Sandusky River for water-power to keep the machinery running twelve months each year; the outlook was not promising, and, about 1823, he rented the establishment to Nehemiah Squires and removed to Bucyrus, where he died some two years afterward, in 1825. HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 559 In the fall of 1820, Ralph Bacon arrived in the new country with his wife and nine children. Bacon was of Massachusetts descent, and had formerly resided in that portion of Geauga County which is at the present time within the limits of Lake. The family removed from Northeastern Ohio to their new home in wagons drawn by oxen, and on November 13, 1820, they arrived at what is now Bucyrus. The first night they stayed with Marshall Beadle, who lived at that time on the land now occupied by the residence of Silas Bowers. The next day the Bacons moved into a vacant shanty, which had been erected upon the land now owned by Thomas Hall, in the northeastern part of Bucyrus, and they occupied this until Bacon had constructed a round-log cabin upon his land in Liberty Township. In about two weeks, their rude home was finished, and early in December they removed to it. The exact site of this cabin is now unoccupied by any building to mark the spot where it stood. In going west from the present residence of James H. Kemmis till you cross a bridge and ascend a long hill, the first level around on the top of the hill. at the left hand side road of the may be recognized as its location. "The land entered by Bacon was the eighty acres comprised in the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 33, of Liberty Township, and this farm is at present owned by his son Martin. Mr. Bacon also purchased from the Government at the same time 160 acres in Whetstone Township, and many years later he erected upon this a more satisfactory residence than a log cabin, which he occupied until he died, on June 14, 1850, having been a resident of Crawford County a few months less than thirty years. He was the father of thirteen children, viz., Charles, Sarah, Mary, Martin, Emeline, Minerva, Clarissa, Emily, Ralph, Dexter, Caroline, Eliza and William. Ralph, the ninth child. was only four months old when the family removed to the township, and about seventeen months afterward Dexter, the tenth child, was born, on May 6, 1822. He was the first white male child born in Liberty, and is living at the present time on the land just west of the eighty acres purchased by his father in 1820. In September 1822, Sarah Bacon married Philander Odell, and they were the first couple married in the township. Bacon's thirteen children all lived until they reached maturity; most of them were married and raised large families, and the second settler of Liberty was the ancestor of many of the enterprising and energetic citizens of this township and Crawford County. The third settler to purchase land and erect a cabin was Auer Umberfield, who came with the Bacons in 1820. He drove one of their ox teams from Geauga County, and brought with him $100 in gold. Land was worth only $1.25 per acre, and the amount he had was sufficient to purchase eighty acres. The tract he entered lies west of the present home of Dexter Bacon, and it is now owned by Mrs. Diana Blowers. During the winter, Umberfield boarded with the Bacons. but he soon grew tired of being the only bachelor of the neighborhood, and married one of the daughters of James Scott, who resided at that time in Whetstone Township. This was possibly the first marriage ceremony performed in Crawford County. Umberfield did not remain in the township many years, but, in 1835, sold out to Samuel Plants, and left for the West. Plants was the father of Judge Josiah S. Plants, who resided in Liberty a few years while he was a young man. In the spring of 1821, Thomas McClure settled upon the 160 acres now owned by George Donnenwirth, and built a cabin just south of the Sandusky River, but he only lived in the township a few years, and in 1833, sold out to Michael Nigh, and removed to Richland County. John Maxfield also settled in Liberty during the spring or summer of 1821. He purchased 160 acres of land, eighty between Umberfield's and McClure's 560 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. land, and eighty just east of Umberfield's. Maxfield was a Vermont Yankee, but he had resided a short time at the Harding settlement, some five miles southeast of what is now Galion, previous to his removal to Crawford County. Maxfield built a cabin on his east eighty, just south of the river, upon the bluff: but being ignorant of the exact location of his northern boundary line, he unfortunately got his cabin upon the land north of his eighty. Shortly afterward, a peddler by the name of Richard Spicer, came into the neighborhood. and discovered Maxfield's mistake. Spicer hastened to Delaware and entered the eighty acres upon which the cabin was standing when he left. The actions of the peddler aroused the suspicions of the Vermont Yankee, and deciding that, as he did not care to lose the improvements he had made, the cabin must be quickly removed to his own land. He gathered his neighbors together, explained the matter to them, and, with their assistance, the removal was made in a few hours. When the peddler returned to take possession, he was chagrined to find that he had been outwitted by his Yankee neighbor. After residing in Liberty about twenty years, Maxfield sold out to Dexter Bacon, and removed to Illinois. About the year 1833, Maxfield built the brick residence which is still standing, and occupied by Bacon. This was the first brick house erected in Liberty Township. Machinery for manufacturing brick had not, in those days, reached the present state of perfection, and, unfortunately, brick-makers could not secure one of the Eagle Foundry Improved Tiffany Machines Cattle were driven in from the woods and yoked to a "sweep," which was attached to an upright. The oxen and sweep moved around in a circle. Water was poured on the ground upon which the beasts were constantly treading, and soon a large mudhole was formed. When this mud reached the right consistency, it was molded into brick. The cattle were not particular in regard to the character of this mud, and frequently other matter than mud was mixed up and manufactured into brick. Shortly after Maxfield's house was finished, Michael Nigh employed men to build him a brick residence. In laying the foundation, the workmen used so much mud for mortar that Nigh became angry, and turned them off, declaring that he wanted a brick house and not a mud house. Unfortunately, he built his brick wall upon this risky foundation, and the result was, when the rain moistened the mud it crumbled. the foundation gave way, the brick wall tumbled down, and "great was the fall thereof:" but greater still was the anger of Nigh at the bad workmanship of his unskillful or dishonest masons. Nigh afterward removed to Missouri, and was drowned in the Missouri River. Henry Couts, of Bucyrus Township, states that Christian Couts, his father, moved into Liberty. April 11, 1821, with his wife and family, composed of three boys and two girls. Henry was, at this time, twelve years old. His father entered land about one mile south of what is now Sulphur Springs, and this farm was afterward owned by Pharoh Bell, and upon it the Bell Schoolhouse was erected. Mr. Couts says that William Huff was the only resident in that neighborhood when they arrived. John O. Blowers first visited the township in 1821, and purchased 160 acres of land one half mile east of Ralph Bacon. His deed for this was dated at Washington, October 8, 1821. This land is owned at the present time by Capt. S. S. Blowers, son of the man who entered it at the land office. Although Mr. Blowers was not the first person to settle in the township, he undoubtedly deserves the chief place in the history of Liberty, if it is proper to accord to any of those old pioneer heroes a chief place. From the time he removed here in 1822, until he died in 1844, he was the acknowledged leader in the many movements for the advancement of the intellectual and moral interests of PICTURE OF R. W. MUSGRAVE HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 561 the community. For many years, the township was the home of very many families, who did not remain and many of the men and boys of these families were lawless and disorderly. They were always dissatisfied with their condition and prospects, and although they were occupying some of the richest lands of the country, they soon became restless, and one by one these families left for that boundless West, in the hopes of finding a country better suited to their hopes and aims.. Not that all who went West had been lawless in Liberty, but of many who did leave it can be truly said. "they left the township for the township's good." A community containing many citizens of this character, needed men, who not only had the boldness to denounce the evil deeds of the lawless and desperate, but who possessed the moral force to guide, encourage and organize the better efforts of the many families who desired to do right. Although there were others in the township who always rendered all the aid they could. to the efforts of their acknowledged leader, yet John O. Blowers was that leader the moral hero most needed by the community to mold the character and shape the destiny of the citizens. His high moral worth and courage, which comes from a consciousness of correct motives, made him a terror to those who were disposed to evil, and a leader of the many who wished the township governed by the better elements of their crude society. Mr. Blowers urged and assisted in the construction of the first schoolhouse. At his cabin was held the first public religious services in the township. He gathered together and instructed the first Methodist class of the county. Which, in a few months, became strong enough to be organized into the first church of Liberty Township. He encouraged the weak and timid to "stand firm in the faith." He assisted in the organization, and became the first Superintendent, of the first Sabbath school of Crawford County. As a strict Methodist, his home was the resting-place of all the pioneer circuit riders, and itinerant ministers of that church who visited the neighborhood, but as a Christian he gave as hearty a welcome to the missionaries of other sects, and the knowledge that one was engaged in a good work was a sufficient pass-word, not only to his hospitality, but it was the key that unlocked his heart, and those who applied for his assistance to aid a good cause were never disappointed, but always obtained not only encouragement, but more satisfactory assistance. The Blowers family originally came from Vermont, and were descended from the old Puritanic stock. John O. Blowers was born in Vermont December 5, 1782. He was married May 21, 1810, to Sylvinia Chadsey. When war was declared between the United States and Great Britain in 1812. Blowers was living in Canada, having purchased 200 acres of land some twenty miles from Kingston, with the intention of making a temporary home in that country. The authorities desired to press him into the English service, and he was twice drafted. but he refused to bear arms against his native land, and after suffering persecution on account of his loyalty to the Stars and Stripes, he forsook the accumulated wealth of many years hard work, and with his family sought a refuge in his native land, settling at Salt Creek, Wayne Co., Ohio, where they remained until they removed to Crawford County. In 1821, Blowers left his family at Salt Creek and visited Liberty Township. Being favorably impressed with the country, he purchased 160 acres of land, upon which he erected a log cabin, and until this was finished he boarded with Ralph Bacon. In order to secure sufficient help to raise the logs, it was necessary for him to visit the settlers for ten and twelve miles. He obtained assistance as far south as what is now Latimberville, as far north as Chatfield Township, and several miles east. The pioneer settlers were always very neighborly, and 562 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. thought nothing of going ten and fifteen miles to assist at a " logging " or log-cabin " raising." Blowers told his son in after years that one year he put in thirty-one days of his time helping his neighbors in this manner. When the new homestead of the Blowers family was finished, the owner returned to Wayne County for his family, and in the spring of 1822 they permanently settled in Liberty Township. Blowers cleared a patch of ground and raised a crop of corn and vegetables during the first summer. February 23, 1823, James C. Blowers was born, but died the same day, and this infant was the first person buried in the township. Some four months afterward on July 8, 1823, James M. Maxfield, son of John and Joana Maxfield, died, aged two years, eleven months and twenty-days, and this was the second death in Liberty. Blowers was the father of sixteen children, eleven boys and five girls; most of these children died when they were quite young only six; five boys and one girl, grew to maturity and were married, viz.: Rufus L., Lemuel L., John C., Sylvia Ann. Samuel S. and Russell Bigelow Blowers. The first four came to Liberty with their parents in 1822, the fourth being a mere infant at the time. Blowers lived in the township for nearly twenty-three years, and died September 29, 1844, aged sixty-one years nine months and twenty-four days. In April, 1822, Robert Foster moved into Liberty Township, and purchased the 160 acres now owned by the heirs of John Crall. Foster left Ireland with his wife " Peggy" and four children, during the war of 1812. The ship they sailed in was an English vessel, and, during the voyage, it was overhauled by one of the frigates of the United States Navy. The American captain, considering that the cargo of the English ship, emigrants, would in a short time be patriotic citizens, permitted the English vessel to continue her voyage. Foster resided in Richland County for several years, until he removed to Crawford. When this jolly Irishman was journeying through the woods with his family to their Western home, he discovered a walnut lying among the leaves. Knowing his wife was very fond of lemons, he presented it to her, explaining to his innocent helpmeet that it was her favorite fruit. Not suspecting her roguish husband, she took an immense bite, and the result was a bitter disappointment. 'Peggy " couldn't see the humor of the joke. She took after Robert, and. after chasing him through the woods some distance, succeeded in capturing him, and he then received from her the trouncing he justly deserved for fooling his innocent wife. The aggressive character of "Peggy" was inherited by several of her immediate descendants, and these became known as the "fighting Fosters." who were prominent in political quarrels during the war of the rebellion. Robert Foster died August 9, 1835, and was buried in the graveyard northwest of Bucyrus. The family of six which left Ireland, was increased by numerous additions, and, when the census was taken in 1830. the enumerators must have found at least a dozen young Fosters. Most of these removed to the West, and were the parents of large families. In future years, many of the energetic and enterprising citizens of the Great West will be numbered among Foster's descendants. One of his daughters (Miss Sarah), who was born May 22, 1822, was the first female child born in Liberty Township. She is now the wife of Robert Andrews. Esq. Another daughter (Ann) became the wife of Rev. Robert Reid and the mother of Hon. William K Reid. of Bucyrus. In the fall of 1822, William Blowers left the town of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., and, in thirty days, on November 5, arrived in Liberty Township, and settled on his brother's farm. He brought with him two of his sisters and their husbands, Calvin and Nehemiah Squires. The latter was the father of Dr. J. B. Squires, of Sulphur Springs. In November, 1823, Samuel Smalley arrived with his wife, also a sister HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 563 of William Blowers. Smalley and his wife came from Vermont, and, in order to reach their new home, they journeyed 600 miles in a wagon. Smalley worked for his brother-in-law a short time, and then moved to the Ludwig farm, east of Bucyrus. About 1830, he purchased of Nicholas Singely what is now the Crum farm. Singely never lived in Liberty, but Smalley and his wife are at the present time (August, 1880), residing in the township, at Sulphur Springs, having lived in Crawford County fifty-seven years, and together as man and wife for sixty-two years. Dr. Squires, in his pioneer sketch, says: The year 1823 was marked by numerous accessions to the early settlers, among whom may be mentioned Ichabod Smith, James McCurdy, Asa Cobb, Simeon Parcher, Calvin Stone, Garrett Dorland, with his sons James, Isaac and Luke, Jacob Gurwell, Mathias Markley, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Manwell, Thomas Scott, Samuel Smalley, Joseph Chandler, John Chandler, Charles Doney and Edward Hartford. In 1824, the sparse settlement received increasing accessions, Horatio Markley, Noble McKinster, John G. Stough. John Kroft, and, I think, Robert Foster and many others, were added to their number." These settlers generally purchased from the Government the lands upon which they settled, and these lands were exempt from taxation for five years. The tax duplicate of Crawford County for 1830 proves that the lands owned at that date by the following additional persons must have been entered previous to April, 1825: John Anderson, John Bear, John Clingan, James Clingan, John H. Fry, William Huff, Daniel Ketchum, Philip Klinger, Richard King, Daniel Kimball. William Little, Richard Spicer, Daniel Shelhammer, John Slifer, Asa Wetherby, Anthony Walker and Mary Wood. Land speculators are not included in the above list of seventeen persons, who were actual settlers of Liberty at an early day. It is possible, however, that a few entered their lands several years previous to the time they removed to the township. Death early visited the homes of the pioneers, and, February 3, 1823, James, the infant son of John O. Blowers, died just as he commenced to live. Five months later, James Monroe Maxfield passed away, aged nearly three years. These children were buried on the Blowers farm ; others were interred beside them, and the spot of ground became known as the Blowers graveyard, the first started in the township. It was, in after years, dedicated and deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church. A short time afterward, death visited the settlers in northern Liberty, but when, and who were the first victims, will forever remain unknown. As the northeast corner of Jacob L. Gurwell's farm was first used to bury the dead, it might have been one of his children. About one dozen bodies were interred here, but no tombstones were ever erected--only wooden boxes were placed around the top of several graves. When other regular graveyards were established, many of these bodies were removed ; but the friends of the balance were in the West, and when a road was located across this corner, years afterward, their last resting-place was desecrated, and, years from now, if in digging in this road human bones are found, it is to be hoped they will receive a kinder treatment than these graves did two generations ago. When David Simmons died. November 8, 1829, he was buried on the southwest corner of John G. Stough's land, and Thomas Smith, who died April 22, 1833, was interred on the northeast corner of his own land (the opposite corner). Others of the neighborhood were laid beside these two when they died, and this land has since been set apart as sacred to the memory of these departed ones. This is now known as the Crall United Brethren graveyard, but, in later years, other land, on the other side of the road, has also been dedicated for a cemetery. About the year 1830, one of Peter 564 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. Whetstone's children died. and the body was buried on his farm now owned by Michael Charlton. Since then, about six Charltons, nine members of the Chambers family. thirteen Conleys and others have been interred in this Whetstone burying-ground. The Roop graveyard. one mile southwest of the Conley Church, was also started at an early day. The Germans of the northern part of Liberty established the cemetery at the Reformed Church as early as 1832, and the one at the Lutheran Church was started about the time the building was erected in 1852. It is said that Waugne, a tinner of Sulphur Springs, was the first person interred here. Previous to 1830, a man named Wood, father-in-law of Asa Cobb, was buried on his own farm, and the Wood-Cobb burying-ground was started. Many who died in the vicinity of Sulphur Springs were buried about one-half mile southwest of the village. This little cemetery, on the edge of the woods, was started about 1835, when John Slifer owned the land. The graveyard on Henry Fry's land. near the Union Church, was started about the same time. The child of a Mr. Anderson died about 1818. and was buried on what is now John Adam Klink's farm. A cemetery was afterward regularly established here, which is owned by the farmers in that neighborhood. The population of Liberty soon became numerous enough to secure for the township a civil organization under the laws of the State. For about four years, Liberty was temporarily attached to Sandusky Township. This statement is made for the following reason: Westell Ridgley and Joseph Young were commissioned Justices of the Peace for Sandusky Township, April 15, 1821, and, when their terms expired, on election was held May 15, 1824, with the following result: Mathias Markley, 22; Ichabod Smith, 22; Westell Ridgley, 17 ; Dezberry Johnson. 5 ; Michael Brown. 4. Markley and Smith, the successful candidates. were afterward the first Justices of the Peace of Liberty Township, but they were both commissioned May 31, 1824, as Justices of the Peace of Sandusky and sworn in as such by Zalmon Rowse, .Justice of the Peace of Bucyrus Township. The Commissioners of Marion County, at their March session in 1825, passed the following Order: "That surveyed Township No. 2, in Range 17 south of the base line in the district of Delaware be, and the same is hereby organized into a new township, by the name of Liberty." At this time Crawford was temporarily attached to Marion County, and Justices of the Peace had been commissioned for only four townships. For some reason, Smith received another commission, dated June 18, 1825, as Justice of the Peace for Liberty, but Markley still continued to hold the office by virtue of the former election. He was re-elected in 1827, and again in 1830 but, after serving for over eight years, resigned and removed to Illinois. James S. Gorwell was elected to succeed him in November 1832, and. since this date, the following persons have been elected as successors of Markley, one of the first Justices of the Peace of the township: .John Slifer, founder of Annapolis. in 1835: William Woodside, in 1841; William Snyder, in 1847 (resigned after six months): Horace Rowse. in 1848: Robert Johnson, in 1851 : Jonathan N. Harmon, in 1854 : William H. Hise, in 1863: Clark Bacon, in 1872. but he refused the office, and A. R. Briggs was elected the same year. After serving for two terms, Briggs was succeeded by Squire Hise, the present incumbent, who is serving his fourth term. Ichabod Smith was re-elected in 1828, but, before his second term expired, resigned the office to take a contract on the Columbus & Sandusky pike. He afterward removed to Chatfield Township, and was honored with the same office. Asa Wetherby succeeded Smith, but he also resigned, and, in April, 1831. Asa Cobb was elected to succeed him. Cobb served fifteen years, for five con- HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 565 secutive terms and the following were his successors: Charles Keplinger in 1846: Asa Cobb in 1849, for the sixth term: Joseph Roop in 1852. who served twelve years: Henry Fry, in 1864: Thomas Milliard. in April 1873, who resigned after six months and S. A. McKeehen. the present incumbent, was elected in November 1873, and is serving his third term. Dr. Squires, in his pioneer sketch, gives the following incidents in regard to the early courts and lawsuits of tile township: Lawsuits and litigations were more frequent in those early days, when there were few inhabitants, than at the present time, notwithstanding the vast increase in population and the more widely diversified interests of the people. So we conclude that the confidence with which man regards his fellow-man; and the intention among men to treat each other rightfully. has grown with the growth of the country. If not quite so fast as the country has improved in other respects, yet there has been a very manifest improvement. Previous to the election of Justices for Liberty, a legal process was served on John O. Blowers. who, in 1822 was summoned to appear before a Justice of the Peace in Bucyrus, to answer for indebtedness to one Schultz of Bucyrus, from whom the said Blowers had obtained some shot for killing squirrels in his corn-field. The defendant appeared and pleaded that the plaintiff had boarded at his house some length of time, and that defendant's wife had washed his (plaintiff's) clothes and mended them during the time for which defendant had received no compensation except the shot, and thereupon the defendant was discharged and judgment rendered against plaintiff for costs of suit. Probably the first lawsuit ever tried in Liberty Township was before Ichabod Smith, Justice of the Peace, on a complaint against Asa Wetherby for running his saw-mill on the Sabbath day. The defendant brought in testimony showing the uncertain nature of the stream; that the water-power was an important item of his property; that it would be wasted and lost if not used ; whereupon the defendant was discharged and the costs taxed up to the complainant, who however, appealed to the court and had the judgment for costs set aside, it being a State case. Another trial of those early days took place before Squire Mathias Markley. A man by the name of Smith sued Charles Dony for pay for grain. The account had stood over months, and the defendant refused to let plaintiff testify to his account and defendant, on an account against plaintiff obtained judgment for $8. But defendant refused to accept all of this judgment, saying it was too much; that plaintiff owed him only $2." Liberty was undoubtedly fully organized, and township officers chosen at the spring election in 1825, but there is no positive proof who filled the various offices from the date of organization until the year 1831, for, if the Clerk kept any record of business transacted by the Trustees, the books containing the minutes have all been lost or destroyed. From the year 1831, the records are nearly complete. John G. Stough thinks that John Kroft was the first Clerk, as he held this office for many years when the township was first organized. Stough says he attended the election in the spring of 1827, and was chosen one of the three Trustees, and James McCurdy was another. Stough also served as Treasurer for one or two terms previous to 1830. The first elections were held at private houses, near the center of the township, until the Center Schoolhouse was constructed. Isaac Rise states that they voted for Glen Jackson, when he ran for President, at the cabin of James McMannes, who entered the eighty acres now owned by Henry Crall, and that Jackson received most of the votes cast in the township. This was in November, 1828. We learn from the records, that, on July 2, 1831, the Trustees, Isaac Rise, Elias Chambers and Robert Foster, took an enumeration of the householders of the township, and, at the same time. 566 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. appointed John G. Stough Treasurer. In those days, men were not anxious to serve as township officers, and many paid the fine which secured a release. Stough refused to fill this appointment, claiming that Thomas Smith, who had been regularly elected to the office, had not received from the Trustees the proper summons to appear before them and take the oath of office. The Trustees then served the required notice upon Smith, and he consented and acted as Treasurer. This was the first business transacted, as shown by the records. March 5, 1832, the Trustees met and divided the township into road districts, and this was possibly the first division of the township for road purposes. The first election on record was held at the house of Leven Conley, near the center, April 2, 1832. The Judges were the three Trustees previously mentioned, and the Election Clerks were John Kroft and Dudley Cobb. The following persons were chosen to fill the various offices: Trustees, Isaac Rise, Robert Foster and Jacob Mollenkopf ; Constables, Isaac Slater and Frederick Beard ; Clerk, John Kroft: Treasurer, John G. Stough ; Overseers of the Poor, Robert Foster and Mathias Markley ; Fence Viewers, Samuel Cover, Henry Charlton and Frederick Williams. In examining the early records of Liberty, evidence is found which proves that fifty years ago several queer old-fashioned customs were practiced which now appear amusing, and it is also evident that some of the laws enforced in those days, have either been repealed or have become obsolete. Among the many industrious families who settled in the township were a few who, being idle and shiftless, could not or would not manage successfully, and the result was these frequently became a charge upon the community. In order to protect settlers from roving families of this character, laws were enacted, and every year two persons were chosen in the township, styled "Overseers of the Poor," whose duty it was to examine into the cases, and render assistance to citizens who were unfortunate enough to need the aid of the township. They were also required to warn any idle or shiftless persons to leave before they had remained a sufficient length of time to gain a residence. Many notices of this character are found upon the records, the first being in 1832. Having learned that Thomas Alsoph, a roving character, had appeared in the township, the overseers issued the following notice: The State of Ohio, Crawford County, S. S. To Isaac Slater, Constable of Liberty Township, greeting : WHEREAS, information hath been given to us, Mathias Markley and Robert Foster, Overseers of the Poor for said township, that Thomas Alsoph has come within the limits of the township to be sick, who will be likely to become a township charge; you are hereby commanded forthwith to warn said Thomas Alsoph to depart the said township and of this writ make legal service, and duly return it, according to law given under our hands this 12th day of March, 1832. MATHIAS MARKLEY, ROBERT FOSTER, Overseers of the Poor. A copy of the above notice was left the next day at the house where Alsoph was staying. It is seldom that force was used under this law, in ridding the community of the poor and shiftless, but the warning given was a mere matter of form, and, having once been notified in this manner, a person could not claim the assistance of the township in case he became unfortunate enough to need aid. Many times this law was abused, and thrifty citizens who settled in the community were warned because some joker furnished the Overseers the required information. A few did not appreciate the humor of the act but deemed the "summons to depart" an insult, and they were very mad and indignant when the notice was served upon them. As a general thing, men did not wish to serve as Overseers of the Poor, and some paid their fine and refused to serve, but it was generally conceded by the best citizens of the township that it was the duty of each to take his turn PAGE 567 - PICTURE OF J. A. KLINK PAGE 568 - BLANK HISTORY OF CH AWFORD COUNTY. - 569 at serving in this disagreeable position. Occasionally the sportive elements of the community combined and elected some man to this office who was in every way unfitted for it. Quite a number of these warnings are copied upon the records of the township. John B. Morrison was notified to leave in August, 1833. and again in March, 1836, but in April 1837, he was elected one of the school-examiners for Liberty. Either the warnings were an insult or his election as examiner a joke. Frequently in the early days of the township, poor and shiftless parents would bind their children out for a term of years until they became of age, and many notices of these bindings are found upon the records kept by the Clerks of Liberty. The first one is dated December 31, 1834, and the agreement is between Moses Coberly, who binds his son Robert, to Cornelius Dorland for a term of seven years During this time Dorland is to teach the young man arithmetic to the rule of three, and keep him in wearing 'apparel." At the end of the seven years, Robert was to receive from Dorland "one horse, saddle and bridle worth $75, also one suit of broadcloth clothes and one suit of home-made or common wearing apparel." The bond given is $5,000. January 10, 1835, Moses Coberly also bound his eight year old daughter, Margaret to William Clingan for a period of nine years and ten months. Clingan was to give the young lady "one year's schooling; furnish her a good bed and boarding, and at the end of the time supply her with one Bible, one bed and bedding of a good quality, and also a new spinning wheel and a new suit of clothes of good quality." The bond in this case was only fixed at $1,000. During the same month, Coberly bound a third child, Elijah, to John Noise. This old gentlemen, who got rid of three children in about thirty days, lived in the northern part of the township on the Loyer farm. The notes in his case are defective. It would have been a pleasure for an unbiased historian to pen the statement that this old fellow, having given into the care of ethers all his children, yielded up the ghost and was buried with his fathers." Although it is a satisfaction to learn that the old German afterward moved West, yet it is surprising that the records do not show how this "old codger" was warned to leave the township under the supposition that he might at some future time be in danger of becoming a charge upon the community. The language of these contracts not always the same, for occasionally promses were made in them which could not be so easily fulfilled. In 1843, the Trustees bound Lucy Wilhelmgriner, an orphan, to Frederick and Elizabeth Williams for a term of five years and four months. This young lady was to be taught the "art, mystery and occupation of common labor" and "they were to train her in habits of obedience, industry and morality." During her term of service; she was to be allowed meat, drink and wearing apparel both for summer and winter, and at the end of time she was to receive "two suits of common wearing apparel and a new Bible." Most of these young folks who were " bound out " did not suffer by changing their homes if they faithfully performed the new duties devolving upon them; frequently the bond between the child and the family was as tender as that of parent and child. This old custom, however, is not American, and has fallen into disuse, but the examples given above will show that it was practiced in Liberty Township at one time. The first school taught in the township was in a vacant cabin on the farm of Daniel McMichael during the winter of 1821-22. The teacher was John McClure, afterward the first surveyor of Crawford County. The attendance was not large, a few families united in supporting the school, and the only person now living in Crawford County who was a pupil of McClure that winter is Martin Bacon, Esq., of Whetstone Township. Dr. Squires makes the following 570 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. statements in regard to the early schools of Liberty: " Educational matters interested the settlers at an early day, but, not having the advantages of our present school law, everything devolved upon the individual. Neighborhoods would join together and build a log schoolhouse-chink and daub it, build a stick and mud chimney, oil some paper to make it translucent and paste it over a hole in the wall for a window, and thus secure light enough for a beginning. But soon glass could be obtained, and low, long windows put in by cutting out a log from the cabin and inserting a sash with glass to fill the aperture. Such a schoolhouse, the first one in this township, was built on the northeast corner of John Maxfield's land, north of the road, during the fall of 1823. Nehemiah Squire made the window sash for it out of a Jinn-wood puncheon, that had constituted part of the chamber floor of an aristocratic log cabin the previous winter." This log building was known as the Maxfield Schoolhouse, and the land upon which it was located is now the property of Dexter Bacon. The exact site was near the big tree north of the road, about half way between Bacon's residence and the brow of the hill. Rev. William Blowers taught the first school here in the winter of 1823-24. Cary Tilbury taught one or two winters at an early day, and also Samuel Magers and a Mr. Orton. During the fall of 1827, another log schoolhouse was built just southeast of the present site occupied by the Crall United Brethren Church. Sallie Smith taught the first school here, and the building was known as the Smith Schoolhouse. J. G. Stough says "This building was erected by six families, myself, Thos. Smith, Benjamin Manwell, Thos. Scott, Samuel Smalley and Prez Hillard. At this time no schoolhouse had been erected in the northern part of the township." The districts were not laid out as at the present time, but there might have been a schoolhouse in the Foster-Andrews neighborhood, near Bucyrus. When the inhabitants of other settlements in Liberty became numerous enough to support schools, the same kind of rough, round-log houses were erected. Sometimes a vacant cabin was used for school purposes, but, when a special building had to be constructed. the entire neighborhood would turn out and devote a day to the interests of education by building their log schoolhouse. The tuition was raised by a subscription from each family interested, or so much each month or term would be charged by the teacher for every scholar. After the lapse of half a century, it is difficult to obtain the exact dates at which schools were established, or these first buildings erected in the various neighborhoods. The Maxfield and Smith Schoolhouses were both in what is now the Second District, and the Blowers Church, in the same territory, was used for school purposes many years. In the Foster-Andrews neighborhood, now the First District, a special building was erected as early as 1830. Robert Andrews, who came with his father, Samuel, September 15, 1832. says : "There was a log schoolhouse standing when we came. which had been there two or three years." In the Third District. the "Simmons" Schoolhouse was built before 1833: the Bell Schoolhouse, in what is now the Fourth District, several years previous; and schools were taught there possibly as early as 1827, for there were manysettlers in the neighborhood at that time. The lands of the Fifth or Center District were not entered until other neighborhoods had many settlers. In 1825, only 240 acres of this territory had been purchased from the Government. The township records state that the election held April 7, 1834, was at the Center Schoolhouse, and April 7, 1834, was at the Conley Schoolhouse. The polls were generally kept at private houses when the Center District was without a schoolhouse, and the first one, erected about 1833, was destroyed by fire after standing two winters. The children of the settlers were then sent to the Smith District for several years HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 571 until their second building was erected. In what is now the Sixth District, a schoolhouse was erected about 1838. Thomas Williams, of the Seventh District says: "Frederick Williams, Asa Cobb and other early settlers of northwestern Liberty, the Smiths, of Holmes Township, and Samuel Chatfield, of Chatfield Township, united in putting up a round-log schoolhouse, with a chimney built of sticks, during the fall of 1830. This building was erected near the former site of the German Methodist Church, which was destroyed by fire during the war. At this time, no other schoolhouse had been built in the northwestern part of Liberty, or the northeastern part of Holmes neither at the Center District. or the district north of Liberty Center. The only one between its and the town was at the Quaker Church Settlement, in Holines Township." The Kroft Schoolhouse, in the Eighth District, was erected before the year 1832. The settlers in the Ninth District were not numerous, and possibly the last to organize. In the Tenth or Sulphur Springs special district a log building was crested for school purposes in 1837, on land donated by John Slifer. When these districts became better organized, and the country more improved, these rough log schoolhouses gave place to finer frame buildings and these in turn are now being superseded by brick structures. The first of these more durable edifices was constructed for the Seventh or Keplinger District in 1876. at a cost of $1,200. The next year, the Fifth or Center District expended over $1,000 on a similar structure. Both of these were the work of B. H. Bender. In 1878, the Second District erected a brick house, which cost over $1,200. This was the sixth building erected for school purposes, in what is now the Second District, since the Maxfield Schoolhouse was put up by those early pioneers in the fall of 1823. Ministers of the Gospel closely followed up the new settlements with that religious instruction which had much influence in molding, the character of the early settlers and their descendants. The Methodists, as a church, were the first to occupy the field in Crawford County, and missionaries of this denoinination were the first who preached in Liberty Township. During the year 1821, the pioneer missionaries of Delaware Circuit had pressed into the new country as far north as what is now Bucyrus, and were filling regular monthly appointments. When John O. Blowers arrived with his family, in the spring of 1822, he immediately sought out those who could be induced to enlist in religious enterprises. Blowers, having learned that religious services were being held at Bucyrus, visited the place with his wife, at the time appointed, but for some reason the minister failed to appear. The next month the appointment was fulfilled. and Blowers prevailed upon the missionary to appoint services at his cabin on the next trip, and when he again appeared. Blowers presented him a class of five, composed of himself and wife, William Cooper, and wife, of Whetstone Township, and a German named Schultz. This was the first Methodist Episcopal class organized in Liberty Township, and it was the nucleus of the first M. E. Church of Liberty. This minister, who first preached at Blowers cabin, was a man named Bacon. (This statement is made on the authority of John G. Stough, Rufus L. Blowers and Dr. J. B. Squires.) Bacon was the right man for such a mission. He was social, genial and big-hearted. He carried his pockets full of lettuce seed for the women, and fishing-tackle for the boys. Regular monthly appointments were kept up during the summer of 1822, and the next winter, preaching being held on Sunday at Bucyrus and on Monday at the cabin of Blowers. When this pioneer settled in the township, he brought with him a very fine library of religious works, including most of the standard publications of the M. E. Church of that day. He studied these volumes of religious instruction, and became very well read in teleology. These books 572 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. were loaned throughout the neighborhood to other pioneer settlers, many of whom had very little reading matter, and they were the means of accomplishing much good, as the works laid the foundation of thorough religious instruction in the mind of many pioneer settlers who were anxious to obtain this knowledge. In the fall of 1822, Rev. James Monroe was sent to this section of the country by the M. E. Conference, and in the spring of 1823, John O. Blowers and his brother William were licensed to preach the Gospel. They were the first licentiates of the M. E. Church in Crawford County. In the fall of 1823, the M. E. Conference marked out a district for itinerant preachers of their denomination to travel over, and give the new settlements regular circuit preaching. It is generally believed by those who should know, that Rev. James Monroe and Rev. William Blowers were the first preachers to travel this circuit, but Capt. S. S. Blowers states that his uncle William told him in 1868, that Rev. James St. Clair rode the first circuit with him. Among the early Methodist ministers who preached to the pioneers of Liberty, were Rev. James Gilruth in 1825, Rev. Abner Goff in 1826, Rev. Russell Bigelow in 1829, and Revs. Fenneland, Rennels and S. P. Shaw. When the Maxfield Schoolhouse, the first erected in the township, was built in the fall of 1823, religious services were held there, and this building was occupied until the Blowers Church and schoolhouse were built about 1830. The M. E. Church of Liberty Township was for many years in a more flourishing condition than at the present time. In 1840, over one hundred persons were subject to the discipline of this religious denomination, who were divided into two large classes, one at Sulphur Springs and one in the Blowers neighborhood, and also one small class in the McDonald neighborhood, in the northwestern part of the township. The M. E. Church edifice at Sulphur Springs was erected in 1848, and dedicated in August of that year. Robert Johnston was the carpenter who constructed it. When the Sulphur Springs congregation was first organized, there were over eighty members connected with the Blowers class. Many of these removed to the great West, and most of the balance passed away one by one, until finally the Sulphur Springs class became the stronger of the two and the minister would hold services at that place, but for many years services were held at the Blowers Church in the afternoon. The Blowers brothers, who were the acknowledged leaders in the early religious movements of Liberty, lie side by side in the Blowers graveyard. John O. died in 1844, but William lived many years afterward, doing good service for the M. E. Church, of which denomination he was an active minister for nearly forty years. As the years passed by, this faithful preacher of God's truth became old ; when his locks were silvered, the active generation which controlled the churches demanded younger men with modern ideas, and the man who, in 1823, traveled the first regular M. E. Circuit of this section was retired from active service in the church. Feeling that there was still some work for him to do, he, in the darkest hour of the rebellion-the fall of 1862-enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Fifty-first New York Infantry, and it is thrilling to relate that this old pioneer hero, at the advanced age of sixty-six, did active duty for his country in the camp and field near Washington City, But they prevailed upon him to take another position, and he was detailed for hospital duty at Baltimore, where he was placed in charge of the Seventh Ward in Jarvis Hospital. A minister at sixty-six enlisting in the army to defend his country - such was the character of those early pioneer heroes of Liberty Township William Blowers died January 28, 1868. A few months after the religious services held by the Methodist Episcopal circuit riders had been removed from Blowers' cabin to the Max- HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 573 field Schoolhouse, the settlers organized in this building the first Sunday-school of Liberty. This was started in the spring of 1824, and was also the first Sunday school established in Crawford County. John O. Blowers was the leading man of this school. and possibly the first Superintendent, but Thomas Scott, Jonas Scott, Samuel Smalley Sr., and others also filled the same position during the early years of the school, the sessions of which were held at the Maxfield Schoolhouse until the Blowers Methodist Episcopal Church was built, in 1830. Although most of the active workers of the Sunday-school were connected with this church, yet it continued as a union school, supported by members of other denominations until the United Brethren Church started one in connection with their religious work. The school at the Blowers Church was then discontinued, but many of the workers united with the new school and the United Brethren Church reaped the harvest sown by the labors of those early settlers who for many years continued the first Sunday-school of Crawford County. The second denomination to send missionaries into Liberty were the United Brethren in Christ. Ministers of this sect visited the pioneer settlements at a very early day, and, by the authority of some, preached in Liberty about 1827. John Stough says that previous to 1830, Revs. Smith and Erit conducted religious services at the cabins of John Shong awl Lawrence Simmons, and that the congregation was organized in the winter of 1830, by Rev. John Clymer, grandfather of .John R. Clymer, Esq., of Bucyrus. Among the first members were John Shong and wife: Lawrence Simmons and wife: Betsy Simmons, his sister: Abraham Fulmer and wife, also a sister of Simmons: Abraham Grogg and wife, Anna Grogg. Services were held for many years in the old Simmons Schoolhouse. Their present church building, commonly known as the Crall Church, was erected in the fall of 1848, by Charles Perse and Thomas Smith carpenters. This edifice was enlarged in 1854, repaired about 1870, and is at the present time one of the finest country churches in the county. The first Trustees were Simon Crall, Henry Crall and Abraham Grogg. Many ministers have been regular Pastors of this charge, among whom are Revs. Benjamin Moore, in 1836, Alexander Biddle, Francis Clymer, Jacob Newman, Jacob Berger, G. Spracklin, M. Bulger, Gideon Hoover, C. L. Barlow, - Hubbard, I. T. Kiggins, William Neville, John V. Potts, D. F . Cender, Levi Moore, S. H. Randebaugh and M. Long. About 100 persons are at the present time subject to the. discipline of the church, and Rev. O. H. Ramsey has charge of the work. German ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church were the next to occupy the field and establish a church in Liberty. Previous to the year 1830, ministers of this denomination held religious services at the log cabins of several early settlers the first sermon being preached by Rev. David Shue, at the home of John .Stough, the congregation was regularly organized by Rev. John Stough, about the year 1830. At .this date, Lutheran services were being held regularly at Bucyrus and Benton by Rev. D. Shue. Rev. John Stough, the man who organized the church in Liberty, was the first Lutheran minister who crossed tile Allegany Mountains. He was born in York County, Penn., January 25, 1762, and about the year 1828, purchased eighty acres just west of the quarter-section owned by his son. He was then nearly seventy years of age, had labored forty year's as a minister, and desired to retire from active service, but the German settlers who were moving into the township prevailed upon him to conduct religious services im the German language, and he was frequently persuaded to fill appointments when he should have remained at home. After living in the township upward of fifteen years, he died July 25, 1845, aged eighty-three years, and in the fifty- 574 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. sixth year of his ministry. Rev. Stough held services frequently at the old Bell Schoolhouse and at the cabins of John George Klink, John Kroft, Jacob Mentzer, George Mollenkopf and others. About the year 1836, members of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations united in building a hewn-log church, which stood near the present site of the Reformed Church, and was occupied by both sects for many years. In 1852, the German Lutherans purchased a a lot about one and one-half mils east of this Union Church, and erected their present church edifice, which was the work of a carpenter called Gen. Taylor. Some seventy families are at the present time. Connected with this congregation which is in a flourishing condition under the charge of Rev. Charles Klessler. The Lutheran Church (English) of Annapolis was organized about the year 1833. by Rev. F. J. Ruth, who was the first Pastor, and, at the same time. Pastor of the church at Bucyrus. Rev. J. Crouse preached to this congregation many times during the early history of the church. The ordinance of baptism was administered the first time on August 17, 1833, at which time the following persons were baptized : Lawrence Simmons, an adult; Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Sarah Peterman, and Jacob, son of Benjamin and Louisa Sinn. Services were held at private cabins until the schoolhouse was built in the village of Annapolis. The congregation then occupied this schoolhouse until their first church was erected. in 1848. This building, the work of Gen. Taylor, mentioned above, was dedicated in June 1848, and Rev. Ruth was still Pastor of the charge. This denomination has the finest church in the township a brick edifice, built in 1876, at a cost of nearly $5,000. Over one hundred persons are at the present time members of the congregation, which is under the charge of Rev. W. H. Dolbeer. When the Lutherans of Liberty erected their first hewn-log meeting-house, about the year 1836, they were assisted by a few citizens who believed the doctrines taught by the Reformed Church. A covenant was made between these two sects which provided that this building should be always open for the religious services of either denomination. Possibly the first ministers of the Reformed Church who preached in the township were Revs. Frederick Gottleib Maschop and J. Miller, who were Pastors of the congregation at Bucvrus from the year 1835 to about 1845. The organization of a congregation in Liberty was perfected under Rev. Wendel Wasnich. about the year 1848. Rev. Abraham Keller succeeded Wasnich, and continued as Pastor until he died of cholera in in the fall of 1852. After several mouths Rev. Max Stern was placed in charge of the Reformed Churches of Crawford County and, about the same time, their present church edifice was erected. Rev. Stern was succeeded by Rev. Eli Keller in 1856, who continued until the fall of 1861. Since Rev. Keller left, several Pastors have been employed who were not connected with the Bucyrus congregation, and at the present time, the church consists of some seventy members. under the pastorate of Rev. W. Gilpin. The German Methodist congregation, in the northwestern part of Liberty Township, was organized previous to 1850, by ministers connected with the church at Bucyrus, services for several years were generally held in the little red schoolhouse erected some years previous on the Van Duzzen farm. About the year 1854,. their first church edifice was erected on land donated by a Mr. Plummer. During the war, while the church was under the charge of Rev. Phillip B. Weber. this building was almost completely destroyed in October, 1862. by a mob, who were opposed to the draft. The and altar were torn down and windows, benches smashed because the preacher advised the people from his pulpit the previous Sabbath to obey the laws, and drafted men to peaceably HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 575 report themselves to the United States Commissioner. Notwithstanding these outrages, the Pastor continued his work during the next winter, and the drunken roughs in the neighborhood. who were guilty of the crime, could not force him to discontinue preaching until, on the night of May 20, 1863, they set fire to the building and it was totally destroyed. After the lapse of over twelve months, another church edifice was erected one-half mile south of the old site. The congregation now numbers about ninety persons, and Rev. John Haas is Pastor. The Zion Church edifice, commonly known as the Conley Church, near the center of Liberty Township, was built about the year 1856. It is a union church and owned jointly by the Evangelical Association and the Church of God or Winebrennarians. Rev. William Adams, of Plymouth, was the first minister of the latter denomination who preached in the township, and their services were held several years previous to the year their church was erected. The first society of the Evangelical Association was organized about the year 1846. by Rev. D. Swartz, officiating minister. David Pfleiderer was the first Class-leader. In 1852, Revs. G. Haley and B. Keler perfected the organization of this congregation, and. in a few years. Zion Church was built. In the year 1879, the United Brethren Church through the labors of Rev. Moses Spahr, organized a small congregation and erected a neat chapel near the center of School District No. 6. About the year 1842, a small Baptist Conference was organized at Sulphur Springs which held services irregularly for several years. In the early days of the township many pioneer settlers could not be induced to lead a religious life, and it was difficult to obtain from many a promise to lead even a moral one. In order to accomplish as much good as possible. John O. Blowers inaugurated at the Maxfield Schoolhouse a society called the "Moral Society." The members of this association pledged themselves to abstain from certain practices, and the society was greatly instrumental in checking the spoliation of the timber on the Government lands, which crime had been carried on to a great extent in the neighborhood. The first efforts in the interest of temperance reform were made about the year 1835. The movement was aided and encouraged by John O. Blowers, John G. Stough, William McCurdy and others. The Parcher Distillery had just been started in Whetstone Township, and efforts were made to persuade Parcher to quit the business. This establishment did not run very long, but it is doubtful whether it stopped on account of the great work of the movement. Temperance meetings were held in the Blowers Church. and a society formed composed of citizens, from both Whetstone and Liberty Township. Drunkenness and fighting were much more common and frequent in those days than at the present time. Log-cabin "raising" were hell every few days, and at these all the men and boys of the neighborhood would assemble. An abundance of liquor was generally provided by the host, and by the time they had raised all the logs, many men and boys were under the influence of liquor. Numerous fights would then follow. If no other reason could be found for a quarrel, they fought to see "which was the best man," and the fame of the victors of these drunken brawls would extend for many miles to other settlements. These heroes, so-called, would visit the "raisings " for miles, accompanied by their friends in order to have a trial of strength with the general victor of each respective neighborhood. These drunken strifes were not only settled at raisings,." but on all great days when the settlers turned out to a Fourth of July celebration or general muster. When the influence of the temperance movement Commenced to affect the best class in the township, many settlers refused to provide liquor at rais- 576 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. ings, and it was also banished from the harvest fields and tables. Some substituted, on these occasions. a beverage called "metheglin," made of honey and water, boiled and fermented, and often enriched with spices. When one listens to stories told by those early pioneers, he is forced to believe that the Temperance movement has improved the farmers, if it has failed to stop the traffic in the cities, towns and villages of the nation. The anti-slavery sentiment of Liberty was never organized into a society, but there were a few Abolitionists even at an early day. A very. large portion of the wealth obtained by the inhabitants of Liberty, since 1820, has been the direct result of the many bountiful crops gathered from the soil. A few citizens have engaged in other enterprises, hoping to find an easier and quicker way to financial prosperity. Mr. McMichael, the first settler, erected a grist-mill a few months after he arrived. but the proprietor soon found that, owing to the scarcity of the motive-power, water, his dreams would not be realized, and he rented the establishment. which, during the next score of years, passed into the hands of many others who, each in turn, hoped to realize from the investment what, his predecessor did not. This old mill, a great accommodation to many pioneer settlers, was finally destroyed after many years' valuable service. During the summer of 1824. Calvin and Nehemiah Squier, built a saw-mill on the Sandusky River for John O. Blowers. at the northwest corner of his farm. After running this mill a few months, he sold it to Eli Odell, of Whetstone Township and in 1825, Odell took in Asa Wetherby as partner. In a short time, Mr. Wetherby purchased the mill and. after continuing the business until 1829, sold out to a man named Ball, who, in a few years, transferred the establishment to George Fleck. Many of these early proprietors persisted in running the mill on Sunday. notwithstanding the admonitions of John O. Blowers, who finally, in 1834, re-purchased the concern, in order to stop Sunday milling. He sold it to his brother-in-law, Nehemiah Squire. Previous to 1830, a grist-mill was added to the establishment. Mr. Squire conducted the business many years, and then, during the next two decades, many other men were proprietors. Finally, in 1867, J. B. Squier and W. S. Bacon, the owners, having erected a new steam mill with improved machinery at Sulphur Springs, removed the business from the banks of the Sandusky to their new building. Mr. Bacon sold out to his partner in 1874, and the business at the present time is being conducted by the Doctors sons, Edgar A. and Oscar W. Squier, Thus, three generations have been interested in this, the only mill of Liberty Township. A little distillery was started by a man named Wood, about the year 1826, upon land belonging to Edward Hartford. The distillery was just east of the Blowers Mill. Wood, the proprietor, got into trouble, left the township, and the business was discontinued. A tannery was started by David Hawk and Jacob L. Gurwell previous to the year 1830, near the present site of the Union Church, northeast of Annapolis. In those days bark was plenty, and any person having sufficient capital to prepare vats could engage in the tanning buisness. David Kinter ran one a short distance west of Annapolis, previous to the year 1840, but he did not have much business. Several years after, Blowers erected the first saw-mill in the Township: other men erected mills. The tax duplicate of 1832, proves the following parties were engaged in the business during that year: Cronebaugh & Shafner, George Fleck. Jr., and John Slaule. By 1836, six other saw-mills, owned by Jas. Decker. Frederick Decker, Aaron Decker, John H. Fry, John Kroft and Andrew Wingert had been erected. Three of these were owned by the Decker family, and Aaron had a grist-mill in connection with his establishment. PICTURE OF C. KEPLINGER HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 577 The villaGe of Annapolis or Sulphur Springs Post Office, was originally laid out, in the year 1833, by John Slifer. formerly of Maryland, who named the town to honor the capital of his native State, but in the early days many people in the neighborhood called it Slifertown, as a nickname. The original town plat contained twenty acres, comprising, the "southern portion of, the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 14." This was part of the 160 acres which Slifer purchased from the Government previous to the year 1825. In the year 1841, he sold his farm to Judge R. W. Musgave. Through bad management he was soon very much reduced in circumstances, and in a fit of despondency committed suicide during the summer of 1842, by shooting himself. When he was buried his body was disinterred by the doctors. Slifer, during his life, held several minor township offices and was Justice of the Peace from 1835 to 1841. He was a good scholar, a fine but exceedingly careless, penman. The following anecdote is related of him: On one occasion he sent up to the Court of Common Pleas a transcript from his docket, that was so illegible that Judge Ozias Bowen, who then presided, was unable to read it. Whereupon the Judge, in a tone of, mingled dignity and austerity exclaimed "The people must be fools to elect such ignorant men as Justices of the Peace." Hon. Josiah Scott, then a practitioner at the Crawford County bar, quietly remarked to Judge Bowen. "How would it be, Judge, if this ignorant Justice knew more and could write a better hand than any of us .,* Whereupon Slifer, who was in the court room at the time, came forward and called upon Zalmon Rowse, Clerk of the Court for a pen and sheet of paper which he promptly paid for on the spot. Then he copied the transcript in a hold. beautiful round hand, almost equaling the celebrated signature of John Hancock to the Declaration of Independence, and handed it to the Court, Who was thunderstruck with astonishment. "Why," exclaimed the Judge. "didn't you write it that way before ? " " Because," answered Slifer, with quiet dignity, "Because, sir. I supposed I was writing it for the perusal of men and not of boys." About forty lots were formed from the real estate comprised in the original village plat. These were listed on the tax-duplicate of 1834 at $125 and at $550 in 1835. During the first year, houses were erected by James L. Gurwell, John Bolinger, Jacob Peterman, Peter Stuckman, Nicholas Bolinger and Benjamin Sinn In the fall of 1834, ex-Judge Enoch B. Merriman opened a stock of dry goods in the village, and Daniel Young his clerk, sold the first pound of coffee. In about two years, Merriman transferred the store to his nephew G. N. Davis, who continued the business about two years, when Merriman again took possession of what was left, and in a few months transferred them to Pomeroy A. Blanchard. another nephew, Blanchard remained in Sulphur Springs several years. In the fall of 1836 or early in 1837, Cornelius and James F. Dorland started another store in the village. Cornelius soon sold out to his brother, who continued the business some months afterward. For a few months in 1840 and during the year 1841, the place was without a store until ex-judge R. W. Musgrave established one, which he sold to Horace Rowse, of Bucyrus, in 1844. The latter was a merchant or Annapolis until autumn of 1851 : his brother Stephen was a partner most of the time. Musgrave also started an ashery, and shortly afterward another store, which he transferred to his brother-in-law. Thomas Gillespie. About the time Annapolis was laid out, Frederick Beard kept a blacksmith-shop a short distance west of the place. Winebar, another blacksmith, was a character of the village for many years. A linseed oil mill was started by James Gurwell and Jacob Peterman about 1839, who transferred it to William Souder, 578 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. and he conducted the business many years. A few months after this enterprise was established, an attempt was made to run a little distillery on the same lot, but this was a failure. A small pottery establishment was conducted at the same time by the same parties with no better success. John Birk. a hatter. was in business as early as 1838, and John L. Dawson started a cabinet-shop in 1837. William Dicks was a shoemaker, and his brother, James Dicks, a harness-maker, about 1841. James McKee built a saw-mill about 1839, and David Hawk started a tannery north of the site now occupied by Zarbe's Hotel. John Grogg put up a log house and kept the first tavern about 1836, and shortly afterward Cornelius Dorland and Robert McKee erected a hotel on the lot now occupied by Fry's store. Dr. Turley put up a fine building for the same purpose on the lot now occupied by the Sexauer Brothers' carriage establishment. This building was destroyed by fire in 1847. Dr. Daniel L. Kelly was the first physician to locate in the place. It is very doubtful if he knew much about medicine, as he started a saloon and neglected what little practice he might have obtained. Dr. George L. Zeigler moved to the village in 1842. and Dr. J. B. Squier in 1848. Dr. Turley also practiced medicine at an early day. The physicians at the present time are Dr. J. B. Squier, Dr. H. S. Bevington and Dr. M. M. Carrothers, George Heiby, who removed to Liberty in 1836, has been a citizen of the village for many year, and served as Assessor of Liberty Township twenty-four terms. Although the place was quite a business center, it had no post office until about 1843. It is difficult to obtain the exact order of those who served as Postmaster from that date until 1860. In a small village, every one is his own clerk, and so long as he secures his mail matter from the stock on hand, it does not matter to him who pockets the meager stipend paid by the Government. G. W. Teel, however, is authority for the following order: Horace Rowse. Thomas Gillespie, R. W. Musgrave, Dr. George L. Zeigler, George Heiby, J. N. Biddle, who was appointed in 1861 and served until his successor, Al Fry, the present incumbent. took the office in 1868. Jonas Harmon was Dr. Zeigler's Deputy and for several years the office was kept in Harmon's gun-shop. Many different firms have been engaged in business at Annapolis during the past forty years. The following is a list of the principal establishments at the present time: Sexauer Brothers. carriage-factory: J. B. Squier & Sons, steam flouring-mill: George Hummiston, steam saw-mill ; Klopfenstein & Co., dry goods and general store: Scott & Keller, dry goods and general store; J. H. Fry, Jr., hardware; Dr. H. S. Bevington, drugs; Charles Heiberthausen, boots and shoes: F. Obendroth, boots and shoes: G. Seits, wagon-maker: A. Young, undertaker and cabinet-maker: William Haffner, saddler: John Zarbe, hotel and grocery: Capt. S. S. Smalley, shoemaker: Jonas Harmon, gunsmith. The most important manufacturing interest in Liberty Township is the carriage establishment of the Sexauer Brothers, located at Sulphur Springs. These young men were born in Bucyrus, and removed to Annapolis many years since, where their step-father. Mr. Kinninger, followed his trade as a wagon-maker. In 1862, the Sexauers started their present establishment. The character of their work was sufficient to guarantee a ready sale, and they soon established a reputation which extended not only throughout Crawford but into neighboring counties. These young men, Louis, William, Frederick and Lewis, succeeded in a very short time in having a larger trade in farm wagons than any other firm in the county. Many years since, they commenced manufacturing carriages, buggies and light spring wagons. The reputation obtained by building first-class heavy farm wagons has not suffered by the many light, strong, neat and HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 579 stylish vehicles which they have made and sold since commencing this finer branch of manufacturing. Their work exhibited at county fairs has frequently obtained premiums, and carried off the first prizes against strong competition. The first schoolhouse in the village was erected in 1837, on land donated by John Slifer. Previous to the construction of this building, the children attended the schools taught at the Bell Schoolhouse. Situated at that time about one half mile south of Annapolis. For some years. the citizens of the village and neighboring territory had many discussions in regard to the location of their school building, and, in thirty- five years. several different special districts were formed : the lines of those adjacent being changed frequently, in order to satisfy, if possible, all persons interested. Finally, on October 2, 1872, the citizens assembled, and. by a vote of fifty to two. created the present special district, embracing " all the fractional Section 13, Section 14, the northeast quarter of Section 22, and the east-half of the east quarter of Section to in Liberty Township." The voters then elected the following Directors: C. W. Perse for one year, William Sexauer for two years and Dr. H. S. Bevington for three years. December 14, 1872, it was decided. by a unanimous vote of the citizens, to levy a tax of $3,000 for the purpose of building and furnishing a new schoolhouse. which was erected in 1873 by James H. Kemmis. who received $3,316 for his services. The building was furnished and provided with a bell, at an additional cost of some $700, 00, so that the citizens have expended about $4,000 for educational purposes, and have provided for their children an edifice which is an ornament to their little village. It is in very striking contrast to the first building erected for school purposes in the township. The first enumeration taken in the new district showed 53 boys and 69 girls: total, 122. Robert McKee and Jennie Birch taught the first schools in the new building during the winter of 1873-74. The only secret society in the village, at the present time, is a lodge of the Knights of Honor, which is composed of many prominent citizens residing in the town and on neighboring farms. This lodge was organized January 2, 1878, with the following thirteen charter members : Dictator. H. S. Bevington: Assistant Dictator, Charles Heiberthausen; Vice Dictator, C. F. Sexauer: reporter. J. H. Wert; Financial Reporter. W. K. Evens; Past Dictator, A. Fry; Chaplain J. B. Wert: Sentinel, Henry Heiberthausen; Guardian, J. H. Fry: Treasurer. William Sexauer: Guide, Thomas Laux, John Guiss, Jr., and William Heffner. The last two and William Sexauer were the first Trustees.