TWENTIETH CENTURY HISTORY
OF
FINDLAY
AND
HANCOCK COUNTY
OHIO
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
BY
J. A. KIMMELL, M. D.
" History is Philosophy Teaching by Example"
PUBLISHED BY
RICHMOND-ARNOLD PUBLISHING CO.
E. J. RICHMOND, PRES. - C. R. ARNOLD, SEC'Y AND TREAS.
CHICAGO, ILL.
1910
PREFACE
The aim of the publishers of this volume and of the author of the history has been to secure for the historical portion thereof full and accurate data respecting the history of the county from the time of its early settlement, and to condense it into a clear and interesting narrative. All topics and occurrences have been included that were essential to this object.
We take pleasure here in acknowledging our indebtedness to the late D. B. Beardsley and to Mr. Jacob A. Spaythe, whose carefully prepared histories of Hancock County, published respectively in 1881 and 1903, have been found valuable for reference and other purposes in the compilation of the present work.
The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives that make up the biographical part of the volume are admirably calculated to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism, and to emphasize the rewards of industry dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium for perpetuating personal annals, and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those commemorated. These sketches are replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences, and are flavored with a strong human interest that will naturally prove to a large portion of the readers of the book its most attractive feature. In the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Hancock County, which will fitly supplement the historical statement, for its development is identified with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. Sketches unrevised by subscribers are marked by a small asterisk (*) placed after the name of the subscriber.
The publishers have endeavored to avoid slighting any part of the work, and to fittingly supplement the editor's labors by exercising care over the minutest details of publication, and to give to the volume the three-fold value of a readable narrative, a useful work of reference and a tasteful ornament to the library. We believe the result has justified the care thus exercised.
Special prominence has been given to the portraits of representative citizens which appear throughout the volume and we believe that they will prove not its least interesting feature. We have sought in this department to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as conspicuously as possible. To all who have kindly interested themselves in the successful preparation of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful information and data, or rendered other assistance, we hereby tender our grateful acknowledgments.
THE PUBLISHERS.
CHICAGO, ILL., October, 1910.
- 5 -
HANCOCK COUNTY COURTHOUSE, FINDLEY, OHIO
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I |
SETTLEMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE OF OHIO - 19 Introductory—Derivation of Title and Early Explorations—Achievements of George Rogers Clark—State Cessions and Indian Treaties—Settlement—Indian Wars—St. Clair's Defeat—Wayne's Campaign and Battle of Fallen Timber—Organization of the Northwest Territory—Organization of the State of Ohio. |
CHAPTER II THE ABORIGINES - 41 Prehistoric Races—Pre-glacial Man—The Mound Builders—The Red Race |
CHAPTER III FIRST ORGANIZATION OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 46 The County Organized—Findlay Township Organized—First Elections —First Officials—Erection of the Township. |
CHAPTER IV INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY - 50 First White Settlers—Hull's March—Fort Findlay—Murder of the Thomases—A Pioneer's Letter—Observance of the Golden Rule Among the Pioneers—Mrs. Ebberly's Narrative—First Election Under Independent County Organization—Poll Book of Election and County Officers. |
CHAPTER V TOPOGRAPHICAL - 59 Acreage of the County—Its Boundaries and Surface—The Soil—The River—Jean Jacques Blanchard—"Wild Cat Thicket"—Timber-Marshes-Sand Ridges—Crops—Springs—Benefit of the Limestone Formation—Under Drainage—Fish and Game. |
- 7 - 8 - CONTENTS |
CHAPTER VI PIONEER DAYS - 63 Early Records—Population—Settlements--Missionaries and Meeting Houses—Camp Meetings— First Sermon—Early Schools and Schoolmasters—The Country Schoolmaker— Log Rolling—Shooting—Corn-husking —House-raisings—Threshing—Quilting Bees— Racing and Other Sports—Stores and Taverns—Necessaries of Pioneer Existence— Description of Old Time Tavern--General Muster—Malaria and Milk Sickness—Taxable Property in 1824—Tax Levies—Findlay Selected as the County Seat—The First Marriage—A Contested Election—County Printing—Road-Building —Administration of Estates—A Foul Murder—Simon Girty—Johnny Appleseeds—J. N. Free. |
CHAPTER VII TRANSPORTATION - 87 First Roads and Bridges—Steam Railroads—Electric Roads |
CHAPTER VIII THE COUNTY'S MILITARY RECORD - 94 The War of 1812—The Mexican War—The Civil War—SpanishAmerican War. |
CHAPTER IX THE BENCH AND BAR - 105 Early History—Famous Judges and Lawyers—Hancock County Bar Association—First Jail and Court-House. |
CHAPTER X THE PRESS - 132 Early News Conditions—Presses in Use—The Old Time Compositor—Leading Newspapers of the County—Their Proprietors and Editors—Value of the Daily Press |
CHAPTER XI THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 140 Hancock County Medical Men of the Past and of the Present. |
CHAPTER XII HANCOCK COUNTY SOCIETIES - 150 The Fraternal Lodges—The Odd Fellows—Masons—Elks—Tribe of Ben Hur—Daughters of America—Grand Army of the Republic—The W. C. T. U.—The Hancock County Agricultural Society. |
CONTENTS - 9 |
CHAPTER XIII CHURCH HISTORY - 163 The Pioneer Preacher—Hardships Endured—Small Salaries—Progress of the Various Denominations in Hancock County—Churches of Findlay and Hancock County. |
CHAPTER XIV ALLEN, AMANDA AND BLANCHARD TOWNSHIPS - 174 |
CHAPTER XV BIG LICK, CASS AND DELAWARE TOWNSHIPS - 187 |
CHAPTER XVI EAGLE, JACKSON AND LIBERTY TOWNSHIPS - 197 |
CHAPTER XVII MADISON, MARION AND ORANGE TOWNSHIPS - 209 |
CHAPTER XVIII PLEASANT, PORTAGE, UNION, VAN BUREN AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIPS, AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS - 219 |
CHAPTER XIX TOWNS AND VILLAGES - 239 Sketches of Arcadia, Arlington, Benton Ridge, Cannonsburg, Deweyville, Findlay (including Gas and Oil Industry and Findlay College), Fostoria, Houcktown, Jenera, McComb, Mt. Blanchard, Mt. Cory, Rawson, Shawtown, Van Buren, Vanlue, West Independence, Williamstown, Etc. |
CHAPTER XX. MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES - 271 The Hancock Brick and Tile Co.—Buckeye Traction Ditcher Co.—U. S. Electric Porcelain Co.—Findlay Clay Pot Co.—Boss Manufacturing Co. —D. Kirk Sons & Co.—Findlay Table Manufacturing Co.—Hollerback Piano Co.—The H. H. Fassett Planing Mill—Tarbox and McCall—Findlay Casket Co.—Hayward & Young—Findlay Carriage Co. |
CHAPTER XXI BANKS AND BANKING - 276 Commercial Bank and Savings Co.—The American National Bank—The First National Bank—The City Banking Co.—The Buckeye National Bank. |
10 -CONTENTS |
CHAPTER XXII RECAPITULATION AND STATISTICS - 281 Comparison of Early and Present Conditions—Road Building—Sewerage—Timber—Land Values—Agricultural Prosperity—Public Buildings—Water Supply—Manufacturing Industries—Some First Things—Roster Public Officials. |
REPRESENTATIVE MEN - 297 |
Adams, James T. Adams, Mnason A. Adelsperger, John Adelsperger, William H. Agin, A. M. Alexander, Eli Alge, Charles Alge, Joseph Anderson, Fred E., V. S. Anderson, Isaiah J. Appleseeds, Johnny Archer, Frank Arras, John Arras, Nicholas Auten, Elbert B. Baker, Alexander Baker, John Baker, John W. Baker, Dr. Joseph P. Baldwin, Dr. William H. Balsley, Dr. Alfred W. Bame, John Barnd, John D. Barnhill, Dr. Tobias G. Barr, James H. Barr, James M. Battles, Asa Battles, Edward Battles, William Beach, Dr. J. W. H. Beagle, Alva Beagle, John S. Beardsley, Daniel B. Beardsley, Dr. Herbert V. Beek, C. E. Benington, Ozias E. Bensinger, Reuben |
615 538 599 599 387 634 585 411 533 533 83 328 539 539 433 430 430 392 356 141 464 554 457 144 616 616 579 631 578 471 546 546 119-323 323 507 573 358 |
Bensinger, William Betts, John E. Bibler, David A. Bibler, John Bibler, Samuel M. Bickelhaupt, Frederick J. Bicknell, J. E. Biggs, Dr. Don B. Biggs, Rev. Peter Biglow, Aaron H. Blackford, Aaron Bloom, William F. Boger, Jacob H., D. D. S. Bolton, Samuel H. Bope, Col. James A. Bope, Edward V. Boutwell, Edward Boutwell, Edwin Bower, Adam Bower, Jacob Bowersox, Benjamin Bowersox, Robert Brenner, John Brenner, Mathias Brinkman, Lewis F. Bright, Hon. Charles Bright, David Brinkman, Henry Brinkman, Henry C. Brinkman, Henry W. Brown, Ezra Brown, Frank Brown, Rev. Charles I. Brown, Henry Bunn, W. C. Bunts, William C. Burket, E. W. Burnette, C. R. |
358
547
432
432 472
375
549
507
507 116 117
569
647
437 327 328
532
532
531
531
421
423
507
507
417
331
331
586
586
569
114
360
304
116
498
119 473 509 |
- 11 - 12 - INDEX |
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Bushong, Isaac Byal, John M. Byall, Absolom P. Canfield, Cyrus W. Caples, John F. Carlin, Dr. William D. Carr, Charles W. Carr, Cyrus H. Carrothers, Dr. M. M. Casterline, Cyrus L. Champion, George K. Champion, William J. Child, Daniel E. Clark, Charles Clark, James R. Clark, Wesley Clayton, Joseph B. Cloud, Robert W. Coates, Everett H. Coffin, M. L. Coffinberry, Andrew Coffinberry, Charles S. Coffinberry, Hon. James M Cole, John W. Cole, William W. Conine, James H. Conine, Lyman M. Cookson, Franklin Cooper, Allen Cooper, Hon. Willis E. Corthell, Clinton S. Crawford, Jackson H. Crawford, Lawrence J. Crist, E. E. Crist, John M. Crites, Jacob T. Crothers, Dr. M. M. Cusac, James S. Dailey, Baker Dailey, Samuel C. Darbyshire, Dr. Morris A. David, Harry G. Davis, Charles Davis, Isaac Davis, N. D. Davis, William Decker, James Decker, Leonard B. Deeds, Charles W. Deeds, Henry |
563 622 120 376 118 142 407 407 442 637 422 422 555 466 349 466 319 394 577 608 118 116 115 574 574 304 304 421 602 602 612 531 479 482 482 449 148 417 346 346 307 395 592 344 337 344 418 418 450 605 |
Deming, Richard B Dennis, Charles De Rodes, Rev. Henry C. Deter, Charles Detwiler, Dr. William D. Dick, David Dick, George Dicus, A. C. Diebley, William Diller, E. L. Dorsey, Hon. Homer O. Dorsey, Wallace Dreisbach, D. M. Dukes, Charles C. Dukes, Jasper Dukes, John Duncan, William F. Dunn, Elijah T. Edwards, Luke Elsea, Harley C. Entrikin, Dr. Franklin W. Ewing, Alvin C. Ewing, Erwin E. Ewing, Hiram C. Ewing, Jacob Ewing, Jacob Falk, William H. Ferguson, Jeremiah Fetters, Irvin Fetters, Peter Findlay, Col. James Firmin, Dr. Francis W. Firmin, John C. Firmin, Dr. Lorenzo Fiscus, William J. Folk Bros Folk, John C. Folk, Samuel S. Foreman, John F. Foreman, Richard M. Foreman, Rufus Fox, Elias Fox, Nicholas Fox, William Franks, Jasper Franks, Samuel S. Free, Jacob Newman Frick, Daniel W. Fry, Benjamin F. Fry, Henry |
332
633
447
607 143
396
396
638 300
443
367
338
355 301
601
301
646
122 530 303 144
540
380
403
403
380 532
575
340
340
646
353
530
495
391
335
335
335
608
544
608
406
456
456
614
614 84 610
424
424 |
INDEX- 12 |
|||
Fuller, Andrew G. Garber, Christian Garber, Leroy E. Geisey, Ulysses G. George, Dr. Edward Gibson, John W. Glathart, Aaron J. Glathart, Harry A. Glessner, Leonard C. Gohlke, Richard J. Goit, Edson Good, A. H. Gorby, Levi Green, Chester L. Gressly, Jacob Gressly, P. J. Gribben, William Groves, Hon. E. Lincoln Guise, Dr. J. M. Guise, Dr. P. O. Hagerty, Hon. D. P. Hamlin, John M. Hammond, George F. Hammond, Thomas Hammond, William P. Harry, Jasper F. Hart, Abraham Hart, Isaac Hart, John Hartman, Dr. John V. Hay, Edwin R. Hay, Peter Hayward, Collin D. Heimhofer, John B. Heldman, John Hennings, William J. Hersh, Dr. Edward G. Hickle, George J. Higbie, Dr. J. L. Hillshafer, Conrad Hilty, Elmer Hilty, John H. Hirscher, Martin Hirscher, William G. Hofmaster, Alpheus Hofmaster, Jonas Hogrefe, Conrad H. Hopper, Ernest W. Hopper, William Horn, George J. |
655 302 302 489 526 330 428 456 343 423 111 468 396 548 459 459 117 353 147 147 502 611 545 524 524 411 473 543 472 580 476 476 467 509 451 441 529 513 375 515 465 629 459 459 637 637 584 437 437 475 |
Horn, John B. Hosler, Peter Hosler, William F. Houck, William Houck. W. E. Houck, William H. Huff, Judge Abraham Huffman, Norman Huffman, Oliver Hughes, Dr. Don C. Humphrey, Jarvis Hurd, Dr. Anson Hurin, Hon. Silas E. Iler, Jackson Iler, Lemuel C. Inebit, Peter Insley, Martin Jackson Company, C. F. Jackson, C. F. Jackson, Edward E. Jelly, John H. Johns, James S. Jones, Elijah P. Jones, George P. Jordan, Charles E. Jordan, William Kagey, William M. Kagy, David B. Kagy, Hon. Joseph R. Karg, Albert E. Karg Bros. Karg, Charles A. Karg, Fred J. Karn, Ezra Karn, Theodore Karst, Frank Keeran, George W. Keeran, Dr. Rueben B. Kelley, Charles A. Kennedy, Mrs. Cornelius, M. D. Kilgour, Charles Kimmell, Dr. Jacob A. Kinder, Hon. W. H. Kinder, Hon William R. King, Dr. Cyrus F. King, John King, Robert L. Kirkbride, James W. Kirsten, Oscar |
475
556
556
587
587
623
108
526
606
427
495
142
320 465
465
368
458 415
415
415
506
359
648
335
643
401 432
517
521
589
589
589
589
613
613
618
413
523
639
147
474
501
297
608
412
412
560
564
450 |
14 - INDEX |
|||
Kramer, N. J. Krichbaum, William Kobe, Carl Kyser, Dr. Abraham M. Kyser, Cornelius Lang, Thomas W. Lanning, J. N. Lee, Dr. Richard N. Leeper, William O. Lehr, Dr. William F. Lightfoot, Daniel F. Lightfoot, Henry Linaweaver, Dr. Albert H. Line, Jacob Line, James O. Linger, Thomas C. Long, James Long, Hon. John M. K. Long, John W. Long, R. J. Lowe, Hon. S. E. Luden, Frederick Lyon, Albert B. Lyon, Henry L. Lyon, Edward S. McAnelly, Moses McCall, James A. McCaughey, William D. McDowell, P. McKelvy, Samuel L. McKinnis, Judge Robert McLeod, Dr. Joseph R. McManness, Lemuel McNeal, Arthur N. McNeal, John P. Mackey, Robert I. Mackey, William MacLachlan, Dr. Norman L. Manecke, Henry Manecke, William Marquart, J. P. Martin, Jerome M. Martin, Dr. John C. F. Marvin, Isaac W. Marvin, Stephen Mathewson, Peter A. Mathewson, Dr. W. R. Matter, Daniel Merriam, Arnold F. Metzler, Dr. Willis M. |
383 329 439 373 373 402 487 558 339 576 536 536 147 592 643 623 405 513 405 405 488 379 440 490 311 605 418 544 522 379 107 651 309 398 398 645 645 317 393 393 433 313 145 347 347 523 523 566 112 650 |
Metzler, Jacob L. Miller, Frank L. Miller, Jones R. Mitchell, George A, Molder, Allen Molder, Frank Molder & Sons, H. Montgomery, George Montgomery, George C. Montgomery, George W. Montgomery, Jesse W. Montgomery, John T. Moore, Andrew J. Moore, Hon. Charles I. Moore, Ralph W. Moorehead, John E. Moorehead, Samuel Edgar Moorhead, Andrew Moorhead, Samuel Edwin Moorhead, Thaddeus E. Morehart, Harry J. Morehart, Jesse D. Morrison, John H. Mosier, Cory E. Mosier, John P. Mowery, George W. Mumma, E. Leslie E. Mungen, Hon. William Neeley, O. E. Neff, M. D. Neiswander, Joshua Neuman, August Niles, Charles E. Nonnamaker, Rev. John J. Norris, Alexander M. Norris, D. L. Norris, George W. Nusser, John A. Nusser, William C. Oehlschlager, Joseph Oesterlin, Dr. Charles Oiler, Clarence J. O'Neal, Hon. Charles W. Opp, A. L. Opp, Benjamin F. Opp, John Palmer, Hon. John M. Parker, Abel F. Parker, Harry J. |
584
404
404
395
320
320
320
621
577
577
386
535
338
442
652
431
431
581
581 581
427
427
113
310
630
365
320
118 582
618
596
621
603
496
499
499
628
652
484 521 141 537 113 606 347 348 122 114 343 |
INDEX - 15 |
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Patterson, Charles W. Patterson, Frank T. Patterson, Joseph S. Patterson, William M. Pendleton, Hon. George F. Pepple, David E. Pletcher, Samuel S. Poe, John Poe, Merle N. Powell, Bateman B. Powell, Daniel Powell, Dr. H. J. Powell, Dr. Jacob E. Powell, Dr. J. E. Powell, Oliver Priddy, Hon. S. N. E. Pugh, Joseph Rader, Henry B. Rader, John Rausch, Peter Rawson, Dr. Bass Redick, Adam Redick, Benjamin Reimund, John Reimund, William Renninger, Samuel E. Renshler, John D. Rettig, Adam Reycraft, Dr. Albert J. Rhinehammer, Daniel Rhinehammer, Sylvester Riddlebaugh, Henry Riddlebaugh, John H. Rieck, Charles Robinson, Frank S. Robinson, Jacob M. Robinson, Samuel H. Robinson, S. G. Roller, Henry S. Roller, Michael Rose, Rev. Alvan Rose, John S. Rosenberg, Jacob Rosette, John E. Roth, Charles P. Roth, George Ruckman, Dr. J. M. Ruhl, John S. Rummell, William R. Russell, Alfred L. |
601 601 600 115 298 640 466 492 492 302 302 655 364 147 626 567 550 452 452 549 140 627 627 348 349 573 553 622 515 318 318 345 345 489 443 570 570 497 574 574 363 363 133 116 358 358 568 448 559 369 |
Rutledge, Abraham Rutledge, H. J. Sampson, Albert Saunders, Dr. O. H. Saunders, Thomas J. Schaller, Christian Schaller, Philip Scothorn, A. W. Scothorn, W. W. Searfoss, Jacob Searfoss, Levi Shafer, Al C. Shafer, Solomon Shank, Albert Shank, Frank C. Sharninghouse, George F. Sharninghouse, William Shaw, Hon. O. P. Sheldon, J. C. Sheppard, Clark L. Shoop, Daniel Shoop, Joseph E. Shuler, Charles H. Shuler, Henry Sink, J. T. Slupe, Jacob Smith, Augustus M. Smith, Charles F. Smith, Henry W. Smith, John W. Smith, McConnell B. Smith, Peter J. Smith, William F. Snider, Samuel Snider, Solomon Snively, Samuel Snyder, William E. Solt, Herbert S. Solt, Peter Spitler, Douglas Spitler, Eli Stall, George W. Stall, John F. Steiner, J. L. Steiner, P. D. Steiner, Rev. T. R. Stoker, Harrison W. Stoker, Tunis Stouffer, Joseph Stouffer, Samuel Stough, Christopher |
640 640 337
525
525
403
403
312
312
385
385
627 500 501
500
505
505
299
378
370
460
481
463
463
455
587
483
369
632
510
311
413
632
309
309
407
580
534
534
590
449
448
448
583
583
467
388
388
439
439
525 |
16 - INDEX |
|||
Stough, George Stough, George S. Stough, Henry Stover, Samuel S. Swab, George Swab, John W. Swab, Samuel Swab, Solomon Swartz, Marion Swinehart, Andrew Swinehart, P. P. Tarbox, Harry L. Taylor, Charles Taylor, Edmund C. Taylor, Homer L. Taylor, John W. Taylor, Rufus E. Taylor, Washington Thomas, Dr. Earl J. Thomas, Henry B. Thomas, Jacob Thomas, J. Curtis Thomas, John D. Thomas, Levi M. Thompson, George R. Thompson, L. F. Todd, Benjamin Todd, Dr. Calvin D. Todd, Elisha Todd, William H. Totten, Hon. Theodore Tritch, Dr. John C. Tritch, Parlee C. Trout, George P. Trout, Len Trovinger, Dr. J. R. Twining, Robert P. Urban, Ernest E. Van Eman, George F. Van Horn, Dr. Allison M. Vanhorn, Charles E. Van Horn, Dr. W. S. Varnum, Dr. J. H. |
518 536 518 558 416 354 416 355 565 553 553 609 638 625 638 350 330 350 148 597 597 378 487 378 516 516 593 391 593 391 340 314 314 498 499 624 563 479 534 147 568 482 459 |
Vickers, Dr. Hilton A. Waaland, Jens J. Waggoner, William G. Walker, Hon. James B. Walker, S. C. Wanamaker, Eliphes Warfel, Ephraim M. Wells, Harvey H. Wentz, Ross Wertenberger, George H. Wertenberger, John Westfall, Dewitt C., D. O. Wetherald, Ross J. Wetherald, Sylvester R. Wheland, Clyde Whiteley, Hon. Machias C. Williams, Elijah Williamson, Dr. Milton S. Williamson, W. A. Williamson, W. M. Wilson, Judge Ebenezer Wilson, Dr. Huron S. Wise, Oscar Wisely, Martin L. Wisely, William P. Wittenmyer, W. H. Wolf, Levi Wolf, Mrs. Mary Woods, James Woods, Dr. L. S. Worden, A. L. Worden, A. C. Worst, Joseph Wortman, John Wyer, Henry Wyer, Henry Wyer, J. N. Wyer, William W. Yates, Darius W. Yost, Dr. William N. Zeller, John W. Zophi, Dr. J. W. |
565 480
610
596
516
543
471
633
329
557
557
490
497
497
365
114
114
148
556
556
108
148
578
644
644
484 491
491
386
385
590
590
560
474
363
324
360
324 650
384 616
148 |