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CHAPTER XLI.

BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION - PHYSICAL FEATURES - SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENT - PIONEER INCIDENTS AND ADVENTURES - THE STONER AND FOULKS FAMILIES - MILLS - SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES - TRUCKSVILLE - ROME - SHENANDOAH.

BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP was organized March 4, 1816, out of Madison Township, then eighteen miles square. When first erected, it was eighteen miles long, from east to west, and twelve miles wide, and included the west half of what is now Butler, all of the present Blooming Grove. Cass, Plymouth, Sharon, Jackson, Franklin. Auburn and Vernon (both now in Crawford County), and the west half of Weller, and contained two hundred and sixteen square miles. It remained in that form until June 4, 1816, when a square block was taken out of the southeast corner and called Franklin, leaving Blooming Grove in the shape of an L. In this irregular form it remained until February 2, 1818, when Plymouth and Sandusky Townships were created, leaving Blooming Grove six miles square, constituting Township 23, Range 18. The formation of Ashland County, in 1846, left part of Clear Creek Township in Richland County; which was at first attached to Blooming Grove; but Butler Township being created February 5, 1849; this was attached to it, and Butler also took two tiers of sections from the east part of Blooming Grove, leaving the latter in its present shape-four by six miles in extent.

The soil of the northern and central parts is clayey and the surface gently rolling. The southern part was somewhat marshy in an early day, a large part of it being covered with water a portion of the year, with here and there a small pond or lake which retained the water during the entire year.

Since its settlement this part has been thoroughly drained, and now constitutes some of the finest farming land in the county, though, during a freshet, the waters of the Black Fork yet overflow and cover extensive bottoms, rendering them useless for agricultural purposes.

The township was once densely wooded, the timber being beech, white oak, hickory, black walnut, sugar and some other varieties.

The dividing ridge between the head-waters of the Muskingum and those of the Huron and Vermillion Rivers, which flow into the lake, passes diagonally across the township from east to west, a little north of its center. The Black Fork and its tributaries drain all the southern part, the main body of that stream entering at the southeast corner, making a bend north and passing out near the center of its southern boundary line.

It does not appear that the Indians occupied any permanent camp within its limits, but it was used extensively by the Wyandots and Delawares for a hunting-ground. The numerous and beautiful sugar-tree groves (from which the name of the township is derived) rendered it a delightful camping and hunting ground during the spring and summer; and small parties of Indians were often encamped in some part of it, either hunting or making sugar.

The first road in the township was cut by the army of Gen. Beall, in the summer of 1812. It entered the township at Shenandoah, passing northwest, through the present site of Rome,

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and continuing on toward Shiloh, in Cass Township. It is now a much traveled highway. It was along this road that the larger part of the early settlers entered the township. Many of these early settlers accompanied the army of Beall, and thus saw for the first time beauties and advantages of their future home. Among these were George Hackett and Peter Maring ; the former in the capacity of scout and guide. and the latter as a pioneer, assisting to cut the road. Some of the first settlers entered their land as early as 1813 and 1814, but no actual settlement was made, so far as known, until 1814. The settlers who came first were Jacob and John Stoner, and a Mr. McCart. They followed "Beall's trail " in their search for homes in the woods; the Stoners settling on Section 22, and McCart on Section 30. The widow of John Stoner's son now occupies the old place; and the McCart farm is now owned by a Mr. Sowders.

In 1815. George Hackett, before mentioned, came, settling on Section 19 - his grandson, William Hackett, now owns the farm. Daniel and James Ayers. William Trucks and Richard Sloman also came, settling near the present site of the village of Ganges. In the spring of 1816, William Guthrie came from Harrison County, Ohio (formerly from Pennsylvania), settling on Section 18. This farm is now occupied by his grandsons-Ransom F. and Arkinson B. Guthrie. Henry Stoner came at the same time, settling on Section 15.

From this time forward, the township settled up more rapidly. John Wolph came in April, 1817; Samuel Zeigler in 1817, settling on Section 17; William Shurr, Section 32, 1817 ; Peter Maring, Section 7,1817; Thomas Dickinson entered his land on Section 7, in January, 1819, but did not occupy it until 1822. His son, Thomas Dickinson, owns and occupies the same farm at present. Other early settlers were Benjamin Krummel, who settled on the farm now occupied by Robert Meeks, who came in 1825; John McGaw, John Cleland and Thomas Thompson - the last three arriving about 1822-23; and settling in the eastern part of the township. William McIntire and Jacob Walker were here as early as 1818. Daniel Quinn, Charles Saviers, Robert and John Cummings, Andrew Paul, Jacob Greece, Joseph Sonenstine, Henry- Young and Wilson Lindsey- were among the earliest settlers in the vicinity of present site of Shenandoah. George Lattimer and Christian Ehret settled near the present site of Rome.

It is believed that Mr. McCart erected the first cabin in the township, though there could have been little difference in time between the erection of his cabin and that of the Stones

Mr. Guthrie says, that upon his father's farm was a beautiful camping-ground, used by the Indians upon their hunting excursions. They had erected, in a sugar grove which occupied a high piece of ground, an open-ended cabin, which they used as headquarters. Here they sang their songs, danced, and smoked their pipes in the evening, and hunted and lounged during the day. They were happy and peaceful, but their hunting grounds were eoon taken from them and their game driven away.

He relates an adventure of his brother John with wolves, which is illustrative of pioneer times. John had been on a visit to a neighbor's house, a Mr. Long, who lived in the territory now included in Cass Township, and darkness came upon him before he reached home. He was riding a spirited horse, and accompa nied by a half-wolf dog. The path was narrow and winding. Just before reaching home, his horse and dog scented danger ahead. The former snorted and was inclined to stop, and the latter whined nervously and kept closely under the horse's feet. Guthrie, peering through the darkness, observed dark forms flitting across the path, and knew he was close upon a gang of wolves. They had gathered in the path in front of him.

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While urging his horse to advance, wolf that had separated itself from the rest, suddenly sprang at the horse or dog from the roadside. The frightened animal sprang so quickly to one side that Guthrie was unhorsed, and falling upon the ground was immediately attacked by the wolf. Without a doubt, he would have been torn in pieces instantly, but his faithful dog, which had before shown signs of fear, now came to his rescue, attacking the wolf with great ferocity, compelling the latter to release his hold of Guthrie and defend himself. All this occurred in a moment's time and Mr Guthrie had just time to swing himself into a tree when the remainder of the pack surrounded his faithful dog, which was getting the better of wolf number one. Other wolves came up and attacked the dog, which was thus compelled to release the first one. As soon as released, it sprang up and ran away, followed by the dog and the entire pack. Mr. Guthrie improved this opportunity to descend from the tree and make his escape. He reached home in safety, and soon after his dog also arrived in good condition. No wonder that the pioneers considered their dogs invaluable, as in hundreds of cases they saved their masters' lives, and were always ready at any time to risk their own for that purpose.

The wolves were only troublesome and somewhat dangerous when the settlements were few and far between. They especially loved young pigs, and would kill them in preference to the older hogs. At first it was almost impossible to keep hogs or sheep. The settlers were in the habit of keeping as many males as possible among the swine, as these, when they grew up, would defend the younger and weaker animals. Wolves were rarely able to make a successful raid on a farmers hogs when there were several old males in the herd. At one time, when the Guthries were hauling in hay, a wolf chased a pig from among the drove in the wood, pursuing it into the meadow near where they were at work. The wolf in this race was closely followed by the drove of hogs, including several old males. So closely was his township pressed, that he was compelled to mount a hay-cock to save himself, and, in this position, was surrounded by the infuriated hogs. Suddenly one of the larger hogs rushed upon the heap of hay, upsetting it, and dislodging the wolf, which was seized as soon as it touched the ground, and was literally torn in pieces.

The pioneers were in the habit of erecting a pen for their sheep near the house. It was very high, and into it the sheep were driven every night for safety. Wolves, however, driven by hunger, would sometimes succeed in getting into this pen and killing the sheep. On such occasions, they always so gorged themselves with mutton that they could not get out of the pen, and were compelled to remain and settle with the proprietor of the yard in the morning. The result of this settlement may be imagined.

One of the early settlers, Thomas Dickerson, was a blacksmith, and, in addition to his labors on his land, worked at the trade. He located his shop on a trail leading-from the head-waters of the Black Fork to those of the Huron River. He was probably the first blacksmith in the township, and much of his work was making knives and tomahawks for his Indian friends, repairing their guns, etc.

The Stoner family was somewhat noted among the pioneers. Two sisters of Mrs. Stoner had been taken prisoners by the Indiana when quite young and grew up among them, one of them marrying a half-breed by the name of Williams, by whom she had two children, the oldest of which subsequently married an Indian who was well known among all the early settlers -as Johnny Cake. Mrs. Williams was so badly treated that she finally made her escape and returned to her father.

The Foulks family, who settled near the site of Rome (one of whom became the proprietor

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of that town), were in some respects a remarkable pioneer family. George Foulks was the theme of many a wild tale of border life. He was captured by the Indiana when eleven years of age, and remained with them until he grew to manhood. A record of his adventures would be a fortune to a novelist, but, like thousands of pioneers, he passed away without leaving any written record, and thus there is left but the shadowy, imperfect outlines of a daring, reckless, adventurous life; the vision of a mighty hunter and backwoodsman flitting through forests of the past. Nothing can be told to a certainty, and thus passes out of existence what might have been a valuable record of pioneer life.

Upon the organization of the township, an election was held about one and half miles north of Rome, at the house of Mr. Madden, at which twenty-one votes, were polled.

The first marriage in the township is believed to have been that of James Long to Martha Guthrie.

For milling; the early settlers of this township generally went to what was known as the "Cole Creek " mill, near Sandusky, or to Beam's, on the Rocky Fork.

The first mill was erected at Trucksville(Ganges) in 1816, by William Trucks and Daniel Ayers, on the Black Fork in the southwest part of the township. It was a poor concern, but a good deal better than none. The buhrs were manufactured out of "nigger heads." They also erected, at the same time and place, a sawmill and a distillery, thus furnishing the three great staples of the time-flour, lumber and whisky. This mill was in operation, perhaps, fifteen years. It could only run a small portion of the year, as it stood on low ground and the frequent overflow of the Black Fork kept it blocked up a good deal of the time. It finally became a place of bad repute, a resort of "bummers," and as the settlers generally lost part of their grist and sometimes the entire grist, they ceased to patronize it.

The second mill was erected by Jacob Stoner, on Snip's Run, near the site of Rome. This, like the other, the settlers termed a ''thunder gust "mill. It was erected on such low, marshy ground that every freshet blocked it up and prevented operations. This section of the country is now thoroughly drained, and these overflows do not occur.

The third or fourth mill was Crouse's, also erected on Snip's Run, a half-mile above Stoner's, and was no better than the others. None of these mills existed a great length of time.

One of the earliest mills was erected by Charles Saviers on Camp Council Run. This run, being fed mostly by the marshes, amounted to but little after they were drained.

In a very early day, Samuel Rogers erected a horse-mill in the northeast part of the township, to which the early settlers resorted,: and where they were compelled to wait from one to three days for a grist, passing the time pleasantly pitching quoits, wrestling, jumping, shooting at a mark, etc., living meanwhile at Mr. Rogers' expense. The only mill in the township at present was erected by Walter Shape, in Rome. It id owned by Mr. Bricker, of Ganges, and is a steam-mill.

The first school in this township was opened in December, 1824, in the cabin erected by William Guthrie in 1816. It was a three-months school, and was taught by Robert Finney. Mr. Guthrie had occupied this cabin about two years, when he erected a better one in the same yard, and thus the old cabin was honored by becoming the first schoolhouse. Those who attended this school were Nathan S. Guthrie, now a resident of Shiloh ; Francis, Eliza and Lydia Guthrie ; George, Betsy, Margaret, William, Mary and Drusilla Hackett ; Washington, David, Sallie and Mariah Long, and William and Thomas Dickinson. It was a subscription school, the teacher receiving $8 or $10 per month. Mr. Guthrie says that he MW his brothers and sisters attended that school

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during the entire winter in their bare feet. The schoolhouse being in their card, they were able to get to it. often through the deep snow, without frosting their feet.

About the same time (perhaps the same winter, though no one can certainly say), a school was opened in the southern part of the township, in the Trucks and Ayers settlement, on the site of the present village of Ganges.

The following winter, 1825-26, the Guthrie school was taught in a cabin which had been erected by John Guthrie for a dwelling; it was also on the Guthrie farm. John becoming dissatisfied with a life in the forest, returned to Harrison County thus leaving the cabin vacant. Robert Finney also taught this school, and the same scholars attended, with the addition of the Zeiglers and Mosses. This schoolhouse contained a puncheon floor and paper windows and the school was continued here two winters. The only book used by the younger students was a paddle with the A B C's on one side, and the a b, abs, on the other. Robert Finney, the teacher, afterward returned to Harrison County. A majority of the children who attended these schools came what would now be considered long distances, through the woods. with only the "blazed" trees to mark the way. A few of these boys and girls are yet living. and wondering where the years have gone, and feeling that the contrast between that day and this is almost beyond human belief.

Among the earliest preachers in the township, are the familiar names of Robert Lee, James Rowland, Harry O. Sheldon and others. These good men were everywhere in the county at that early day, sowing the good seed, organizing societies and establishing churches.

The first church society was probably that of the Presbyterians, organized by Robert Lee, about 1823. The early- members of this society were James Hunter and wife, William Guthrie and wife. James Carr and wife. William Lattimer, the Cleland family, Daniel Prosser and wife, Joseph Guthrie, the McGaw family, Jacob Walker and Mrs. William Young. Besides Mr. Lee, the Rev. Mr. Mathews, James Rowland and Rev. Mr. Garrison often preached to this society. About 1827 or 1828, this society erected a log church on Snip's Run, about half a mile north of Rome. This building, which has long since disappeared, was about 20x30 feet in size, and was erected by the voluntary labor of the people, regardless of creed. The first graveyard naturally made its appearance in the vicinity of this church. The building was occupied about fifteen years, when a frame was erected near it, which was used until 1860, when the society erected the present building in Rome. For many years this society was a strong, active one, but at present the membership is somewhat limited. A Sabbath school has always been connected with the church.

The second church building was erected about 1835, by the German Reformed Society, in Rome. Rev. Mr. Leiter was instrumental in establishing this church, and preached for the society a number of years. To this organization belonged the Altorfers, the Butchers, the Pifers and Christian Ehret. This church has long since disappeared.

The Methodist Church of Rome was erected about 1840. The society was first organized some years earlier in the Stoner settlement, and the early meetings held in the old log schoolhouse north of Rome. The first members were the Stoners, the Clausen family, Solomon Madden, John Wolph, John Woods and other's.

The first church was a frame, and was used until 1875, when the present neat, substantial brick was erected at a cost of $2,800. A Sunday school was organized many years ago, and is yet continued, the membership being now about thirty.

About the time of the erection of the Methodist Church of Rome, a frame church was

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erected in Trucksville, which is yet standing, a large, square, squatty, unpainted, ugly thing, and is, to-day, the only church building in that somewhat dilapidated and demoralized town. It was erected by people of different denominations, and has always been free to all denominations "except the Universalists," but is not extensively used for religious purposes; it is allowed to "rest" most of the time, and its appearance is in perfect harmony with its surroundings.

About 1859, a German Reformed Society was organized in Ganges, and this organization is the only one, at present, holding regular service in the church.

Among the first members of this organization were the Lybargers, Landers, Beeohers, Lasers, Kunkelmans and others.

The Union Church, near Shenandoah, was erected about 1849, principally by the Presbyterians, the German Reformed, Methodists, and Church of God. Jacob Cline gave one acre of ground for the church and graveyard. The principal movers in the erection of the church were Christian Urick, David Miller, Tobias Fox, George Burgoyne, Charles Saviers, Peter Secrist, William Foulks, Daniel Quinn, and Henry Young. Ministers of every denomination are allowed to occupy the pulpit. It is a large, active church, more than one hundred members of the different denominations worshiping here. The Sunday school is also large and active, with a membership of an average of eighty or more pupils.

Near it stands the Disciples' Church of Shenandoah, organized in March, 1876. This society, for years, worshiped in the Union Church, but finally grew strong enough to erect a building of its own, in 1879. The principal members are Doctor Starr, Frank Morris, David Miller, John Mercer, Henry Cline, Milo Starr, Alanaon Martin and I. P. Morris. This is neat frame building, and cost about $3,000. Rev. John Lowe was their first and also the present minister. The membership is about one hundred, and the Sunday school is active, with a membership of fifty or more.

The United Brethern Church, located in the northeast part of the township, on Section 3, was erected about 1860. It was organized by Rev. Hill. The principal members were William McUmber, Joseph Walker, Samuel Rickard and John Kensil. The building is frame, and cost about $600; the membership is about forty. A Sabbath school is supported during the summer.

Three villages have an existence within the limits of this township, neither of which can lay claim to great attractions to the fortune seeker, or lover of the beautiful.

The oldest of these is Ganges, formerly called Trucksville, laid out by Wm. Trucks and Daniel Ayres, in the spring of 1815. It was laid out in a square, with a public square in the cent.

In a very early day, a road had been opened from Mount Vernon north to the lake, for the purpose of gaining an outlet for grain and other produce. The Truckses and Ayerses followed this then very new road, and located, their land on the bank of the Black Fork, in what afterward proved to be the southwestern corner of Blooming Grove Township. Here, where this road crossed the Black Fork, they conceived to be a good place for a town. Mr. Trucks immediately erected a cabin for his own use upon the land he had entered, and this became the first cabin in the new town. He also erected a mill, on the low ground along the stream, referred to elsewhere. The Ayerses also erected cabins on their land, and were men of families and influence in that part of the township. Daniel Ayers was probably the first Justice of the Pesos in the township, and held court at his cabin several years. His brother James erected a hotel on the town site, and immediately did a thriving business. The little a town started forward with bright prospects, the road upon which it was located becoming soon a great and important. highway, over

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which hundreds of wagons, loaded with grain from the older counties south, passed every week. The first post office in the township was located here; and the first orchard planted in the township was by Messrs. Trucks and Ayers. they having procured the young trees from the famous Johnny Appleseed. The village grew rapidly, and at one time it aspired to the position of county seat. with fair prospects of getting it. So great was the hotel business that a sec ond building was erected for that purpose. C. R. Hooker, now of Mansfield, was one of the early proprietors of this hotel. In addition to the hotels, four stores were in operation at one time. other business being equally active. Trucksville appeared on the high road to prosperity. The first of these stores was started by Francis Graham. who enjoyed daily opportunities of sending to the lake for his goods, and forwarding his produce to that market.

It was a sad, solemn clay for Trucksville when the iron horse came down through the woods, on the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad. The whistle of the locomotive was the death-knell of the village, as it was of other villages. It began to decline from that day. The great wagon trains of produce soon disappeared entirely-the cars carried the grain so much cheaper and quicker. For many years the town has been comparatively dead. There may be 100 people there to-day, living in dilapidated houses, many of them unpainted; and the general appearance is one of decay. One or two small stores constitute about the only business of importance. Even the mill erected by George Weaver, after the Trucks mill disappeared. has ceased its labors.

The next attempt to build a city in the township was on the northwest quarter of Section 8. Here Alfred Foulks laid out a town which he called Rome. It is situated on " Beall's Trail." It was platted on both sides of the road and became the largest of the three villages. Its growth was, at first, more healthy than that of Trucksville, depending on the surrounding country, and was less liable to be injured by a passing railroad. It was laid out May 9, 1832.

George Foulks came here in an early day, and having a large family, entered several quarter-sections of land in the vicinity one-quarter for each of his children. He, and his son-in-law, Jessie Davidson, erected the first houses, the former bringing on a stock of goods and starting the first store, and the latter starting the first hotel. At one time, the place contained three stores, carrying a general stock, and a proportionate amount of other business was transacted. The place, at present, straggles along on either side of the road for a quarter of a mile, and has a dilapidated, sleepy look. The wonder is, what all its people-two or three hundred in number-do for a living. Jacob Rarick keeps the only store in the place. The first schoolhouse was erected about 1840 ; Geo. W. Cline being the first teacher. The present large frame building was erected about 1855.

Shenandoah was laid out on "Beall's Trail," in the. southeast part of the township, by William and George Altorfer, on the southeast quarter of Section 34, in June, 1844. The Altorfers purchased the land of Robert Cummings, who entered it. The first building erected was of hewed logs, and is yet standing, forming a part of the hotel now kept by Standard Cline. Jacob Bushey erected the second house, and John Valentine the third. These men were shoemakers. John Ninan started a blacksmith-shop and William Hisey, a pottery. John Sanker erected a wagon-shop, and still continues the business. Edward Hall came from Rome, and started the first store and post office. The store has changed hands several times, and is now conducted by I. P. Morris. The Altorfers were from the Shenandoah Valley, Va., hence the name of the village. At present, there are seventeen dwelling-houses in the plum; a rake and handle factory, wagon shop, store and two churches.