684 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
VENICE TOWNSHIP.
THIS township, including the southern part of the "gore," was surveyed into quarter sections in 1820, by Price J. Kellogg, tend the lands offered for sale in 1821. Venice formed a part of Thompson Township from 1820 to 1829, when it was established a separate township and organized as such. The year of its organization the population was confined to families of the officers elected in 1829, and perhaps a few others named in the pioneer section of this chapter. In 1840 the census places the number of inhabitants at 1,222; in 1850, at 1,830; in 1860, at 2,013; in 1870, at 1,781, increased in 1880 to 2,231, and in 1885 to 2,600 (estimated). In 1880 Attica Village claimed a population of 663, which number has been added to considerably during the last five years. The name Venice was suggested by Johnson Ford to memorialize his home in Cayuga County, N. Y.
Honey Creek enters the county in fractional Section 19 and flowing in a tortuous course west by north, through the old settlement of Caroline, leaves the township in Section 6. A few small creeks are found both north and south of Honey Creek.
The Columbus and Sandusky pike road runs diagonally through the township from Attica Station, a mile north of the old village of Attica, through Caroline to Carrothers. The petition of Ezra Gilbert, presented to the county board in November, 1828, prayed for the establishment of a road beginning at the town line, two and one-half miles west of Attica, and running south by east so as to intersect the Now Haven road, three and one-half miles east of Attica, near the line of Huron County. The petition was granted, the line was at once surveyed by David Risdon, and cut through or underbrushed by Ezra Gilbert, Johnson Ford and Samuel Halsted, within six days.
The Northwestern Ohio Railroad runs through the southwestern sections, while the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passes across the extreme northeastern corners of fractional Section 6 and Section 1.
The lands are fertile, and the face of the country just sufficiently rolling to confer on it a beauty and utility which could not belong to a level country.
Organic and Official. -This township was established in 1829 (vide Transactions of the Commissioners' Board, Chap. IV.), and the first election held June 13, that year. Thomas West, Ezra Gilbert and Moses Smith were chosen trustees; Philip E. Bronson, clerk; James Halsted, treasurer; Henry Speaker, Elisha Fair, overseers of the poor; Cornelius Gilmore and Ezra Gilbert, fence viewers; and Warren Blakesly, constable.
From this date to 1854 the township shares with many other divisions of the county in the loss of old record books. Those old books alone could tell the story of each annual election, and to the fact of their being lost or destroyed, rather than to any carelessness on the part of the present township clerk, who made out the following list, or the historian, must be attributed the quarter century break in the official history. Many of the men referred to in the pioneer section of this chapter will be identified as sharing in the local
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government of the township in early days. The following list contains the names of township officers from 1854 to 1885:
1854.-Franklin Gray, Henry Meyers, James Hanna, trustees; James McManigal, clerk.
1855.-J. W. Carson, William Sourwine, James Hanna, trustees; James McManigal, clerk.
1856. --H. N. Chase, Hiram Royce, Samuel Weaver, trustees; James MeManigal, clerk.
1857.--James Hanna, Jehu Lozier, M. E. Crow, trustees; James McManigal, clerk.
1858-59.-William Sourwine, Christ Link, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1860.-Charles Guyer, Christ Link, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1861.-Henry Smith, E. W. Tink, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1862.-Henry Smith, Frederick Steigmeyer, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1863.-PeterBasore, F. Steigmeyer, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1864.-Peter Basore, F. Steigmeyer, Mathias Carrothers, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1865-66.-Peter Basore, F. Steigmeyer, Samuel Bemenderfer, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1867.-Peter Basore, Joseph Friedley, Franklin Gray, trustees; F. H. Steigmeyer, clerk.
1868.-David Ringle, Joseph Friedley, J. D. Sumerlin, trustees; David McManigal, clerk.
1869.-David Ringle, Jr., Samuel Speaker, J. D. Sumerlin, trustees; S. A. Ringle, clerk.
1870.-David Ringle, Jr., Wallace Olds, J. W. Carson, trustees; W. M. Miller, clerk.
1871.-Michael Steinmetz, Joseph Huffman, William Everingim, trustees; W. M. Miller, clerk.
1872.-Michael Steinmetz, G. W. Lemmon, H. F. Myers, trustees; Ed. Bemenderfer, clerk.
1873.-Michael Steinmetz, Wallace Olds, Joseph Huffman, trustees; W. M. Miller, clerk.
1874.-M. Steinmetz, Joseph Friedley, Lewis Bollinger, trustees; W. M. Miller, clerk.
1875.-William King, Joseph Friedley, I. A. Spencer, trustees; F. H. Steigmeyer, clerk.
1876.-William King, David Ringle, Jr., I. A. Spencer, trustees; F. H. Steigmeyer, clerk.
1877.-William King, David Ringle, Jr., H. J. Smith, trustees; F. H. Steigmeyer, clerk.
1878.-George Gangheff, J. W. Steigmeyer, H. J. Smith, trustees; F. H. Steigmeyer, clerk.
1879.-Michael Steinmetz, Fred. Wolfert, George Heabler, trustees; James L. Couch, clerk.
1880.-David Holmes, Fred. Wolfert, George Heabler, trustees;, James L. Conch, clerk.
686 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
1881.-David Holmes, J. W. Link, George Heabler, trustees; James L. Couch, clerk.
1882.-David Holmes, J. W. Link, John F. Hoke, trustees; James L. Couch, clerk.
1883.-David Holmes, J. W. Link, John F. Hoke, trustees; James L. Couch, clerk.
1884.-David Holmes, J. W. Link, John F. Hoke, trustees; James L. Couch, clerk.
The officers of Venice for 1885-86 are David Holmes, William King and John B. Wilhelm, trustees; James L. Couch, clerk; A. B. Brant, treasurer; J. T. Meyers, assessor; A. F. Lepper and Otto Blust, constables; James L. Couch and O. J. McPherson, justices of the peace.
Pioneers of Venice.-Half a century and eight years have elapsed since the pioneer of American civilization looked into the wilderness of Venice Township, and called it his home. To Cornelius Gilmore, Johnson Ford, Samuel Halsted, the first road-makers, the first farmers, the first actual workers in the township, the special honors pertaining to pioneers are accorded. Although they first settled on the head waters of Honey Creek a full decade after the adventurous pioneers of Delaware County visited and settled on the Sandusky at Fort Ball, and eight years after the Welchs settled on lower Honey Creek, the honors are still due; for then the beautiful district, now called Venice, was a wilderness, unvisited by the pioneers of other parts of the county and indeed unheard of by them. In the following pages the writer has made an effort to group all the pioneers together, and speak of each so far as authentic accounts permit.
John Armatage settled here in 1829, coming that year from Maryland, where he was born in 1806.
John Barrick settled in Seneca County in 1834 . . . . Joel Billings settled here in 1829 . . . . Lewis Bollinger (deceased), born in Germany in 1825, came from Stark County, Ohio, to this county in 1844, settling in this township.
Jeremiah Carpenter and Charles D. and Emeline (Michener) Carpenter-former born in 1823, died in 1868, latter born in 1830, died in 1873. parents of William A. Carpenter-were early settlers . . . . Samuel and Elizabeth (Wiloughby) Carson, natives of Pennsylvania, father of J. W. Carson, came to this county in 1835, and here died at advanced ages . . . . Robert Carson, grandfather of J. W. Carson, came to the county at an early date and here died in 1836. His wife died same year ....H. M. Chandler came from Connecticut in 1838 . . . . Matthew J. Clark, who died January 4, 1882, in his fifty-sixth year, was an old settler of Venice Township. He moved to Tiffin many years ago . . . . Jacob Cook settled here in 1829 . . . . H. B. Courtwright, in 1832 . . . . James Madison Crabbs, father of Cyrus N. Crabbs, came here at an early date .... Samuel Croxton settled here in 1829.
Stephen and Magdalena Dick came from Alsace, Germany (then France), to this country in 1830; lived twenty-two years in this and seventeen in Bloom Township, finally locating in Thompson Township in 1872. Stephen Dick died in 1876; his widow resides near Frank's Corners.
Jacob Ebersole, born in Pennsylvania in 1807, has resided here since 1834 . . . . . Gov. Edwards settled here in 1829.
Elisha Fair settled here in December, 1828 . . . . Philip and Christina (Kerner) Falter, natives of Germany, came thence to Seneca County, in 1833; former died in 1842. J. B. Falter, their son, also a native of Germany, born in 1826, lives in Venice Township . . . . Philip Falter, born on mid-ocean in 1823 (his parents being on their way from Germany to the United States, and who
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died in Venice Township), married Miss Elizabeth Houck, and they then came to Venice Township, where they both died, in 1872 . . . . Johnson Ford, born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., June 9, 1796, came to Seneca County in 1828, from Cayuga County, N. Y., and, purchasing 160 acres of land,where Attica Village now stands, entered on pioneer work in the wilderness. His neighbor, Cornelius Gilmore, settled in the township the year before, and a few others came in 1829. Mr. Ford opened the first farm in Venice Township, clearing, plowing, and sowing the seed himself. His wife, Esther, died March 19, 1829, and her remains had to be carried to the Scipio Cemetery. Shortly after he revisited New York State, and there married a second time; returning with his bride to the wilderness. In 1833 or 1834 he was appointed Superintendent of the Union Sunday-school, succeeding John Martain, and this position he held until 1858 or 1859 ; when the Presbyterian Church was organized in October, 1833, he was ordained an elder. He and Ezra Gilbert suggested the name Attica for the present village in 1829, and the same year he gave the name of Venice to the township. For over half a century he has made the township his home and shared in every effort to develop it . . . . J. J. Friedley and his father, Ludwick Friedley, a Pennsylvanian, settled here in 1838, latter dying in 1871. Barbara (Link), wife of J. J. Friedley, born in Germany, came when two years old with her parents, who were among the first settlers of Seneca County. It is stated on other authority that this family came in 1833.
Cornelius Gilmore was the first settler and first blacksmith in Venice Township, having settled here in June, 1827, where O. J. McPherson's house now stands, on the south bank of Honey Creek. About 1832 Mr. Gilmore removed the Caroline postoffice, when a new office was established at Attica .. ..The first road in the township, from a point two and a half miles west of Attica to the Huron County line, was cut through in November, 1828, by Ezra Gilbert, Johnson Ford and Samuel Halsted, and a year later Ezra Gilbert erected his cabin where the Ford & Stranler hardware store of Attica's later days stands. Ezra Gilbert settled here in April, 1829, and was the first postmaster, and first settler on the site of Attica.
James Hanna, born in Pennsylvania in 1804, came to Venice Township in 1834 . . . . Samuel Halsted settled here in August, 1828 . . . . The Hamiltons were here in 1845 . . . . Samuel Harper, a soldier of the Revolution, an Irishman, was buried in Sycamore Township in 1821 . . . . Samuel Hawk was here in 1835 . . . . George Heabler, Sr., a native of Pennsylvania, located in Venice Township in 1835, bringing his son George, of Attica and Tiffin .... George Herr came from Germany in 1852 . . . . John Hillis, a native of Ireland, came direct from his native land to Seneca County, settling in Venice Township in 1846, dying in 1875 . . . . John Holmes, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1807, came here in tin early day, and now resides with his son, David . . . . Samuel and Charles Hoyt settled here in 1854. Samuel died in 1872. Charles resides in Wyandot County . . . . J. W. Huffman, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1837, was brought by his parents, Jacob and Catharine (Weaver) Huffman, to Venice Township in 1839; Jacob Huffman died in 1855 . . . . .Michael Hull, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1807, came to this county in 1834, settling on 560 acres of land on Section 7 of Venice Township, where he still resides ....Michael and Barbara (Free) Hull, parents of George F. Hull, were early settlers of this township, where Michael Hull now resides.
Thomas Kemp, born in Pennsylvania in 1813, came with his parents, David and Sarah (Ward) Kemp, to Venice Township in an early day . . . . David J. Kell v was here in 1849.
John C. and Christianna (Eichenhofer) Lebold, parents of Jacob F.
688 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Lebold, all natives of Germany, came from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1842, to Section 16, this township, where John C. still resides . . . . Avery Leonard, born in Pennsylvania in 1798, came here with his family in 1834 . . . . John Lepard was here in 1831 . . . . Jacob and Maryann (Gerling) Link, natives of Germany, came to this county in 1838, the former dying in 1841. Their son, J. W. Link, born on the ocean, when his parents were on their way to America, resides in Venice Township . . . . John Lozier came in 1853.
J. McCarty and Daniel McCarty, natives of Ireland, settled here about 1832 or 1834 . . . . John and Elizabeth (Hannah) McClelland, natives of Pennsylvania, settled here in 1836 . . . . James McKibben came here in June, 1830 . . . . James B. McKibben, a Pennsylvanian, was here in 1832 . . . . William McPherson settled in Venice Township in November, 1828. He was born in Scotland in 1793 . . . . Henry and Rebecca (Free) Meyers, former a native of Switzerland, born in 1808, were early pioneers of the county. Mr. Meyers came in 1835, a comparatively poor young man, and at his death in 1884 he owned over 2,000 acres of land ....Nathan Merriman settled in Venice in 1829 . . . . The Metcalf family settled here previous to 1836 . . . . John M. Miller, a native of Germany, father of Paul Miller, immigrated to America in 1832; resided about four years in Medina County, Ohio, and then settled permanently in this county. He died in 1884 . . . . Maurice and Hannah (Davis) Moore-former a native of New Jersey, born in 1797; latter a native of Wales, born in 1800-came to the county in 1834, settling in Venice Township. They died in 1883 ....Andrew Moore settled here in 1830; died in 1846. His widow died in 1880 . . . . Philip Muck settled in Venice in 1829 . . . . Jacob and Fanny (Werder) Myers (or Meyers), natives of Switzerland, came to Ohio in 1829 and to this county in 1831. Their son, Henry F. Myers, also a native of Switzerland, born in 1822, came with them and is a farmer here . . . . Henry Meyers, " Tailor Meyers, " as he was known to all, was born in village of Oberendengen, Switzerland, April 26, 1807; died at Attica in July, 1884. In 1835 he brought the first $5 in gold ever seen in Tiffin, and also purchased the first mowing machine and the first grain drill in Venice Township. Five years after he came to Seneca County, on July 11, 1840 he was married. After working six years for one man at his trade in Philadelphia, he left there on the 10th of July, 1835, and came by canal to Sandusky, Ohio, arriving on the 29th of the same month, and walked to Attica on the old turnpike, where he had previously purchased wild land. For six years after his arrival in Seneca County he worked at his trade in Tiffin, after which he worked for five years in the village of Attica, using his money thus earned for the improvement of his land.
Jacob Newkirk settled in Venice in 1831 . . . . Leonard and Mary (Hachter) Noble, natives of Germany, former born in 1822, latter in 1829, came the year they were married (1852) to Venice Township, and some time after moved to Reed Township, where Mr. Noble died in 1871.
Mrs. Catherine Olds died at the residence of her son, Wallace Olds, three and one-half miles west of Attica, July 18, 1878, aged seventy one years, five months and thirteen days. Mrs. Olds was one of the old pioneers of Seneca County, having resided here forty-two years..
William Pollinger, a Pennsylvanian, came in 1855.
Jeremiah Rex (vide Chapter V) . . . . S. H. Ringle, an Ohioan, was here in 1832 . . . . Stephen Rogers, a native of England, came to America in 1818, and to this county in 1837. John Rogers, a pioneer farmer of the county, born in France in 1819, is a son of his . . . . David Roop settled here in 1829 . . . . Aaron Rush, an old settler of Venice Township, died in 1837.
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Jacob Schaaf, who came from Germany in 1829, is an old settler here . . . . Sebastian Senn, a native of Switzerland, born in 1828, came in 1838 with his father, who settled on a farm in this county .... Samuel Shade, Sr., born in 1800, purchased, in 1834, 300 acres of timber land in Venice Township; he came from Columbiana County, Ohio; died at Tiffin in 1872. Samuel Shade, his son, resides in Eden Township . . . . J. L. Shirey came from Pennsylvania in 1844 . . . . Christian Shuly, a native of Pennsylvania came in 1856 . . . . Ludwig Shoup came from Germany in 1854 . . . . George Sillman, father of Mrs. Michael Kirchner, of Tiffin. came from Germany and settled in Venice Township about 1833 . . . . Martin Smeltz, a native of Germany, was among the early settlers of this county . . . . John and Mary (Weaver) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Martin Smith, of Venice Township, came to the county in 1838, and settled in this township, where John Smith died in 1882 . . . . Jacob and Catharine, (flyers) Smith, natives of Switzerland, parents of Mrs. Norman Benham, of Scipio Township, came to America in 1827 and in course of time were early settlers of Venice Township . . . . Jeremiah Smith, born in Bedford County, Penn., February 18, 1818, came to Seneca County in 1834, and died here January 5, 1885 . . . . Eli Snow, Cold Creek (see story of the Indian "Pumpkin").. . Henry Speaker, Jr., settled here in 1829, and erected the first saw-mill in 1831 . . . . Samuel and Hannah (Harper) Speaker, parents of Samuel Speaker, came in 1840; Samuel died in 1868 ....Huckins Spencer, born in Maine, father of I. A. Spencer, of Venice Township, settled in this county in 1834 . . . . Frederick Steigmeyer, a native of Switzerland, came from Pennsylvania to Seneca County in 1836 . . . . John Steigmeyer, father of Mrs. John B. Blum, was a native of Switzerland, born in 1811; he settled, in 1835, two miles west of Attica, where he still resides . . . . Martin and Elizabeth (Lang) Steinmetz, parents of Mrs. J. B. Falter, natives of Alsace, came to Seneca County about 1833 . . . . M. C. Steinmetz, born in France in 1829, came with his parents, Martin and Elizabeth (Baltz) Steinmetz, from France to America about 1831, and to Venice Township about 1837 . . . . James D. Stevenson, a native of Vermont, settled here in 1838, died in Michigan in 1865 . . . . John A. Stephenson, father of Prof. William H. Stephenson, of Attica, and a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Venice Township in 1831 ....E. P. Sutton, known as "Pomeroy" Sutton, an old resident of Attica, died December 27, 1879, at New Washington . . . . Lester Sutton came from New York State in 1852.
John Tompkins, a native of New York, came in 1835 . . . . Peter Trumpler, a native of Bavaria, was among the early settlers of the township . . . . John Trumpler was here in 1841.
Samuel Weaver, father of E. Weaver, of Attica, was born in Maryland in 1822, and came among the early settlers to this county; he died in 1863 . . . . Martin S. Weaver, born in Pennsylvania in 1811, came here in 1833 . . . . Thomas West settled in Venice in October, 1828 . . . . James Willoughby, who owned the northwest quarter of Section 34 in 1829, died in 1835 . . . . Jacob Wise, a Pennsylvanian, settled here in 1828 . . . . Samuel Wise, a native, was here in 1837.. . John and Samuel Woolet settled herein 1829 . . . . Christian and Hannah (Lehman) Worm came into the county from Germany in 1833.
Early Industries.-Henry Speaker's saw-mill was erected between Caroline and Attica in 1831. The power was supplied by oxen. The first grist-mill and carding mill was established in 1832. This was simply a conversion of Speaker's old saw-mill. The Metcalf Steam Saw-Mill was erected in 1836 by Ebenezer and George Metcalf, close to the spot on which the Heabler Mill was afterward built. The fire of March, 1840, destroyed this building. The Kinnaman Steam Saw & Grist-Mills were erected at Caroline by Peter Kinnaman,
690 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
and carried on until destroyed by fire. In 1857 Ephraim Groves' son was scalded to death, owing to the explosion of the boiler in this concern. The Steigmeyer Steam Saw-Mill was erected near the site of the Metcalf Mills, and a grist-mill added subsequently. This industry is now carried on by the Heablers.
The conspiracy of 1857 to defraud the people reached its zenith at Attica. Schuyler, Higley and Chandler were among the leaders of those fraudulent dealers, The counterfeiters were also busy at this time and had a den in this township.
ATTICA.
The location of this village on Sections 10 and 3, Venice Township, at the crossing of the Tiffin and Sandusky roads, was selected in 1833 by William and Samuel Miller, and surveyed for them by David Risdon. Four years prior to this time Ezra Gilbert built a cabin in the center of what is now the village of Attica, where he kept a tavern and established a postoffice, winning for it from the department the name of his old home, Attica, N. Y. Thus the Millers had not to go to the trouble of selecting a name for their new town in the wilderness. Nathan Merriman's store was also established here, and within five years from the day of Gilbert's settlement the place grew from one logcabin to be a village of twenty dwellings and of a population bordering on 100. Johnson Ford erected his cabin in 1828. In 1831 the first frame house in the township was erected by Jacob Newkirk in the business center of the village.
Attica was platted April 7, 1833, by David Risdon for William and Samuel Miller. Miller & Schuyler's addition of Hugh M. Ellis' lands was surveyed in January, 1848 by H. B. Cain for John Miller and Marcus Schuyler. An addition to this addition was made at the same time for John L. LaMareaux, H. Chandler, Joseph Baughman, John Heckman, John Shuriff and D. K. Burg.
The following-named additions were made in 1873-74 and 1875: George Ringle's, October, 1873; David Ringle's, October, 1873; William King's, February, 1875; Finley Ringle's, December, 1874; Boyle & Bemendorfer's, March, 1875. The additions to the village in Sections 3 and 10 were authorized by the commissioners, October 1, 1875. A petition to extend the limits of Attica corporation was presented to the county board by Lester Sutton, agent, May 26, 1880. The contest which ensued is of record.
Bemenderfer & Gates' addition was surveyed in March, 1882, and Ringle & Lemmon's addition in April, 1882.
ORGANIC AND OFFICIAL.
The first officers of Attica Village, elected April 6, 1850, were: John L. LaMoreaux, mayor; Samuel Miller, clerk; William Riningor, treasurer; S. E. Martin, marshal; Samuel Crobaugh, D. K. Burg, Benjamin Kelly, John Heckman and John Ringle, councilmen; Samuel Miller, M: R. Moltz, John Lay, Eben. Metcalf, Orlando Miller and James H. Brisco, members of board of education. The mayors of Attica since that time are named as follows: William Miller, 1851; William Rininger, 1852-55; P. Kinnaman, 1855; R. H. Blodgett. 1856-57; W. Rininger, 1858; P. Kinnaman, 1859; W. Rininger, 1860; J. R. Buckingham and R. H. Blodgett, 1861; R. H. Blodgett, 1862; W. Rininger,1865; W. M. Miller, 1866; H. M. Chandler (vacancy), 1866, and elected.1867-68; H. J. Ford, 1869; J. C. Meyers, 1870-74; J. W. Simpson, 1874 (died that year); James L. Couch, 1874-76, re-elected in 1876; and William Harman, the present mayor.
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The names of those who have held the position of city clerks are as follows: Samuel Miller, 1850; Josephus Chandler, Isaiah Frederick, M. Schuyler, W. B. Ames, C. V. Fay, J. W. Brown, S. A. Ringle, W. M. Miller, J. W. Simpson, W. M. Miller and the present city clerk, James L. Couch.
The names of those who have been elected and Served as councilmen since 1852, are as follows: John Miller, H. B. Cain, Samuel Crobaugh, William Rininger, I. A. Childs, William Miller, B. Patterson, John Shade, G. W. Moltz, James Hull, J. D. Harford, John Wolf, William McManigal, Leonard Buts or Brets, P. Kinnaman, Samuel Ernest, A. P. Philo, S. A. Ringle, Levi Rice, T. T. Cook, William Smith, George Heabler, John Engelhart, Henry Heabler, J. Q. Holmes, J. D. Meyers, John Heabler, J. W. Leonard, John Foster, J. AS'. Hall, Hiram Royce, George Ringle, Jacob Ebersole, M. R. Moltz, J. M. Silcox, Thomas Neeley, Samuel Bemenderfer, James L. Couch, William King, J. R. Strandler, David Sanford, Ed. Bemenderfer, J. F. Lebold, F. H. Steigmeyer, A. B. Brant, David Heabler, Simeon Decker, J. L. Friedley, T. K. Crane, H. S. Seavolt, Jacob Engelhart and D. T. Heabler.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The first postoffice at Attica was opened in 1832, with Ezra Gilbert, postmaster; the owner of the first tavern there. In 1833, Nathan Merriman, of Bucyrus, opened the first store. W . M. Miller was postmaster at this point for years. Levi J. Todd is the present postmaster.
The business circle of Attica in 1884-85 comprised the following: Bemen- derfer & Co., sash, door and blind factory; Heabler Bros., flouring-mills;- Hall & Meyers, iron founders; George Keller, brick and tile-makers; Libe & Burget, carriage-makers; Armatage & Wurts, J. R. Strandler, hardware; David S. Jackson, saw-mill; J. W.Walker, furniture and undertaker; W. Smith, furniture; George Sherman, harness; Friedly Bros., Rininger & Silcox, George H. Hamilton, Leonard Sachs, Myers & Keller, F. H. Steigmeyer, merchants; T. K. Crane, jeweler; J. M. Teeples, milliner; Engelhart & Klear, blacksmiths; David Heabler, boots and shoes; R. T. Hoarsen, J. F. Lebold, druggists; J. Reid, C. Schottler, tailors; N. S. VanHorne, baker; J. M. Rice, painter; Jacob Courtwright, livery; William King,cooper; George Kupp, meat market; David Ayres, W. Schoff, hotels; Adolf Hassler, billiards; A. Kappas, F. Uhle, Joseph Myers, saloons; James L. Couch, O. J. McPherson, justices of the peace; William Harman, dentist; M. H. Mills, H. G. Blaine, A. W. Knight, Alfred Force; J. K. Buckingham, C. L. Jones, physicians; Lester Sutton, attorney, banker, etc. ; Dr. H. G. Blaine, George Stoner, editors Attica Journal.
The old buildings which occupied the site of the William Rininger building, were destroyed by fire in 1853. In 1856 another fire swept away the old William Miller Hotel, northwest corner of Main and Tiffin Streets, then conducted by H. M. Chandler. Subsequently the Chandler Block was erected on the spot.
CHURCHES.
The first sermon in Venice Township was delivered by the Presbyterian preacher of Melmore about 1830, and a Union Sabbath-school was organized early in 1833, by Agent Patty, of which Martain was chosen superintendent.
The Presbyterian Society was organized in October, 1833, with thirteen members, by E. Conger and E. Judson, of Huron Presbytery. John Holmes and Johnson Ford were the first elders.
Attica Baptist Society was organized in 1841, with nine members. Not,
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however, until April 2, 1842, was the first preacher appointed in the person of Rev. S. M. Mack. In 1852 the Baptist Church was erected.
Baptist Church of Attica was organized July 17, 1841, with the following members: Nathan Childs, Adam Philo, Russell Windruson, Leonard Gipson, Thomas Rundell, Eliza Childs, Electa Philo, Hannah Windruson, Huda Gipson, and Nancy Rundell, all of whom have gone to join the church above. The pastors of the church have been A. Abbott, E. Goodnow, V. R. Wall, Elder L. Mack, F. Freeman, A. C. Lockhart, E. W. Clark, J. Hawker, Reason Lockhart, Robert Lockhart, J. L. Wiley, Frank Lyon, A. Buell, T. Dyall, and E. W. Lyon. The secretaries of the society were R. H. Blodgett, H. P. Philo, L. L. Gipson and John Riddle. The last named has served twenty years. The membership is fifty-nine, and the value of church property is $3, 000.
United Brethren Society was organized in 1855 by Rev. M. Bulger, with the following named members: William Seed, Henry Hershiser and wife, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Huddlestone. The pastors of the church, since its organization, are named as follows: Revs. M. Bulger, S. Jacoby, S. Altman, -----Ogden, J. F. Seiler, S. Foster, William Nevill, William Mathers. J. Aumiller, W. W. McCurdy, Klingle, O. H. Ramsey, C. L. Bevington and W. A. Keesy, the present incumbent. The society is building a new brick church on the lot where the old church stands on Eden Street.
Universalist Church of Attica was organized December 29, 1860. April 26,. 1860, a number of citizens of Attica and vicinity, met to consider the means for building a Universalist Church, when a vote in favor of the enterprise was carried. William Rininger, Mark E. Crow, and Samuel Crobaugh were elected trustees; John Childs, secretary. Individual subscriptions were ordered to be divided into shares of $5 each, and each share was entitled to a vote. Samuel Crobaugh presented his interest, valued at $60, to the church May 2, 1861. Among the original members, besides those named above, were Parthena Crow, Miranda Crow, Maria Crow, Mary Metcalf, Naomi Pruden, Harrison Hathaway, Lodency and Louisa Childs. The pastors have been Rev. E. R. Wood, six months; H. R. Nye, twenty-four months; J. W. Henley, eighteen months; J. F. Rice, six months; N. A. Saxton, six months; A. J. Seitz, twenty-four months; G. R. Brown, eighteen months, and J. F. Rice, the present pastor, twelve years. The secretaries of the society have been H. Hathaway, J. H. Boyle, Maria and Allie Boyle, Martha Silcox, Anna Meyers, Arvilla Green, J. N. Lee, W. T. Meyers, F. H. Steigmeyer, Nettie Couch, and L. J. Todd. The house of worship was erected in 1860. The membership is ninety.
The Methodists of Venice organized in 1835.
Methodist Protestant Church was organized at Attica early in 1866. The names of original members are William McPherson and wife, Maurice Moore and wife, Mrs. George Ringle, Mrs. David Ringle, Mary Bennet, Mrs. Lester Sutton, Mrs. Elizabeth Day, and Mrs. Vahnluah Williams. The names of pastors are given as follows: Mary Ann Steinbaugh, H. J. Bradford, James Williams, W. S. Cairns, J. H. Gray, L. Boman, The present pastor is D. C. Coburn. The number of members is placed at 105, and the value of property at $4,000.
Attica Mission of the Methodist Church, at Reed, was reorganized in 1872, and James Williams, Adolph Sallieres and Hiram Boyd were elected trustees November 30, 1872.
The English Lutherans organized in 1838, and in 1840-41, erected the Union Church, afterward controlled by the United Brethren. This church was sold for debt, purchased by Johnson Ford and used as a Union Church for years.
VENICE TOWNSHIP. - 693
* Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, originally consisted of German Lutheran and German Reformed members who settled here between 1830 and 1840. Rev. Conrad, Lutheran minister then residing at Tiffin, held the first services in 1835--37 in private houses. In 1839 Rev. Kranse also of Tiffin (Lutheran) was called and preached every four weeks for about six years. In 1842 during his stay here the first church was built, a log structure to the east of Caroline. In 1843 a complete organization was effected and a constitution adopted, and the church was known as the German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Congregation. Rev. Krause's successor was Rev.. Robert Graetz (now of St. Mary's, Ohio), 1845-55. In December, 1855, Rev: W. Schmogrow (deceased), then of New Washington, was called. In the spring of 1857 dissatisfaction having arisen on the part of the Reformed on account of Lutheran practice at the Lord's Supper, a separation took place, both parties organizing separately. The Lutheran portion organized in the fall of the same year in accordance with the laws of the State as the "German Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Congregation of Caroline, Ohio," and adopted its own constitution. Its officers then were Conrad Lebold and Valentine Roehring, elders; Martin Smeltz and Jeremiah Smith, deacons; John Springer, Daniel Schaf and Jacob Faber, trustees. The constitution is still the constitution of the congregation. The pastors following Rev. Schmogrow were Rev. Paul Mueller (now at Wichita Kas.); Rev. Carl Schmidt (now at Hubbard, Ohio); Rev. Buechenstein, Rev. W. Braunwarth, Rev. A. C. Ulrich (now at Norwalk, Ohio); Rev. Kramer (now at Castle Garden, New York); Rev. J. Krieger (now at Arlington, Ohio); from May, 1883, to May, 1884, Rev. H. G. Sulter (now at Bellevue, Ohio), and since June, 1884, Rev. Carl Ackermann. In 1870 the present church was built at a cost of perhaps $2,500. This spring a new parsonage was secured, costing $1,200. The German language was always the medium used in preaching until Rev. Sulter was called, since which time German and English have been used alternately. At present the congregation numbers about eighty communicant members. Mr. Leonard Sachs is the present secretary of the congregation.
English Reformed Church, at Carrothers, was founded some years ago. This church at Caroline claims a membership of 100 and a large church building. The Sunday-school of the church at Carrothers was organized in April, 1885, with the following named officers: superintendent, G. S. McKee; assistant superintendent, P. H. Buchman; secretary, Ids McClelland; treasurer, Katie Goetize.
SS. Peter and Paul Church, of Attica, is modern in organization, but old in its membership. Previous to the year 1882, the few Catholics living in and around Attica, having no house of worship of their own, attended the nearest Catholic Church for religious services. At a social meeting in the spring of 1882 the first steps toward the organization of the SS. Peter and Paul congregation were taken. The question of building a Catholic Church at Attica was then eagerly discussed by John and Frederick Steigmeyer and Sebastian Senn, three of the oldest and most respected settlers of Attica: J. B. Blum, F. X. Snyder and Krupp Bros. The result was a subscription of $1,000 for buying a suitable place for the intended church. Soon the work commenced and October 29, 1882, the church was dedicated to divine service. July 17, 1882, Rev. A. Hutbmacher was appointed first pastor of the newly organized congregation but no religious service was held before October 29, 1882, the day of dedication. The present membership comprises twenty-five families; the original number was six families. The value of the property is placed at $4, 000.
* By Rev. Carl Ackerruann, preacher.
694 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
CEMETERIES.
The first death in the township was that of Esther, wife of Jonathan Ford, who died March 19, 1829. She was buried in the Scipio Cemetery. Samuel Halsted's child, who died shortly after, was interred in a field near the pike road, while Philip Muck's child was interred on the "Ford Farm," where Johnson Ford donated and cleared a small cemetery.
Myers Cemetery Association was organized August 27, 1868, with Dr. J. C. Meyers, H. F. Myers, George W. Meyers, J. D. Meyers, D. Zimmerman, David Smith, D. C. Meyers, Abram Meyers and H. A. Meyers.
SOCIETIES.
Venice Lodge No. 197, I. O. O. F. was chartered April 30, 1852, and elected trustees under the act of May 1, 1852, January 16, 1855. Jacob Wise, Cyrus King and Michael R. Moltz were chosen trustees, and John L. Lamareaux, clerk. The names of original members are Isaiah Fredrick, M. R. Moltz, David Bennett, W. H. Cronkite, William Croxton, George W. Moltz, J. L. Kinnaman, J. P. Kinnaman, Solomon Gambee. The roll of Past Grands embraces the following names: J. L. Kinnaman, David Bennett, Isaiah Fredrick, George W. Moltz, W. Sourwine, Leonard Butts, W. V. B. Ames, A. S. Wickwire, Samuel Wise, C. Link, R. Willoughby, I. Barrick, Samuel Heabler, Thomas Neeley, Jacob Wise, J. R. Strandler, J. W. Simpson, A. Stout, Charles Schottler, W. King, E. W. Fink, M. R. Moltz, J. L. Couch, D. A. Boylo, Cyrus King, J. L. LaMareaux, H. F. Myers, J. C. Meyers, L. A. Ringle, James Sowerwine, Jacob Decker, George Heabler, J. D. Moyers, H. Royce, Lester Sutton, J. A. Spencer, D. Y. Fink, Solomon Gambee, Mathias Dougherty, William Harman, W. Olds, W. Green, D. J. Neikirk, J. T. Meyers, H. A. Meyers, David Heabler, W. O. Heabler, G. H. Rice, W. T. Meyers, G. F. Drake, S. S. Lepard, J. C. Moore, J. Schottler, S. A. Willoughby, Fremont Wickwire, Howard Price, Charles Weidner and George Engelhart. J. S1'. Walker is secretary, and J. T. Meyers, to whom the writer is indebted for this sketch, is the recording secretary. The number of members is seventy, and value of lodge property, $3,000.
Rebecca Lodge No. 11 was organized here some years ago.
Attica Lodge No. 36'7, F. & A.. M. was organized years ago. The greater number of names given in the history of the Odd Fellows' lodge are identified with this old Masonic circle. J. R. Strandler was Worshipful Master in 1878, Lester W. Sutton in 1879-85. W. Harman has served as secretary for some years. G. W. Friedley is the present secretary.
Attica Division No. 239, S. of T., consisting of twenty members, reorganized January 21, 1853, and elected Johnson Ford, William McCauley and George W. Culver, trustees, and John L. LaMareaux, clerk.
Venice Township Farmers' Club, an old and useful organization, elected the following named officers in January, 1885: Wesley Hatton, president; David German, vicepresident; Bert Rice, secretary; H. Hathaway, treasurer.
Rice & Creglow Post No. 112, G. A. R., was organized under charter July 31, 1881, with the following members: William Harman, Thomas Neeley, P. M. Hershiser, D. J. Neikirk, W. M. Miller, W. H. H. Miller, George E. Pruden, John H. Carpenter, F. M. Kelly, John Lebold, S. S. Seiple, James Pangburn, George H. Rice, J. F. Fink, J. C. Moore, H. A. Libe, John Hodge, Isaac Lepard, S. T. Groves, C. Sheoly, Daniel Hubble, William Luce, S. C. Gates, Jacob Wise, John Sherwood, Jacob Decker, W. H. Stevenson, Daniel Carpenter, D. Y. Fink and J. T. Williams. The post was named in honor of Stephen Rico and Joseph Creglow, who were killed at Winchester. They en-
VENICE TOWNSHIP. - 695
listed at Attica on the same day and were killed the same day. The Commanders were William Harman, 1881-83; D. J. Neikirk, 1883-85. J. H. Carpenter, Adjutant.
REVIEW.
The village of Attica in itself presents an index to the township. Main Street is well built up in the business district, and claims some large businesslike mercantile houses, while, north and south, a wide boulevard extends, bordered by the neat cottage homes and substantial residences of the citizens. This street, in its extent and general appearance, compares very favorably with tile residence streets of large cities. It is fast building up, and will undoubtedly continue to spread out until the village of Attica Station and old Attica are united by one well built up thoroughfare. The churches, schools, newspaper press, secret and benevolent societies, literary and art societies, and all the evidences of an advanced state in culture and wealth are found here, conferring on this southeastern village of the county an impress of Seneca's growth in all that contributes to public well being.
SMALL VILLAGES.
Carrothers was laid out on Sections 32 and 33, August 21, 1873, by John N Newman, surveyor, for James Carrothers. The business interests are represented by the following: G. S. McKee, Martin Phillips, Jacob Buchman, general stores; H. Einsel, grain and seed; A. Kerchner, boots and shoes; W. H. Mowery, produce; A. Snyder, blacksmith; E. Albaugh, lumber; O. Blust, saw-mill; Carson & Friedly, John Dellinger, stock dealers; Jacob Durr, wagon-maker; Huser & Knecht, tile factory; J. B. Falter, breeder of fine stock; P. Regula, hotel; H. A. Brick, saloon; J. J. Deck, physician; G. S. McKee, postmaster; Henry V. Trumpler, agent Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
The town of Caroline was projected and surveyed by James Kilbourne for Hector and Byron Kilbourne and Cornelius Gilmore February 28, 1828, on Sections 10 and 15. There is also on record a survey of the village, alleged to have been made in June, 1837, and protracted by L. E. Holtz in 1858 for James Kilbourne, Jr. The name was conferred in honor of Caroline, daughter of Cornelius Gilmore.
The first settler near Caroline was Cornelius Gilmore in 1827. Before the close of 1830 he built the first house in the village, and within the following ten years the population increased to twenty-seven. When Gilmore located at Caroline there were only fifteen families in Venice Township.
SCHOOLS.
From 1830 to the present time the school system has been a cherished one in Venice Township. In the year mentioned a school building, a very primitive concern in material, architecture and course of study, was erected at Attica. Ten years later the "Brick Schoolhouse" was erected on the site of the present schoolhouse, which continued in use until 1857, when Levi Rice completed a more pretentious house at a cost of $1,328.42.
The Attica Grammar School was instituted under authority, given in the legislative act of March 4, 1851, which empowered the school board to levy a tax of 2 mills on the dollar for the support of this school. The vote on the sale of school land, Section 18, Venice Township, was recorded April 2, 1849, by Henry Smith, S. Woollett and Samuel Bemenderfer, judges of election, and November 3, 1849, the sale of Section 18 in fractional Township No. 1, north, Range 18, was effected. William F. Leonard purchased the east half of the southwest quarter, and Andrew P. Smith the west half of the southwest
696 -HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
quarter. The sum realized was $1,490. In 1847 there were twelve school districts organized, and 686 pupils enrolled.
The schools of Attica presented the following statistics at the close of the school ear of 1884: Local tax, $1,986.54; total revenue, $3,575.82; expenditures, $2,426.31; one school building valued at $13,000; five teachers, average salaries, $67, $56 and $33, number of male pupils, 106, of female pupils, 107, of whom 16 are pupils in the high school.
The condition of the schools of Venice Township at the close of the school year of 1884, is shown in the following statistics: Local tax, $4,224.63; total revenue, $7,917.28; expenditures; $5,234.06; schoolhouses, 13; value of property, $13,000; number of teachers, 27; average salary, $37 and $23; number of male pupils enrolled, 217; of female pupils, 185; total enrollment, 402.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
The assessment of Venice Township in 1841 was as follows: 25,197 acres, valued at $58,753; town lots valued at $3,733; 172 horses valued at $6,880; 578 cattle valued at $4,624; merchants' capital and moneys at interest, $2,600; one carriage valued at $50. Total value, $76,640. Total tax, $977.16. Delinquencies from 1840, $64.80.
The valuation and taxation of Venice Township in 1884-85 are as follows: Acres of land in township, 24,575, valued at $780. 200, and personal property at $276,910; total, $1,057,110. Acres of land in Attica Village, 168; valued at $161,130, and personal property, $105,130; total, $266,260; making a grand total valuation of $1,323,370: The total tax in 1884-85 was $21,999.59; and $192 dog tax. The population of Venice Township (including Attica, 663), in 1880, was 2, 231.
The predial statistics of Venice Township for 1884 are as follows: Wheat, 3,584 acres; rye, 8 acres; buckwheat, 3 acres; oats, 1,573 acres, product, 64,496 bushels; corn 1,880 acres, product, 34,900 bushels; meadow, 2,283 acres, hay, 2,790 tons; clover, 1,038 acres, 1,105 tons and 803 bushels of seed; flax, 89 acres, 853 bushels of seed; potatoes, 110 acres, 14,004 bushels; milk sold for family use, 4,700 gallons; home-made butter, 77,805 pounds; sorghum, 3 acres, 136 gallons of syrup; maple sugar, 357 pounds, and 536 gallons of syrup; bee-hives, 169, pounds of honey, 1,790; eggs, 26,370 dozens; 1 acre of vineyard, 2,000 pounds of grapes; 408 acres of orchards, 8,350 bushels of apples, 52 of pears, and 2 of cherries; 12,301 acres of cultivated lands; 2,218 in pasture; 4,642 in woodland, and 45 waste, total, 19,206; wool shorn in 1884, 36,440 pounds; milch cows, 740; dogs, 164; sheep killed by dogs, 24; domestic animals died from disease, 25 hogs, 49 sheep, 8 cattle and 3 horses.
CONCLUSION.
So much has been written in the general history relating to men and events connected with this division of the county, nothing remains for this chapter save a plain, matter-of-fact statement of its settlement and organization, of its pioneers and material progress. The professional men, the politicians, the soldiers of Venice have all been withdrawn, as it were, from these pages to aid in making up the four chapters of the general history devoted to these subjects. There are other evidences of the principle, "Robbing Peter to pay Paul," to be found here; but withal, the writer is confident that the transfer of such names and events to the general history will be found appropriate, insomuch that such transfer is justified. by the generality of the subject or its special adaptation to the chapter wherein it finds mention.