320 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. CHAPTER XXXVII. MILTON TOWNSHIP. COMPARATIVE STATISTICS-POPULATION-FIRST ELECTIONS-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-PIONEER LAND BUYERS-A REMINISCENCE-PIONEER ARCHITECTURE-HUNTERS-MEN OF 1839-NAMES AND INCIDENTS-FIRST WHITE CHILD-SCHOOLS ; MILTON CENTER-CUSTAR-OFFICIALS SCHOOLS-CHURCHES SOCIETIES, ETC. THIS division of the county was almost a terra incognito a half century ago. In 1850, there were only 244 inhabitants, or less than seven to the square mile, while in 1890 there were 2,287 inhabitants, or 63.5 persons to the square mile. In 186o, the. population was 675; by 1870, it increased to 1,464, and by 1880, to 2,181. The lumberman and stave manufacturer stripped the rich land of its forest covering. After the close of the Civil war settlers were attracted; then the drainage system was extended, and a township, which for over thirty years was the home of a few pioneers and their children, became one of the richest and most populous districts of Wood county. The surveys of Milton were made in 1819 and 1821, as shown in the chapter on Land Titles." First Elections.- Milton township was established June 11, 1835, embraced Tps. 3 and 4, in R. 9, the voters of which were to assemble at Morrison McMillan's house on the second Saturday in July, of that year. At the first meeting there was not a sufficient number of voters present to hold a legal election, and among the number borrowed from the parent, Weston township, were Samuel Dull and Joseph Ward, who received seventy-five cents each for their vote. There were two others brought in, making four imported voters, who represented four sick and absent ones. At the State election, held in October, 1836, there were only six votes cast for Joseph Vance, and seven for Eli Baldwin, candidates for governor. The names of the thirteen voters are: Morrison and Daniel McMillan, Alvin Clark, Samuel, Daniel and John Barton, Samuel Clark, Abraham and Jonathan Crom, James and Andrew Hutchinson, Thomas Taylor and William Hill. The justices of the peace of Weston township appear to have administered justice in Milton, until her own justices-elect qualified in 1837. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. Justices.-The justices of the peace, elected since 1837, were Daniel Barton and Morrison McMillan, who qualified in February, 1837, reappointed in 1839; Alex. Morehead, 1841 Morrison McMillan, 1842; Isaac VanTassel, 1847 to 1859; Rudd McMillan, 1850; Ezra Morgan, 1854; Morris Brown, 1856 and 1859 (did not qualify in 1859); George W. Hill, 1862, 1865, 1874; Daniel Barton, 1862 to 1868; F. C. Taft, 1868, 1871; B. E. Sheldon, 1871; J. B. Hill, 1874; O. H. Jones, 1877, 1880; Peter Laney, 1877, 1880; 1886; George W. Downs, 1883, 1886;C. M. Walling, 1889, 1892, 1895; Orson H. Jones, for the same terms, and H. Mannhardt, 1896. The dates given are those of election. Trustees.-The records of this township are in a condition similar, in many respects, to those of Liberty, Portage, Jackson and Henry. Little or nothing of the trustees' journal prior to 1879 could be learned ; but, more fortunate in the county auditor's office, the searcher was enabled to compile a list of trustees from 1842 to 1878. 1842--Ephraim Lewis, William Hill, Jr., Thomas Taylor. 1844-Alvin Clark, Samuel Barton, Thomas Taylor. 1845-Alvin Clark, Thomas Buck, Thomas Taylor. 1848-Alvin Clark, Thomas Buck, Andrew Hutchinson. 1849-Andrew Hutchinson, Andrew Morehouse, Thomas Buck. 1853--Daniel Barton, Thomas Taylor, Andrew Morehouse. 1856-Edward Campbell, Samuel S. Clark, Joseph Kieffer. 1859-A. L. Hutchinson, Joseph Henning, W. Kirk. 1860-Jacob Harts, Joseph Henning, Joseph Kieffer. 1861-George Dague, J. B. Kieffer, the third not named. 1862-63-J. C. Simmons, M. S. Harrod, George Dague. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 321 1864-George France, Joseph Kieffer, George Dague. 1865-H. F. Lewis, Joseph Kieffer, James F. Dubbs. 1866--H. S. Hunter, Joseph Kieffer, D. L. Campbell. 1867-H. S. Hunter, Joseph Kieffer, S. D. Stearns. 1868-H. S. Hunter, J. T. Dean, S. D. Stearns. 1869-R. H. Ralston, Josiah Smith, John McMaster. 1870-R. H. Ralston, S. Starr, --. 1871-R. H. Ralston, James F. Dubbs, E. Baldwin. 1872-73-R. H. Ralston, W. O. Keeler, T. Burson. 1874-R. H. Ralston, Orlando Ferrell, Sam. Starr. 1875-R. H. Ralston, H. A. Hunter, Daniel Barton. 1876-R. H. Ralston, H. A. Hunter, Henry Baldwin. 1877-78-R. H. Ralston, Anton Long, Enoch Campbell. 1879-William Kirk, W. F. Mercer, Samuel Bear. 1880-Enoch Campbell, W. F. Mercer, Joseph Kieffer, A. J. Rickard, vice Kieffer. 1881-Enoch Campbell, Fred. Wismer, A. J. Rickard. 1882-John Berry, Fred. Wismer, A. J. Rickard. 1883-Enoch Campbell, Matthias Schneider, John Lance. 1884-A. J. Rickard, William Kirk, Matthias Schneider. 1885-Enoch Campbell, J. C. Lance, William Kirk. 1886-William Bacome, William Kirk, John Wirtz. 1887-William Bacome, William Kirk, John Wirtz; Henry C. Strow, vice Kirk, deceased. 1888-Daniel Barton, William Buck, W. O. Keeler. 1889-Lorenz Weihl, William Buck, D. Barton. 1890-Joseph Johann, Daniel Barton, Lorenz Weihl. In 1891, A. J. Rickard, Jr., was elected; in 1892, G. W. Bradshaw; in 1893, Orlando Ferrell; in 1894, W. W. Sockman; in 1895, G. W. Bradshaw, W. W. Sockman and O. Ferrel; in 1896, Orlando Ferrell was elected. Clerks.-The clerks have been: Morris Brown, 1839-44; Rudolph McMillan, 1851; H. C. Strow, 1855; N. F. Campbell, 1856; G. W. Hill, 1857; H. C. Strow, 1858; G. W. Hill, 1859; J. M. Waggoner, 1861; N. L. Besanson, 1863; F. Lewis, 1864; H. C. Strow, 1865; Joseph B. Hill, 1866; R. W. Pool, 1867; L. L. Delano, 1868; J. M. Waggoner, 1870; C. M. Hathaway, 1872; J. B. Hill, 1873; George W. Downs, 1874; L. S. Baker, 1881; George W. Downs, 1882; C. M. Walling, 1884; A. C. Aubrey, 1886, and E. A. Ballmer, 1888, while William M. Learning, elected in 1894, was reelected in 1896. Treasurers.-This office has been filled by the following named citizens: Samuel Barton, 1841; William Hill, 1842; Thomas Taylor, 18,45; George Rethinger, 1879; John Kistner, 1883; E. W. Schooley, 1884; W. 0. Keeler, 1886; T. L. Bult, 1889; L. F. Hull, 1893-96 Assessors. The incumbents of the assessor's office have been: David Hill, 1842; William Alberti, 1844; Thomas Taylor, 1847-51; Jacob Flickinger, 1851; A. L. Hutchinson, 1852 to 1859; (no records or documents 1859 to 1879); L. S. Baker, 188o; C. M. Hathaway, 1881; William Buck, 1882; Jacob R. Huff, 1883; C. M. Hathaway, 1884; Daniel Barton, 1885; John Gribben, 1888; L. A. Lathrop, 1889; G. W. Downs, 1891; Emory Burson, 1892; and G. W. Richmond, 1894, with Joseph Metzger, elected in 1895. In July, 1892, bids were asked for the erection of a town hall and the contract awarded to B. B. Richardson for brick and stone work for $934, and the contract for carpenter work to P. W. Rickard. The town hall stands in the Park at Milton Center, south of the council or village building. Pioneers.-The pioneer land buyers and pioneers of T. 4, R. 9, include all the families credited to the township in 1839. The first purchasers of United States lands were: Thomas Taylor, E. N. W. and N. W. N. E. S. 2, April 16, '34. John Clark, S. of N. E. S. of S. E. and N. E. of N. E. S. 2, Nov. 4, 1834. Keeler & Hollister, S. W. 1/4 S. 2, Sept. 28, 1835. Alvin Clark, N. S. E. 1/4 S. 2, July 19, 1836. Moses Moore, N. pt. N. E. S. 3, Nov. 4, 1835. Andrew Morehouse, S. W. S. E. S. 3, Dec. 19, 1836. T. R. Culver, W. N. W. S. 12, Oct, 12, 1835. John Thompson, E. N. W. S. 12, Oct. 30, 1835. Henry Dubbs, S. E. S. W. S. 13, Oct. 21, 1833. Samuel Barton, S. S. E. S. 14, June 20, 1834. Reuben Van Tassel, S. S. W. S. 15, Oct. 27, 1836. Horace Potter, S. W. and S. E. S. 17, Feb. 1, 1836. William Hill, W. N. W. S. 21, Dec. 30, 1835. James Hutchinson, S. N. W. S. 22, March 24, 1836. Isaac Van Tassel, 2nd E. S. E. S. 22, Oct. 27, 1836. Morris Brown, N. S. W. 1/4 S. 23, March 24, 1836. Joseph Badger, S. E. S. E. S. 24, Oct. 27, 1536. Samuel Birdsall, N. E. S. W. S. 25, June 9, 1834. William Williamson, S. E. S. 25, Sept. 23, 1836. Andrew Hutchinson, S. N. E. and E. N. W. S. 26, Nov. 27,'33. James Hutchison, Sr., S. E. S. E. S. 26, Nov. 27, 1833. David W. Pugh, N. W. N. W. S. 26, May 2, 1836. Morrison McMillan, N. E. and S. W. of N. W. S. 35, Feb. 19, 1834. And Jonathan Crom, E. N. W. S. 36, Jan. 30, 1836. A Reminiscence. A son of Henry Dubbs, named above, writing in 1895, says: About the middle of April, 1834, Henry Dubbs settled in Section 19, Liberty township, near the west line. At that time there was but one family, James Birdsall's, in Wood county, west of Portage, until we came. They lived about a mile from us through the woods. A few weeks after, Wm. Lathrop built a cabin between us and the Birdsalls. During the summer and fall of 1834, a number of families-the Hutchinsons, James and Andrew, Morrison McMillan, Samuel Barton, and possibly one or two others, moved in. In the spring of 1835, Milton township was organized. On counting noses it was found that a few votes were lacking, so a few were borrowed from neighboring townships. People in those days of sparse settlements were very obliging in the matter of borrowing and lending, or else Milton would not have been organized that spring. The Indians at that time had not yet been removed to the Far West, and were almost daily visitors in our little settlement. On one occasion several of them came to our cabin; the spokesman drew his hunting knife and pointed to the hog pen where we had our fattening hog for our winter's meat. We thought sure they were going to butcher our hog, for we were unable to understand a word they said. Directly the Indian ran to the pen by which stood our grindstone, and soon made us understand that they wished to sharpen their knives, which quieted our fears concerning our fat hog. One fall our neighbor, Mr. Lathrop, had to go to Perrysburg to pay taxes. His wife bad but recently died, and his children were too small to be left alone at the house, so my brother and sister and I went to stay over night with them, making a family of seven children at the cabin. We had a good time, but in our throughtlessness we neglected to provide wood for the night; the wood-pile was out next to the corn-crib, and when about 8 322 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. o'clock, our wood was gone, we were afraid to venture forth in the dark for more. The woods at that time were infested by various kinds of wild animals. Finally my brother, John O., who afterward fell, in the war of the Rebellion, said he was not afraid to go out; but just as he was lifting up some wood he saw a large bear in just of him at the crib, eating corn, at the same time snarling as if offended at the boy's presence. John rushed in badly scared, and we threw out fire-brands to drive the beast off, but it paid no attention to us. We went to bed, after first covering up the fire. Bruin's tracks next morning, in the snow, showed plain enough that there had been no mistake as to the kind of caller we had the night before. How vastly different it is in Milton township now; children and women do not fasten their doors against prowling wild animals, but, unfortunately, they have to provide against prowlers of their own species! In 1836, the old Revolutionary soldier and missionary, Rev. Joseph Badger, built a cabin and settled on a ridge at the west end of the Wadsworth prairie, overlooking the great marsh. Pioneer Architecture.-The early cabins were primitive indeed. The first one built by the Hills, in 1835, was an eight-cornered shanty, made by splitting logs into slabs, about three or four inches thick and about ten or twelve feet long, and set upon the edges and notched at the ends, forming a building, having eight corners, and about ten or twelve feet high, and covered with clapboards or shakes, as the Yankees call them, no floor except the ground; in one corner the fireplace was made, by what we called clay jams, on either wall, and the chimney was a simple opening in the roof at the corner; in this they lived about one year. Others were built of round logs and clapboard roof, round poles for joists and sleepers, and puncheon floors. The cracks daubed with mud and moss, and the fire place in one side long enough to take in a log four or five feet long, and from one and a half to two feet in diameter, called the back log, and then the forestick, and when a fire was completed it looked like a log heap. Sometimes the houses were made with two doors, one on either side, and large logs were drawn in on sleds to build fires. No windows; light was let in by cutting a log out at one side, and some greased white paper pasted over to keep out the cold. Men of 1839.-The male residents of Milton, aged twenty-one years or over, in 1839, were: Samuel Barton, Daniel Barton, Samuel Bowman, Morris Brown, Alvin Clark, Samuel Cark, John Dubbs, Henry C. Dawson, John Green, William Hill, David Hill, James Hutchinson, Eli Hockenbury, Andrew Hutchinson, Moses More, Morrison McMillan, Andrew Morehouse, Daniel McMillan, George McAbberty, Alanson More, Alexander Morehead, James Russ, Thomas Simmons, Thomas Taylor and Matthew Walling. All were not here when the township was organized. Thirteen of the number were present at the fall election of 1836; the others came in between that time and the spring of 1839. Names and Incidents.-From a sketch published in the Sentinel of April 21, 1881, signed "H.," the following is taken: Among the first settlers of 1834-35 along the creek, we might name the Rowlands, Robert and James; John Sturgeon, David Murdock, Sowers and Macklin, in Henry county; and coming to Milton township, we find the names of James Hutchison, father of A. L. Hutchinson; Samuel Barton, father of Daniel Barton; Morrison McMillan, Morris Brown, William Hill, Alvin and Samuel S. Clark, Thomas Taylor, Jacob Gift (killed by a falling tree), the Morehouses and Moreheads and a few others; and just over the line in Liberty, we find Henry Dubbs, and Lathrop, and following these, only a few years, came the Bucks and Lewises; few of the younger members of the families still survive; Andrew L. Hutchinson, Daniel Barton, Lewis F., James F., and Frank M. Dubbs, and some of the Hill boys, and a few others. We had no roads; we just went zig-zag through the woods, around trees, over and around fallen timber, through the water, fighting the mosquitoes, to a neighbor's with a sack of corn on our backs, to grind it on a handmill, to get corn meal to make johnny-cake for the family. We had no watermills nearer than Perrysburg, and not much to get ground when we got there. And it took us from four to five days to go and come; the only conveyance was ox-teams and a cart. Old Billy Hill had a hand-mill, which was kept going from morning until midnight, people coming from miles and miles around. Dozens of men and women have been there at one time, waiting to turn the mill, and sometimes, when so thronged, some would leave their corn and go home to their hungry families, and come again to take their places at the mill. Of course this mill was a rude structure; four upright posts framed together, and the stones set in them, and the propelling power was applied by an upright shaft, with an iron spout placed in a thimble in the upper buhr, and the top held by passing through a hole in a board, and then two men taking hold of this upright shaft and turning the buhr. It was a slow process, but it was the only alternative we had. This was afterward changed, so as to make it more convenient; it was arranged so four men could take hold of cranks like a grindstone, and made to grind much faster. Then we all thought that we had found a paradise. First White Child. -The first white child born in Milton township was Maria Hutchinson, daughter of Andrew L. Hutchinson; and the first couple married in Milton township were Daniel Barton and Martha Hutchinson. They were married on the 8th day of October, 1840, by Morrison McMillan. Barton and his wife have long since been gathered home. Dr. Burritt, of Gilead, a roughspoken but thorough physician, cautioned married people against locating in Milton, giving many reasons why he did so; but with all this the pioneers ventured in there, braved the old Doctor's anger, and carved beautiful farms out of the wilderness. Schools.-The history of the common schools of this township may be said to date back to 1837, when a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet in area, was built on the Otsego pike (on the farm owned in 1876 by Nelson Campbell). William Woodward presided over the first regular school in that building during the winter of 1839-40, his students being John, Orlando, Morrison, Nancy and Charlotta McMillan, Mary, Maria and Nancy Hutchinson, George and William Alberti, Ru- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 323 dolph and Levi McMillan, Augustus Bowerman, Sophia and John Lewis, William Hill, Richard Day, Charles Walling, John Amos, David Michael and Clark Barton. David Hill taught a school in his own house, that or the next winter. A 'year after, a log cabin was erected in the center of Sec. 20, known as the Morehead school, in which Alex. Bennett and Rudolph McMillan were Hill's successors. A third cabin was erected on the Samuel Clark clearing, where Daniel Barton lived in Centennial year, now the White farm. In 1849 or 1850, the second school was changed, and a new cabin, hewed on the inside, was erected by Matthew Hill for $40, on the southwest corner of William Hill's farm. Among the teachers who presided therein were H. C. Strow, Isaac Van Tassel, G. W. Hill, E. Hubbard, Sarah Kuder, Louisa Fox, Carrie Wood, Evaline Elliott and Mary Jane Powers. It was known as "Hill's School House." The Buck's school house, built by James Martin, appeared in 1852 or 1853. Among the old teachers of that district were Marion Forest, Elisha Martindale, Maria Martindale, Henry Crane, Mary Avery, Eunice Foote, Mary M. Bullis ( who married Reason Whitacre in 1863 or 1864), Lydia Perrin, Isaac Van Tassel, Mary Jane and Helen Powers, and Sarah Kuder. About the beginning of the Civil war, a new building was erected at the Corners, by Wm. Dallahan, and in it the following teachers presided: Sophronia Harbaugh, H. C. Strow, Sarah Crom, Kate Osborn, L. L. Delano, Polly Kerr, John Justice, Cora Hood, Dell Newell, W. P. Catlin, Helen Van Tassel, I. N. Van Tassel, Lucy Cass, Mina Beach, Mollie Guyer, Hattie Hurtz, Frank Huff, Dela Mead and Olivia Steinshour. There were two established school districts November 20, 1837, when Daniel McMillan, then township clerk, reported that the school section, value for $1.25 an acre, was not producing any revenue; that no school examiners were yet appointed; no directors elected, and no tax for school purposes levied. He could not state the number of children in District No. 1, but did state that there were fifty children, between the ages of four and twenty years, in District No. 2. The resident tax-payers of School District No. 2, in April, 1853, were Daniel Barton, Andrew L. Hutchinson, James H. Hutchinson, Matthew Walling, Morris Brown, Clark and Amos Barton, John Ringleka, Daniel McMillan, George Beyers, Nathaniel L. Badger, Charles Sheward, Joseph F. Wade and Thomas Snell. The board of education, in April, 1853, comprised Daniel Barton, Thomas Buck, Thomas Hill, Alvin Clark and John Buntly, with Isaac Van Tassel, clerk. The record of the board of education begins April 17, 1854, when H. C. Strow, as township clerk, made the minutes of a meeting. Alvin Clark, Daniel Barton, Thomas B. Hill, John Bentley and Isaac Van Tassel, clerks of the five districts, were present. The area comprised in the south half of Sections 30, 29, 28 and 27, with Sections 31, 32, 33 and 34, was established as a new district. In 1855 a three-hundred-dollar school house was erected in Sub-District No. 1, Francis Muzzy was appointed librarian-in-charge of the eighty State books, an office afterward held by Joseph Ward, W. C. Lathrop, Nathaniel F. Badger and Isaac Van Tassel. In 1859 there were 113 male and 104 female pupils enrolled, together with seven males and six females in joint Sub-District No. 8. District No. 7 was subsequently established, and Elijah Main elected director or clerk in 1860. In October, 1861, there were 146 male and 137 female children of school age enrolled, while in 1865 the respective numbers were 198 and 205, or a total of 403, and, in 1871, 241 males and 235 females. In 1867 a sum of $700 was appropriated toward building a school house in Sub-District No. 9; in 1871 moneys were granted for houses in Districts No. 3 and No. to. In 1874 there were thirteen school districts, in the last one of which a temporary house was built in the fall of 1874. There were fourteen districts in Centennial year, L. S. Baker being the clerk of the Fourteenth (or new) District. Among the members of the board in the " seventies " were Charles Heally, M. L. Groff, J. W. Swartz, Thomas Burson, W. Bacome, S. W. Hunter, H. Mannhardt, W. W. Ellsworth, Adam Neiffer, E. H. Van Tassel, Samuel Bretz and C. M. Guild. In 1881 there was a new school house erected; in April, 1882, District No. 9 was set off as the special district of Custar. MILTON CENTER. Milton Center was surveyed by Hiram Davis for Andrew Hutchinson and Lewis Dubbs, February 2-6, 1857. The village was surrounded by swamp land, which was famous for miasma and mosquitoes, but when the era of drainage dawned, Milton township farmers were among the first to inaugurate a system of artificial ditches. The Jackson cut-off, which is said to be the largest artificial waterway for purely drainage purposes in the State, passes south, giving the town excellent sewerage facilities. 324 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. The petition for incorporation was presented to the commissioners, March 25, 1869. The territory, for which municipal privileges were demanded, is described thus: The N. ½ of N. E. 1/4 of Sec. 21; the N. E. 1/4 of the N. W. 1/4 of Sec. 21, and the S. E. 1/4 and the E. ½ of the S. W. 1/4 of Sec. 16, T. 4, R. 9. On June 8, 1869, the order incorporating the village was made and recorded. The petitioners were James M. Marks, Charles M. Walling, Daniel H. Hill, D. S. Hindley, Charles Greeley, John Zimmerman, J. M. Dancer, William Robinson, E. W. Schooley, A. C. Robinson and twenty-four others. Councilmen.-The councilmen, elected since 1870, have been named as follows: 1870-J. R. Huff, W. Robinson, E. W. Schooley, C. Greeley, H. Hathaway, A. Hostler. 1871-J. M. Dancer, W. Robinson, E. W. Schooley, C. Greeley, H. Hathaway, J. R. Huff. 1872-J. R. Huff, Daniel Hill, F. R. Whitney. 1873-Charles Greeley, C. M. Hathaway, John Zimmerman. 1874-F. C. Taft, J. R. Huff, P. Hutchinson, F. R. Whitney. 1875-Charles Greeley, J. M. Dancer, E. W. Schooley. 1876--F. R. Whitney, J. M. Beach, W. C. Mullally. 1877-E. W. Schooley, D. H. Hill, F. C. Taft. 1878-W. C. Mullally, C. M. Hathaway, F. R. Whitney. 1879-E. W. Schooley, D. H. Hill, John Kieffer. 1880-W. C. Mullally, A. A. Sheats, Carson C. Fails. 1881-D. H. Hill, E. W. Schooley, B. F. Waggoner. 1882-W. C. Mullally, W. O. Keeler, F. R. Whitney, J. M. Beach. 1883-C. M. Walling, F. R. Whitney, F. M. Dubbs. 1884-William C. Mullally, F. R. Whitney, D. H. Hill, T. M. Dubbs and C. M. Walling. 1885-E. W. Schooley, S. E. Higgins, J. B. Kieffer. 1886-Milo H. Wade, Peter Woodruff, William York, F. Grippen, Thomas Hill. 1887-C. M. Walling, A. C. Aubrey, J. R. Huff, E. A. Ballmer. 1888-A. C. Aubrey, W. H. Sutter, C. L. Rosenberger, W. L. . Yerk. 1889-E. A. Ballmer, N. D. Rickard, W. C. Marks, C. Greeley. 1890-Thomas Hill, Ed. Beeman, Charles Mallotte. 1891-F. R. Whitney, C. M. Walling, N. D. Rickard. 1892-Charles Hudson, David Harris, John Schmyr. 1893-C. M. Walling, Ed. Beeman, F. R. Whitney. 1894-E. H. Spoors, A. Rosenberger, F. Drummer, Thomas Hill. 1895-M. Espen, J. H. Ward, Charles D. Hill, Eli Flemming, vice Spoors, resigned. In May, 1895, L. Ralston was elected, vice Spoors. 1896-A. L. Dicus, L. F. Hultz, and F. R. Whitney were elected. The mayors of the village have been: F. C. Taft, April, 1870; C. M. Hathaway, 1874; J. B. Hill, 1878; H. D. Baker, 1880; L. S. Baker, 1884; Daniel H. Hill, 1885, chosen by lot in 1888; A. J. Rickard, 1890; E. A. Ballmer, 1892; G. E. Hill, 1893; J. R. Huff, 1894; A. J. Rickard, 1894; G. E. Hill, elected 1896. Clerks.-J. B. Hill, 1870; H. D. Baker, 1878; J. B. Hill, 1880; S. E. Burson, 1881; A. H. Beach, August, 1883; E. W. Schooley, March, 1884, vice Beach; S. E. Higgins, March 24, 1884; Bert Buck, 1884; W. H. White, 1886; J. B. Hill, 1887; B. F. Waggoner, 1888; Elmer C. Greeley, 1889; L. F. Hull, 1892; W. C. Marks, 1894; and R. W. Buck, vice Marks, resigned in May, 1895. Treasurers. -William Buck was elected treasurer in 1870. In 1878 the name of Charles Greeley appears upon the record. The incumbents, from 1886 to the present time, are named as follows: Benjamin Waggoner, 1886; Thomas Hill, 1888; O. C. Mitchell, 1889; W. O. Keeler, 1891; William Buck, 1893; R. H. Ralston, 1894; and William Buck, 1896. Marshal.-L. Cretsinger, 1896. School Trustees.-L. F. Hull and J. W. Cole were elected in 1896. Fires.-The fire of February 11, 1885, destroyed William Mullally's drugstore. John Beverstock's hardware store, and Joseph Goodfriend's, saloon. During the succeeding five years, the village was fortunate in escaping with a few small blazes. The fire of 1890 resulted in the destruction of A. J. Rickard's saw and planing mill, and entailed a loss of $6,000. Railroad Accident. -The collision on the C., H. & D. railroad of December 16, 1895, was the most serious since that of 1863 on this road. Thirty-seven passengers and trainmen were injured. Old Traders.-William Buck, who established the first dry-goods store in 1861, and R. H. Ralston, the undertaker, who conducted many funerals here from 1862 to March, 1895, are unquestionably the pioneer business men, who are yet engaged in trade. W. O. Keeler, an old merchant, died in October, 1892, or a year after he built the elevator; Mrs. Mary Cretsinger has carried on a general store for almost twenty-three years, while the modern business men, such as A. J. Rickard, Michael Epson, Charles Korta, James T. Dean, . Eli Fleming, Singer & Henderson, L. A. Dicus, Chester Rosenberg (who succeeded Daniel Hill as postmaster), and O. H. P. Wright (present proprietor of the ''Enterprise Hotel " ), established their houses here within the last decade. In the summer of 1895, D. M. Marshall established a small opera house, the drop curtain and scenery of which were painted by Karl B. Steers. The First Presbyterian Church was organized June 21, . 1868, with Isaac Van Tassel, Silas Rowland, J. M. Dancer, John Zimmerman, F. C. Taft and Perry C. Baldwin, trustees. The present house of worship was erected in 1868, at a cost of $1, 500. The membership in the summer of 1895 was fifty-four, and the average Sunday-school attendance fifty. Rev. T. J. Dague, of Deshler, is the pastor of this society, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 325 and E. E. Dancer, superintendent of the school. The first members were Isaac, Louisa and Helen Van Tassel, John L. and Flavia L. Barton, Sarah Ann Marks, Susan Hill, Jane Huff, Louisa Zimmerman and Mary Ann Dague. Mr. Baldwin, the first pastor, was followed by Revs. W. Trimble, C. H. Hadley, Mr. Taylor, C. L. Beavington, H. C. Denison, H. W. Cross and T. J. Dague. The clerks were F. C. Taft, E. H. Van Tassel, P. Hutchinson and W. M. Leaming, while the present clerk is E. A. Ballmer. The Christian Church was organized in 185o, with George Lewis, Catherine Lewis, James E. and Sarah Greene, G. W. Hill and D. E. Hill. The pastors are named in the order of their coming-Michael Hill, Z. F. Greene, G. W. Hill, William Dowling, Josiah Wright, Q. A. Randall, G. W. Cline, G. M. Kemp, D. C. Call, W. F. Morrison and O. L. Thompson. The number of members in June, 1895, was 12o, and the average Sunday-school attendance seventy. The house of worship was erected in 1868. The Farmers' Anti-Hunter Association was organized in November, 1890, with William Bacome, president; J. R. Huff, vice-president; H. B. Dubbs, secretary; Antoine Louy, treasurer; H. C. Strow, game warden; J. C. Lance, Dickison Bowles, Daniel Guyer, Silas L. Swartz and P. C. Bowman, members of executive committee. The object of the association was to prosecute violators of the game laws, and prove also to visiting hunters that farmers had some rights which must be respected. Live Oak Grange has been one of the instruments which kept alive the work of the Patrons of Husbandry in Wood county. The officers chosen in December, 1895, are: M., T. W. Lewis; O., Jacob Seitz; L., Mrs. Julia Dubbs; S., John Lyons; A. S., Sam Walling; Chap., Myrtie McMaster; Treas., S. L. Swartz; Sec., Jay McMaster; G. K., Lewis Dubbs; Pom., Sarah Smith; T. L., Aura Walling; Cer., Lizzie Seitz; L. A., Leona Dubbs; Trustees, Josiah Smith, B. F. Rumler and William Walling. Duel Lodge No. 598, I. O. O. F., was instituted Aug. 19, 1874, with the following members: Thomas Burson, first noble grand; Richard Brinkerhoff, Solomon Roberts, D. V. Gilbert, James T. Dean, Frederick Wismer, John Racely, Aaron Smith, C. M. Hathaway, S. Greeley, James Salsbury, J. B. Ward and Barnett Older. It may be said that all the men named in the sketch of the Encampment have passed the chairs in the subordinate lodge. Judd Smith was elected N. G. in December, 1895; P. Laney, recording secretary; while J. D. McMaster, A. J. Rickard, P. Blasius, Al. Bowles, George Beckmyer, George Richmond and Charles Wismer, were chosen to fill the other offices. Enterprise Encampment, No. 224, I. O. O. F., was instituted August 17, 1881, with eight members, namely: Thomas Burson, E. W. Schooley, Samuel R. Junkins, William Oliver, C. M. Walling, Charles Greeley, John Ward and S. E. Burson. The high priests elected since that time have been Samuel R. Junkins, 1881; H. Mannhardt, 1882; H. D. Baker and J. B. Smith, 1883; Peter Laney and E. W. Schooley, 1884; E. H. Van Tassel and A. J. Rickard, 1885; Peter Laney, 1886; Thomas Burson and A. J. Rickard, 1887; Charles Greeley, 1888; E. Burson and J. A. Bumgardner, 1889; J. A. Bumgardner and E. Burson, 1890; Dan Triem and H. Mannhardt, 1891; J. B. Smith and L. Wiehl, 1892; J. A. Bumgardner and L. F. Hull, 1893; L. Wiehl and John Singer, 1894; John Spoors, January, 1895; E. W. Schooley was the first chief patriarch, and the high priests filled the chair subsequently. Walter Culver was patriarch in 1884-E. W. Schooley, Thomas Burson, C. M. Walling and S. E. Burson. H. D. Baker, H. Mannhardt, J. B. Smith, A. J. Rickard, Charles Greeley, J. McLaughlin, J. A. Bumgardner; H. Mannhardt, J. A. Bumgardner, N. T. Foster, D. Triem, W. L. Robinson, Sid Greeley, L. F. Hull, S. M. Hartraupt, John Spoors, L. A. Lathrop, George Bickmire, E. L. Beeman and Thomas Hill, filled the patriarch's chair down to July, 1895. The first scribe was Peter Laney, followed in 1883, by A. J. Rickard; in 1884, by H. Mannhardt; in 1885, by C. M. Walling; in 1886, by L. Wiehl, and in 1887 by Peter Laney, who has since occupied the office. The number of members, in June, 1895, was forty-one. Pamy Lodge, No. 238, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted May 13, 1882, with the following named members : Madams Maria Schooley, E. Laney, Martha Hill, Mary Walling, Elizabeth Barber, M. A. McKindree, Eliza Roberts, Emma Burson, Mary Greeley, Susan Henry, and ten male members. The noble grands elected since the organization are named as follows: Peter Laney, Eliza Roberts, Maria Schooley, E. A. Baker, M. A. McKindree, Mary Walling, Martha Hill, Mrs. J. M. Dancer, May Greeley, Emma Rickard, Sarah Richmond, Alice Beeman, Lizzie Zimmerman, Nana Ballmer and Anna Noble. The recording secretaries have been Maria Schooley, M. A. McKindree, Mary Walling, Martha Hill, Nell Crippens, May Greeley, Peter Laney, Alice Beeman, Anna Noble, 326 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Ellen Lathrop, Anna Laney, Nana Ballmer and G. W. Richmond. There were sixty members in June, 1895. In January, 1896, Mae Lance was elected noble grand, and Eliza Roberts, recording secretary. CUSTAR. Custar is noted among the villages of northwestern Ohio for its stately church building, pretty school house, well-mannered inhabitants and prosperous condition. Down to 1870 it was the milling point of a wilderness, and the Mecca of hunters. Improvement followed improvement until it was recognized as a hamlet, and from that stage it merged into a busy village. Lewisburg, its original name, was surveyed in 1865, and the plat recorded July 15, that year. Frederick Lewis may be called the founder, though his earlier survey formed only a small portion of the village as it is known to-day. In 1864 the Daniel Scheuren sawmill, then the largest mill in the county, drew to the locality a large force of workmen, who cut down the giants of the forest, and literally opened an impenetrable swamp to the hardiest and most self-reliant settlers. The sawmill was burned in 1870, and rebuilt. After the death of Mr. Scheuren, William C. Mullally purchased the mill, which he operated for a year or two, when he moved the machinery to Henry county. The buildings, owned by W. Wilcox, H. E. Horner, Dr. Noble and B. F. Waggoner, now occupy the site of the old mill. The old Scheuren store stood on the same property until fire destroyed it. In 1875 there was $6o, 00o worth of lumber, hoops and staves shipped from the village, with valuable shipments of shingles and grain. Then John Louy was railroad agent; Ingraham, Keeler, Black & Co., and Jones & Scheuren, merchants; John Thompson and John Kistner, saloon-keepers; William Bergaman, furniture dealer; Fritz Gundering, brush manufacturer; De Bach & Arkins, Anson Kiser and John Bader, blacksmiths; Jeff Jones, hotel-keeper; J. Weitz, butcher; Worline and Slaughter, physicians; Gus Thompson, lawyer; Thomas Wiley and Hattie Hartz, school teachers, and G. W. Hill, justice of the peace. It was practically a German hamlet, partly Americanized, where men labored from daylight to dark and earned all they received. During the ensuing few years remarkable progress was made until at last the echoes of the villagers calls for local government were heard throughout the county. Incorporation.-The village of Custar was incorporated August 16, 1881, on a petition signed by forty-one residents, and presented to the commissioners June. 8, that year. Officials.-The mayors, councilmen, . clerks and treasurers elected since that time are named in the following lists: Mayors-G. P. Thompson, November, 1881; O. H. Jones, 1882; G. P. Thompson, 1883; H. Mannhardt, 1886-96; C. R. Hopkins, elected in 1896. Clerks-H. Mannhardt, 1881-86; George W. Downs, 1886-96; re-elected 1896. Treasurers-O. H. Jones, 1881; August Wentz, 1882-96; D. D. Sites elected in 1896. Marshals-A. G. Barger, 1881; W. Kirk, 1882; A. G. Barger, 1883; W. B. Miller, 1885, who was also elected sealer of weights and measures; William Wilcox and Edwin Murray, 1893-96; re-elected 1896. Councilmen.-The councilmen of Custar elected since November, 1881, are named as follows: 1881-George France, George Rethinger, George W. Downs, George H. Depew, John Kistner, John Thompson. 1882-John Kistner, John Maas, B. Older, John Long, G. Rethinger, G. H. Depew. 1883--G. France, Thomas Butt, Benjamin Richardson. 1884-B. Older, G. W. Downs, M. Espen. 1885-J. Maas, John Kistner, George Rethinger. 1886-Peter France, George Arkins, Joseph Debacher. 1887-John Kistner, John Maas, George Rethinger. 1888---Daniel Barton, Elias Main, John Long. 1889-J. B. Doughty, 0. H. Jones. John Kistner. 1890-Peter H. France, Joseph Metzger, Elias Main. 1891-John Long, Joseph Debacher, O. H. Jones. 1892-E. C. Main, Benedict Metzger, Jacob Lehmann. 1893-L. L. Erick, J. B. Smith, E. J. O'Hearn, P. H. France. 1894-William Wilcox, P. H. France, Thomas Metter, L. J. Myers, E. Pohle, N. Schuster. 1895-Joseph Metzger, B. B. Richardson, Jacob Hufer, W. Wilcox, P. H. France, Thomas Metter. 1896 John Kistner, William Wilcox, Joseph Metzger, Jacob Hufer, C. G. Thurstin, H. N. Bretz. The village has not yet taken action on matter of water supply. On May 1, 1895, the council authorized the purchase of chemical fire apparatus. Postmasters.-W. O. Keeler is said to have been the first postmaster, followed by G. P. Thompson, who held the office down to 1885, when O. H. Jones was appointed. In September, 1889, H. E. Horner was given the office, and in October, 1893, George W. Downs (the present incumbent, 1896) was appointed. Common Schools.-The first school houses were erected by the early settlers, and paid for out of their own labor, and not by public taxation. The fuel was furnished by the parents taking turns hauling and chopping the wood, or by the scholars, at noon and night. The seats were long benches hewn out of trees. It was in these school houses that the pioneers' sons and daughters received their college education. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 327 On March 23, 1882, all the voters of Custar, forty in number, declared that Sub-District No. 9 should be organized as a village district, and, in April following, elected H. Mannhardt, A. Wentz, George France, John Kistner, G. W. Downs and John Rudolf, directors. A tax of two mills for tuition, and three mills for contingent expenses, was ordered. W. P. Bender was elected teacher at $1.50 a day, and Miss Patterson at $1.25 a day. Nannie Berry was employed as teacher in 1883, and L. Waltz in 1884. In 1885, Charles Rhoda was elected a member of the board, and in August of that year, 60 single seats and 60 single desks were ordered for the pupils. In 1888, T. L. Bult was elected a member, and in 1889, Joseph Metzger. In the latter year, Mrs. Lathrop was employed as teacher at $25 a month. In 1890, W. W. Wilcox and Elias Main appear as new members, and in 1891, O. H. Jones. At that time a building committee was appointed to obtain plans of the Waterville school house, but this being impracticable, E. O. Fallis was employed to furnish plans and superintend the building. His estimate of cost was $7, 500, and in December, 1891, the district gave 59 votes for and 22 against the question of issuing bonds for that amount, and on March 6, 1892, the bid of Spitzler & Co. to purchase the bonds at par, and $104, was accepted. On March 30, the bid of Bright & Goodman, $6,874-48, for building was accepted. On January 16, 1893, the architect notified the directors that the building was practically completed. Clay Gaumer and Alice Hughes were employed as teachers as the new school house was dedicated. W. W. Wilcox has been president of the board since 1891, and Dr. H. Mannhardt, secretary since 1882. The present school building of the village was erected in 1891-92, at a cost of over $10,000. Of 185 children enumerated, only seventy are enrolled as pupils of the common school. In April, 1895, Madams E. Worline, C. R. Hopkins and Nancy Harbaugh were candidates for membership in the school-board; but Joseph Metzger, John Rudolph and A. Wentz defeated the women, although twenty female voters appeared at the polls. In 1896, H. Mannhardt (clerk), G. W. Downs (treasurer), Joseph Metzger, Wm. Wilcox, and John Rudolph were elected members of the school board. St. Louis Catholic School is a voluntary contribution of a large element of the people, who, for conscience sake, subject themselves to a double tax. The average number of children attending this school is about sixty. The old frame church building is used for school purposes. The German Lutheran School is conducted on much the same principle as the St. Louis school, the object of its managers being to inculcate in the minds of the youth their duty to the God whom they worship, as well as instruction in the secular branches. St. Louis' Catholic Church.-The beginnings of St. Louis' congregation were made when the first Catholics settled in Milton, Weston and Liberty townships. The old church of Wirtzburg, a mile and a quarter northeast of the present center of the parish, was built early in the " sixties." Among the founders were John Wirtz, John Koch, Peter Blasius, Nicklaus Blasius, Math. Blasius, Joseph Heinze, Math. Getzinger, Math. Maas, John Schmitt, John McCarthy (of Weston), Anton Louy, Edward Gilbert, Fred Gilbert, Thomas Conoway and others. At the same time, however, the founders of the Wirtzburg Church found a rival enthusiasm among the Catholic families living farther west and along the D. & M. railroad. These, unwilling to have the parish centered so far east, resolved also to build a church. The founders of the St. Louis' Church in Custar ( then called Lewisburg) were Henry Louy, his sons John and Peter, Joseph Durliat, Martin Schill, Henry Diehl, Edward Byrne, Sebastian Bishop, J. Rochte, Peter Recliner, M. Breiteneicher, Peter Maas and Peter Koebel. Both churches were completed about the same time, and both churches were dedicated on the same day, by Rt. Rev. Amadeus Rappe. In 1860 Father Baur, then pastor of Maumee, now of Fremont, came, as the first missionary, to attend to the spiritual wants of the first Catholic settlers. The Holy Sacrifice was then offered up in a log house standing on the present Wentz farm. After a comparativety short time the Wirtzburg Church was merged into the St. Louis' Church. Father Hammon, the second missionary, came in 1863; Father Griss, in 1866; and Father Reinhart later. Subsequently Revs. Griss, O'Keefe and Best offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Father Doerner's untiring efforts were crowned by a parsonage, as also a parochial school. Father Doerner, at present at Findlay, was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Sproll, and he, in 1885, by the present pastor, Rev. Michael Vollmayer. The congregation had been content with the old building until 1885, nor did Father Vollmayer find much reason for encouragement; for the records showed a debt of about $1,300.00. Facts, however, soon proved that his coming was the signal and guaranty for material, as well as spiritual, progress. The reverend father, then a 328 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. young and newly-ordained priest, soon won, by his zeal and business qualities, the unqualified confidence of his flock. The old church was soon unable to seat the entire congregation, and steps were taken to enlarge the church. Part of the material had already been delivered, when a new brick church was building in the minds of all. In 1889 the corner-stone of the church was placed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilmour, in the presence of a large concourse of people of all denominations. In less than two years, the church was dedicated by Mgr. Boff, vicar-general of the diocese. The occasion was a memorable one, not alone on account of the material achievement, but also for the vigorous activity which the occasion evoked. Non-Catholics, as well as Catholics, joined in observing the day as one for spiritual work. When the church was finished, all debts were paid, both old and new. In December, 1891, three bells were bought. Their first duty was to ring out the old year of 1891, and to ring in the new year of 1892. In 1892, the church was furnished with three altars, made by the Pelzers, of Salem, Ohio. Statues were now all that was necessary to complete the furnishing of the sanctuary, and some works of art were purchased by the congregation in 1893. The beautiful church building is 47x106 feet, in brick with stone trimmings. The style is plain Gothic. The interior decoration is the work of F. X. Hefele, of Cincinnati, a graduate of the Academy of Painting, in Munich. The rich cathedral-glass windows are gifts from the pastor, his brothers and the congregation. Father Vollmayer and Joseph Durliat are the donors of the sanctuary windows. The donors of the other windows are: Joseph Engesser, John Vollmayer, George Rethinger, Charles Korta, Peter Reichert, Anton Louy, Joseph Johann, Peter Diem, Anton Mehnen, Joseph Meurer, Peter Clemens, Nicolaus and Mathias Maas, John J. Vollmayer and George J. Vollmayer. The fourteen Stations of the Cross are paintings from Switzerland, and are a donation of John Vollmayer. The cost of this beautiful church ranges between $12,000 and $13,000, exclusive of labor and material donated. It is an imposing monument to the untiring zeal of Father Vollmayer, and to the practical faith of his people. The German Lutheran Evangelical Church was incorporated May 23, 1879, and elected John Rudolph, Theodore Hellmann and E. Pohle, trustees. A frame house of worship was erected, in 1874, in the northern part of the village. Rev. W. Hecke the present pastor, succeeded Mr. Hueter, in 1894, Messrs. S. Kusthardt preceding the latter, and Th. Meier preceding him. The society was organized February 2, 1873, with Th. Meier, D. Scheuren, F. Koch, A. Wentz, C. Ohlrich, T. Heltman, G. Lechner, F. Bockhahn, J. Kroeger, W. Koch, F. Rudolph, J. Nickels and E. Pohle, members. William Hecke is the present clerk, and the number of members in June, 1895, was 152. In the records of the Church at Perrysburg, the organization of a German-Lutheran class at this point, in 1866, is credited to Rev. C. F. Kaeding. The United Brethren Society signed articles of incorporation, April 17, 1884, with George France, president; J. W. Eastman, Marion Cox, O. H. Jones, Orlando Ferrell, George H. Depew and William Houtz, members. Steps were at once taken to erect a house of worship, and the present brick building, on Superior street, resulted. Rev. H. Doty organized this society in 1880. Following him came Messrs Eastman, Leonard, Hill, French, Hofaker, Fisher, and the present pastor, Rev. M. Lanker, of Grand Rapids. The trustees are George France, Geo. Depew, O. Ferrell, M. Cox, W. Barber and J. Berry, with William Wilcox, president of the board of trustees, and E. C. Main, clerk. The church building was erected in 1884 at a cost of $2, 200. There were seventy-five members reported in June, 1895. Pleasant View Church, of the Evangelical Association, was incorporated January 3, 1890. It is a township rather than a village society. Day Post, No. 577, G. A. R., was mustered in May 4, 1892, with sixteen members, namely: O. H. Jones, W. L. Yerk, B. B. Richardson, S. R. Salsbury, John Hurley, Jacob J. Strohl, W. Wilcox, George Shaffer, Edward France, M. Worline, James P. Smith, C. V. Woodruff, Eugene Bowry, Peter V. Woodruff, Samuel H. Main and Lorenzo Myers. Of the number, S. H. Main is deceased. The commanders of the Post have been George Shaffer, John Lance, and John Kistner. The Post was named in honor of Gen. Day, of Bowling Green. The adjutants were S. H. Main, 1892; John J. Strohl, 1893; W. L. Yerk, 1894, refused to qualify, when B. B. Richardson, the present adjutant, was appointed. The number of members in June, 1895, was twenty-two. Custar Lodge, No. 60 l K. of P., was chartered January 24, 1893, with the-following members: B. A. Lebay, J. C. Johnston, J. Strohl, Joseph McLaughlin, S. Greeley, F. J. Lebay, C. Bortel, Geo. Wither, L. M. Williams, J. Funk, Geo. McConnell, J. C. Harbaugh, John Cox, John Lehman, Geo. Wilce, Milton Davis, John WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 329 J. Kistner, O. H. Jones, J. Lehman, H. Mannhardt, E. A. Hill, G. W. Downs, W. W. Lebenworth, E. H. Spoors, P. H. France, John Ellsworth, Clay Gaumer, R. O. Keeler, S. O. Felsted, L. J Meyers, B. B. Richardson, C. G. Thurstin, S. L. Salsbury, Orlando Ferrell, W. W. Ellsworth, Henry Hewett, Lewis Cretzinger, T. L. Butts, G. R. Oblinger, Geo. Bickmyer, S. R. Salsbury, John C. F. Wansitler, Israel Frank, Jacob Huffman, M. Fairbank, Geo, Voegle, Horace Stiffler, L. A. Lathrop and Frank Muchell. L. J. Myers was installed as past chancellor; J. B. Smith as C. C., and Joseph Lehman as keeper of records and seals. Sidney Greeley, George Bickmyer, B. B. Richardson and P. H. France have filled the chancellor's chair, with John Ellsworth, keeper of records and seals. There were forty-nine members in June, 1895. The population of the township and its villages is given in the chapter on statistics. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE