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424 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. CHAPTER XIX. GERMAN TOWNSHIP. GERMAN TOWNSHIP may be said to form the geographical centre of the county. Its soil, surface and timber are diversified in character, even as its streams are numerous. Ottawa River, the name of the lower course of Hog Creek, enters the township from Shawnee in Section 33, pursues a northwesterly course by the villages of Allentown and Elida, and enters Sugar Creek Township at the south-east corner of Section 6, original Township 3 south, Range 6 east. The valley of the Ottawa is liable to inundation in the spring as far back as the base of the bluff. Throughout the Township there are valuable groves of timber. The southeast quarter of the Township forms a plateau which extends east to Elizabeth Street, Lima. The river bottom is very much lower than this plateau, and generally from one-fourth of a mile to one mile in width. The geological structure and physical characteristics of this division of the county are referred to in the chapter devoted to topography and geology. ORIGINAL LAND BUYERS. In the following list of purchasers of United States lands in German Township, the names of persons who entered lands on Sections No. 1 to No. 6 inclusive, and on Sections 25, 35 and 36 are not given, for the reason that on the reorganization of 1848, and again in 1857, those sections, or parts of them, were detached and added to Sugar Creek on the north, and Ottawa on the southwest. Section 16, or School Section, was not entered. Wm. Knittel, section 8, 1829. Peter Stuker, section 8, 1830. Wm. Knittel, section 9, 1836. John C. Bowman, section 9, 1837. John Conrad, section 9, 1835. John Stalter, section 9, 1835. Wm. Shope, section 9, 1833. Thomas Cochran, section 9, 1833. Robert Tate, section 7, 1830. Phillip Herring, section 7, 1831. Christian Stukey, section 7, 1832. Peter Stukey. section 7, 1831. Michael Ridenour, section 7, 1829. Griffith John, section 7, 1831. John Stalter, section 8, 1831. George Knittel, section 8. 1829. GERMAN TOWNSHIP - 425 Sam'l Shope, section 9, 1847. Jacob Tester, section 9, 1834. Jesse Lee Bennett, section 10, 1833. Nicholas Fiss, section 10, 1836. Josiah C. Cochran, section 10, 1834. Thomas Cochran, section 10, 1830. Wm. Bowman, section 10, 1832. Asa Wright, section 10, 1832. Wm. W. Davis, section 10, 1834, Benjamin Dolph, section 11, 1830. Ahab Capron, section 11, 1832. Cyrus Davis, section 11, 1833. Joseph Carpenter, section 11, 1833. Simeon Cochran, Sr., section 11, 1832. Oliver Ellsworth, section 11, 1832. Simon M. A. Cochran, section 11, 1831. Abraham W. Cochran, section 11, 1832. James Turner, Sr., section 12, 1828. Geo. Tising, section 12, 1829. Jane Jackson, section 12, 1829. Elijah Standiford, section 12, 1829. Archibald Fisher section 12, 1830. Wm. G. Wood, section 12, 1826. Daniel Purdy, section 12, 1826. Richard Hughes, section 13, 1832. Jonathan Lewis, section 13, 1832. James Coins, section 13, 1832. Abraham Brant, section 13, 1832. John C. Sims, section 13, 1835. Wm. Ward, section 14, 1833. Abraham Brant, section 14, 1832. Thos. C. Davis, section 14, 1834. George Ward, section 14, 1835. Griffith John, section 15, 1842. Thomas Rea, section 15, 1834. Edward Armstrong, section 15, 1834. Matthias Ross, section 15; 1842. Asa Wright, section 15, 1832. Geo. D. Long, section 15, 1833. Josiah Crawford, section 15, 1832. Jacob Lakemiller. section 15, 1834. Arthur Stotts, section 15, 1842. Geo. Wagoner, section 15, 1846. Robert Casebolt, section 15, 1834. Phineas Wright, section 17, 1834. John Mullenhour, section 17, 1834. John Sharp, section 17, 1834. Powell Sharp, section 17, 1834. Griffith John, section 17, 1836. John Summersett, section 17, 1833. Jesse Stepleton, section 17, 1833. David Stepleton, section 17, 1833. Griffith John, section 18, 1830. Isaac Boyer, section 18, 1830. Philip Herring, section 18, 1830. William Bryan, section 18, 1830. Samuel Richards, section 18, 1833. Jacob Hartman, section 18, 1832. Henry Hufer, section 19, 1832. Smith Cremean, section 19, 1830. John Lance, section 19, 1834. Michael Noll, section 19, 1833. John Brand, section 19, 1830. Gifford Moore, section 19, 1830. Geo. Povenmire, section 20, 1834. Philip Herring, section 20, 1832. John Brand, section 20, 1830. Gifford Moore, section 20, 1830. Robert Tate, section 20, 1833. John East, section 21, 1832. John Herring, section 21, 1834. John Glentzner, section 21, 1834. Robert Casebolt, section 22, 1834. Joseph Carpenter, section 22, 1835. Thos. J. Carpenter, section 22, 1833. Jacob Bennett, section 22, 1834. John D. Hager, section 22, 1834. Henry Foster, section 22, 1833. Samuel Richards, section 22, 1833. James A. Anderson, section 23, 1835. Geo. B. Frye, section 23, 1835. Abelard Guthrie, section 23, 1841. Thos. Cochran, section 23, 1835. William Suttlemire, section 23, 1833. Isaac Kiser, section 23, 1835. Chelsey K. Sims, section 23, 1835. Jonathan Lewis, section 24, 1832. George Mixturn, section 24, 1834. A. M. Bercean, section 24, 1834. E. Kitchen, section 24, 1834. James Vaughn, section 24, 1833. Joseph Richardson, section 24, 1834. Gottlieb Wahl, section 24, 1835. Chelsey K. Sims, section 24, 1835. James McClain, section 24, 1834. Joseph Brown, section 24, 1834, William Ward, section 24, 1831. John H. James, section 26, 1834. Wm. Suttlemire, section 26,:1833. Gillemus Demorest, section 26, 1833. Wm. Jones, section 26, 1833. Jas. A. Anderson, section 26, 1835. Henry R. Moore, section 26, 1833. Samuel Richards, section 27, 1832. 426 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. Demas Adams, section 27, 1836. Stephen Thomas, section 27, 1834. Curtis Willey, section 27, 1834. Jas. Harper, section 27, 1834. John Brower, section 28, 1833. Henry Reichelderfer, section 28, 1833. Isaac Huffer, Jr., section 28, 1834. Andrew Kesler. section 28, 1832. Enoch Pearson, section 28, 1832. Dennis Adams, section 28, 1836. George Povenmire, section 29, 1832. Andrew Kesler, section 29, 1830. Smith Cremean, section 29, 1833. Jacob Cremean, section 29, 1833. John Reichelderfer, section 30, 1833. Jacob B. Harter, section 30, 1833. Jacob Cremean, section 30, 1834. Christian Minder, section 30, 1834. Alexander McBride, section 30, 1844. Wm. Smith, section 30, 1847. Cyrus Crites, section 30, 1843. Jacob Crites, section 30, 1845. Eli Trnier, section 30, 1847. Thomas Greer, section 31, 1835. Charles Ireland, section 31, 1835. Smith Cremean, section, 31, 1835. Wm. Verbrick, section 31, 1848. Jeremiah D. Haines, section 31, 1845. Wm. Shoup, Jr., section 31. 1847. Jeremiah Gleason, section 31, 1844. Issacher Jenkins, section 32, 1832. Thomas Myers, section 32, 1835. Demas Adams, section 32, 1836. Abraham Kessler, section 32, 1834. Peter Apgar, section 32, 1834. John Dills, section 32, 1834. Benjamin Wilson, section 32, 1833. Peter Verbryck, section 32, 1847. David Bryan, section 32, 1833. Thomas R. Cain, section 33, 1835. Phineas Wright, section 33, 1834. Abigail Wright, section 33, 1834. Eunice Wright, section 33, 1834. Issachar Jenkins, section 33, 1832. Joseph Edwards, section 33. 1833. Francis Sweet, section 33, 1833. Joseph Liezery, section 33, 1834. Joseph Lieser, section 33, 1834. Clarkson Kue, section 34, 1835. George Woodard, section 34, 1834. Nancy Conklin, section 34, 1836. Stephen Thomas, section 34, 1834. Susanna V. VanDolson, section 34, 1835. Joseph Edwards, section 34, 1835. ORGANIZATION. The Commissioners' Act of December 6, 1831, establishing the township under the name German, decreed that all the territory extending west from Section 3, Town 3, Range 6 to the eastern boundary of the original town of Amanda, south to the county line; thence east to southeast corner of Section 33, Town 6, Range 6, and thence north to Section 3, Town 3, Range 6, —the place of beginning,—should be organized as a separate township. In March, 1833, the boundaries of the township were extended, and the town regularly organized. John Brand, William Bowman, and Samuel Richards were elected Trustees ; Griffith John, Clerk, and John Ireland, Justice of the Peace. The Justices of this township, previous to the reorganization of 1848, were John Ireland, 1833 ; Asa Wright, 1834 ; Isaac Bowyer, 1837, who served until his death in 1842 ; Charles Crites, 1843-49. In December, 1834, it was decreed that as much of original Town 4 south, Range 5 east, as previously belonged to German, should be attached to Amanda. At the same GERMAN TOWNSHIP - 427 time, when the town lines of Bath and Jackson were altered, the two tiers of eastern sections of Town 3, Range 6, were added to German. In February, 1848, the north tier of sections of German were attached to the south-half of Sugar Creek Township, leaving only thirty sections belonging to German. This area was further reduced in May, 1857, when 1,040 acres where taken from Sections 25, 35 and 36, and attached to the new town of Ottawa, still leaving the township an area of 18.160 acres. SCHOOLS. It is said that David Ridenour was the pioneer school teacher of German Township in 1883. In 1834-35 a schoolhouse was erected on the Thomas Cochran farm, in which Asa Wright taught school. There is a question whether John Summerset preceded or followed Wright in charge of this school. In 1837 John Bowman presided over a school in Section 16. In 1838 John Custer taught school in Allentown. The growth of educational interests in this township is shown in the following statistics for 1884: Revenue in 1884 was $3,589.14; expenditure $2,414.31. There are seven school buildings. The number of pupils is 281-151 boys and 130 girls. The statistics of the Elida Spacial District show that the receipts for 1884 amounted to $3,284.13, the expenditure to $2,053.23. The number of pupils enrolled was 143,--76 boys and 67 girls. There is one school building valued at $10,000 with grounds, etc., one gentleman and two ladies presided over the schools during the year. John Davison is superintendent. ELIDA VILLAGE. Elide was platted in 1852 by Griffith John, on Sections 7, 8, 17 and 18, German Township. The original town comprised a tract of land known as Lots 1 to 18 north of Main Street, and Lots 19 to 38 west of the Allentown Road south of Main Street. The first addition or Lots 39 to 93 was partly laid out southwest of the original town along the P., Ft. W. & O. R. R. ; Lots 39 to 55, partly north of the original town south of North Street; Lots 56 to 76, and partly southeast of the R. R. ; Lots 77 to 93. The North Add. lies along the north line of North Street. Within the village boundaries, the following citizens own acre lots: D. L. Crites, Henry Kiracofe, Jesse J. John, Askins & Bros., George 428 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. W. Moore, J. Newton, John Abia, James Morris, W. F. Brenneman, John Mumagh, Charles B. Rice and John Irvin. It is stated by Mr. Harrison, that Daniel Myers erected the first building in Elida after it was laid out, except the Lutheran Church. The contract was let at $90, to be completed from the stump at that. The siding is of the finest black walnut and is well preserved. This building formerly stood on Main Street, but was moved to a back street to make room for what is now known as Moore's Hall. Mr. Myers occupied part of the building as a residence, and carried on the first grocery business in the town in the other part. The Postmasters of Elida were Dr. Hartley, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Rice. In 1883, Albert Steman was commissioned Postmaster. The village was incorporated in 1878. R. R. Murray was elected Mayor. In November, 18'78, Mr. Murray tendered his resignation, when R. Rice was appointed President, and in February, 1879, Dr. John Sherrick was chosen Mayor; J. W. Kindel served as Clerk. The Council comprised R. Rice, G. R. Leist, W. N. Sherry, Askins, Morris, W. H. Clark. In April, 1879, J. W. Sherrick was elected Mayor; W. N. Sherry, R. Rice, G. R. Leist, W. H. Clark, Askins and Henry Kiracofe were chosen Councilmen. In 1880, Alvin Davis, H. M. Sherrick and Daniel Myers were elected Councilmen; W. N. Sherry, Mayor, and S. S. Sherrick, Clerk. In 1881, S. A. Hitchcock, H. M. Sherrick and Henry Kiracofe were elected Councilmen; William Steman, Marshal. In 1882, W. N. Sherry was elected Mayor; S. S. Sherrick, Clerk; H. M. Sherrick, Alvin Davis and Daniel Myers were chosen Councilmen. In 1883, S. D. Crites, G. R. Leist, H. Kiracofe and S. A. Hitchcock were elected Councilmen; J. J. John, Treasurer; W. A. Steman, Marshal; S. S. Sherrick, Clerk; W. N. Sherry, Mayor. In 1884, Henry Pfeifer, Mayor; S. S. Sherrick, Clerk; S. D. Crites, Alvin Davis and W. N. Sherry, Councilmen. In August the Mayor resigned, but his resignation was not accepted at date of last record. SCHOOLS. Elida separate school district was organized January 11, 1868, under the act of 1867. D. L. Crites, J. J. John, and Charles Crites consti- GERMAN TOWNSHIP - 429 tuted the first Board of Education. On the 30th of July, 1870, the Board, at a cost of $500, purchased a site for a new school building, and, on the 24th of. March following, awarded the contract for the building to John P. Haller. The cost of this building when complete was about $5,000. On the 3d of April, 1879, by a special act of the General Assembly of Ohio, Joint Subdistrict No. 3, German Township, was dissolved, and the German Township part of said district attached to Elida separate district. The acquisition of this additional territory made it necessary to enlarge the school building, and accordingly, on the 19th of August, 1879, the contract for erecting an addition to the old building was awarded to Mr. Hailer. The total cost of the building complete and furnished is about $10,000. CHURCHES. Methodist Episcopal Church. —In 1831 the first society was organized (from a class formed in 1830 under Rev. Joseph Hill) by Rev. Jesse Pryor, at the cabin of John Summersett with the following-named members: John Summersett, Rachel Summersett, Griffith John, Rachel John, Sally John, Rachel Jamieson, Isaac Bowyer, Elizabeth Bowyer, Smith Cremean, Polly Cremean, William Bryan, Elizabeth Bryan. Of this number Eliza Bowyer and Sally (Cremean) John are living. The members of this church were visited from time to time by circuit preachers until 1853, when H. Maltbie and N. B. C. Love reorganized the society in the house of James Kennedy with the following-named members: James Kennedy, Melinda Kennedy, James Peltier, Jane Peltier, Henry Herring, Nancy Herring, Smith Baxter, Mary Baxter, Ethan John, Lucy John, Griffith John, Rachel John, Margaret Cremean, Jesse J. John, Elizabeth Bowyer, Fleet Clark, Mary Clark, Elizabeth Priddy and Catharine Evans. Two years after Griffith John died. Jason Wilcox attended the church until 1859 when Francis Plumb took charge. The pastors since that time are named in the following list: George 0. McPherson, 1860; John Beiler, 1861; Benjamin B. Powell, 1861; Francis Plum, 1863; William Deal, 1864; Joseph A. Ferguson, 1864; Josiah Crooks, 1867; A. J. Fish, 1869; Charles Farnsworth, 1870; Lemuel Herbert, 1872; Dwight R. Cook, 1874; James F. Mounts, 1876; William Deal, 1878; John N. Longfellow, 1881; Reuben Rouch, 1833. J. J. John was elected Secretary in 1859, and has served almost continuously 430 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. since. The Building Committee in 1855 comprised J. J. John, James Peltier and Henry Herring. The church building was completed in 1856 at a cost of $1,000. The burial of Mrs. Peter Ridenour and Abram Enslen in 1831 was the beginning of the Elida Cemetery, where the old Methodist Episcopal Church stands. United Brethren Church, formerly belonging to the Allentown circuit, may be said to have existed from an early period in the county's history, although no regular organization was perfected for many years later. The pastors who visited or presided over the society at Elida are named as follows: Thomas Downey, 1850; L. J. Farber and S. S. Holden, 1851-60; — Honkle, 1854; - Swallow and J. L. Luttrell, 1S61; G. W. Umbaugh, 1862; Haney, Doughty and Palmer, 1862, and S. T. Mahan. In 1867 Rev. Mr. Mahan formally organized the church at Elida at Mr. Furry's house. The first members were J. L. Luttrell, Lackey Luttrell, B. F. Sherrick and wife, Anna Sherrick, Franklin Furry, Sarah Bechtol, Rachel Sherry, James Sherry, Mary E. Furry, Joseph 111. Blakely and wife, James G. Wisher and wife, G. W. Quick and wife, and Margaret Morris. Rev. T. D. House preached here in 1868. In the fall of that year Rev. J. L. Luttrell was appointed pastor, and H. S. Thomas succeeded him for a short period. In 1870 Mr. Luttrell had charge. Rev. Elias Counsellor was appointed pastor in 1872, and served until succeeded by Daniel Schenck in 1875. J. P. Stewart was appointed in 1876; Timothy Carl and J. W. Wentz in 1877; P. B. Williams in 1881 and Rev. Elias Counsellor in 1883. The present frame building was erected in 1875, under Mr. Counsellor's administration, at a total cost of $3,000. The membership of the Elida class is 171. The Sabbath-school attendance is seventy-five. Isaac C. Steman is Superintendent. Albert Steman preceeded him as Superintendent. Mr. Counsellor is Treasurer of the Branch Missionary Society, and one of the Trustees of the Otterbein University. The number of members on the Auglaize Conference is 6,389—fifteen preachers. The Honey Run, Allentown, Marion and Elida churches now form the Elida circuit. Rev. Elias Counsellor is preacher in charge. The circuit comprises 400 members. J. L. Luttrell is Presiding Elder. United Brethren Church (Honey Run) was organized with the following named members: Peter Shock, Mary Shock, Margaret Shock, Solo- GERMAN TOWNSHIP - 431 mon Carr, Lizzie, Carr, Mary E. Glaize, Lydia Bowers, William Kiracofe. The membership is now seventy-three. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. —The following history is taken from a copy of a sketch deposited in the corner stone of the new church in 1870: The congregation was organized by Rev. Abraham Doner in 1837 and continued until 1852. During his ministry the old frame church building, which gave place to the present church building in 1870, was erected. Mr. Doner died in 1857. After a vacancy of two years Rev. P. J. Steirwalt was appointed pastor, and served four years, when he returned to Virginia. He was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Steirwalt, who served two years. After a vacancy of one year, Rev. T. W. Corbett became pastor, he was succeeded by Rev. J. D. Nunemacher. At this time the membership was thirty-eight, being thirteen less than at a former period. in October, 1865, Rev. A. S. Bartholomew became pastor the building was remodeled, and meetings held every Sunday. In 1870 the congregation was 217. On August 19, 1876, the corner stone of the new church was placed by Rev. A. S. Bartholomew. The tower is 115. feet high. Previous to this time the reformed German Lutheran and Evangelican Lutherans worshiped together until the reorganization, when the form of worship of the German Evangelical Faith was adopted. The church building cost about $8,000. Rev. G. T. Cooperrider was assistant pastor up to January 24, 1879, when he resigned. Rev. A. S. Bartholomew served the church continuously at Elida and Lima until January 4, 1882, when he resigned on account of ill health. His death occurred in September, 1882. In April, 1882, two candidates for the pastorate were recommended, viz. : Rev. 0. S. Oglesby and Rev. J. 0. Hoffman. The latter accepted the call, and took charge May 15, 1882. This church today claims a congregation of about 100. Owing to serious trouble the congregation was reduced to about sixty-five communicants, but is now advancing. On September 10, 1834, the following names are of record as first members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Elida, viz.: Philip Herring, George Ridenour, Andrew SteBelton, Abram Doner, Abraham Kessler, Samuel Clippenger, Samuel Spangler, David Doner, William Knittle and wife, Richard Oard and wife. The building committee in 1870 comprised Richard Oard, S. 432 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. Huffer and George Kessler. The building, erected under their supervision, cost $6,000 up to the period of its dedication in November, 1876. Jehu John Post No. 476 G. A. R. was founded July 22, 1884, with the following members; Dr. S. A. Hitchcock, Commander; D. L. Crites, Adjutant; James A. Swisher, Richard Rice, Sr., Thomas Morris, Thomas Neeley, J. J. Baxter, Jesse D. Miller, Jesse J. Miller, Rev. Jackson Cremean, George Kessler, William Diltz, Jacob Askins, Isaac Hover, Jacob Shaub, George W. Sawmiller, Joseph Reed, Amos Miller, Nicholas Strayer, Jonathan Reedy. The name of Samuel Bolander is on the roster to be mustered in. The following officers of Jehu John Post No. 496, Department of Ohio, G. A. R., were installed by Gideon Ditto at Elida, January 3, 1885. S. A. Hitchcock, Corn.; J. A. Swisher, S. V. C.; J. T. Morris, J. V. C.; D. L. Crites, Adj't; R. Rice, Q. M.; William Clevenger, Surgeon; A. A. Miller, Chaplain; Thomas Neely, 0. D.; Jesse D. Miller, S. M.; and Jonathan Reedy, A. S. M. ALLENTOWN VILLAGE. Allentown, on Section 29, German Township, was platted in 1835 by William Myers and George Povenmyre. The village is on the east bank of the Ottawa River, which runs at an angle of about twenty degrees. The streets follow the angle thus formed. Here the old bed or southern bend was changed into a new channel. The acre tracts outside the original town are Neelys, Fraunfelters, Blackburns, Benedom, Kesslers, Harringtons and Dennis. William Myers opened a store, the first at Allentown, in 1835. A church building was erected here in 1840; a tannery established by Albert Clippinger in 1842, which must be considered the pioneer of the manufacturing industries of the village at present. In 1862 a schoolhouse was erected, being preceded by the 'Methodist house of worship in 1848, and the United Brethren building in 1854. CHURCHES. United Brethren Church.—The church at Allentown was the leading church of the U. B. circuit up to 1868, when the distinction was transferred to Elida. The original members were George W. Allen, Patience Allen, Sarah Allen, Amos Allen, Joseph D. Allen, Catharine Allen, Amos Crites, Carlila Crites, Ruliff Verbryke, Julia A. Verbryke, Hannah JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 433 Verbryke, Robert Miller, Mary Miller, E. B. Grove, S. D. Bolander, Daniel Stayer, Lydia A. Imler, Leah McBride. There are now seventy- nine members. The same pastors whose names are connected with the churches of the Elida circuit preside over this church. In 1854 a house of worship was erected at Allentown. Methodist Episcopal Church.—This church was founded here about the period Allentown was platted. In 1848 a church was erected at Allentown, where a society had been formed and public services had been held for some years in the schoolhouse. The membership of both societies were united in the new church of Elida. The Christian Union Society is one of the modern organizations of the village. This house of worship was erected in 1876. The Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad passes through German Township from southeast to northwest, and the postoffices are Elida and Allentown. |