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544 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY CHAPTER XXVII. SPENCER TOWNSHIP. THIS Township is made up of the southeast quarter of Township 4 south, Range 4 east, and the twelve southern sections of the east half of Township 3 south, Range 4 east, together with Sections 7 and 18, of Township 4 south, Range 5 east, taken from Amanda in 1848. South Forks Ditch and Grassy Creek Ditch, forming the headwaters of Jennings' Creek, run north to their confluence in Section 27. From this point SPENCER TOWNSHIP - 545 Jennings' Creek flows in its zig-zag course, and enters Marion Township, in Section 12, Township 3, Range 4. The Miami & Erie Canal forms the eastern line of the town to the canal lock in Section 36. Here this waterway takes a southwestern course by way of Spencerville Village, and leaves the township in Section 14, Township 4, Range 4 east. The Narrow Gauge Railroad runs parallel with the canal almost to Spencerville and crosses this waterway just north of the village, on its course westward. The forests of the township are still extensive, and valuable enough to sustain, or rather furnish, the lumber mills and stave factories of Spencerville with material. In the northern districts the rocky conformation offers an A 1 stone for burning, and owing to this the manufacture of lime has become an important industry there. There are a few stone quarries worked throughout the town; but the ruling industry is lumbering. The population outside the village of Spencerville is 1,114; within the village there were 532 inhabitants in 1880 (census returns), in all 1,616, or about 72 inhabitants to the square mile. ORGANIC HISTORY, Under the organic act of 1818 the northeastern quarter of Salem and the eastern half of Jennings Townships, were taken from Van Wert County and added to Allen County, under the name of Spencer Township. Sections 7 and 18 of Amanda were added to the new townships. Jennings Township as originally laid off June 2, 1834, comprised Town 3, Range 3, and Town 3, Range 4 east. It was organized at Benjamin Griffin's house, June 21, 1834. Salem Township, Town 4, Range 4 east, was established in December, 1836, and organized at Michael Tippe's house in January 1837. This territory was set off from the old township of Wayne on the strength of a petition presented by the inhabitants of that portion of it lying in Town 4, Range 4, and named Salem. The survey was made in 1819 by Capt. Beardsley, United States Surveyor, and settlement was commenced in 1825. The name was bestowed in honor of Col. Spencer, a member of the State Board of Public Works in 1848 and an ardent supporter of canal building enterprises. Charles C. Marshall was justice of peace at organization. 546 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. He, with Sebastian Lye and J. Hockenberry were elected trustees; Abram Huff, clerk; and Sol. Wyatt, M. D., treasurer. PIONEER HISTORY. It may be stated with certainty that previous to 1833 there were no permanent settlements made in this division of the county. In 1834 the first land buyers came in Dr. Campbell who settled in Spencer Township, in 1851, in his reminiscences written in 1880, states that "the canal was opened for traffic in 1844, that the village of Spencerville was laid out for Tyler, McConnell and Conover of Dayton, about 1844-45, when they purchased a tract of 350 acres and built a mill at the upper lock. 1860-1 lower mill was constructed." The old village of Hartford, ceased to exist upon the founding of Spencerville, to which location many of the Hartford people came to reside. The two Fultons practiced medicine at Hartford as early as 1836, Dr. Samuel Price, Dr. Gray and Dr. Solomon Wyatt preceded Dr. Campbell as physicians at Spencerville, Drs. Travis, Hart and Benner settled here in later years. In 1856 Dr. Harbison arrived, but did not practice medicine here. He was one of the pioneer merchants of the village. Moffett Harvey, the first town clerk; W. P. Dehart, the first blacksmith; T. C. Bartle, the first carpenter; William Berryman, the first hotel-keeper; John Harter, the first storekeeper; William Young and Abram Armitage came in between 1843 and 1847. The late C. C. Marshall having located in Salem Township, upon the erection of Spencer Township, he continued to reside there until 1846, and in 1847 was elected justice of the peace, his time extending until 1853, having filled the office two terms. In 1857 he was elected representative from Allen County to the Ohio Legislature, and having served two years, declined a second nomination by his party. In 1861 he was nominated and elected to the State Senate, and again having served two years declined a renomination. After the expiration of his term as senator he removed to the growing town of Delphos, where in 1865, he was elected justice of the peace, and had been re-elected continuously every three years up to the period of his death (see Delphos). In the early history of the county, his father, Samuel Marshall, and himself were the SPENCER TOWNSHIP - 547 mail carriers between Piqua and Defiance. Letters for the first settlers were brought to Ft. Amanda by them, and left there for distribution. LIST OF ORIGINAL ENTRIES. The names, location and dates connected with the purchase of United States lands in that portion of Spencer Township, known as Township 3 south, Range 4 east, are as follows: Guilford D. Coleman, section 13, 1845. James Brown, section 13, 1851. Joseph Rickart, section 13, 1851. Jacob Hittell, section 13, 1845. Daniel W. Hall, section 13, 1849. Enoch Thomas, section 13, 1851. Avery Brown, section 13, 1851. Jacob Peterbaugh, section 14, 1834. T. B. Van Horn, section 14, 1834. Benj. P. Southworth, section 14, 1834. David C. Brown, section 14, 1850. George Young, section 14, 1834. Joseph Brown, section 14, 1834. Solomon R. Brown, section 14, 1834. Jacob Peterbaugh, section 14, 1835. Anthony Santo, section 14, 1850. John Snyder, section 15, 1851. Anthony I. Saunders, section 15, 1851. John Nagler, section 15, 1851. Joseph Osborne, section 15, 1848. John Clifton, section 15, 1848. David B. Mercer, section 15, 1849. Oswald Sheeter, section 15, 1849. James Oard, section 15, 1849. Silas Mills, section 15, 1851. James Mark, section 22, 1834. Henry S. Wykoff, section 22, 1835. Jacob Peterbaugh, section 22, 1834. T. B. Van Horn, section 22, 1834. Thomas Farmer, section 22, 1851. Jesse Coil, section 22, 1850. Wm. McCollister, section 22, 1850. Alfred Simonton, el al, section 23, 1851. George Lance, section 23, 1851. Wm. R. Leffingwell, section 23, 1851. David Krider, section 23, 1851. Robert Lee, section 23, 1852. Lewis M. Duren, section 23, 1851. Joseph Walters, section 23, 1849. John B. Talbot, section 23, 1851. George Stiger, section 23, 1851. Samuel Forrer, section 24, 1834. Frederick Marquand, section 24, 1835. Henry S. Wykoff, section 24, 1835. Dennis Davenport, section 24, 1835. Alexander Walker, seclion 24, 1851. John Hockenberry, section 25, 1845. Guilford D. Coleman, section 25, 1845. Cyrill Russell, section 25, 1851. Isaac F. Rider, section 25, 1851. John H. Barlow, section 25, 1851. C. Zeitzler, section 25, 1831. Anthony Bergen, section 25, 1851. Jacob Geckel, section 26, 1850. Joseph Moorehead, section 26, 1850. James Delaney. section 26, 1850. Martin Post, section 26, 1850. Jesse Bowers, section 26, 1850. Christian Brecht, section 26, 1850. Jacob Geckel, section 26, 1850. Royal D. Hooker, section 26, 1850. Samuel Youkey, section 26, 1850. Henry Barnes, section 27, 1849. Ellis J. Bayman, section 27, 1852. Henry Barnes, section 27, 1851, Marshall & Jacobs, section 27, 1851. Wm. McCollister, section 27, 1851. Allen L. Mark, section 27, 1851. Edward Purdy, section 34, 1850. Robert Maxwell, section 34, 1850. Ozias W. Purdy, section 34, 1850. Samuel Purdy, section 34, 1849. Richard Hughes, section 35, 1851. Charles C. Marshall, section 35, 1852. Evan Davis, section 35, 1851. Christ Rice, section 35, 1851. John Burke, section 35, 1851. Catharine Rapp, section 35, 1851. Wm. Maxwell, section 35, 1851. Ellis J. Bayman, section 35, 1852. Samuel Forrer, section 36, 1834. Fred Marquand, section 36, 1835. Henry S. Wykoff, section 36, 1835. Dennis Davenport, section 36, 1835. 548 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. Isaac N. Skillman, section 36, 1835 Ellis J. Bayman, section 36, 1850. Thomas Lockhead, section 36, 1848. James May, section 36, 1849. The southern portion of the township in Township 4 south, Range 4 east, was entered by the persons whose names are given below: Caspar Smith, section 1, 1846. James May, Jr., section 1, 1849. John G. Vaughn, section 1, 1850. Wm. Jones, section 1, 1850. Elizabeth Suman, section 1, 1850. Wm. Tyler, section 1, 1850. Evan B. Jones, section 1, 1850. Amy Saunders, section 1, 1851. Thomas T. Jones, section 1, 1850. Madison L. Boyer. section 1, 1850. Samuel L. Sweeney, section 1, 1849. James W. Jones, section 1, 1848. Phillip Herring, section 2, 1850. Thos. T. Jones, section 2, 1850. Thomas Farmer, section 2, 1850. John Coil, section 2, 1850. Patrick Fox, section 2, 1851. Alexander Counts, section 2, 1848. David Carey, Jr., section 2, 1849. Daniel 0. Evans, section 2, 1850. Jno. Pritchard, section 2, 1850. Berry Smith, section 2, 1850. Conrad Norbeck, section 2, 1849. Alexander Counts, section 2, 1850. John Kinsel, section 3, 1852. Ellis J. Bayman, section 3, 1852. John H. Duffey, section 3, 1850. Thomas Farmer, section 3, 1851. Benjamin Sides, section 3, 1852. James Spercer, section 3, 1852. Samuel Purdy, section 3, 1851. Jacob Miller, section 3, 1851. Jona M. Warrick, section 3, 1852. John Meyer, section 3, 1852. Thomas J. Fair, section 10. 1850. Samuel Cook, section 10, 1850. Bowen Dunham, section 10, 1850. Charles Simpkins, section 10, 1851. Calvin L. Starr, section 10, 1850. Peter Field, section 10, 1850. Lewis T. Rupert, section 10, 1851. Frederick Gonkle, section 10, 1850. David Archer, section 10, 1850. Wm. H. Webb, section 11, 1848. Wm. Tyler, section 11, 1845. Margaret Ranch, section 11, 1850. Evan B. Jones, section 11, 1850. Wm. Tyler, section 11, 1845. Elias Harter, section 11, 1850. Wm. Rummell, section 11, 1850. Wm. Olien, section 11, 1851. Fred. Marquand, section 12, 1835. H. S. Wykoff, section 12, 1835. Dennis Davenport, section 12, 1835. Wm. Tyler, section 12, 1843. John Dehart, section 13, 1848. Daniel Smith, section 13, 1848. John McMullen, section 13, 1850. Henry Barnett, section 13, 1848. John McMullen, section 13, 1850. Martin Bope, section 18, 1850. Francis J. Lye, section 13, 1850. Chas. C. Marshall, section 13, 1850. Francis Roegner, section 13, 1852. Robert D. Hood, section 13, 1850. Samuel D. Bush, section 13, 1849. Merritt Harvey, section 14, 1848. John Mitgen, scction 14, 1846. George W. Reece, section 14, 1848. Lewen Davis, section 14, 1847. Andrew Coil, section 14, 1847. Robert Adams, section 14, 1850. Thomas McKenna, section 14, 1850. Timothy Shaffer, section 14, 1850. Rachel Archer, section 14, 1850. David Sheets, section 15, 1850. George H. Sheets, section 15, 1850. Timothy Shaffer, scction 15, 1851. John Nugent, section 15, 1851. George G. Long, section 15, 1851. James Perry, section 15, 1852. John Price, section 15, 1850. Sam. Wagner, section 15, 1851. Nathan Davis, section 15, 1851. Ellis J. Bayman, section 15, 1852. Richard E. Bush, section 15, 1852. Sarah Brown, section 15, 1850. In the southeastern sections, 7 and 18 of Township 4 south, Range 5 east, deducted from Amanda in 1848 the following entries were made: SPENCER TOWNSHIP - 549 Phebe Smith, section 7, 1850. Wm. Bice, section 7, 1849. Philip Place, section 7, 1849. Elinor Peterson, section 7, 1850. Ezekiel Clark, section 7, 1850. Peter Kephart, section 7, 1847. Nathaniel Clawson, section 7, 1852. Simon Perkins, section 18, 1835. E. W. Schon, section 18, 1836. SCHOOLS. Previous to 1848 what is now fractional Township 3 and 4 south, Range 4 east, was variously attached. One part belonged to Jennings, another to Salem and still another to Amanda. Whatever attempts were made to establish a school in the territory now called Spencer were of the faintest character; yet school privileges were not totally wanting to the youth of the district; for along its borders, the subscription school and even the common school of our own days, were in existence. The condition of the schools of Spencer and Spencerville at present is shown in the following abstract of reports for 1884: Spencerville School District: Receipts for 1884, $2,196.72, expenditures, $1,947.89. There is one schoolhouse valued at $8,000. Four teachers are employed. The number of pupils enrolled is 289-148 boys and 141 girls. Spencer Township Schools: Revenue in 1884. was $3,193.06, expenditure $1,897. There are 212 pupils enrolled, of whom 107 are boys and 105 girls. SPENCERVILLE VILLAGE. Spencerville, in Spencer Township, was platted in 1845-46 by Conover, McConnell and Tyler of Dayton, Ohio, at the time they built their first mill at the lower lock. Hartford, an old settlement in this township, ceased to exist on the establishment of Spencerville. The population of the village in 1880 was 532. At the close of 1884 the estimated number of inhabitants was 800. The act of incorporation was passed in 1867, and the first village election held that year. In the following official history, the names of those who have served and are serving as councilmen and corporation officers, are given. 1867. J. C. Campbell, mayor; Merritt Harvey, recorder; Jacob De- hart, treasurer; W. H. Orcutt, marshal; William Moorman, Henry Staub W. P. Dehart, J. M. Watts, A. C. Harter. 1868. John Monroe, mayor; Debart, Orcutt, Harvey, Staub, W. P. Dehart were re-elected. Joseph August, Henry Heap, S. H. Thomas were elected councilmen, and Samuel Brice, supervisor. Isaac N. Skillman, section 36, 1835. 550 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. 1869. Isaac T. Rider, mayor; A. C. Harter, recorder; W. P. Dehart, treasurer; S. Place, marshal; Samuel Brice, supervisor; George Meihls, J. C. Campbell, Franck Roeckner, Joseph August and W. P. Harter. 1870. Merritt Harvey, mayor; J. C. Campbell, recorder; R. D. Hooker, marshal; W. P. Dehart, treasurer; John Miniviler, supervisor; Jacob Dehart, J. B. Robins, E. D. Fogle, Johnzey Keeth, Joseph H. Harbison and William Moorman, councilmen. 1871. Merritt Harvey, mayor; Levi Counts, N. A. Meeker, Joseph August and E. D. Fogle. 1872. Merritt Harvey, mayor; W. H. Orcutt, marshal, A. C. Harter, clerk; Philip King, Francis Roegnar, and Joseph Harbison, councilmen. 1873. Merritt Harvey, mayor; Henry Staub, R. D. Hooker and Joseph August, councilmen. 1874. George M. Hammond, mayor; John C. Campbell, clerk; W. P. Dehart, treasurer; Tobias Foster, marshal; Theo Eisenbach, Johnzey Keeth, A. C. Harter, Gottlieb Henna, councilmen. 1875. J. S. Fogle, Joseph Harbison, A. F. W. Meyer, councilmen. 1876. George M. Hammond, mayor; Merritt Harvey, recorder; Theo Eisenbach, treasurer; I. N. Fogle, marshal; Johnzey Keeth, J. D. Welsh, and Levi Counts, councilmen. 1877. J. S. Fogle, William F. Meyer and Apollos Place, councilmen. 1878. O. S. Judd, mayor; Lambert Cochran, recorder; Theo Eisenbach, treasurer; George W. Lynch, marshal; H. C. Hart, A. C. Harter and George Henna, councilmen. 1879. Tobias Foster, W. H. Harter and C. W. Koenig, councilmen; Thomas Shaffer, street commissioner. 1880. A. J. Travis, mayor; Lambert Cochran,clerk; S. H. Kephart, mayor; Theo. Eisenbach, treasurer; Daniel Fitzpatrick, marshal and street commissioner; George Henna, A. C. Harter and U. Renner, councilmen. 1881. A, S. Hooker, W. P. Dehart, O. S. Judd, councilmen. The question of erecting the Town Hall was voted upon in April 1881, when an affirmative vote was polled. 1882. J. W. Arnold, mayor; George Munroe, clerk; J. M. Beard, treasurer; Fred Him, marshal; Johnzey Keeth, James E. McDonald and James Fitzpatrick, councilmen. 1883. L. M. Place, A. E. Shosker and W. P. Dehart, councilmen. SPENCER TOWNSHIP - 551 1884. J. H. Dunathan, mayor; K. Mochouert, clerk; J. M. Beard, treasurer; Samuel Place, marshal; W. P. Dehart, C. W. King, T. C. Burns, W. C. Hance, A. E. Shosker and L. M. Place, councilmen; J. N. Bailey, attorney. It is stated that a small debt is due by the village, but the amount, even the very nature of the debt, is not understood. CHURCHES. Methodist Episcopal Church, at Spencerville, was attached to the Acadia Circuit. On August 1, 1851, the official members of Spencer Mission assembled with William A. Baker, P. C.; Samuel Dillinger and Charles Post, stewards; Israel Slausson, leader, present. In August, 1851, the first quarter meeting was held at Hartford, with Wesley Brock, P. E. In addition to the officers named above, Nelson Hayes, Alanson Hayes, Silas Myers, William Rhine, Horace Bixby. The names of original members of record in 1857 are Brunson J. Miller and wife, William Gamble and wife, Samuel Dillinger and wife, J. G. Young, Alfred Fritz. Jane Nye, Rebecca Dillinger, Benjamin Hall, G. W. Kirkbride, James Lee Gamble and wife, Francis Hall and wife, M. Ellen Dibble, Melinda Young, Nancy Young, Horace Bixby and wife, Mary Barker, Catherine Nell, Eliza Heffner, Henry Miller, Margaret Stradley. In 1859, Spencer was attached to Delphos Circuit. In 1868, Messrs. Post, Cochran and Hover were elected a building committee. There are three appointments now in the Spencerville Circuit. Of the 170 members of the circuit, seventy belong to Spencerville, where also is a church property valued at $4,000. The presiding elders of this circuit are named as follows: Hiram M. Shaffer, 1852; J. A. Kellum, 1854; Wesley J. Wells, 1856; E. C. Gavitt, 1856; Hiram M. Shaffer, 1861; F. Marriott, 1864; S. L. Robert, 1869; A. Harmount, 1872; A. Berry, 1876; M. Albright, 1880; John F. Davies, 1884. The pastors of the mission and circuit since 1853 are named as follows: William Gardner, P. C., 1853; Harrison Maltbie, P. C., 1854; J. Wilcox, 1856; John N. Preddy, 1857; Wesley G. Waters, 1859; Francis Plumb, 1861; William Deal and A. Estel, 1862-63; J. F. Mounts, 1864; F. D. Preddy, 1865; L, Herbert. 1866; Caleb Hill, 1866; T. D. Preddy, 552 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. 1867; F. S. Fagan, 1867; D. B. Rinehart, 1868; Phillip Lemaster, 1869; I. R. Henderson, 1871; A. J. Frisbie, 1873; L. W. Patrick, 1874; J. C. Clemmons, 1875; Reuben Rauch, 1877; W. R. Shultz, 1878; T. J. Bowers, 1879; S. M. Boggs, 1880; Orlando Murlin, 1881; William Deal, 1882; Benjamin B. Powell, 1884. St. Patrick's Church (Catholic), was formed in 1858, by Rev. Patrick Henneberry. From 1858 to 1861 the church was attended by Rev. Fathers Jacob and Michael. In 1871 Father Seltzer attended, and in the same year Father Brem was appointed pastor. In 1877 he was succeeded by Father Leddy who remained until 1878, when Father Cahill took charge. He was succeeded in July 1879 by Father Barry. A log-cabin 26x36 was consecrated as a house of worship in 1860 by Bishop Rappe. This was used until the completion of the present church in 1876 by Father Brem. It cost $1.100. German Methodist Episcopal Church. —Spencerville Circuit Northern Ohio Central German Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church has been until recently a mere outpost of missionary work, In the fall of 1883 Spencerville was detached from Knoxville Circuit, when Rev. John Hess was appointed first resident pastor. Previous to September 19, 1883, the parish was attended by the preacher in charge of the old circuit, visiting from Knoxville. The present membership is 152 members and six probationists. The value of church build- ing, pastor's house and grounds is placed at about $2,200. The pastors in order of time, were H. Shimmelpfennig, John Fickan, John C. Speckman, Jacob Gabler, Philip Grescle, Aug. F. Miller, John C. Egly, and John Huaneke, the predecessor of Mr. Hess. The first Presiding Elders were George A. Brunig, Jacob Rothweiler, D. D., George Schwinn, and John S. Schneider, the present presiding elder, son of one of the first German Methodists in Ohio. Mr. Hess also attends Zion Church in Auglaize County. Christian Church was founded March 31, 1867, with the following named members: William Moorman and wife, B. D. Harter, Sarah J. Harter, Eliza Moorman, Nancy E. Hill, Merritt Harvey, Eliza J. Harvey, Adaline Monroe, Anna Harter, and Barbara Workman. In 1868 a house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,500. The pastors of this church since 1867 are named as follows ; M. Martz, D. Lepley, S. Whetstone, SPENCER TOWNSHIP - 553 W. C. Rimer, G. B. Garner, L. Gander, T. S.Wells, and Mr. Rimer, now serving his second term here. The clerks have been, Merritt Harvey, H. M. Hill, W. T. Allen, and S. L. Fryer, the present clerk, chosen in 1872. The membership is ninety-seven. The German Reformed Church was founded at Spencerville some years ago. In 1883 a church building was erected, which was dedicated in 1884. This church is growing fast in membership. The First Baptist Church was founded here about the time the Methodists organized their society. Many years afterward the members of the Baptist congregation erected a frame church building, which is still in use. MISCELLANEOUS. The first postmaster in Spencerville was Dr. Solomon Wyatt, who was serving when Merritt Harvey passed through the settlement in 1845, and held the office when Harvey settled here in 1847. Since that time the office has been conducted by Webb & Harter, John Heaton, A. C. Harter, Smith Fogle, ,Dr. Sticknor, Joseph Harbison and Theodore Eisenbach. Fair Post, No. 322, G. A. R., was organized June 6, 1883, J. B. Post, commander; Joseph E. Fisher, S. V. C. ; Henry Wasson, J. V. C.; L. E. Titus, 0. D.; Charles W. Briggs, 0. G.; H. C. Hart. surgeon; Peter Lies, Q. M. ; J. M. Jones, chaplain; G. W. Biner, William Counts, J. L. Combs, John Conrad, John N. Dick, Henry Garee, John Kies, J. M. Laraine, S. L. Fryer, Joseph Monroe, Leander McMillan, Charles G. Post, L. M. Place, William Place, J. Rathgaber, John Schamp, Robert Sutton, John Sands and Fred Stork. H. M. Hill was first adjutant and F. L. Langley, present adjutant. The number of members at present is twenty-nine. The Keeth House, recently erected, is a first-class hotel, well-equipped and conducted. The Journal, a weekly newspaper, was founded in May, 1878, by J. W. Summersett, with J. W. Arnold and C. W. Smith. The present owners are H. J. Hamm and J. W. Arnold, the latter being editor and publisher. The circulation of the Journal is 600 weekly. The office is valued at $1,500. The Masonic Lodge and the Grand Army of the Republic are the only secret and benevolent organizations in the village. 554 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. The schools and churches are well administered; the mercantile establishments are carried on on thorough business principles, while the mills and factories of the neighborhood are extensive and well operated. The Narrow Guage or T. C. & St. L. R. R., entered the village in July, 1878, and four years later the great railroad system known as the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad, placed the village in direct communication with the East and West. The Miami & Erie Canal, completed in 1845. formed the great highway of travel previous to the advent of the railroads. |