250 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY she became the wife of Jacob Sells, whose parents, Peter and Barbara Sells, had come to Crawford in 1831. The young couple immediately began housekeeping in their own home on the Tiffin road. Jacob was an architect and builder and was away much of the time, not only on account of the demands of his profession, but also on account of military service during the Civil war and because of his attendance at land sales in the Osage country, Mo. During his absence she had to suffer many trials on account of her fearless advocacy of abolition, the people around her being generally in favor of secession. During the war, not having received any communication from her husband for a long time, she feared he might be dead, but had not lost all hope until one day she received word that his corpse was awaiting her at Bucyrus. She went there at once almost broken hearted. The body was identified by the family and friends, but before removing the corpse, her sorrow was changed to surprise, joy and gladness on being handed a communication from her husband, stating that he would be with her in a few hours. Thus suddenly was a scene of the deepest sadness turned into one of rejoicing. Michael and Margaret Shupp and their son Henry came to Crawford in May, 1828, settling on So acres on Brokensword Creek in Holmes township. John and Ann Shupp and son Samuel came to Crawford county and Holmes township in the spring of 1831. Jacob Brinkman came to Bucyrus when it was a small hamlet and after a residence there of several years removed to Holmes township. Jacob and Mary Bash came to Bucyrus in 1829. Both died and their son Peter Bash went to the grandfather at Annapolis, who was a Dunkard preacher. Grandmother Bash was the first person buried in Annapolis cemetery. Peter later purchased a farm in Holmes township. William and Mary Fralick and son Daniel came to Bucyrus in 1830 and settled on the Rowse farm, later known as the Monnett farm. In the fall they removed to the northern part of Holmes township, where they entered So acres and erected a log cabin. In 1834 Daniel came to Bucyrus and worked in the flour and saw-mill of Elias Slagel during high water, when the mill was running. During low water he worked on his father's farm. In 1853 he commenced keeping store at Wingert's Corners, and in 1855 built a new house, which he occupied until his death. Samuel Flickinger, born in Lancaster county, Pa., May 29, 1792, moved to McConnellstown. Pa., in 1796; went from there to Stark county, Ohio, in 1811, coming from there to Crawford county in the spring of 1833 and resided here until his death June 20, 1871 at the age of 79 years. In 1820 lie married Miss Phylinda Healy, who was born in Jamaica, Wingham county, Vt., and they resided on a farm in Holmes township. Their sons, Samuel and William ran the principal saw mill in the township for many years. John Raton, born in Washington county, Pa., 1778, removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1808 and to Crawford in 1830 or 1831. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812. He died July 23, 1850, aged 72 years. Soon after Eaton came to the township, he was joined by Edmund Ferrall, who had married his daughter Mary in 1827. About 1834 the first saw mill was built on the Brandywine by Frederick Williams. He ran it about ten years and then disposed of it to other parties. When gold was discovered in California, in 1849 Williams joined a party and crossed the country to the gold fields. About the time Williams built his mill in 1834 Jesse Quaintance built a mill on the Brokensword; it was of hewn logs, two stories, and 25 by 28 feet in size. It was originally a grist mill, but after a few years a frame addition was added and a saw mill started, and for twenty years both departments of the mill did a large business. Both these mills were run by water power, little dams being erected across the streams. After Williams sold out his mill, the little dam was washed away, and was never rebuilt, so the mill was abandoned. The third saw-mill was built in 1845 by Rodney Poole, at the falls on Brokensword creek. This was the best site in Holmes township for either a grist or saw-mill, as at this point there is a fall of about a foot and a half in the bed of the stream, which, together with a good dam and race, furnished abundant water power. The mill was a frame building, having a long shed at right angles to the main AND REPRESENTATIVE C[TiZENS - 251 building, in which the sawed lumber was stored. The charge made for sawing, when not done on shares, was at the rate of 50 cents per hundred feet. The mill darns of those days were far from being as substantially built as they are at the present day, when stone can be had at a small cost. A pile of dirt, stones, brush, logs or anything that came handy, was heaped together in a line extending across the stream, and the whole held in place by logs driven into the bed of the stream in a slanting position. These loosely constructed dams often gave way, resulting in a total suspension of milling operations for some time until they could be repaired or rebuilt. The muskrats often caused such breaks by burrowing into the dams. During heavy rains, when the dams held, they often caused the surrounding country to become flooded to a considerable depth. A steam saw-mill was built in 1853 on Grass Run in the southern part of the township, by Joseph Lones, and was furnished with a muley saw After being operated by Mr. Lones for three years, it was sold to other parties. Two years after Lones built his mill, Fralick and Flickinger erected a large steam saw-mill on Brokensword creek, which continued in operation until after the war. It was a large frame building and had a muley saw. Other mills were subsequently built in various parts of the township and while the timber lasted a lively business was done in this line of industry. With the gradual disappearance of the timber nearly all of these mills went out of existence. Although previous to the Civil war a strong sentiment existed in Crawford county against assisting negroe slaves to escape to Canada, many were thus aided by that mysterious, but effective organization, or system, known as "The Underground Railroad." A family named Jackson, living in the southern part of the township, kept one of the stations on this "road," and Isaac Jackson and his son, Stephen, were seen on more than one occasion driving rapidly northward by night with a sled or wagon load of these black fugitives, conveying theta into Seneca county, where doubtless there was another station from which they were assisted farther north. In this manner—as the plan was operated all over the state of Ohio and to some extent in other states- thousands of slaves were helped to freedom. In engaging in this work the Jacksons, of course, sacrificed some of their popularity, but doubtless had their reward in the approval of their own consciences. The first school was opened in Holmes township in the northern part during the winter of 1829-30, although the southern part had been earlier settled by almost a decade. The school was started in the cabin of David Moore, an old bachelor who had cone to Holmes a year or two previous and who had left his cabin vacant to go on a visit to his old home in Pennsylvania, to bring his widowed mother to his new home. John Bretz, a Pennsylvanian of German antecedents, was the first schoolmaster and the school was well attended. Although Mr. Bretz's scholarly attainments were not above question, he was excellent in enforcing discipline—a very desirable quality for a schoolmaster in those days—for he was a man of great strength and fine physique and, it is said, "could handle any other man in the neighborhood with ease." He taught for a number of years in the German settlement and its vicinity and always had good orderly schools. The first regular schoolhouse in the township, was built on section 3, during the summer of 1833. It was first taught by Edward Porter, who during the previous winter had taught school in a log cabin in Lykins township. About nine years later it was superceded by a larger and better schoolhouse erected a short distance to the southward. This latter building was a frame made almost entirely of lunber sawed at the mills on Brokensword creek. One of the early teachers in the northern part of Holmes was Miss Margaret Cannon, who gave general satisfaction both as to maintaining discipline and imparting instruction. The first school building in the southern part of the township was erected in 1835 on or near the farm of Mr. Black, and was constructed of hewed logs. Some years later a frame building was put up on the Lones farm and school was kept in it for nearly 20 years, after which it was removed to make way for a more modern structure. About 1836 the township was divided into school districts and a schoolhouse built in each district, according to the present plan. The gospel was first preached in Holmes 252 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY township by itinerant ministers from the neighboring villages, who made occasional visits, and were ordinarily designated as "circuit riders." For some time previous to 1834, meetings were held regularly in the cabins of Michael Shupp, Daniel Seale and others. In that year an Evangelical church was built in the extreme southern part of Lykens township, which was attended by a number of citizens from Holmes. A Iittle later the Lutherans and members of the German Reformed church united in erecting a log church in the northern part of Holmes. A lack of harmony prevailed, however, in this combined society; which resulted in litigation. In 1852 the Protestant Methodists built a log meeting-house about a mile west of Portersville, which became known as the Concord Meeting-house. The pastor of this church during or at the beginning of the Civil war period was the Rev. William Brown, a strong abolitionist, who persisted against the wishes of a large part of his congregation, in preaching anti-slavery sermons. This led to such bitterness of feeling that finally, one night, a party of men assembled and leveled the church to the ground. We read also that upon another occasion a minister, of similar views and similarly outspoken, who was conducting a revival meeting near Portersville, was pelted with eggs, which had been bought for the purpose at the store of Daniel Fralick. Another outrage took place soon after when a church on the line between Holmes and Liberty townships, was burned down for the same cause. In the southern part of the township the Quakers erected a church in 1840, which is still standing. It was built originally of logs and afterward weather-boarded with poplar lumber. It has not been used as a church for many years. In connection with the different churches or otherwise, a number of Sunday schools have been established in Holmes township from time to time. Mission Chapel was established in 1848, the first summer had an attendance of sixty scholars and was conducted for sixteen years. James Moore was the first superintendent, he being followed by Samuel Shaffner, John Lichtenwalter and others. Pietsel Sunday-school, organized in May, 1850, had the first summer an attendance of fifty. Among the early superintendents were William Pietsel, G. Hall, William Taylor, and Newton Taylor. The Grass Run Sunday school was organized May, 1852, with fifty-five scholars. Its early superintendents were Abraham Kniseley, D. J. Heller, John Kerstetter and Almon Ames. Other later Sunday schools were: The Friend's Sunday school was organized in May, 1860, with fifty scholars. Lavina Benedict was superintendent, followed by James Jackson and others. The Spahr Sunday school was organized in May, 1870, 115 enrolled, with William Mateer, superintendent. Wingert's Corners Sunday school in May, 1869, with an enrollment of 70, Daniel Fralick, superintendent. The Lutheran Sunday school, in May, 1870, with an enrollment of 118; G. W. Parks, superintendent. Mission Chapel was reorganized as Holmes Chapel in May, 1870, with 71 scholars, and James -Moore superintendent. No. 3 Sunday school in May, 1870, with an enrollment of 60; Henry Dieffenbacher, superintendent. From 60 pupils in 1860, with 12 teachers, the Sunday schools of the township now have an enrollment of over 500, with 50 officers and teachers. All along the Brokensword is an abundance of stone, which the early pioneers found so useful that stone quarries were started, but the business developed to such an extent that capital was invested and the Brokensword Stone Company took over the business, and employed a large force of men, the quarries being fitted with all the latest machinery, the T. & O. C. road having a spur which furnishes shipping facilities. The development of the quarries led to the establishment of a post office and a station on the railroad, called Spore, after Sidney L. Spore, one of the prominent men in that section. The first postmaster was F. D. Osborn, appointed May 22, 1888. Owing to the difficulty of securing a man to take the office it was discontinued Dec. 24, 1889, but was re-established April 9, 1892, with Rufus D. Spore as postmaster. He was succeeded July 17, 1897, by D. R. Diefenbacher, and he by G. F. Cox, on July 31, 1900. No town was started, and when rural routes were established, the postoffice was discontinued on July 30, 1904. CHAPTER XIV JACKSON TOWNSHIP AND CRESTLINE Jackson Township—Its Size and Location—Its Origin—Topographical Features—Productions— First Settlers—An Early Tragedy—The First Road—Early Schools and Teachers—Trading Points in Early Days—Taverns—Livingston Laid Out. CRESTLINE—Growth of the Town—Railroad Interests—First Passenger Train Through Crestline—An Early Description of the Town—First Merchants and Prominent Citizens —Destructive Fires—An Exciting Bear Story—Epidemic of Cholera—Manufacturing Interests—City Departments—Schools—Churches--Justices--incorporation of Crestline and List of Mayors—Water Supply—Telephone Service—Banks—Societies—Post Office and Postmasters. Who are they but the men of toil, Who cleave the forest down, And plant, amid the wilderness, The hamlet and the town. —STEWART. This township, bearing the name of one of America's most famous heroes and Presidents, is the smallest in Crawford county, and probably one of the smallest in the state of Ohio. It is a fractional township, being now ten sections, or about a fourth of a Congressional township. It lies in the eastern part of the county, somewhat south of a central line, and is bounded on the north by Vernon township, on the east by Richland county, on the south by Polk township and on the west by Jefferson township. According to documentary evidence, up to 1845 it formed a part of Richland county, and from that date to 1873 it included the territory now known as Jefferson township. The twelve western sections of what is now Jefferson formed a part of Sandusky township. In 1835, three miles wide and six deep, was taken from the southern section of Sandusky township and named Jackson in honor of the hero of New Orleans. In 1845 a four-mile strip was added to Crawford from Richland county, and Jackson township was created seven miles wide and four deep, while south of it was Polk, seven wide and three deep. The setting off of Jefferson was due to the fact that the people in the eastern part of the territory, after 1850, on account of the city of Crestline, appropriated to themselves most of the lucrative offices, as well as those conferring chiefly honor on the incumbents, the western end of the township being assigned only the leavings or crumbs of office. Accordingly proceedings were taken by the latter to change this state of things, as will be seen by the following record of official action; March 11, 1873. To the Board of Commissioners of Crawford County in the State of Ohio: The undersigned householders, residing within the bounds of Jackson township in said county, respectfully represent that it is necessary and expedient that a new township be laid off and designated, embracing the following portions of the territory of said township of Jackson, to wit: Sections—1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24 in township 16 of range 21. Also sections-5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19 and 20 in township 16 of range 20. The undersigned therefore pray your honorable body to lay off and designate such new township. Signed—D. O. CASTLE, BENJAMIN HECKART, WILLIAM MCKEAN and 414 others. The commissioners considered the matter on Monday, March 10, 1873 and ordered the township divided; the new township, five miles from east to west and four miles deep, to - 253 - 254 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY be known as Jefferson; the remaining territory, two miles east and west and four miles deep to continue as Jackson. In 1900 by petition of nearly all the tax payers of sections 27 and 34 in Vernon township these two sections were added to Jackson. There is very little in the way of Indian tradition connected with the history of Jackson township, though this is not the case with Jefferson, as that territory can boast of numerous Indian legends, but through both the ill-fated Crawford marched to his terrible doom. There were also several Indian trails through the present Jackson township. In its topography Jackson township resembles closely the surrounding country. In former days it was heavily timbered, though in some places flat and swampy. The soil is naturally rich and in the last forty or fifty years, artificial or tile draining has largely reclaimed the swamps and rendered the soil suitable for cultivation, which has been brought to a high point of perfection. Its principal productions are corn, wheat and oats. The timber originally consisted of several kinds of oak, hickory, poplar, sugar maple, beech, elm, ash and some walnut, together with various shrubs of the more common varieties. The only streams are a tributary of the Sandusky, passing through the northern part, Whetstone creek, and one or two little brooks, all of which are small streams, most of them not even being indicated on the map. Jackson township may be said to play second fiddle to Jefferson, in the sense that in the latter territory the first settlements were made and most of those events took place which constitute the early history of a township. The first settler in what is now Jackson is supposed to have been Joseph Russell, who arrived, it is thought as early as 1820. He came from the vicinity of Coshocton, this state, and settled about a mile south of Crestline. He subsequently removed to Hancock county. Russell was soon followed by John Doyle, who settled near him, coming from the vicinity of Steubenville in Jefferson county. After remaining here several years he sold out and went to Indiana. About the time of the advent of Doyle, the population was still further increased by the arrival of two families which settled in the same neighborhood, whose names are now forgotten. Mr. Snyder, who some years ago was a resident of Crestline, and whose father settled in what is now Jefferson township, in 1816-17, tells a story of one of these families which reveals one of those pitiable tragedies not uncommon in pioneer history. It seems the pioneer having cleared a piece of ground, his neighbors came together and rolled his logs for him into heaps some distance from the cabin. He then fired them, together with the brush, and was in the habit of going out to attend to the fire at night, his wife sometimes coning out. to assist him. But one night she was too busy with household duties to come, and on that night the tragedy happened. As he failed to come home, in the morning she went out to look for him and found him burned to death at a log heap. It seems that in mending the fire, a heavy log had fallen on his feet, knocking him to the ground and holding him so fast that he was unable to extricate himself. In that helpless position he died by slow torture, doubtless shrieking for help so long as his voice lasted, and vainly hoping that his wife or some one might hear his cries. Of the wife we have no further record. Her feelings may be imagined. Benjamin John and Benjamin Rush are spoken of as settlers who were in the township prior to 1820. Samuel Rutan settled in the township in 1821, David Bryant in 1823, Elisha Allen and John Fate in 1824, William Minnerly in 1827, David Ogden and Edwin Manley in 1828, David Seltzer and Michael Magill in 1829, Edward Cooper, Isaac Dille and William Snodgrass in 1833, David Dewalt in 1835. Others were James Lowne, John Philip Bauer, John and Philip Eichorn and Harvey Aschbaugh. The first settlers had to get their corn ground at Belleville, or the Heron Mill south of Mansfield, which were the nearest points. At a later date Christian Snyder put up his horse mill at Leesville, and Hibner and Hosford had their mills oil the Whetstone near Galion, which were a great convenience to the people of Jackson township. There were no grist-mills ever in Jackson township until after 1850 when Crestline became a village. It was the Snyder family who cut the first road through Jackson township, when they originally came to Crawford county in 1817, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 255 and were endeavoring to find a short cut from Mansfield to their land near Leesville. The markings of this road can still be seen south of Crestline in the Russell neighborhood. The first schools were taught in the vicinity of Leesville and Middletown, in what is now Jefferson township. Edwin Manley, a gentleman of Scotch-Irish antecedents, was the first teacher within the present limits of Jackson, but having got into some trouble was soon obliged to leave. Another early school was taught by an old Irishman, Michael Magill, who before or afterwards taught school in various places in the county. He was in the habit of indulging in weekly sprees, lasting from Friday night to Monday morning and often opened school on Monday in a somewhat fuddled condition, at which times he was frequently made a butt of by the scholars, who indulged in many practical jokes at his expense. The first schoolhouse in Jackson was built south of town, in the creek bottom, on land later owned by Jacob Sheffler. The accumulation of wealth, or even of a reasonable competence, by the early settlers was a practical impossibility, owing to the distance of the markets at which their surplus products could be sold, the difficulty of reaching them, and the small price offered for the produce when, after great toil and rough traveling over the worst roads, it had been transported thither. The nearest trading points were Sandusky City, Zanesville, Mansfield and Mt. Vernon, the two former being the most important. For a load of wheat thus laboriously carried to market, the farmer was frequently offered as low as 12 1/2 cents a bushel, while 15 cents was considered a fair price, and even then he had to take his pay in merchandise. Under such conditions it is no wonder that they often found it difficult to get enough money to pay their taxes and postage, letters costing 25 cents in coin at the office of delivery. If some of these early pioneers could but see the changes which have occurred, what would be their thoughts? However, although their descendants have done wonderful things in improving the conditions of life, it should not be forgotten that a heavy debt of gratitude is due to the early settlers for it was they who laid the foundation upon which their children builded so successfully; it was they who endured the toil and danger, with little in the way of recompense save the knowledge that their children and their children's children, thanks to their labors, would be better off than themselves, though in their most sanguine moments they never dreamed to what an extent this would come true. Even as late as 1840 the site of Crestline was covered with big woods, which were filled with deer, wolves, wild turkeys and other species of game. The first cabin or house in the locality was erected just west of the stone arch bridge on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and was there as early as 1833, but by whom it was built is not known. Aschbaugh's cabin was built some years later, where Crestline now stands. Aschbaugh was followed by a negro family, who built a cabin at what is now the west end of Main street. About the same time Samuel Rutan built another cabin on an adjoining eighty acre lot, at what is now the east end of Main street, having purchased the land from the Government. To the east of Rutan was Benjamin Ogden's place. The earliest tavern was kept by David Seltzer. It was a double log house situated at some distance to the cast of Ogden's home, on the Leesville & Mansfield road, and here humble fare was provided for the weary traveler, consisting usually of "cornpone" and venison, but as time passed, Seltzer's tavern became the best known place west of Mansfield; it was headquarters of the stages from Wooster to Bucyrus, and after the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati road was built, and the Ohio and Indiana took out its charter, that charter read that the road was to commence on the C. C. & C. at a point near Seltzer's tavern, probably the only tavern in the United States which was distinguished by being made the terminal point for a great railroad. The junction point of the two roads was made later half a mile south of the Seltzer tavern, and soon after this his tavern was discontinued and he moved to Crestline, one of the principal streets in that city being named after him. The smallness of Jackson township in territory, and the importance and growth of Crestline have today made the history of Jackson and Crestline synonomous. The history of the one is the history of the other. 256 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY The Sandusky river has its source about two miles north of Ontario, Richland county, and in its northwest course to Lake Erie passes through a country which was so thickly timbered and abundant in game that the pioneers were at first reluctant to undertake the hard, difficult task of clearing the land and despoiling such prolific hunting grounds. But, in the westward march of civilization, even this thickly-wooded tract on the upper waters of the Sandusky had to be supplanted in part by an enterprising town through which trunk lines of railroads pass, whose trains carry much of the interstate traffic of the north. The Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad, now known as the Big Four—was chartered in 1833, but its construction was delayed for a number of years. Even after the work was begun, it progressed so slowly that the road was not opened for traffic until 1851. There was no town at that time between Shelby and Galion, a distance of 13 miles. For the convenience of the people it was thought there should be a station between these towns, and the crossing of the Leesville road was selected as the proper place for its location. The station was established and called Vernon. Its location was where Main street crosses the Big Four, which is nearly a half mile north of the present station or junction of the Big Four and Pennsylvania lines. Soon after the erection of the station a town was founded there called Livingston, after its founder—Rensselaer Livingston. In the summer of 1850 the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati road was being built and was completed as far north as where Main street now crosses it in the town of Crestline and it was at this point the station was established and called Vernon Station, after Vernon township. Van Rensselaer Livingston, who was an early settler in that section, bought the land around the station and had Joseph Meer, the surveyor of Crawford county, lay out a town. Just east of where the station was, was Seltzer's tavern, a leading place for travelers on the road from Mansfield to Bucyrus, near where the Ohio and Indiana was to commence by legislative enactment, and go west through Bucyrus and Upper Sandusky to the Indiana line. Livingston therefore believed he had laid out a town at the junction of what is now the C. C. & C. and the Pennsylvania road. The plat was filed in the Recorder's office at Bucyrus, on Feb. 17, 1851, and the new town was called Livingston. The location given was "the west half of the southeast quarter of section No. 10, Jackson township." There were three east and west streets, the centre one to be the principal thoroughfare of the town and was called Main street. The one north of it was North street, and the one south, South street. The street through which the railroad passed was called Railroad street. It being a station on the railroad, several houses were immediately erected, and Thomas C. Hall opened a general store in i85o. The government established a post office in the new town, and Livingston was appointed postmaster. The office was in Hall's store, and was run by him, he being the deputy, and later the postmaster. The place was prospering and bid fair to become a thriving village, but when the Ohio and Indiana road was finally located in 1852, the crossing of the C. C. & C. was half a mile south of Livingston. Jesse R. Straughan, who was the civil engineer of the Ohio and Pennsylvania road, and his brother, C. J. Straughan, bought the farm of Harvey Aschcroft at the junction of the two roads, and laid out a town which they named Crest Line. They filed the plat of their new town in the Recorder's office on Dec. 21, 1852, and described the location as being on the "north half of section 15, Jackson township." There were three north and south streets, named Hall, Columbus and Thornan. Four east and west streets, named Bucyrus, Mansfield, Brown and Livingston. The one along the C. C. & C. road they named Seltzer, and the one along the Ohio and Pennsylvania road was Warehouse street. Both towns thrived from the beginning, but Crestline had the advantage of the junction with a union depot, and besides that, large railroad shops were established at the junction, and Crestline soon distanced Livingston in population and business. The post office was removed to the new town, and the name became one word instead of two. As time went on the two towns grew together and today there is no dividing line between the two, Livingston as AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 257 a town having passed out of existence and is today the northern part of Crestline. Prior to the laying out of Crestline, Livingston enjoyed quite a boom. T. C. Hall opened a store there in 1850 and Newman and Thoman had a store there about the same time. John Adam Thoman had purchased the 80 acres just west of Livingston's eighty acre tract, paying $600 for the property, and part of this he laid out in town lots and commenced the erecting of houses. Michael Heffelfinger built a hotel at Livingston which he called the Ohio House. A number of residences were erected and little shops started. The Ohio and Pennsylvania was nearing Crestline from the east, and a syndicate, consisting of Jesse R. Straughan, chief engineer of the Ohio and Indiana road, Thomas W. Bartley of Mansfield, and John and Joseph Lardwill of Wooster, bought the 80-acre tract south of the Livingston and Thoman tract, Joseph Larwill had been the financial promoter of the Ohio and Pennsylvania. Soon after this purchase it was found that the junction point of the roads would be on the tract owned by the syndicate, and the town of Crestline was laid out. Its growth was rapid. The plat was only filed Dec. 21, 1852. The first train of cars from the east arrived at Crestline on April 11, 1853, and J. A. Crever of the Bucyrus Journal went over with Willis Merriman, president of the Ohio and Indiana, and others to welcome the first train. Writing of the town Crever says: "Visited Crestline April 11th; found many large and small houses where a few months ago it was all woods and cultivated fields. Crestline has two stores, five groceries, one tavern, two steam saw-mills, several boot and shoe shops, and numerous other mechanics' shops. The lots are being sold very fast and building timber is seen strewn on every hand. Mr. Straughan has a large eating-house nearly finished at the junction of the Ohio & Pennsylvania and the Ohio & Indiana roads. When completed it will be a fine structure. The whole appearance of the place is business-like and the inhabitants are looking forward to the time when they will have a city in full blast. The first train of passenger cars on the Ohio & Pennsylvania 'entered Crestline Monday evening at 7.30, with a large number of passengers. The people of that village greeted them with numerous hearty cheers and much rejoicing." Two months later the editor made a second visit to the town which had leaped into existence practically in a day, and on June 23, 1853, he wrote of it: "Crestline and Livingston are located at the place where the Ohio & Indiana and the Ohio & Pennsylvania roads unite with the C. C. & C. road. The two places constitute one town, so recognized. Here can be seen that great feature of American enterprise, a city in the wilderness. Houses are erecting on all sides, and hundreds of laborers and mechanics are busily engaged in pushing the present improvements to completion. It will surprise many to learn what's doing in this clearing—for clearing it is, as, except what have been grubbed out, the stumps are still standing on all sides. The ticket office and building for the accommodation of the travelers is just finished. The building partakes somewhat of an oriental style of architecture, is 30 feet wide and 80 feet long. It contains a ticket office, a baggage-room, and a large salon for the accommodation of passengers waiting for the cars. The salon is abundantly supplied with lounges or settees, tables and chairs. It also contains a fine clock and a large water cooler. "Another building for a similar purpose is constructing 30 feet wide and 100 feet long, and, including the basement, is three stories high. The basement is used as a kitchen. The second floor is occupied by the dining salon and refreshment hall; the third floor is divided into sleeping apartments. This building is not quite finished but is in full use. One hundred persons dine here daily and sometimes the number amounts to two hundred. At one corner of this building and with which it will be placed in connection, the foundation of an octagonal building is being laid, which, when finished, will be four stories high. The first floor of the octagonal building is to be used as a barber shop, the second floor as a reading-room and the third and fourth floors will be divided into sleeping apartments. "The frame work of a wood house is completed and ready for the roof. This building is 65 feet wide at one end, 20 at the other, 258 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY and 300 feet long. In this building will be several wells and reservoirs to supply the locomotives with water. The balance of the building will be used for storing wood. "An engine-house or stable is completed which is 30 feet wide and 110 feet long. Next season it is contemplated to build a circular stable of brick, large enough to stand fifteen locomotives. The plan of another building is decided upon, and as soon as the title to the ground can be secured, it will be commenced. It will be 40 feet wide and 260 feet long. The use to which it is to be applied we did not learn. We presume, however, it is intended for a warehouse. Near these improvements is a steam saw-mill, owned by Miller and Langham. This will be kept running day and night. In the old division of the settlement, of Livingston, town lots are selling at $300, and in the new division, or Crestline, they sell at $400. "There is but one thing to be apprehended, and that is that the settlement will outgrow itself. At the present time money is abundant, but this results from the large number of hands now in the employ of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad company, who get their money regularly and are in turn enabled to pay as they go. The present abundance will cease as soon as the railroad improvements are finished and the settlement will then have to depend upon the local and exchange trade, which, however, will always be large and abundant for a good sized town; but it has its limits." The doubts of the editor as to Crestline's future were never realized. What was forest and farming land in 1850 was a thriving village at the first census in 1860, and each successive decade the census enumerator has given Crestline a flattering growth until today it has •a population of about five thousand people. The first lots were sold at auction, and G. W. Emerson was the first purchaser, the lot later coming into the possession of Daniel Pabst. On this lot was built a hotel, which was known as the Emerson House, and was the second hotel in the place. The first hotel was the Crestline House, built by Jesse R. Straughan and was run at the start by a man named Brown of Mansfield. It was opened in April, 1853, when the Ohio and Pennsylvania was completed to Crestline. It soon passed under the management of Thomas C. Hall, who disposed of his store at Livingston and came to Crestline and ran the hotel several years, making it one of the popular places along the road. An interesting incident occurred in connection with this first hotel. Mr. Hall disposed of it to Miller & Morz. Later it was kept by A. Moorhead, Thomas White and others until in 1877 the management passed into the hands of Mrs. E. Lepez. The ground and building were owned by the Larwills, descendants of one of the original owners of the town, and Mrs. Lepez arranged to sell to James Lindsey, her rights consisting of the lease, furniture and fixtures. The papers were all drawn up, and nothing remained to be done but the signing of the papers, and Mr. Lindsey, Mrs. Lepez and the agent of the Larwills left the hotel for the lawyer's office to complete the transaction. Just as they were leaving a heavy train with two engines drew up in front of the building, and almost. immediately, smoke was seen coming from the roof of the hotel followed by a blaze, a spark from one of the engines having set the building on fire. The building was of frame built many years previously; it was very dry, burned like tinder and building and contents were a total loss. The loss to Mrs Lepez was $2,000, partly covered by insurance. If the freight had been five minutes late James Lindsey would have been the loser. Crestline's first severe fire was in September, 1859, when flames broke out in the baggage room of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago road. It was before the town had any fire department, and the building was soon reduced to ashes, with a loss of about $11,000, mostly falling on the railroad company. The most severe fire was also in September, ten years later, when the block from the Continental Hotel to Bucyrus street was practically all destroyed. It occurred about 2 o'clock on the morning of Sept. 13, the fire starting in the Franklin House, just north of the Continental Hotel. The more severe losses were the baggage room of the C. C. & C. road, the saloon of Charles Courtright, the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 259 building being owned by Daniel Babst; the Franklin House owned by Mrs. Courtright, the clothing store of Davis & Newman, Lindsey & Lovejoys' saloon, barber shop of G. A. Fisher, Robert Ralphan's saloon, Fred Schaack's bakery, Western Hotel, old Washington House owned by D. Babst and occupied by the clothing store of Stahley & Newnan; H. A. Schoeber's shoe store, the Hoffman corner, occupied by O. L. Lawson, jeweler, Dr. William Pope, drugs, and Adam Hoffman, grocer. The total loss was about $75,000. The Galion Fire Department was hurried to the scene by special train and gave valuable assistance. Another serious fire was when the Continental Mills were burned down in 1879. These mills were erected in 1857, and were one of the large industries of Crestline for many years. They were rebuilt later. From its start Crestline was a great railroad centre, shops were located there employing hundreds of men, and it was the end of a division on two roads, making the town the home of a large number of train crews, and this with the passenger traffic over the various roads made the hotel business one of the leading industries. The leading hotel after it was built was the Continental, run by L. G. Russell for many years, and the most popular hotel under his management between Pittsburg and Chicago, but the introduction of dining-cars, robbed it of much of its patronage. Mr. Russell had two hobbies; one was flowers, and he kept a large nursery, and the hotel was constantly supplied with beautiful blossoms. The other was his menagerie, which was just east of the hotel. Here he kept bears, wolves and foxes, eagles and other birds, and few of the thousands of passengers who went through Crestline failed to enjoy the two things for which the Continental was celebrated—an excellent meal and the menagerie. The original Crawford county was a home for bears, and many interesting incidents are handed down in the way of bear stories, but since 1830 it is probable there were no wild bears in the county, but Crestline had a real bear story as late as 1857. A man named Caldwell had a bear which he kept chained near Parker's saloon, near the railroad track. One summer afternoon some boys began teasing him. Bruin became very angry at their constant irritation, and his strains finally succeeded in breaking the chain by which he was confined. The scared boys promptly sought safety in flight, but the bear seized one of the boys named Hassinger, who lived near Leesville, on whom he inflicted terrible wounds with his teeth and claws. The boy's frantic screams brought the owner, who, with a heavy club, succeeded in driving away the bear and rescuing the boy. Young Hassinger was taken to the home of Rev. Mr. Barr, and Dr. William Pope sent for. An examination showed that his right thigh and leg were horribly torn, his back terribly bitten and bruised, some of the wounds made by tthe animal's teeth being an inch across. Several ribs on the right side were broken, one of them in two places. The bear in the meantime roamed the streets at will, everybody hurriedly giving him right of way. He was finally captured an hour later by the owner, but the indignant citizens insisted the town was not large enough to accommodate both them and the bear, so the next morning poor Bruin was shot by Mr. Caldwell. The Russell bears were kept in large dens with heavy iron bars, and became great pets, the amount of cakes and even pies they were fed by an interesting public would have depleted any bakery in the village. The cholera year of 1854 struck the little town of Crestline. It broke out in July among the people living in some shanties on the Ohio and Indiana road on the low,, damp, marshy ground about half a mile west of the crossing. It started on Wednesday, and by Friday morning there were seven deaths. The matter was serious and the citizens took prompt and vigorous action. Several of the citizens purchased the shantieswhere the plague was raging; they removed the sick to fresh and clean quarters, and buried the seven dead. Then they applied the torch, and the shanties, with all their furniture, bedding and clothing were soon a heap of ashes. Of the dozen or more removed, all recovered excepting two. One man died that same day, and the other, a little girl, died on Saturday morning. One of the important industries of Crest- 260 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY line some forty years ago, were the Crestline Lock Works, which were established in 1870, the people subscribing $8,000 towards erecting the buildings on condition that a certain number of men should be employed. C. A. Faulkner & Co., conducted the business for one year, and then sold to John A. Thoman & Co., who operated them until 1874, when they failed and went into bankruptcy. In 1871 a brass foundry was established in Crestline, by G. W. Dyar and for a number of years did quite a successful business. The business section of Crestline, and the principal residence portion are well paved with brick, two streets, however, comprising about one mile of paving, being McAdamized. The police department consists of five men, who are under the direction of George Rhodes. The streets are well lighted. Crestline has two fire-engine houses, the Central station being located in the City Hall building. At this station there is one hand-relief engine, and two carts, with about 1100 feet of hose, altogether, 500 feet of which are new hose. Several hundred feet more are to be added. At the other station, which is located on Main street, there is one truck, with ladder of 20 feet extension, and 600 feet of hose. There is a telephone alarm system with fifteen stations for calls. The department numbers altogether 23 men, some of whom are paid. Charles P. Helfrich has been fire chief for the last ten years, and has two assistants—Clarence Helfrich and Fred Bloom. The company has had no disastrous fires to contend with for a long time, the last one of any consequence being in the spring of the present year (1912) at the Pennsylvania Railroad shops, when 200 or 300 barrels of oil were destroyed. About 300 men are employed in the engine and car shops of the Pennsylvania road at Crestline and at one time engines were built there, but today the shops are most extensively used for repairs. There is a large roundhouse, having 36 stalls for engines, a few of them, however, being otherwise occupied. A few years ago this roundhouse was enlarged by a 16-foot extension. F. M. Cairns is foreman and W. F. Beardsley, master mechanic. The first school in the town of Crestline was taught by a man named Edgerton in an old log schoolhouse situated about a mile and a half northwest of the present site of the town on the Leesville road, and school was held here by one teacher or another up to 1850. About 1853, when Crestline was increasing rapidly in population, a two-story frame schoolhouse was erected in the east part of the town, and not long afterward another one was built in the west part. These two buildings were used until 1868, at which time a union school building was erected. This building, with the two lots on which it stands, cost over $30,000 and reflected credit upon all concerned in the project. It is a brick building, with three stories and basement, 72 feet in length by 65 in greatest width and contains eleven school rooms, besides six smaller rooms used for offices. It was designed by Mr. Thomas and built by Miller, Smith & Frayer, contractors, and was opened to the children April 12, 1869. In the immediate vicinity is the School Park, planted with evergreens and shade trees and traversed by gravel walks. In the center of the grounds an elegant fountain was erected and around the base six hydrants for drinking purposes. The Board of Education under whose wise supervision the school and grounds were designed and laid out consisted of Jacob Stahley. president, D. W. Snyder, John Berry, S. P. Hesser, C. Miller and Nathan Jones—names worthy to be held in grateful remembrance by the citizens of Crestline. The rapid growth of the town made the large handsome central structure insufficient to properly care for the increasing number of school children, and ward buildings were erected, the first east of the railroad track. Last year a handsome high school building of brick was erected on the central lot, and Crestline now has ample school facilities. The oldest church society in Crestline was formed by the Methodists in 1844, in what was then called Minnerly's schoolhouse, later known as McCulloch's. This, however, was several years before the laying out of the town. John Lovitt was the principal mover in this enterprise. The church edifice, which is still standing on Thoman street, was built in 1854. Those most active in the work were Mr. Minnerly, Francis Peppard, David Kerr. Francis Conwell, David Thrush, David White AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 261 and Mr. Hovland, who, with their wives and a portion of their families, were among the first members. In connection with this church is a large and flourishing Sunday school. After the Methodists came the German Lutherans, who organized their society about 1851, the original members of which were Henry Lambert, George Hass, Michael Webber, B. Faltz, John Keller and others. Their meetings were first held in the schoolhouse, but in 1861 they erected a new church edifice at a cost of $3,000. The first minister was the Rev. Mr. Meiser. The Sunday school was established at the same time as the church and has kept pace with it in growth and efficiency. The organization is known as the Trinity German Lutheran Church. The second German Lutheran church was an offshoot from the first Lutheran society above mentioned and resulted from a difference of opinion on the part of some of the members in regard to matters of belief or church government. These members, among whom were Charles Christman, Peter Sleenbecker, Michael Reh, C. Morkel and others, in 1879 withdrew from the parent body and founded the Second German Lutheran Society, erecting a church on E. Mansfield Street at a cost of $4,000. Their first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Shultz of Galion and their early meetings were held in the old German Reformed Church. A Sunday school was also organized. In 1854 a society of English Lutherans was organized by Rev. A. F. Hills and among the first members were A. W. Stine, David Mc-Cartel, William Knisely, David Keplinger, Isaac Miller, David Lichtenwalter, Elizabeth Warner, Hannah Stine, Jane McCartel and D. Minich. A church edifice was soon erected, though the early meetings were held in the residences of the members. The church nowconstitutes an active and flourishing society, with a large and effective Sunday school. The German Reformed Church, situated in the northwest part of the town, was organized in 1858, by Rev. M. M. Stern of Galion, who was followed by Rev. John Rettig, Rev. John Winter and others. A brick edifice was erected in 1862 at a cost of $2,000. Among the first members of this society were Joseph Bender, Philip Eichorn, Frederick Eichorn and David Bluem. This church also has a large Sunday school. Commencing about the middle of the year 1854 the Presbyterians of Crestline and the vicinity had held occasional meetings in various places, being ministered to by Rev. Luke Dorland. On Feb. 20, 1855, their society was organized into a church by Rev. I. N. Shepherd of Marion, Ohio, and Rev. Silas Johnston, of Bucyrus. The organization was effected in a schoolhouse and for some time afterwards meetings were held occasionally in the different church buildings already erected. Rev. J. P. Lloyd was the first pastor and among the original members were John and Mary White, John S. and Jane Smith, Alexander, Martha J. and Margaret Patterson, Sampson Warden, P. and Mary Mansfield and John and Elizabeth Jane Banbright. The second pastor, Rev. James Shields, remained seven years and was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Macamber. The Sunday school was organized August 12, 1862. Like the Presbyterians, the early Catholics held their first services in the houses of the members of that faith. A regular organization was effected in 1858 by Father Gallagher of Cleveland, who was pastor at Mansfield at the same time, the society taking the name of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The early meetings were held in the houses of the original members, among whom were Mike Dunn, Patrick Dunn, J. A. Barrel, Laurenz Raindl and Thaddeus Seifert. A frame church was erected on North street in 1861 at a cost of $1,000. Both Jackson and Polk townships were a part of Richland county up to 1845, and at the first election only twelve votes were cast; this was about 1821; John Williams was the first Justice of the Peace. Daniel Riblet was a Justice for eighteen years while it was a part of Richland county, and William Robinson was a Justice for nine years. Since Jackson has been a part of Crawford the following are the Justices: Robert Lee-1845-47. Stephen Kelly—1846. John Franz—1849-52-55 James Robinson-1851. David Ogden—1853-56-59-79-82-85-88-91-94-97 Abraham Holmes-1857. George W. Good—1858-61-64. 262 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY D. L. Kepllinger—1862. Emanuel Warner-1864. B. O. Richards-1865. William Robinson-1865. Joseph Miles-1866. Jacob Stahle-1867. George Heis—1868. James Walsh-1870. Jonathan Kissinger-1870. John Neuman-1872. Jesse Williams-1872-75-78. James M. Reed-1875. William F. Crowe—1876-98-99-1909 F. M. Anderson-1881-84-87-90-93. Frederick Ncuman-1897-1900-03-05-08. Ralph Glosser-1902-04. William Robinson—1906. Carl M. Babst-1907. W. D. Mewhart—1909 Jacob Ogden, who was elected to the position for ten terms, was filling the office when he died on Aug. 27, 1898. Crestline was originally laid out in 1852, but its growth was so rapid that it was incorporated on March 3, 1858, and the first officers elected were David Ogden, Mayor; William Knisely, Recorder; William P. Kernahan, T. Warner, Robert Lee, M. C. Archer, William Boals, Councilmen. Following David Ogden as Mayor was Silas Durand 1860, Samuel Hoyt 1861, Nathan. Jones 1862-64-65-74, Jacob Stable 1863, Dr. J. McKean 1865, William Robinson 1866, George W. Pierce 1870, A. E. Jenner 1874, Dr. Edwin Booth 1876, Daniel Babst 1879-80-82-94, P. W. Poole 1884-86-90-92-03-05, F. M. Anderson 1888, Frank Miller 1896-98, J. J. Tischler 1908-10. Crestline has the finest water supply of any town in the county. Originally the town was supplied with water by wells, but the rapid growth of the town and the demand for pure water for the use of the locomotives demanded a better system and in 1871 the necessary legislation was passed to give to Crestline an adequate water supply. It was obtained at the Palmer Springs, in Richland county, about four miles east of the city. These springs are historical, as it was here that Col. Crawford and his army went into camp on the night of June 1, 1782, the night before they entered what is now Crawford county. The springs are over a hundred feet higher than Crestline, and the water is conveyed by pipes to the city. Bonds were issued to the amount of $80,000. As usual, an important and necessary enterprise like this met with much expensive litigators but the improvement was successfully concluded. Later the growth of the town necessitated the sinking of a number of wells near the springs, and the capacity is now ample; and the water pure and of good quality. The Crestline Local Telephone Company was incorporated about ten years ago by Jacob Babst and others, and has today about a thousand phones in Crestline and the surrounding country. In 1867, Jacob Riblet. and William Hays of Galion, and John Newman of Crestline, established a bank under the firm name of Riblet, Hays & Co., which they conducted for two years, when they sold out to John A. Thoman & Co., who ran it as the Citizens Bank until the panic of 1873, when they were compelled to discontinue. In 1870 the Babst bank was organized by Daniel. Babst and Jonathan Martin, the firm name being Babst, Martin & Co., Jacob Babst being the cashier, and he has been connected with the institution ever since. In June 1878, Jacob and Daniel Babst became the owners of the bank, the two sons of Daniel Babst, the original founder, and the name was changed to the Babst Banking House. In 1876 the Farmers and Mechanics Bank was established by Booth & Stewart, and in 1878 was owned by Stewart & Son, and after running a few years was discontinued. In 1897, the First National Bank of Crestline was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000; William Monteith being the president. The first secret society organized in the village was Crestline Lodge No. 237 I. O. O. F., its charter dating Feb. 23, 18,54. The charter members were John L Kert, G. W. Keplinger, W. P. Kernahan, Witham Knott, William Boals, M. C. Archer, Elijah Johnson, William McGraw, and Daniel Laughbaum. The first officers were: William Knott, N. G.; W. P. Kernahan, V. G.; G. W. Keplinger, Sec. On June 15, 1875, Crawford Encampment No. 187 was instituted by J. W. Parch, the Most Worthy Grand High Priest. The charter members were F. C. Berger, G. G. Cruzen, F. Newman, J. W. Sanders, E. Davis, John Snyder, and J. H. Becker. The first officers were John H. Becker, C. P.: F. C. Berger, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 263 H. P.; George G. Cruzen, S. W.; E. Davis, Sec.; John Snyder, Treas. A German lodge of Odd Fellows was instituted on July 3, 1872, with the following charter members; F. Newman, Jacob Stahley, George Stoll, J. P. Zimmermacher, J. H. Becker, Adam Neff, John Bauer, John Etsinger, and John Cook. The first officers were George Stoll, N. G.; Jacob Stahley, V. G.; J. H. Becker, Sec.; F. Newman, Treas. In connection with the Odd Fellows is Rebecca Lodge No. 816. The second order to organize in Crestline was the Masons. Arcana Lodge No. 272 was granted a charter Oct. 26, 18,5, the charter members being J. R. Straughan, Erastus S. Spencer, Matthew Elder, J. McCluny, E. C. Gregg, J. J. Bening, George Bewson, A. P. Cann, John Newman, John Franz, John A. Thoman, J. Warden, J. Eddington, H. A. Donaldson, H Gusleman. The first officers were J. R. Straughan, W. M.; E. S. Spencer, S. W.; Matthew Elder, J. W. Crestline Chapter No. 88 was chartered Oct. 15, 1864, the charter members being M. C. Archer, David Ogden, John H. Berry, William Boals, Benjamin Eaton, Robert Lee, John McGraw, William McGraw, Thomas Boorman, J. S. Potter, W. H. Shamp, H. W. Stocking, J. H. Brewster. The first officers were: David Ogden, H. P.; Nathan Jones, King; T. B. Fowler, Scribe; D. W. Snyder, Sec. The importance of Crestline as a railroad center brought many railroad men to the place, and many of these being Masons an Encampment of Knights Templar was instituted, but after being in existence for twenty years it was removed to Mansfield. Connected with the Masonic Fraternity is Harmony Chapter No. 43, Order of the Eastern Star. The Knights of Pythias have three organizations—Crestline Lodge No. 266, Crawford Company No. 89, and the Pythian Sisters. Crestline Lodge No. 859 order of Eagles is the most recent of the secret societies. Peter Snyder Post G. A. R., was organized Aug. 31, 1881, and was named after Peter Snyder, a member of Co. E, roast Ohio, who died Jan. 2, 1863, from the effects of a wound received three days previous at the battle of Stone River. Crestline has a number of benevolent and trades organizations, the railroad employes making many of these very strong. It was Aug. 26, 1851, that Rensselaer Livingston was appointed postmaster of Livingston, followed by Thomas C. Hall and John Gates, and during the incumbency of the latter, the post office was removed to Crestline, and took the name of that town on Sept. 4, 1854. The following have been the postmasters of Crestline, with the dates of their appointment: Rensselaer Livingston—Aug. 26, 1851. Thomas C. Hall—Nov. 5, 1852. John Gates—July 29, 1853. A. E. Jelner—April 26, 1855. Alexander Hall—April 16, 1861. Albert M. Patterson—Oct. 28, 1864. John C. WiIliams—June 14, 1832. Reuben Stanley—July 3, 1886. John G. Barney—Oct. 9, 1889. William L. Alexander—Feb. 5. 1894. Albert Haworth—March 9, 1898. Crestline being an important railroad center, over two hundred and fifty railroad clerks are paid off at this point. CHAPTER XV JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP The Erection of Jefferson Township—Indian Trails—Roads—Wingemund's Camp—Drainage and Topography—The "Windfall'—First Settlers—An Early Marriage—An Early Tragedy—Mills—Taverns and Tanneries—Justices—Stone Quarries—The Lees and Leesville—Graveyards—Schools and Churches. Sandusky, Tymochtee and Brokensword streams, Never more shall I see you except in my dreams. Adieu to the marshes where the cranberries grow O'er the great Mississippi, alas ! I must go. —The Wyandot's Farewell Song. Jefferson township is the youngest township in the county, and was erected in 1873, by the Commissioners of Crawford county, by a division of Jackson township. That township was created in 1845, seven miles wide and four deep. At that time the western portion of the township contained the bulk of the population, on account of the important town of Leesville, the principal one in the township, and the little town of Middletown. In 1850, the influential men who controlled the affairs of the county lived at Bucyrus, Leesville and West Liberty. About that time three railroads came to Jackson township, and at the crossing of these roads in the eastern part of the township, a town was laid out, which was called Crestline. Its growth was the most rapid of any town ever started in the county. In 1850 its site was forest land, with a few acres cleared for farming purposes. In 1860 it had a population of 1,487, and in 1870 it had increased to 2,279, and dominated the affairs of the township. Instead of all the business of the township being conducted at Leesville, the affairs were all transferred to Crestline, which was inconvenient to the western portion, so a petition was presented to the county commissioners praying for a division of the township. So strong was the feeling for this division that the petition was signed by D. O. Castle as chairman; Benjamin Heckart, secretary; William McKean and 414 others. The prayer of the petitioners was granted and the western five miles were formed into a new township which was named Jefferson, after the third president of the United States, leaving the eastern two miles as Jackson township. Of what is now Jefferson township, the eastern two miles, prior to 1845, were a part of Sandusky township, Richland county, and was surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow in 1807. When Crawford was erected in 1820, the present Crawford county west of Richland county was one township called Sandusky; later townships were organized from this territory, and Sandusky was left three miles wide and twelve deep, comprising the present Sandusky township and the western three miles of Jefferson and Polk. This was so inconvenient to the settlers that in 1835 it was divided, and Sandusky county practically created as at present, while the southern half, three miles wide and six deep was called Jackson, and although Jackson was then president of the United States, the Commissioners' Journal shows the name of the new township, entered in all the importance of capital letters "JACSON." This new township of Jackson included the western three miles of the present Jefferson. In 1845 when Crawford received four miles from Richland county what is now Jefferson, Jackson and Polk was divided north and south, the western three miles being Jackson township, the eastern four miles, being the part - 264 - AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 265 taken from Richland county. Jackson was now three miles wide and seven deep, but as both townships preferred an east and west division, it was divided east and west, and the northern part, seven miles wide and four deep was given the name of Jackson, and the southern section, seven miles wide and three deep was called Polk. When the white man first came to this section, two Indian trails passed through the township, one of which led from the present site of New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas county to the Indian town in Wyandot. On this trail at the time of Crawford's campaign was located the camp of the War Chief Wingenund. At a later date there was an Indian trail leading east and west from Mansfield to Bucyrus, and passing through the site of the village of Middletown. Roads constructed by the pioneers were usually crooked, as they aimed to follow the high places as much as possible, avoiding swamps and streams, and thus obviating the necessity of bridges. The first state highway, known as the Columbus and Cleveland road, was laid out in 1830, and passed through Leesville, West Liberty, nine miles of it being constructed by the citizens of those places without cost to the state. Another state road and mail route led from Mansfield to Bucyrus, passing through Middletown. Fords were used almost exclusively in early days, instead of bridges. The first bridge in the township was built over the Sandusky at Leesville and was a crude structure, which has long since been replaced by a fine stone arch bridge. Jefferson township contains historical ground, especially in relation to the ill-fated Col. Crawford expedition. It was through this township his army moved, and it was at the mouth of Allen Run, where it empties into the Sandusky, the troops stopped for a brief rest at i o'clock on June 2, 1782. In reaching this resting place they had passed unknowingly not over a mile back, half a mile to the south of the camp of Wingenund, a Delaware chief. His camp was on the banks of the Sandusky, just north of the Bucyrus and Crestline road, a mile east of Leesville, on the southwest quarter of section 5, the land now owned by Sebastian Brown and W. S. and C. E. Brown. After a short rest the troops followed along the south bank of the Sandusky until the stream turned to the north, when they left the river, and after going through the woods toward the southwest for about two miles, went into camp for the night in the southwestern part of the township. On their return, after the battle of Olentangy, they camped on the night of June 6, about where Leesville now stands, near the mouth of Allen's Run, the savages also camping on the bank of the Sandusky, a mile further down the stream. It was at this latter point Crawford arrived about three that afternoon in making his escape from the battlefield. He and his companions followed the river until they came to just east of the present site of Leesville, when he and Dr. Knight were captured by Wingenund and his men, and taken to Wingenund's camp and from there Crawford was taken to the place of his death on the Tymochtee. The Sandusky river, rising in the borders of Richland county, flows through Jefferson in a northwesterly direction and, with its tributaries, furnishes ample drainage. Among the latter may be mentioned Allen's Run, which, rising in the eastern part of the township, flows into the Sandusky east of Leesville; Spring Run, originating in certain springs south of Middletown, which flows north and empties into the Sandusky near Leesville, and a small stream rising on the Snyder farm, which also flows north until it joins the Sandusky. In various parts of the township are found other small streams which contribute to the natural drainage of the land, some of which, together with the larger ones, were utilized in early days for water-power. The land in the eastern part of Jefferson is of a rolling character and in the vicinity of Leesville are some knolls or ridges composed of gravel and stone, one of which, somewhat more extensive than the others, is known locally as the "Hog's Back." These elevations are found chiefly along the banks of the Sandusky and Spring Run, the channels of which streams are in many places cut through solid masses of rock. In section i the banks of the river rise precipitously to a height of 68 feet 6 inches from the surface of the stream, 35 feet of this ascent being composed of solid rock, belonging to the Waverly sandstone formation. The gravel in this ridge has been utilized for many years by the Pittsburg, Ft. 266 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Wayne & Chicago and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroads in the construction and repair of their respective roadbeds. Jefferson township is favored with a good soil, consisting largely of clay, mingled in some places with gravel and sand and, with proper cultivation, well adapted to farming, particularly for the raising of wheat and corn. The timber—more abundant in former days than now—consists chiefly of oak, beech, maple, walnut, ash and elm . A large portion of it was destroyed in 1820 by a terrific cyclone, which was long remembered as "the windfall," so completely did it level the forest in its path. It was, however, subsequently replaced by a new growth. In 1816 there came to Ohio a man named Jacob Fisher, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in what was then Richland county, but which is now Jefferson township, at a point just south of the gravel ridge. Here he bought a considerable tract of land, which cost him $1.25 per acre. His cabin of round logs, 18 x 20 feet, built to accommodate a family which numbered eight children, was probably the first civilized residence erected within the present limits of Jefferson. But if the residence was civilized, the man was not, or hardly so, for, though industrious and hardworking, he was sometimes quite dissipated and always of a malignant disposition, which he showed by committing vicious assaults on those who offended him, or damaging their property. It is said that a favorite amusement of his was to make a present to some woman—the wife of a pioneer—of a pound of tea to excite the jealousy of her neighbors, and then promise another pound to some other woman if she would fight and whip her and then watch the hair-pulling contest with the greatest enjoyment. He naturally had trouble with most if not all his neighbors, and finally left for Missouri. In 1817 Christian Snyder, with his wife and eleven children, came to the township from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and settled near the eastern boundary line, in section 17, where he purchased rho acres of land from Jacob Fisher, paying for it $3 an acre. He made the journey from Pennsylvania in a two-horse wagon, also bringing with him some twenty head of cattle, a drove of swine, a yoke of oxen and an extra team of horses. His sons had to cut a road from a few miles vest of Mansfield to their destination, and this occupied them a month. They expected to find a cabin already prepared for them, as Jacob Snyder had gone on ahead for that purpose, but when they arrived they found that only a foundation had been laid and a rude puncheon floor constructed. They had no recourse but to lie down on the floor with no roof but the vast expanse of heaven above them, and for walls the dark and gloomy forest which surrounded them on all sides, whence issued every now and then the hoarse cry of some beast or bird of prey. In the morning they awoke to find themselves covered by some six inches of snow. But the Snyders were not the sort of people to be easily discouraged. They set resolutely to work to complete the cabin, in which they were aided by the neighboring Indians, who, scenting "firewater," or perhaps really taking pity on them in their trying situation, also kept them supplied with game and other food. In a short time the cabin was finished and their worst troubles were over. The Snyders became prominent residents of the township, and descendants of Mr. Snyder are still living in the county. Jacob Snyder at one time owned the ground on which Leesville now stands. He constructed the first house in the town after it was founded and also started the first blacksmith shop i.n the township. Soon after the arrival of the Snyder fancily, John Adrain came here from France. He was a man of great strength but dissipated. He lived for a number of years on the quarter-section now owned by William Freese, and here lie started a distillery, where he made an inferior grade of whiskey. Mr. Adrian's liquor had one good characteristic, however, it is said, in that it took a great deal of it to make a man drunk. The prominent settler of Jefferson township was \Vestell Ridgely who, in 1817 settled where the Leesville and Bucyrus road crosses the Sandusky river. He was accompanied by his family, consisting of four sons and as many daughters, the latter of whom, being very attractive young ladies, excited matrimonial designs in the breasts of the eligible young bachelors for miles around. The marriage of Lucy, one of these daughters, in the summer of 1822 AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 267 was the second marriage solemnized in the township, and was a great social event, long to be remembered and talked about, particularly by the feminine portion of the community, who no doubt took scrutinizing notice both of the manners and costume of the bride on so important an occasion. She married John Bear, of Liberty township, but no account is given of him. Doubtless he was well enough as young men went in those days. Evidently Miss Lucy thought so and it is to be hoped her opinion was justified. About the same time that Mr. Ridgely thus started the ball of civilization rolling in Jefferson township there appeared two other settlers, Thomas Ferguson and J. S. Griswell. Some time after came Peter Bebout, who settled immediately below them. Ferguson in some manner gained the confidence of the Indians, who had great respect for him and called him Governor, and he was often instrumental in settling differences that arose between them and the whites. Arrivals now became more common and the population rapidly increased. In 1818 came Daniel Miller from Pennsylvania, settling on what later became the Simon Snyder farm. Miller was a great hunter and loved the forest. He lived long in the township, dying here in the early seventies of the last century. Another Pennsylvanian, who came in i819, or thereabouts, from Westmoreland county, that state, was Ilenry IIershner, who settled near Middletown, of which place he was the founder. He was an intelligent Christian man, and took a prominent part in organizing the United Brethren church. He opened the first store in Middletown, of which his son John afterward took charge. Lewis Leibarger came in 1819, and about the same time his future brother-in-law, James Nail. In 1820 Eli Foglesong settled in the township, and in 1821, the Wordens, Benjamin, Benjamin F. and Nathan. David Dorn cane in 1824, as did John Hise, the latter later removing to Liberty township where his son was Justice of the Peace many years. Jacob Weaver arrived in 1824, and the next year Samuel Freese. In 182E came the Werts, Peter, Daniel and Joseph ; Peter being probably the most prominent man in the county in later years in assisting escaping slaves to a refuge in Canada. The first child born in Jefferson township was in i819 in the family of Jacob Fisher. The first marriage was Eli Foglesong, who came in 1820, and promptly decided it was not good that man should live alone and the following year, 1821, married Hannah Snyder, a slaughter of Christian Snyder. The event was attended by the settlers from miles around and the young couple were escorted to their new hone, a log cabin in the woods erected by the young husband and the neighbors. It is in Jefferson township that what is known as the "Windfall" is best traced. This was the most destructive windstorm that ever passed through the county, and occurred on May 17, 1820. It svvept across the southeast corner of Whetstone township, went northwest through the present Jefferson, through Vernon, but its greatest destruction was through Jefferson, where the line of its fury is still easily traced after a lapse of nearly a hundred years. The best account of it is handed down by Peter Snyder, who died a few years ago at his home at Crestline. He was a son of Christian Snyder and at the time of the storm was a boy sixteen. He was in the field plowing when he beheld in the west a heavy black cloud, which threatened coming danger. The wind kept increasing in fury, and he hurriedly unhitched the team and put it in the barn, and by the time the horses were housed the wind had increased to a hurricane, and he could hear the falling of the trees and feel the swaying of the barn. It was dangerous to go outside, and fearing the barn might fall upon him he clambered up the joists of the barn, and no sooner felt himself secure in that position when the entire roof was torn away. He climbed down to the floor, and the entire barn was swept away, and he was pinned under a falling beam, and received a scar which he carried to the day of his death. The violence of the storm left everything in clarkness, and after he had extricated himself from the falling timbers, and it became light enough to see, he looked in the direction of the house and found that it was in ruins. A severe rain followed the hurricane which came down in torrents for half an hour. When the 268 - HISTORY OF CRAW, FORD COUNTY storm subsided he reached the house, and found the family all safe, but in a drenched condition and badly scared. All along the track of the storm, trees were uprooted, crops destroyed, houses and barns blown away, and stock killed. Where once was promised crops and prosperity was now destruction and utter desolation. The settlers had escaped with their lives, but all else was lost. Their provisions were destroyed and starvation stared them in the face. Young Snyder traveled on foot through the woods to Coshocton, over sixty miles away, the nearest point at which he could obtain food, and here he was fortunate enough to secure two bushels of corn at $4 a bushel, the bulk of which was pounded into meal for food, and the balance used for planting. Another incident which caused great excitement in the early days was the Weaver murder of which the following account is given in the Crawford County History of 1880: "Still another affair which caused considerable excitement at the time, was the supposed murder of a man named Weaver, by Ridgely, who employed him as stiller in his whisky establishment. There had been a quarrel between Weaver and his employer, and it is supposed that he became engaged in a broil with Ridgely, and, during the melee, Weaver was killed. Nothing, however, was certainly known concerning it, although many of the early settlers considered Ridgely the criminal. Several of them pretended, or actually believed, that Weaver's ghost had actually appeared to them, and had told them in detail the whole affair. From these mythical stories it appears that Weaver was in the still-house with Ridgely one evening after dark, and that in some manner their quarrel was renewed, when angry words followed and Rigdely became greatly incensed. In his hasty madness he seized a heavy club and struck Weaver over the head a fatal blow. He then, horrified to see what he had done, dragged the body to an out-of-the-way place, and covering it with leaves left it, and told it around that Weaver had quit his employ. The body of the murdered man was found, but every attempt to find the criminal was futile, and no one was ever brought to justice." Such is the story which was the first sensation in Crawford county. It is probable it does not do justice to Westell Ridgely. When he came to the county in 1817, he was above the average of the early pioneers; on account of his daughters his house was a headquarters for all the young men for miles around. His own character and influence were so unquestioned that in 1821 he was one of the two men selected for Justice of the Peace of the new territory, which then embraced nearly all of the present Crawford county, Joseph Young, of near Bucyrus being his colleague. The first commissioners elected in 1826 were Magers, McClure and Poe; the next man elected to that office was Westell Ridgely, about 1828. This was after the alleged murder, and in those days it would have been a practical impossibility to elect a man to the office of county commissioner on whom any shadow, of suspicion rested. Ridgely's distillery was located on the Sandusky river on the quarter section now occupied by the farm of Leopold Long and Peter F. Huber. He ran it for some years and one night it was destroyed by fire, under such suspicious circumstances that it was believed to be the work of an incendiary, some attributing the act to Jacob Fisher, but there was no proof of this except the quarrelsome disposition of Fisher, his frequent threats against many of the citizens, and especially Ridgely, against whom he always was very hostile. At the time of the death of Weaver, Benjamin and William Bowers had a distillery on Loss Creek just above where that creek empties into the Sandusky, about two and a half miles north of the Ridgely distillery. It was in Loss Creek near this mill the body of Weaver was found, and there were no marks of violence on the body. Near where the body was found a log crossed the stream, and the general belief was that Weaver had attempted to cross by the log bridge, fell into the water and was drowned. The first recorded case in Crawford county was probably the result of the Weaver death. On the finding of the body, Fisher had circulated a report accusing Ridgely of the crime. Others probably repeated the same story. At the term of court held at Marion, in April, I82, the first civil case tried before a jury was that of Westell Ridgely against Isaac Dorland of Liberty township for slander. The plaintiff claimed AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 269 $500 damages and the jury awarded him $75. On that first jury of twelve men, several Crawford county men were drawn: George Poe of Whetstone, Amos Clark of Bucyrus, John Maxfield of Liberty, Peter Beabout and George Luke of Sandusky. Jefferson township had a station on the "Underground Railway," which was kept by a man named Peter Wert, a wagon maker of Leesville, who was commonly known as "Black Pete." He aided many runaway slaves on their way to Canada and freedom. The first tannery was started in the township near Leesville by a man named Jonas Hassinger. Robert Lee, Jr., kept the first tavern, at Leesville, later selling it to Elisha Allen, who conducted it for several years. Another early tavern keeper was Henry Hershner, who kept a place at Middletown for the accommodation of the traveling public. Middletown being where the Columbus and Sandusky road crossed an important road from Mansfield to Bucyrus. Christian Snyder owned the first grist-mill, which was a horse-mill located just east of Middletown. In the absence of horses, oxen were sometimes used to turn the sweep. The flour made was coarse and uninviting in appearance, the settlers being obliged to bolt it by hand, but in spite of this the mill did a good business. Westell Ridgely also had a grist-mill connected with his distillery. Jacob Snyder built a saw-mill to the east of Leesville, but sold it a short time after to Robert Lee, Sr., who added to it a grist-mill, a fulling-mill and a carding machine, and conducted them for many years, being assisted by his sons. Adam Beck, who came in 1829, two years later built a saw-mill which was run by him and his sons for over half a century. John J. McClure came to the township in 1829, and was the township clerk for many years. Another prominent arrival was William Robinson in 1831. He settled on the land where North Robinson now is, purchasing it for $1.25 per acre. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and for eighteen years was elected Justice of the Peace of the township. The family came from Washington county, Pa., and on the trip his son James walked the entire distance, driving the cows. The son James also held office. He was elected clerk of the township in 1839, was elected recorded of the county in 1846 and re-elected in 1849, and again elected in 1857 and ten years later represented the county for two terms in the Legislature. He took an active hand in military affairs under the old militia laws of the state, and attained the rank of Major, by which title he was always known. About 1833 an influx of Germans came to the township, among them the Becks, Shumakers and Laughbaums. One was John Franz, who took an active hand in affairs. He served nine years as Justice of the Peace, was sheriff of the county for two terms and also treasurer for two terms, and in 1862 was Lieutenant Colonel of the foist Ohio, serving four months. The first Justice of the Peace from Jefferson township was Westell Ridgely in 1821, by appointment of the Delaware county Commissioners. The first election took place on May 15, 1824, when Matthias Markley and Ichabod Smith were elected. John Cox and Disberry Johnson were also justices, while the present Jefferson was a part of Sandusky township. From 1835 to 1873 Jefferson was a part of Jackson township, but since that time the following have been the Justices: Isaac W. Smith, 1873; Janes Robinson, 1873; Samuel R. Goshorn, 1873-76; D. O. Castle, 1876; James Seanor, 1877-80-86-88-91; Benjamin F. Warden, 1879; A. D. Littler, 1881; L. C. Orr, 1881; W. P. Dean, 1882 ; J. P. Flick, 1882; J. W. Littler, 1886-89-92; A. A. Pfeifer, 1895-98-01-11, and J. R. Johnston, 1906-10. In 1828, Rev. Robert Lee came to what is now Leesville and bought 160 acres of Jacob Snyder, the northeast quarter of section 7. It was on the banks of the Sandusky located on high ground, and here the following year1829—he laid out the town of Leesville, which he named Leesburg. It has three streets, the Bucyrus and Leesville road was the principal street and was called Main street, while north of it was Wood street. There was but one north and south street, which was the Portland road, and was called Liberty street. The lots sold for a good price, bringing from $25 to $50 each. Lee induced several mechanics to 270 - HISTORY OF CRAW FORD COUNTY come to the place and open shops, and his son Robert Lee, Jr., opened the first general store, which he ran successfully for many years. Alexander Cannon located in the town and started a chair factory with Rickson Lewis as the painter. Dr. John McKean was the first physician, coming about 1830 and remaining for many years, after which he removed to Crestline. Fifty years after Dr. McKean, Dr. T. H. B. Clutter was the physician of the village, and he also removed to Crestline. John Lewis kept a tavern. Elijah Castle was the first shoemaker and Peter Wirt was the first blacksmith and wagonmaker. John Teel started a blacksmith shop and later ran the first saloon. The first merchants were Robert and Porter Lee, who kept a general store. Nearly all the smaller branches of the trade were established in the village and it was in a fair way of becoming a place of importance when the Ohio and Indiana road was built, and passed a mile to the south, and Leesville would have followed similar villages, and gone into a decline, but just east of the village on the farm of John Neuman, one of the finest stone quarries in the state was opened, a spur was built to the Pittsburg road and for years the output of the quarries was constantly increased. The original quarries were operated by Heckert & Rupp, and they finally were purchased by a company composed of Bucyrus and Leesville men and were known as the Leesville stone company. For a dozen years this was one of the profitable industries of the county, and at tines the force numbered ioo men. This was Leesville's era of prosperity and a large brick schoolhouse was built on a scale that showed the confidence the people had in the future of the village. Two churches are in the village. It was made a postoffice in 1839, the office being called Leesville X Roads, and Robert Lee, Jr., was appointed the first postmaster by President Van Buren. In its palmy days Leesville boasted a population of nearly three hundred people; it had two stores : two taverns, three saloons, and a dozen small shops, but the quarries failed to prove profitable; they were no longer remunerative, and the census of igoo and 1910 shows too sadly the general decline of the village. The handsome schoolhouse, once the pride of the village, may be still their pride, but there are now rooms in it to spare. The Lees, both Robert Sr. and Robert Jr. were men of education and ability and were deservedly held in high respect. The former was a son of Thomas Lee, born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1770. He emigrated to America in 1787, settling in Washington county, Pa. He studied for the ministry at Cannonsburg Seminary and became a member of the Erie Presbytery. After coming to Crawford county he assisted in the organization of niany of the early churches and did much for the cause of religion and amorality. He died in 1842. Robert Lee, Jr., was a prominent man in both state and county and efficiently served two terms as probate judge. He passed his last years in retirement at Bucyrus. Newton Ashcroft, who settled south of Middletown, cane to Jefferson in 1828 with his father's family, the father being a native of England, and a man of good education, who was an early school teacher. Joseph Gledhill and family, also from England and settled south of Leesville, on the south side of the gravel ridge, where he began farming operations and resided for many years, dying in the late seventies. His son Joseph became a prosperous citizen of Middletown. Abraham Littler in 1832 purchased and moved onto the Ridgely farm with his family. IIe was born in Hardy county, Va., in 1780 and died in Jefferson township, August To, 1844. His son Lewis became one of the prominent citizens of Sandusky township, serving in various offices. Leesville has had the largest number of postmasters of any office in the county: Robert Lee, Jr., Dec. 14, 1839; Henry Davis, June 5, 1849; James Clements, May 18, 1850; J. M. Lewis, Dec. 28, 1850; S. P. Lee, July 29, 1833 ; James Clements, Dec. 14, 1853 ; John Newman, April 17, 1857; George W. Good, Jan. 29, 1859; Adam Billow, July 26, 1861 Isaac W. Smith, July 19, 1866; George Heis, Sept. 22, i866; George R. Schaeffer, April 17, 1869; John Schaeffer, April 17, 1871; John U. Shumaker. Aug. 2, 1872: Daniel O. Castle, Aug. 22, 1872; Henry Castle, Jan. 22, 1877: Peter Herr. Jr., Nov. 11, 1878: Wil- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 271 Liam Dewalt, March 24, i88o, and Henry Berg, May 17, 1882. On Oct. 10, 1882, the office was discontinued as no one could be induced to take the job. Finally they secured a man and in December it was reopened. John P. Flick, Dec. , 1882 ; and O. P. Beck, April 5, 1883. On Oct. 19 of that year it was again discontinued, but reopened in April, 1884. Peter Herr, April 4, 1884 ; Peter Bauer, Dec. 7, 1887; Rosa E. Kochinderfer, April 28, 1888; Charles E. Trimble, June, 4, 1889; Jacob Kelly, July 3, 1889; H. H. Bilsing, April 12, 1900; C. M. Kelly, Aug. 1, 1900; and Harrison Rettig, July 19, T9o1. On May 13, 1904, the office was permanently discontinued the patrons of the office being supplied by rural carriers from Crestline. The importance of Leesville in the early days was such that it was incorporated by the County Commissioners as a village. Among the Mayors elected was Samuel R. Carson in 1847, John M. Lewis, 1849; John C. Teel, 1851 ; David O. Castle, 1874; Enos Flick, 1889 ; John P. Flick, 1883; Jacob Kelly. 1889, Sherwood McKean 1891, C. E. Schaad 1899. The little village had the same trouble over its officials as it did over postmasters, in getting people to serve, as witness the following letter written to A. A. Ruhl who, as County Clerk was endeavoring to find out to whom he should send the commission as Mayor of the village, and had addressed a letter to the "Township Clerk" for information Leesville X Roads, Aug. 11, 1883. Mr. Alex A. Ruhl, "Bucyrus, Ohio "Yours not received until today on account of P. M. at this place not knowing who was Corporation Clerk, and I hardly know myself. We have had no election since April, 1881: at that time I was elected. I think my time expires in two years from date of election. Some say that an officer holds office until his successor is elected or chosen and qualified, but I am not certain about it. I filled part of the certificate, but it is no good anyhow. B. Heckert had a talk with John P. Flick and he will not serve at all, so I don't see any use in sending for commission. "Resp'y Yours, "HENRY BERG." In 1835, Henry Hershner was the leading promoter of a town that he with Christian Snyder and Adam Ashcroft, decided to lay out on the Columbus and Portland state road, about half way between Galion and Leesville. They engaged John Stewart of Richland county (the town being in that county) to lay out and plat the town. It had a public square and two diagonal streets. The one running from southwest to northeast was the Portland road and was called Columbus street. The other from northwest to southeast was the road from Bucyrus to Mansfield, and was called Bucyrus street. There were 30 lots, i8 of them on the public square and Bucyrus street, and 12 on Columbus street. It was named from the fact that it was about midway between the two towns of Galion and Leesville. Henry Hershner opened a tavern and store the store he soon transferred to his son John, who ran it successfully for many years. Washington Modie started a blacksmith and wagon shop. Jacob Hershner started a cabinet maker's shop. Michael and John Hershner built a saw-mill, and Christian Snyder a gristmill, which was run by horse-power. It also had a church and graveyard, when it was first laid out, and later two other church buildings were erected. At first it seemed as if the new town would he a formidable rival of Galion and Leesville, but as the channels of travel became diverted from the old road by new and better, as well as shorter routes through the county, the business came to a standstill, and finally began to decline, and in 1852 when the Ohio and Indiana road passed it by to the north, its fate was sealed: many of the buildings were abandoned, and as time passed either fell or were torn down, so that nothing now remains, but one or two residences built in recent years in the site of the old village, that of William Gledhill being one of the handsome country residences in the county. There still remains the old burying ground in which rest the remains of Henry Hershner, Christian Snyder and Adam Ashcroft, the 272 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY original founders of the town and many more of its early inhabitants and their descendants. The oldest stone is that of Jacob Hershner, born March 25, 1769; died March 9, 1829. Henry Hershner, his brother, was born Feb. 11, 1776; died June 24, 1850. Adam Ashcroft was born June 17, 1774; died Nov. 28, 1866, Christian Snyder was born May 6, 1765; died June 20, 1863, aged 98 years, and Mary, his wife, was born Dec. 4, 1768; died Nov. 11, 1872, aged 104 years. During the summer of 1836, Adam Shumaker, William Robinson and Abraham Bebout, whose farms joined at a point about half a mile south of the present village of North Robinson, conceived the idea of laying out a new town. They engaged the services of C. Sweney, who was then the county surveyor of Crawford county, to lay out the town and make a plat of it, and on Feb. 2, 1836, this plat was filed in the Recorder's office. The new town was on the road leading from Bucyrus to Middletown and was on the southeast part of fractional section 13 Whetstone township, and the northwest part of section 15, Jefferson township, in what was then Jackson township. The town was laid out in a style that indicated the proprietors believed it would assume great proportions. There was a large public square, four north and south streets—Wood, Broadway, Second and East; there was but one east and west street, and that was the Middletown road which was named Main street; this street was extensively traveled, as the Bucyrus and Mansfield stage route passed along three days every week. The lots were placed on the market, but it was about this time the trouble was on between President Jackson and the National Bank, and the panic which resulted left no money in the country. This financial stringency lasted several years, and before money again came freely into circulation the project was abandoned and what was once to be the town of Jacksonville is now nothing but a cross roads. Not even a house was erected on the site of the town. The first schoolhouse in Jefferson township was built about 1824 south of Leesville, near the "Hog's Back," and was a rude log structure, about 20 by 24 feet in dimensions. The furniture was as crude as the building, the seats being hewed slabs with four legs and the writing desk a slab placed against the wall in a slanting position and supported by wooden pins driven into the logs. David Dorn was the first pedagogue who presided over this temple of knowledge. He was a Pennsylvanian of limited education and spoke rather broken English. He received 75 cents apiece from his pupils and as he began with nine, his income to start with was $6.75 per month. Another school was taught by David Gill on the Tracht place. Soon after this a schoolhouse was built in Leesville and was followed in different places in the township by several others. One of the very earliest schools was held at the house of John McClure, Mr. McClure and Mr. Akers alternating with each other as teachers by the week. Another early teacher was Mr. Ashcroft, father of Newton Ashcroft, who came here in 1828 and spent several years as a pedagogue. He had the reputation of being an excellent mathematician. One of the earliest church organizations in the township was that of the United Brethren tinder the direction of Henry Hershner. For many years services were held at Mr. Hershner's own house, but later a church was erected in Middletown, which is still standing. In 1835 a church was erected on land which later became the property of John Smith, and was for many years known as the Smith church, but it was torn down long ago, The United Brethren organized the first church in Leesville, the English Lutheran church being organized shortly after. There is a German Reformed church in the southern part of the township. The Rev. Joseph Van Deman, of Delaware, a Presbyterian preacher, took a leading part in organizing several churches in the county. Jacob Newman was also an early preacher, who held services in the homes of the settlers. Rev. Robert Lee and his sons were also prominent in Christian work, though Mr. Lee held no pastorate after his removal here. The first Sunday school held in Crawford county was organized near the northern boundary line of Jefferson township by David Wert, one of the early settlers in that section. Another early Sunday school was held about 1832 at the home of Benjamin Worden, and these important agencies for Christian work have since been multiplied all over the township. CHAPTER XVI LIBERTY TOWNSHIP The Central Location of Liberty Towiaship—Drainage and Topography—First Settlers—Mills —The Blowers Family—Other Early Settlers—Interesting Anecdotes—Fertility of the Soil—Timber—Medicinal Springs—Justices--Organization of the Township and First Elections—Early Treatment of the Poor—Binding Out Children—Deckertown Laid Out —Puchertown or Brandywine Station--A Manuscript Newspaper—Teel Town—Annapolis or Sulphur Springs—Schools and Churches—Industries----Postmasters. "Who planted this old apple-tree?" The children of that distant day Thus to some aged man shall say; And, gazing on its mossy stem, The gray-haired man shall answer them: "A poet of the land was he, Born in the rude but good old times; 'Tis said he made some quaint old rhymes On planting the apple-tree." -WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. Liberty is the central township of Crawford county, the geographical center of the county and township being almost coincident. It is geographically defined in the Government survey as township 2 of range 17 east. In 1835 the county commissioners attached the fractional sections on the east to Sandusky township, but after remaining as a part of Sandusky township for several years, they were again, and this time permanently, attached to Liberty township, the dimensions of which are six miles from north to south and nearly five and one-half miles east and west. Liberty is bounded on the north by Chatfield and Cranberry townships; on the east by Sandusky and a small portion of Cranberry; on the south by Whetstone, and on the west by Holmes. It was erected by the Marion county commissioners on Nov. 27, r82~, and called Liberty, after the Goddess of Liberty. The township is drained by the Sandusky river, which enters near the southeastern corner and meanders in a westerly and southwesterly direction toward the southwest corner, where it enters Bucyrus township; Brokensword creek, which rises in Liberty and flows through the northern portion; Bull Run, a small stream which aids in forming the Brokensword and drains the eastern and central lands; and Brandywine creek, which flows through the western portion, finally entering Holmes township; besides several small creeks. The drainage has also been largely helped by numerous ditches, which have been cut from time to time for many years past to carry off the surplus water, whereby most of the swamps and wet lands, which originally covered much of the township, have been reclaimed and made suitable for cultivation. The eastern boundary line of Liberty township forms a part of the boundary line of the New Purchase, the immense tract of land acquired in 1817 by the United States Government from the Indians. Among the numerous home seekers who set out at that time for the territory thus newly acquired, many visited Liberty township, attracted by its great natural advantages, and of these a large number remained. In a few years most of the Government land in the township had been entered by actual settlers. In January, 1820, the township was destitute of white inhabitants, but ten years later there was a white population of h,55. The first settlers came mostly from New England and the Western Reserve, they being followed in the early thirties by the Pennsylvania Dutch and emigrants from Germany. - 273 - 274 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY The former entered land along the Sandusky river bottom, while the Germans settled mostly in the central and northern portions of the township. In 1840 the United States census showed a population of 1,469; in 1850, 1,782; 1860, 1,788; the highest population reached, and since that time it has gradually decreased in population, due to the fact that many of the smaller land holders had sold out and moved to the far West. . In pioneer days Liberty township was almost entirely covered by the forest and was, of course, destitute of roads, the trails or paths between the settlements being indicated by blazed trees. There were no Indian villages, but game was abundant, as were also the wolves, who disturbed the silence of the night with their discordant howls. Occasionally a black bear made his appearance, though if lie lingered long lie was likely to become a target for the rifle of the pioneer or that of some solitary Indian hunter. With the pioneer settler treat was easier to procure than bread, as deer and wild turkeys were plentiful and the streams were full of fish and in many places frequented by waterfowl. Flour was another question, however, owing- to the lack of nulls. For some time hand-mills were used which bruised the corn into coarse meal, but wheat flour was a comparative rarity. Gradually horse-mills began to make their appearance, and as soon as one of these was constructed it was frequented by the settlers from miles around, who often had to wait some time for their turn, the journey to and from home often taking two or three days and the grist being carried on the back of a horse. The early mills at Mansfield and on the Mohican were patronized by those of the settlers who cared to make the long journey through the pathless woods. Isaac Rice built a mill on his farm at an early day, which enjoyed a large custom. The first mill was built by Daniel McMichael. and was a great accommodation to the settlers. Mr. McMichael was a native of Ireland who came to America with his parents at the close of the 18th century, when he was about 16 years old, they settling in Westmoreland county, Pa. He married a Scotch "lassie" by whom lie had five sons and two daughters, and in 1819 the family came to Crawford county, spending the winter on the banks of the Whetstone. In the spring of 1820 they settled in what is now the northern part of Bucyrus corporation. After remaining a short time there, however, he removed into Liberty township, about one mile up the Sandusky river, where he entered land and built his mill, it being the first mill erected in what was then Crawford county, and was erected in the summer of 1820. Up to that time the settlers in the neighborhood had been compelled to go to the mills in Huron or Richland counties, a trip through the forests taking two and three days. About 1823 Mr. McMichael, finding the water power on the Sandusky insufficient to keep his mill going twelve months in the year, rented the property to Nehemiah Squires and removed to Bucyrus, where lie died in 1825. To him belongs the honor of having been the first white settler in Liberty township, and when he entered his land it was one of the sites where already were the coming signs of civilization, for on this land Johnny Appleseed had planted one of his apple orchards. From probably 1800 to 1815 this wandering character had planted his little orchards at various points along the Sandusky and the larger streams, and his fruit-hearing trees were found later by the earlier pioneers. The second settler in Liberty was Ralph Bacon, who arrived with his wife and nine children in the fall of 1820. He was a Massachusetts nian and previous to his advent here had resided for some time in that part of northeastern Ohio that is now Lake county. They arrived at Bucyrus in November in wagons drawn by oxen, and stopped the first night at the home of Mishael Beadle on what is now West Mansfield street. They then moved into a vacant shanty in the northeastern part of Bucyrus, an old log cabin some hunter or squatter had abandoned, on what is now Plymouth street, remaining there until Mr. Bacon had constructed a round log cabin upon his land in Liberty township, the cabin being completed in about two weeks. His land comprised 80 acres in the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 33 about three miles east of Bucyrus, south of the Sandnsky river, which firm subsequently came into the possession of his son Martin. He also purchased from the Government rho acres in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 275 Whetstone township, where many years later he erected a better house, which he occupied until his death on June 14, 1850. He had thirteen children. Dexter, the tenth child, born May 6, 1822, was the first white male child born in Liberty. In September, 1822, Sarah Bacon married Philander Odell and they were the first couple married in the township. All Mr. Bacon's children attained maturity, and most of them married and reared large families. Auer Umberfield, who came with the Bacons in 1820, driving one of their ox-teams, was the third settler in Liberty to purchase land and erect a cabin. Land was then -worth only $1.25 per acre and as Mr. Umberfield brought with him $ioo in gold he was enabled to purchase 8o acres. He later married a daughter of James Scott, of Whetstone township. In 1835 he sold out to Samuel Plants and went farther west. Samuel Plants was the father of Josiah Plants, who later was judge of the court and a prominent citizen of Bucyrus. The land afterwards came into possession of Mrs. Diana Blowers. Thomas McClure settled upon 160 acres just south of the Sandusky river, and built a cabin, but in 1833 sold out to Michael Nigh and removed to Richland county. He was one of the first county commissioners and one of those who located the county seat at Bucyrus. John Maxfield, a Vermont Yankee, also settled in Liberty in 1821, purchasing 160 acres of land, eighty of which lay between Umberfield's and McClure's and the other eighty just east of Umberfield's. By mistake he built his cabin a little north of his northern boundary line, and came near losing it; for the mistake of the location of the cabin was discovered by a peddler, who hurriedly went to Delaware and entered the eighty acres on which it stood. Mr. Maxfield had been made suspicious, however, by the peddler's actions, and discovered his error in time, so, with the assistance of his neighbors, in a few hours they moved the cabin onto his own land, to the subsequent discomfiture of the enterprising peddler, who expected to get a cabin for nothing. Maxfield sold out about twenty wears later and removed to Illinois. About the year 1833 he built the first brick house in Liberty township, which house was occupied by Bacon. The brick in those days was by no means of the quality that would be demanded at the present day. It was usually made by pouring water on the ground and then having the clay trampled into the proper consistency by the hoofs of cattle. Naturally mud and other undesirable matter entered largely into its composition. This was exemplified in a house built by Michael Nigh soon after Maxfield's was finished, which fell to pieces soon after the brick was moistened by a heavy rain. Maxfield's, however, seems to have been made of better material, as it lasted many years and, perhaps, may be still standing. Nigh afterward left these parts for Missouri and came to his end by being drowned in the Missouri river. In April, 1821, Henry Couts moved into Liberty from Bucyrus township with his family, consisting of his wife, three sons and three daughters. He entered land about a mile south of Sulphur Springs, which farm afterwards came into possession of Pharaoh Bell. William Huff was the only resident in the neighborhood at the time. Couts' father, Christian, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Perhaps the most valuable accession to Liberty township in its earlier history was John O. Blowers, who first visited it in 1821, purchasing 16o acres of land half a mile east of Ralph Bacon's place, and vho took tip his permanent abode here in the following year, 1822. He was a man of fine intellectual, moral and Christian character, having an abundant fund of sound, practical wisdom, backed by moral firmness. He became a potent force for good in the township, repressing and overaweing evildoers and leading in every movement for the moral and material advancement of the community. He promoted and assisted in the construction of the first schoolhouse and in his cabin the first religious services were held. A devout member of the Methodist persuasion, his home was the resting-place of all the pioneer circuit riders and itinerant ministers of that church who visited the neighborhood, but lie also gave a hearty welcome to those of other sects, it being sufficient for him that his guest was engaged in Christian work. A good cause was sure not only of his moral support but also of more 276 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY substantial assistance. Mr. Blowers was born in Vermont in 1782 and was married in 1810 to Sylvinia Chadsey. Previous to 1812 he had purchased land near Kingston, Canada, with the intention of making a temporary home in that country. On the breaking out of the war between the United States and England, the Canadian authorities tried to press hire into the English service, but he refused to bear arms against his country and finally, to escape further persecution, abandoned his accumulated possessions and returned to his native land, settling in Wayne county, Ohio, from where he and his, family subsequently removed to Crawford county, as already narrated. He had a son born February 23, 1823, James C., who died the same day, and this infant was the first person buried in the township, a burial site being selected on the farm which became the Blowers grave yard. The second death occurred in the family of John and Joana Maxfield, July 8, 1823, it being of their son, James M., aged two years, eleven months and twenty days. Mr. Blowers was the father of sixteen children, eleven sons and five daughters, of whom only five sons and one daughter grew to maturity. Mr. Blowers died September 29 1844, in his sixty-second year, having lived in the township nearly twenty-three years, and was buried in the grave yard which takes his name. In November, 1822, William Blowers arrived in Liberty township from Salem, Washington county, N. Y., and settled on his brother's farm. He was accompanied by two of his sisters, with their husbands, Calvin and Nehemiah Squires, the latter of whom was the father of Dr. J. B. Squires of Sulphur Springs. During the War of 1812 Robert Foster, with his wife Peggy and fotir children, left Ireland for the United States and on their arrival settled in Richland county. Several years later, 1822, came to Crawford county, where in due time the family was increased by several additions. They were vigorous and aggressive, taking such active part in the political struggles at the time of the rebellion as to be referred to generally as "the fighting Fosters." Most of this family subsequently removed farther west. One of the daughters, Sarah, born May 22, 1822, was the first female child born in Liberty township. She became the wife of Robert Andrews. Another daughter, Mary Ann, married Rev. George Reid and was the mother of Hon. William M. Reid, of Bucyrus. This marriage license is the first one on the record in the Probate Judge's office. It bears date of October 17, 1831, and the marriage took place on October 18, Rev. Samuel P. Shaw performing the ceremony. Prior to this date all marriage records were destroyed by the fire which burned the county jail. In November, 1823, Samuel Smalley arriveci from Vermont, with his wife, who was a sister of William Blowers. They had journeyed for over boo miles in a wagon. Soon after, Smalley settled on a farm east of Bucyrus, and about I83o he purchased of Nicholas Singely what later became the Crum farm. The year 1823 was marked by the advent of a considerable number of settlers, among whom were James McCurdy, Asa Cobb, Simeon Parcher, Ichabod Smith, Calvin Stone, Garrett Dorland, with his sons, James, Isaac and Luke; Matthias Markley, Thomas. Smith, Benjamin Manwwell, Jacob Gurwell, Joseph Chandler, John Chandler, Charles Doney and Edward Hartford. In 1824 came John G. Stough, Horatio Markley, Noble McKinstry, John Kroft and others. These settlers mostly purchased Government lands, which were exempt from taxation for five years. The following persons also, as shown by the tax duplicate of the county for 183o, entered lands previous to April, 1825: John Anderson, John Bear, John Clingan, John H. Fry, William Huff, Daniel Ketchum, Philip Klinger, Richard King, Daniel Kimball, William Little, Richard Spicer, Daniel Shelhammer, John Slifer, Asa Wetherby, Anthony Walker and Mary Wood. Other early arrivals, whose names and the facts concerning them have been derived from various sources, were the following: John Essig and wife came to Liberty township in 1832, taking up rho acres on the Sandusky river. J. H. Fry came in 1824 and settled on 16o acres west of Sulphur Springs. In January, 1827, he married Catherine, daughter of Thomas Williamson. Rachel Helm's parents came to Liberty in 1825. Jacob D. Heller, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 277 with his wife and nine children, came to Liberty in 1836, with a two horse team and entered seventy-seven acres. Andrew Hess came in 1831. In April, 1833, he married Mary Henry, who came to Crawford with her parents in 1830. Abraham Grogg came in 1836 and settled on what is now the farm of J. H. Moderwell. He also bought at the same time 120 acres in Chatfield township. John Hise, with his wife and three children, settled in Jackson township in 1824. His son, William H. Hise, born in 1818, learned the shoemaker's trade and opened a shop at Galion, which was probably the first in that place. Later he opened a shop in Bucyrus, where he remained three years; then went to Sulphur Springs, then to Whetstone township and finally took up a farm in Liberty, and was Justice of the 1'eace for thirty years. John Williams came in 1832, with Solomon Shaffstall and family. In 1833 he worked for his brother, building a mill in Holmes township. He built a log cabin on his place, using nails which cost ten cents a pound, which he paid for with maple sugar that he and his wife made. Jacob and Mary Waters came to Liberty with six children in 1830 and settled on a farm on the Sandusky river, which had been entered several years previously by Philip Trout. Their son Isaac often spoke of the old log schoolhouse, in which sometimes the wood fire made so much smoke that teacher and scholars were obliged to take the benches out of doors and finish the exercises in the open air. Martin Wolf came to Crawford county in 1834. His father, Henry Wolf, was a Revolutionary soldier. Martin was a sort of jack-of-all-trades, but was very poor and had five children. He bought sixty-three acres but could not pay the full purchase price, so gave his note of $25 for the balance, due in four months. He was a hard worker and in one week, while splitting rails in the day time, made five pairs of shoes in the evenings. In this way he paid for his land. Jacob and Elizabeth Zeiter came to Liberty with four children in 1830. Jacob Sell came to Liberty township with his parents in 1830. Daniel Steen, who died in Liberty township September 27, 1868, was born in Donegal county, Ireland, and came with his parents and two brothers to America, settling in Liberty in 1827 on the farm on which he died. Michael and Elizabeth (Kleinknecht) Kafer came to Crawford county in 1833 and purchased eighty acres in Liberty. Michael Treftz came to Liberty township in 1832; after he entered the land he left his family at Bloomingville in a barn, there being no other accommodations, and he came on foot to prepare their new home for them. In the meantime his daughter Magdalena and her sister walked from Bloomingville to Sandusky, where they secured work at eighteen cents per week. They afterward worked in Columbus, walking the entire distance several times through the forest, carrying their clothing and food, and stopping at farm houses over night, and occasionally at the taverns where the price was six cents for a bed. The money they earned was used in helping to develop the family farm. Magdalena Treftz later married Jacob Green, one of the earlier settlers in Liberty township. Michael and Susanna Sponseller, with seven children, came to Crawford in 1832, and bought 80 acres in section 20 of his brother-in-law, Jacob Mollenkoff, who came here in 1828, paying him $400, or $5 an acre. Isaac Williams came to Crawford in 1828, and first bought 160 acres in Holmes township. Going back to Stark county, he returned in 1829 with his family, in a two horse team and wagon and driving a few cattle. Leaving his family at Spring Mills, he came on here and purchased 8o acres in Liberty, after which he went hack to bring his family. In the vicinity of Galion he found the ground so soft that he had to hire an additional team to get the wagon through. Gottleib and Magdalen (Brosey) Shieber came to Sandusky City by boat with a party from Germany in 1832. They then walked overland to Crawford county in search of Fred Feichtner, and found him in Liberty township, on the Brokensword. Liking this section, they walked back, hired teams, and returned to Crawford the same year, settling in Liberty township. John G. and Catherine Klink worked in Columbiana county in the winter of 1828 and saved enough to buy a pair of oxen and a cart. 278 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY In the spring of 1829 they came to Crawford county, with their three children—Catherine, John A. and John G.—and settled in the woods in Liberty township, where lie bought 80 acres, paying for it with what money he had and two watches. They stayed at a neighbor's until their cabin could be erected. They had many hardships to contend with. Their cattle strayed; one night John A. got tired of hunting for them and went to sleep in a hollow tree, where he stayed all night, returning in the morning. Many other times he stayed all night in some Indian camp. He became quite friendly with the Indians, visited their camps, and in his younger days they sometimes brought him home when he had lost his way. He was married, in 1848, to Melissa Kohlman and moved to a farm of 110 acres, which he purchased with money earned by chopping wood. To this he afterward added more land until he had a tract of 740 acres all together, besides 176 in the neighborhood. He brought his farm into a high state of cultivation and it was known as the "model farm" and for many years visitors were taken out from Bucyrus to see the Klink farm, as it had a state reputation for the neatness with which it was kept. Adam Link, a soldier of the Revolution, resided in Liberty township, near Sulphur Springs. The Washington "Constitution," of August, 189, thus wrote of this veteran Adam Link entered the regular service in 1777. His father had settled in Washington county, Pa., near the Virginia line, on the extreme borders of civilization. Here Adam was brought up, surrounded by frontier clangers in the vicinity of unfriendly Indians. On the commencement of hostilities the Indians made a descent on the settlements, captured his father, murdered and scalped him, burnt the house and barn and destroyed a large field of corn, 100 hogs, 40 sheep, all the cattle and horses and 300 bushels of wheat. From this period, the family, instead of being well-to-do and prosperous, suffered great privations and dangers during the remainder of the war. At the time of his enlistment, 1777, under Capt. Mason, he was so well known that the remark was made `He is a good marksman and wi11 now have an opportunity to try his skill.' At different periods he served in garrisons at Wheeling, Moore, Demerit's and Shepherd's forts and acted as an Indian spy, as well as scouting along the frontier. He was at Wheeling garrison when Capt. Mason was shot through the hips. "The old man many years ago applied to a pension agency at Tiffin to secure the pension to which he was entitled. The agent demanded an exorbitant fee, which Link refused to pay, whereupon the agent misrepresented matters at Washington so that the pension to which he was so justly entitled was withheld from him for twelve years. Some eight years ago the Hon. F. W. Green took the matter in hand and since that time he has received his pension regularly." August 13, 189, eight names were recorded which comprised all the Revolutionary soldiers on the pension rolls in Ohio. Among them appeared the name of Adam Link, Crawford county, aged 99 years. Adam Link was born Nov. 14, 1761, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Horatio Markley, in Liberty township, Aug. 15, 1864, aged 103 years, and was buried in the Union cemetery one mile northeast of Sulphur Springs. R. W. Musgrave, born at Cayuga, N. Y., in 1811, came to Jeroremeville, Ashland county, and in 1829 to Bucyrus, O., where he was apprenticed to Henry St. John in his store until 1831. He went to Massillon in 1832 as a partner of Mr. St. John; was married to a Miss Gillespie and in 1841 settled in Annapolis, Liberty township. In 1845 the legislature elected him one of the associate judges of Crawford county, which position he held until the new constitution was adopted. In 1851 he became secretary of the State Board of Agriculture and was president and secretary for six years. August 28, 1856, Thomas Brown, editor of the Ohio Farmer, wrote of him as follows, and the account shows the wealth of the forests of half a century ago: "R. W. Musgrave, Esq., lives at Sulphur Springs in Crawford county, Ohio. He is now and has for several years been a very efficient member of the State Board of Agriculture, and for some time its president. His farm consists of ;oo acres of as good land as there is in the rich county of Crawford and two-thirds of it are under culti- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 279 vation. As evidence of the quality of the soil, we might mention that the timber land is covered with the largest growth of black walnut, sugar tree, ash, white oak, beech, etc. We have never seen such huge walnuts. Hundreds of them are from three to four feet in diameter, and their trunks clear of limbs from fifty to sixty feet from the ground. The surface of the country is not level, but sufficiently rolling to drain well. The soil is generally a deep black loan, that never bakes, but tills as kindly as best bottom land. The most promising field of corn we have seen this summer we saw on the Judge's farm. He has close by his house a sulphur spring, whose chemical and medicinal qualities, we should judge from the taste and smell, are similar to the springs of Delaware and the White Sulphur Spring of Virginia. The volume of water is quite large. It would average a stream of from two to three inches in clianmeter. There are other springs in the immediate vicinity and several others in the county. The waters are generally cathartic and diuretic and diaphoretic in their effects. There is also a chalybeate spring near Bucyrus." From 1820 to 1825, Liberty township was a part of Sandusky. Westell Ridgely and Joseph Young were commissioned justices of the peace for Sandusky township April 15, 1821, and when their terms expired an election was held May 15, 1824, the successful candidates being Mathias -Markley and Ichabod Smith, but they were both commissioned justices of the peace of Sandusky township May 31, 1824, and sworn in as such by lalmon Rowse, justice of the peace of Bucyrus township. In 1824 Crawford county was temporarily attached to Marion county and justices of the peace had been appointed for only four townships. The commissioners of Marion county, at the March session in the year above mentioned (1825) passel the following order: "That surveyed township No. 2, in range 17 south of the base line in the district of Delaware be, and the same is hereby organized into a new township, by the name of Liberty." For some reason Smith received another commission dated June 18, 1825, as justice of the peace for Liberty, but Markley still continued to hold his office by virtue of the former election. Markley was twice re-elected, but after serving for over eight. years resigned and removed to Illinois. Ichabod Smith was reelected ill 1827, but resigned before his term expired to take a contract for building a part of the Columbus and Sandusky Pike. The following is a complete list of the justices of Liberty township: Mathias Markley, 1824-27-30; Ichabod Smith, 1824-27 ; James S. Gurwell, 1832 ; Asa Cobb, 1834-37-40-43-49; John Slifer, 1835-38; William Woodside, 1844; Charles Keplinger, 1846; William Snyder, 1847; Horace Rowse, 1848-51; Robert Johnson, 1851; Joseph Roop, 1852-55-58-61 ; Jonathan N. Harmon, 1854-57-60; William H. Hise, 1863-66-69-78-8184-87-90-93-97; Henry Fry, 1864-67-70; Clark Bacon, 1872; A. R. Briggs, 1872-75; Thomas Millard, 1873; S. A. McKeehen, 1873-76-79-82-85-88-91-02-07; William D. Mewhart, 1896-99 ; Rufus Aurand, 1900 ; Emanuel Schieber, 1903-06; Jacob S. Keller, 1905-09, and Samuel Hise, 1909. It is probable that Liberty township was fully organized and township officers chosen at the spring election in 1826, but the names of the officers are not known, as, if any records were kept, they have been lost or destroyed. It is thought that . John Kroft was the first clerk John G. Stough was chosen one of the three trustees elected in the spring of 1828. James McCurdy being another. The first elections were held in private houses near the center of the township, until the Center schoolhouse was erected. Gen. Jackson polled a heavy vote for president in November, 1828, the polling place being at the cabin of James McMannes. On July 1, 1831, the township trustees, Isaac Rise, Elias Chambers and Robert Foster. took an enumeration of the householders of the township, and at the same time appointing John G. Stough as treasurer. As Thomas Smith had been previously elected to this latter position, but had failed to take the oath of office, Stough declined to serve, and the trustees then served a notice on Smith, who appeared and consented to act. In those days many citizens preferred to pay a fine rather than serve in any public office. Liberty township was divided into road districts by the trustees on March 5, 1832. On April 2d of that year the first election on record took place and was held at the house of 280 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Leven Conley, near the center. The persons chosen to fill the different offices were as follows: Trustees, Isaac Rise, Robert Foster and Jacob Mollenkopf; constables, Isaac Slater and Frederick Beard; clerk, John Kroft; treasurer, John G. Stough; overseers of the poor, Robert Foster and Isaac Markley; fence viewers, Samuel Cover, Hanry Charlton and Frederick Williams. The duties pertaining to the office of overseer of the poor were sometimes of a disagreeable nature and the office was not coveted by any of the citizens, but was filled only from a sense of public duty. It was the business of such officials not only to inquire into cases of destitution and render assistance to deserving unfortunates, but also to warn away by legal notice any idle, roving or otherwise worthless characters that might come into the township and threaten to become a public charge. One of these notices issued in 1832, read as follows The State of Ohio, Crawford County, S.S. To Isaac Slater, Constable of Liberty Township, greeting: Whereas, information hath been given to us, Mathias Markley and Robert Foster, Overseers of the Poor for said township, that Thomas Alsoph has come within the limits of the township to be sick, who will be likely to become a township charge; you are hereby commanded forthwith to warn said Thomas Alsoph to depart the said township and of this writ make legal service, and duly return it, according to laws given under our hands this 12th day of March, A. D., 1852. MATHIAS MARKLEY, ROBERT FOSTER, Overseers of the Poor. There was, perhaps, little call for this notice, as Alsoph was an Englishman, at times childish in his mind, and his wealthy relatives had gotten rid of him by shipping him to America about 1824, sending money quarterly for his support. His home was generally Holmes township, and his money usually gone in a spree within a week after its reception, except that some of his unscrupulous keepers frequently kept the entire remittance. He had periods of sobriety, in which he took an active hand in politics, being very impartial as to what principles he advocated, his main desire being to make speeches, and he was a fairly fluent talker. In 1860 John Hopley, another Englishman, became the attorney to whom the remittances were forwarded, and he found Alsoph almost uncared for, his constitution and mind both weakened by his years of excesses. By degrees he was straightened up and returned to his family in England. This old law was sometimes used as a practical joke, and the warning notice was served on some responsible person, who was in no danger of ever becoming a public charge. Sometimes this led to trouble, but they were generally ignored. The Liberty township records are full of these warnings. John B. Morrison received two of these notices ordering hint to leave, one in 1833, followed by the second in 1836. He did not go, as in April, 1837, the Common Pleas Court at Bucyrus appointed him one of the school examiners for Liberty township; a position for which the Court selected none but the best men. Another law allowed poor or shiftless parents to bind out their children to others for a term of years, or until they became of age, and there are records of a number of cases of this kind in Liberty township. One Moses Coberly thus bound out three of his children within the space of thirty days. The first of these—and the first of which there is any record in the township—is between Moses Coberly, who binds his son Robert to Cornelius Dorland for a term of seven years, during which time Dorland. is to "teach the young man arithmetic to the rule of three and keep him in wearing apparel." At the end of the seven years Robert is to receive from Dorland "one horse, saddle and bridle worth $75, also one suit of broadcloth clothes and one suit of home made or common wearing apparel." This agreement is dated December 31, 1834. In 1843 the trustees bound Lucy Wilhelgriner, an orphan, to Frederick and Elizabeth Williams for a term of five years and four months. This young lady was to be taught "the art, mystery and occupation of common labor" and they were to train her in "habits of obedience, industry and morality." During her AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 281 term of service she was to be allowed "meat, drink and wearing apparel both for summer and winter," and at the end of the time she was to receive "two suits of common wearing apparel and a new Bible." Miss Wilhelgriner, it seems, had to be satisfied with common or ordinary apparel after all her years of service, in this respect being less fortunate than the young man Robert, above mentioned, who got at least one suit of broadcloth to wear on state occasions. As for Robert, if he were bound out today, instead of a horse he would demand an automobile. On Dec. 31, 1837, there was filed in the Recorder's office at Bucyrus the plat of a proposed town to be called Deckertown, on the southwest part of section 25, Liberty township. It was about three-quarters of a mile west of Luke's tavern which stood on the southwest corner of the road known as the "Old River Road," the Sandusky being just across the road from the tavern, the north and south road which passed Luke's tavern being the boundary line between Liberty and Sandusky townships. At that time the old river road was very much traveled, being the route from Bucyrus to West Liberty, the latter village being a very important business center. The town was laid out on both sides of the road, thirteen lots on each side, and in the town limits the road was called Main street. There was one north and south street named Mill, so called from the fact that it led to the Decker saw mill which was about a quarter of a mile north of the town on the bank of the Sandusky. Deckertown was also a victim of the great panic of 1837, and the project was abandoned before any lots were sold. It derived its name from the projector and proprietor, James Decker, on whose land it was situated and who owned the saw mill. About three-quarters of a mile east of the station of Brandywine on the Columbus and Sandusky Division of the Pennsylvania Railway, and about four and a half miles northeast of Bucyrus in Liberty township many years ago five or six families located at and near to the crossing of two county roads at that point. At a very early day Samuel Parcher had a saw mill near the southwest corner of the crossing. He sold it to Jonas Heckert, who after several years sold it to the Hildebrands, who still operate it. Solomon Benson had a saw mill a few rods from the crossing that ran successfully for many years. Charles Keplinger had a brickyard a few rods west of the crossing, he also had a cider press. Scott Shell had a blacksimth shop on the northwest corner. Later it was run by Louis Ritenhauer for several years. Four or five dwelling houses were erected for those employed in the different industries, and the corners was a fairly busy center, and had the appearance of a thriving little village. In 1888 William E. Keplinger opened a store on the northwest corner. A postoffice was established and was called Brandywine, after the little stream that passed the town. William E. Keplinger was appointed postmaster March 2, 1888, and had the office in his store. When the railroad was completed and opened for business in 1893, a station called Brandywine was opened for the convenience of the people in that section, and it was not long before the store and postoffice were removed half a mile west to the station. The place had been known as Puckertown for more than sixty years. David Shealey, one of the pioneers of that section, gives the origin of the name. He says that in the early days it was customary to have literary exercises at the school house, and among other features at each meeting was a newspaper giving the news of the neighborhood, and humorous hits at the follies and foibles of the members and friends. Of course it was in manuscript, different ones of the brighter pupils taking a turn as editor and publisher. It was necessary to have a name for the paper and some one now forgotten gave it the name of the Puckertown News, and this gave the name to the locality. Keplinger continued as postmaster until the appointment of the present incumbent, C. E. Hildebrand, on March 28, 1910. Three miles north of Brandywine in the northwestern section of Liberty township, there was a station on the Columbus and Sandusky Short Line at which the trains stopped on signal. Here a store was started and a petition presented for a post office, and on Sept. z8, 1894, a post office was established called Ridgeton and George B. Quaintance was appointed postmaster. He held the office until it was discontinued on Feb. 14, 1806, the 282 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY people after that being supplied by rural route from Bucyrus. Along in 1867 and 1868 the citizens of Sulphur Springs were actively interested in a proposed railroad from Toledo to Crestline, via Tiffin, Melmore, Lykins and Sulphur Springs. The citizens of the latter village and Liberty township were very anxious to have the railroad built and subscribed $35,000, or rather they guaranteed to take that amount of the stock of the company. The preliminary surveys were made, the line passing through the northeastern part of Sulphur Springs. George W. Teel, one of the leading promoters of the railroad had a plot of town lots laid out on his farm, about half a mile east of Sulphur Springs, at the point where the depot was to be located, and seven or eight dwelling houses were erected and occupied. It never attained any standing as a commercial or inciustrial point, as no stores or shops were ever located there, but otherwise it had the appearance of a country village. By common consent of the people in the neighborhood it was called Teel Town, and today is generally spoken of by that name. It might be added the ideas of the Sulphur Springs promoters were very expansive, and the sanguine ones believed that if the road was secured it would eventually lead to the removal of the county seat to Crawford county on account of the central location of Sulphur Springs. The Crestline people failed to give the financial aid to the proposed road that was necessary and it was abandoned. But later New Washington parties got Mansfield and Toledo people interested and built the Mansfield and Coldwater road, now known as the Toledo Division of the Pennsylvania system. Sulphur Springs and Teel Town were completely ignored and New Washington was placed on the railroad map and the village of Tiro came into existence. The first school in Liberty townshii was taught in a cabin on the farm of Daniel McMichael during the winter of 1821-22. The teacher was John McClure, who in 1826 was the first surveyor of Crawford county. The attendance was not large, the school being supported by a few families only. The building was probably a very rude affair, with rough slabs for benches or desks, a stick and mud chimney and some oiled paper pasted over a hole in the wall for a window. Such were, in general the earliest pioneer schoolhouses; yet in them germs of knowledge were planted which afterward ripened into many a stately tree of intellect and moral force. With the grouu th of settlements, however, better educational facilities were provided, and thus we find as early as the fall of 1823 a schoolhouse was built in Liberty which had the advantage of glass windows, and which was known as the Maxfield schoolhouse, it being located on the northeast corner of John Maxfield's land. Nehemiah Squire made the window sash for it out of a linn-wood puncheon that had constituted part of the chamber floor of an aristocratic log cabin the previous winter. Here school was first taught by Rev. William Blowers in the winter of 1823-24. Other early teachers here were Cary Tilbury, Samuel Magers and a Mr. Orton. Another schoolhouse was built during the fall of 1827 just southeast of the present site occupied by the Crall United Brethren church. Sally Smith was the first teacher and the building was known as the Smith schoolhouse. The Maxfield and Smith schoolhouses were both in what is now the Second school district, and the Blowers church in the same territory was used for school purposes many years. In the Third district the Simmons schoolhouse was built before 1833; the Pcll schoolhouse, in the Fourth district several years previous, and it is probable that schools were taught there as early as 1827, as there were many settlers in the neighborhood at that time. The lands of the Fifth, or Center, district were not entered until a later date, in 1825 only 240 acres of this territory having been purchased from the Government. In what is now the Sixth district a schoolhouse was erected about 1838. In the Seventh district a round log schoolhouse was erected by the united efforts of some of the settlers during the fall of 1830. At this time no other schoolhouse had been built in the northwestern hart of Liberty or the northeastern part of Holmes: neither at the Center district or the district north of Liberty Center. The Kroft schoolhouse in the Eighth district was built before 1832. The Ninth district, being thinly settled. was perhaps the last to organize. In the Tenth, or Sulphur Springs AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 285 special district, a log building was erected for school purposes in 1837, on land donated by John Slifer. In course of time these rough log schoolhouses were replaced by finer frame buildings, and these in turn were superseded by the present brick structures. The first of these more durable edifices was constructed for the Seventh or Keplinger district in 1876, at a cost of $1,200, and this was soon followed by others. The Methodists were the pioneers in the religious field of Liberty township, the gospel being first preached here by the itinerant ministers of that denomination. During the year 1821 Methodist missionary preachers belonging to the Delaware Circuit had advanced as far north as Bucyrus, where they were filling regular monthly appointments. The most energetic worker in the cause of Methodism was John O. Blowers, who has been previously mentioned as having exerted a great moral and religious influence in the community. It was through him that the first class meeting was formed and preaching held at his cabin in the spring or summer of 1822. The class was composed of Mr. and Mrs. Blowers, William Cooper and wife, of Whetstone township, and a German named Shultz. The minister on this occasion was the Rev. Mr. Bacon, a social, genial hearted man, who, it is said, generally had his pockets full of lettuce or other garden seed for the women and fishing tackle for the boys, and who was naturally a favorite among the pioneers. The class he formed at Mr. Blower's cabin was the nucleus of the first M. F. church of Liberty. Regular monthly appointments were kept up during the summer of 1822 and the next winter preaching was held on Sunday at Bucyrus and on Monday at the home of Mr. Blowers. In the fall of that year Rev. James Monroe was sent to this section of the country by the M. F. Conference, and in the spring of 1823 John O. Blowers and his brother William were licensed to preach the Gospel, having previously qualified themselves by a course of study in theology. Mr. Blowers having a fine library of religious books, which he frequently lent to some of the settlers. In the fall of 1823 this section became part of a regular circuit of the M. F. church. Among those who rode this first circuit was the Rev. James St. Clair. Other preachers who rode this circuit about that time and for a few years subsequently were Rev. James Gilruth, Rev. Abner Goff, Rev. Russell Bigelow and Revs. Fenneland, Rennels and S. Y. Shaw. After the erection of the Maxfield schoolhouse in the fall of 1823, religious services were held there and continued until the Blowers church and schoolhouse were built about 1830. In 1840 the Methodist society had over ioo members, who were divided into two classes, one at Sulphur Springs and one in the Blowers neighborhood, besides a small class in the McDonald neighborhood in the northwestern part of the township. The M. F. church at Sulphur Springs was erected in 1848. In course of time many members of the Blowers class removed to the far vest and the Sulphur Springs organization became the stronger of the two, but for many years services were held at the Blowers church in the afternoon. As previously narrated, John O. Blowers died in 1844, but William continued as a Methodist preacher for many years, until he was finally superannuated. In the nation's hour of need—in the fall of z 862—being then 66 years old, he enlisted in the r 51 st N. Y. Infantry as a private and did active duty in camp and field near Washington city, being later detailed for hospital duty at Baltimore. What a splendid example of sturdy manhood and self secrifice for the youth, not only of his day, but of our own! He died January 28, 1868, and was buried in the Blowers graveyard. The first Sunday school was started in Liberty in the spring of 1824, John O. Blowers being a leading spirit in the enterprise, and possibly the first superintendent. It was held in the Maxfield schoolhouse until the Blowers M. F. church was built in 1830. It was carried on as a union school, being supported by members of other denominations, until the United Brethren started one in connection with their religious work, when school at the Blowers church was discontinued, many of the workers uniting with the new school. The United Brethren were the second denomination to send missionaries into Liberty and some of their ministers, it is said, preached in the township as early as 1827. Previous to i 8o Revs. Smith and Erit conducted services in the cabins of John Shong and Law- 286 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY rence Simmons, and in the winter of 1830 a congregation was organized by Rev. John Clymer. Among the first members were, John Shong and wife; Betsey Simmons, his sister; Anselm Fuller and wife, the latter also a sister of Simmons; Abraham Grogg and wife, Anna Grogg. Services were held for many years in the old Simmons schoolhouse. In the fall of 1848 the building known as the Crall church was erected. The edifice was enlarged in 1854 and repaired about 1870. being converted into one of the finest country churches in the county. Among the early ministers were the Revs. Benjamin Moore, 1836, Alexander Biddle, Francis Clymer, Jacob Newman, Jacob Berger, G. Spracklin and others. Previous to 1830 German ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran church had held services in the log cabins of several early settlers, the first of whom was Rev. David Shue, who preached at the home of John Stough. In 1830 the congregation was regularly organized by Rev. John Stough, who was the first Lutheran minister who crossed the Alleghany mountains. He was then quite an elderly man, having been born in York county, Pa. in 1762, and having labored forty years as a minister. He lived in the township for more than fifteen years, dying July, 1845 at the age of 83 years, when in the 56th year of his ministry. About 1836 members of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations united in building a hewn log church, which stood near the present site of the Reformed church and was occupied by both sects for many years. In 1852 the German Lutherans purchased a lot about a mile and a half cast of this Union church, on which they erected a church edifice of their own. The English Lutheran church of Annapolis was organized about 1833 by Rev. F. J. Ruth, who was the first pastor, at the same time being pastor of the church at Bucyrus. Rev. J. Crouse also preached frequently during the early history of this church. Arhong the first persons baptized were Lawrence Simmons, an adult; Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Sarah Peterman, and Jacob, son of Benjamin and Louisa Sinn. Services were held in private cabins until the schoolhouse was built in the village of Annapolis. after which the schoolhouse was occupied by the congregation until the erection of their first church in 1848, at which time Rev. Mr. Ruth was still pastor of the charge. The society built another edifice in 1876 at a cost of nearly $5,000. As has been stated, those of the settlers who were members of the Reformed church, or believed in its doctrines, united with the German Lutherans in 1836 and for some years the two sects used the same meeting-house, an agreement having been made between them that the building should always be open to the religious services of either denomination. Among the first ministers of the Reformed church who preached in the township were Revs. Frederick Gottleib Maschop and J. Miller, who were pastors of the congregation at Bucyrus from 1835 to about the year 1845. The Liberty congregation was organized under Rev. Wendel Wasnich about 1848. He was succeeded by Rev. Abraham Keller, who remained until his death in 1852, when Rev. Max Stern was placed in charge of the Reformed churches of Crawford county. Under his pastorate the new church was erected. Previous to the year y85o an organization of German Methodists had been effected in the northwest part of Liberty township by ministers connected with the church at Bucyrus. For some years services were held in a little red schoolhouse on the Van Duzzen farm. A Mr. Plummer having donated some land for the purpose, a church edifice was erected thereon about 1854. In October, 1862 the building was almost completely destroyed by a mob, opposed to the draft, who were angered by the utterances of the pastor, Rev. Phillip B. Weber, who supported the Government in its action. But as this did not stop his patriotic preaching, they set fire to the building in May, 1863 and totally destroyed it. About a year later another church was erected to take the place of the old one. but situated about half a mile south of the old site. The Zion church edifice, otherwise known as the Conley church, situated near the center of Liberty township, was built about the year 1856, as a union church, owned jointly by the Evangelical Association and the Church of God, or Winebrennarians. Services had been held for several years previously by Rev. Wil- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 287 liam Adams, of Plymouth, a Winebrennarian preacher. The first society of the Evangelical Association was organized about 1846 by Rev. D. Swartz, with David Pfleiderer as the first class leader. In 1852 the organization was perfected by the Revs. G. Haley and B. Keller. In 1879 the United Brethren, under the leadership of Rev. Moses Spahr, organized a small congregation and built a chapel near the center of school district No. 6. About the year 1842 a small Baptist conference -was organized at Sulphur Springs, which held services at somewhat irregular intervals for several years. The first grist-mill erected by Mr. McMichael, was as already stated a great boon to the settlers, though, owing to the insufficiency of the water-power, it proved unprofitable to the several proprietors through whose hands it passed. In 1824 Calvin and Nehemiah Squier built a saw-mill on the Sandusky river, for John O. Blowers, at the northwest corner of his farm. It soon passed into the hands of Eli Odell, of Whetstone township, who, in 1825, took in Asa Wetherby as a partner. Soon after Mr. Wetherby bought out Mr. Odell and conducted the business himself until 1829, when he sold out to a Mr. Ball. In a few years Mr. Ball transferred the mill to George Fleck. In 1834 John O. Blowers repurchased the concern in order to stop Sunday milling, and sold it to his brother-in-law, Nehemiah Squier. At this time a grist-mill also formed part of the establishment, it having been built in 1830 or previously. Mr. Squier conducted the business for a number of years, after which the property passed through various hands. In 1867, J. B. Squier and W. S. Bacon, who were then the proprietors, having erected an improved steam mill at Sulphur Springs, removed the business from the banks of the Sandusky to the new building. In 1874 Mr. Bacon sold out to his partner, and later the business passed into the hands of Edgar A. and Oscar W. Squier. By 1836 there were nine or ten saw-mills in the township. A small distillery was run for a short time about 1816 by a man named Wood on the land of Edward Hartford, just east of the Blowers Mill. But the proprietor got into some trouble and soon left the township, the business being then discontinued. David Hawk and Jacob L. Gurwell started a tannery previous to the year 1830, just northeast of Annapolis. David Kinter also ran one for a time before 1840, west of Annapolis, but did only a small business. It was during the War of the Rebellion that the sorghum industry developed in this county, John H. Fry of Liberty township, writing a number of articles on the subject, the industry being given prominence on account of the war shutting off the southern supply of molasses.* The cane planted in this county, was the Chinese sugar cane which was later introduced into France. In 1856 some of this seed was obtained by the United States from France, and distributed among the farmers. The cane grows from 8 to 18 feet in height, and requires about the same soil as Indian corn. Well ripened cane yielded about half its weight in juice, of which it took from five to ten gallons to make one gallon of syrup. A field would average from 150 to 175 gallons per acre. There were several cane mills started in Liberty township, the mill of Andrew Dirmeyer being built in i86o. After the cane is ripened about September, the leaves are stripped . off, and the stalks passed beneath three steel rollers, the juice being green in color. This is placed in the boiling pans, and the green scum is taken off leaving the syrup white, which again changes until the finished product is of a golden color. The capacity of the Dirmeyer mill was 125 gallons per day, and during its running the mill turned out 80,000 gallons of molasses. Other mills were operated a short time and were discontinued. The Dirmeyer mill after many years was removed to Brandywine, and later went the way of the other mills, and today there is probably not a sorghum mill in the county. The village of Annapolis was laid out in 1833 by John Slifer on "the southern portion of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 14." This was part of the quarter section Slifer had purchased from the government when he came to the township in 1825, from Maryland, and the village was named Annapolis after the capital of his na- * He had a sorghum mill, and Horatio Markley also erected one of the first mills, 288 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY tive state. Mr. Slifer held several township offices, but he was never successful in business, and in 1841 sold his land to Judge R. W. Musgrave, and went west, and the following year in a fit of despondency committed suicide. The village was laid out along the Bucyrus and Plymouth road, which went through the village in a northwestern direction and was called Paris street, the road at that time being known as the Paris road, after the town of Plymouth, which was originally called Paris. South of Paris street was South street and Sandusky street. It had four north and south streets, Walnut, Poplar, Jackson and East, the latter being the eastern limit of the new village. There were about 51 lots. At the start many referred to the place as Sliferstown, after the proprietor. The first houses in Annapolis were built by James L. Gurwell, Jacob Peterman, John Bolinger, Peter Stuckman and Benjamin Sinn. Ex-Judge Enoch B. Merriman opened the first dry goods store in the fall of 1834. Two years later he transferred it to his nephew, G. A. Davis, who ran the business for two years, when Mr. Merriman resumed possession. Soon after he passed it to another nephew, Pomeroy A. Blanchard, who remained in Sulphur Springs for several years. Another store was started in the fall of 1836 or early in 1837 by Cornelius and James F. Dorland, but they did not continue it long and for a few months in the years 1840 and 1841 the place was without a store. Ex-Judge R. W. Musgrave then started one, which lie sold in 1844 to Horace Rowse, of Bucyrus, the latter conducting business in Annapolis until the autumn of 1851, his brother Stephen being a partner most of the time. Mr. Musgrave also started an ashery, and not long afterward another store, which he sold to his brother-in-law, Thomas Gillespie. Frederick Beard and a man named Wine-bar were early blacksmiths in Annapolis or the vicinity. About 1839 James Gurwell and Jacob Peterman started a linseed oil mill, which soon passed into the hands of William Souder, who carried on the business for many years. A small distillery and a pottery were also started at about the same time as the oil mill, or a few months later, but both enterprises were failures. James McKee built a saw-mill in the vicinity about 1839. John Birk, a hatter, was conducting business in 1838. John L. Dawson had a cabinet shop in 1837. William Dicks was a shoemaker and his brother, James Dicks a harness-maker, about 1841. About the same time that McKee started his saw-mill, David Hawk established a tannery. John Grogg kept tavern in a log house about 1836, while shortly afterward Cornelius Dorland and Robert McKee built a hotel. Dr. Turley also put up a fine building for hotel purposes on the lot later occupied by the Sexauer Bros.' carriage manufactory. 1his building was burned in 1847. The first physician was Dr. Kelly, who, however, paid more attention to running a saloon than to medical practice, in which he was probably not an adept. Dr. George L. Zeigler moved to the village in 1842 and was practicing there in i85r. Later physicians were Drs. J. B. Squier, H. S. Bevington and M. M. Carrothers. Among the prominent citizens of the village was George Heiby, who came to Liberty in 1836, and served as assessor of Liberty township 24 terms, and for years ran the hotel. A post office was established at Annapolis in 1846, with George L. Zeigler as the first postmaster. It was called Sulphur Spring on account of the large sulphur spring on the Musgrave land. On July 11, 1890, an was added to the name making it Sulphur Springs, which is now the generally accepted name of the place, although the original name of Annapolis is still used by many. It is supplied by a special route daily from Bucyrus, the business of the town snaking it important enough to be one of the few villages where the post office has not been discontinued by transferring it to a rural route. The following is the list of the postmasters George L. Ziegler, April 1, 1846. Horace Rowse, Feb. 24, 1849. Charles W. Perse, Dec. 11, 1851. George L. Ziegler, Aug. 8, 1853. George Heiby, Sept. 9, 1857. J. N. Biddle, March 12, 1861. Alfred Fry, March 29, 1869. A. J. Scott, May 2, 1881. Lewis Sexauer, May 6, 1885. Eli A. Young, Aug. 12, 1889. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 289 J. K. Zerbe, Aug. 31, 1893. John W. Bittekofer, Sept. 11, 1897. In 1862 the Sexauer Brothers, Louis, William, Frederick and Lewis, started their carriage manufactory. They were natives of Bucyrus, and their step-father, Mr. Kinninger, had for some time previously followed the trade of wagon maker in Annapolis. They soon established a first class reputation for the excellence of their product and in a short time had a larger trade in farm wagons than any other firm in the county. They manufactured not only heavy farm wagons, but also carriages, buggies and light spring wagons. Their work carried off first prizes at county fairs and elsewhere against strong competition. For thirty years Jacob Rice has been engaged in the construction of telescopes and Microscopes, and his instruments are so perfect that they are in use in many of our largest colleges. A lodge of the Knights of Honor was established in Annapolis January 2, 1878, with thirteen charter members, and with John Guiss Jr., William Heffner and William Sexauer as the first trustees. The town now has three large stores, and a number of smaller stores and shops. Previous to 1837 the children residing in Annapolis attended school at the Bell schoolhouse about half a mile south of the village but in the year mentioned a schoolhouse was erected in the village on land donated by John Slifer. In 1858 G. A. Allen was superintendent. For a number of years previous to 1872 the location of the school building had been a subject of much discussion and several special districts had been formed, but on Oct. 2, 2872 the present special district was created, and directors elected as follows: C. W. Perse for one year, William Sexauer for two years and Dr. H. S. Bevington for three years. In accordance with a unanimous vote of the citizens, Dec. 14, 1872 it was decided to levy a tax of $3,000 for the purpose of building and furnishing a new schoolhouse, and the same was erected in 1873 at a cost of $3,316. A bell was also provided at an additional cost of some $700. The first enumeration taken in the new district showed 53 boys and 69 girls: total, 122. Robert McKee and Jennie Birch taught the first schools in the new building during the winter of 1873-4. CHAPTER XVII LYKENS TOWNSHIP Boundaries of the Township—Its Erection—Justices—First Settlers—Drainage and Soil-German Immigration—Lost in the Woods—Runaway Slaves—Early Mills—Stores-Lykens P. O. and Postmasters—Schools and Churches—Lodges—Quarries. Where once frowned a forest a garden is smiling— The meadow and moorland are marshes no more; And there curls the smoke of my cottage, beguiling The children who cluster like grapes at the door. Then enter, boys; cheerily, boys, enter and rest, The land of the heart is the land of the West. —GEORGE P. MORRIS. Lykens township is situated in the northwestern part of Crawford county, having to its west only the narrow township of Texas. On the north is Seneca county, while it is bounded on the east by Chatfield township and on the south by Holmes. For a number of years previous to 1828 Lykens was ,attached to Sycamore township, of which also the present Texas township was a part until 1845. But owing to the considerable increase in population in the northern part of the county, the inhabitants of what is now Chatfield township presented a petition to the county commissioners to have Chatfield set off as a separate township, and the petition was granted on March 6, 1828, and at the same time a new township was erected west of Chatfield and called Lykens. The name of Lykens was suggested by Jacob Lintner, a prominent German settler living near Portersville, who had come from a town of that name in Pennsylvania, and after some discussion it was adopted. The township when erected had not sufficient population to be organized, and the first election was held at the home of Jacob Foy in the spring of 1832. According to the most authentic accounts, the officers selected at that time were as follows: Benjamin Huddle, justice of the peace; Levi Gifford, constable; John Elliott, clerk; Jacob Lintner, treasurer; Joseph Hall, Joseph Muchler and Robert Knott, trustees, with two others selected as fence viewers. It is said that almost every settler was honored with an office, which, if true, would indicate that the population cannot have been very numerous. At that time the township, with a portion of sections 31, 32 and 33, which belonged to the Wyandot reservation, comprised its present territory, and, in addition, the western tier of sections in Chatfield township. In 1835 all that portion of the township belonging to the Wyandot reservation was annexed to Lykens. In 1845 the eastern tier of sections was attached to Chatfield, leaving Lykens thirty sections, the territory it comprises at present. When Lykens township was created in 1828, Jacob Foy and Robert Mays were probably appointed the first Justices of the Peace. The following are the men who have served in that position, Frederick Smith who had the longest term of service, dying while in office: Jacob Foy-1828-31. Robert Mays—1828. Benjamin Huddle-1832. Levi Gifford-1834. William Wingert—1838-44-48. John N. Holt-1840-43. Timothy Park-1847. Edward Porter-1847. J. B. Larroue—1850. Abraham Knisely-1851-54. Sidney Holt-1853 Willard Wickham-1853-56-59-78 Julius A. Wolf—1856. James Miller-1862. Frederick Smith—1862-65-68-71-74-77 Jeremiah Feichner—1864-67. - 290 - AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 291 Eli Winters—1858-70-73-76-79. Peter H. Kiefer-1881-84-87-90-93. R. W. Cary-1882, George W. Miller-1886-89-92. A J. Brown-1896-03-06-09. Charles A. Laubach—1896. W. H. Angene-1899. Jacob Englert—1899 Louis F. Smith-1900-03. J. P. Gerhart-1902. Frank Sprow-1906-09. The first settlers who appeared in Lykens selected land in the western and northwestern portions, as the land in that part seemed to promise a speedier and more abundant return for the labor of cultivation; the eastern and southern portions were not settled until five or six years later. The soil of the township is chiefly alluvial, there being but little surface clay or sand. In early years the land in most parts of the township was very wet, owing to lack of drainage, and probably also to the abundance of timber, which, as shown by observation, exercises a potent influence in inducing rain. The disappearance of the timber in large measure, and the systematic drainage operations, have changed this condition of things, and the wet and mirey lands bordering on the swampy character, are no longer in evidence. The soil is rich and peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of corn, large crops of which can be raised year after year on the same piece of land, without any appreciable decrease in the quantity or deterioration in the quality of the product. This is especially true in the eastern and southeastern parts, where the deep black soil predominates; the western part being better adapted to wheat and kindred grains, owing to the larger proportion of sand and clay which the soil there contains. The township is drained in the central and western portions by Sycamore creek and its numerous small branches, the principal of which, known as Little Sycamore creek, rises in the flat land near the southeastern corner, and flows northwest until it unites with the main stream in section 20. Along the course of Sycamore creek there is found an abundance of corniferous limestone, especially in section i6, where the stone is covered with a layer of earth of from six inches to eight feet in thickness. The stone is blue, and though less pure than that obtained at the large quarries in Holmes and Tod townships, it is very durable and suitable for building purposes. It is not known who was the first settler in Lykens township. At an early day—probably about 1825—settlers of English descent carne into Lykens from Seneca county, where they had been disappointed in finding the most valuable lands already taken up, but it is not likely that all of these remained in the township permanently. About 1830 pioneers entered the southern part of the township and two years later the settlement of this portion was increased by a large influx of German settlers, who arrived in a body directly from Germany. Many of these had entered land at the land offices without having first inspected it, and when they arrived they found their farms almost entirely under water. Not being a people easily discouraged, however, they went to work with energy to improve conditions, paying their first attention to the drainage of their lands, after which they began their clearings, established farms, and in time were abundantly rewarded by an ample prosperity. Among those who came to the township in the early days were Christopher Keggy in 1825; Jacob Miller in 1826; Jacob Foy and Gottleib Moss in 1827; Robert Mays, John Elliott, Levi Gifford, Jacob Lintner, Michael Shupp and Joseph Trask in 1828; James Ferguson, Joseph Hall, Benjamin Huddle, Samuel Hall, Samuel Spittler, and Daniel Pratt in 1829; John and Solomon Babcock, Robert Knott, Joseph Muchler, Seth and Benjamin Parker and Lewis Warren in 1830. Christopher Keggy came from Fairfield county, and first located in Seneca, coming over to Lykens township about 182.5. He had hunted all over the section before he located in the township. His life was that of a. hunter and woodsman, and he made his living from the sale of furs and game. Later what little land he had cleared he sold out to Reuben Keran, and left the county. Jacob Miller was also a hunter, and did little at clearing land or farming. Joseph Trask came from Seneca county, but after clearing a few acres, remained only three years when he returned to Seneca county. Jacob Foy was the first real settler in the township; he came to stay, cleared his land 292 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY raised his crops, and became one of the influential men in the early days of the township. Michael Shupp arrived at Bucyrus with his family, May 26, 1828. He entered So acres in Lykens township, which lie developed and sold, purchasing ibo acres. His son Michael was z8 years of age when lie came with his parents to this county. He commenced life for himself in 1831. He worked one year for others, earning $coo, then entered So acres of land, which lie improved and sold, like his father purchasing ibo more. This latter he cleared and kept and added to as the years went by. On March 4, 1834, he married Susannah Miller. Michael Shupp, Sr., died in 1836, and his little daughter, Mary Ann Shupp made her home with her brother, Michael, until Dec. 20, 1847, when she married Frederick Smith, who came to the township in 1840. Mr. Smith was a stone mason, who had contracts for bridges on the National Pike, and had saved several hundred dollars, and with this, in 1840, he bought a quarter section of land in Lykens. He and his descendants were prominent in the affairs of Lykens township and the county. Joseph Hall and wife, with their son, Samuel, cane to Lykens in December, 1829, settling on a quarter section of land in the northern part of the township. Later Samuel secured a faun in the center of the township, which was in after years the William Tippin farm. The land at the time was partly cleared. Here lie lived for many years, but in i866 removed to the farm, where he died, Aug. 25, 1863, and was buried in St. John Reform graveyard, three miles northwest of Lykens. May 4, 1843 he married Elizabeth Telford, who in 1835, came with her parents from Washington county, N. Y., making the trip in three weeks and four days in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen. James Ferguson, who came to the township in 1829, was probably a brother of Thomas Ferguson, who settled in Sandusky township in 1817. James entered his land in the western part of Lykens township along the Sycamore creek, and although he was a skillful hunter. he cleared some land as well and devoted much of his time to farming. He was an expert in woodcraft, and during the war of 1812 was the bearer of important dispatches from one commander to another, and it was while engaged in this work lie first passed through Crawford county and was so pleased with this section that later he located in Sandusky township. He stated later in life that on one occasion lie was the bearer of dispatches from the headquarters at Columbus, to a point in northwestern Ohio, when he was followed by the Indians for two days before he finally succeeded in eluding them. After remaining in Lykens a few years he removed to the west. Following these first settlers were Adam Braden, Gottfried Brause, Daniel Coon, Nelson Holt and David Hill in 1831 ; Ira Cory, Barnapy Harper, and Solomon Seery in 1832; David Albaugh in 1833; John Aupt, Nathan Coran, Joseph Dellinger, Lucas and Adam Shook, William Swalley, Samuel and Timothy Parks, John Shoulter, Eli Winter, Milton Waller and Frederick G. Hesche in 1834; John Apple, Ira G. Allen, Anson Brown, Otto Fieldner, Conrad Hass, August Jacobs, Reuben Keran, Joseph Kennedy, Jacob Oberlander, and Jonas Yingling in 1835 ; William Burgett, and Moses and Aaron Pugh in 1836. Gottfried Brause and wife came to the township Sept. 11, 1831, being accompanied by their son Rudolph, then aged five years. The latter subsequently married a daughter of George and Catherine Klink, who came to Crawford county about 1829. William Swalley, born Nov. 20, i8io, was a son of John Swalley, a weaver, who came to Ohio in 1817, settling fifteen miles south of Zanesville. The father died and the family then returned to Pennsylvania, their home state. Later his sons, William and John, came to Lykens township and in 1834 the mother arrived with her two daughters, and they all made their home in Lykens township. William was married Dec. 8, 1833 to Catherine Wonsetler. Jonas Yingling was married in Portage county to Mary Thomas, and the bride and groom came immediately to Crawford county to make their home. He entered 80 acres of land in Lykens township. He was a mason by trade, and worked on the Baltimore and Ohio road when it was building, securing cash which lie invested in land. Besides clearing his land in Lykens township and raising his crops, he worked at his trade, and during his life owned AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 293 several farms. Soon after settling in the township death visited their little cabin and they were called upon to mourn the loss of their first child, John Tingling, who died Aug. 3, 1836, and was buried in the Lutheran Graveyard south of Chatfield, the oldest burial stone now readable in that graveyard. George Rhoad came to Crawford county in the early thirties, and lived in Lykens township for two years. He then moved with his family to Seneca county, where they helped to clear the land, on the site of the present town of Republic. Christopher Perky, a veteran of the War of 1812, came to Ohio in 1819, settling in Seneca county in 1827, his son David taking a farm in Lykens township. The latter married Mary Seitz, and four of their sons entered the army during the civil war, three of them losing their lives in the service. Solomon Seery, one of the pioneers of Lykens, came to Crawford county from Ross county in 1832, with his two eldest sons, and entered three 80-acre tracts. He then returned to Ross county, where he remained during the winter. Conning back in the spring of 1833, he built a cabin and planted a small crop of corn, and then, leaving his eldest son and daughter to keep house, he went back to Ross, harvested his crop there and brought his entire family to Crawford, arriving with then Sept. 1, 1833. Soon after settling in the township death invaded their home, and the Seery graveyard was started on the Seery farm two miles cast of Benton, the first burial being John Seery, who died Nov. 11, 1835. Eli Winters was born February, 1802, in Jefferson county, entered land in Lykens in 18J3, moving on to it in 1834. With the aid of his sons he developed the land, his chief helper being his son, Eli, Jr. In order to increase the family income Mr. Winters established a night school at his home, and here the children learned to read and write, the son Eli teaching his younger brothers and sisters. The latter became an enterprising and prominent citizen. At a. comparatively early age he ran a threshing machine,- had a half interest in a saw-mill at Buljo (Lykens), and also started a store. He was elected justice of the peace in 1858 and held the office up to 1880, except for a few years during the year. In 1851 he married Eliza Howenstein, a daughter of Peter Howvenstein, one of the Lykens pioneers. Milton Waller came to Lykens township in 1834, making his home on 80 acres of land which he had entered the year previous. This took all his capital, and he secured a further 40 acres by working by the day for others, and being a cooper by trade during bad weather and in the evenings he made buckets and tubs for the neighbors, thus giving him needed cash. Two little sons came with him to the county, Lysender aged seven and Stephen aged three. These boys as they grew older helped in the clearing and developing of the farm. Both sons took an active hand in the affairs of the township and county, Lysander Waller being one of the County Commissioners for two terms. On Dec. 25, 1853, Stephen Waller married Martha McKinley, a daughter of James McKinley, and the aunt of the late President McKinley. August Jacobs was a native of Saxony, Germany. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native land, where also he married Rachel Bair, and later started for America, landing in New York with only 25 cents in cash and owing $11. With his bride he cane west, found work on the National pike, and later made his way to Crawford county, where he bought land, which was then entirely covered by the forest, and was mostly swamp land. He cleared his land slowly by working in the evenings, following his trade during the day, doing carpenter work for the neighbors. He finally sold his land and bought a larger tract, also covered with timber, which he cleared. David Wickhain, served in the War of 1812. The family came to Crawford county in 1837 and secured a partly developed farm in Texas township. His son Willard, having previously taught school for a few terms, in 1840 purchased a tract of land covered by the forest, in Lykens township which he cleared and developed into a good farm. He was subsequently appointed by Gov. Pierce as Indian agent to the Winnebagoes at Long Prairie, Minn., and after several years service returned to his home in Lukens where he lived until his death in 1899. Henry Geiger was born in Germany, and when fifteen years of age, came with his par- 294 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY ents to America, settling in Stark county. Ile married there, and in the '30s came to this section where he entered 80 acres in Seneca county, later having land in Lykens township. They walked the entire distance from Stark county, and his entire possessions were his wife, an axe, 50 pounds of flour which he had carried the entire distance on his back, and $1 in cash. Of course he succeeded, and when each of his seven children started in life for themselves they were all assisted by him. Eli Adams came to Crawford county in 1825, settling on 80 acres of land in Texas township. His son Ephraim married Mary Andrews, daughter of another pioneer, and built his cabin in the woods in Lykens township. John and Frederica Solze came to Lykens township in 1841 with six children. Even as late as this date, they walked from Attica to Lykens township and losing their way were compelled to pass the night in the woods under a large tree. The next day they reached friends, who accorded them a hearty welcome. They started with 40 acres on which a small improvement had been made. We of today, living in the towns or in the open country, where the timber has been largely cleared away, save for small patches here and there, can have little conception of the difficulty experienced by the pioneer settler in finding his way through the trackless and almost illimitable forest. Even the shipwrecked mariner, without a compass, in the midst of the vast ocean, can direct his course usually by means of the heavenly bodies; but the early settler, lost in an almost equally vast expanse of forest, had not even this advantage, for the trees, with their towering trunks and spreading branches, decked with a superabundant foliage, shut out for the most part any view of the sun, moon or stars, and even in the middle of the day maintained beneath their branches a sort of half light or semi-gloom, while at night the darkness was impenetrable. The routes from settlement to settlement, or even from one neighbor's house to another, when the woods lay between, were marked by blazed trees, but it sometimes happened that a settler, in going to visit a neighbor at evening time, forgot to take a lantern with him, or perhaps thought he could find his way without it, and missing the path, was obliged to spend the night in the woods, having for his lullaby—if he were phlegmatic enough to try to go to sleep—the howling of the wolves, the moaning of the wind in the treetops, and the hoarse croaking of myriads of frogs in some neighboring swamp or marsh. The Park brothers one evening started to go to the cabin of Eli Winters about a mile and a half away, but failing to take a light, were caught by the darkness, and after groping for hours in the woods, and falling waist-deep into numerous swamps and bogs, passed the remainder of the night on a large log that lay half out of the water. In the morning they found an easy path from the swamp and reached Mr. Winter's home thoroughly prostrated from their experience. On another occasion the wife of James Ferguson, accompanied by her ten year old son, started to bring home the cows. She had some trouble in getting the animals together, and in running about through the trees, trying to head them towards the house, she became bewildered and lost her sense of direction. Had she left the cows alone and followed them she would probably have reached home all right, for they soon began to go all in one direction, being really headed toward the homestead. Thinking she knew more about the matter than they did, however, she finally left them and set out with her son to find her way home alone. This she failed to do, and not knowing which way to go, and with night closing in about her, she lay down with her boy by the side of a large log, where she thought they might be safe from the notice of the wolves, whose howls they heard throughout the night. The next day she resumed her wanderings, calling out at intervals to attract the notice of some settler, but night again came without rescue and all day the mother and child had eaten nothing but a few berries. It was not until the middle of the next afternoon, after passing two nights and almost two days in the woods, that she heard the sound of a rifle and in a few minutes saw a neighbor walking toward her. He was one of a party searching for her, and was furnished with food, which the half famished mother and child eagerly devoured. She was about three miles from home and had been walking in a circle, coming AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 295 once or twice within a quarter of a mile of her cabin. For some time previous to the Civil War Lykens township was often traversed by runaway slaves on their way to Canada. They always passed through at night, traveling north along the Tiffin road, during the day time lying hid in the dwelling of some abolitionist settler, some distance off the main track, and resuming their journey towards dark. Several citizens in the township were known to be engaged in this work, but no special objection was ever made to it. Grist and saw-mills are among the first industrial necessities in a new country, such as the Ohio frontier was in early days. The settlers in Lykens for many years went to Seneca County for their flour and lumber, mills having been established there many years previous to the settlement of this township, and that locality being easier of access than Bucyrus. John Moore remembers when they ground buckwheat through their coffee mill for a family of 9 children. The early gristmills were crude affairs and were sometimes known as "corn-crackers," for they were capable only of manufacturing a coarse kind of meal. Otto Fieldner erected one such, about 1836, about a mile south of the village of Lykens, which was furnished with one set of "nigger-head" stones, and which continued in operation for about eight years. In connection therewith he also operated one of the best of the early saw-mills, which, however, ran only about four months in the year, not being provided with sufficient water-power, owing to the small size and slow current of the stream on which it was located. He finally provided it with machinery to be worked by horses, after which it was continued in fairly steady operation. A steam saw-mill was built and operated in the northwest corner of the township by Joseph Stammitz, as early as 1844, and was largely patronized. It continued in operation for ten or fifteen years, after which it was abandoned. It was run for some time by Eli Winters, Jr., a skillful sawyer, who was connected with several of the early mills. A combined saw and grist-mill was built about 1834 by Jacob Foy, who was also an experienced and able sawyer. This was one of the largest and best mills in early days. It was a large two-story frame structure, and was erected at the junction of the Big and Little Sycamore creeks. This trill had ample water-power and ground excellent flour and meal. Inch lumber from any wood was furnished for about 40 cents by the hundred, or a share was taken, varying from one-third to two-thirds. Numerous buildings, some of which are still standing were constructed from lumber furnished by the Foy saw-mill. After operating the mill for fifteen or twenty years, Mr. Foy sold the property to Moses Wood-sides, who improved the mill and increased the output by substituting steam for water as the motive power. After running many years the mill was finally abandoned. A man named Patrick built and operated a saw-mill on Sycamore creek about 1865; another was built and operated for many years by a Mr. Blanchard. Francis Slee, a carpenter, built many of the early frame houses, and also manufactured chairs, looms, spinning-wheels and other useful articles. Milton Waller, previously mentioned as a cooper by trade, had a small shop at his house, where he made tubs, kegs and barrels, finding a ready sale for them. He was a prominent man and his sons grew up to be intelligent and enterprising citizens, among the best in the township. It has been said by some that Ira Cory was the first blacksmith in the township. He erected a small shop about a mile or so south of the village of Lykens. Others, however, claim that Nathan Coran was the first blacksmith. He built his shop as early as 1834 and worked at his trade for many years. William Jackson carried on a small business in tanning skins, beginning about 1840. Another industry that was also undertaken in Lykens township, between 1840 and 1850, was the rearing of silkworms and the manufacture of silk goods. A man named Blanchard tried the experiment. The chief adviser in this enterprise was Mrs. Breston, of Chatfield township, through whose influence others in Lykens township were induced to engage in the same pursuit. It failed, however, chiefly because it was found difficult or impossible to procure the necessary supply of mulberry leaves, which constitute the caterpillar's only food. In 1830 Otto Fieldner built a primitive grist and saw-mill on the banks of a small branch of 296 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Sycamore creek, near where the station now known as Lykens on the Northern Ohio railroad is located. The next year Ira Cory started a blacksmith shop across the road from him, and a few years later James Drake built an ashery just north of them on the Sycamore near the crossing of the road from Bucyrus to Bloomville and the road from Sycamore to Plymouth. Several other industries were started near the cross roads, and stores were located there and a post office established under the name of Lykens Centre. At a very early day a saloon was opened and became a carousing point for the more bibulously inclined in that section. One of the bar room stories current at that time contained a frequent repetition of the expression "Having a high old time in Buljo," and this gave the nickname of Buljo to the place. It was also known as "Santa Fe" and `Buzzard's Glory." The town was regularly laid out by J. F. Feighner in October, 1870, by H. W. McDonald, the county surveyor. While several names have been given it, its correct name has always been Lykens. The first house was built in the town by a man nailed Swetland, who also opened the first store; the latter was a very small affair, however, as his entire stock of groceries and dry goods was only valued at $200. A better store was opened by Anson Brown, in 1840, Mr. Brown starting with a general assortment worth about $600. His store was burned in 1847, but he rebuilt and increased his business and stock, until in time the latter was worth nearly $8,000. He finally sold out to other parties. Byron Brown (no relation of Anson) started a store about 1848, with a stock, chiefly of groceries, worth about $1,000, and continued the business for about seven years. After the Browns George Jackson carried on a small store for about five years. Samuel Martin started a general store about 1856, but having continued it with indifferent success for six or eight years, he discontinued it. James Drake built an ashery as early as 1847, which was located on Sycamore creek, near the southern limits of the town and here he manufacttired as much as fifteen tons of potash per annum, for a number of years. He finally sold it to Anson Drake, who continued it on an even more extensive scale. Another ashery was built by Jacob Hodge on the bank of the creek and carried on for about six years. There was a tannery in Lykens as early as '846. It was built by Jerry Jolly, who carried on the business for about ten years, doing good work, and then sold out to Ephraim Adams, who continued it for five years, when it was abandoned. A man named Cummins had a blacksmith shop in the village as early as 1838 and was followed in the same line of business by a Mr. Madison. In 1847 a saw-mill was erected on Sycamore creek, in the village, by Peter Howenstein. He did good work and continued the business for about fifteen years, when he sold out. The mill was owned for a while by Eli Winters. The first resident physician in Lykens was Dr. James Dodge, who remained, however, only five or six years. After him Dr. Harmon practiced for a few years and then removed ; Dr. Ritchie came in 1856, but died at the end of four years. Previous to the establishment of the post office in 1844, the mail was brought from Mel-more, in Seneca county, and later, from Portersville. William Hank carried it once a week for many years until finally a post office was established at Lykens on March 18, 1844, with J. T. Drake as postmaster. He was succeeded by Anson Brown, Jan. 6, 1846; Jeremiah Jolley, Sept. 1, 1852; James Winters, June 3, 1854; Eli Winters, July 2, 1856; G. A. Vanfleet, Oct. 23, 1856; Ephraim Adams, July 13, 1856; J. M. Richey, July ii, i86r ; John H. Barron, Feb. 4, 1867; William Kohl, July 13, 1871 ; James T. Carbin, Aug. 12, 1889; Jacob Brown, Aug. 8, 1893 ; Gust V. Harer, June 6, 1894; James T. Carbin, May 6, 1898; H. B. Tippin, June 13. 1900; M. L. Aurand, Feb. 26, 1909; C. A. Michner, Jan. 28, 1910. In 1837 Sidney Holt was on of the prominent men in Lykens township, and lie decided he would like to have a post office for the convenience of himself and his neighbors. Congressman Hunter of Huron county who then represented this district, was a personal friend of Holt's and the office was easily secured, and was named Holt's corners, Sidney Holt being appointed the postmaster on July 10, 1837. The office was established in Holt's residence, but Mr. Holt soon tired of the responsibilities of office, he could secure no neighbor willing to undertake the job, and after AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 297 running it for a little over a month it was discontinued on Aug. i8, 1837. What is thought to have been the first schoolhouse in the township was built about two miles west of the village of Lykens, near the farm of Eli Winters, in 1834, the people generally uniting in its erection. Isabel Hall was the first to teach school in this building. This school was supported by subscription and the attendance was large enough to remake the teacher's remuneration come to about $10 a month. Other early teachers in this school were a man named Andrews and Miss Lucinda Warren. After being in use many years this building was subsequently replaced by a better one at a cost of $boo. The Ransom Schoolhouse, a log building, was built in 1836. In a few years it was replaced by a small frame building, and this in turn by the building known as the "Frog-pond Schoolhouse." In 1840 a schoolhouse was erected about a mile north of Lykens village. The village itself had no school building until 1851, the village children attending the one about a quarter of a mile north of town, which had been erected many years before. Section 29 had a log school building as early as 1838; in 1854 it was replaced by a frame building, and the latter was used until i88o, when a large brick schoolhouse was built at a cost of $1,600, which is still in use. In the southeast corner of the township a cabin for school purposes was erected in 1840 and has since been replaced by two or more others. Spelling schools and singing schools were among the educational diversions of early days. David Spittler taught one of the latter during the winter months for many years. Many amusing incidents are doubtless stored away in the minds of the few survivors who attended these schools, and could they all be gathered together and published would make interesting reading for the present generation. The pioneers settlers in Lykens attended church in Seneca county, but after the population of the township had been increased in 1832 by a large German immigration, it was deemed advisable to erect churches nearer hone. The Free Will Baptists in that year began holding meetings in the cabins of the settlers. Among their earliest ministers were Seth and Benjamin Parker, Rev. James Ashley and Comfort Waller. The families of Comfort Waller, David Hill, William Swalley and Levis Warren were among the first active members of the organization. In 1842 this society erected a church on the farm of Comfort Waller. This church, which was the first in the township, was a low frame building, with clapboard seats fastened to poles laid length-vise of the house. The pulpit was of planed poplar lumber, and the building was furnished with a large fire-place. It was used for many years and was then superseded by a new building, which was erected at a cost of $1,200. Among the early Presbyterians in Lykens township was Solomon Seery, at whose home meetings were held about 1834, as well as in the cabins of others of that faith. A society was gradually formed, which was visited for a number of years, at regular intervals, by Rev. Mr. Tracy, a circuit rider, who traveled over several counties. After the society had continued on this basis for a number of years, receiving gradual accessions, a church was built at Seery Corners, which has since been known as the Seery church. It was a small frame building, with seats and pulpit of rough poplar lumber, and without paint or varnish. It was superseded by a new building in 1870. This society was built up and placed on a firm footing, both with respect to finance and niembership by Rev. Mr. Lillibridge, a well known and particularly effective preacher of those days, who labored with the congregation for many years. In 1850 the German Lutherans and the members of the German Reformed church organized a society in the northwestern part, their first meetings being held in a schoolhouse and later in a barn belonging to John Klaes. The barn being destroyed by lightning, the meetings were transferred to Mr. Klaes' house, and were there continued until the summer of 1852, when a small brick church was erected. The first minister was Rev. John Bentz, his immediate successors being Rev. William Veiler. Rev. Elias Keller and Rev. John Winter. During Mr. Winter's pastorate, in 1959, the congregation divided, a separate church being erected by the Reformers in close proximity to the old one. Two years later the old church was abandoned by the Lutherans. The Reformed congregation has had a steady 298 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY growth and is one of the strongest church organizations in the township. A burial ground was here long before the establishment of the church as in the graveyard is the first recorded burial in the township that of Samuel Huddle, little son of Benjamin Huddle, who died June 27, 1832. The Lutherans residing in the southern part of Lykens, for many years attended a church of that denomination which was erected at an early day in the northern part of Holmes township. About 1890 the Pittsburg, Akron and Western was extended from Cary through Lykens township. It follows a half section line through the township, and passes half a mile south of the village of Lykens. A station was erected, and a store was started at the station with two or three industries, the most important being the bending works and a grain warehouse. An attempt was made to take the main body of the town to the station but it never materialized, and even the store was abandoned. In 1872 a lodge of Odd Fellows was organized at Lykens with fifteen members. It more than doubled in membership, and when the railroad came the lodge room was moved to the building at the station. This proved so inconvenient for the members that the lodge was finally discontinued. The fine quarries west of the town were worked for many years, and when the era of pike building was commenced they again became useful in the furnishing of the stone for much of the road improvements in that section. CHAPTER XVIII POLK TOWNSHIP Origin of Polk—Home of Wingenautind—Military Road—Indian Population—Johnny Cake and His Wife—Indian Burying-Ground—An Abducted Child—Drainage and Soil—Organization of the Township—First Election—Early Settlers—The Cranberry Industry—A Strange Recognition— Early Names of Galion—Rev. James Dunlap's Narrative—Early Mills, Taverns and Distilleries—Churches and Schools—Cemeteries—Justices of the Peace. Fresh from the fountains of the wood A rivulet of the valley came, And glided on for many a rood, Flushed with the morning's ruddy flame. I looked; the widening vale betrayed A pool that shone like burnished steel, Where the bright valley stream was stayed To turn the miller's ponderous wheel. -JOHN HOWARD BRYANT. Polk township which occupies a strip of territory extending seven miles east and west, and three miles north and south, in the southeast corner of Crawford county, was at one time, like Vernon and Jackson, a part of Sandusky township, Richland county. The latter was surveyed in 18o7 by Maxfield Ludlow. It was first erected as one of the western townships of Richland county, and was 12 miles deep and six wide. At this time the territory was inhabited almost entirely by the Delaware and Wyandot Indians, who yet lingered in their ancient haunts, loath to retreat before the invading hosts of the palefaces. Of the whites, however, there were few before the year 1817. In this township was the home of Wingenund, and here occurred the capture of Col. Crawford. To the Indian mind the land was an ideal abiding-place, and it was one of their favorite hunting and fishing grounds. It was heavily timbered with every variety of stately tree; intersected by clear sparkling streams, having their source in the purest springs, and abounded with game of various kinds. But the wave of civilization kept rolling steadily westward. In 1812 the soldiers cut a road through the township, which passed north of the Olentangy, near the present site of Galion. In the southern part another road had been cut by the Pennsylvania militia, and when the settlers began arriving half a dozen years later these highways of progress rapidly multiplied; over them came rumbling in ever increasing numbers the ox-drawn wagons of the pioneers, and the Red Man knew that the hour of his departure was at hand. He had fought his fight and lost. With sad heart he turned his back on the land of his fathers, and with his face to the setting sun, set out with reluctant steps to the more distant wilderness of the possession of which his rapacious white brother was not yet ready to deprive him. Some of these Indians had adopted English family names. Among them were the Walkers, Williamses, Armstrongs, Dowdys, etc. One of them, well known among the earliest settlers, rejoiced in the appelation of Solomon Johnny Cake. He was a fine looking, good natured and friendly hunter of superb physical proportions and had for a wife a woman who was three-fourths white. Her mother was a Castleman, and had been captured in eastern Ohio by the Indians after the Revolution and adopted into an Indian family living on the Sandusky. She married Abraham Williams, a half-breed Indian, and the fruit of this union was a beautiful daughter named Sally, who became the wife of Johnny Cake. Sally and his children frequently accompanied him on - 299 - Heman Rowse, a brother of Zalmon, set-