474 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER XV.
KENTON-LOCATION AND NAMING OF THE COUNTY SEAT-`KETCH OF SIMON
KENTON -URI(iINAL TOWN PLAT AND SUBSEQUENT ADDITIONS-
NAMES OF ORIGINAL LOT OWNERS-FIRST SETTLERS OF
TILE TOWN SITE-PIONEERS OF KENTON-POST
OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS-REMINIS-
CENCES OF KENTON IN 1857.
THE legislative act, passed January 19, 1833, organizing Hardin County, designated Fort McArthur as the temporary seat of justice, until a permanent location should be selected by three Commissioners, appointed during the same session of the General Assembly for that purpose; and in the spring of that year, said Commissioners made an examination of the several sites proposed, and reported their decision to the Court of Common Pleas, in session at Fort McArthur September 11, 1833, who ordered the same to be placed on record. The report reads as follows:
We, the undersigned Commissioners, appointed by joint resolution of both branches of the Legislature of Ohio, to locate the seat of justice in the county of Hardin in said State of Ohio, after complying with all the requisitions of the statutes defining the duties of Commissioners, proceeded on the 18th of April, 1833, to make the necessary examinations required by law. After mature deliberation, we have unanimously determined to fix the seat of justice for the said county of Hardin on the north side of the Scioto River, on the southwest quarter of Section 33, Township 4, Range 11: and part of fractional Section 4, Township 5, Range 11. The southwest quarter of Section 33, as above described, is now the property of Jacob H. and George H. Houser; and that part of fractional Section 4, above mentioned, is the property of Lemuel Wilmoth.
George H. and Jacob H. Houser propose and agree to give to the county thirty acres of land, and Lemuel Wilmoth proposes giving to the county ten acres of land, or so much as will complete the town plat, to be taken off the east end of his part of fractional Section 4. Should these donations be deemed insufficient for a town plat, the Director of the town is authorized to purchase any quantity of land adjoining the donations, not exceeding forty acres, at eight dollars per acre. The above-named Lemuel W Wilmoth agrees to lay off into town lots, and sell under the direction of the Town Director, ten acres of land in addition to the ten acres given to the county.
Given under our hands the 1st of June, 1833.
IRA PAGE,
ABNER SNODDY,
EDWARD L. MORGAN
Commissioners.
The following is a verbatim copy of the proposition, as delivered to the court:
We, whose names are underwritten, for and in consideration of the advantage which we will derive from the location of the county seat on our remises, submit the following propositions to Ira Page, Abner Snoddy and Edward L Morgan, Commissioners appointed by joint resolution of both branches of the Legislature of the State of Ohio, to locate the seat of justice for the county of Hardin, viz.: If the above-named Commissioners should locate the said seat of justice on our lands, we hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators or assignees, firmly, to grant the following donations and privileges to the said county of Hardin, and, as soon as a Director shall be appointed to lay off said county seat, we and each of us bind ourselves, our heirs, administrators or assignees, to make good and sufficient general warrantee deeds to and for the use of the said county of Hardin for the quantity of land herein specified, viz.: Lemuel Wilmoth grants as much land, to be taken off the east end of his part of fractional Section 4, Township 5, Range 11, as will include the plat of the said count seat from the east side of the same to the center, but it is understood also that if this
PAGE 475 - PICTURE OF WM. R. MATHEWS
PAGE 476 - BLANK
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 477
should include more than ten acres, the said Wilmoth is to be paid for whatever is over his donation of ten acres, which he hereby grants at such rates as the aforesaid Commissioners may stipulate; and the said Wilmoth further agrees to lay off into lots, streets and alleys. in conformity with the plan of said county seat, as much of his other land in said fractional Section 4 as may be necessary to complete the said county- seat on the south end thereof; and the said lots are to be sold by the Director of said county seat under the same restrictions and on the same terms as other lots in said county seat are sold; and the proceeds, as soon as collected, or the obligations, as soon as obtained, shall be transferred to the said Wilmoth for his use and benefit; and the said Wilmoth agrees to allow the said Director such compensation as the court may think just and reasonable for said services, which may be deducted front the proceeds of said lots; and Gorge H. and Jacob H. Houser will grant to the said county of Hardin as a donation, for the sole use of said county, thirty acres of land, adjoining the said Wilmoth's donation, the same being part of te southwest quarter of Section 33, Township 4, Range 11; and it is further it agreed by the said George H. and Jacob H. Houser that they will sell to the Director of the said county seat, for the use of said county, any quantity of land, not exceeding forty acres, in such situations adjoining the aforesaid donations ac the court or Director may think best to complete the plan of the said county seat on the north, at such price as the aforesaid Commissioners mad stipulate. In testimony whereof. we have hereunto affixed our hands and seals, this 6th day of September, 1833.
ABNER SNODDY
One of the Commissioners
LEMUEL WILMOTH, 4 SEAL. 1
By SILAS G. STRONG.
GEORGE H. HOUSER, SEAL. I
JACOB H. HOUSER. I
On the second day of this session, and immediately after the reception of the above report and proposition, Charles W. Stevenson was appointed Director of the town of Kenton, and ordered to enter into a bond of $1,000 for the faithful discharge of the duties thereof, with Charles C. Scott. Henry D. Tharp and Robert McCloud as securities. Under date of September 12, 1833, the following item is recorded: "Ordered by the court. that Charles W. Stevenson, Director of the town of Kenton, the county seat of Hardin County, be and he is hereby instructed to accede to the propostions made by the proprietors of the land fixed on for the said seat of justice as per proposition filed and entered on the minutes of this court, and proceed to lay off the said land into lots, streets and alleys, designating the public square agreeably to the plan agreed upon by the court and on file in this office; and also proceed, with all possible dispatch, to advertise and sell at public auction the said lots, or as many of them as can be sold, on the 15th and 16th days of October next. requiring of the purchasers one-fifth of the purchase money in band, and the balance in three annual equal payments; and the said Director is instructed to discount 6 per cent per annum on the deferred payments if they are paid in hand."*
There is nothing on record to show who named the county seat, or why it was called "Kenton," but tradition has banded down the following story of the event: After the Commissioners had agreed upon the location, there was considerable discussion as to the naming of the town. Before any decision was arrived at, the party., in company with Judge William McCloud, had reached Fort McArthur, where dinner was awaiting them, and the subject was for the time suspended. As soon as the meal was over, the matter again came up, and being unable to come to any satisfactory conclusion, it was agreed to call upon Mrs. McCloud to decide the question. It so happened that the well-known frontiersman and noted scout, Simon Kenton, was a warm friend of Judge McCloud, and that Mrs. McCloud was an ardent admirer of the famous border warrior. When the Commissioners left to her the choice of names, she at once decided to pay a fitting tribute of respect to her husband's friend, and exclaimed, "Call the town Kenton."
* The second sale of town lots took place June 3 and 4,1834.
478 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Her selection was declared excellent, and the new county seat was thus given the name of one of the most illustrious men in the annals of Indian warfare.
SKETCH OF SIMON KENTON.
Inasmuch as the territory embraced in Hardin County was closely associated with one of the most noted events in the life of this sturdy pioneer (a full account of which will be found in Chapter IV), and that-in subsequent years it fell to the lot of this county to have its seat of justice named in honor of his services, it will be proper to devote some space to a brief sketch of his life. Simon Kenton, according to McClung's " Sketches of Western Adventure," was born in Fauquier County, Va., May 15, 1755, but in Howe's "Historical Collections," the inscription on his tombstone says that he "was born April 3, 1755, in Culpeper County, Va., and died April 29, 1836, aged eighty-one years and twenty-six days." We have no means of knowing which of these accounts is the correct one, but would infer that the latter is the more reliable. At the age of sixteen, Kenton became entangled in a love affair, which led to a quarrel with a rival and supposing he had slain his antagonist he fled to the wilds of Kentucky, where he assumed the name of Simon Butler. He here, met Daniel Boone and other frontiersmen, and soon was known as one of the most courageous and sagacious Indian scouts of his time. The scouts and spies of that day, by the nature of their employment, and perhaps from their natural impulses, were unsettled. Kenton's associations with Boone and others connected him with the expeditions in Kentucky and Ohio against the Indians, and he traversed nearly every part of the latter State before he settled in it. His capture and captivity, in 1778, is spoken of in a previous chapter; and, in 1786, Col. Daniel Boone and Maj. Simon Kenton led the advance of Gen. Logan's forces in his attack and destruction of the Mackacheek towns, in what is now Logan County, Ohio. In fact, a minute account of Kenton's career would embrace most of the history of the struggle for possession of Ohio. He settled about five miles north of Springfield, Ohio, in 1799; thence removed to the site of Lagonda, in the same county, where he erected a rude mill on Buck Creek, subsequently settling in Urbana.
Upon the breaking-out of the war of 1812, he was made Brigadier General of Militia, and joined the army under Gen. Harrison. At the battle of Moravian towns, Kenton displayed his usual intrepidity, and demonstrated throughout the whole war that he yet possessed his old-time prowess and skill upon the field of battle or in the presence of the enemy. About 1820, he finally settled near the head of Mad River, in Logan County, and, in 1824, visited the Legislature of Kentucky to solicit a release of some claims held by that State against some mountain lands owned by him. He was now old and poor; and presented that tattered appearance which, on first sight, provoked the smiles and inattention of the members; but as soon as it was known that the old man was Simon Kenton, the companion and friend of Boone, he was the lion of the hour, and received all due honor and consideration. The State claims were not only remitted, but the Legislature took an active part in getting for him a pension from Congress of $20 per month, which secured his declining years from want.
His opportunities enabled him to obtain large quantities of land in Kentucky and Ohio, but, though, with every facility for becoming rich, he became poor and necessitous. He was unable to read, and trusted too much to his memory and the honor of men. He was as generous and kind-hearted as he was brave, and incurred obligations which gave him great annoyance,
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 479
and brought him to prison under the old law of imprisonment for debt. Judging others by himself, he was not conscious of the impositions and dishonesty to which he was subjected, until, defrauded and robbed of his estate, it was too late to remedy the wrongs committed under the sanction of law. His latter years were passed in a small log cabin about five miles northeast of Bellefontaine. Here he breathed his last, and was laid to rest beneath a small grassy knoll in the same vicinity. In 1865, his remains were removed to Urbana. and are now moldering in Oakdale Cemetery. A monument worthy of the man is in process of construction, and will soon mark the spot where all that is mortal of the once famous scout lies buried.
The many incidents of his romantic and eventful life are well detailed by his friend and biographer, Col. John McDonald, from whose work we extract the following description of his personal appearance band character: Gen. Kenton was of fair complexion, and six feet one inch in height. He stood and walked very erect, and. in the prime of life, weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds. He never was inclined to be corpulent, although of sufficient fullness to form a graceful person. He had a soft, tremulous voice. very pleasing to the hearer. He had laughing gray eyes, which appeared to fascinate the beholder. He was a pleasant, good humored and obliging, companion. When excited, or provoked to anger (which was seldom the case), the fiery glance of his eye would almost curdle the blood of those with whom he came in contact. His rage, when roused, was a tornado. In his dealing, he was perfectly honest; his confidence in man and his credulity were such that the same man might cheat him twenty times: and if he professed friendship he might cheat him still."
ORIGINAL TOWN PLAT.
The following description of the plat of Kenton. surveyed under the authority of Charles W. Stevenson. Director. is taken from the official plathook in the Recorder's office
The public square is seventeen poles square, exclusive of the streets which surround it, viz.: Detroit, Main, Columbus and Franklin streets, which are each eighty feet wide; the other streets are each sixty feet wide: and the alleys each sixteen and a half feet wide. The alley on the west of the town is sixteen feet wide, in the east ten, and in the west sixteen and a half feet. The burying ground is twenty-one rods by sixteen and fifteen link. and contains two acres and eighteen hundredths.
Surveyed by D. Hopkins, Deputy S. L. C.
OCTOBER 8, 1833.
I certify the foregoing plat and field notes of the survey of the town of Kenton to be correct and true as surveyed by me under the direction of Charles W. Stevenson; and that I planted a corner-stone marked X at the southeast corner of the public square.
D. HOPKINS Deputy S. L. C.
October 8, 1833.
STATE OF OHIO, HARDIN CO.
On the 10th day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three, Charles W. Stevenson, the Court Director of the town Kenton, in the county aforesaid, personally appeared before me the subscriber, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the above plat to be his official act and deed for the use of said county.
Given under my hand and seal the date last above written.
GEORGE H. HOUSER, J. P.
Received for record on the 10th and recorded on the 11th of October, 1833.
D. CAMPBELL, R. H. C.
Mr. Hopkins, who was the Deputy Surveyor of Logan County, Ohio, also laid off the "Western Addition to Kenton" for George H. Houser, October 11, 1833, and the plat was acknowledged before William McCloud, Associate Judge, October 12, 1833. The "Eastern Addition to Kenton "
480 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
was platted by Hopkins for Jacob H. Houser on the 11th of October, 1833, and the acknowledgment made. on the following day before George H. Houser, Justice of the Peace. Since that time, additions have been made to Kenton by the following parties:
Jacob H. Houser's Addition, June 4, 1836; recorded July 2, 1836.
John Goodin's, June 28, 1836; recorded June 30, 1836.
Samuel Mentzer's, December 14, 1841; recorded January 5, 1842.
Conrad W. Show's, May 25, 1845; recorded June 2, 1845.
William Wyckoff's, July 25, 1844; recorded August 3, 1844.
Thomas S. Mills', June 21, 1845; recorded March 17, 1846.
Elizabeth Holmes', March 13, 1846; recorded April 13, 1846.
Jacob H. Houser's, November 21, 1849; recorded November 27, 1849
Powers heirs', May 22, 1850; recorded August 20, 1850.
William C. Ross', February 6, 1851; recorded February 18, 1851.
John Pfeiffer's, February 6, 1851; recorded February 24, 1851.
Francis Ashton's, May 21, 1851; recorded June 10, 1851.
Thompson's, June 27, 1851; recorded June 30. 1851.
William Thomson's, February 9, 1852; recorded February 18, 1852.
Henry J. Miller's, March 6, 1852; recorded March 29, 1852.
William Furney's, May 8, 1852; recorded May 29, 1852.
Simeon Jennings', September 10, 1853; recorded September 28, 1853.
Henry Hisel's, January 13, 1853; recorded May 8. 1854.
William Thomson's, August 5, 1854; recorded August 8, 1854.
Benjamin Eglin's, February 23, 1852; recorded October 12, 1855.
Brunson & Pierson's, July 21, 1858; recorded June 21. 1859.
B. R. Brunson's, June 20, 1859; recorded June 21, 1859.
John & Urich Bloom's, December 26. 1859; recorded Jan. 12, 1860.
J. S. Robinson's, April 8. 1863; recorded April 9,. 1863.
Lewis Owens', April 2, 1868; recorded April 2, 1868.
Isaac G. Williams', April, 1868; recorded May 11, 1868.
Town Extension, August 21, 22, 1868; recorded April 28, 1869.
Eliza Jennings', June 14, 1869; recorded June 22, 1869.
Usher P. Leighton's, November 25, 1869; recorded December 25, 1869.
John H. Gary's, June 26, 1870; recorded January 31, 18 70.
Frederick Foyle's, February 15, 1870; recorded February 16, 1870.
Conrad Kahler's, April 19, 1870; recorded July 7, 1870.
George Reach's August 5, 1870; recorded August 13, 1870.
Jonh Pfeiffer's, February 20, 1871; recorded March 2, 1871.
W. M. Chesney's, April 25, 1871; recorded April 27, 1871.
Mary L. Carter's, March 7, 1872; recorded March 16, 1872.
Cary & Cessna's, April 12, 1872; recorded April 16, 1872.
Ullrich Gerlach's, March, 1871; recorded May 9, 1872.
Usher P. Leighton's, October 1, 1872; recorded November 1, 1872.
Espy & Williams', February 22, 1873; recorded February 25, 1873.
Augustus Traeger's, May 10, 1873; recorded May 14, 1873.
Town Extension, June 7 to 14. 1873; recorded July 25, 1873.
George Salzman's, August 19, 1873; recorded August 23, 1873.
Henry Loeffert's, May 7, 1873; recorded December 30, 1873.
William Moore's, December 18. 1873; recorded December 30, 1873
William H. Millar's, November 24, 1873; recorded March 22, 1874.
P. Howard's, April 6, 1874; recorded April 22, 1874.
South Kenton, April 1, 1874; recorded July 29, 1874.
Hiram Kettle's, September 4, 1874; recorded September 10, 1874.
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 481
Charles Brumm's, September 9, 1874; recorded September 16, 1874.
.John Goodin's, April 24, 1875; recorded May 7, 1875.
A. W. Munson's, June 14. 1875; recorded February 4, 1876.
.James Ewing's. December 30, 1875; recorded Jauary 13, 1876.
Asher Letson's, November 2, 1875; recorded February 19, 1876
William Cary's, July, 1876; recorded September 13, 1876.
William Cary's, July, 1876; recorded September 14, 1876.
Augustus Traegpr's, September 4, 1877; recorded January 5, 1878.
Harvey Buckmister's, April 1, 1878; recorded April 22, 1878.
Thomas Espy's, September 13, 1877; recorded June 24, 1878.
Asher Letson's. April 9, 1878; recorded September 16, 1878.
G. S. Williams', August 9. 1878; recorded March 11, 1879.
Dougherty's, September 7, 1880; recorded September 10, 1880.
Merriman's. May 31, 1882; recorded August 11, 1882.
Thomas Espy's, January 11, 1882; recorded September 25, 1882.
Asher Letson's. October 26, 27, 31, 1881; recorded Sept. 25, 1882.
Adam Schneider's, April 7, 1882; recorded November 9, 1882.
Ullrich Gerlach's, October 19, 1882; recorded April 20, 1883.
J. C. Smith's. February 13, 1882: recorded April 20, 1883.
NAMES 0F ORIGINAL LOT OWNERS.
The original plan of Kenton includes the first row of lots west of Market street. and east to and including the first row east of Wayne street. It runs south to the old bed of the Scioto River. extending some distance across its present channel. The burying-ground was located in the northeast, corner of said plat, on the site of the residences of G. R. Moore and Metellus Thomson. immediately west of the Catholic Church, and the alley on the north of these lots is the northern boundary of the plat. The following, are the names of the original lot owners in the old plat, from its northern boundary south to Walnut street. A few, however, are missing, and there is nothing on record to show who originally owned them. We have also been unable to find any record of the dates of purchase, and therefore give the date when the deed was recorded; which was often many years after the sale was made by the Director. The list, however, gives the gum. bers of the lots, and the first owners' names, which will be a valuable record for reference by our readers.
482 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
DATE
ORIGINAL OWNERS. LOTS. OF
DEED.
Philip Urich.............................1......................1836
Joseph Nichols ........................2......................1837
John Shultze ............................3......................1837
James Dwiggans ......................4......................1835
John Drum ...............................5......................1837
Lemuel Powers' Heirs ..............6......................1836
Amos Anderson ........................7......................1834
George H. Reece........................8......................1839
Luther Damon ..........................9.......................1835
David Shove ...........................10.......................1838
David Shove ...........................11.......................1838
Eri Strong ...............................12.......................1835
George B. Goodin...................13.......................1836
William King ......................... 14.......................1837
Isaac C. Drum..........................15.......................1836
Elias Clark ..............................16.......................1836
Thomas I:. Hueston.................17........................1837
George Ramge ........................18........................1836
Ophir Carroll ...........................19.......................1836
George Ramge .........................20.......................1836
John H. Ross.............................21.......................1835
Jacob Dunn ..............................22.......................1836
Peter H. Houser........................23........................1835
George B. Goodin....................24........................1836
..................................................25 ......
Joseph Moss.............................26........................1837
Thomas McClaid .....................27........................1836
Francis Ashton ........................28.........................1835
William Furney .......................29.........................1850
John L Blodgett........................30.........................1834
Samuel Peel .............................31.........................1839
Horace Church .........................32.........................1836
Horace Church .........................33.........................1836
John McKee .............................34.........................1838
John McKee .............................35.........................1837
Philip Urich ..............................36........................1836
Joseph Nichols .........................37.........................1837
Obed Taylor .............................38.........................1841
Directors of School District No. 7 39....................1842
Samuel Peel ..............................40........................1838
William Cary and C. Merriman 41........................1836
Daniel Campbell .......................42........................1836
William Furney .........................43........................1849
James Mollet ............................44........................1849
J. and G. B. Goodin....................45........................1837
John Longnecker ...............S ½ 46........................1836
John Pfeiffer .....................N.½ 46........................1837
Alexander Thomson ..................47........................1837
Amos Anderson .........................48........................1834
Samuel Wagner .........................49.........................1837
Usher P. Leighton.......................50........................1844
Obed Taylor ...............................51........................1835
James S. Ballentine.....................52........................1845
Catherine Richey ........................53.........................1845
Emi P. Hurd ................................54.........................1837
John D. Delateur..........................55.........................1833
Lemuel Powers' Heirs .................56.........................1836
Enoch Sherman ...........................57.........................1835
John Grier ...................................58..........................1835
James Laughead ..........................59..........................1838
Isaac Comer .................................60.........................1834
William Cary and C. Merriman....61.........................1836
......................................................62
Isaac A. Mills ..............................63..........................1837
Jane E. Ross ................................64..........................1837
John Shultze ................................65..........................1835
Thomas Gillispie, Jr ....................66..........................1838
James Dwiggans .........................67...........................1837
Robert Johnson ...........................68...........................1836
John Goodin ...............................69...........................1837
Samuel Mentzer .........................70...........................1837
Samuel Mentzer .........................71...........................1837
Thomas Gillispie, Jr ...................72...........................1838
Thomas Gillispie, Jr ...................73...........................1838
Obed Taylor and William Cary .74............................1836
John Thomson ............................75...........................1836
Samuel Wagner ..........................76...........................1837
Jacob H. Houser..........................77...........................1839
.....................................................78
Trustees First Presbyterian Church..79......................1843
James Crump...............................80...........................1836
John Johnson ...............................81...........................1837
William Cary ...............................82...........................1836
Moses H. Kirby and John H. Wear...83......................1837
Allan Kelley .................................84..........................1836
G. R. Moors and Amos Johns ......85..........................1853
George Johns ...............................86...........................1837
David Shellabarger ......................87...........................1837
Jacob H. Mouser...........................88...........................1837
William Furney ............................89...........................1850
Samuel Mentzer ...........................90............................1836
Alexander Thomson .....................91............................1836
Obed Taylor .................................92.............................1836
William Furney ............................93.............................1851
John W. Williams.........................94..............................1836
......................................................95. .
Robert Johnson ............................96..............................1836
Joseph Ankeny.............................97..............................1835
Samuel Mentzer ..........................98...............................1835
Edit Edwin Fisher.........................99...............................1846
William Furney ..........................100...............................1850
Mordccai Cochran ......................101...............................1835
Robert R. Truman........................102...............................1838
John W. Williams........................103................................1836
Obed Taylor ................................104................................1836
Nancy Goodin .............................105................................1836
George Johns...............................106.................................1838
Stewart Connor ...........................107
James Elam .................................108.................................1834
James Elam .................................109.................................1834
James Rawles ..............................110.................................1837
Hiram M. White ..........................111.................................1836
James Johnson .............................112.................................1836
Joseph Jacoby ..............................113.................................1836
William Furney ............................114.................................1850
William Furney ............................115.................................1849
David Goodin ...............................116.................................1837
William Jackson ...........................117.................................1837
Robert R. Truman .........................118.................................1836
Same. Crump..................................119................................1836
George Reece .................................120................................1839
John Brown ....................................121 ...............................1836
Daniel Barren .................................122................................1835
C. H. Kautz......................................123................................1837
Isaac Mills .......................................124...............................1837
James Scott.......................................125...............................1836
Isaac Mills .......................................126...............................1835
Samuel Peel .....................................127...............................1839
Benjamin Johnson ...........................128...............................1835
Isaac H. Mouser...............................129...............................1840
James Scott .....................................130...............................1836
Jacob Lipley ....................................131...............................1836
David Goodin ..................................132...............................1836
Henry Garrett ...................................133...............................1837
Eri Strong .........................................134...............................1837
Eri Strong .........................................135...............................1837
Eri Strong .........................................136...............................1837
James Scott .......................................137..............................1836
...........................................................138. .
...........................................................139.....
Trustees of M. E. Church........N 1/2 140.................................1839
Directors of School District ....S 1/2 140 ................................1842
Usher P. Leighton .............................141.................................1847
William Mary and C. Merriman.........142.................................1836
............................................................143.....
Daniel Barron .....................................144.................................1835
John O. Fox ........................................145.................................1846
James Scott .........................................146.................................1836
Andrew Dodds ....................................147.................................1846
James Rice ..........................................148..................................1837
Eliza Wheeler ......................................149.................................1838
George Johns .......................................150.................................1836
Hugh Letson ........................................151.................................1847
George Clement ..................................152..................................1846
Usher P. Leighton ................................153.................................1844
Jacob H. Houser ...................................154.................................1845
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 483
FIRST SETTLERS OF THE TOWN SITE.
The site of Kenton was one of the earliest settled points in Pleasant. Township. In the fall of 1830, George H. Huuser came from Union County, Ohio, and erected a cabin on the north bank of the Scioto River, immediately south of where Young's lumber yard is now located. He was a native of Virginia, whose parents emigrated to Fairfield County. Ohio; whence, after marriage, George H. removed to the vicinity of Milford Center, Union County. His wife. Sophia, and four children. viz., John, Sarah, Mary and Nancy. camp with him, while two, viz., William Cary Kenton and Barbara, were born in the rude log cabin in the wilderness of Hardin County. He was a true backwoodsman; cared little for labor or progress, but was in his element when roaming the forest with his dog and gun. He was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1833, serving one or more terms in that capacity. About 1839, he removed to Indiana; thence to Iowa, where he and his wife died. None of his descendants are residents of this county. Mr. Houser was an ardent Methodist, and was the class leader of the first society organized at his cabin in 1832. Wa have been told that he exhorted, prayed and sang so loud that it was no uncommon thing to hear him a mile or two away. On the night of the meteoric display, in November, 1833, Mr. Houser, upon discovering the wonderful natural phenomenon, rushed to the cabin of, William Furney, where William Carv also had his small store, and shouted at the top of his voice. "Oh Mr. Furney! Oh, Mr. Cary! Come out! come out! The world is coming to an end; the stars are falling from the heavens!" It is said that when he performed the marriage ceremony, uniting Emi P. Hurd to Margaret Muster, a very amusing circumstance occurred. Mr. Hurd was a blacksmith, and by appointment with Miss Musser, who lived with the family of William Furney, went from his shop in his everyday attire to Houser's cabin, where the marriage was to take place. Mr. Houser was afraid that the girl's friends would be angry with him for "tying the knot." and in his trepidation exclaimed, "I pronounce you man and wife. although my knees do tremble."
Some time during the year 1830, William Wilmoth located on the site of the southeastern part of Kenton. He was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and with his wife, Susan, and five children, viz., Reuben, William, Juliann, Mary and Elizabeth, erected a cabin close to a spring northeast of the ice pond, where, in after years, he built a larger residence, now known as the " King property." Another daughter-Martha was born after their coming, and here his first wife died. He subsequently married Mrs. Mary Foglesong, nee Coffee, and in 1847 removed to Independence, Mo.
In the spring of 1831, Lemuel Wilmoth, a brother of William, came from Ross County, Ohio, and entered forty acres of land, whereon much of the southern portion of Kenton now stands. He built a cabin southwest of his brothers, where he lived many years. He was twice married; first to a Miss Gibson, who bore him the following children: John, Benson, Levin, Nancy, Lavinia, Rachel and Lydia. His second wife was Mary Davis, who became the mother of Wellington, Mary, Jane, William, Ella, Eugene and Zemmie. Mr. Wilmoth subsequently removed to a farm a short distance north of town; thence to the homestead, some four miles north of Kenton, where he died February 3, 1879. His widow still survives, and his descendants are among the most respected citizens of the county.
The only settlers, besides those mentioned, who located on the site of
484 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Kenton prior to its selection, June 1, 1833, as the seat of justice for Hardin County, were John and William Dinwiddie, who, with their mother and two sisters, came from Union County, Ohio, in the fall of 1832, and built a cabin near the south end of the old cemetery. They remained, however, only about a year; thence removed to land selected by them north of the town. Ere their removal, the county seat had been located, and cabins began to appear here and there through the dense forest covering its site; but nothing had yet been done to indicate that here would stand, inside of fifty years. one of the most prosperous towns in Ohio.
PIONEERS OF KENTON.
William Furney was the first settler of the newly selected seat of justice, and whatever honor belongs to that event is justly his. He was born near Winchester, Va., in 1794, and during his boyhood days emigrated with his parents to Columbiana County, Ohio. In March, 1815, he was married to Christina Lepley, a native of Hagarstown, Penn., born November 2. 1799. Soon after marriage. they removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., where they lived about two years: then returned to Columbiana Count,., Ohio. Of this union were born five children, only two-Hiram and Luther -surviving infancy. In April, 1833. Mr. Furney started, with his wife and two sons, to seek a home further West. and after remaining six weeks at, Bucyrus, Ohio, he heard. through Mr. Gillespie, the Register in the Government Land Office, of the newly organized county of Hardin. Leaving his family at Bucvrus. he started on foot for this point. Reaching the site of Kenton. he soon concluded to make it his future home; so. return ing as he had come. he brought out his family, arriving at his destination about June 20, 1833. He immediately began the erection of a cabin on the southwest corner of the Reece House lot, his family, in the meantime, stopping at the home of George H. Houser. On the 4th of July, the cabin was ready for occupancy. and the family celebrated the event by an oldfashioned pioneer dinner. The design for the original plat of Kenton was furnished to Charles W. Stevenson by Mr. Furney, and followed by Mr. Hopkins in his survey of the town. His cabin was also the boarding-place of the men engaged on the work. Mr. Furney. being a fair mechanic, opened a gun and blacksmith shop, in which all classes of repairing was done for the hunters. land-buyers and pioneers who frequented or lived in this region of country. Soon afterward, he engaged in keeping a tavern, and, early in 1831. erected a frame building on the corner of Detroit and Franklin streets, the site of the "Brunson Block." which he opened up and called the " Mansion House." He ran this hotel. with the exception of two years when it was rented, till 1846, at which time he was succeeded by his son Luther. In 1848, he engaged in the grocery business, near the site of Luther Furney's store, on Franklin street. and remained in that calling until his death. He died, May 20, 1854, aged sixty years. A short time after coming to Kenton, Mr. Furney was appointed Major of the Third Regiment, First Brigade, Twelfth Division, Ohio Militia, and, in 1837, Colonel of the same regiment, which was called out in the trouble known as the "Ohio and Michigan war." His widow still survives him, and is in her eighty-fourth year. Of the sons, Hiram died in 1860; Luther raised a company during the civil war, for the Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, subsequently became Lieutenant Colonel of that regiment, and is now engaged in merchandising in Kenton.
With Mr. Furney came James Gillispie, a son of the Register of Lands
PAGE 485 - BLANK
PAGE 486 - PICTURE OF M. V. GILBERT
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 487
at Bucyrus; also Henry Garrett, his brother-in-law, with a wife and two children. In the winter of 1833-34. Mr. Gillispie married Elsie Gardner, and this was doubtless the first marriage that occurred in Kenton. He remained here about three years, then went back to Bucyrus. Mr. Garrett built a cabin south of Furney's, but soon removed to a farm north of town, whence, in 1862, he went to Minnesota.
The next to locate in Kenton was John W. Williams and family. He was a native of Woodsboro, _Md., born April 20, 1800, and his parentage, on both sides, took an active -part in the Revolutionary war. One of his sons, J. W. F. Williams, an employe in one of the Government departments at Washington, D. C.. writes us the following account regarding his father's settlement at Kenton: "My father emigrated from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, arriving at the new county seat of Hardin County ten days before the first sale of lots, October 15 and 16, 1833. The town site bad just been surveyed, but the lots were not yet sold. They were often compelled to go ahead with ages and clear a road for the wagons, especially as they neared their destination. There was here and there a settler, with small patches cleared. The town site was a dense wood, and there was not a stick amiss ' on your beautiful court house square. They camped in the woods. as I have heard him say, about the spot your court house now stands on. They slept in the wagons. and in a small log camp erected on the square, and cooked b-; the side of a large fallen tree. Here they remained until a lot could be bought and house built. The roads to the different settlements, on Eagle Creek, .in Hancock Countv and the Hon Creek marsh, also to Round Head settlement and Upper Sandusky. wort) but little more than blazed bridle paths. Game was in abundance; deer, turkey and an occasional bear could be seen. He and others of the party killed deer within five hundred yards of the public square. One morning, a herd was discovered almost within shooting range. Hp crept a short distance, not going off the square, and shot a large. fat doe. The others ran back into the woods, leaving a half-grown fawn, which stood near its dead mother until he re-loaded and fired, when it wheeled and followed the herd, which, he discovered had onlv ran about two hundred vards into the thick brush, but now fled again. A few days afterward they were attracted to a spot less than half a mile distant by the howling and fighting of wolves. Going there. the fawn was found partly eaten by the ravenous animals. It had been fatally wounded, and ran that far. When cooking, in the late evening, the scent of roasting venison would often attract large packs of snarlinn wolves very close, and they could be heard almost every night. Two bears, one day, closely pursued by some hunters from the north, were reported to be passing on the river bottom near by. All hands joined the chase. One was killed about a mile west of the public square, having been previously wounded in one of its hind feet. The other escaped to the Scioto marsh, but. had almost killed one of the dogs that had caught up and attacked it.
"He purchased several choice lots facing the public square, and among them the corner lot on the southwest corner of Detroit and Franklin streets, afterward known as the David Goodin corner. Upon this lot, after clearing off the heavy timber, he erected a large hewedlog house, the first of that kind built in your beautiful city. After the logs had been hewed, all of which were cut on that and adjoining lots and in the street, raising day came. A sufficient number of hands could not be obtained there to shove up the heavy logs and `take up' the corners, so he was compelled to ride 0
488 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
around a couple of days, following the blazed bridle-paths, to the several settlements, and invite the settlers to the raising. The shingles, I have heard him say, were all made from a large oak tree that stood in the street in front of the house on the north. The house was chinked and daubed, the most of it being laid with a puncheon floor. As soon as the family could move in. he began to `keep tavern.' Several other houses were by this time under way. In connection with the tavern, he sold a few goods, his trade being mostly powder, lead and flints, gun caps not being in general use. Other parties soon built and opened stores, when he abandoned that pursuit, Iloney being scarce, the articles he dealt in were often exchanged for peltry. In four months, the winter of 1834-35, he and traveling buyers took in at his tavern 1,500 deer skins. and thousands of raccoon, muskrat and occasionally a beaver skin. Deer were so plenty, that their hides brought more than the meat. The first courts held in Kenton. and up to the completion of the court house in 1835. were Held in his house. Up to the spring of 1836. there was but one house between Kenton and the location of Williamstown, fourteen miles north.
"The seat of government of Hardin County having been established at Kenton, he was awarded the contract to build a court house, which he began in May, 1834. From a ' C. H. day book,' in which he kept all the transactions in connection with the contract, as well as other matters, I find that his superintendent in the erection of the building was John H. Houser. July 21, 1834, is this entry: 'Boston Shawver commenced to mold, set and burn 100,000 brick for the C. H. The same person is credited with laving up the walls. Benjamin Faught was paid $1.75 for 'clearing the timber off the brick yard.' Robert Smith made the molds. Michael Johnson hewed the sleepers, joists and rafters. A. Dinwiddie aided in burning the brick at 50 cents per day. night the same. Obed Taylor witnessed the payments of money by the county on the contract. Josiah Ropey `shaved the shingles.' The following persons worked upon the brick yard or court house: Lemuel Wilmoth, Daniel Barron, James Dwiggans, Joseph Sbaw, Hays Badly, William Heckathorn, Joshua Smith, William Williamson, John C. Dills, William Pearson and S. Lee. His brother, Ezra I. Williams, now living in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. did the `house-carpenter work.' The building was finished in October, 1835. His daily transactions being minutely kept in his day book, it is authority for the wages paid for labor, and price of boarding and `tavern bills' in Kenton half a century ago. For 'chopping, clearing, rolling logs, chopping kiln-wood, sawing shingle timber, digging mud, hauling, tending mason,' etc., was universally 50 cents per day; boarding, .$1.25 per week, until the fall of 1835, when a few entries are made ` $1.75 per week;' single meals to all, except regular travelers, was 6 1/4 cents; Travelers who ` put up' at the tavern, including land-hunters, were charged, for a footman, supper, bed and breakfast, 31 1/4 cents; single meals to travelers, 12 1/2 cents; bed, 6 1/4 cents; man and horse, supper, bed and breakfast for each, 56 cents man and two horses, 75 cents. A number of settlers are charged with night's lodgings, single meals or beds. Now and then an entry is made when they were expected to pay the bill. One reads. `Jacob Berger, to two nights' lodgings and dinner, 75 cents;' with this note, `lives on Tymochtee, will pay when he brings in his coon skins next week.' Another, `Thomas Atler and a big Dutchman, two dinners, 25 cents; three flints, 18 3/4 cents; lives on other side of marsh; will send the money by Mr. Stevenson.' It being reported and believed that the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad would locate its line six
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 489
mile. to the east of Kenton, and the county seat be moved to a place known ,is , Wheeler's,' he sold all of his property in Kenton, had the town site of Williamstown surveyed. and moved there in the winter of 1835-36. He died at Williamstown in September, 1874.
"Ezra I. W Williams, who did the house-carpenter' work on the first court house in Kenton, now resides at Westchester, Ohio. Another brother, Joseph, who landed with him at Kenton, died at Columbia, Iowa, in 1880. His brother Vachel was also an early settler in Kenton, but, getting scared at the prevalence of `milk sick.' left, and traveled on foot to Cincinnati. Landing with a shilling. he has since amassed a large fortune there by early investments in real estate. His brother-in-law, Wright Ferguson, did much of the clearing of timber off the court house square and adjoining lots. He went to Kentucky in 1835."
William Cary was born in New Jersey August 19, 1811. whence he came to Ohio. In the fall of 1833, he brought a small amount of merchandise from Marseilles. Ohio. to Kenton, and for a short time occupied a log cabin built by George H. Houser on the north bank of the Scioto River, near where the brewery now stands, south of Young's lumber yard. He soon removed his stock of goods to a small room on the west end of William Furney's log house. which stood on the southwest corner of the Reese House lot. The room had been built and previously occupied by Mr. Furney as a gun and blacksmith shop. Upon the sale of lots, Mr. Cary purchased a lot on Detroit street, opposite the square, about where Merriman's tin store now is, and ereeted thereon a small frame store room. He sold goods in that building some three or four years, or until his return to Marseilles. He was married, July 7, 1841, to Sarah Dudley, a daughter of Moses and .lane ( Patterson) Dudley, natives of Maine. who were the first settlers of Dudley Township, and after whom that subdivision was named. About 1847-48, Mr. Cary again came to Kenton, and engaged in merchandising; but. in 1853, he Began the banking business, which he carried on till 1875, when, like many other first-class business men, he was compelled to suspend. In .June, 1854, he was appointed Director of Kenton, to succeed Charles W. Stevenson. He died March 12, 1877, leaving a family consisting of his wife and eight children, only five of whom, with the widow, are now living.
Eri Strong and wife came to Kenton from Union County, Ohio, in 1833. Soon after coming, they had born to them a son. whom they named Kenton, because he was the first child born in the town. Mr. Strong was a man of good education, and one of the pioneer school teachers of this locality. lie served, also, as a Justice of the Peace, and was the Deputy Postmaster for some time, the office being in his cabin, which stood on Ohio street, close to Main. In a few years he returned to Union County, whence he had come.
Alexander Thomson, a native of Scotland. settled in Hardin County about 1831-32. Upon the organization of the county, he was appointed Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and held that office till early in 1839. He located in Kenton in the winter of 1833-34; was twice married and the father of the following children, viz.: William, Alexander, Janet, Evaline, and one daughter now residing near Bucyrus, whose name is not remembered. Mr. Thomson removed to Crawford County, Ohio, but again came to Kenton and here died. His widow is residing with one of her daughters at Leavenworth, Kan.
During the winter of 1833-34, Joseph Nichols and family came to Ken
490 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
ton, and built a cabin north of Carroll street, west of the railroad. He was one of the pioneer teamsters, and his house was often used by the Methodists of this locality as a place of worship. Mr. Nichols and wife were members of that church, and though he could neither read nor write. he was a noted local exhorter, and an enthusiastic disciple of the religious methods then in vogue among the followers of Wesley, who, were the pioneers of the faith in Ohio. About 1841, he removed to Wisconsin, and there died a short time past.
John Wheeler came from Bellefontaine, Ohio, early in 1834, and began selling goods in a cabin that stood on the site of the Democrat office, near the corner of Main and Franklin streets. He soon returned to Bellefontaine, and subsequently became a :Methodist preacher.
In March, 1834, Obed Taylor opened a store in a small log building which was erected in November, 1833. on Detroit street, the site of G. R. Moore's hardware house. He was a native of Franklin County, Penn., and removed with his parents to Franklin County, Ohio: thence to Delaware County, coming to Kenton with his wife. Elizabeth C., at the date mentioned. Here he passed the greater part of his life, but subsequently settled in Buck Township. where he died January 21, 1870. His widow survived him. and died at the home of their adopted son, David Stanford, May 25, 1879. Mr. Taylor served as Treasurer anal also Sheriff of Hardin County during the pioneer days. and his name will be found identified with its growth and progress up to the time of his death.
Daniel Barron was born in Somerset County, Penn., June 26, 1804; emigrated to Holmes County. Ohio. in 1830, and March 25, 1834, came to Kenton. Being a tanner by trade, he began the work of fixing up a tan-yard, on the northeast corner of Detroit and Ohio streets, but abandoned the project and engaged as a clerk in the store of Obed Taylor. Mr. Barron soon became prominent in the civil and religious interests of the county and town. He served twelve years as Recorder and two years as Treasurer of Hardin County, besides filling many other minor offices of trust and responsibility. among which we might mention that he was a Justice of the Peace for nine year. In fact. every worthy object found in him a friend, and he always gave willingly and liberally toward the building of churches and public works of utility. He was married to Elizabeth Dever September 22, 1852, who has borne him two sons-Everett and Clifton. Mr. Barron has now been a resident of Kenton for more than forty-nine years, and his life has been marked by industry. usefulness and integrity of character; but from too much kindness and generosity, accommodating many who proved unworthy of the confidence reposed in them. he met with financial losses which. in his old age, have reduced him to comparative poverty. His memory goes back to the time when Kenton was not. to those pioneer days when one vast forest covered this whole region; and his well-balanced mind has retained, in a wonderful degree, the knowledge gained through the passing years; so that to him we are indebted for much valuable information contained in this work.
In April. 1834, John H. Wear opened a store in a room of William Furney's building, on the northwest corner of Detroit and Franklin streets. He came here from Highland County, Ohio, and after selling goods here for some eight or ten years, returned to his early home.
Emi P. Hurd, a blacksmith, carne from Marseilles Ohio, in 1834, and started a blacksmith shop on North Detroit street, the site of William Gilmore's residence. He carried on business at that point till his death, January
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19, 1846, leaving a wife and two children. His wife's maiden name was Margaret Musser, and she came to Kenton with William Furney. They were married by George H. Houser, a Justice of the Peace, previously spoken of. On the 6th of October following Mr. Hurd's death, his widow also died, and the children were taken by their grandparents, who lived at Marseilles.
Robert Smith, a carpenter, came from Richland County, Ohio, in 1834, and was engaged in the erection of the first court house, which was commenced in May of that year. In a few years, he removed to a farm north of Kenton, where he subsequently died, and where his widow still resides.
Andrew Barnes came to Kenton in 1834, and started a tailor shop in a cabin which stood on the southwest corner of Main and Carroll streets. He remained only a few years, but during his stay married the daughter of a settler in Taylor Creek Township. Mr. Barnes was the pioneer tailor of Kenton, and as such deserves mention in its history.
Late in 1834, or early in the following year, James Elam and John Brown came from Greene County, Ohio, and engaged in merchandising in the room previously occupied by John Wheeler, on East Franklin street. Elam also carried on a cabinet shop, which he sold to James Faught and Emanuel Shoard, about 1836-37, who continued the business. After selling goods several years, Elam went to Logan County, Ohio, and Brown to Illinois.
Luther Damon, a native of New Hampshire, came from :Massachusetts in May, 1835, and started a cabinet shop on North Main street, the site of his son Warren's residence. He carried on this business until his death in 1859, and his son still continues the manufacture of furniture, owning one of the largest retail houses in this part of the State.
Robert B. Truman, a native of Watertown, N. Y., came froth Knox County. Ohio, in 1835, and opened a small boot and shoe shop on Franklin street, immediately west of John W. Williams' tavern. He subsequently removed to Utica, Ohio, and represented Licking County in the Ohio Legislature.
Robert and James Johnson came from Richland County, Ohio, in 1835. The former was a blacksmith, but opened a store in a log cabin that stood on the east side of North Detroit street, the site of D. J. Littleton's residence In tour or five years, he went back to Richland County; thence to Bellefontaine, where he carried on a blacksmith shop and spent the balance of his life. James Johnson was a carpenter, who worked at his trade in Kenton, but lie also returned to Richland County, from where he went to Iowa. James Moffat a carpenter, came with the Johnsons, and also returned with them to his early home in Richland County, Ohio.
In 1834-35, Jacob Pine came to Kenton, and opened a brick yard southwest of where the Dugan House now stands. He built his cabin about the site of the railroad turn-table, and the hollow is yet visible that was made in getting out the clay. It is said that Pine, having no machinery, utilized his family in tramping the clay and preparing it for the molds. He remained here only a few years, then moved on toward the setting sun.
Samuel Mentzer opened a general store in the Furney building, on Detroit street, as early as 1836. He subsequently removed to a farm in Buck Township, where he died in 1882. Mr. Mentzer was one of the leading citizens of Hardin County, and succeeded Charles W. Stevenson as Auditor, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of the people.
492 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Another settler of this year was James Scott. a carpenter. He remained working at his trade in Kenton until about 1845, when he removed to Buck Township, where he resided till his death.
David Goodin was born in Somerset County , Penn., May 31, 1805, and came with his parents to Perry County, Ohio, in early childhood, where he grew to maturity. In December, 1825, he married Sarah Kishler, a native of Mifflin County, Penn., born October 11, 1804, who also emigrated with her parents to Perry County, Ohio, during her girlhood days. In December 1835, Mr. Goodin came to Kenton. and bought the tavern then owned and occupied by John W. Williams. On the 1st of January, 1836, he took possession of the hotel, having brought his family from Tiffin, where he had been residing for a short period. In 1840, he was elected Associate Judge, and served seven years on the bench. His hotel life extended over a period of fourteen years. since which time he has been engaged in looking after leis property interests here and elsewhere. To them were born ten children, only five of whom survive, and now, after a married life of nearly fifty-eight years, both bid fair to be left for many a day in the enjoyment of each other's society, as a comfort and a solace in their declining old age.
Early in the spring of 1837, William Ferguson, wife and six children emigrated from Harrison Count-. Ohio, and settled in Kenton. He opened a tanyard near the southeast corner of Main and Columbus streets. which he operated for several years, this being the first establishment of the sort in the town. Some of leis descendants are vet residents of Hardin County, one of his daughters-Mrs. Campbell-living close to Kenton.
Hugh Letson, wife and one son came to Kenton in July, 1837, and started a tailor shop on Main street, opposite the square and immediately south of the old court house. He was a native of Warren County. N. J., and, in 1835, married Rebecca W. Haves, who still survives him. Throughout the first years of the county's history, he followed the tailoring business, finally branching off into the dry goods and ready-made clothing trade. Mr. Letson served as Justice of the Peace twelve years, and one term as Probate Judge. He was a man of considerable influence and a highly respected citizen until the time of leis death. which occurred February 1, 1878. His sons now occupy leading positions in the commercial and business interests of Kenton.
In April, 1837, John Kaiser came from Cincinnati to Kenton. where he carried on the hatting business for fourteen years. He had emigrated from Germany to Cincinnati in 1834: thence to this town three years later. About 1850, he located on a farm west of Kenton. where be has since been engaged in tilling the soil.
Samuel Campbell, a native of Virginia, came to Kenton in 1835, and purchased a lot on the north side of East Franklin street. He then returned to Southern Ohio, arid. in 1838, again came to Kenton, this time bringing his family, and erected a log cabin on his lot. He opened a shoe shop at his house, subsequently removing to a room on the square, and carried on business until burnt out in 1875. Mr. Campbell is still a resident of the town, though in very feeble health, being one of the few whose memories go back to the time when the site of Kenton was a wilderness.
POST OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS.
Through the kindness of Gen. J. S. Robinson, we have been enabled to obtain from J. W. F. Williams, of Washington, D. C., the following postal history of the Kenton office. He says: " The first application for a post
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY - 493
office in Hardin County was made in 1833, to be called McArthur. The following is the record made upon the books of the Post Office Department: `Citizens ask for an office at this place, the temporary seat of justice of the county, and appointment of Robert McCloud as Postmaster. On route 1,617, once a week, on horseback. Granted.' The papers for the establishment were sent in care of Bellefontaine, that being the nearest office. The office was, therefore, established, and Robert McCloud appointed Postmaster, July 18, 1833.
" The next record is as follows:
" ` March 6, 1834, Robert McCloud, Postmaster, resigns, and with citizens recommends the change of name and site of this office to Kenton, now the county seat, three miles distant, and appointment of Alexander Thomson as Postmaster. Hon. Mr. Vance concurs.' The name and site were accordingly changed, March 6, 1834, and the names and dates of appointments of Postmasters at Kenton down to the present date are as follows:
"Alexander Thomson, March 6, 1834: Robert B. Truman, January 19, 1838: Lewis A. Miller. August 25, 1841: Obed Taylor, January 23, 1843; John P. Gordon, April 22. 1843: John F. Aukeney, September 16, 1846; Daniel Barron, February 26, 1849; James S. Robinson, May 15, 1849; Albert Zugschwert. February 28, 1853; Augustus Traeger, April 8, 1861.
"The office increased. and became third class in March, 1865, when the appointment of a Postmaster became vested in the President, and Augustus Traeger was re-appointed March 17, 1865, and again by the President and Senate, July 26, 1866: Peter Grubb was appointed by the President October 8, 1869. and again by the President and Senate, January 24, 1870; Herman Sagebiel was appointed by the President and Senate. March 23, 1873, again appointed by the President, April 17, 1877, again appointed by the President and Senate, November 8, 1877, and again by the President and Senate, December 20, 1881, and is the present incumbent."
REMINISCENCES OF KENTON IN 1857.
The following notices of Kenton were copied from the Hardin County Republican, of July and September 1857. The first is from the pen of Stilla. Powell, who had previously lived here, but was then engaed on the Bellefontaine Republican. He this chronicles his observations:"
"Being in Kenton the other day, we were considerably pleased, and not a little surprised, on witnessing the steady, 'slow. but sure, strides that clever town is making in the ' march of improvement.' The school building, which promises to be one of the best in the State. is, we should judge from what we saw of the job, in the hands of builders who will `speedily, neatly and substantially' finish their well-begun work. Another noteworthy improvement now in progress is the grading, paving and foresting of the public square. Prominent among the instances of private enterprise, finished and in course of erection, are the improvements of Messrs. Goodin, Kinnear, Kishlar, Brunson, Robinson and others we might name. What of Kenton has been finished is being rejuvenated, and nice fences, handsome gardens, graveled walks and other pleasant appurtenances make it, and we hope may always keep it, a `camp ground,' whereon 'you, and I, and all of us' may `pitch our tents' in safety, at least ` for a few days.' "
The second was written by Samuel Campbell, for the Republican, and published in the issue of September 4, 1857. He says:
"I came to Kenton a little over twenty-two years ago, when the town plat, with its several additions, as well as the surrounding country, was
494 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
almost an entire wilderness, except a few openings for farms commenced, and some log huts or small houses in Kenton, that indicated to the traveler, on the look-out for a location, that there was a town laid out. I remained in Kenton several days, wandering over-or rather climbing over-logs and brush, and through where they said streets were laid out. And however unflattering the prospects of Kenton then, or might be in the future, I purchased a lot and concluded to share its privations, and, if spared, to enjoy its advantages should it ever have any. I then returned home, to the southern part of the State, my former residence, and remai ned several years before again coming to Kenton.
"In moving out, after an absence of two or three years, I very naturally felt a curiosity, as well as an interest, to see how Kenton had prospered, but must say I did not feel sanguine. I found that a number who had settled here for the purpose, no doubt, of making fortunes, had left, and the town, so far from running up and improving, rather on the decline, and at that time still a very small village. Since then, various have been the changes; many, yes, very many, that settled in Kenton have gone to the spirit-land; many others have gone to other parts, to seek their fortunes, or with the hope of doing better. But, sir, in speaking of Kenton, or contemplating the past when brought in contrast with the present. I hardly know how or where to commence; but of the past, my mind is carried back to the days of other years, when I wandered through the streets and over the town plat hundreds, and I may add, thousands, of times in my morning and evening rambles; when there was no public improvement of any kind (except a temporary court house), not even a house of worship. Now we have some six or seven respectable churches, sufficient to accommodate the various denominations: we have a good, substantial court house and jail; we have, and have had, a railroad for a number of years running through Kenton, doing a prosperous business, and adding much to the prosperity of the place; and last,though not least, we have a fine schoolhouse in progress of erection that would do honor to any town in the State. Too much credit cannot be awarded to Mr. Brunson for his untiring zeal and integrity in carrying forward an enterprise of such inestimable value. Mr. Cassidy, no doubt, in the completion of the brick work, will do himself great credit, and leave it as a monument of fine architecture and mechanism, and one of which the citizens may have just cause to boast in years to come. But I am extending this article by far too long, or more so than I intended Suffice it now to say, I cannot express the satisfaction I feel in taking my walks through Kenton, and noticing the many fine residences, fine gardens, fences and shrubbery; the improvement of the public square, which ought to have been done years ago; and also the fine block of brick buildings erected by Messrs. Goodin, Kishlar and Kinnear, with various other improvements that add to the credit of the place. Truly, Kenton is getting out of the woods. But prosperity is not confined to Kenton alone; the county at large, one of the best in the State for productiveness and richness of soil, is fast settling up. Where, a few years ago, you saw nothing but green woods, we find fine farms, fine houses and barns. Surely, there is much to be thankful for."