HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 301

to perfect artificial drainage. That portion of the county south of the St. Johns Ridge is still more gravelly and rolling.

GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.

The only rock seen in outcrop within the limits of Mercer County belongs to the Guelph phase of the Niagara. These exposures, however, extend over the entire length of the county from north to south, and there can be but little doubt that that rock underlies the greater part of the county. It has not been seen in the eastern portion. Near Fort Recovery, section 19, it is slightly worked and burned for quicklime. It is taken from the bed of the Wabash. It is porous and fossiliferous, in beds of three to six inches. It is generally of a light blue color, with spots of a darker blue, weathering buff or white. It makes a white lime of great quickness and strength. The Niagara is again seen in the Wabash, N. W. ¼ section 33, in Washington Township, and near the same place at the junction of the Totti Creek with the Wabash. It appears again in the Wabash, N. W. ¼ section 22, of the same township. It is also said to have been formerly taken from the Wabash at Monterey for quicklime. In sections 7 and 8, Jefferson Township, the Niagara rises near the surface of the Drift and is seen in a number of exposures. The stone is here similar to that seen in the Wabash at Fort Recovery. The beds are about three inches in thickness, lenticular, vesicular, fossiliferous, rapidly rusting with peroxide of iron. It finally weathers a light buff. Exposure., about three feet; dip, undistinguishable. On the S. W. ¼ section 8 was opened to the depth of about four feet. On the N. W. ¼ section 8 was a quarry in the same beds. The dip here is unmistakable, and about eight degrees toward the southwest. The beds are here exposed to the depth of about nine feet, without showing much variation. In the State survey of the Wabash for ditching purposes, the surveyor reports rock struck at thirteen different places, in all cases but one covered with alluvium or Drift, sometimes to the depth of eleven feet. As an instance, the fact may be cited that three miles west of Celina lime rock is found almost on a level with the surrounding country, Yet in the town of Celina and east of it the drift has been penetrated to depths varying from 70 to 80 feet without reaching the underlying rock. It is said to have a dip to the south. On the N. E. ¼ section 32, Liberty Township, they have taken stone from the bed of the Wabash. Near the State line they have quarries in the valley of the Wabash, on opposite sides of the stream. It is here of the same character as already described, and belongs to the Guelph of the Niagara. This character of the formation prevails as far west at least as New Corydon, in Jay County, Indiana, where it is quarried and burned for lime. It is also met at Willshire, in Wert County, where they have burned lime and taken out stone for foundations from the bed of the St. Marys and of a small stream tributary to it. The dip here cannot be made out with certainty. It is a porous and fossiliferous rock, in beds of about three inches, of a light blue color when freshly broken, but which soon weathers buff. On section 8, Dublin Township, within the limits of the Godfrey Indian Reserve, a quarry in the river bottoms of the St. Marys discloses the same characters of the Niagara. This. quarry at the present time affords feeble opportunity to examine the formation, yet pieces which were gathered near the opening are porous, and bleached nearly white. This stone here affords a quicklime of superior quality. Stone was formerly taken from the bed of the St. Marys at Mendon, but the place is now inaccessible, and no inspection of its characters could be made. It is, however, believed to be the same as that seen near Shanesville.

The Drift.—The characters of this deposit are such as prevail throughout the Black Swamp generally, although much of the southern part of the county is more broken and gravelly. Its chief constituent is clay, which, below ten or twelve feet, is blue, but to that depth is of a yellowish or light brown color. The original color of the whole was probably blue, the brown or yellow colors being due to oxidation from above. No distinct, constant characters, or line of demarcation separating the brown from the blue, indicative of different or successive origins or deposition, have been seen in the county, nor in northwestern Ohio. On the contrary, the colors have been, seen to gradually fade into each other in a great many instances. This clay is usually a compact, unstratified mass, impervious to water, and embracing stones and bowlders of all sizes up to several tons weight. At Mercer, in Dublin Township, and throughout a radius of four or five miles, it acts as the confining stratum for a number of artesian wells which flow from sand at the depth of thirty-five or forty feet, the water rising from five to eight feet above the surface. Such wells may be seen near Celina, on the north side of the Big Beaver River. It has afforded a great number of bowlders of the Lower Corniferous, some of which have been worked into stone for building. They are met near the surface in ploughing the field. One was worked up on the land of Mr. Petre, which furnished eight or ten wagon-loads of good blocks, suitable for common building purposes. The ridges which cross the county consist of gravel and sand In glacial stratification, usually overspread by a few feet of this clay. The thickness of the Drift cannot be stated. A well at Shanesville was in the blue clay, at a depth of sixty feet, without water.

MATERIAL RESOURCES.

The soil of Mercer County will necessarily always be the source of its greatest material wealth. It will, however, reach its highest development and yield its greatest revenue only when it has been subjected to thorough artificial drainage, and to careful and skilful tillage. Much of the county is still covered with forest, while the soil of that which has been occupied by farmers is not infrequently too damp and cold to bear a high market price. The rock which underlies the county will answer for common use in foundations and walls, and will be a great convenience in the manufacture of lime for the local market. It will certainly compare favorably with any manufactured in northwestern Ohio. At the present time the quarries in the Niagara at Piqua furnish most of the building stone used in the county. Gravel and sand are taken from the St. Johns Ridge, near Fort Recovery, and from the St. Marys Ridge, near Shanesville.

For brick, tiling, and common red pottery, the surface of the Drift is generally well adapted, and a number of establishments of that kind are already in existence.

BOUNDARIES.

The county is bounded north by Van Wert County, east by Van Wert and Auglaize counties, south by Darke County, and west by the State of Indiana. It is thus situated in the west tier of counties, and occupies the basin in which is formed the" Grand" or " Mercer Reservoir," which is the largest artificial-body of water in the world.

TOPOGRAPHY.

The surface of the county is generally level, in fact presents few variations, and no undulations worthy of mention. The northern part of the county finds drainage through the St. Marys River, while the central and south part finds a water shed through the Grand Reservoir and its outlet, Beaver Creek, this stream flowing westward until it enters the Wabash River near the State line.

WATER SHED.

Grand Reservoir.

This reservoir, which supplies the St. Marys feeder of the Miami Extension Canal (from which it is situated three miles west), is the largest artificial lake on the globe. It is nine miles long, from three to five miles in width, and covers an area of seventeen thousand six hundred acres of ground, and of an average depth of ten feet.

It is bounded on the north by Jefferson Township, on the south by Franklin Township, on the west by Butler Township, Mercer County, and on the east by Auglaize County. One-third of the reservoir is in Auglaize County, and the remaining two-thirds in Mercer, its western end being in the corporate limits of Celina, the seat of Mercer County.

The reservoir was commenced in 1837, and completed in 1845 at an expense of six hundred thousand dollars. The west embankment was completed in 1843. The water filled in at the upper end to the depth of several feet, but, as the ground rose gradually to the east, it overflowed for several miles to the 'depth of a few inches only. The inhabitants, to the number of about one hundred and fifty, fearing that this vast body of water, exposed to the rays of the sun, would if allowed to remain,

302 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

produce disease, with spades and shovels, made a passage for the water through the embankment. It cost several thousand dollars to repair it.

The reservoir abounds in fish of almost every variety, and wild fowl, which supplies the inhabitants of Celina at all times with a great variety of these luxuries.

A few years since, we are informed, a steamer twenty-five feet in length, under command of Capt. Gustavus Daniell, with a boiler of seventy gallons capacity and four feet in length, moved upon its waters. The question may well be asked, Why do not the people of Celina take measures to have a boat upon its water for excursions and pleasure parties ?

In 1850-51 Mr. Doyle, of Dayton, owned a steamboat, which ran between Celina and St. Marys on the canal and Grand Reservoir.

From the Mercer County Standard, of April, 1871, we learn the following facts with regard to the Mercer County Reservoir:—

"Long before the location of this reservoir several adventurers bought and settled within the prairie, now forming the reservoir. Among these were Thomas and Joseph Coate, Messrs. Mellinger, Large, Hugh Miller, and others, all on the south side. On the north side were Messrs. Sunday, Crockett, Bradley, Judge Linzee, Hollingsworth, Nicholls, Gipson, Hull, Kompf, Pratt, and Rev. Asa Steams, all good and true men, and noble specimens of the frontier.

Mr. Mitchell, an engineer, in 1830, ran the first line around the reservoir, and Samuel Farrer was the commissioner, who reported to the General Assembly, after they had examined the bank, that it would cost $90,000. Subsequently, in 1837, it was again run by Messrs. Barney and Farrer, compassing a circumference of 18,000 acres. In the same year all the timber outside the prairie was let for deadening, which was done by the contractors of the several locations. When the left bank was let to Messrs. Giddings, Stepson & Hottsbecker, it was let from a point south of Celina, a distance of 120 rods, at thirty-seven cents per entire year, and was to be wharfed with good white oak plank, two inches thick. Henry L. Johnson, late sheriff of Mercer County, sawed the lumber.

Justin Hamilton, the member of the Legislature from this county, introduced a resolution into that body, which was adopted unanimously, declaring "that no water should be let into the reservoir before the same should be cleared of timber and the parties paid for this land." An appropriation of $20,000 was made by the Legislature to pay the owners of the land, but it was squandered by the officers and land speculators.

When the banks were finished and the water let in, it submerged all but one acre for Mr. Sunday with thirty-four acres of wheat, fifteen for Mrs. Crockett, the whole of Thomas Coate's land, sixty acres with several thousand rails for Judge Holt, of Dayton, who owned a farm two miles east of Celina, nineteen acres of Judge Linzee, nearly forty acres of Abraham Pratt, with all the rails thereto belonging, and the whole of Mellinger's farm except a few acres around the house, besides great damage to others on the south side.

This outrage on the part of the officers of the State was too much to be borne by the people of Mercer County. Wars have been proclaimed on less pretences. America declared her independence, and refused to pay a small tax on her tea, which of itself was not oppressive, but it was oppressive in principle, and the people would not be taxed without the consent of their own Legislature. Mercer County followed the example, and declared she would not be imposed upon by the authorities of Ohio.

On May 3, 1843, a meeting was held in Celina, Samuel Ruckman, Esq., County Commissioner, acting as President. It was unanimously resolved " that Benjamin Linzee, Esq., should go to Piqua, the head of the Board of Public Works, and lay their grievances, with an address, before them." Mr. Linzee having performed his duty, Messrs. Spencer and Ramsey returned the sneering answer, " HELP YOURSELVES xi. YOU CAN."

On May 12th the meeting requested Mr. Linzee to return to Piqua with the answer, that if they did not pay for the land and let off the water, they would cut the bank on the 15th. The reply came back, "The Piqua Guards will be with you and rout you on that day." When this response was heard by the people, the muttering thunder around the reservoir was not only loud but deep—every person was excited.

On the morning of the 15th, by seven o'clock, more than one hundred citizens, with shovels, spades, and wheelbarrows, were on the spot ready for work. The place selected was the strongest on the bank, in the old ,Beaver channel. The object of the people was not to damage the State, .,:and the dirt was wheeled back on the bank on each side. It employed the men one day and a half before the cutting was complete, and Was dug six feet below the level of the water, and a flimsy breastwork was made to hold the water back. When the tools were 'taken out and all ready, Samuel Ruckman said, " Who will start the water ?". " I" said John Sunday. " I,". said Henry Linzee; and in a moment the meandering waters were hurling down fifty yards below the bank. It was six weeks before the water subsided.

As soon as this was known at headquarters, warrants were issued for the arrests of all who were engaged in the work. Thirty-four of the leaders,. comprising all the county officers, judges, sheriffs, clerks, auditor, treasurer, deputy treasurer, recorder, and surveyor, with merchants, farmers, and private citizens, were all arrested and bound over to the next term of court. The grand jury refused to find a bill of misdemeanor, and so the matter ended. It cost the State $17,000 to repair the damages.

We add the names of those who resisted the oppressive movements of the State in cutting the west bank of the Mercer County Reservoir: Judge Robert Linzee, J. S. Houston, Surveyor Frank Linzee, Clerk of the Court ; Joseph Carlin, Sheriff; Frederick Schroeder, Auditor ; D. McMahon, Recorder; B. Linzee, Deputy Treasurer; S. Ruckman, Commissioner ; H. Trenary, B. Mowrey, Porter Pratt, Elias Miller, M. D. Smith, Mr. Allen (a tavern-keeper), Eli Dennison, John Sunday and all his family, the Crockett boys, Thomas and Joseph Coats, Britton and son, Abm. Miller, Dr. Beauchamp (from Montezuma), Matthew, Frank, Gray, Ellis, and Hugh Miller, with a hundred others who came through curiosity or some other purpose.

The reservoir now forms a beautiful artificial lake, abounding in different varieties of fish. It has an area of twenty-seven and one-half square miles, or about seventeen thousand six hundred acres, making it the largest artificial body in the world. Since the completion of the L. E. & W. and the T. D. & B. railroads through Celina, the reservoir has attracted large bodies of hunters and fishermen from all parts the State and Indiana. Fish of different varieties abound, and during the spring and autumn of each year wild fowls gather here in large and incredible numbers. It thus offers a rich fishing and hunting resort and is becoming better known year by year. Aside from this, large parties, constituting excursions from all parts of the State, visit here offers during the summer season simply as a place of recreation, as it offers inducements to boating, hunting, and fishing parties. During the winter, or ice season, it furnishes as fine a field of ice for packing purposes as can be found anywhere, and we believe at no distant day ice-houses stupendous proportions will be founded here and kept stored with ice of as fine a quality as can be asked in any market. In the summer, too, it gives promise of becoming a watering resort of no inconsiderable importance. At all events it can be utilized and made to contribute largely to the interests of the county, as well as to the pleasure of the whole community.

RIVERS, CREEKS, ETC.

St. Marys River rises in Auglaize' County, passes Mendon in Union Township, Shanesville in Dublin Township, and thence through the northeast corner of Black Creek Township into Van Wert County.

Wabash River heads in the Cranberry Swamp in Granville Township, through the south side of Recovery Township, passes by Fort Recovery, thence meandering east of north through Washington Township, thence west through the southwest corner of Liberty Township into the State of Indiana.

Big Beaver Creek rises in Marion Township, flows north through Franklin to Montezuma, through the western part of the Grand Reservoir at Celina, due west through the northwest corner of Washington Township into the south central part of Liberty Township, and there connects with the Wabash River.

Little Beaver Creek rises southwest of Philothea, and empties into the Big Beaver in section 6, of Jefferson Township.

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 303

POLITICAL DIVISIONS.

These consist of the fourteen townships, viz., Black Creek, Dublin, L pion, Centre, Jefferson, Franklin, Marion, Granville, Gibson, Recovery, Washington, Liberty, Hopewell, and Butler. Of these, Liberty, Black Creek, Dublin, Washington, and Union are regularly bounded as Congressional townships, six miles square, or containing an area of thirty-six square miles. The other townships are of differing areas, each containing less than a regular township except Marion, which is over-large, and somewhat disturbed as to sections, as are also Granville, Gibson, and Recovery townships, by the course of the old Greenville boundary line. The townships themselves, and the villages within their borders, will be found appropriately treated under the head of " Townships."

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

The first convention to form a constitution for the State of Ohio convened at Chillicothe, November 1, 1802, of which Edward Tiffin was president, and Thomas Scott secretary. Nine counties were represented in the convention-Adams, Belmont, Clermont, Fairfield, Hamilton, Jefferson, Ross, Trumbull, and Washington-and thirty-four delegates. The convention adjourned December 29.

The second constitutional convention assembled at Columbus, May 6, 1850, of which William Medell was president, and William H. Gill secretary. Eighty-two counties were represented in the convention, being composed of one hundred and three delegates. The convention adjourned July 9, 1850, to meet at Cincinnati, Dec. 2, 1850, and finally adjourned May 20, 1851.

The third constitutional convention assembled at Columbus, May 13, 1873, of which Morrison R. WTaite was elected president, and Dudley W. Rhodes secretary. M. R. WTaite having resigned the office, Rufus King was elected president. Aug. 8, 1873, the convention adjourned, to meet in Cincinnati, Dec. 2, 1873, and having met, adjourned sine die, May 1511874. T. J. Godfrey representative from Mercer, Isaac N. Alexan for Van Wert. Eighty-eight counties represented, with one hundred and eight delegates.

SENATORS.

We shall give a list of the citizens who have filled the office of senator, and also a member of the House of Representatives, since the organization of Mercer and Van Wert counties, as the history of these two counties will be embraced in one volume, premising it with the remarks, 1. that the date will refer to the time the elected officer took his seat; 2.the came of the counties of Mercer and Van Wert only will be inserted, and not those of the whole district, inasmuch as the district was often changed,

List of Senators.

David F. Heaton, Dec. 6, 1824, Preble, Darke, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

David F. Heaton, Dec. 5, 1825, Preble, Darke, Paulding, Williams, Mercer, Van Wert,. etc.

John G. Jameson, Dec. 4, 1826, Preble, Darke, Paulding, Williams, Mercer, Van Wert, etc.

John G. Jameson, Dec. 3, 1827, Preble, Darke, Paulding, Williams, Mercer, Van Wert, etc.

David F. Heaton, Dec. 1, 1828, Mercer, Van Wert, etc.

" " ' " Dec. 7, 1829, Mercer, Darke, Preble and Williams.

" " " " Dec. 6, 1830, Mercer, Darke and Preble.

" " " " Dec. 5, 1831, " " "

James Johnston, Dec. 2, 1832, " " "

" " Dec. 2, 1833, " "

" " Dec. 1, 1834, " " "

" " Special, June 8, 1835, Mercer, Darke and Preble.

John E. Hunt, Dec. 7, 1835, Mercer, Darke and Preble.

William J. Thomas, Dec. 5, 1836, " " "

" " " Dec. 4, 1837, Mercer, Miami and Darke.

Curtis Bates, Dec. 4, 1837, Van Wert, Lucas, Wood, Henry, Allen, Shelby and Hardin.

- 32 -

William J. Thomas, Dec. 3, 1838, Mercer, Miami, Darke, Wood, etc.

Curtis Bates, " " " " " " "

William J. Thomas, Dec. 2, 1839, Mercer, Miami, Darke, Wood, Lucas, etc.,

John E. Hunt, Dec. 2, 1839, Mercer, Miami, Darke, Wood, Lucas, etc.

" " " Dec. 7, 1840, Van Wert, Hancock, Wood, Lucas, Henry, Hardin, Williams, Putnam, Paulding, Shelby, Allen.

William J. Thomas, Dec. 7, 1840, Mercer, Darke, Miami and Shelby.

" " " " Dec. 6, 1841, " " " " " "

Jacob Clark, Dec. 6, 1841, Van Wert, Allen, Hardin, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Paulding and Putnam.

Jacob Clark, Dec. 5, 1842, Van Wert, Allen, Hardie, Lucas, William, Henry, Paulding and Putnam.

Joseph S. Updegraff, Dec. 5, 1842, Mercer, Miami, Darke and Shelby.

" " " " " Dec. 4, 1843, " " " " "

John W. Natters, Dec. 4, 1843, Lucas, Van Wert, Williams, Henry. Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Hardin.

John W. Walters, Dec. 2, 1844, Lucas, Van Wert, Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Hardin.

J. S. Updegraff, Dec. 2, 1844, Mercer, Miami, Darke and Shelby.

A. P. Edgerton, Dec. 1, 1845, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Putnam, -Paulding, Defiance, Williams and Henry.

Alfred P. Edgerton, Dec. 7, 1846, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Putnam, Paulding, Defiance, Williams and Henry.

Sabirt Scott, Dec. 6, 1847, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Putnam, Paulding, Defiance, Williams and Henry.

Sabirt Scott, Dec. 7, 1848, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Putnam, Paulding, Defiance, Williams and Henry.

James Cunningham, Dec. 3, 1849, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Defiance and Williams

James Cunningham, Dec. 2, 1850, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Defiance and Williams.

John Taylor, Jan. 5, 1852, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Defiance and Williams.

John Taylor, Jan. 2, 1854, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Pauld ing, Defiance and Williams.

Edward M. Phelps, Jan. 7, 1856, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Defiance and Williams.

Edward M. Phelps, Jan. 4, 1858, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding.

Edward Foster, Jan. 2, 1860, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding.

Charles C. Marshall, Jan. 6, 1862, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding and Williams.

Meredith R. Willett, Jan. 4, 1864, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding and Williams.

Thomas J. Godfrey, Jan. 1, 1866, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Williams and Defiance.

Thomas J. Godfrey, Jan. 6, 1868, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Williams and Defiance.

Charles Boesel, Jan. 3, 1870, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Williams and Defiance.

Charles Boesel, Jan. 1, 1872, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Williams and Defiance.

Philip W. Hardesty, Jan. 1; 1872, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Williams and Defiance.

George W. Andrews, Jan. 5, 1874, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Williams and Defiance.

William Sheridan, Jan. 5, 1874, Mercer, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Paulding, Williams and Defiance.

George W. Andrews, Jan. 3, 1876, Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

William Sheridan, Jan. 3, 1876, Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

G. M. Saltzgaber, Jan. 2, 1878, Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

G. M. Saltzgaber, Jan. 1, 1880, Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

304 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Thos. J. Godfrey, Jan. 1, 1882; Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

Elmer White, Jan. 1, 1882, Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

REPRESENTATIVES.

John M. Gray, Dec. 6, 1824, Preble, Darke, Paulding, Williams, Mercer and Van Wert.

James Mills, Dec. 5, 1825, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

David Purviance, Dec. 4, 1826, Preble, Darke, Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams.

Joel Wood,. Dec. 3, 1$27, Mercer, Darke and Williams.

Mark T. Mills, Dec. 1, 1828, Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.

Mark T. Mills, Dec. 7, 1829, Mercer, Darke, Preble, Williams, Allen, Putnam and Henry.

Mark T. Mills, Dec. 6, 1830, Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.

Justin Hamilton, Dec. 5, 1831, Mercer, Darke, Allen., Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.

Justin Hamilton, Dec. 3, 1832, Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.

Patrick G. Goode, Dec. 2, 1833, Mercer, Darke, Allen,' Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.

Patrick G. Goode, Dec. 1, 1834, Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.

Patrick G. Goode (special), June 8, 1835, Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.

Stacey Taylor, Dec. 7, 1835, Mercer, Van Wert, Darke, Shelby, Allen, Paulding, Henry, Putnam, Wood and Williams.

Stacey Taylor, Dec. 5, 1836, Mercer, Miami and Darke.

Hiram Bell, Dec. 5, 1836, " " " "

Hiram Bell, Dec. 4, 1837, " " " "

James Cook, Dec. 4,1837, Van Wert, Shelby, Allen, Hardin, Putnam, Paulding.

John Briggs, Dec. 3, 1838, Miami, Darke and Mercer.

Justin Hamilton, Dec. 3, 1838, Miami, Darke and Mercer.

Robert J. Skinner, Dec. 3, 1838, Van Wert, Allen, Shelby, Hardin, Putnam and Paulding.

Edwin Fisher, Dec. 2, 1839, Van Wert, Allen, Shelby, Hardin, Putnam and Paulding.

Thomas Shidelar, Dec. 2, 1839, Mercer, Darke and Miami.

Marshal J. Purviance, Dec. 2, 1837, " " "

George B. Way, Dec. 7, 1840, Van Wert, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin.

John F. Hinkle, Dec. 7, 1840, Van Wert, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin.

Hiram Bell, Dec. 7, 1840, Mercer, Miami, Darke and Shelby.

Justin Hamilton, Dec. 7, 1840, " " " "

John Brown, Dec. 7, 1840, " " " "

John Watters, Dec. 6, 1841, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Hardin.

James B. Steedman, Dec. 6, 1841, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Hardin.

Justin Hamilton, Dec. 6, 1841, Miami, Mercer, Darke and Shelby.

Joseph Updegraff, Dec. 6, 1841, “ ” “ ”

Isaac N. Gard, Dec. 6, 1841, " " " "

James B. Steedman, Dec. 5, 1842, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Hardin.

Gillman C. Mudgett, Dec. 5, 1842, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Hardin.

Jacob Counts, Dec. 5, 1842, Miami, Darke, Mercer and Shelby.

John McClure, Dec. 5, 1842, " " " "

Sidney S. Sprague, Dec. 4, 1843, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Hardin.

David Alexander, Dec. 4, 1843, Darke, Miami, Mercer and Shelby.

James Bryan, Dec. 4, 1843, " " " " "

James W. Riley, Dec. 4, 1843, " " " "

Isaac Speer, Dec. 2, 1844, Mercer, Van Wert and All

Dr. Philip J. Hines, Dec. 7, 1846, Mercer, Van Wert

Cyrenus Elliott, Dec. 6, 1847, " " " "

Samuel R. Mott, Dec. 4, 1848, Mercer, Allen, Auglaize.

Charles P. Edson, Dec. 4, 1848, Putnam, Paulding Wert and Williams.

Henry Lipps, Dec. 2, 1849, Mercer, Allen and Auglaize.

Sidney S. Sprague, Dec. 2, 1849, Van Wert, Putna Williams.

William Blackburn, Dec. 2, 1850, Mercer, Allen and Auglaize

W. H. Snook, Dec. 2, 1850, Van Wert, Putnam, Pat Williams.

Francis C. Le Blond, Jan. 2, 1852, Mercer, Van Wert

" " " Jan. 2, 1854, " "

John Shaw, Jan. 7, 1856, " "

Charles P. Edson, Jan. 4, 1858, " "

Alex. P. J. Snyder, Jan. 2, 1860, " "

" " " Jan. 6, 1862, " " "

J. A. Estell, Jan. 4, 1864, " " "

" " Jan. 1, 1866, " "

Daniel J. Callen, Jan. 6, 1868, " "

" " " Jan. 3, 1870, " "

" " " Jan. 1, 1872, " "

Henry Weible, Jan. 1, 1872, Van Wert.

Hiram Murlin, Jan. 5, 1874, Mercer.

Henry Weible, Jan. 5, 1874, Van Wert.

G. W. Raudahaugh, Jan. 3, 1876, Mercer.

Joseph C. Stump, Jan. 3, 1876, Van Wert.

A. D. Marsh, Jan. 3, 1878, Mercer.

" " Jan 3, 1880, "

James W. Rimer, " 1878, Van Wert.

" " Jan 3, 1880, "

W. F. Miller, " 1881, Mercer.

T. W. Hughes, " 1881, Van Wert.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

The following persons have represented this district in the Congress of the United States :-

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 305

Joseph H. Crane, 1829 1839

Patrick G. Goode, 1837 1839

William Doane, 1839 1843

Emery D. Potter, 1843 1845

William Sawyer, 1845 1849

Emery D. Potter, 1849 1851

Alfred P. Edgerton, 1851 1855

Richard Mott, 1855 1859

James S. Ashley, 1859 1863

Francis C. Le Blond, 1863 1867

William Mungen, 1867 1871

Chas N. Lamison, 1871 1875

Americus V. Rice, 1875 1879

Benjamin Le Fevre, 1879 1881

JUDGES.

1824. Hon. James Walcott.

1827. Hon. Joseph R. Crane.

1829. Hon. George B. Holt.

1836. Hon. W. L. Helfenstein.

1840. Hon. E. B. Potter.

1843. Hon. George B. Holt.

1845. Hon. Patrick G. Goode.

1852. Hon. John M. Palmer.

1857. Hon. Alex. S. Latty.

1859. Hon. Benjamin Metcalf.

1823. Hon. O. W. Rose.

1865. Hon. James McKenzie.

1869. Hon. E. M. Phelps.

1878. Hon. Charles M. Hughes.

1879. Hon. James H. Day.

ASSOCIATE JUDGES.*

1825. Hon. Thomas Scott.

1825. Hon. Joseph Greer.

1827. Hon. John Manning.

1827. Hon. W. B. Hedges.

1833. Hon. Joseph Greer.

1833. Hon. John Armstrong.

1835. Hon. Robert Linzee.

1837. Hon. John Armstrong.

1837. Hon. Joseph Greer.

1837. Hon. Robert Linzee.

1839. Hon. Joseph Greer.

1839. Hon. Robert Linzee.

1838. Hon. A. V. Medberry.

1840. Hon. J. M. Parks.

1841. Hon. Robert Linzee.

1841. Hon. A. V. Medberry.

1841. Hon. David Hays.

1843. Hon: Robert Linzee.

1845. Hon. David Hays.

1845. Hon. John M. Potts.

1846. Hon. Robert Linzee.

1846. Hon. Justin Hamilton.

1846. Hon. D. Simpson.

1847. Hon. Robert Linzee.

1847. Hon. Justin Hamilton.

1847. lion. W. McDaniel.

1847. Hon. Justin Hamilton.

1848. Hop. W. McDaniel.

1849. Hon. Geo. W. Raudebaugh.

CLERK OF COURTS. †

1824. James Watson Riley.

1841. Franklin Linzee.

1848. W. Riley.

1851. H. F. Juneman.

1860. Hiram Murlin.

1866. John W. De Ford.

1872. T. G. Touvelle.

AUDITORS.

1824. Wm. B. Hedges.

1825. David Armstrong.

1827. Justin Hamilton.

1827. Wm. Armstrong.

1836. Franklin Linzee.

1839. L. D. McMahon.

1841. B. F. Schroeder.

1844. M. W. Smith.

1848. H. F. Juneman.

1852. Elisha Phelps.

1855. G. W. Raudebaugh.

1859. R. G. Blake.

1863. S. S. Snyder.

1867. T. G. Touvelle.

1871. S. S. Snyder.

1878. J. V. Sidenender.

1881. J. V. Sidenender.

RECORDERS.

1825. James Watson Riley.

1841. E. A. McMahon.

1841. L. D. McMahon.

1848. William Hunter.

1851. Jeremiah Sunday.

1855. B. B. Allen..

1858. J. W. Johnston.

1861. G. Touvelle.

1867. I. B. Perwessel.

1873. Edward Landfair.

1880. S. S. Scranton.

PROBATE JUDGES.

Oct. 1852. Hon. W. L. Blocker.

Oct. 1860. Hon. Jacob Broadwell.

Oct. 1866. Hon. R. G. Blake.

Oct. 1872. Hon. William Clay.

Feb. 1876. Hon. D. J. Roop.

1881. H. H. Pulskamp.

COMMISSIONERS.

1824. David Hays.

1824. Solomon Carr.

1824. Thomas Scott.

1824. James Vanarsdol.

1824. Ansel Blossom.

1825. Israel Dungan.

1825. Solomon Carr.

1825. Thomas McCumsey.

* On the adoption of the Constitution of 1851 Associate Judges were discontinued.

† Clerks of the Court : Riley, in 1824 to 1841; Franklin Linzee, from 1841 to 1848. This was under the old regime ; clerks were appointed for seven years. J. W. Riley served by appointment until the election of Juneman under the New Constitution, 1851 ; April 15, 1881, Benjamin Linzee.

1826. Joel Wood.

1828. Picket Doute.

1830. Christopher Wood.

1831. Isaac Nichols.

1832. Samuel Ruckman.

1833. W. B. Hedges.

1834. Samuel Mc Kee.

1835. Alexander Grant.

1836. Samuel Ruckman.

1836. Picket Doute.

1838. John Wright.

1839. Picket Doute.

1840. Elisha Noble.

1841. David Anderson.

1842. Charles Boesel.

1843. Elisha Noble.

1844. John Betz

1845. Charles Boesel.

1846. Elisha Noble.

1847. John S. McDowell.

1848. Samuel Ruckman.

1848. G. J. Sheldon.

1848. David Hays.

1849. Frederick Elking.

1850. Thomas Roop.

1851. Nathan Vantilberg.

1852. Matthias Gast.

1853. Robert H. Dunathan.

1854. Nathan Vantilberg.

1855. Matthias Gast.

1856. John McDonald.

1857. George Speaker.

1858. Christian Schmick.

1859. John McDonald.

1860. George Speaker.

1861. Christian Schmick.

1862. Adam Baker.

1863. Joseph May.

1864. George Myers.

1865. Adam Baker.

1866. William Clay.

1867. George Myers.

1868. Jacob. Gerlach.

1869. William Clay.

1870. John Betz.

1871. Jacob Gerlach.

1872. P. Harman.

1873. John Betz.

1874. Thomas Snyder.

1875. P. Harman.

1876. I. F. Roemer.

1877. John Frahm.

1878. James B. Snyder.

1879. I. F. Roemer.

1880. John Frahm.

1881. James B. Snyder.

SHERIFFS.

1825. H. W. Hinkle.

1827. John Murdock.

1829. Isaac Applegate.

1833. Joshua Warfield.

1835. James Brown.

1836. John Elliott.

1839. Sabert Scott.

1841. A. T. Stedman.

1843. Joseph Carlin.

1846. G. W. Timmons.

1851. S. E. Snyder.

1856. C. H. Hight.

1860. R. Wiley.

1862. G. W. Timmons.

1866. R. L. Johnston.

1870. Thornton Spriggs.

1874. H. J. McKirnan.

1878. John G.. Blake.

1880. John G. Blake.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.

1824. W. I. Thomas.

1841. G. B. Holt.

1842. 0. C. Rood.

1844. N. H. Starbrand.

1847. S. R. Mott.

1849. F. C. Le Blond.

1853. J. W. Riley.

1855. F. C. Le Blond.

1858. N. L. Hibbard.

1859. F. C. Le. Blond.

1861. W. Baker.

1863. Thomas J. Godfrey.

1866. N. L. Hibbard.

1867. Keepers Alberry.

1871. W. F. Miller.

1875. S. A. Armstrong.

1879. C. G. 0. Miller.

TREASURERS.

1824. J. P. Hedges.

1825. John Manning.

1826. Robert Bigger.

1832. John Pickerel.

1837. Edward M. Phelps.

1844. Robert B. Gordon.

1848. Benjamin Linzee.

1852. William Hunter.

1855. Benjamin Linzee.

1860. G. W. Raudebaugh.

1863. Christian Schunck.

1868. S. M. Loree.

1870. G. W. Raudebaugh.

1872. J. W. Crockett.

1876. H. H. Pulskamp.

1880. Six Staeger (deceased).

1881. Jacob Kreusch.

NOTARIES PUBLIC (commissioned for three years).

Armstrong, S.. A., Aug. 30, 1873.

Alexander, C. W., Feb. 22, 1873.

Alberry, Keepers, May 22, 1874.

Beckman, John G., Oct. 3, 1868.

Beckman, Henry, April 13, 1859.

Baker, Lewis A., March 11, 1875.

Baker, W. E., June 3, 1861.

Bye, J. H., June 10, 1862.

Blake, R. G., May 8, 1879.

Broadwell, Jacob, March 8, 1867.

Cowan, C. W , Sept. 8, 1845.

Campbell, J. M., May 24, 1865.

Conklin, J. W., March 22, 1878.

Day, James H., Feb. 24, 1869.

Dumbauld, Jacob, Dec. 10, 1879.

Frick, D. W., Dec. 8, 1877.

Godfrey, Thomas J., Dec. 10, 1859.

Gast, Matthias, June 1, 1864.

Hornbeck, C. H., Jan. 1, 1878.

Hedges, S. P., Jan. 14, 1875.

Howell, J. J., Aug. 23, 1878.

Johnston, J. W. March 7, 1860.

Lorsheter, F. W., Nov. 17, 1875.

Le Blond, C. M., May 8, 1876.

Loux, J. Baptiste, Dec. 20, 1876.

Loree, J. W., June 20, 1880.

Landfair, Edward, Nov. 25, 1874.

Lipps, W. S., Jan. 24, 1868.

Murlin, Hiram, Dec. 23, 1866.

McDaniel, Geo. R., May 30, 1878.

Minsall, A. W., May 25, 1875.

McAfee, J. P., March 29, 1879.

306 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Miller, C. G. O., Feb. 2, 1880.

Munnell, W., April 11, 1863.

Murphy, A: J., May 26, 1873.

Phillips, J. J., Aug. 20, 1872.

Perwessel J. B., Nov. 22, 1871.

Phelps, Elisha, April 4, 1859.

Protzman, J. J., Oct. 8, 1869.

Reinhart, G. A., June 19, 1871.

Robinson, P. F., March 20, 1876.

Rolph, O. O., Dec. 19, 1876.

Scheid, T., Feb. 22, 1875.

Scranton, Stafford, April 11, 1874.

Schunck, Christian, May 26, 1859.

Steinheimer, Chr., Dec. 18, 1869.

Touvelle, T. G., May 9, 1862.

Wehrkamp, B., Jan. 31, 1865.

Whitely, I. M., Aug. 19, 1880.

Worms, George M., March 29, 1877.

We here give the date of the first commission. Many were recommissioned after a service of three years.

COUNTY SURVEYORS.

1827. Justin Hamilton.

1833. Robert Grant.

1835. Justin Hamilton.

1836. Robert Young.

1837. Justin Hamilton.

1839. J. S. Huston.

1843. Odell Thomas.

1845. Cyrenus Elliott.

1849. Samuel Thompson.

1850. J. Crow.

1852. Smith H. Clark.

1854. A. J. Linzee.

1858. M. Schuyler.

1813. J. F. Raudabaugh.

1876. M. Schuyler.

1878. M. Schuyler.

CORONERS.

1837. L. D. McMahon.

1840. A. F. Stedman.

1841. George Allen.

1848. Thomas Brown.

1850. Jacob Broad well.

1851. John S. Brown.

1852. Gustavus Darnold.

1857. G. W. Timmonds.

1860. Adam Baker.

1862. John W. Crockett.

1866. Jacob Hight.

1870. A. J. M urphy.

1874. S. R. Wilson.

1878. F. C. Le Blond, Jr.

MERCER COUNTY INFIRMARY.

July 19, 1863. George Speaker, Christian Schunck, and Adam Baker purchased of William Hale and Elizabeth his wife, the following- described premises, for the purpose of establishing the County Infirmary.

The northeast fractional quarter of section No. 3, township No. 6 south, range No. 2 east, containing 165 acres and 13 hundredths, less one-half acre, of the northeast corner 1014 school purposes consideration money, $3500. This is the same tract of land which was entered by Uriah Mead, and after his death Thomas Coates married the widow (Mrs. Mead), bought the farm and sold it to William Hale, and he to the Infirmary Directors.

Sept. 11, 1863. B. F. Sewald, George W. Mosier, and Thomas Upton were appointed Directors of the Infirmary by the Board of Commissioners to take charge of the property until their successors would be duly elected.

Jan. 31, 1863. The directors erected an additional house, which cost $1550, the work being finished by Frederick Beekman. The building was a, frame attached to the main building, 30 by 42 feet, with a Ail through the centre twelve feet wide, with four sleeping-rooms.

July 22, 1871. Contracted for a house according to plans and specifications, to cost $8278.

March 21, 1873. A barn was erected by William Long, which cost $1000, the size being 46 by 72 feet.

The commissioners also purchased on Oct. 2.4, 1877, of David N. Gray the east half of the southeast quarter, and the northwest quarter of the southeast and the northeast quarter. of the southwest quarter of section 3, township No. 6, range 2 east, containing 160 acres, for $1000, in Jefferson Township.

Feb. 12, 1876. T. J. Tolan and son submitted plans and specifications, which were awarded to J. S. Smith, of Fort Wayne.

March 30, 1876. The wants and comforts of the inmates required new and more convenient rooms, and the directors awarded the contract on March 30, 1876, to J. S. Smith for $7270, which was finished and completed to the satisfaction of the directors, Oct. 13, 1876. While this building is both unique and ornamental, it speaks in unmistakable but silent language that Mercer County will take care of the suffering and indigent poor.

The following citizens have filled the office of Infirmary Director, with the year prefixed of their entering upon their office duties:—

1863. B. F. Sewalde.

1863. G. W. Moser.

1863. Thomas Upton.

1864. Thomas Upton.

1865. G.. W. Moser.

1866. B. F. Sewalde.

1867. B. Wehrskamp.

1868. Abner Davis.

1869. B. Wehrskamp.

1869. George Petre.

1870. Joseph Anders.

1871. Abner Davis (resigned)

1871. Philo Le Blond.

1872. George Petre (resigned).

1872. Abner Davis.

1873. Joseph Anderson.

1874. George Petre.

1875. B. Wehrskamp.

1876. Alexander Partner.

1877. Jacob Dumbauld.

1878. B. Wehrskamp.

1879. Alexander Partner.

1880. Jacob Dumbauld.

Dr. J. N. Hetzler was appointed the Infirmary physician when it was established; but when his country called for his services in the late rebellion, he entered the army in 1864-65, during which time Dr. David Rush attended to the medical duties of the Infirmary. On the return of Dr. Hetzler he resumed his position, and fills it with credit to the county and with honor to himself.

James Schunk was appointed superintendent at its organization, and filled the office acceptably until 1869, when Dr. C. B. Steinman was elected, and has filled it to the present time. The court-house and jail will be found treated under the description of Celina.

MINISTERS LICENSED TO SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGES BY THE COURT OF

MERCER COUNTY, FROM Dec. 19, 1820.

Adams, Wm., April 11, 1843.

Armett, W. W., Aug. 10, 1839.

Albrecht, Joseph, May 7, 1851.

Bower, Samuel M., June 14, 1852.

Brock, Wesley, Nov. 8, 1836.

Brandblehery, C. G., May 28, 1841.

Barker, Mallet, April 25, 1834.

Boggs, James, July 30, 1838.

Beatty, S. W., Aug. 31, 1841.

Brown, M. F. S., April 29, 1845.

Buck, Evander, June 21, 1845.

Burger, J. George, Dec. 19, 1846.

Brockems, H., Sept. 5, 1843.

Childs, Thomas P., April 5, 1843.

Conrade, F. A., Feb. 20, 1845.

Carpenter, A., June 21, 1845.

Cannon, James, Oct. 29, 1844.

Chaffee, William, Nov. 19, 1850.

Day, Elam, April 12, 1833.

Frysinger, John, Feb. 15, 1867.

Fuson, William, Dec. 19, 1820.

Freeman, Alex., March 10, 1840.

Ferchner, J., Nov. 13, 1843.

Goode, P. G., May 8, 1850.

Graham, John, Nov. 6, 1846.

Giberson, Samuel, Nov. 12, 1840.

Gaskenheimer, D., Nov. 4, 1850.

Ganter, Sebastian, Nov. 13, 1849.

Hernestell, And., March 3, 1848.

Hearn, William, March 10, 1867.

Hook, Elisha, Nov. 15, 1846.

Helfenstein, Albert, March 30,1856.

Hullian, David, Dec. 15, 1842.

Harmont, Alex., Aug. 26, 1845.

Hambergen, Max, May 3, 1848.

Jewett, J. R., Oct. 16, 1845.

Kearch, Matthias, Oct. 31, 1846.

Komplen, Andrew, Aug. 16, 1849.

Louke, J. H., May 6, 1835.

Leyal, R. H., April 7, 1850.

McLay, James, April 20, 1849.

McNabb, .James, Oct. 9, 1843.

McDaniel, John, Sept. 4, 1851.

Roseburg, Philip Ft., Nov. 6,1847.

Siepel, Adam H., April 17, 1850.

Streckpass, I. G., Oct. 12, 1847

Thomas, Evan, March 26, 1816.

Templeton, Milo, Oct. 20, 1846

Thomas, Charles, Nov. 9, 1837

Williams, Edward, May 19, 1831

Whitman, John, June 21, 1845.

Whetstone, Simon, Oct. 28, 1850.

Wilhelm, P., April 20, 185l.

Wilcox, Ralph, Sept. 18, 1844.

Yourtee, Levi, Feb. 19, 1848.

TEACHERS, COUNTY INSTITUTE

was organized in 1859, and has held annual meetings since that date. Their meetings were in the fall for two years, but,' afterwards at the holidays; but at the present time they alternate between fall and the holidays.

Every teacher is a member who joins, and the Institute elects honorary members. It discusses educational topics, and lectures on scientific subjects, especially those having in view the elevation of the school system to the highest possible stand-point. It has continued for the last two sessions for two weeks each, and thereby accomplishes the greatest good'

State school commissioners, elected from other counties, attend the meetings of the Institute, and impart, as well as receive, practical information. And it is due to these coin commiissioners, as well as the county Institute, that we should notice them. Messrs. A. P. Rickoff, Wm. D. Stone, W. C. Culver, S. F. DeFord, Ansell Smyth, W. W. White, T. W. Harvey, C. C. Smart and J. W. Burns were the active workers in its early history, being resident county teachers.

Hon. T. J. Godfrey is the only person who has attended every session of the Institute, and after twenty-one consecutive years he looks "c‘

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 309

and enjoys with infinite pleasure the satisfaction which arises in the wind conscious of having performed a meritorious act.

At the annual meeting of the Mercer County Institute, held at Celina, Aug. 16 1880, and continued two weeks, one hundred and fifty-three teachers, with three instructors, were present. Van Buren Baker, C. W. Bennet, W. W. Ross, and J. J. Burns, delivered lectures during its session.

The following officers were elected : Hon. T. J. Godfrey, President; W. F. McDaniel, Vice-President ; B. M. Clendening, Recording Secretary, Mrs. Boone Touvelle, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. A. Landfair, Treasurer; and Mrs. B. Touvelle, B. F. Kinzer and Mrs. Amelia C. Kahle, Executive Committee.. Ninety-nine certificates were granted by the County Board of School Examiners.

CELINA CIRCUIT.

Robert Finley, father of Rev. James B. Finley, organized a class. at St. Marys, in 1829, and also at Shane’s Crossing and Wiltshire the same year. Rev. John Wood and Rev. Abraham Miller were sent as missionarics the same year to the northwestern territory.

In 1830, Rev. James B. Austin was sent as a missionary to the northwest territory, and in 1831 Rev. John Hill, son-in-law of Bishop Soule, was appointed a missionary.

In 1832, Rev. Jesse Prior was the missionary, and Rev. W. H. Raper the presiding elder. This year the mission extended as far as Elida, and included all the Methodist churches in the counties of Mercer, Van Wcrt, Putnam, Allen, and Anglaize. The work was called St. Marys Mission.

In 1833, Rev. James W. Finley and Rev. John Alexander were the missionaries. The first quarterly conference was held in Lima, Oct. 19 and 20, Rev. W. H. Raper, presiding elder.

In 1834, the Rev. Philip Warham was the missionary, and Rev. Leonard 13. Guerney the presiding elder.

No records can be found of the year 1835, but from the best information which can be obtained, Rev. John O. Conoway was the missionary.

In 1836, Rev. Isaac Bennet and Rev. John Stanley were the missionaries, and Rev. John Jaynes the presiding elder.

In 1837, Rev. Jonathan Hudson and Rev. John F. Longman were the missionaries, and Rev. John Jaynes the presiding elder.

In 1838, Rev. George Armstrong was the missionary, and Rev. Elmer Yocum the presiding elder. At this date the mission included the following fourteen stations, viz., Van Wert, Willshire, Shanesville, Mercer, le on, Harpers, Bethel, Eight Mile, Sugar Ridge, Tomlinson, Spriggs, Duck Creek, and St. Marys, and Guilford.

The Work called St. Marys Mission was in Michigan Conference. Rev. Greenburg Vincent was the preacher in charge.

In 1839, Rev. Martin Welsh and Rev. Liberty Prentice were the missionaries, and Rev. Elmore Yocum the presiding elder.

In 1840, Rev. A. B. Waumbaugh was the preacher, and Rev. William S. Morrow the presiding elder.

In 1841, Rev. Jacob .A. Bacon was the preacher, and Rev. W. S. Morrow presiding elder.

In 1842, Rev. Edward Williams and Rev. James W. McNaab were the preachers, and Rev. W. S. Morrow presiding elder.

In 1843, Rev. Samuel Beatty and Rev. Amos Wilson were the preachers, and Rev. W. S. Morrow presiding elder.

In 1844-5, Rev. Alexander Harmout and Rev. C. H. Owens were the preachers.

In 1846, Celina circuit was brought back to St. Marys circuit, and the Rev. John R. Jewett and Rev. James McBarr were the preachers, but after a season Rev. James Barr removed, and Rev. Thomas W. Bowdle was substituted. Rev. S. P. Shaw was the presiding elder.

In 1847, the work was called St. Mary's Circuit and Wiltshire Mission. Rev. C. B. Brandebury and Rev. Elisha Hock were the preachers, and Rev. S. P. Shaw the presiding elder.

In 1648, Rev. Samuel L. Yourtee was the preacher, and Rev. Westley Brock the presiding elder.

In 1849, Rev. Samuel P. Guiberson was the preacher, and Rev. West-ley Brock the presiding elder.

In 1850, Rev. N. O. Conn and Rev. S. P. Guiberson were the preachers, and Rev. Westley Brock the presiding elder.

In 1851, Rev. Ralph Wilcox the preacher, and Rev. Westley Brock the presiding elder.

In 1852, Rev. Joseph Wykes the preacher, and Rev. II. M. Sheaffer presiding elder.

In 1853, St. Marys was made a station, and Celina circuit was formed. Rev. Gershern Lease preacher, and Rev. H. M. Sheaffer presiding elder..

In 1854, Rev. Westley Brock the preacher, and Rev. H. M. Sheaffer presiding elder.

In 1855, Rev. G. O. McPherson. the preacher, and Rev. IL M. Sheaffer presiding elder.

In 1856, Rev. G. O. McPherson the preacher, and Rev. E. C. Garret, presiding elder.

In 1857, Rev. Samuel Boggs the preacher, and Rev. E. C. Garret presiding elder.

In 1858, Rev. Boggs and Rev. Garret continued.

In 1859, Rev. James F. Mounts and Rev. Amos Lee were the preachers, and Rev. E. C. Garret was presiding elder.

In 1860, Rev. Lemuel Herbert and Rev. James F. Mounts were the preachers, and Rev. H. M. Shaeffer the presiding elder.

In 1861, Rev. P. A. Brown and Rev. Caleb Hill were the preachers, and Rev. H. M. Sheaffer the presiding elder, and were continued as such in 1862.

In 1863, Rev. David Bull and Rev. A. J. Frisbee were the preachers, and Rev. H. M. Sheaffer the presiding elder.

In 1864, Rev. David Bull and Rev. Amos Lee were the preachers, and Rev. F. Merritt presiding elder.

In 1865, Rev. Enoch G. Longsworth and Rev. Harrison Malty were the preachers, and Rev. F. Merritt the presiding elder.

In 1866, Rev. Enoch G. Longsworth and Rev. John F. Miller were the preachers, and Rev. Merrit presiding elder. This year the circuit was changed to that of Shanesville.

In 1867, Rev. Cornelius Wener was the preacher, and Rev. F. Merritt, presiding elder. The name changed to Celina circuit.

In 1868, Rev. John C. Clemens appointed preacher, and Rev. S. L. Roberts presiding elder.

In 1869, Rev. O. A. Palmer, the preacher, and Rev. S. L. Roberts, presiding elder.

In 1870-1-2, Rev. P. Le Masters appointed preacher in charge of the circuit, embracing Celina, Newcomb, Montezuma, Coldwater, and Hope well. Rev. S. L. Roberts presiding elder.

1873-4-5, Rev. 3. S. McKean, preacher in charge, and Rev. Alex. Harmont presiding. elder.

1876, Rev. Reuben Rauth, preacher in charge, and Rev. Alexander Harmont presiding elder, Celina being a half station.

1877-8, Rev. Peter Biggs, preacher in charge, and Rev. E. Berry presiding elder.

1879-80, Rev. Caleb Hill, preacher in charge, and Rev. E. Berry presiding elder.

1880, Rev. L. E. Prentiss, preacher in charge, and Rev. C. L. Allbright presiding elder.

CHURCHES.

First Methodist Episcopal Church.

The first church was held in -a frame building used by the Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists.

The second church was erected in 1856, and built under the labors of Rev. G.. V. McPherson, and burned clown in March, 1861.

The third church was erected in 1862, under the labors of Rev. P. A. Browne—size 40 x 50 ; a frame building, with steeple and bell, and a membership of eighty-two, on Fulton Street, east of Main.

The parsonage was built in 1878, under the labors of Rev. Peter Biggs. The church and parsonage are valued at five thousand dollars. It is situated also on Fulton Street.

Church of God.

This denomination has several congregations and churches within the county, and distributed as follows :—

First church organized at Berry's, about two miles north of Celina, in 1858, and a Bethel built by Elder J. A. Dobson.

Second church, four miles northeast of Celina, known as " Fairview," organized in 1865, and a Bethel built immediately thereafter.

310 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Third church at Neptune, organized in 1867 by Elder W. P. and a Bethel built by D. S. Warner.

Fourth church in Hopewell, known as " Pleasant View," organized in 1875, and a Bethel built by Elder C. N. Belman.

Fifth church in Mercer, organized in 1879 by Elder J. H. McNutt. Sixth church, one mile north of Macedon, organized in 1876, by Elder C. N. Belman.

Seventh church, a few miles west of St. Marys, on county line, organized in 1876 by Elder C. N. Belman.

The denomination has now five buildings within the county, and an aggregate membership of 630.

Elder Belman reports the Church in a highly prosperous and satisfactory condition at the present time.

Roman Catholic Church.

In the year 1830 a Catholic priest, of the name of Stallo, came from Cincinnati, and settled in the southern part of German Township, where he established a town, and called it after himself—Stallotown; but in the same year it was changed to Minster.

In 1831 a missionary priest administered the rites of his Church.

In 1832 Prof. Hortsman came to Stallotown as a priest, and from this date we may date the introduction of Catholicism into Mercer County. The first services were held in Mr. Worke's house ; but energetic measures were immediately taken to erect a chapel ; and, in 1832, a log chapel was erected 40 x 60 feet, sixteen logs high: Prof. Hortsman has to this day the credit of being the architect; and also acted as priest and physician. The people attended the services of the chapel for fifteen miles around.

To perpetuate the names of the early Catholic pioneers we place on record Stallo, Volke, Bernard, Mese, Brise, Werdeln, Diels, Spracke, Tangeman, Rohenkohl, Feldman, and Hortsman.

This year the cholera broke out, and but few of the citizens were left ; in fact the county was almost depopulated ; but, in 1833-4, H. H. Stuve and J. H. Stoneman arrived ; and, in 1848, J. H. Vocker.

Soon after the erection of the log chapel a school-house was erected, and had for its first teacher M. Bochmer. His successor was Francis Spracke.

Prof. Hortsman died in 1847 ; and Fathers Brand, Partet and Hartzog officiated in the log chapel, which stood until 1848, when the present chapel took its place.

The Emlen Institute, which was erected at Carthagena, for the education of colored people, was purchased by the Society of the Must Precious Blood, and changed into a theological seminary.

In 1845 the Society of the Most Precious Blood was established, the priests of which have the exclusive charge of the Catholic chapels of Mercer and some in Auglaize County.

In 1834 Father Baden, a Catholic missionary, stopped at St. Marys, held service, and administered the rites of the Church.

In 1836 Thomas Stone paid St. Marys a visit, and from that we may date the origin of the church. Father Zenpent celebrated Mass for the first time, which was held in Mr. Stone,s house, which was in Wayne Street. Mr. Murray and family, Mr. George Wise and wife, Mr. Geyer’s family, Mr. Black’s, and Mr. Whetmore composed the congregation.

The first child christened in the church was Michael Stone, a son of Thomas Stone.

In 1851 the organization of the first Catholic church took place in the house of Mr. George Wise. Mr. Sabat Scott donated a lot on Spring Street, in East St. Marys, upon which a brick church was erected, and dedicated by Archbishop Purcell in 1854.

In 1860 the seminary was opened by Rev. Joseph Dwenger. It is surrounded by nearly 200 acres of cultivated fields, with vineyards and orchards. The president of the seminary, Rev. Henry Drees, with three adjunct professors.

It has a library containing 600 volumes. To qualify a student for the priesthood requires from eight to ten years. In this connection we may state that the library contains some rare, valuable, and excellent Works, one of which We will mention. A Latin Commentary, in two volumes, written in 1493 by Sim Bonaventius (one year after the discovery of America). The size of each volume is 12 by 18 inches, and 4 inches thick. In the end of each volume are rings inserted, through which chains were put to fasten the precious books to the wall to prevent their being stolen. The library also contains many books printed from that time to the present.

In 1875 the college proper was built—a brick building, 44 by 94 feel, three-stories high.

In Granville and Marion townships there are three convents or the Most Precious Blood. Hummelgram Convent is half a mile from the town of St. Henry, and owns 695 acres, It the improvements. Gruwaid Convent is located in the centre of 26 acres, and St. Marys Convent was organized at Philothea, Feb. 5, 1851.

In 1852 a log chapel was erected, which answered the purpose, but on June 10, 1871, a splendid chapel was dedicated, the number of communicants being one hundred and sixty.

In connection with the history of Catholicism we add in this Owe the history of C. P. P. S., Congregatio Preciossime Sanguinis (Congregation of the Precious Blood).

This society was founded in Italy in 1821 by Casper del Buffalo, and approved by Pope Pius VII. the same year. He died in Rothe, Dec. 2.4, 1837, after establishing congregations in Italy and Germany.

In 1844 Salesius Brunner, a priest of the order, accompanied by a few confreres and lay brethren, came to the United States to establish the order. Father Brunner settled in Norfolk, Huron County, Ohio, and established several houses in Lawrence County, Ohio. Hc was accompanied by Rev. John Dan De Bret and John Wittmer, uncle of the pastor at Celina. Father Brunner died in Europe in 1859.

In 1846 the land was bought upon which was erected the monastery of Maria Stein, one mile north of St. Johns, Mercer County, Ohio. It has spread throughout the county, building churches and schools. The first Superior of all societies, and to whom the members owe obcdience in spiritual affairs, resides in Rome. His title is General Moderator. Under his authority provisions are formed as in Ohio, and the Rev. Bernard Austerman is styled Procurator.

These societies are established as follows: 1. Convent Maria Stun 2. Convent Greimand. 3. Convent Hummelgaster, two miles south or St. Henry. 4. Theological Seminary, at Carthagena, eight miles from Celina, Mercer County, Ohio.

The Sisters of the "Congregation of the Precious Blood," who have been in separate religious houses, devote themselves to teaching the the girls of the parish and congregation. Their time is occupied in manual labor, manufacturing ornamental work for churches, and literary and scientific studies.

We add the agreement entered into by the association of the Society of the Most Precious Blood:—

We, the undersigned, hereby associate ourselves together to form a company for religious purposes, under the name and style of " The Society of the Most Precious Blood." The agreement was entered into by Revs. Andrew Kunkler, John Wittmer, Bernard Austerman, Alvis Sehelbert, John Vanderbrook, and Joseph Dwenger, and were incorporated as such July 10., 1866. Sept. 19, 1866, the incorporators met. Rev. Andrew Kunkler was elected President and Rev. Joseph Dwenger Secrctary, the incorporators all being present. The officers elect to hold office for one year, or during the pleasure of the society, and the rules that govern Catholic religious societies and orders were declared to be binding. The society adjourned to December 12, 1866.

Convent Egypt, Auglaize County, Ohio.

Dec. 12, 1866, the Society of the Most Precious Blood met, the following priests being present; and declared to be active and passive members, besides the incorporators, viz., Revs. Mathias Kreush, Herbstrill, Englebert, Ruff, Henry Dress, Ruchrn, Schuly, Erhard, Gluck, A. Gihon Laux, Christian French, Anthony Guggerberger, Sebastian Gaulker, Paul Reuter, Nicholas Gallus, and Peter Wilhelmy also, Revs. Maximille Humbarger, Jacob Rugele, Anthony Kramer, Patrick Hemeling, Andrew. Steifraler, F. Than Greeman, Bernard Dickman, Augustine Kuchert, Philip Rirt, Jacob Warte, and Anthony Cassie.

Though the administration of the society is entirely with the priests, yet the Brothers and Sisters in the different convents and houses that are canonically full members, shall be so in law in all respects excepting the administration, so that as long as they observe canonical rules and the legitimate rules of their Superior, all. their wants have to be Pi

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 311

vided for ; they cannot be expelled on the plea of poverty, ill health, or old age.

The Superior of the Society shall appoint a Sister Superior to govern their internal and domestic arrangements.; also to appoint a local Inferior in each convent or house to be responsible to her—the same obedience which children owe to their father, so that it is not against the laws of this country. It requires for membership one years probation.

The following property was declared to belong to the " Society of the Most Precious Blood" : Convent of Maria Stein Convent of Hummel-garden and Seminary at Carthagenia, Mercer County, Ohio, and Convent Egypt.; Convent at Minster ; house and church at Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio, and Convent at Glandorf and Maria Camp, in Putnam County, Ohio ; Convent at New Riegel ; Thompson and Maria Stein, in Seneca County, Ohio; Convent at Mary,s Home, in Jay County, Ind.

Aug. 27, 1872. Revs. Trangor, Wittmer, and Francis Neigsch were elected priests of the Society.

Aug. 27, 1873. Rev. Thomas Eisenning and Rev. Rudolph Abrederis wcre elected priests, with full active and passive voice.

Nov. 12, 1874. Convent Maria Stein Society met. Revs. John Frederick Schack, Joseph Uphaus, Theobald Zchach, and Marion Beatus Guenther were made priests of the Society, with full active and passive voice. Former officers continued.

November 18, 1674. Members of the Society assembled. Right Rev. Joseph Dwenger, Bishop of Fort Wayne, presiding. The following Rev. gentlemen were elected by ballot (members present, Revs Ansemah Kunkler, Schelbost, Drees, and Dickerman, the Board of Directors) : Rev: Cassenas Lieberger and George Pleisch, priests with full active and passive voice.

A. Kunkler was elected Procurator and H. Drees Secretary.

January 27, 1875. Convent Maria Steen, Mercer County, Ohio. The Priests of the Society met and adopted a motion that all the officers elected at the foregoing meeting shall be considered as the Board of Directors for one year, viz.: Rev. B. Austerman President; V. R. Rev. Andrew Kunkler Procurator; Rev. Alois Schelbert, Henry Drees, and Bernard Derkerman.

August 11, 1875. Directors were re-elected.

November 16, 1875. This Association entered into an agreement with Peter Bauer that he, the said Bauer, will deliver to the Society all his personal property, at about $675 in notes, and his household furniture, and they in consideration thereof; are to keep and maintain him and his wife as long as they live. Signed by Alois Scheller [SEAL]. Peter Bauer [SEAL]

Witnesses, Frank Beckman, Nicholas Schweller.

June 1, 1876. Convent at Egypt. Clemens Roesner and Ignatius Seib were declared full members and priests of the Society of Precious Blood, with full members and priests of the Society of the Precious. The former Directors reelected to their respective offices to meet at the call of the President.

We shall now give the history of all the Catholic churches, with date of their organization, location, cost of building, and situation.

Catholic Churches in Mercer County, Ohio.

St., Johns Church was established six miles west of Minster in the year 1837. The first church erected was built of logs, which was small in size, but suited to the wants of the people. Among the early pioneers were John Reichert, Henry Kramer, Bernhard Baeke, Leisten Schneider, Gast, Hinders, Elking, Goecke, Buehler, and Moeller. The congregation and population increasing, a good brick church has been erected at a cost of about $8000, which has been twice enlarged. Its present size is 50 by 100 feet. It has a fine organ, and the number of communicants is 375. Present pastor, Rev. Michael Graf.

St. Henrys Church was built in 1839, when the Catholics first bought, land in this locality, and is established at the town of St. Henry, which was located in 1.837 by Henry Roemer. The building is 48 by 100 feet, and cost about $7000. The earliest members were the families of Huelsmanns, Hemmelgarten, and Frank Roemer, Weinart, Wendel, and Bruns. The first priest was Rev. Bartels. The present church was built under the supervision of Rev. Vanden Broek, and dedicated by Archbishop Purcell in 1854. Number of communicants, 375. Present pastor, Rev. Felix Graf.

St. Josephs Church. is situated two and a half miles from Recovery, and was organized in 1838. The first church was a log cabin, built that year. The first priest was Rev. John Herzog, and the earliest members were John Dull, John Weiss, and the families of Messrs. Kramer, Goecke, and Bruscher. The present church is a brick building, 45 by 85 feet, and cost $6000; was finished in 1861. Many members live in Recovery. Number of communicants, 235. Present pastor, Rev. Alois Malin. Congregation in a prosperous condition.

St. Marys Church was established. at Philothea on Sept. 6, 1851, by H. Weiner, H. Wendeln, H. Zumalde, Frederick Albers, H. Spoltman, F. Saalman. H. Phelman, and H. Lenartz. Mr. H. Weiner gave 40 acres of land for church and school purposes, for which he received $100, and in 1852 a small log church was built. On July 11, 1871, one of the finest churches in Northern Ohio was built and dedicated ; was built under the supervision of Rev. James Mane, is a brick building, 45 by 85 feet, and cost $7000. The church has a tower, of which four bells chime the praises of God. The number of communicants are 175. Present pastor, Rev. Casper Schedler, C. P. P. S.

St. Rosa Church was established in 1837, and in due time a log church was built in 1833. The regular. services were first held about 1845, when Father Navairon, a French priest, with Rev. John Wittmer and other priests belonging to the C. P. P. S., visited the church alternately, and performed divine services. The first trustees were Messrs. Rohdierks, Nichting, Busselmans Piefer, Hagadorus, Lochtefelt, and Soarge. The present church was built at a cost of $6000, under the supervision of Rev. Kunkler, and dedicated June 18, 1654. Its size is 42 by 75 feet, and built of brick. It has a fine $800 organ, with a membership of 160. Present pastor, Rev. Francis Bueihel, C. P. P. S.

St. Marys Church is built at Copella, and has a history since 1840. Among its earliest members was John Hess. A small frame church was erected in 1842, and in 1862 the present edifice, is a brick church, 43 by 78 feet, costing $6000 was dedicated by Bishop Rosecrantz. Messrs. Martin Hierolzer, Bernard Wehrkamp, John Cron, and B, Schaeffer were building committee. The number of communicants, 180. Rev. Peter Haberthur being pastor at the time when Burkettsvilles erected. Present pastor, Rev. Sebastian Ganther, C. P. P. S.

St. Francis Church is situated near and includes Cranberry Prairie. This church was organized through the efforts of Christopher and Jacob Schanck and Henry Hemmelgarten. The church was built in 1860 of brick, 38 by 65 feet, at a cost of $5000, and possesses the finest vestments of any congregation in the county, and are made of the richest and rarest materials. The church membership is 160. Present pastor, Ignatius Selb, C. P. P. S.

St. Alvis Church is near Carthagena, and was established about 1836 by the settlement of Catholics and the purchase of land from the colored people. In 1860 a grave-yard was purchased and a school organized. Since then the Catholics have worshiped in the chapel attached to the Theological Seminary. The membership increasing in 1875, plans for a new church, of brick, 45 by 85 feet, with a solid tower of two-feet walls from the ground, at a cost of $7500, were made under the supervision of Rev. Henry Drees. In May, 1877, the corner-stone was laid and blessed,

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and through the indefatigable exertions of Father Henry the church was dedicated June 30, 1878. Among the active and -energetic men of thiS church, who constituted the building committee, were Philip Frey, Frederick Horsthoefel, and Peter Kueth. The church was assisted by large subscriptions from other towns and congregations. Number of communicants, 130. Present priest, Rev. Godfrey Schlachfer.

St. Anthonys Church is eight miles north of.Recovery, and was established principally through the devoted efforts of Anton Schmett and Anthony Wiggeman. The first church was a small log church, and built in 1841, and the present church in 1878 by the praiseworthy exertions of Father Wilhelmj, C. P. P. S—is brick, 45 by 85 feet—at a cost of $7000. Number of communicants, 140. Present pastor, Rev. Conrad Schneider, C. P. P. S.

St. Trinity Church was located in Cold Water in 1868. Three ardent Catholics, Messrs. H. Kallmeier, H. Baese, and Joseph Pohl, having determined to erect a church, called upon Rev. John Vanden Broek for his advice. The site was selected and the ground donated upon which the church now stands. The founders named it St. Trinity, to perpetuate the fact that the plan originated with three members. In 1868 the work began With six members in the congregation, viz., Messrs. Kallmeier, Pohl, Bukemeier, Goettemaeller, Fisher, and Tekamp. Shortly after the church met with a severe loss in the death of Mr. Rose, a devout Christian man. In 1870 the church was completed. It is a frame building, 35 by 60 feet, and cost $1900, and is now under the pastoral care of Rev. Father Theobold Schock, C. P. P. S. Number of communicants, 250.

St. Sebastian Church is near Chickasaw, four miles north of St. Johns, and numbers 250 communicants, and was formerly a part of St. Johns and St. Rosa congregations, and was established by permission of the bishop in 1852. The pioneers of the church were Adam Gerlach, John Will, and B. Frohning. The first church was built in 1853, and served the purposes until the present church was erected in 1878, finished in 1879, and dedicated in October, 1879. It is the finest church in all Mercer County, of brick, 45 by 85 feet ; solid tower of brick, two-feet walls from the bottom ; under the supervision of Revs. P. Ruchnmuench and B. Russ, assisted by the manly efforts of building committee, composed of Messrs. Fred. Viekanys, T. Mestemaker, Hubert Dabbett, and Gerhard Sehwietermann. Cost of church, $8000. Present pastor, Erhard Glueck, C. P. P. S.

St. Wendeln Church is four miles south of St. Henry, and was established -in 1867. A handsome church of brick, 35 by 65 feet, was soon afterwards built, superintended by Rev. Paul Reister, C. P. P. S., assisted by active members of the congregation, viz., J. Breidenstein, John and henry Esser, and others. Communicants, 150.

St. Pauls Church is four miles southwest of St. Henry, and was built in 1874. The church is a frame, 45 by 30 feet; cost of building, $1000. Communicants, about 130. Present pastor, Rev. Paul Reister, C. P. P. S.

St. Peters Church and congregation was organized in 1859, having been formerly part of St. Josephs. In above-named year a brick church, 35 by 65 feet, was erected under the direction of Rev. John Vanden Broek, at a cost of about $4000. Leading members, acting as building committee and sympathizers of congregation, were, among others, Messrs. Reithards, William Wendell), Trautmann, and Schoenlein. The congregation is at present in a flourishing, healthy condition, under the pastorship of Rev. Peter Kuehnmuench, C. P. P. S. Number of communicants, 150.

St. Barnards Church is five miles due south of St. Henry ; was established in 1875. In same year a frame church, 35 by 60 feet, was erected ; cost, $1700. First regular divine service was conducted therein in 1876 by Rev. Alvis Malin. The little plain where the church stands is called Burkettsville. The prospects of the congregation are good, tracts of land in the hands of speculators, etc., being in the market for sale. Present number of families, 25 ; communicants, 125. Leading members, by whose laudable efforts the church was erected, were Messrs. Theodore Hemmelgarten, Tos. Nardenbrock, and John Baergerding, etc.

All the churches are free of debt.

Celina Church.---The first Catholic resident in Celina was Owen Gallagher. He was alone in his religion until 1860, when Daniel Mahoney settled in 1861, and C. Ganner, Joseph Biggs, and John Hess in 1862. In 1864, the first Catholic service ever held in Celina was performed at the house of Joseph Zenders, Father Dickman presiding.

The first organization as a society took place at that time, and from this time services were held every two weeks. The society neighborhood; creased by the membership of Christopher, Jacob, and Peter Schunck. The congregation increasing, and the Catholics of the adjoining ne boyhood desiring to attend service in Celina, the county town of Van Wert County, resolved to erect a house of worship, and on Aug. 3, 1864, the corner stone was laid by Archbishop Purcell. A large procession of citizens, composed of Catholics and Protestants, under the command of Col. Abner Davis, in full uniform, met the Archbishop. He conducted the ceremonies, assisted by Rev. Dwenger, Rev. Drees, Rev. Dickman, and Rev. Vanden Broeck.

The building being completed Dec. 8, 1865, was dedicated by Rev. Father Dwenger, commissioned for the purpose by Archbishop Purcell. It cost $7000. To this an addition has been made in 1878. The church was originally 40 by 60 feet, hut it has been increased, and is now 40 by 95 feet, built of brick. The congregation numbers 130 families, with 400 communicants. A small school-house has been erected, at a cost of $1200, 35 by 40 feet, under the care of Father Wittmer, assisted by two sisters of C. P. P. S., having 90 scholars under their care. The building committee were Messrs. Jacob Gerlach, Jacob Kreusch, Joseph Reidhardt, and Jacob Schunck. An organ has been presented to the church. Father Wittmer is first resident priest, and possesses a liberal Christian spirit, and is a man of high mental culture.

RAILROADS.

Three railroads enter the county, while two cross its area ; the one from east to southwest, and the other from northeast to south. The Lake Erie and Western enters Jefferson Township from A uglaize County, passes through Celina, crosses Butler Township by Coldwater and Phiilothea, cuts off a corner of Granville Township, and running through Recovery Township, passes St. Josephs and Fort Recovery, then extending westward through Indiana and Illinois. Its extension from St' Marys to Celina was celebrated by the citizens of this section, on July 4, 1878. On this occasion the meeting was held at Celina, the Declaration of Independence was read by C. M. LeBlond, Esq., an oration delivered by Judge McKenzie, of Lima, and voluntary addresses by F. McKenney, of Piqua, and Judge Phelps, of St. Marys. The road is now in fair condition, and handles an enormous trade. Employes at Celina, J. M. Davidson, agent, R. M. Amsden, operator, and Mark Williams, clerk.

Toledo, Delphos, and Burlington.—This road is an extension of the system of narrow-gauge roads which converge at Delphos and Toledo. The extension originally had Delphos and Shames Crossing as termini, but in 1881 the line was extended by Mendon, Mercer, Oregon, Celina, Montezuma, Chickasaw, and on to Dayton, thus affording a direct line from the latter place to Toledo. In 1872 the whole lines of narrow-gauge roads, extending from Toledo to St. Louis, and from Toledo to Dayton, with branches, were consolidated into one system, and the name changed to the St. Louis Narrow-Gauge System.

Van Weil, Celina, and Slate Line.—This road, originally constructed as a narrow-gauge between Van Wert and Shanesville, was changed in 1881 to a standard gauge, and the line extended north from Van Wert to Paulding.

Northern Railroad is a consolidation of the following railroads, viz.: 1. Toledo and Maumee Railroad. 2. Toledo and Grand Rapids Railroad. 3. Toledo, Delphos, and Indianapolis Railroad. 4. Delphos and Kokomo Railroad. 5. Delphos, Blufton, and Franklin Railroad. 6. Toledo, Frankford, and St. Louis Railroad. 7. Toledo, Cincinnati, and St' Louis. 8. Dayton, Covington, and Toledo Railroad. 9. Cincinnati and Northern Railroad. 10. Dayton and South Eastern Railroad.

The length of the continued road is seven hundred Miles, and the gauge is three feet.

By a new device, called the " Ramsey Transfer," the products of the mercantile, manufacturing, and farming interests can be placed in the cars, and without change can be carried to Eastern cities, thereby saving a large amount to the shipper.

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This is the first narrow-gauge that is so constructed for these commercial purposes, and is the longest in the world, and has thus far proved eminently successful. So great has been the passenger and freight increase, that the demands of the several counties through which the road passers require the officers to take energetic measures to accomplish these ends. Toledo, the late terminus of the railroad, is destined to become a city of the greatest importance.

INCIDENTS.

The following bill of lading is recorded in the Deed Book of Mercer County ; and we place it upon our pages to show how goods were shipped—prices, etc.

UNITED STATES LINE.

Received, New York, July 7, 1837, the following articles of merchandise, in apparent good order, viz.: Ten boxes of goods and two chests, T. H. Delancter, Piqua, Ohio, care of J. G. Leet, Portsmouth, Ohio, which we agree to forward as follows: By the Albany tow boats and United States line to Buffalo—by steam on the Lake to Cleveland (the risks and dangers of the lake, of fire at all places of storage or transhipment, and breaking of looking-glasses, excepted,) at $2.71 per 100 lbs. Dry goods $3.17 per 100 lbs.

D. NORTHROP, Agent.

Tragedy of Mary Arabella Secaur, and Lynching of the Murderers—

(Contributed.)

Mary Arabella Secaur was murdered by Alexander McLeod, and Absalom and Jacob Kimmel, on Sunday, June 23, 1872, which tragical event happened during the period Thornton Spriggs was Sheriff of Mercer County.

Before entering into the detail of the circumstances attending the case, we desire to state that, on the Saturday night prior to that eventful Sabbath, this little girl, aged but — years, had a fearful dream, which she communicated to the family,—a dream which certainly indicated that her guardian angel had visited her to warn her of approaching danger,—danger wherein she saw herself attacked by ruffians and cruelly murdered! The presence of kindly faces and warm-hearted relatives dispelled the impressions made upon her mind by the dream, and her accustomed cheerfulness returned. Had the warning been heeded, the horrible death she suffered would have been averted, and she alive, to gladden the hearts of her relatives and friends.

Mary Arabella, Secaur, however, young as she was, faltered not in the discharge of her Sabbath day's duties. She went to her Sabbath-school at Liberty church, and, after its close, to the services in the church. When its services were closed, many persons started from church with her on the same road,-–now and then the roads diverging, and neighbors separated with the usual good-bye. When about one mile from home she was left alone to pursue her journey—a journey in which she would realize the truthfulness of her dream, and the terrible fate which awaited her.

Unconscious that only a few rods intervened between her and the fatal ambuscade, and still she advances ! Where now is the kindly monitor ? Will it yet sound the note of warning, and impress upon her mind a sense of the danger ahead, and cause her to turn back and escape ? No, no, it is too late, the die is cast ! Mary Arabella, Secaur is in too close proximity to the infernal fiends, who have stealthily watched her coming. A moment later and she is seized upon by these devils in human shape. She is overpowered by brute force and dragged into. a dense thicket near by, where these damned villains can accomplish their hellish purpose, unmolested by human agency, and unseen by human eye.

Unheeding her appeals and entreaties these fiends, McLeod and the Kimmels, accomplish their deliberately-formed purpose,—aye, formed in the church of the living God,—and Mary 'Arabella Secaur, the joy of the family circle, and in broad daylight, within sight of her own home; as hell as the home of her grandfather, was forcibly outraged and murdered! Her dead body was left by the accursed villains entirely naked, and left by them to be mangled and destroyed by animals less ferocious than the inhuman beasts who had committed the devilish deed-

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The family supposed Mary had stopped at her grandfather,s, and neither family was alarmed until Monday afternoon, when diligent inquiry and search were made, and at four o,clock of that day they found the dead body of their beloved daughter. It had been horribly mangled ! A lot of hogs had been tearing and eating it ! The head was separated from the 1)0(13', and the body was found in several pieces ! Her clothing was also found near by, and recognized by her friends.

Coronor Hunton being notified of the murder, empanelled a jury, and, after examination of the remains by Drs. Miller, Touvelle, Parrot, Jones. and Brandon, of Celina, they decided that it was a most heinous and diabolical outrage, and that a cruel murder had been perpetrated.

The murder startled and terrified the whole community. The people en masse determined that the guilty perpetrators should be brought to justice, and each and all went to work in earnest to solve the mystery.

Two young men, named Alexander McLeod and Andrew J. Kimmel, were peddlers of tinware from Fort Wayne, and had been stopping at the house of Henry Kimmel. From the very first, suspicion rested upon McLeod and the two Kimmel boys, Absalom and Jacob. These three had been seen in close consultation at church an hour or two before the crime was committed ; and, to aid in solving the mystery, some few remembered the fact of McLeod and Absalom Kimmel leaving the church before the congregation was dismissed. Their conduct in church had attracted many people, and the conviction in the minds of all was that these men had committed the murder. This conviction was strengthened by the fact that all three had left for the \Vest early on Monday morning.

Believing these facts to be conclusive, Thornton Spriggs, sheriff of Mercer County, appointed the following deputies—D. T. Spriggs, William Johnston, and William Moore—who started for the arrest and capture of the supposed criminals. To the credit of Sheriff Spriggs be it stated, that in all the annals of criminal jurisprudence never was a case carried into effect with such rare good judgment, which he accomplished so successfully by his boldness and celerity.

Sheriff Spriggs and his deputies overtook McLeod and A. J. Kimmel, the supposed criminals, at Fort Wayne, on Friday, June 28, and brought them to Celina. Absalom, George, and Jacob Kimmel were arrested the same day. On Saturday, June 29, A. J. Kimmel turned State,s evidence, and filed an affidavit charging Alexander McLeod, Absalom, Jacob, and George Kimmel with the murder.

On Sunday, June 30, Justices Snyder, Alexander, and Lacey sat as an examining court, for a preliminary examination. The State was represented by Messrs. Cowan, Le Blond, Day, Godfrey, and the prosecuting attorney.

Messrs. Callen, Loughridge, Albery, and Wharton on behalf of the defendants.

After hearing all the testimony, the evidence was conclusive against Alexander McLeod and Absalom and Jacob Kimmel, by direct proof—blood upon their garments, and other satisfactory evidence, implicating these three.

July 5, Absalom Kimmel confessed that he and McLeod were both guilty, and gave some of the details of the crime, which so exasperated the people in the court-room that they demanded that Judge Lynch should preside ; but better judgment silenced the people for a season.

On the morning of July 8, as early as 4 o,clock, the people, by ones and twos and in squads, commenced to arrive in the quiet town of Celina. By 10 o,clock the streets were crowded. Perfect order was observed and established, yet the law-abiding citizens feared that the law was to be violated. At 12 o'clock a body of two hundred horsemen rode into the town and proceeded directly to the jail, followed by an immense crowd of people. Arriving at the jail they found the doors locked and barred, and Sheriff Spriggs and his guards refused them admission, and urged them to let the law take its course. This had no effect. The sheriff and his assistants were seized and secured; the keys found, and the doors to the cells opened; and the people, to vindicate outraged justice, seized the terrified and cowering prisoners. They were hustled out of prison, and dumped into a wagon, which was immediately surrounded by horsemen, who ,started rapidly for the country, followed and cheered by the surging and excited crowd.

The place of execution was eleven miles distant and during the entire

314 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

journey the prisoners beheld nothing but a vast concourse of' human beings, terribly exasperated against them, and clamoring for their life’s blood. What a scene to witness! Three thousand unrestrained stalwart men, aroused by the perpetration of a grievous wrong, against three poor, miserable, terrified devils, in manacles and irons!

The place selected was on the farm of Henry Kimmel, the father of Absalom and Jacob Kimmel, and in the neighborhood where the murder was committed. The horsemen, with their prisoners, arrived at 5 o,clock. A rude gallows was hastily improvised, by cutting a small tree the proper length for a beam, and hoisting it to its destined position and height with wooden forks, and under this the wagon containing the prisoners was drawn.

McLeod was asked if he had any confession to make, but he declared his innocence. Absalom Kimmel was next called, and reiterated the facts set forth in his confession. Jacob denied that he was guilty, and stated that McLeod told him that he himself and Absalom had done the work.

At this important and eventful crisis, Elias Secaur, a brother of the murdered girl, appeared upon the scene, and requested that Jacob Kimmel should not be hanged, as there might be some doubt as to his guilt. The proposition met with universal approval, and Jacob was accordingly so disposed of, but put back to jail, and remained there until November, and was then released.

Preparations were then made for the last act in the tragedy. Ropes were thrown over the beam, nooses were formed and placed around the necks of Alexander McLeod and Absalom Kimmel, their hands and feet were secured, the wagon driven from under them, and at ten minutes before 4 o’clock P. M. of July 8, 1872, their souls were launched into eternity. After the vital spark was extinct, their bodies were given into the hands of the physicians of Shanesville and Fort Recovery.

A. McLeod was 21 years of age, and Absalom Kimmel 10.

COMMISSIONERS, JOURNAL.

A presentation of the proceedings of the Board of Commissioners for the early years of the county will review not only the manner but the nature and amount of business transacted. The early struggles of the county as an organization are thus presented for consideration, and the first steps towards a permanent development shown. They thus present pictures of men, business, wealth, expenses, resources, and growth. A rather extensive copy of these proceedings will be presented for these reasons.

Journal Entries.

April session, 1824. A memorandum of lots cast. The commissioners of Mercer County, Lucas Vanausdall, for three years; Ansel Blossom, for two years; and Thomas Scott, for one year’s term of service.

State of Ohio, Mercer County, April 17, 1824.

On this day David Hays and Solomon Carr, commissioners of said county, called a meeting for the purpose of taking the auditor's bond, which was done, and to appoint a treasurer pro tempore, when John P. Hedges was appointed, and gave bond accordingly.

I do certify that the above is a correct record of the proceeding of the commissioners.

W. B. HEDGES, Auditor.

State of Ohio, Mercer County, June 7.

June term, 1824. Agreeably to the duties assigned to said county commissioners, they have called on the county treasurer for settlement, and it appears that no money has been received by him, and bond delivered up and released whereupon the said John P. Hedges was reappointed treasurer, and was qualified into office for the ensuing year, and gave bond according to law, and appointed Samuel Hanson as collector of taxes, county levy, and gave bond accordingly, and was qualified into office, for which the said Hanson agrees to collect for five dollars all the taxes of both Mercer and Van Wert counties.

The above business was done before David Hays and Solomon Carr, commissioners of said county, which I do certify is a correct proceeding of all business ordered by said commissioners to enter in said day's proceedings.

WM. B. HEDGES, Auditor.

List of Taxable Property in Dublin Township in 1824.

Ho

r

s

e

s

C

a

t

t

l

e

Am’t

Taxat’n

Armstrong, Jane
Antonedes, John
Bevington, John
Bevington, Henry
Baker, Wm.

Blossom, Ansel

Carr, Solomon
Callesin, James

Coil, Andrew, Sr.

Coil, Peter

Coil, Andrew, Jr.
Crance, John

Crance, Jacob
Chevington, John
Dungan, Samuel
Denison, Calvin

Edsall, Culharme
Evans, John

Greer, Joseph

Gundy, John

Greaves, John

Green, Timothy

Green, Abner

Hauzer, Wm.

Hamer, Michael

Hamilton, Justin

Heath, John

Hinkle, Joseph

Hays, David

Hedges, Wm. B.
Hedges, John P.
Hanson, Samuel

Huber, David

Lillie, John

Lillie, Samuel

Lillie, Hannah
Mulligan. Jno. W.
Parrott, Thomas

Squier, Justus

Sutton, John

Roebuck, Benjamin
Roebuck, Reed
Roebuck, John
Roebuck, Rachel

Riley, James W.

Riley, James

Riley, Roswell
Wolcott, James

Woods, Joel

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

3

2
1
1
1
1

3

1

2

1

1

2

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

1

3

4

2

2

1

7

1

1

1

1

2

3

3

6

3

3

2

3

6

2

6

2

4

4

3

5

6

1

2

4

6

2

8

1

7

3

3

3

1

7

1

1

2

2

5

6

1

4

2

1

1

6

1 00

40

40

40

10

50

60

90

1 50

90

60

50

60

90

20

1 50

50

40

1 00

30

50

60

10

30

50

40

1 20

50

1 10

40

1 30

30

30

30

70

1 00

10

40

50

20

1 40

1 80

10

1 00

20

10

10

1 20

2 00

Total amount taxes on horses and cattle in Dublin Township . . . . $31 80

Shanesville Valuation.

Hedges, John P.
Simmons, Thos. P.
Coil, Andrew

“

Greave, John

Hedges, Wm. B.

“

Roebuck, Benjamin
Hanna, Thomas
Hockley, James
Chabert & Murrey
Hockley, James

R. L. Britton, Barnett

& Hanna, Proprs.

Do. do.

Do. do.

Do. do.

Do. do.

Do. do.

Do. do.

Do. do,

Do. do.

R. L. Britton, &
Hanna Barnett
Proprs.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

Do. Do.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

250
50
50
50
125
100
62
100

50
50
75
10

10
10
50
50

50

50
15
15
10

10

10

15
50
50
50
50
15
15
15
50
50
50
50

50

50

50

50

50

75

50

1.25

25

25

25

62 ½

50

31

50

25

25

87½

5

5

5

25

25

25

25

7½

7½

5

5

5

7½

25

25

25

25

7½

7½

7½

25

25

25

25

25

35

25

25

25

37½

25

Total amount of Shanesville Taxes $10 43½

The Town of Willshire Valuation as returned to this office by S. Lillie and Benjamin Roebuck, Appraisers.

Riley, James

Riley, Roswell
Milligan, John W.
Riley, James

"

"

Chapman, Ruel
Riley, James

“

“

“

Chapman, Ruel
Riley, James

“

Riley, Roswell

“

“

Riley, James

"

"

“

“

Riley, James

“

"

"

“

Riley, Roswell

Riley, James

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

10
25
100
50
50
30
100
50
50
50
75
75
50
58
100
50
19
25
25
50
50
25

25
50
50
25
25
25
10
10
10
10
20
20
20
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
13

5

12½

50

25

25

25

50

25

25

25

37½

37½

25

29

50

25

9½

12½
12½

25

25

12½

12½

25

25

12½
12½
12½

5

5

5

5

10

10

10

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

15

Total amount of taxes in Wiltshire $7 661

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 315

A List of the Taxation of Coils Town.

Coil, Andrew

All Below “

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

87

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

5556

50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50

50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
53
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50

50

5050

5050

.00¼

“

All below

Total amount of taxes in Coils Town .14

Exhibit of Dublin Township.

Amount of Dublin Township taxes in personal property

" of Shanesville taxes

" of Willshire taxes

" of Coils Town taxes

Total of Township taxes

$31 80

10 43½

7 68½

14

$50 06

A List of Taxable Property in St. Marys Township returned by Isaac Applegate, Lister.

HORSES

C

A

T

T

L

E

Am’t

Tax’n

Armstrong, John

Applegate, Isaac

Budkins, James

Barrington, Richard

Blue, Joseph

Carter, John

Catterlin, John

Catterlin, Joseph

Cleland, Martin

Conner, George

Dungan, Isaiah

Fornsdal, Lucas (or Fornorsdol)

Hinkle, Asa

Hoy, James

Heath, Wm.

Houston, Wm.

Hathaway, Nimrod

Moyors, Wm.

Moyors, Hamilton Murray, Chalres

Murdock, John

Macnulty, John

Macconelly, Thomas

Pickeral, John

Scott, Thomas

Smith, Henry

Swan, Ezekiel

Smith, Charles

Updyke, Peter

Van Hoeys, Jacobus I.

2

1

1

1

1

2
1
1
1

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

3

1

6
1
1
1
1
1

3

5

2

3

1

3

2

4

3

8

3

7

2

3

17

1

3

2

27

6

4

3

1

30

1

5

2

8

5

90

80

50

30

40

60

20

1 00

30

60

1 10

60

1 00

50

30

2 30

10

60

50

3 60

60

70

30

10

4 80

40

80

50

1 10

80

Amount on personal property

$26 30

Town of St. Marys.

Murray, Charles

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

Lord, James
Houston, Leander
Miller, James
Manning, John

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

“

Houston, Wm. A.

“

“

“

“

“

“

“Houston, Wm. A.

3

4

22

27

28

42

43

44

50

49

63

64

46

45

67

68
21
2
54
60
6

18
19
32
31
30

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

33

34

35

36

37

3"

39

40

53

55
56

58

59

1

23

24

25

26

41

29552

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

111

.00½

All below

Benner, Christopher

“

“

51

61

62

48

47

65

66

17

8

7

All below

Amount of taxes due on the Town of St. Marys for 1824 - $0 34

Amount on personal property in St. Marys Township - 26 30

Total amount of St. Marys taxes - $26 64

Total amount of Dublin Township taxes - 50 06

Grand total Mercer County taxes, 1824 - $76 70

I do certify that I believe this duplicate to be correct agreeable to the returns made by John Lillie and Isaac Applegate, listens of Dublin and St. Marys townships, August 1st, 1824.

W. B. HEDGES,

Auditor Mercer County, Ohio.

This document is whole and perfect as originally made, containing 16 pages, May 23, 1852.

AUDITOR.

Mercer County, Dec. 6, 1824.

December session. Present : Thomas Scott, Ansel Blossom, and Lucas Vanausdale, commissioners of Mercer County :

Wherefore it is ordered by said commissioners the plat of a State road located by Zachariah Hole and Robert Robison, commissioners appointed by the Legislature of Ohio to locate from the line of Darke County, which crosses Stillwater to the town of Wiltshire, in the county of Van Wert, and that the auditor of Mercer County is directed to issue orders on the treasurer of said county of Mercer for a proportionate amount of said road to the several persons employed in running the same, viz., Zachariah Hole, Commissioner, $15.27 ; Robert Robison, Commissioner, $14.33; James Hanks, Surveyor, for surveying and platting and making return of survey of said road, $25.77 ; and to Simeon Craig, chainman, $7.17; Allen Reed, blazer, $7.17; and Joseph York, chainman, $7.17; to Anthony Achison, $8.28; Harry Achison, packer, $5.17 ; whereupon the Board adjourned until Tuesday at nine o,clock.

December term, Tuesday 7, 1824. Present: Thomas Scott, Lucas Vanausdale, and Ansel Blossom:

When return was made to said commissioners of the State road from Sidney, in Shelby County, to St. Marys, in Mercer County, which is ordered to be entered on record against the next session of said commismissioners of Mercer County, and that the proportionate amount of Mercer County's expenses be allowed by the auditor to the following persons, and to each person, the amount annexed to his name, viz., to Joseph Stewart, Surveyor, $6.121; Asa Henkle, Commissioner, $3.90; John Johnson, Commissioner, $3.34; John Blake, chainman, $1.67 ; Henry Bryan, chainman, $1.67 ; Henry Smith, blazer, $1.67 ; and to Christopher F. Tilley, packer, $2.22.

It is hereby ordered that James W. Riley, pro tem. clerk of Mercer County, is allowed for books and stationery purchased at Cincinnati for $3.75.

There appearing no more business. at this time, we have adjourned till term in course, or otherwise, if urgent business may require.

THOMAS SCOTT,

LUCAS VANAUSDALE,

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

Commissioners.

Dec. 7, 1824.

State of Ohio, Mercer County, March 7, 1825.

March session, 1825. Present : Lucas Vanausdale, Isaiah Dungan, and Ansel Blossom, commissioners of said county :

When they called on Wm. B. Hedges to give bond to said commissioners for his faithful performance as auditor of said county, and took the oath of office before Isaiah Dungan, Commissioner. There was a petition presented by sundry citizens of Mercer County for a county road, to be established from St. Marys in the nearest and best ground, so as to cross Twelve-Mile Creek, just below Peter Coil’s saw-mill, thence to John Heath's mill, thence to the town of Shanesville, in the nearest and best ground and it is hereby ordered that John Murdock, Wm. B. Hedges, and. Samuel Dungan are appointed viewers to locate said road, and said James W. Riley for surveyor, and order issued to viewers and surveyor to commence on the 21st instant to lay out the same:

Then adjourned till Tuesday, March 8, 1825.

316 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

March 8, 1825. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Vanausdale, Dungan, and Blossom:

When they proceeded to make a division of the lots in town of St. Marys; and the lots fell to the county, as follows, viz., Nos. 1, 5, 7, 13, 15, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 39, 42, 44; 46, 48, 50, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 63. Then, after the aforesaid business was done, they proceeded to appoint a treasurer pro tem. till June term next, when John Manning was appointed, and the auditor is directed to take bond of said Manning in the sum of five hundred dollars, and to receive Charles Murray, J. J. Vanness, and William Berry as security on said bond.

There appearing no more business, they adjourned till Wednesday at eight o,clock.

March 9, 1825. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment, and concluded to make sale on the first Thursday after June session next of all the unsold lots in the town of St. Marys that belongs to the county of Mercer, to be sold at the highest bids, and the conditions of sale to be made known on day of sale, by order of the commissioners.

There appearing no more business at present, we have adjourned till regular session, in case no business requires a meeting sooner.

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

LUCUS VANAUSDALE,

ISAIAH DUNGAN,

Commissioners.

Attest-W. B. HEDGES, Auditor.

St. Marys, June 6, 1825.

June session, 1825. Present: Isaiah Dungan, Solomon Carr, Ansel Blossom, commissioners.

There being a return made of a county road that was laid out by W. P. Hedges, John Murdock and Samuel Dungan, viewers, and James W. Riley, surveyor, from the town of St. Marys to Shanesville, which was ordered to be recorded and laid on the table.

Adjourned till Tuesday, at 9 o’clock.

June 7, 1825. Met, agreeable to adjournment. Present : Dungan, Carr, and Blossom.

Proceeded to compare the vouchers with orders issued by W. B. Hedges, auditor, on the treasurer of said county, and found them to be correct, and to agree, except there appearing to be no voucher produced for the orders issued for the last October election, for the two clerks and three judges to said election, but satisfactory evidence was produced that they were correctly issued.

Settled with John P. Hedges, treasurer of Mercer County, and did receive of him all books and papers belonging to his office, together with the amount of money received by him during his continuance in office, commencing at the June session in 1824, and ending at this day. And the And the auditor is directed to issue an order in favor of the said Hedges, for two dollars and ninety-one cents, being his legal percentage on seventy-two dollars and seventy-five cents, received and paid over by W. B. Hedges, for John P. Hedges.

ISAIAH DUNGAN,

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

SOLOMON CARR,

Commissioners.

June 7, 1825. The report of the viewers being read the second time, and no objections being made thereto to the road laid out by W. R. Hedges, John Murdock and Samuel Dungan, viewers, and James W. Riley, surveyor, from St. Marys to Shanesville, Therefore, it is hereby ordered, that the report, survey, and plat be recorded, and it is hereby ordered that the auditor do issue on the county treasurer, orders to the following persons, as reviewers, chainmen, examiner, and surveyors, for the several amounts annexed to their names, viz.: W. B. Hedges, as viewer, $4,50 ; John Murdock, as viewer, $6.00; Samuel Dungan, as viewer; $5.50; James W. Riley, surveyor, $14.25; John Roebuck, as chainman, $2.621; Peter Coil, as axman, $1.872; John Lillie, as chain-man, $2.622; Moses Scott, as blazer, one clay, $0.75; George Conner, as chainman, one and a half days, $1.122 ; Charles Murray, second as chainman, one and a half days, $1.12 1/2; Richard R. Barrington, as axman, one and a half days, $1.12 1/2; and then adjourned till Wednesday at o'clock.

June 8, Wednesday. Met, agreeably to adjournment, and appointee John Murdock collector of the county taxes for the present year, an also John Manning is appointed treasurer of Mercer County for one year from this date, and the auditor is directed to take bonds of the said Manning in the sum of five hundred dollars. Next proceeded to make settlement with the auditor, and his accounts amounted to $18.66¾ Not considering that a sufficient compensation, we have allowed thE auditor $21.33¼, making in all forty dollars for his services the year past. We have caused the auditor to erase the settlement orders issued No. 70 and 73, made March 7 and 8, by the commissioners and auditor not considering it legally made. It is hereby done away, and the coin missioners do levy a tax on each horse and mule, thirty cents for each three years old and upwards for each head of neat cattle ten cents or each head three years old and upward. And that the commissioner; hereby order the auditor to publish by writing the expenditures and re. ceipts of the current year past, and the commissioners order that the terms of sale of lots in St. Marys be as follows, viz.: The conditions of the sale of lots in the town of St. Marys are such that the highest bidden is to be the buyer, and any person bidding off a lot or lots and failing tc comply with the advertisement, shall forfeit and pay twenty per cent. on the amount of the bid. And there shall be a title-bond given for a deed when the last payment is made, otherwise the first payment or payments to be forfeited, and the lot or lots to revert to the county. And it is hereby ordered, that lot No. 29 is to be sold for specie; conditions of payment, one-third in hand, one-third in six-months, and the balance in twelve months.

Adjourned till Thursday.

Thursday, June 9. Met agreeably to adjournment. After the sale was over, thinking the lots did not sell for as much as they were worth, all the lots were bid in for the county, except No. 20, sold to Win. Hedges, for sixty-three dollars and fourteen cents, and No. 59, sold to James Riley, for $30.40, No. 61 sold to John Murdock for $30.39, and No. 57 sold to Win. B. Hedges for $30.01, and then forfeited the wine and paid $6;00, the forfeiture for not complying with the conditions of the sale by giving in his services from settlement to his resignation, and the lot sold for specie. No. 29 was sold to Thos. Scott for $51.75, to which lot the commissioners conducting the same received $17.25, it being in full of the first payment to be made by the said Scott on said lot, and to be appropriated for books and stationery ; and John Murdock path paid $10.13, it being the first payment, and entered into bonds for the two other payments, which are to be paid yearly. Also James Riley has paid $10.13½, it being the first payment on the lot sold him, and the said Riley gave bond for the balance of the payments to the commissioner conducting the same. Lot No. 20 sold to Wm. B. Hedges for $63.14. Received payment in full from Wm. B. Hedges, for lot No. 20, in orders, $56.44. Paid by John Murdock, $2.91, which is entered On said Murdock's first note. Deduct interest on the last two payments on account of prompt payment, $3.78—$63.14.

June 10, 1825, Received eighty-three dollars and forty cents, paid for lots sold for county purposes, which is entered on the book "paid," and the orders destroyed. Wm. Armstrong, deputy auditor.

After a division of the lots, the commissioners set apart fifteen lots for public buildings, which lots are Nos. 5, 13, 18, 23, 27, 31, 34, 37, 42, 46, 50, 55, SS, 60, and 63. Also the proceeds of the other fifteen lots to be applied to other county purposes.

June 10, 1825. This day the resignation of W. B. Hedges, as county auditor, received by the commissioners of said county; also appointed David Armstrong county auditor pro tem. till next annual election also took bond and security of said Armstrong according to law.

Adjourned till to-morrow.

Saturday, June 11, 1825. Met pursuant to adjournment, and proceeded to take from the proprietors of the town a deed for the lots donated for county purposes.

Ordered, that the auditor issue orders on the treasurer of the county to the following persons for services rendered, to wit, to James W. Riley, Surveyor, $1.50; to William Armstrong, $0.75; to Joseph D. Blue, $0.75;

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 317

to Isaiah Duncan, $10.00 ; to Ansel Blossom, $2.00 ; to Solomon Carr, $10.00; these three for services at June term.

Also ordered, that the auditor publish a statement of the receipts and expenditures for the current year.

Also ordered, that the lots set apart agreeably to their respective numbers for the use of public buildings, be and are hereby appropriated. for the use herein expressed, and for no other purpose whatever.

Also appointed Thomas Scott agent to sell and convey the following lots, to wit, Nos. 1, 7, 15, 25, 33, 35, 39, 44, 48, 52, and 57, on the following conditions: one-third in hand, one-third in one year, and the balance in two years.

There appearing no further business, we adjourn till a further call.

ISAIAH DUNGAN,

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

SOLOMON CARR,

Commissioners:

Attest —WM. ARMSTRONG, Dept. Auditor.

St. Marys, June 11, 1825.

Township No. 3 S., R. 1 E., called Wiltshire, is bounded as follows, viz., beginning at the southwest corner of the county of Van Wert and northwest corner of the county of Mercer, on the State line between Ohio and Indiana, thence north on said line six miles, thence east six miles, thence south six miles to the county line, thence west on said line six miles to the bounds first mentioned, containing thirty-six square miles, more or less.

SOLOMON CARR,

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

Commissioners.

I certify the above is a true copy of the original,

Wm. ARMSTRONG, Dept. Auditor.

Sept. 14, 1825.

Commissioners met Monday, Dec. 5, 1825, and after finding that Thomas McCumsey had not been sworn into office, adjourned till nine o,clock to-morrow morning.

Commissioners met agreeably to adjournment. Present : Ansel. Blossom and Thomas McCumsey, and proceeded to examine the accounts of Justin Hamilton, and allowed him nine dollars, to be paid out of the the county treasury for his services as assessor for the year 1825. Also each that David Armstrong take up the two notes of Thomas Scott, each seventeen dollars and twenty-five cents, and said Armstrong paid ten dollars on the first note.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning.

December session, 1825. Met agreeably to adjournment, and proceeded to construct a jail, and ordered the auditor to advertise the same in five public places, and adjourned till December, 29th inst.

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

Commissioners.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Dec. 7, 1825

Dec. 29, 1825. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Ansel Blossom and Thomas McCumsey, and proceeded to sell the building of a jail, which was sold to Asa Hinkle, he agreeing to build said jail for lots Nos. 31, 34, 37, 42, and 50 ; also $150, fifty of which the commissioners agreed to pay in cash, and said Hinkle gave bonds to that effect.

Also ordered, that there be an order given to obtain one hundred dollars of the proprietors in labor or materials. The commissioners allow Charles Lovell $1.25 for crying the sale of the jail.

Ordered, that the auditor issue orders to the following persons : Ansel Blossom, for $8.00 for services at an extra session ; Thomas McCumsey, $4.00 for services at same session ; and to Charles Lovell, $1.25 for crying sale.

There appearing no more business at present, adjourned till March session.

St. Marys, April 25, 1826. Commissioners met, and proceeded to sell the following lots lying in the town of St. Marys : Lot No. 23 to Charles Lovell for $33.00, to be paid in cash ; lot No. 5 sold to George Conner for $31.50, to be paid in cash; lot No. 18 sold to John Pickerell for $43.25, to be paid in cash ; lot No. 27 sold to Enos Ferry for $68.50, to be paid in cash ; lot No. 1 sold to John Murdock for $55.00, to be paid in county orders ; lot No. 15 sold to Wm. Armstrong for $31.50, to be paid in county orders ; lot No. 53 sold to James Watson Riley for $76.50, to be paid in county orders ; lot No. 25 sold to Joseph Grier for $70.00, to be ,paid in county orders.

Ordered by the commissioners, that the auditor record all the proceedings which have heretofore been in record, and place them in order as they have been transacted, in a book which is prepared for that purpose.

Ordered, that the following persons receive the several sums annexed to their names : To Ansel Blossom, for three days ; Joel Wood, two days; Thomas McCumsey, ten days.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn until the June session.

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

THOMAS M CCUMSEY,

JOEL WOOD,

Commissioners.

WM. ARMSTRONG, Dept. Auditor.

April 26, 1826.

St. Marys, June 5, 1826. Present : Ansel Blossom, Joel Wood, and Thomas McCumsey, commissioners.

Then proceeded to determine by lot the term of service of Joel Wood and Thomas McCumsey, which was done, and Joel Wood,s term was two years, and Thomas McCumsey's term three years, from October last.

Also accepted an order from Asa Hinkle, for four dollars and forty-three and three-quarter cents, and indorsed the same on his obligation.

Adjourned till Tuesday, 6th.

Tuesday, 6th. Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment.

Then proceeded to examine James W. Riley's account for platting three townships and one town-plat of the town of St. Marys, for the use of the assessor of the county, $3.75. Also allowed said Riley, for carrying the returns of the annual election of 1825,$6.00. Also allowed the following account to J. W. Riley, for paper and wafers, $3.00, to be paid in cash.

Then proceeded to lay the county levy, which was due, and levied eight mills on the dollar for county purposes on the grand levy.

Then proceeded to settle with the treasurer of Mercer County, and received the county levy of 1825, and directed his successor to receive all the books, papers, and moneys, that belong to the county.

Adjourned till Wednesday, June 7.

Wednesday, June 7. Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment.

Then proceeded to appoint a treasurer for said county of Mercer, and appointed Robert Bigger treasurer, and directed the auditor to take bonds and security of the treasurer in the sum of one thousand dollars.

Then proceeded to appoint a collector of county and State tax, and appointed Charles Lovell, and directed the auditor to take bond, according to law.

Then proceeded to settlement with the auditor, his accounts being $15.44¾. It being his account, and we not thinking it a sufficient compensation, allowed him $14.56¼, making the whole $30.00, for his services from the 10th of June, 1825, till the 7th of June, 1826.

Then proceeded to adopt measures for laying out an appropriation made by the Legislature, at their last session, for the opening and repairing of roads in Mercer County.

Also ordered that the same be laid out on the State road leading from St. Marys to Shanesville, under the direction and supervision of Joel Wood and Thomas McCumsey, two of the present county commissioners of said county ; and it is further ordered, that all the aforesaid money be laid out on said road between the town of St. Marys and the Twelve-Mile Creek, on that part of said road as the above said commissioners deem most proper, they reserving to themselves out of said money their compensation allowed by law. It is also ordered that the said money be laid out on said road between the first day of August and the first day of November next.

318 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Also ordered, by the board of commissioners of Mercer County, that the appropriation now made by law for opening and repairing roads in the County of Van Wert be laid out in the following place and manner, to wit: one-half of said money to be laid out in the above-mentioned road so far as said road runs through Van Wert County leading through Wiltshire, under the direction and superintendence of Joel Wood and Ansel Blossom, acting commissioners of Mercer County, on such part of said road as they think most proper, reserving to themselves out of said funds their compensation, as allowed by law.

Also ordered, that the said money be laid out on said road between the first day. of August and the first day of November, next.

Also ordered, that the other half of said appropriation lie in the hands of the county treasurer till further orders, and recommend that a petition be presented to the next legislature of Ohio, for the purpose of having the balance of said appropriation of Van Wert County laid out in Mercer County, on the aforesaid State road, between Shanesville and the Van Wert County line.

Also ordered, that the commissioners receive the following sums for their services, as annexed to their names : Joel Wood, three days, $6.00; Ansel Blossom, three days, $7.00 ; Thomas McCumsey, three days, $6.00.

Also ordered, that the auditor publish a statement of the receipts and expenditures of the current year.

There appearing no more business at present, we adjourn till business requires a meeting to be called.

ANSEL BLOSSOM,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

JOEL WOOD,

Commissioners of Mercer County.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Deputy Auditor.

June 7, 1826.

St. Marys, Aug. 2, 1826. Commissioners met, as business required:

Present, Joel Wood and Thomas McCumsey.

Then proceeded to direct the auditor to issue an order on the treasurer, in favor of James W. Riley, for $18.00, drawn in two orders, to be paid out of the money appropriated for books and stationery. Also to issue an order on the treasurer, in favor of Robert Bigger, for $1.25, to be paid out of the appropriation for books and stationery.

Also to issue an order on the treasurer, in favor of William Armstrong, for $3.50, which he is directed to send to Cincinnati, to purchase one ream of paper, for the use of Mercer County, to be paid as above. Also to issue an order on the treasurer, in favor of Win. Armstrong, fur $1.25, to be paid out of the appropriation for books and stationery.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn until business requires.

JOEL WOOD,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

Commissioners of Mercer County.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Deputy Auditor.

August 24, 1826. Commissioners met, as business required.

Present, Joel Wood and Thomas McCumsey.

Commissioners met for the purpose of appointing a collector, and John Murdock was appointed, in the place of Charles Lovell, removed. Also the auditor was ordered to take bonds of said Murdock, according to law, for his performance as collector of State and county tax for the year 1826.

They then adjourned till business requires.

JOEL WOOD,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

Commissioners of Mercer County.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Deputy A uditor.

St. Marys, Aug. 2, 1826. Commissioners met. Present: Joel Wood and Thomas McCumsey.

We met for the purpose of ascertaining the expense incurred in pre, paring the State road from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek, for laying out the appropriation of the three per cent. funds, which is as follows, to wit:—

To Thomas McCumsey, Commissioner, two days measuring said road and three days superintending the sale and other business, $5.00.

To the following persons for assisting to run said road : John Armstrong, $1.50; Levi Johnson, $1.50; David Armstrong, $1.50; George Conner, $1.50; Joel Wood, Commissioner, three days, $3.00; James W. Riley, as clerk of sale, $1.00; Charles Lovell, for three quarts of whiskey, $0.56¼.

We direct the auditor to issue orders to the above-named persons for the several sums annexed to their names.

THOMAS MOCUMSEY,

JOEL WOOD,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Dept. Auditor.

St. Marys, Aug. 2, 1826. Commissioners then proceeded to examine the expense incurred in making and superintending the appropriation in Van Wert County, and allow Joel Wood, Commissioner, for three days superintending issued, $3.00 ; James W. Riley, one day as Clerk, $1.00; Ansel Blossom, $5.50.

We direct the auditor to issue orders to the above-named persons for the sums annexed to their names.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

JOEL WOOD,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Dept. Auditor.

Aug. 24, 1826. Commissioners met, and ordered the auditor to issue an order in favor of Solomon Carr for ten dollars, for which this shall be his sufficient voucher for issuing the said order.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn till business requires a meeting.

JOEL WOOD,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

Commissioners.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

St. Marys, Dec. 4, 1826. Commissioners met. Present: Joel Wood, Thomas McCumsey, and David Hays.

Adjourned till Tuesday.

Dec. 5, 1826. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment.

Proceeded to direct the auditor to issue an order on the treasurer for six dollars and eleven cents, to discharge the county levy on town lots in St. Marys which belongs to said county.

Also, to draw an order on the treasurer for $1.50, to be paid out of any money in the hands of the treasurer not otherwise appropriated.

Also, directed the auditor to issue orders to the following persons. Thomas Scott, executor, $2.00, the balance of Solomon Carr's charge for June session, 1825 John Murdock, collector, $1.60 for the defalcations of 1825 Joel Wood, for two days as acting commissioner, $4.00 Thos. McCumsey, for same service two days, $4.00, David Hays, for same service, $4.00.

THOMAS McCUMSEY,

JOEL WOOD,

DAVID HAYS,

Commissioners.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Dept. Auditor.

St. Marys, March 5, 1827. Commissioners met. Present: Thomas McCumsey and David Hays.

Then proceeded to examine a return of a State road made by Justin Hamilton, surveyor, from Amanda, Allen County, to Dennison's Run, in Mercer County, where they intersect the State road from St. Marys to Shanesville, and directed the auditor to issue orders to the amount charged in said certificate of said road.

Also, proceeded to appoint the assessor, and appointed Justin Hama' ton for the year 1827.

Adjourned till Tuesday, the 6th, at nine o'clock

Met pursuant to adjournment, Present : Thomas McCumsey and David Hays.

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 319

Then proceeded to examine account laid in by Leander Houston, for attending in the court as constable at February term, 1825, and allowed the same, $0.75 ; also, allowed George Conner $9.50 for carrying the return of the annual election of 1826 to Eaton ; also, curtailed John Murdock's fee for carrying the returns of an election for justice of the peace in St. Marys Township to twenty-five cents ; also, directed the auditor to issue an order to Thomas McCumsey for $4.00; also, to David Hays for $4.00, both for services as commissioners at Mercer County term,

There appearing no more business, we adjourn till business requires a meeting.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

DAVID HAYS,

Commissioners.

Attest - WM. ARMSTRONG, Dept. Auditor.

St. Marys, June 4, 1827. Commissioners met. Present: Joel Wood, Thomas McCumsey, and David Hays, with William Armstrong, Dept. Auditor, then proceeded to settlement with Treasurer. Adjourned till Tuesday, the 5th, at eight o'clock.

Tuesday, June 5, 1827. Met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Joel Wood, Thomas McCumsey, and David Hays.

Proceeded again to settlement with the Treasurer for Mercer County levy and received fifty-two dollars and fifty-seven cents, leaving a balance of ninety-four dollars and five cents of county levy not accounted for; and also thirty-five dollars 'and eighty-three cents, the whole amount of State and 'canal levy unaccounted for, and, on motion, the Treasurer is allowed until the first day of November next for a final settlement.

Then proceeded to appoint a Treasurer for said county, and appointed Robert Bigger, and took bonds with security, according to law, in the penal sum of one thousand dollars, payable to the State of Ohio, with Asa Hinkle, John Murdock, and James Laird his securities.

Then proceeded, on application of John Murdock, Collector of Mercer County, for further indulgence to grant him till the first of November next to finish his collections and return his list of delinquents. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock.

Wednesday, June 6, 1827. Met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Joel Wood, Thomas McCumsey, and David Hays, and proceeded to examine the returns and account of Justin. Hamilton, Esq., Assessor, and accepted the same, and allowed him for services the stun of fifteen dollars, to be paid in county orders, and the further sum of twenty-five cents to be paid out of the moneys appropriated for the purchase of books and stationery on the order of the Auditor.

Ordered. that Robert Edwards be allowed the sum of two dollars and twenty-five cents for the use of his room at the April term of Court of Common Pleas, for which the Auditor will draw on the Treasurer.

Ordered, that James Watson Riley be allowed the sum of two dollars and twelve and a half cents for his expenditure for books and stationery the past year, to be paid out of funds appropriated for that purpose.

Ordered, that John Murdock, Sheriff of the County of Mercer, be allowed the sum of three dollars for summoning the grand jury at the April term, 1827.

Ordered, that in the making out of the duplicate and levy for the county tax for the ensuing year the Auditor shall compute at the rate of eight mills on the dollar, and the State and Canal tax at three mills on the dollar, making one cent and one mill on the dollar in the aggregate.

Ordered, that after the expiration of this term and all the orders shall have been drawn for which vouchers may now be filed, and all shall be allowed at this term, the Auditor commence a new series of numbers, beginning at one; and also state on the face of the order the special service on account for which it is drawn.

David Armstrong .came and paid into the hands of the Commissioners the remaining balance of the purchase-money and interest on lot No. 29 of the town of St. Marys, amounting to $26.14, whereupon the Commissioners gave, in their official capacity, a general warranty deed for said lot, bearing date June 5,.1827.

Paid in by J. W. Riley fifteen dollars on the purchase of lot No. 33, in the town of St. Marys. Ordered, that said amount be endorsed on said Riley's note by the Auditor.

Paid in by John Pickerel, twenty-nine dollars, part of the amount due on the purchase of lot No. 18 of the town of St. Marys.

Ordered that said note to that amount be given up to him.

Then proceeded to examine the accounts of the auditor for the past year, and finding them correct, it is ordered that his account of twenty-two dollars and sixty two and a half cents be allowed, and also allowed the further sum of ten dollars and forty-six cents, for his extra services and account at this term inclusive.

Paid by Wm. Armstrong, fifteen dollars and twenty-three cents, the amount remaining unpaid on lot No. 15 of the town of St. Marys, whereupon the commissioners, in their official capacity, executed a general warranty deed to said Armstrong, for said lot, bearing date of June 6, 1827.

Ordered that Joel Wood, Thomas McCumsey, and David Hays, be each allowed the sum of six dollars for their services at this session, and the auditor draw on the county treasurer for these respective amounts.

Adjourned without day.

JOEL WOOD,

THOMAS MOCUSEY,

DAVID HAYS,

Commissioners of Mercer County.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Deputy Auditor.

St. Marys, Dec. 3, 1827. Present:. Thomas McCumsey, David Hays, Picket Doty, commissioners, and Wm. Armstrong, auditor.

Then proceeded to settlement with John Murdock, collector of Mercer County for the year 1826, and received thirty-two dollars and eighteen cents, leaving a balance of sixty-one dollars and eighty-seven cents, not accounted for as county levy; also thirty-five dollars and eighty-three cents seven and a half mills of State money not accounted for, and is considered that said collector be allowed till the next session of the board to make final settlement.

Adjourned till Tuesday, the 4th, at 8 o'clock.

Met, pursuant to adjournment. Present : Thomas McCumsey, David Hays, Picket Doty, and Win. Armstrong, auditor.

Proceeded to appoint a keeper of a standard measure, and appointed and directed Wm. Armstrong to procure and keep a standard measure for the county of Mercer, as soon as the nature of the case will admit, and the said Wm. Armstrong was duly sworn, according to law, to perform the said duty as keeper of a standard measure.

Then proceeded to allow the auditor eleven dollars and sixty-nine cents, for making out two copies of the duplicate of said county, which is to be deducted out of his allowance for the year 1828.

Ordered that the auditor cause to be published in the Piqua Gazette, for six weeks previous to the first Monday in March next, an advertisement for the sale of the remaining lots in the town of St. Marys, which were donated to the county of Mercer, and are not disposed of on Tuesday, the 4th day of March next.

It is considered by the board that the administrator of Enos Terry had legal notice to attend at this session, and show cause why the lot sold to said Terry on the 25th day of April, 1826, should not revert to the county, agreeably to the conditions of the sale, and having failed so to do or make any payment, wherefore it is considered by the board that the sale of said lot, to wit, No. 27, be void, and that they have right to dispose of it in such manner as if no sale had been made.

Ordered that Wm. R. Barrington be allowed five dollars out of the county treasury, for advertising the sale of lots in St. Marys, and that the auditor draw therefor on the treasurer.

James W. Riley paid, in orders, thirty-one dollars and sixty-nine cents, towards the remaining balance on lot No. 33, and it appearing that there remain but two dollars and thirty-eight cents yet due for the whole payment of said lot, the board executed a deed to Amos Compton, satisfactory evidence having been made of the transfer, who is to receive the said deed of the auditor, on producing to him a receipt from the treasurer for said balance of two dollars and thirty-eight cents.

Also ordered that the auditor cause public notice to be given to our creditors, by means of three public advertisements, one to be posted on the door of Caleb Major's shop, one on the door of John Pickerel's tavern, and one at Shanesville, requesting them to call at the next session

320 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

of the board, on the first Monday of March next, and pay their respective dues, or they may expect compulsory measures will be taken.

Ordered, that John Pickerel be allowed five dollars, for the use of his house to hold late Court of Common Pleas in, and that the auditor draw therefor on the treasurer.

Ordered, that John Murdock be allowed five dollars and eight cents for his per cent. as collector, on the money paid in as county levy for the year 1826, and the auditor is to draw therefor on the treasurer.

Ordered, that Thomas McCumsey be allowed four dollars, for his compensation as commissioner at this session, for which the auditor will draw on the treasurer.

Ordered, that Picket Doty be allowed four dollars, for his services as commissioner at this session, and that therefor the auditor draw on the treasurer.

Ordered, that David Hays be allowed five dollars, for his service as commissioner at this session, and that the auditor draw therefor on the treasurer.

There appearing no more business before the board, we adjourn sine die.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' Court, March 3, 1828. Present : Thomas McCumsey, David Hays, Picket Doty, and Wm. Armstrong, Auditor.

Proceeded to examine and set apart the lots which were donated for county purposes, and those for public purposes.

Also determined the conditions of the sale of said lots, which was done.

Adjourned till Tuesday, the 4th.

March 4, 1828. Met pursuant to adjournment. Full Board present.

Proceeded to sale of lots and sold the following lots, to wit: Lot No. 35 to Wm. Armstrong for seventy-five dollars and one cent for county purposes ; lot No. 48 to Caleb Major for fifty-eight dollars and fourteen cents for county purposes ; lot No. 52 sold to Robert Bigger for sixty dollars and thirty-one cents for county purposes ; lot No. 39 to Wm. Armstrong for thirty-one dollars and one cent for public uses; lot No. 7 sold to Henry M. Helm for forty-two dollars and eighty-one cents for public purposes ; No. 13 sold to Robert Sowards for thirty-nine dollars for public uses ; No. 44 to Wm. Armstrong for fifty-one dollars and twelve and a half cents for county purposes.

Also received notes for the amount bid off by the purchasers, and gave certificates for deeds when the payments are made.

Then proceeded to take a bond of Peter Coil, Assessor of Mercer County, which was taken for one thousand dollars, with John Pickerel and Robert Bigger securities.

Adjourned till Wednesday, the 5th clay of March.

Commissioners' Court, March 5, 1828. Board met pursuant to adjournment. All present.

Proceeded to settlement with John Murdock and received thirty-four dollars and fifty cents, twenty-seven dollars and fifty-six cents of which he lifted on two notes given for lot No. 61, and the balance to be credited on his note for lot No. 1. Also directed the Auditor to draw a deed to John Murdock for said lot No. 61.

Also received of Wm. Armstrong two dollars and thirty-eight cents, and gave up James W. Riley on account of said payment.

Then directed the Auditor to advertise the sale of a frame court-house to be sold on the first day of the next term of the court, to be twenty feet wide by twenty-four feet long, and two stories high.

Then proceeded to allow the following persons for services : to Thos. McCumsey as commissioner at this session, $6; to David Hays for ditto $6, to Picket Doty for ditto $6.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn until the first day of the term of the Court of Common Pleas in May next.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

PICKET DOTY,

DAVID HAYS,

Comm'rs.

Attest: WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Special session, Commissioners' Court, May 2, 1828. Full Board present.

Proceeded to the notice given for the sale of the court-house and sold the building of the same to Wm. McCumsey for $291.49, for which said commissioners took a penal bond of said McCumsey for six hundred dollars with John Murdock and Isaac Smith, securities, for the perform. ante of said work.

Commissioners also gave bond for above amount which the said build. ing was bid off for, as follows : One note for $40.00, to be paid on the first day of October, next, and the balance when the building shall be completed ; one-third of said balance to be paid in county orders, by putting in lot No. 57 at the valuation of two disinterested men.

The commissioners directed the auditor to issue orders to the follow. ing persons for services as commissioners at this session: Thomas McCumsey, $2.00; Picket Doty, $2.00 ; David Hays, $2.00.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn without day.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

PICKET DOTY,

DAVID HAYS,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' Court, June 2, 1828. Full Board present.

Proceeded with settlement with Peter Coil, assessor, and allowed his account of $36.00 for services as assessor for the year 1828.

Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

June 3, 1828. Met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Thomas McCumsey, David Hays, and Auditor Armstrong.

Proceeded to settlement with John Murdock, collector of county for the year 1826, and he paid $20.72 of county levy, leaving a balance of county levy unpaid of $41.15.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning.

June 4, 1828. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment with full Board.

Proceeded to settlement with Robert Bigger, treasurer of county, and he paid $34.06¼ for licenses and fines collected when John Manning was treasurer.

Also, the auditor proceeded to settle with Robert Bigger, treasurer of, County for State and county levy, and he produced a delinquent's list for $37.69 ; that amount deducted from State and county levy, leaves,. balance due the county of $8.84, and of the State, $12.56, and due 1or school purposes, $3.24. Also, the said treasurer paid in $16.12½ of or ders drawn on him for money appropriated for books and stationery.

Then called George Conner for settlement, and gave him till the first day of September next to discharge his note ; and if the said Conner does not discharge said note on or before the 1st of September next then and in that case lot No. 5 is to revert to the county, with all the improvements thereon.

Ordered, that in making out the duplicate of taxes for the currcnt year, the auditor shall compute the levy at eight mills on the dollar for county purposes, the State and canal shall be computed at three mills on the dollar, and the school fund at one-half mill on the dollar, making an aggregate of one cent and one and a half mills on the dollar.

Then proceeded to examine and compare the accounts and vouchers of the auditor for the past year, and find them correct : it is ordered that his account for $25.18 be allowed ; and that appearing not an ample satisfaction, we allow him $39.81¼, making in all $65.81¼ for services rendered the county for the year previous to June 4, 1828.

Also, ordered the auditor to prepare a sale bill for the sale of the State road that is to be improved in Van Wert County, and written contracts for the purchasers to be ready by the first clay of August next.

Also ordered, that John Pickerel's note of $32.86 be delivered to Wm. McCumsey, and credited in $40.00 said McCumsey holds against the commissioners; payable on the 1st of October next. N. B.—All interest to be credited that is on Pickerel's note.

Ordered, that the auditor publish the receipts and expenditures of the county for the past year.

Ordered, that the auditor draw an order on the treasurer in favor of

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 321

John Pickerel for $5.00 for the use of his house to hold court in at May term of Court of Common Pleas for 1828.

Ordered that the following persons be allowed the sums annexed to their names: Thomas McCumsey, $6.00 ; David Hays, $7.00; Picket Doty, $6.00.

Ordered, that the auditor take bonds of the treasurer for the amount required by law.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn sine die.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

Commissioners.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' Court, Dec. I, 1828. Full Board present.

Proceeded to examine a petition for a new township, and granted ; the same to be bounded as follows : No. 4 S. of base line, range 3 east. Also that No. 5 be attached to No. 4, for the purpose of regulating their school lands and other township business.

Adjourned till Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Commissioners net Dec. 2, 1828. Present : Thomas McCumsey, Picket Doty, and Auditor Armstrong.

Directed the auditor to make a deed to Michael Goddard for lot No. 5, in town of St. Marys.

Then proceeded to settlement with John Murdock, collector of the county for the year 1826, and received $5.10 of county funds, leaving a balance of $33.70 unpaid of said levy.

Then allowed $3.25 to purchase a ream of paper.

Also, allowed $4.00 for the purchase of books for the use of the auditor's office, which is to be purchased by Picket Doty.

Also, allowed the following persons the sums annexed to their names: Thomas. McCumsey, $4.00 ; David. Hays, $5.00 ; Picket Doty, $4.00.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn sine die.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

Commissioners.

Attest---WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' court, March 2, 1829. Full Board present.

Proceeded to settlement with Robert Bigger, treasurer of county, and received $31.79, for licenses and fines in 1828. Proceeded to settlement With the treasurer, for the county levy of 1828, and received a receipt from the State treasurer, for $65.354.

Also received of said treasurer, $147.88 of county levy, leaving a balance of $28.11 unpaid, exclusive of the delinquent list, which amounts to $48.707, for State, school, and county purposes.

Adjourned till Tuesday, March 3, 1829.

Tuesday, March 3, 1829. Met, pursuant to adjournment. Full Board present.

Proceeded to allow the following persons the sums annexed to their names: John Manning, for taking bonds of sheriff and coroner, 1.25 ; W. B. Hedges, for same service, $2.50; Joseph Grier, for same service, $1.25. Then proceeded on a petition for attaching the original surveyed township, No. 5, S. R. 2 E., in said county of Mercer, as set forth in said petition to townships 4 and 5, in Range 3 East, organized by the name of Union. The board therefore grant the petition, for the convenience of working roads, etc.

Also allowed an application of sundry citizens of the south end of St. Marys township the privilege of electing a third justice of the peace for said township, and the auditor is ordered to notify the constable of said election, to be held on the day of the annual election in April, in said township.

Then proceeded to allow Asa Hinkle one month longer time to finish the jail contract.

It is also ordered, that the following persons receive the sums. annexed to their names : Thomas McCumsey, $4.00; David Hays, $5.00;

- 34 -

Picket Doty, $4.00 ; the above allowances being for services rendered as commissioners at March session.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn without day.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' Court, June 1, 1829. Full Board present.

Proceeded to settlement with Robert Bigger, county treasurer, and received $15.25, paid in as licenses and fines. Also received of said treasurer, $3.56¼, paid in on county levy. Also settled with said treasurer for $2.81, his per centage on $47.04, paid in for licenses and fines, by said treasurer.

Adjourned till Tuesday, June 2, at 7 o'clock, A. M.

June 2, 1829. Commissioners met. All present.

Proceeded to settlement with Peter Coil, assessor of the county, and accepted his assessment, and allowed the sum of $30.00 for his services, and directed the auditor to issue an order on the treasurer for the same. Then proceeded on application of the county surveyor for the field notes and plat of Mercer County, for which they gave him an order to obtain the same for the sum of $25.00.

Adjourned till Wednesday, at 7 o'clock.

Met Wednesday, June 3, pursuant to adjournment, with a full board.

Proceeded to make the following deeds, to wit : Lot No. 5, in town of St. Marys, to Michael Goddard ; Lots No. 31, 34, 37, 42, and 50, to Asa Hinkle, the same being in part payment for the building of the jail. Then proceeded to lay the county levy, and computed the same at eight mills on the dollar, for county purposes, and three mills on the dollar for State and canal purposes, and three-fourths of a mill for school purposes, which they direct the auditor to compute the same per centum in making out the duplicate for the current year.

It is ordered that the auditor copy all the proceedings of the commissioners, from December session, 1827, into a book, purchased for that purpose.

Received of Robert Bigger, seventy-five cents, to be applied on the county levy.

Ordered, that Justin Hamilton receive an order on the treasurer for fifty cents, for acknowledging three deeds.

Then proceeded to settlement with the auditor, and compared the receipts and vouchers, and found them to be correct. Also the auditor produced an account of $20.17, which was allowed ; and thinking this not a sufficient compensation, we allow him the further sum of $45.50, in addition to his account, making in all $65.67.

It is ordered that the auditor publish the receipts and expenditures of the past year.

Paid Asa Hinkle $7.31¼, which was borrowed from the funds of Van Wert County.

The commissioners ordered the auditor to issue orders to the following persons: David Hays, $7.00; Thomas McCumsey, $6.00; Picket Doty, $6.00.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn sine die.

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY.

WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' court, June 6, 1829. Present: Thomas McCumsey, Picket Doty, and Auditor Armstrong.

Proceeded to settlement with John Manning and Wm. Berry, for the donation to Mercer County for public buildings at St. Marys, for use of said county, and received of said Manning and Berry.

Received of Asa Hinkle, $17.81¼. Also received the following lots in north addition to St. Marys, to wit: Nos. 10, 11, 14, and 15, which said Manning and Berry are to make good and sufficient deeds, to complete a full settlement with the commissioners for said donation.

322 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Also ordered the auditor to advertise the following lots for sale: Nos. 10, 11, 14, and 15, in north addition to St. Marys, to be sold to the highest bidder. Also that he make the conditions of sale.

Adjourned sine die.

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

PICKET DOTY,

Commissioners.

WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' Court, July 24, 1829. Met in special meeting with full Board.

Proceeded to the sale of the lots in north addition to St. Marys, and sold lot No. 11 to Wm. McCumsey for $19.06¼, to be paid in cash.

There appearing no more business, we adjourn without day, by allowing said commissioners the following sums : David Hays, $3.00 ; Thos. McCumsey, $3.00; Picket Doty, $2.00.

Adjourned.

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' Court, Dec. 7, 1829. Full Board in session.

Proceeded to an examination of John Murdock's accounts' with the county, and find the amounts of county levy yet due to be $8.70; also, find a forfeiture on lot No. 1, in St. Marys, which has reverted to the county, and the forfeiture is $13.75, making in all $22.45. Received $6.96, leaving a balance of $15.89 due the county, for which they presented the account with proofs to the administrator of John Murdock, deceased.

Then proceeded to settlement with Henry M. Helm, and received $34.12½ in full on lot No. 7, in town of St. Marys, which money was received from Wm. McCumsey, and said :McCumsey is to give credit on the notes he holds against the commissioners for building the courthouse.

Also, the auditor is directed to make a deed to Henry 31. Helm for said lot in St. Marys.

Adjourned till Tuesday at eight o'clock.

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1829. Met pursuant to adjournment, with a full Board convened.

Proceeded to settlement with William Armstrong for lot No. 39. Received $11.00 by Asa Hinkle.

Then proceeded to settle with William McCumsey for lot No. 11, in north addition to St. Marys, which was sold to him for $19.06¼ on the 24th of last July. Also, received on said lot $9.75, and took his note for the balance.

Also, John Pickerel came forward and paid the balance due on lot No. 25, bid off by Joseph Greer.

Ordered, that the auditor make a deed by order of Joseph Greer to John Pickerel.

Ordered, that the auditor issue orders to the treasurer of the county to the following persons : David Hays, $5.00 Thos. McCumsey, $4.00 Picket Doty, $4.00.

There appearing no further business, adjourned without day.

THOMAS McCUMSEY,

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Commissioners' Court, Dec. 28, 1829. Met at special meeting with a full Board.

Proceeded to make the conditions of sale of the unsold lots, which are as follows: One-fourth in hand, one-half of the balance in six months, and the last third in twelve months, purchasers to give notes for deferred payments.

Proceeded to sale, and sold lot No. 1 to William Been for $41.00, for which he paid one-fourth in hand, and William Armstrong gave his notes for the balance.

Lot No. 58, sold to William Been for $23.00, to be paid on same terms as lot No. 1, except that said Been gave his note for last payment.

Lot No. 46 was sold to James W. Riley for $19.25, to be paid in cash. He also complied with the conditions of the sale, by paying one-fourth in hand and giving notes for the balance.

Lot No. 60 was sold to Joseph D. Blue for $15.13, to be paid in cash. He also complied with conditions of sale.

Lot No. 55 was sold to Henry M. Helm for $13.50, to be paid in cash. He also complied with conditions of sale.

Lot No. 63 was Sold to Michael Goddard for $21.25, to be paid in cash, of which he paid $2.00 in hand, and is to pay the balance, or $3.814, before he gets a certificate of purchase.

Ordered, that Thomas McCumsey pay fifty cents out of the money received on lots in the hands of the auditor.

Allowed David Hays $3,00 ; McCumsey and Doty each $2.00.

There appearing no further business, we adjourn sine die.

DAVID HAYS,

PICKET DOTY,

THOMAS MCCUMSEY,

Commissioners.

Attest—WM. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

Dec. 28, 1829.

The next session convened March 1, 1830, when the auditor gave bond for $2000 with John Wyland, Isaac Applegate, and Richard R. Barrington, as bondsmen.

At a meeting held May 5, 1831, the following action was taken :-

Proceeded to a petition from the southwest corner of the county for a new township to be set off, commencing at the southwest corner of Mercer County, thence north with the State line to the Wabash, thence Up the Wabash to the mouth of Beaver Creek, thence up said creek with the meanders thereof to the east line of range No. 2, thence south with said line to the south line of said county, thence west with the said south line of said county to the place of beginning, which shall be designated and known on the records of said county by the name of Recovery.

At a meeting held June 3, 1833, Joel Wood, Isaac Nichols, Samuel Ruckman, and Auditor Armstrong were present, and the following action taken :-

Proceeded to examine a petition presented by the citizens of township 7 to section 6, thence south to section 30, thence east to section 0b, thence north to the point of beginning, containing 36 square miles, and to be known and designated by the name of German, which is granted'

Ordered, that the auditor give public notice for an election of officers of said township, to be held on the 25th of June, inst., at John Bowen's.

Then proceeded to hear and determine a petition from the citizens of Chicasaw settlement for a township to be set off, composed as follows: Bounded north by Beaver Creek and Beaver Prairie, south by the county line, east by the west line of range 4 east, and west by the first range line east, which is granted.

Ordered, that the auditor give public notice of an election for officers for said township, to be held on the 25th inst., at the house of Matthew Kearns, the township to be known by the name of Marion.

Then proceeded to hear and determine a petition from the citizens of the originally surveyed townships, Nos. 4 and 5, in range 4 east, to organize a township composed as above described, which is granted. Said township is to be known and designated by the name of Wayne.

And it is ordered that the auditor give public notice for the election for officers in said township, to be held at the mill of Isaac Nichols, in said township, on the 25th inst.

Special session, April 12, 1834. The commissioners do organize the originally surveyed 'township, number 5, range 1, which is hereafter to be known by the name of Black Creek and also ordered that an election be held at the house of Chauncy Knowlton, in said township, on Monday, the 28th day of April, inst., for the purpose of electing township officers.

HISTORY OF VAN AVERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 323

There appearing no more business, we adjourn.

SAMUEL RUCKMAN

WM. B. HEDGES,

Commissioners.

Attest—Wm. ARMSTRONG, Auditor.

June 2, 1834. Board met. Present : Wm. B. hedges, Isaac Nichols, Samuel Ruckman, and Auditor Armstrong.

Took up a petition presented by the citizens residing in Town 5 S. and Range 3 E., in the county of Mercer, praying for said Town to be organized as a township by the name of Centre, which is granted.

Ordered, that the auditor advertise an election for township officers, to be held at the house of Wm. Bonnafield on the 21st day of June, inst.

Took up a petition presented by the citizens of Jennings' Prairie, in Van Wert County, praying for the organization of the township as originally surveyed, being township 3, range 3 E., and township 3, in range 4 E., which is granted, and organized as a township by the name of Jennings:

Therefore ordered, that the auditor advertise an election, to be held at the house of Benjamin Griffin, on the 21st day of June, inst., for the purpose of electing township officers..

Dec. 6, 1336. Commissioners present : Alexander Grant, Picket Doty, Samuel Ruckman, and Auditor Franklin Linzee.

Took up a petition from citizens of the originally surveyed township, No. 4 S., R. 4 E., praying to be struck off from Town 5 S., R. 4 E., known as Wayne Township : we, therefore, grant said petition, and said township is to be known and described by the name of Salem Township, being the originally surveyed township 4 S., R. 4 E.

Ordered that the auditor give public notice in said township for an election for officers, to be held at the house of Michael Tippe, on the first Monday in January, 1837.

June 5, 1837. Board met, and took up a petition from citizens of Recovery Township, praying to have Town 7 S., Range 2 E., struck off from Recovery Township : we, therefore, hear said petition. Whereupon it is considered and ordered by the Board in the premises, that township S., Range 2 E., be and is hereby set off and entered according to the boundaries made upon the original surveyed township, into a separate and independent township, according to the statute in such cases made and provided, and to be known by the name of Granville. It is further ordered, that the originally surveyed township 6, R. 2, be and the same is hereby attached to Town 7 S., R. 2 E.

We, therefore, direct notice to be put up for an election, to be held at the house of John Wright, on the 26th of June, inst., and there to elect such officers as the law directs.

March 5, 1838. Board met, and took up for consideration a petition from the inhabitants of township 6 S., R. 1 E., praying to be erected into a separate township, and signed by twenty-two petitioners. The Board being satisfied that the said township is entitled under the statute to be so erected, do constitute and make them a separate and independent township, under the name of Washington.

And further direct the auditor to give notice of the election forthwith, to be held at the house of George Arbaugh, on the first Monday of April next.

June 4, 1838. Commissioners met, and received a petition from citizens of the original survey, township 6 S., R. 2 E., signed by twenty-five petitioners, praying to be struck off into a separate township and being satisfied that the said township is entitled under the statute to be so erected, we do constitute and make a separate and independent township, under the name of Butler, and to be bounded as follows : West, south, and east by the original survey lines, and north by Beaver Creek.

The auditor is hereby directed to give notice of an election forthwith, to be held at the house of Davis Guy, on Saturday, the 9th day of July next.

March 5, 1839. On application, the Board do now erect and constitute a new township, made up of the following territory, to wit, commencing at the southwest corner of Town 5, R. 2 E., and running north on the range line between ranges 1 and 2, four miles to the northwest Corner of section 18, T. 5, R. 2 E., thence east on section line to east line of said township, thence south on range line to southeast corner of said township, thence east on the line between Towns 5 and 6 to the east line of said township, R. 3, and including so much of Town 6 S., R. 3 E., as lies north of the Grand Reservoir, and as, much of T. 6 S., R. 2 E., as lies north of Beaver Creek. The township so erected and established will be known by the name of Jefferson.

And it is ordered that the auditor give notice of an election, to be held on the 1st Monday of April next at Celina.

Dec. 7, 1841. It is ordered that a new township be and hereby is erected and set off by the name of Franklin, to be bounded as follows : Commencing at the northwest corner of section 19 of R. 3 E., T. 6 S.; thence south on township line to the centre on west line of section 7, R. 3 E., T. 7 S.; thence east on centre line of sections to east line of section 12, in said township; thence north to place of beginning.

An election for township officers is ordered for the 24th of December, inst.

March 6, 1848. The commissioners proceeded in accordance with an act entitled an act to erect the new county of Auglaize, passed by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio on the 14th day of February, 1849, to attach to the county of Mercer as cut off from Darke County to wit, fractional township number 15 of ranges 1 and 2 E., and frac- . tional township number 13 and 12 of ranges 3 and 4 E., given to the County of Mercer by said act of the General Assembly.

Then took up the petition of citizens of Gibson and Recovery township, praying that they be attached and made one township.

Then took up a remonstrance of citizens of Gibson and Recovery township against above-mentioned petition.

Whereupon it is decided by the board that fractional township number 15 R. 1 E. be and remain for the present as it is organized, and that the next tier of sections in fractional township 15 R. 2 E. be and the same are hereby attached to and made a part of the township of Gibson, to be known and designated under that name. Also that so much of fractional township number 15 R. 2 E. as is not already attached to the township of Gibson, be and the same is hereby attached to the township of Granville. And that fractional townships 13 and 12 of ranges 3 and 4 E. be and the same are hereby attached to and made a part of Marion.

A Record Book for the Three per Cent. Funds of Mercer and Van

Wert Counties wherein Orders have been issued.

No. 1. Order issued to Joel Wood for three dollars, to be paid out of the Mercer appropriation, for his services in superintending the sale of the three per cent. funds. August 2, 1826, $3.00.

No. 2. Issued to Joel Wood for three dollars, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert, for his services as commissioner and superintending the three per cent. funds and sale of the same, $3.00.

No. 3. Order issued to John Armstrong for one dollar and fifty cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his service in laying off State road from St. Marys to the Twelve Mile Creek. Aug. 2, 1826, $1.50.

No. 4. Order issued to Thomas McCumsey for five dollars, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his services in superintending the sale of said funds. Aug. 2, 1826, $5.00.

No. 5. Order issued to James W. Riley for one dollar, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his services as clerk of the sale of said funds. Aug. 3, 1826, $1.00.

No. 6. Order issued to James W. Riley for two dollars, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his services as clerk of the sale of said funds. Aug. 3, 1826, $2.00.

No. 7. Order issued to Charles Lovell for fifty-six and a fourth cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County for whiskey, for the sale of said funds. Aug. 3, 1826, $0.561.

No. 8. Order issued to David Armstrong for one dollar and fifty cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his services in laying off the State road from St. Marys to the Twelve Mile Creek. Aug. 3, 1826, $1.50.

No. 9. Order issued to Levi Johnson for one dollar and fifty cents, to be paid out of the three per cent funds of Mercer County, for his services in laying off the State road from St. Marys to the Twelve Mile Creek. Aug. 3, 1826, $1.50.

324 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

No. 10. Order issued to Solomon Carr for ten dollars in part for lot No. - in Van Wert County, to be paid out of the Van Wert appropriation of the three per cent. funds. Aug. 24, 1826, $10.00.

No. 11. Order issued to James W. Riley, for nine dollars and eighty cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his service done on the State road, in said county. Sept. 1,1826. $9.80.

No. 12. Order issued to James W. Riley, for nine dollars and eighty-six cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for labor done on the State road, in said county. Sept. 1, 1826, $9.86.

No. 13. Order issued to Ebenezer Godard, for forty-five dollars, ninety-eight and three-quarter cents, to be paid out of the three per Cent. fund of Van Wert County, for labor done on the State road, in said county. Sept. 9, 1826, $45.98¾

No. 14. Order issued to Ebenezer Godard, for twelve dollars and fifty cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. fund of Van Wert County, .for labor done on the State road, in said county. Sept. 9, 1826, $12.50.

No. 15. Order issued to Timothy Green, for eighteen dollars, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for labor done in said county. Sept. 20, 1826, $18.00.

No. 16. Order issued to Richard Kiser, for ten dollars and eighty-nine cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for labor done on the State road, in said county. Sept. 22, 1826, $10.89.

No. 17. Order issued to Wm. Hauzer, for six dollars, in part for his service on the State road, from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek, by order of Thomas McCumsey, commissioner. Sept. 30, 1826, $6.00.

N. B.-Out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County.

No. 18. Order issued to John Van Gundy, for eleven dollars, out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, by order of Thomas McCumsey, commissioner. Sept. 30, 1826, $11.00.

No. 19. Order issued to Ansel Blossom, for two dollars, to be paid out of the Mercer County three per cent. funds, for his service in superintending the sale of said funds. Oct. 14, 1826, $2.00.

No. 20. Order issued to Ansel Blossom, for three dollars and fifty cents; to be paid out of three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his services in superintending the sale of said funds, and accepting a part of the road and bridges in said county. Oct. 14, 1826, $3.50.

No. 21. Order issued to John Van Gundy, for eight dollars, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his services on the State road, from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek. Oct. 23, 1826, $8.00.

No. 22. Order issued to John Van Gundy, for nine dollars and eleven cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer county, for his services on the State road, from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek. Oct. 23, 1826, $9.11.

No. 23. Order issued to Wm. Major, for five dollars, in part for proving lot No. 3, on the State road, from St. Marys to Twelve-Mile Creek, to be paid out of Mercer County three per cent. funds. Oct. 24, 1826, $5.00.

No. 24. Order issued to Joseph Green, for eight dollars and seventy-four cents, to be paid out of the three per cent, funds of Mercer County, for improving lot No. 15, on the State road from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek. Oct. 24, 1826, $8.74.

No. 25. Order issued to Harry W. Hinkle, for nine dollars and ninety-nine cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his service on the State road, from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek. Nov. 2, 1826, $9.99.

No. 26. Order issued to Solomon Carr, for four dollars twelve and a half cents, for his service on the State road, from Shanesville to Will shire, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County. Nov. 2;1826, $4.121.

No. 27. Order issued to Wm. Armstrong, for one dollar and ninety-eight cents, to be paid out of the Mercer County and Van Wert three per cent funds, for writing three hundred words, and drawing twenty, seven orders on the treasurer of Mercer County, for said funds. Nov. 2, 1826, $1.98.

No. 28. Order issued to Wm. Major, for six dollars and fifty cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. fund of Mercer County, in full for his service on the State road, from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek. Nov. 4, 1826, $6.50.

No. 29. Order issued to Samuel Dungan, for eleven dollars, to be paid out of Mercer County three per cent. funds, for his service on the state road, from St. Marys to Twelve-Mile Creek. Nov. 20, 1826, $11.00.

No. 30. Order issued to Samuel Dungan, for $10.66, to be paid Mercer County three per cent. funds, for his service on the State road, from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek. Nov. 20, 1826, $10.66.

No. 31. Order issued to Ebenezer A. Godard, for fourteen dollars, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for improvements on the State road, from Shanesville to Wiltshire. Dec. 5, 1826, $14.00.

No. 32. Order issued to Wm. Heath, for thirty dollars and fifty-cents, for his service on lots 1, 2, and 4, on the State road, from -St. Marys to Thelve-Mile Creek. Dec. 6, 1826, $30.50.

No. 33. Order issued to Richard Kiser, for thirteen dollars and fifty. eight cents, out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his service on the State road, from Shanesville to Wiltshire. Dec. 22, 1826, $13.58.

No. 34. Order issued to Richard Kiser, for seven dollars, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his services on the State road, from Shanesville to Wiltshire. Dec. 22, 1826, $7.00.

No. 35. Order issued to Richard Kiser, for seven dollars and forty-five cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his service on the State road, from Shanesville to Wiltshire. Dec. 22, 1826, $7.45.

No. 36. Order issued to Achilles Irvin, for eight dollars and fifty cents, to be paid out the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for improving lot No. 14, on the State road, from St. Marys to the Twelve-Mile Creek. Jan. 5, 1827, $8.50.

No. 37. Order issued to Richard Kiser, for ten. dollars and eighty-six cents, to be paid out of the three per. cent funds of Van Wert County, for his service on the State road, in said county. March 6, 1827, $10.86.

No. 38. Order issued to Wm. Hauzer, for eight dollars and eighty-four cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his service on the State road leading from St. Marys to Shanesville. March 6, 1827, $8.84.

No. 39. Order issued to Wm. Hauzer, for eight dollars and fifty cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County, for his service on the State road leading from St. Marys to Shanesville. March 6, 1827, $8.50.

No. 40. Order issued to Wm. Hauzer, for seven dollars and eighty-seven cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Mercer County. March 7, 1.827, $7.87..

No. 41. Order issued to Joel Wood, for one dollar and twenty-five cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his service as commissioner in receiving road contracts in said count) June 6, 1827, $1.25.

No. 42. Order issued to Ansel Blossom, for one dollar and twenty-five cents, to be paid out of the three per cent funds of Vail Wert County, for his service as commissioner in receiving road contracts. June 6,1827, $1.25.

No. 43. Order issued to Ansel Blossom, for one dollar and twenty-five cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van. Wert County, for his service as commissioner in accepting two road contracts in said county. June 6, 1827, $1.25.

No. 44. Order issued to Achilles Irvin, for eight dollars and twenty-five cents, for his services on the State road from St. Marys to Shanesville. July 4, 1827, $8.25.

No. 45. Order issued to Wm. Armstrong, for one dollar and thirty-five cents, to be paid out of the three per cent. funds of Van Wert County, for his services in writing. July 16, 1827, $1.35.

No. 46. Order issued to George Conner, one dollar and fifty cents, for his service as chainman on the State road from St. Marys to Twelve' mile Creek. Jan 12, 1828, $1.50.

Record of Expenses for Altering the State Road between Shanesville

and Wiltshire.

1. Order issued to David Hays, for three dollars, for services as commissioner in altering the State road between Shanesville and Willshire Aug. 14, 1828, $3.00.