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And the area between each period of the Federal census being continually diminishing—some of the daughters of old Wood county now excelling her in population and wealth. PERRYSBURG IN 1833.—In the first number of the Miami of the Lake, Jessup W. Scott, editor, issued December 11, 1833, the marriage, at Lower SanduskyPerrysburg4 of November, 1833, by H. J. Harmon, Esq., of John C. Spink, of Perrysburg, to Miss Christiana Smith, of the former place, is announced. The death of Chloe, only child of J. Spafford, of Perrysburg, aged two years, which occurred on the 6th of December, 1833, Is also published. Perrysburg in 1838 - 433 The advertisers consist of S. Spink & Co., who announce new goods “cheaper than the cheapest.” William Marshall issues an attachment from the Justice Court of Horatio Conant, Esq., a Justice of the Peace of Waynesfield township, Wood County, Ohio, against the goods, chattels, etc., of Michael Ireland, an absent debtor. Hollister & Wendell have on hand Russia and Swede iron, English blistered steel, etc. G. B. Abell & Co., advertise flour and meal. Wm. Fowler & Co. advertise dry goods. J. C. Spink and J. W. Scott insert their law cards. The announcement is made that the Auditor's and Mayor's offices had been removed to the room up stairs, over Spink & Co.'s store, Louisiana avenue, between Front and Second streets. R. A. Forsyth & Co. date an advertisement at "Maumee Village, December 11, 1833," in which they say 1stey have lately received from New York a full supply of dry goods, groceries, hardware, cutlery and all other articles usually found at the best country stores, which they offer the public on at favorable terms. John Hollister & Co. offer at auction sale, at the city of Sandusky, on the st1st of January, 1834, the schooner Guerriere, of fifty tons. John Hollister, R. A. Forsyth, and D. Wilkinson' advertise for 200 sound white oak knees, for which one dollar will be paid, delivered at David Wilkinson’s. BUSINESS AT PERRYSBURG IN 1838.—On the 18th of August, 1838, H. T. Smith issued the first number of The Ohio Whig,—a journal that succeeded J. H. McBride's Miami of the Lake. In the Whig appears an advertisement of A. Smith, township clerk, who announces that sealed proposals will be received at G. Beech's store, for grubbing, ditching, and turn piking 150 rods on the McCutcheonville or Columbus road, in the immediate vicinity of Perrysburg. Also the grading of the hill on the road, near Key's residence. Lorin R. Austin, Henry Darling, and Addison Smith, school examiners, have an Official notice: Leonard Blinn cautions the public against the purchase of a note of hand made payable to Daniel Fickle. George Powers invites his debtors to call and settle. J. Manning Hall advertises merchandise. D. W. Christian invites attention to his stock of cabinet ware, etc.; and Peck & Griswold enumerate sundry leading articles of merchandise. Joseph Creps and Henry Zigler offer at a bargain that tract of land and tavern stand, situated four miles east of Perrysburg, on the Sandusky turnpike, containing eighty acres. T. Rudesill says that he has just received, from the eastern cities, new goods, which he was then opening at the old stand of S. Spink, and recently occupied by - 28 - 434 - Bowlng Green in 1872. Hall & Rudesill. George Powers advertises dry goods, hardware and books. Among the law cards are those of J. Purdy, (of Mansfield,) and W. V. Way, David Allen, Henry Bennett, John M. May, Samuel4 Young, J. C. Spink, and A. Coffin berry, Isaac Stetson, and Horace. Sessions, of Defiance. N. Dustin is the only physician who advertised. David Creps advertises leather. T. C. Woodruff wants 25,000 bushels of ashes. Walter Buell offers his services as a painter, glazier, etc. C. T. Woodruff was in the hardware trade. J. Hollister & Co. were daily receiving large supplies of produce, which they offered low for cash. The steamboats Commodore 0. H. Perry, Capt. David Wilkinson; Anthony Wayne, Capt. Amos Pratt ; and Rochester, are advertised as making regular trips between Perrysburg and Buffalo; the Caroline, Captain C. Perry, between Perrysburg, Maumee, Toledo, Manhattan and Cleveland ; and the Sun, C. K. Bennett, master, between Toledo, Maumee and Perrysburg. Sidney C. Sloane, County Auditor, under the direction of the Commissioners of Wood County, offers at public sale several lots in Perrysburg. Bowling Green, the seat of justice, contains Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches ; a well-conducted public school system; a newspaper office, from which the Wood County Sentinel, M. P. Brewer, editor, is issued; one Lodge of Masons, one, private bank; three hotels; five dry goods, five grocery, two boot and shoe, two provision; three drug, and two hardware stores; one photograph gallery; two millinery establishments ; two jewelers; one planing mill and sash factory ; two wagon and carriage, and four blacksmith shops; one ashery; three livery stables; two meat markets, and two bakeries. The town is situated very near the geographical, as well as the centre of population and wealth of Wood County. Its public buildings, including Court House and jail, are new and substantial structures, the former built by private enterprise, without charge upon the County Treasury, and they will compare favorably with the average of county buildings in Ohio. BUSINESS AT PERRYSBURG IN 1872.—In the foregoing tables, it appears that the population and taxable wealth of Perrysburg have steadily increased. The town contains seven churches, viz : three Methodist Episcopal, one Presbyterian, one Catholic, one Baptist, and one Lutheran; a Masonic Lodge (one of the most flourishing in the State); Good Templars and Sons of Temperance Lodges ; conducted public schools, in elegant and substantial buildings, and an excellent parochial school, under the management of the Catholics ; one newspaper—the Perrysburg Journal—James Timmons, editor ; one bank ; two hotels ; and of stores, seven dry goods ; two Perrysburg in 1872 - 435 drug ; two flour and feed ; two hardware ; one boot and shoe ; sixteen grocery ; one knitting machine depot, and one house selling agricultural machinery and implements. Of manufacturing, there is one hub and spoke ; two of boxes ; two of staves and headings ; one of bowls ; one tannery ; one grist mill ; three saw ; one shingle factory ; two planing mills ; two manufacturers of furniture; one of veneering ; two of wagons, and two of wagons and carriages ; one ashery ; three blacksmith shops; two saddle and harness shops, two good meat markets, and one cigar factory. The town also contains one grain elevator, and two warehouses. The Court House—the ancient judicial sanctuary of Wood County was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1871 ; but a new and more elegant building is now being erected on the grounds of the former structure. Captain David Wilkinson, born February, 1800,T:sailed up the Maumee river, on his first visit to the valley, in May, 1815, as a hand on board the schooner Black Snake, a vessel of about 25 tons burden, commanded by his uncle, Jacob Wilkinson, and owned by his father and said uncle. He was then a boy, aged about 15. The passengers were immigrants, who embarked at Cleveland, and their destination was for the valleys of the rivers Maumee and Raisin; and among those for the latter was the family of IVIulhollen, who kept the noted tavern at Vienna some years later ; also, a Mr. Hunter and family, Scott Robb, and a Mr. Hopkins, who settled on land a little above the present village of Perrysburg. The schooner landed her passengers and cargo from the bayou, at the upper end of town, there being then no wharf or other artificial facilities for commerce. It was a wild forest where Perrysburg now stands. David Hull and Thos. McElrath were there, trading with the Indians, and keeping taverns in log houses on the hill-side, between Fort Meigs and the river.—Halsey Leamming then lived in a log house near where Mrs. Ladd now resides,—Thomas Leamming, his brother, residing with him. Jesse Skinner and family lived on the flats near the river, on the tract immediately east of Eber Wilson's farm ; Thomas Dicks, a bachelor Irishman, on the same tract ; and Samuel Ewing on the Key tract, near the river. Fort Meigs, at this time, was occupied by about 40 soldiers, under the command of a Lieutenant ; Almon Gibbs being quartermaster. The government was then about abandoning the Fort, and Captain Wilkinson took to Detroit, on his return, four heavy pieces of cannon, and the remainder of the military stores. The fishing business was then an important interest, and regular- ly carried on by the use of seines. The vessel named made two trips that season into the river from Cleveland ; and on the second trip came for a load of fish. Captain Jacob Wilkinson made two trips with his vessel in the following 436 Pioneer Notes—Captain David Wilkinson. year, 1816, and, about the first of September of that year, built a house between the Fort and the river, near David Hun. This location was afterwards laid out into a town, and called " Orleans of the North." About the 1st of June, 1817, William and John Hollister arrived with a stock of goods from Buffalo, and started a store at Orleans. Joshua Chappel, in April, 1817, and several families, came as passengers that year on the schooner Black Snake, then under command of Capt. David Wilkinson, which schooner continued its trips until the close of the navigable season of 1818, but was commanded that year by her part owner, Capt. Jacob Wilkinson. In 1818 Capt. Daniel Hubbell bought a controling interest in the schooner Pilot, built in Cleveland, and Capt. David Wilkinson took command of her, and run her the seasons of 1818-19, between the foot of the rapids and Buffalo. She took, as freight, from the towns at the foot of the rapids, furs, fish and corn; and brought back passengers, merchandise, salt and lumber. David W. Hawley came from Black Rock in 1817, and in the fall of that year built the first frame house in Perrysburg. This house was built on the side hill, between the saw-mill and Front street. Thomas R. McKnight moved to Perrysburg in 1821, from Wooster, Ohio, and built a log house and office on Front street. Between 1821 and 1825, a log house was put up on the corner of the lot where Peak's drug store now stands; one on the lot where Creps' store is, and one on the corner ',where the Presbyterian Church stands. In 1825, Samuel Spafford built the "Spafford Exchange" hotel, now known as the " Norton Exchange." In the same year, Judge J. H. Jerome built the frame house now owned by Getz, and near the Houston store. In 1826, the Court House and jail were built. William and John Hollister built a frame store in 1826, on the ground now occupied by Dr. Peck's hardware store, and in the spring of 1827, removed their goods into it. Frank Hollister continued to trade in the old store at Orleans. They also built a warehouse and dock at the foot of Louisiana avenue, on the easterly side. Their's was the only store in Perrysburg, until the fall of 1833, when William Fowler established a store in the frame building near the old Court House. The next store was opened by Shibnah Spink (brother of John C.), in the spring of 1834. Joseph Creps moved into Perrysburg in the spring of 1833, and the same year built the brick tavern afterwards known as the Baird House. In 1828 a two-story frame tavern was built on Front street, nearly opposite the Exchange, by Wm. Bigger. In 1834, or 1835, Kellogg & Wheeler built and opened a frame store building, on the col., ner of Front street and Louisiana avenue, on the ground now occupied by Hitchcock'a store, which constituted the fourth store in Perrysburg in 1835. The next store was opened by Gilbert Beach and C. C. Bennett. In 1836, George Powers opened a store, and in 1837 James M. Hall and Tobias Rudisill appeared with a stock of goods. Pioneer Notes—Willard V. Way and Others - 437 Dr. George W. Wood came in the spring of 1828,—the first physician who settled in Perrysburg. [The first lawyers appear in the reminiscences of Hon. Thos. W. Powell.] Capt. David Wilkinson [who communicates these notes to Willard V. Way, Esq.,] continued his connection with different vessels in the Maumee river trade, until 1828, when he removed his family to Perrysburg. During this period, he had commanded, successively, the Black Snake, Pilot, Nancy Jane, President, Superior, Guerriere, and Eagle. The Eagle was 'a schooner of 60 tons, built at Port Lawrence [now Toledo,] in 1828, at a cost of $3,000. Capt. Wilkinson commanded her until May, 1835 ; during which time she paid for herself five times over, clear of all expenses. Leaving the Eagle at this date (May, 1835), Capt. Wilkinson was placed in command of the new steamer " Commodore Perry," in 'which position he continued until the spring of 1845, when he assumed command of the steamer "Superior." in which position he continued until the close of the lake navigation of 1852, which closed his long and honorable marine service upon the lakes.
Willard V. Way (to whom is due that the writer of this, and in this place, acknowledge obligations for much of historical value em- {bodied in these pages,) was born at Springfield, Otsego county, New York, August 2, 1807, and came to Perrysburg to reside on the 13th April, 1834, having spent part of the previous year at Painesville, Ohio. He commenced his law studies with Hon. H. J. Redfield, in LeRoy, New York, and finished his reading with Messrs. Matthews t (Judge) Hitchcock, in Painesville, Ohio, and came from there to Perrysburg at the time above stated. Mr. Way married Miss So, phia Hodge, of Buffalo, New York, May 26, 1835. He has been successful in business life, and now, at the age of 65, is in good health, and among the most respected citizens of Perrysburg. William Ewing, whose family have been hitherto mentioned, was the son of Samuel H. and Sally P. Ewing, and was born near where Clyde, Ohio, now stands, while the family were on the route removing from Monroe county, New York, to the Maumee river, in May, 1812.. Of a family of eleven children, consisting of two boys and nine girls, Judge William Ewing, the subject of this notice, is one of three survivors. After the breaking out of the war of 1812, the family left for Bellefontaine, now Logan county, Ohio, and returned after the close of the war. Aaron S. Dresser emigrated to Portage township, Wood County, southeast quarter of section twenty-five, in June, 1824. He entered his land at the Bucyrus office, in May, 1834. The names of those then in the township, who had preceded him, were Callister Haskins, Joseph Cox, Jacob Eberly, and a few others, probably. A road was partly cut out to Perrysburg, covered most of the year by water. 438 - Early History of Mover County. MERCER COUNTY. Coeval with the formation of Wood. County, and under the same legislative enactment, was that of Mercer ; though, for judicial pur.. poses, it remained with Darke until 1824. The county was named from General Hugh Mercer, a Virginia officer, who fell at Princeton, during the colonial rebellion, Jan. 3, 1777. In historic interest, the county, as originally formed, possesses matter of rare value. St. Clair's battle was fought on the line of this and Darke county, in 1791, and the trace of Wayne is yet discernible through the county, leading from Fort Recovery to Fort Adams. Simon Girty, at one time, lived on the right bank of the St. Mary's (now within Auglaize county), and between the river and canal. The ancient fort, St. Mary's, built by Wayne, occupied the west bank of the river. In the official report of General Wayne, dated "Head-Quarters, Greenville, 7th July, 1794," the following is extracted : "It would also appear that the British and savages expected to find the artillery that were lost on the 4th of November, 1791, and hid by the Indians in the beds of old fallen timber, or logs, which they turned over and laid the cannon in, and then turned the logs back into their former berth. It was in this artful manner that we found them deposited. The hostile Indians turned over a great number of logs, during the assault, in search of those cannon, and other plunder, which they had probably hid in this manner, after the action of the 4th November, 1791. I therefore have reason to believe that the British and Indians depended much upon this artillery to assist in the reduction of that post ; fortunately, they served in its defence. The enclosed copies of the examination of the Pottawotomy and Shawanee prisoners, will demonstrate this fact, that the British have used every possible exertion to collect the savages from the most distant nations, with the most solemn promises of advancing and co-operating with them against the,legion, nor have the Spaniards been idle upon this occasion. "It is therefore more than probable that the day is not far distant when we shall meet this hy dra in the vicinity of the Grand Glaize and Roche de Bout, without being able to discriminate between the white and red savages. In the interim, I am in hourly expectation of receiving more full and certain intelligence of the number and intention of the enemy." The earliest settlement of Mercer County was made at Fort, Recovery, in 1818, the first family being that of Mr. Simison. In about 1822, Peter Studabaker came to the place, married a daughter or Mr. Simison, and resided at the place until 1834, when he removed to Indiana. The next settlers appeared in about 1828, and we're composed of the families of David Anderson, Daniel Freeman, Geo. Arbaugh, William Money, James Cummings, and William and Jas. McDarnell. In 1833, the familes of John G. Blake (first Justice of the Peace in. Gibson township, which office he held. twenty-one col? The Slain of St. Clair's Army - 439 secutive years), Alexander Grant, George Painter, and Henry Lipps, also settled in the neighborhood. The remains of the officers who had been buried in their uniforms, were disinterred and buried in the cemetery in 1838. It will be remembered that General Anthony Wayne, while in the occupancy of Fort Recovery, in 1794, offered a. reward for the collection of the remains of the soldiers that had perished during the unfortunate campaign of St. Clair. Between 500 and 600 skulls were collected, in the vicinity, and interred in a grave in the walls of the stockade. During the summer of 1851, a freshet cut a new channel, and exposed some of the remains of this sepulture.— The fact becoming known to the citizens, they assembled and exhumed all the remains that could be found, and placed the most of them in thirteen black walnut coffins, and extended a generation to the surviving soldiers from this and other States who had participated in the campaigns of Hamar, St. Clair, and Wayne, join them in the funeral ceremonies of a final interment, in the cemetery, on the 10th of September, 1851. In accordance with this invitation, people from Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, numbering at least 5,000, assembled on the ground on the day named, and participated in the funeral ceremonies. The principal address on the occasion was made by Judge Bellamy Storer, of Cincinnati. From the Western Standard (Celina, Sept. 18, 1851.) The 10th of September, 1851, will long be remembered by those who participated in paying the sad tribute to the memory of the slain of St. Clair's army, recently discovered at Fort Recovery. The morning was clear, bright, and warm, and, as the sun arose and cast his beams over the plain, made sacred by the blood of that brave band, every avenue leading to the village was crowded with human beings; so that, by ten o'clock, the concourse numbered from 4,000 to 5,000 souls. It may be proper at this time to state, that, on the morning of the 7th of July last, a human skull was discovered, partly covered, in one of the streets of Fort Recovery, and adjacent to the ground upon which had been erected the fort bearing that name. Recent heavy rains had washed off the earth. The discovery induced a search, and the result was, that the skeletons of some sixty persons were exhumed, in a good state of preservation. The citizens of Recovery held a meeting the next day, and resolved to re-inter the bones, and appointed a committee to make suitable arrangements for the occasion. The fore part of the day was occupied in placing the bones in the coffins—thirteen having been provided. by the committee, representing each State in existence at the time the battle was fought. This was very appropriate, inasmuch as it is believed that every State in the Union was represented in that battle. While the coffins were being filled, the people had an opportunity to examine the bones,—many of which: bore marks of the bullet and 440 - The Slain, of St. Clay's Army. tomahawk. We handled a number that had been perforated by a bullet and had also a gash—smoothly cut by the tomahawk; and, in die ferent parts, marks made by a sharp instrument were discernible, said by old soldiers present to have been produced by the scalping knife. We saw a number of relics that were found on and near the battlefield, such as a sword, iron and lead balls, knives, ramrods, etc. The sword was about three feet long, and had a heavy brass guard around the hilt. The blade, on the edge and back, and the guard, bore evident marks of a desperate conflict, being literally cut in gaps and gashes. The committee of arrangements appointed officers of the day, and a procession wes formed under the direction of Gen. James Watson Riley, assisted by several aids. One hundred and four pall bearers, selected from the different counties represented, headed the procession in charge of the coffin, and were followed by the soldiers present, ladies and citizens, which formed a column a mile long, and marched to the stand erected on the south side of the village, in full view of the battle ground, where an oration was pronounced by Hon. Bellamy Storer, who was invited for the occasion. The speaker's introductory referred to the scenes enacted on that very ground, on the 4th of November, 1791—contrasting the then horrible wilderness with the present civilized, cultivated and flourishing appearance of the country. He dwelt on the position of St. Clair's army at the time of the attack ; the position of the enemy—their advantages, and the fatal results of the conflict,—paying a merited tribute to the brave, though unfortunate commander, and his more unfortunate men. * * * * The speaker made a beautiful allusion to the thirteen coffins. They did The not contain the bones of the people of Massachusetts, or Kentucky, or Pennsylvania, or Maryland, or the Carolinas, or any other particular section, but were the representatives of the WHOLE UNION, engaged in a common conflict in defence of the rights of the AMERICAN COMPACT. Their names and locality are unknown. Heaven's register alone can record their deeds of valor and patriotism, and show where or to whom they belonged. They died a p common and martyr death for the Union we live to enjoy, and which it is our duty to protect, and our highest honor to cling to and perpetuate. Under it, man may be independent of everything but his GOD. Not so in the old world. There confusion and commotion prevail ; political and religious tyranny reign ; and the American mission is to infuse the principles of Liberty into the masses of Europe, by living up to our privileges as Americans—every man being independent of everything but his GOD—preventing everything; that has a tendency towards disunion, or the mitigation of a single stripe or star on our national flag. Universal education, and the advance- ment of science, are the sure foundations of our perpetuity. * * * * Our limited space will not admit a more full report of Judge Storer's speech. The Judge was followed by Gen, Bell, President of the day, in a short, patriotic speech. Mercer Co.--first Session of Commissioners - 441. Gen. Haines, from the committee on resolutions m, report a series urging Congress to appropriate money to erect a monument at Fort Recovery, and one at Greenville. Committee, composed of citizens of the different counties represented, were appointed to solicit contributions for the furtherance of that object. Messrs. Benjamin Linzee, J. W. Riley, H. F. Junnemann, and two others, whose names we did not learn, were appointed on the part of Mercer The procession was then re-formed in the order it came to the stand, and moved to the burying ground on the south side of the village, and the coffins were deposited in one grave, divided off. with boards, each division or vault containing two coffins. The last act being performed, the people left the ceetery, each persuaded that he had performed a patriotic duty. It is true, we could not revive or benefit those dry bones ; but their history iis the foundation of our history. St. Clair's was a entering wedge to the attainment of the blessings we now enjoy. Let us remember those patriots with grateful hearts, and by doing honor to their memory, " instil into the masses of the old world the principles of liberty.' The first session of the County Commissioners was held at St. Mary's, the original county seat, April 17, 1824. Commissioners, Lucas Van Ansdall, Ansel Blossom and Thomas Scott. At the June term of the same year, John P. Hedges was appointed Treasurer pro tem. and executed bonds, and appointed Samuel Hanson as deputy, who agreed to collect, for live dollars," all the taxes of both Mercer and VanWert Counties." The total valuation of the lots in Willshire was returned for taxation this year at $28.14 ; Shanesville, $20.87—taxes, $10.42 ; Dublin township, $48.66 ; St. Mary's, $76.70. The valuation of the lots in St. Mary's was uniformly one dollar, and the tax five mills on each lot. The burden of the taxation fell upon Shanesville, by reason, probably, of a bad system of valuation. At the same term, to John Manning, was appointed Treasurer pro tem, and was require to execute bond in the sum of five hundred dollars. At the June session of 1825, Isaiah Dungan, Solomon Carr, and Ansel Blossom appeared as Commissioners. A settlement was made with John P. Hedges, Treasurer of Mercer county, for the period commencing at the June session, 1824, and ending June 6, 1825, and the Auditor was " directed to issue an order in favor of the said John. P. 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." An order was issued to W. B. Hedges, Auditor, for paper, and one day's services, $2. The Commissioners drew $2.25 each their services during the session. 442 - Mercer County—First Term of Court. An abstract of the list of taxable property, within the county of Mercer, and the attached county of Van Wert, for the year 1833 returned by A. R. Hunter,Assessor, showed eleven merchants having an aggregate capital invested:in merchandise amounting to $2,652.75. One of these returned a capital of two dollars and seventy, five cents. The first term of Mercer County Common Pleas was held at St. Mary's, in February, 1825, by Hon. Joseph H. Crane, President Judge, and by Associate Judges James Wolcott. Thomas Scott and Joseph Greer. The chancery case of Samuel Dungan vs. Edmund Gilbert was disposed of. The second term was held in April, 1827, and only one ease was entered upon the docket, and that an administration one. Two years subsequent, in April, 1829, the third term was held in the county. At this term, Hon. George B. Holt ap- peared as President Judge, and Joseph Greer, John Manning, and William B. Hedges, as Associates. The disposal of two chancery cases cleared the docket. There is not to be found a State case upon the calendar until several years after the organization of the county—the very light docket exhibiting only business now coming before the probate court, and at some terms a chancery case or two. Anthony Shane, Wm. B. Hedges, Colonel A. R. Hunter, John P. Hedges (now a resident of Fort Wayne), David Work, John D. Ralston, Joel F. Moore, Abraham Shindeldecker, Wm. Frysinger, Joseph Hinkle, Joseph Harp, Ruel Roebuck, and John Rhotz (who built the first flouring mill in the township, on the St. Mary's), were early residents of Dublin township. Most of the foregoing are now dead. Later, from 1835 to 1838, Calvin W. Alexander, Dr. John Barks (the first physician), Rev. Abraham F. Miller, Rev. Cornelius B. Whitley, Rev. Wm. Henry H. Sanft (the three latter each blacksmiths and preachers, and yet living), Judge Hayes, Judge Greer, Moses Collins, John Chivington, and Eli Compton settled in the township. and are properly classed among the pioneers. John Haneline, John George, Samuel Hunter, Amos Stansberry, Benj. Nickels, A. Bonnafield, and William Carroll, were pioneers of Centre township. In Washington township. in 1839, Wm. Sprigg. John Betz, Enos Hillory, John Wickerman, Mr. Adair, James Q. Grimes, were residents. In Recovery township, in 1833, the following were residents:— John Simison, William James, John S. McDowell, Peter Studebaker, John Miller, David Freeman, David Anderson, Wm. Money, James Bufford, Jeremiah Brookes, Richard Scott, Alexander Scott, John S. McDowell, John G. Blake, and David Beardslee. Justin and Wm. Hamilton, Richard Palmer, Jeremiah Coyle (who laid out the town of Mendon), Isaac Coyle, and George Willson, were among the earliest citizens of Union township. Mercer County—Pioneer Notes - 443 The first grist mill built in Mercer county, was erected by David Anderson, on the Wabash river, in Recovery township, near the old fort, in 1830. William McDowell quarried and dressed the stone. The first settler of Union township was Isaiah Duncan, who came into it about the year 1818, and settled near the present town of Mendon. Justin Hamilton came about 1820 ; and in 1822, Andrew Coyle, and Thomas Parrott, and their families. The oldest white person, now living, born in Union, is Andrew C., son of Thomas Parrott. About 1827, Peter Coyle and George Willson became citizens. In 1831, or 1832, Judge Justin Hamilton and Thomas Parrott laid out the town of Mendon. Among the pioneers of Union township, were also Abel Wright, James Wright, Edward Upton, Samuel Shepard. D. F. Parrott, now a resident of Celina, removed to the township with his father, George Parrott, in 1830. John Van Gundy erected the first mill. A writer who published his communications in the Mercer County Standard, in April, 1871, states that " long before the location of the Mercer County Reservoir, some hardy adventurers bought and settled within the prairie, now forming the Reservoir, among whom 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, Nichols, Gipson, Hull, Kompf, Pratt and the Rev. Asa Stearns, all good men—noble specimens of the frontier. "In 1830, Mitchell, an engineer, ran the first line around the Reservoir—Samuel Forrer, now living in Dayton, was the Commissioner. [See their report to the General Assembly, where they say the bank could be constructed for $90,000.] Subsequently, in 1837, it was run again by Barney and Forrer, 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 west bank was let to Giddings, Stepson & Holtsbeckor, it was let from a point south of Celina a distance of 120 rods, at 37 cents per cubic yard, 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 the county, introduced a resolution in that body which was passed unanimously, That no water should be let into the Reservoir before the same should be cleared of timber and the parties paid for their land. This resolution was in force when we cut the bank. "There was then an appropriation of $20,000 to pay us for our lands, but it was squandered by the officers and bank speculators. "When the banks were finished and the water let in, it submerged all but an acre for Mr. Sunday, with 34 acres of wheat ; 15 acres for Mrs. Crockett ; the whole of Thomas Coate': ; 60 acres with several thousand rails for Judge Holt, of Dayton, who owned a farm two miles east of Celina ; 19 acres for Judge Linzee ; nearly 40 acres for 444 - Mercer County—The Reservoir Troubles. Abraham Pratt, with all the rails thereto belonging, and the whole of Mellinger's except a feW acres around the house, besides damages to others on the south side too numerous to enumerate here. great " This outrage on the part of the officers of the State was too much to be borne by the gritty bloods of Mercer county. Wars have been proclaimed on less pretenses. 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 Legislatures. Merr County followed the example, and declared that she would not bcee imposed upon by f he thieving birds of Ohio. " On the 3d of May, 1843, a meeting was held in Celina, Samuel . Ruckman, County Commissioner, acting as president. It was resolved. that Benjamin Linzee, Esq., should go to Piqua, the head of the Board of Public Works, and lay our grievances and an address before them. Spencer and Ransom returned a sneering answer: ‘Help yourselves if you can.' On the 12th of May, the meeting sent Linzee back with the declaration that if they did not pay us for our lands and let off the water, that we would cut the bank on the 15th. The reply came back : The Piqua Guards will be with you and rout you on that day.' The muttering thunder around the Reservoir was not only loud but deep—every person was excited. On the morning of the 15th, by 7 o'clock, More than one hundred people, with shovels, spades and wheelbarrows were on the spot, ready for work. The place selected was the strongest one on the bank, in the old beaver channel. Our object 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 completed : it was dug six feet below the level of th water, and a flimsy breastwork was made to hold the water back. When the tools were taken out and all ready, Samuel Buckman said : Who will start the water ?" I,' said John S. said Henry L., and in a moment the meandering waters were hurling us 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 arrest of all who assisted in the work. Thirty-four of the leaders, comprising all the county officers, judges, sheriff, clerks, auditor, treasurer, his deputy, recorder and surveyor, merchants and farmers were arrested and bound over to the next term of court. A foolish idea, for the court assisted in the work. But the grand jury refused to find a bill of misdemeanor, and7so the matter rested. It cost the State $17,000 to repair the damages. " I think it proper to record 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, Frank Linzee, clerk of the court; Joseph Carlin, sheriff; Fred. Schroder, auditor ; L. D. McMahon, recorder ; B. Linzee, deputy treasu- Mercer County—Its Pioneers - 445 rer; S. Ruckman, commissioner, H. Trenary, B. Mowry, Porter Pratt, Ellis Miller, M. D. Smith, Allen, a tavern keeper, Eli Dennison, John Sunday and all his family, the Crockett boys, Britton and son, Abm. Miller and Dr. Beauchamp, from Montezuma; Matthew Frank, Gray, Ellis, Hugh Miller and a hundred others who came through curiosity or some other purpose, with Thomas and Joseph Coats.” The same correspondent thus refers to the late Judge Robert Linzee: "He was from Athens, Ohio, where he had held thirty-two commissions from the Government. When Ohio was a territory, he was appointed a marshal by Jefferson. He subsequently served as sheriff, judge, and four terms in the legislature of Ohio. He was over 77 years of age at his death, and was buried in full communion with the Masonic order. Few men were endowed by nature with a nobler principle. A mind decisive, independent, intelligent and honest, and with colloquial powers equal to the most fluent. It is said by those who have seen Gen. Jackson, that his head and countenance were similar to that illustrious personage." And he also makes the following reference to other pioneers: "Andrew Crockett, formerly from Athens, Ohio, had been a member of the General Assembly ; entered a large tract of land and settled near Celina, acted several terms as justice of the peace, and died at a ripe old age, highly -respected by all who knew him. He was one of those fortunate individuals who was associated through life with an excellent companion whose benevolence and kindness of heart predominated with every lady-like virtue. "But there is no man to whom the friends of Celina is indebted for their county seat more than to the late James Watson Riley, who was the son of the famous sea captain, James Riley, who shipwrecked. on the shores of Africa. Young Riley came with his father to assist in sectionizing the counties of Northwestern Ohio and part of Indiana. He was a fast and accurate surveyor, a ready writer and calculator; his latitude and departure columns seldom needed correction; his eye as an engineer was singularly adapted to close work. He was the first Clerk of the Court of Mercer county, and early embarked with all his means in the civilization, settling and improving Northwest Ohio. " There are, two respectable gentlemen now residing in Celina, who were among the first settlers, that deserve on this occasion honorable notice—they are Henry L. Johnson and Dr. Miller. Johnson was employed to build and put in motion, the first steam mill, and has made Mercer county his residence ever since, with the exception of some three years. He served his second term as sheriff, which office he filled with signal ability. Dr. Miller was then a young man, and, I believe, the first schoolmaster, and when he had completed his studies, he chose the honorable profession of a physician, and has attained in it an enviable proficiency. 446 - Mercer County—First Court at Celina. "The county seat was removed to Celina, and the Erse:Court was held in 1840. Wm. L. Helfenstein presided, with Linzee, Hays and Parks, associates; Riley, clerk ; Alex. Steadman, sheriff; E, Phelps, treasurer ; L. D. McMahon, auditor ; E. A. McMahon, (sub, sequently a Judge of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, Circuit, and now a resident of Rochester, Minnesota,) recorder J. S. Houston, county surveyor, and Starbuck, State's attorney. " Two lawyers,. Smith and Welch. and a German doctor by the name of Herrchell, were the first of their profession who settled iu Celina. Joseph Carlin was the first sheriff elected by the people after the establishment of the county seat. He is yet living, and has retired to his farm, north of Celina. Trott ary and Mowry, both excellent men, now dead, were the first blacksmiths. Johnson, now sheriff, was the first carpenter. "The Mercer County Advocate, Whig in politics, was the first newspaper published in Celina. It was started August 4, 1848, by L. G. Smith and J. S. Millard. The Western Standard, Democratic in politics, was started the same year by a joint stock company, and has been continued ever since, although a little over a year ago it dropped the name of " Western," and substituted " Mercer County" instead, while the Advocate lived but little over a year. " While this country was yet claimed by the Indians, years before the purchase of 1817, some hardy pioneers made Fort Recovery their residing place ; some for the purpose of trading, others for an easy mode of lite congenial to their disposition. Among these, as most prominent, was Samuel McDowell, Peter Studabaker, Daniel Freeman, John Simison, and subsequently Stone, Money, Blake, Beardslee, etc., all of whom have left numerous and honorable descendants, prospering in the various avocations of life. "Samuel McDowell enlisted in the service of the United States in 1791, and was of Gen. Butler's regiment at the disastrous defeat of St. Clair. When the retreat was sounded, all that could rushed pell moll on the back track in shameful:.confusion. McDowell was among those who covered the retreat, and kept the enemy in check. A horse came dashing by, which he caught, and seeing a youth limping along, assisted him to mount, by which he soon gained the front, and thus saved his life. Many years afterwards, as McDowell was traveling, and had registered his name in the tavern in which he was to tarry for the night, a stranger, who by accident saw it, and that he was from Recovery, Ohio, entered into conversation with him, and soon found he was the generous soldier who assisted him to escape the savage massacre. The surprise was mutual. The stranger took him to his house and made him a present of a splendid suit of clothes, which Mc always wore on the anniversary of that day, and the 4th of July. McDowell lived to be over eighty years of age, and died near Recovery, a few years ago, highly respected. “Studabaker, Simison, Freeman, John G. James, andMcDowell, were good hunters and farmers, fine, jovial, generous, hospitable Mercer County—Pioneer Notes - 447 specimens of a backwoods life, scorning base actions, and holding in the highest esteem a life of independence, truth and honor. "Esquire Blake acted many years as a justice of the peace with fine ability, generous to a fault, and benevolent in all his associations. Dr. Fair, as a physician, was well thought of, and what would have been his proficiency, had he but lived, and acted in a larger field, cannot now be known. "George Aabaugh settled near where Macedon now is, at an early day ; cleared up a farm, raised a large and respectable family, many of whom still reside in that neighborhood. He died at a very advanced age, but a short time ago. "Montezuma was laid out by William Beauchamp, who acted for many years as a physician. Although not educated, he was a good, useful citizen, and a very clever man, and did much good in his profession. " Abram Miller entered a quarter section of land near the town, and afterwards was the first merchant and dealer in furs, and also the first postmaster. The first person whose axes resounded in the forest, were George Fair, Thomas and Joseph Coates, John Ellis Wyatt, and Black. Ab. Worthington and Hugh Miller were the most expert in driving the sprightly buck through the forest. "About 35 years ago, five brothers by the name of Frank, settled in that neighborhood. Matthew and Dennis were the oldest. They were from Germantown, Ohio, and an excellent race of people. " St. Johns is a highly cultivated and beautiful place. Licen Snider for many years kept the tavern there. Stelzer was the proprietor of the town. Esquire Elking, Rineheart, Brown, and a host of others, whom it will be impossible to name, composed this first happy community, extending, as it does, with unvariable beauty far west of St. Henry, a village of considerable note and enterprise.—Henry Romer was the proprietor. In 1836, he laid off the town, then a wilderness. As when the queen bee settles, and is followed by all the swarm, so when Romer left his fatherland, hundreds of families nestled around him. Every tract of land was taken up and settled upon. Beckman, Brown, and Suwalda are among the honorable catalogue. Among the Americans was Grant, Franklin, Richardson, Hit, Roberts, and Langdon Bennett, Esq. "The first settlement in the north part of the county was made at Shanesville, near what is called Shane's Prairie. In the war of 1812, several friendly Indians had their lodges there. Among these were Shane, Godfroy, Crescent, Labidee, Rushville and others, who had Reservations assigned to them, at the sale of Northwestern Ohio. These Indians were excellent men, noble and generous by nature, and hospitable to all classes of people. Anthony Shane and Louis Godfroy, especially, had the lofty impress of their nation, and they did the United States good service during the war. Louis Godfroy was living, a few years ago, on his reservation in Indiana, and I have not heard of his death. Anthony Shane died some years ago. 448 - Mercer County—Pioneer Notes. Before his death, he gave to a little son of Ruel Roebuck, a tract of good land on the St. Mary’s river, because he was the first, white child born there. The balance of his land he sold to William R. Hedges. "A man by the name of Madore established the first trading post, and had Hedges for his store assistant, who was then a young roan. In those days, all the goods and provisions consumed at Ft. Wayne Indiana, had to be taken across from Piqua, Ohio. Large quantities of flat boats were constructed at St. Marys, the head of St. Mary's river, and during the winter months hundreds of barrels of salt, flour. whiskey, meat, and boxes of goods accumulated, to be transported down the river at the opening of navigation. This gave life and vivacity to every trading post on the river, and many hands were employed. to carry on the work. " Wm. B. Hedges, Jos. Hinkle, Madore, Graves, Grant, Robuck, A. R. Hunter, Bevington, VanGundy, and David Work, were the first settlers of Shanesville and vicinity. Wm. B. Hedges died but a few weeks ago, at quite an advanced age. He was County Commissioner, Surveyor, and for many years Justice of the Peace. David Work was a tanner, and for many years did a heavy and successful business. Hedges, Work, and Robuck were great lovers of fun. Fire hunting was a profitable sport, either for fish or deer. At night, the deer would gather in the river to stamp and splash water on themselves to keep off the mosquitoes and gnats, and when a light came along, they would stand gazing at it until the hunter approached close enough to shoot them down. Newcomers, of course, wanted fresh meat, and these adepts in the art of fire hunting by torchlight, would agree to show them for a certain sum, to be paid that night in whisky, how it was done. They would generally supply the tyros with an old worthless boat or canoe, where they could be seated, while their instructors would have a pirogue large enough to hold themselves and several deer. All ready—off they would start, flambeau in hand. They were most always successful, as game was plenty. When they wished to return home, they would kindly tell the newcomers that where they were the river had a large bayou and island, and for them to keep down the main stream, while they would make a little excursion, and would soon fall in with them below. On, on, the newcomers would go, hearing nothing of their comrades, and daylight generally found them some twenty miles from home, and the next day they had the fun of footing it back. This was called "initiating" the new settlers in the art of fire hunting. " Dr. Pulltoggle, as he was nicknamed, loved to be bell-weather on all public days and occasions, and to make the oration on the 4th of July. Col. Hedges disliked him, and on more than one occasion outwitted him. On a certain 4th of July, he was chosen orator—a stand for the speaker was erected, and seats constructed for the accommodation of the people. Hedges tied a string to a fresh coon Mercer County--Early Settlers - 449 skin, and gave a boy a quarter to drag it across the speaker's stand, and around on the seats. The meeting when. thespeaker was larele arose wi attended, and the Declaration of Independence read, all self-assurance to make a big display. Hedges then let loose 32 hounds, and they instinctively took the trail of the coon skin, and such screams and " getting up stairs you never did see!" The meeting was dissolved, and the wrath of the speaker had no bounds. "In an early day, Shane's Prairie was settled by hardy adventurers, among whom is old man Hanzer, nearly one first hundred s, years Hinkle old, and yet living. There are still living, of the Hanzer', Hamer, Webb, and Heath ; and among the ladies, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Green, and Mrs. Bevington; and,I believe, some of the Coils, who at least deserve an honorable biography. " Among those who first entered and settled on land, was Deniston, Sutton, Chivington, Brewster, Greer, Hays, Robuek, , Heath, Tullis, Opdyke, Hitchner, Woods, and Richard Palmer. The old fort constructed by Gen. Wayne, the ruins of which can yet be seen in section 24, is on the land owned by Palmer. It was called Fort Adams. . "Those who first settled on the Twelve Mile Creek were, Kiser, Hainline, Hamer, Hamilton, Coil, Cook, Parrott, Wright, Murlin; and where Mendon is, and vicinity, Pennabaker, Coils, Smith, Ruperds—a big generation, the old man still living, at ninety years of age, and says he can drop a deer as nicely as ever, if they attempt to cross his path. Justin Hamilton was a good surveyor, a very intelligent and well-read man. He was twice a Representative, Associate Judge of the Court, and filled many minor offices with ability and credit: He lived to be near 70 years of age. The vacancy by death of such men is not easily filled. "Wm. Hamilton, still living, has been justice of the peace nearly 30 years. He is a correct, intelligent man, in whom confi confidence rd s, can be placed. The Uptons, Wirts, Pattersons, Murlins, Shepards, Davieses and Cook, are all good, reliable, honest, industrious, thriving farmers " Among the first settlers of Twelve Mile, was old man Kiser, a great hunter, and a man of extraordinary memory. He loved the forest, and if an Indian crossed his path, like Miller and Louis Wetzel, he was a dead shot. John Hainline was another of .the early settlers, and was a great genius in guns, clocks, watches, and fine-edged tools. William Bonifield was the proprietor of Neptune, and kept a hotel there which was called the Half-way House.' His wife was an excellent woman, and well suited for a landlady, and her house a home for the traveler. She is still living. Benj. Nickel was also a first settler, and kept a good hotel. His wife was an excellent cook, had fine social qualities, and generous to all. " There is no man who deserves a higher recommendation, or to be pointed out to the youth of this county for an example of perseverance, frugality, honesty, generosity, and every accomplished vir- - 29 - |
