Crawford County—Early history - 475

The first federal census of the county was of 17,187 taken in 1850, and then exhibited. a population of 11,338 ; in 1860, 17,187; and in 1870, of 20,041. The free colored population had regularly diminished - the returns of 1850 showing 87; 1860 reduced to 64, and 1870 reduced to 6.

The following is a table of the several census returns since the organization of Auglaize County :

(b) In 1859, Jackson from German.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

Was formed from old Indian territory, April 1, 1820. The county derives its name from Colonel William Crawford, whose unfortunate expedition and fate have been related in preceding pages.

The following extracts are from the recollections of John Moderwell, published in the Bucyrus Journal, in 1868 :

"The difficulties and trials of the early settlers of Crawford county, although not so great as those encountered by the earlier settlers west of the Alleghenies, were yet such as would be considered by their descendants of the present day as almost insurmountable Nearly all the land, within the present limits of the county, was covered by a forest of heavy timber, which almost entirely prevented the sun's rays from reaching the ground. This, in connection

476 - Crawford County--Early History.

with the formation of the country, and the nature of the soil, necessarily made very muddy roads, even with the little travel then passing over them. And mud, and the fever and ague, produced by about the same causes, were great drawbacks to the rapid improvement of the country. 'The distance from mills, and from settlements, were also among the serious difficulties they had to contend with. For several years, nearly all the flour used had to be brought from the mills on Mohican creek, and its tributaries, in Richland county, thirty and forty miles distant. The practice then was, to make a trip to the vicinity of one of these mills—purchase a small quantity of wheat from some of the settlers there—place it upon your ox wagon, or pack it on your horse, or upon your own back, and, after being ground, return the flour in the same way—the voyage consuming a week to ten days.

"Most of the pioneers were men of small means. Their stock of cash being generally exhausted upon paying the government price for eighty, or, at most, one hundred and sixty acres of land, many became discouraged at the hardships they had to encounter, and returned to their old homes. Multitudes of others would have done so, could they have raised the means. This, however, did not last long ; most of them becoming entirely satisfied alter a few years' residence—the improvement of the country each year making it more tolerable to live in, and giving increasing promise of its future prosperity.

" The total change in the appearance of things, to one who can look back forty-five years, seems almost miraculous ; and could one of the residents here in 1825, after an absence of nearly half a century, now return, he would find it difficult to recognize a single familiar landmark, or half a dozen familiar faces ; and one who has faithfully put in a whole day on horseback, from here to Mansfield, and now finds himself set down there by the cars in one hour, sometimes finds it difficult to realize that he is not in the situation of the fellow who had either found a cart or lost a yoke of oxen ; and one who has not a correct record of his age is inclined to think he has been here a century instead of less than half a one.

"The first arrival of white settlers occurred in 1819. Of these, in addition to those who settled in the immediate vicinity of Bucyrus, we remember Resolved White, a descendant of the child born in the Mayflower ; Rudolph Morse, and David Cummins, in the present limits of Auburn township; Jacob Snyder, near Leesville ; David Anderson, and Andrew Dixon and sons, in Vernon township ; John Brown and his son Michael Brown, on the farm owned by the late Mr. Beltz, of Polk township; David Reid, and two men named Fletcher, a little south of that point. In Sandusky township, there were Westell Ridgely and J. S. Griswell, near where the Bucyrus and Leesville road crosses the Sandusky river. A little south was Peter Bebout; Samuel Kniseley, at Kniseley's springs, and his brother Joseph, and John B. French, just north of him, Near the

Crawford County - Early History - 477

Bear Marsh, Isaac Matthews, William Handley, Nelson Tustason, two families of McIntyres, and John Davis.

" Samuel Norton, the founder of Bucyrus, squatted on the quarter section of land upon which the town was afterwards laid out, in the same year, and erected his first cabin on the river bank, a short distance above the present railroad bridge. In this cabin was born his daughter Sophronia, who was the first white child born on the town plat, or probably within the present limits of the county. At this time his only neighbors were David Beadle, and his sons Mishel and David, Daniel McMichael, and Joseph Young. Of these, Daniel McMichael settled on a quarter section two miles east of the river, part of which is now owned by Joseph Albright, and afterwards bought the eighty acres immediately north of town, on the pike; and also the tract upon which John Heinlin's additions have been laid out. Young settled on the farm now owned by John A. Gormly, near Esquire Stewart's; Mishel Beadle on the farm now owned by L. Converse and Davis Beadle, just southwest of town, at the Ludwig orchard, and John Ensley where widow Minich now lives.

"The lands in the county, except the Wyandott Indian reservation, were brought into market, and offered for sale at Delaware, Ohio, in the following year.

"Bucyrus was laid out in 1822, by Samuel Norton, proprietor of the land, and Colonel James Kilbourne, late of Worthington, Ohio, well known at that time as a pioneer and surveyor. The lots were soon after offered at public sale, and brought from 30 to 45 dollars each. Norton was the first settler on the site of the town, and moved in from Pennsylvania in 1819, and wintered in a small cabin of poles, which stood on the banks of the Sandusky. The lots transferred at this sale were all on Sandusky Avenue and Walnut street, and but few south of the public square. At this date, in addition to Norton, there were living, in the new town, Lewis and Abel Carey, Lewis Stephenson, Robert Moore, J. S. George, George P. Schultz, Samuel Roth, Harris Garton, Harry Smith, Russel Peck, E. B. and Charles Merriman and a few others.

"The first frame building erected in the town, was about 15 by 15 feet, and stood on the ground now occupied by Mr. G. John's property, north of the railroad. The first brick, on the lot where Blair & Pickering's brick buildings now stand.

"The first mill for grinding grain was erected by Abel Carey, on the river just west of the north end of Main street. It was afterwards removed to where McLain's mill now stands—subsequently destroyed by fire, and the present mill erected in 1844.

" The first school taught in the town, was in a log shanty, on the river bank, near the north end of Spring street. Horace Rowse was a scholar in this school, and is probably the only person now living here who attended it. The first building erected expressly for school purposes was of round logs, and stood near the present Catholic Church ; after this, a small one-story brick was built on the lot now

478 - Crawford County—Old and Present Officers.

occupied by the frame school house, near the depot, and was used as a school house, court room, town hall, and house for religious worship. When used as a court room, the jury had to be accommodated in shops, etc. in other parts of the town. Among the early teachers, were Colonel Zalmon Rowse, Horace Pratt, Sallie Davis, Doctor Horton, Mrs. Espy and daughters, Mr. White, and others.

"Crawford, though formed in 1820, was attached to Delaware bounty, and afterwards to Marion, until the session of the Legislature of 1825-26, when an act was passed organizing the county, and directing county commissioners to be elected, at the ensuing April elections, who were to fix upon a temporary seat of justice. The people in the southern part of the county were in favor of Bucyrus as the county seat, and those living in the western part insisted upon its being located in a town called Crawford, laid out by Joseph Newell, on land now owned by Thomas Hall, on Brokensword. Thos. McClure, John Magers, and John Poe, the candidates in favor of Bucyrus, were elected, and the county seat temporarily established, by them, at Bucyrus. A few years later, this location became permanently fixed by a board of commissioners appointed by the legislature for the purpose, consisting of Judge Williams, of Delaware, Rodolphus Dickinson, of Lower Sandusky, and J. S. Glassgo, of Holmes county.

"The first court held in the county was presided over by Judge Ebenezer Lane, of Norwalk, President Judge of the circuit, and John Carey, E. B. Merriman, and John B. French, associate judges. The court sat in Lewis Carey's front room, in the house now owned by C. H. Schouert. Judge Lane was succeeded by Judge Higgins, and he by Judge Bowen, of Marion. The associate judges named above, were succeeded by Josiah Robinson, Abel Carey, George Poe, Andrew Taylor, R. W. Musgrove, James Stewart, and Robert Lee.

" Mr. Beardslee received the first appointment as clerk, but shortly afterward resigned, and was succeeded by Colonel Rowse, who held the office for a number of years, as, also, at the same time, that of county recorder, and was succeeded, as clerk, by J. B. Larwill, D. W. Swigart, Alexander P. Widman, etc., and as recorder, by Jacob Howenstein, and James Robinson.

" The first sheriff was Hugh McCracken, succeeded by John Miller, John Moderwell, David Holm, John Shull, Samuel Andrews, James L. Harper, John Caldwell, and James Clements.

"James Martin was the first county auditor, and he was succeeded by Charles Merriman, Edward Billips, John Caldwell, Jacob Howenstein, George Linn, Owen Williams, and John Pitman.

"The first county treasurer was John H. Morrison, succeeded by General S. Myers, Geo. Lauck, and Chas. Hetich."

The officers of the county serving in 1872, are the following : Thomas Coughlin, clerk ; Robert Lee, probate judge; William M. Scroggs, auditor ; Job Franz, treasurer ; James Worden, sheriff; F. M. Bowyer, recorder; J. W. Coulter, prosecuting attorney ; H. W.

Crawford County—Old Lawyers - 479

McDonald, surveyor; Phillip Moffat, coroner ; Lewis Littler, James link, and Charles Myers, commissioners ; Jervise Jump, John Adam Klink, and John Alloback, infirmary directors.

" The first post office was opened in Bucyrus, in 1822, Lewis Carey being postmaster, succeeded by Henry St. John, John Forbes, James McCracken, A. P. Widman, and R. T. Johnson ; and the incumbent in 1872 being John Hopley.

"The first lawyers who located here were John II. Morrison, Isaac II. Allen, M. Fleck, and another named Stanberg, known as the linsey lawyer,' by reason of his making his first appearance in a suit of blue linsey woolsey goods.

"Josiah Scott (late Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court,) established himself at Bucyrus in 1830 ; George Sweeney (formerly member of Congress, and who came about the same date with Mr. Scott); Franklin Adams, who commenced practice in 1837, and S. R. Harris, whose law practice at Bucyrus dates from 1849.

" Of those from abroad, who formerly practiced in the Crawford county courts, there were Andrew Coffinberry, May, Purdy, Stewart, McLaughlin, and Bartley, of Mansfield; Bowen, Godman, and Watson, of Marion ; Boalt, of Norwalk, Judge Parish, of Columbus, and others."

For a list of those in practice in 1872, see Appendix marked A.

"From 1819 to 1826, Mr. Heaman, Joseph Lonas, D. P. Dowling, Mr. Flake, Joseph Quaintance, Timothy Kirk, Joseph Newell, Mr. Spitzer, Jacob King, James Martin, Mr. Glover, Jacob Andrews, Eli Quaintance, Mr. Holmes, John McCulloch, and Daniel Snyder, were among the settlers of Holmes township, within the period above named."

George Sweeney was among the early settlers. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and took up his residence in Bucyrus, October 21. 1830, and was elected to Congress in 1838, and re-elected in 1840. his death occurred several years ago.

The first official report extant of the session of the Board of Commissioners of Crawford county (former records having been destroyed by fire), opens as follows:

"Proceedings of the Commissioners of Crawford County, begun and held in the town of Bucyrus, on the 17th and 18th days of October, A. D. 1831.

"Be it resolved, That James McCracken, Esq., of Crawford countv, be and hereby is appointed a Commissioner (in the room of R. W. Cahill, Esq., resigned), to lay out a certain State road, commencing at the town of Perrysburg, in Wood county ; thence to McCutcheonville ; thence to Bucyrus, in Crawford county.

" Resolved, That an order be issued to the Auditor, John Caldwell, for seventy dollars and sixty-eight cents, for his services as Auditor.

480 - Crawford County--Bucyrus in 1812.

" Resolved, That Z. Rouse be, and he is hereby authorized to contract for books for the Clerk's and Recorder's offices, to be paid out of the County Treasury."

The county seat is an inland town of importance, and, as the foregoing statistics show, has made rapid advances since the date of the commencement of its growth, directly after the opening of the Ohio and Indiana (now Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago) railway. Another road of great importance, not : only to Bucyrus, but to a large district of the Maumee valley, and especially to Toledo—the Atlantic and Lake Erie—is nearly completed. The energy and public spirit which originated and has pushed forward this important line, belong to Bucyrus, and chiefly to D. N. Swigart, President, who has had the able co-operation of J. B. Gormly, the Secretary and Treasurer.

Bucyrus has two newspapers—the Bucyrus Forum, semi-weekly, Tuesdays and Fridays, and weekly on Saturdays; established 1844; J. R. Clymer, editor and proprietor. The Forum is one of the largest and ablest journals in the Congressional district in which it is published, and has a circulation equal to the most popular of its co-temporaries. The Bucyrus Journal, J. Hopley, editor and publisher, is also in prosperous condition.

The city contains eight churches :—Presbyterian, German Lutheran, English Lutheran, German Methodist, Baptist, German Reformed, Catholic and Methodist Episcopal ; one of the best-conducted public school systems, the Bucyrus people claim, in the State—one of the buildings, containing thirty-six rooms exclusive of basement, and erected at a cost of $120,000 ;—two banks, the First National, and the private bank of John Scott, Biddle & Co., both solid institutions; and four good hotels (the Sims House, by J. Goldsmith, being first class) ; three flouring mills ; one saw do ; one hub, spoke and bent work factory ; one woolen mill ; one knitting machine establishment, invented, and the first one erected in Bucyrus; one lamp-bracket factory; one agricultural machine works ; one iron foundry; one smut mill factory ; one brewery; two tanneries; one woolen hose factory ; three clothing stores that manufacture ; one tailor shop; six wagon and carriage do ; three blacksmith do ; eight boot and shoe do ; and of other stores, six dry goods ; one music ; five tin, stove and hardware ; three drug, and two groceries and provisions. Also, three meat markets, two harness shops, and two livery stables.

It will also be noticed, by reference to the census table, on a preceding page, that there are several populous towns in Crawford county, aside from Bucyrus, the chief in business importance being Crestline and Galion.

Crawford County—Wealth and Population - 481

The following was the valuation of real and personal property in Crawford county in 1830:

- 31 -

482 - Wyandot County--Organization, &c.

WYANDOT COUNTY

Was formed from Crawford, Marion, IIardin, and Hancock, February 3, 1845. A reference to former pages [see index] of this volume will show that some of the most interesting events connected

with northwestern history, occurred within the limits of Wyandot county.

" Colonel John Bowman, in 1778, was meditating an expedition against the Shawanese villages, particularly Chillicothe. (Oldtown, Greene county) ; and Kenton, accompanied by Alexander Montgomery, and George Clark, undertook to explore the route, and the vicinity and position of the town. This was effectually done, and all risk would have been avoided, if the three spies had not yielded to the temptation of running off a drove of horses, which they found enclosed in a pound. It was late at night, but the noise of the operation alarmed the Indians in the adjacent village. Kenton and his companions were pursued, and although they reached the northern bank of the Ohio river with the stolen animals, yet, before its passage could be effected, they were overtaken, Montgomery killed, and Kenton made prisoner--Clark escaping.

"The Indians were greatly exasperated at their captive; denouncing him as a tief—a hoss steal—a rascal!' and he received no indulgence at their hands, except that he was not struck dead with a tomahawk., Arrived at Chillicothe, he ran the gauntlet, after which a council was held, and soon Kenton saw, from the manner of speakers and a,nditors, that he was doomed to die. When the vote was taken, those who were for his torture struck the war-club, wjiich was passed from hand to hand, violently on the ground—their number far exceeeding those who simply passed the club to a neighbor, in token of mercy.

" Then arose a debate upon the time and place of the tragedy, and it was resolved that he be taken to Wapatomika (now Zanesfield, Logan county). Soon after his arrival at this place, Simon Girty came to see him, and soon discovered that Kenton had been his companion and friend at Fort Pitt, in Dunmore's expedition. Girty threw himself into Kenton's arms, embraced and wept aloud over him—calling him his dear and esteemed friend. This hardened wretch, who had been the cause of the death of hundreds, had some of the sparks of humanity remaining in him, and wept like a child at the tragical fate which hung over his friend.

" Well,' said he to Kenton, 'you are condemned to die, but I will use every means in my power to save your life.'

"The result of all Girty's efforts was to obtain a reprieve until the prisoner could be taken to Upper Sandusky, where the Indians were soon to assemble and receive their annuities and presents from the British agents. As the Indians passed from Wapatomika to Upper Sandusky, they reached a village on the head waters of the Scioto, when Kenton, for the first time, beheld the celebrated Mingo chief,

Wyandot County--Kenton, Girty, &c. - 483

Logan, who walked gravely up to the place where Kenton stood, and the following conversation ensued :

"'Well, young man, these young men seem very mad at you' "'Yes, sir, they certainly are.'

‘" Well, don't be disheartened; I am a great chief; you are to go to Upper Sandusky ; they speak of burning you there; but I will send two runners to-morrow, to speak good for you.'

"Kenton's spirits immediately rose at the address of the benevolent chief, and he once more looked upon himself as providentially rescued from the stake.

"On the following morning, two runners were dispatched to Upper Sandusky, as the chief had promised, and, until their return, Kenton was kindly treated, being permitted to spend much time with Logan, who conversed with him freely, and in the most friendly manner. In the evening the two runners returned, and were closeted with Logan. Kenton felt the most burning anxiety to know what was the result of their mission, but Logan did not visit him again until next morning. He then walked up to him, accompanied by Kenton's guards, and, giving him a piece of bread, told him that he was instantly to be carried to Upper Sandusky ; and, without uttering another word, turned upon his heel and left him.

" At Upper Sandusky, Kenton was finally rescued from a death of torture, by the interposition of Peter Druyer, a Canadian Frenchman, who was a Captain in the British service, and acted as Indian agent and interpreter.

"It was to this influential personage, probably, that Logan's message had been conveyed. He offered the Indians one hundred dollars in rum and tobacco, if they would allow him to take Kenton to Detroit for examination by the British governor, promising to return him when they should require. A slight additional remuneration, afterwards paid to the Indians, completed the ransom of Kenton, who accompanied Captain Druyer to Detroit, and about a year afterwards escaped and returned to Kentucky."—J. W. Taylor's History of Ohio.

"The Wyandot, or Huron tribe, as they were anciently called," says Hanry Howe, " were the bravest of the race, and had among their chiefs some men of high moral character. With all other tribes but the Wyandots, flight in battle, when meeting with unexpected resistance or obstacle, brought with it no disgrace ; but with them it was otherwise. Their youth were taught to consider anything that had the appearance of an acknowledgment of the superiority of the enemy as disgraceful. In the battle of the Maumee Rapids, of thirteen chiefs of that tribe, who were present, one only survived, and he badly wounded. When General Wayne, prior to the battle, sent for Captain Wells, and requested him to go to Sandusky and take a prisoner, for the purpose of obtaining information, Wells—who had been bred with the Indians, and was perfectly

484 - Wyandot County and the Wyandots

acquainted with their character - answered that he could take a prisoner, but not from Sandusky, because Wyandots would not be takenpris, alive."

The Methodists sustained a mission among the Wyandots for many years. Previous to the establishment of the Methodists, a portion of the tribe had been for a long while under the religious instruction of the Catholics. The first Protestant who preached among them, at Upper Sandusky, was John Stewart, a mulatto, and member of the Methodist denomination, who came to the place of his own accord, in 1816, and gained much influence over them. His efforts in their behalf paved the way for a regularly established mission a few years later, when the Rev. James B. Finley formed a school and established a church here. This was the first Indian mission established by the Methodists in the Mississippi Valley. The mission church building was erected of blue lime-stone, about the year 1824, by the United States Government, having permission from John C. Calhoun, then Secretary of War, to apply $1,333 to this object. The walls of the building, in a dilapidated condition, only now remain. Connected with the mission was a school house, and a farm of 160 acres of land.

The original inscriptions on the monuments in the grave-yard, attached to the mission, have been rendered illegible by thoughtless hands, who have broken the stone and carried off the fragments as relics. Among the monuments erected to the memory of historical characters, was one to "Between-the-Logs," who was among the first converts under the labors of John Stewart, and afterward became the most celebrated preacher amon,?. the Wyandots, and who died December, 1826, aged 50 years. Another to the memory of Rev. John Stewart, above-mentioned, who died December 17, 1833, aged 37 years.

The inscription on the stone at the head of another grave, reads as follows: "Sum-mum-de-wat, murdered December 4, 1845, aged 46 years. Buried in Wood county, Ohio."

"The remains of Sum-mu tn-de-wat," says Mr. Howe, " were subsequently.re-interred here. He was, at the time of his death, on a hunting excursion with his family in Hancock county. In the evening, three white men, with axes, entered their camp, and were hospitably entertained by their host. After having finished their suppers, the Indian, agreeable to his custom, kneeled and prayed in his own language, and. then laid down with 'his wife to sleep. In the night, these miscreants, who had been so kindly treated, rose on them in their sleep, and murdered Sum-mum-de-wat and his wife, with their axes, in the most brutal manner. They then robbed the camp and made off; but were apprehended and allowed to break jail.''

In speaking of this case, Colonel Johnston says, " that, in a period of fifty three years, since his intimate official relations with the In-

Wyandot County—Pioneers, &c. - 485

dians, he never knew of but one instance in which a white man was tried, convicted and executed for the murder of an Indian. This exception was brought about by his own agency in the prosecution, sustained by the promptness of John C. Calhoun, then Secretary of War, who manifested an interest in this affair not often shown on similar occasions in the officers of our government."

On the bank of the river, about a mile above Upper Sandusky, is a huge sycamore, which measures around, a yard from its base, 37 feet, and, at its base, over 40 feet. The soil, particularly the bottom lands in the neighborhood of Upper Sandusky, is among the most fertile in Ohio.

Among the pioneers of the county, was Peter Bowsher, who, with his son Robert, commenced his residence in Pitt township, then Crawford county, on the 4th of June, 1821. The son first named is now a resident of Upper Sandusky, and two other sons, Anthony and Solomon, are also residents of the county.

It is claimed, however, that the first white settler within the limits of Wyandot county, was a soldier named McLish, who came to the county with General Harrison's army, and who, after the war, kept a ferry at the crossing of the Tymochtee, on the road leading from Upper to Lower Sandusky.

Michael Brackley, of McCutchenville; Moses H. Kirby, Indian agent, prior to the removal of the Wyandots; Guy C. Worth, who removed to Little Sandusky in 1833 ; Captain S. M. Worth, John A. Gormley, John Baker, Chester R. Mott, J. D. Sears, Robert Mc- Kelley, Dr. James McConnell, Wm. Brayton, David Ayres, and Peter B. Beidler, were also among the early settlers.

Curtis Berry, Sr., removed to Crawford township, three miles northeast of Carey, in 1827. The place was on the old trail between Upper Sandusky and Big Spring, at the head of Blanchard's fork. His sons, Curtis, Jr., and John, are now residents of Upper Sandusky.

George Harper (with his father's, Samuel Harper's, family), in March, 1821, removed from Ross county, Ohio, to the township now called Sycamore. The territory then belonged to the civil jurisdiction of Delaware county, and was on the margin of the Wyandot reservation. At the date mentioned, there were not half a dozen families within the present limits of Wyandot county—those families being established in what is now known as Pitt township.

Conrad Hare removed to Crawford township (near what is now Carey), in 1833, and died in 1847. His widow yet resides on the old homestead, and his son, I. S. Hare, at Upper Sandusky.

C. T. Pierson removed to Tiffin in 1831, and in 1841 to Upper Sandusky, and purchased of Silas Armstrong (Wyandot), a lease running two years,—said lease embracing a tavern stand and other

improvements.

486 - Wyandot County—Its -Wealth, &c.

John Carey removed to Tymochtee in the fall of 1823. During several years he has been a resident of the town that bears his name.

In the above partial list of the pioneers are included some of those who have held, and others now holding, important official trusts at the hands of their fellow citizens.

The first tax duplicate of Wyandot county was made in 1845. The sale of the Wyandot reserve, by the United States, in September and October of that year, exempted the lands, and Upper San- dusky town lots, under the United States laws, from taxation by State authority, until five years from the date of sale. Hence, the farm lands, and town lots, made at this sale, were first entered upon the tax-list of 1851.

The first duplicate, therefore, only exhibited, subject to taxation, 138,005 acres, valued at $310,954. These taxab'e lands were from the territory taken from the counties of Crawford, Marion, Hardin, and Hancock.

In 1852, the duplicate shows 215,215 acres, subject to taxation, valued at $1,468,585; and a value of town lots amounting to $174,773.

In 1871, there were 254,921 acres upon the duplicate, valued at $5,752,135; and town lots valued at $876,670.

There are some remnants of swamp lands yet belonging to the county, and not yet entered upon the tax-lists.

The following statement of the valuation of lands, and town lots, and personal property, commencing with the organization of the county, and closing with the last record, will show the progress in taxable wealth :

(b) Exclusive of part of village of Nevada.

(c) In 1869, Kirby from Jackson, Mifflin, Richland, and Salem.

The finances of the county are in a satisfactory condition—the people having been fortunate, since the organization of the county (with the exception of a single instance, when a most worthy hut incompetent man held the auditor's office one term), in securing the services of officers well qualified to discharge their several trusts.

The following is a list of first officers of the county, who were elected, the Associate Judges by the General Assembly, and the other county officers by the people, at the April election in 1855 :

Associate Judges—Abel Rein;ch, George W. Leith, and William Brown ; clerk, Guy C. Worth; prosecuting attorney, Chester R. Mott; auditor, S. M. Worth ; treasurer, Abner Jury ; recorder, John A. Morrison ; sheriff, Loren A. Pease ;' surveyor, Peter B. Beidler; commissioners, Stephen Fowler, Ethan Terry, and William Griffith.

Osias Bowen, of Marion, was then President Judge of the Circuit, and the only surviving member of the bench at that time, is George W. Leith, of Nevada. The first treasureMaffetthe first recorder are dead.

The following is a list of thosIlenry hold the several county offices in 1872:

Probate judge, Peter B. Beidler ; prosecuting attorney, M. H. Kirby; auditor, Jonathan Matfett ; treasurer, J. S. Hare; clerk, Wm. B. Hitchcock ; sheriff, Henry Myers ; coroner, Levi Shultz ; recorder, Adam Stuts ; commissioners, Thomas McClain, Milton Morrell,

488 - Wyandot County—Upper Sandusky.

and Wm. Beam; surveyor, John Agerter; infirmary directors, A, H. Vanorsdoll, Tillman Balliet, and Michael Depler.

The town now contains seven churches—one Catholic, one Presbyterian, one Methodist Episcopal, two Lutheran, one United Brethren, and one Church of God ( or, " Winnebrenarian").

Two newspapers—the Wyandot Democratic Union, and the Wyandot County Republican.

One National Bank, having a capital of $100,000, and a surplus of $7,000, and three private banking establishments, employing an aggregate capital of probably equal amount; one Masonic, and one Odd Fellows lodge; five dry goods stores; one china and glassware do; two jewelry do; eight grocery and provision do; three drug do ; five clothing do; four hardware do; three meat markets; three livery stables; four millinery establishments ; two sewing machine

rooms ; one produce and packing house; two grain warehouses; two photograph rooms.

The Upper Sandusky Deposit Bank is one of the three private establishments included above, and was established in November, 1869,—the owner and proprietor being J. H. Anderson, who, prior to his location at Upper Sandusky, had established such business relations at Marion and elsewhere, as gave him a reputation among financial circles, at home and abroad, that secured for his Upper Sandusky banking house a public confidence which is continually gathering strength.

An editorial in the Democratic Union, of February 22, 1872, thus refers to this gentleman:

"He is a native of Marion, and commenced his business career there as an attorney at law. In 1861 he was appointed United States consul to Hamburg, Germany, where he remained until 1866, and then, though the post was a pleasant one,—such as few willinglyrelinquish,—hee resigned: his large landed and other interests here requiring his personal supervision. As consul, Mr. Anderson discharged his duties in such an efficient manner as to win the merited compliments of the department, and he acquired a vast knowledge of men and things. Since returning to the United States, most of his time has been spent here.

"As a business man, Mr. Anderson occupies a front rank among his cotemporaries."

In manufactures, there are, one woollen ; three cabinet; two wagon and carriage, and two wagon shops; three harness and saddlery do; four tailor do ; ten boot and shoe; one foundry and machine shop ; two tanneries ; one distillery (consuming an average of 300 bushels of grain per da planing mills, manufacturing sash, doors, blinds, and flooring, and three cooper shops. The P., Ft. W. and C. railway bane also repairing shops at Upper Sandusky, which give employment to an average of eight hands throughout the year.

Seneca County—Early history, &c - 489

SENECA COUNTY

Was formed April 1, 1820, organized four years later, and named from the Indian tribemwho had a reservation within its limits. The county was settled principally from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and older sections of Ohio.

From an address made by Isaac I. Dumond, before the Seneca County Pioneer Association, November, 1870, the following extracts are gathered :

"My father moved with his family to what was then called the New Purchase, on the Sandusky river, in 1821, at which time I was in my twentieth year.

" We found the entire county a wilderness with no other than the rude improvements made by the Indians.

"There was but one public road, known as a highway, in all the region of country designated as the New Purchase, which was opened in the fall of 1820, and ran on the east side of the Sandusky river, north and south, then known, and still continuing, as the Marion State Road.

“My father settled in Pleasant township, Seneca county, where for a time we encountered many difficulties. During a part of the year, the roads were almost impassable, by reason of the mud mixed with the beech-root. During the summer, musquitoes and houseflies gave us a degree of trouble that none can realize, except from experience. The flies would gather on a horse, in such quantities, that a single grab would fill a man's hand. The massasaugar, or prairie rattle snake, was another unpleasant enemy which appeared in great numbers. I killed five in cutting a small piece of oats; but to my knowledge no one ever suffered from them.

" At that time, there were few families living along the entire route from Tymochtee (which name signifies, in the Indian language, the stream around the plains') to Lower Sandusky.

" We had few mechanics, but the one most needful was the blacksmith, which we found in Leroy Cresey at Fort Ball.

"Dr. Brainard was the only physician in the neighborhood, and his practice extended from Lower Sandusky, his place of residence, to Tymochtee.

" Throughout the entire settlement, there was not a lawyer to be found. The only minister we had was the Rev. James Montgomery, of the M. E. Church.

"Jesse and George Olmsted had our only store between Delaware and Lower Sandusky.

"There was considerable travel during the spring and early summer of 1821, till August, when the land sale occurred, by men in search of land.

" Our greatest privation was want of mills. Our nearest mill was at Cole Creek, about twenty-four miles distant, and without a direct road leading to it. The difficulties in some cases were very trying.

490 - Seneca County--.Early History, &c.

For example, Mr. Barney and Daniel Rice arranged for a trip to mill, each with a team of oxen and wagon. As they had to cross the river, the grain was hauled there and unloaded, and ferried across, then the wagon ferried over, and afterwards the team swam over, when they could reload, hitch up, and proceed. This was in April, 1821. After having their grain ground, and on their homeward route, they were overtaken by a snow storm. The snow was damp, and fell to a depth of a foot, rendering the roads almost impassable, and so weighed the bushes down over them, that they were compelled to abandon their wagons. and, with much difficulty, succeeded in reaching home with their teams.

" Although the year 1821 was a trying one, it had secured to many a sufficient amount of land to afford a home ; and, to encourage us, we had an abundant crop.

" Many of the people had acted as squatters.' The Indians, who had formerly lived on the west side of the river, had removed to their reservation on the east side, and abandoned their old houses, which were appropriated by the white settlers, and held until they wished to go, or were displaced by a deed from Uncle Sam, conveying the same to another party. The settlement was weak in 1821,

and to raise a log cabin, the neighbors were often summoned from places five or six miles distant.

" Of those who came previous to the land sale, some suffered from sickness, and, becoming discouraged, left, and others died, but immediately after the land sale the population steadily increased, and, in 1823, Mr. Lumley built a mill on Green creek, and soon after Mr. More built a mill on Sandusky river, in order to supply the increased demand, which greatly diminished the inconvenience we had all experienced.

"The early settlers were, in the majority, rough but generous, whole-souled and kind towards one another, and ever ready to lend a helping hand to the needy.

" The use of intoxicatinn. drinks was our greatest evil. Some would get on sprees, and after taking much whiskey, would form into a ring, and with bells, horns, tin pans, log chains, or any noisy instruments, engage in a hideous dance, sing and give Indian war whoops. Such a state of society was not the rule entirely, however, and was wholly displaced in a short time by the ingress of more refined people who controlled the moral standard of the neighborhood. That enemy to civilization, whiskey, was, as is always, a hard one to entirely subdue, nevertheless. I remember when farm-

ers would trade a bushel of corn for five quarts of whiskey, and this was as necessary for harvest as provisions.

" In the fall of 1.824, the first general muster of the militia took place at old Fort Seneca. The regiment numbered about 400 men, under General Lumley, and Colonel J. B. Cooley, who gathered from over the country, between Cole Creek and Tymochtee, many having to camp out in order to reach the fort in time.

Seneca County—Early History, &c. - 491

" A considerable trade was carried on between the southern portion of the State, after the close of the war of 1812, and Lower Sandusky, and Sandusky City. Teams came loaded with flour, bacon, and whiskey, and returned with fish, or merchants' goods, which sold in Urbana, Springfield, and Dayton.

"The Indian tribes here at the time of the first settlement by the whites, were the Senecas, Cayugas, Mohawks, and Oneidas. The Senecas, the most numerous, and Cayugas, occupied the lower part, and the Oneidas and Mohawks the upper part or' the reservation, which was nine miles north and south, and six miles east and west, on the east side of Sandusky river. The land was held in joint stock, and each had the privilege of making such improvements as he wished.

"They numbered about 600, and were not bad in general character, but friendly and kind when well treated, and not maddened by whiskey, for which they had a strong passion. I have known them to offer two or three dollars worth of goods for a quart of whiskey, and, when intoxicated, would give any thing they possssed for it.

" They depended upon hunting largely for subsistence, in which, when children, they commenced by shooting fish and small game with the bow.

" Most of the Indians and squaws cultivated each a small piece of land, varying from a half to two acres, which they formerly did with a hoe; but seeing us use the plow, and the amount of labor saved thereby, they concluded to abandon the custom of their fathers. Seeing two Indians plowing on the opposite side of the river one day, I crossed over, and discovered them going the wrong way over the land, throwing the furrows in, and next time running inside of it, and then another, which they thought very well, until I turned them the other way, and gave a little instruction, which they thankfully received. They raised a soft corn, which they pounded into meal, and used to thicken soup.

"They had much idle time which they all liked—the children spending it shooting, the old people smoking from the pipes made in the heads of their tomahawks, with an adjustable handle for a stem. They smoked the sumac leaves dried and pounded, which gave a pleasant odor.

"The young Indians had a love for sports. Their chief summer game was ball—a game in which ten or twelve to a side engaged, the ground being marked off in a space of about sixty rods, the centre of which was the starting point. Each player had a staff some five feet long, with a bow made of rawhide on one end, with which to handle the ball, as no one was allowed to touch it with his hands. At the commencement the ball was taken to the centre, and placed between two of the staffs, each pulling towards his outpost, when the strife began to get it beyond the outpost by every one, the success in which counted one for the victor, when the ball was

492 - Seneca County—Its Indian, Tribes.

taken to the centre again, and a new contest began. The squaws and older Indians constituted the witnesses to these sports, and added zest by their cheers.

"The favorite winter sport was running upon skates. They would spread a blanket on the ice, run and jump over it, each trying to excel in the distance he made beyond.

"Another favorite sport was to throw upon the snow, to run at the greatest possible distance, snow snakes made of hickory wood, about five feet long, one and a half inches wide, a half inch thick turned up at the point like a snake's head, and painted black.

"The Mohawks and Oneidas had some very well educated people, and most of their tribes could read and write. They had religious services every Sabbath, in the form of the Church of England, held by a minister of their own tribe. They were excellent singers, and attracted the whites often, which pleased them much.

" The Senecas and Cayugas were more inclined to adhere to the customs of their forefathers. They held in reverence many gatherings. The green corn dance was prominent among them; but that most worthy of note was the Great Dance, which took place about mid-winter, and lasted three days, at the close of which they burned their dogs.

" Great preparation was made for this festival. Provisions in great abundance were collected to constitute a common store from which all were fed. The two dogs were selected, often months in advance, well fed and made frt. They were as near alike as possible, and white, with yellow spots. When the time for the festival arrived, the dogs were killed (but in what way I never learned), washed clean as possible, trimmed with pink ribbons about the neck, each leg and toe, and about the tail. After the hair over the entire bodies was carefully smoothed, they were hung up by the neck to the arm of a post similar to a sign post, where they remained through the services.

" The dance was held at the council house, built of logs about 20 feet wide and seventy-five feet long, with three holes in the roof to allow the smoke to escape. At these places fires were kept burning during the season, over which were suspended brass kettles containing provisions.

" At this time, strong as was their appetite for whiskey, none was allowed on the premises ; and any intoxicated person appearing, was sent off at once.

" All things being ready, their war dance began, which was participated in by none but those fit for the service of warriors. Blue Jacket led the band. Each carried a war-club in his right hand, and had tied to each leg a quantity of strung deer-hoofs, which rattled at every step. The object was to assist in keeping time to the music, which consisted of an Indian sing-song and the beating with a stick on a dry skin stretched over a hominy block.

" When the music commenced, Blue Jacket would step out and

Seneca County— Indian Festivals, &c. - 493

move around the fire, exerting himself to display some warrior's exploit. About the second round, others would fall in, and continue till the ring round the fire was full, all moving with their faces to the fire, till a change in the music, when they would turn their faces out, and at a different change would trail in single file, all the while keeping time to the music.

" While the Indians were thus engaged, the squaws formed another ring around another fire, but moved very slow. They would tip on their heels and toes alternately, and endeavor to move with the music.

"At meal time all were seated with wooden bowls and ladles, when they were served by those appointed, till all were satisfied. Then all were quiet awaiting the next scene. Soon a rumbling noise at the door, in one end of the house, would start the squaws and children to the opposite end, and the door flying open, an Indian came in wrapped in a bear or some animal skin, wearing a hideous false face, and carrying a dry turtle shell filled with small stones, which he would throw about. This, added to his low, growling noise, and menacing way of head, made a frightful object. Almost immediately after, the door at the other end would open, and a similar character enter, and soon another drop from the roof, who, striking his hands, proceeded to throw embers and live coals in every direction, among the rushing crowd. After this performance, these demons, as they were represented to be, contested in a footrace, and, at the end of the third day, they burnt their dogs.

"Although much mirth was indulged in, there was a sort of solemnity maintained throughout the entire services."

The following is a list of the enrolled membership of the Seneca County Pioneer Association :

Mrs. Ann E. Seney, born in Pennsylvania, and moved to Tiffin in 1831.

Mrs. Nancy Ellis, born in Fairfield county, moved to Eden township in 1820.

Mrs. Margaret Campbell, born in Maryland, and moved to Tiffin in 1830.

Mrs. Sally Cary, born in Champaign county, and moved to Fort Seneca in 1819.

Mrs. Elizabeth Snook, born in Champaign county, removed to Fort Seneca in 1819.

Mrs. Sarah Huss, born in Virginia, moved to Tiffin in 1825.

Mrs. Elizabeth Kridler, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Tiffin in 1831.

William Toll, born in Virginia, moved to Tiffin in 1824 ; died March 19, 1871, in Toledo, and buried near Tiffin.

Benjamin Pittenger, born in Maryland, moved to Tiffin in 1825.

John Souder, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Clinton township in 1826.

494 - Seneca County- List of Pioneers.

Luther A. Hall, born in New York, moved to Tiffin in 1833.

Morris P. Skinner, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Louden town. ship in 1833.

Nancy M. Stevens, born in New York. moved to Tiffin in 1827,

Daniel Cunningham, born in Maryland in 1804, and moved to Tiffin in 1834.

Samuel Kridler, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Tiffin in 1823- deceased.

Jacob Bouer, born in Maryland in 1809, moved to Seneca county in 1826.

Michael Freer, born in New York, moved to Bloomfield township in 1834.

Christ. C. Park, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Tiffin in 1830.

Mrs. Jane Dawalt, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Tiffin in 1824.

Mrs. S. B. Baker, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Bloom township in 1821.

David B. King, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Tiffin in 1830.

Mrs. Ann E. Park, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Tiffin in 1830.

Polly Stewart, born in New York, moved to Eden township in 1821.

George L. Keating, born in Muskingum county, moved to Seneca county in 1825.

Jane Boyd, deceased, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Bloom township in 1822.

Lewis Baltzell, born in Maryland, moved to Tiffin in 1829.

Abel Rawson, born in Massachusetts, moved to Tiffin 1826 died August 24, 1871. ,

William Lang, born in Bavaria, Germany, and moved to Tiffin in 1833.

Lorenzo Abbott, born in Massachusetts, moved to Seneca county in 1822.

James Doman, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Tiffin in 1828.

William Raymond, born in New York, moved to Reed township in 1823.

Rezin W. Shawhan, born in Virginia, moved to Tiffin in 1833.

Elijah Musgrove, born in Virginia, moved to Scipio township in 1824.

James McEwan, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Clinton township in 1823.

Henry Ebbert, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Clinton township in 1831.

E. G. Bowe, born in Delaware, Ohio, April 5, 1818, was brought by his parents to Tiffin in June, and was the first white infant in the county, his father, Erastus Bowe, being the first white settler in Seneca county, in 1817.

Mrs. Maria Rawson, born in Arthur, Ohio, located in Fort Ball in 1824.

Inman Roby, born in Virginia, located in Seneca township 1832.

Seneca County—List of Pioneer's -495

Levi Keller, born in Fairfield county, located in Tiffin in 1830.

James Chamberlain, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1832.

A. B. McClelland, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1830.

Thomas R. Ellis, born in New Jersey, located in Seneca county in 1825.

Frederick and Elizabeth Kishler, born in Pennsylvania, located in Tiffin in 1830.

Joseph Heirne, born in Pennsylvania, located in Clinton township in 1828.

Samuel Ileirne, born in Pennsylvania, located in Clinton township in 1828.

John Free, born in Virginia, located in Seneca county in 1823.

Judge and Mrs. Elizabeth Ebbert, born in Pennsylvania, located in Tiffin in 1831.

Mrs. Maria Shawhan, born in Maryland, located in Seneca county in 1824.

Lyman White, born in New York, located in Seneca county in 1838.

Dr. Henry Kuhn, born in Maryland, located in Tiffin in 1827.

Joseph Richards, born in Pennsylvania, located in Clinton township in 1823 ; died, 1871.

Henry Davidson, born in Pickaway county, Ohio, located in Seneca township in 1832.

Jacob M. Zahm, born in Bavaria, Germany, located in Thompson township in 1832.

Miron Sexton, born in Connecticut, located in Clinton township in 1836.

Hugh Welch, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1811.

Sylvester B. Clark, born in Virginia, located in Tiffin in 1833.

Mrs. Catharine F. Louder, born in Virginia, located in Seneca county in 1830.

Nathaniel L. Spielman, born in Maryland, located in Seneca county in 1830.

John Williams, born in Fairfield county, Ohio, located in Seneca county in 1821.

Enos Cramer, born in Maryland, located in Seneca county in 1831.

DeWit C. Pittenger, born in Seneca county in 1836.

Mrs. Margaret Watson, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1830.

Mrs. Elizabeth Dorsey, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1836.

Mrs. Hannah Herrin, born in Maryland, located in Seneca county in 1833.

Lewis Seewald, born in Bavaria, Germany, located in Seneca county in 1833.

496 - Seneca County---- List of Pioneers.

James H. Sohn, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1834.

Robert Nichols, born in Virginia, located in Eden township in 1831.

Arthur Morrison, born in Jefferson county, located in Clinton township in 1831.

Mrs. Jane Dildine, born in Pennsylvania, located in Clinton town. ship in 1829.

James Griffin, born in Virginia, located in Eden township in 1831.

L. A. Myers, born in Perry county, located in Seneca township in 1831.

Hezekiah Searles, born in Fairfield county, located in Eden township in 125.

Eliza A. Searles, born in Pennsylvania, located in Eden township in 1825.

R. M. C.. Martin, born in Perry county, located in Eden township in 1830.

Mrs. Barbara, born in Seneca county in 1831.

Jacob Price, born in Virginia, located in Seneca county in 1822

Mrs. Mary Price, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1830.

Henry H. Schocks, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1830.

Mrs. Margaret Schocks, born in Maryland, located in Seneca county in 1830.

James S. Latham, born in Seneca county in 1828.

Richard and Elizabeth Jacque, born New York, located in Seneca county in 1822.

John Wax, born in Perry county, located in Seneca county in 1835.

Sarah Wax, born in Franklin county, located in Seneca county in 1822.

Jacob Hassler, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1834.

Ann Hassler, born in Stark county, located in Seneca county in 1834.

Mrs. E. J. Watson, born in Washington county, located in Seneca county in 1845.

Eli Winters, born in Jefferson county, located in Seneca county in 1836.

Henry Guiger, born in Baden, Germany, located in Seneca county in 1835.

Thomas West, born in New York, located in Seneca county in 1822.

George McLaughlin, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1825.

Joseph Miller, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1834.

Seneca County—Pioneers, Etc. - 497

Archibald Stewart, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1825.

Weltha C. Stewart, born in Vermont, located in ;Seneca county in 1846.

William Davis, born in Pennsylvania, located in Seneca county in 1825.

" On the 4th of October, 1829, Benajah Parker, a resident of what is now Fort Seneca, in Pleasant township, was stabbed by an Indian of the Seneca nation, named Peter Pork. It appears that the Indian, who had been drinking, called at Parker's house, and asked for whiskey. Angry words ensued on its being refused, and while Parker was attempting to force the Indian out of doors, the latter drew a knife, and with a back-handed stroke, inflicted a dangerous wound in the side of the former. Parker lingered for several months and died.

"Peter Pork, as soon as he had committed the deed, fled to his cabin, and prepared to defend himself. Having placed his tomahawk under his bed, and his knife in the wall at the head, he laid down to sleep. He was a stalwart Indian—the whole tribe standing in awe of him. The neighbors in the vicinity soon assembled near his house, and while asleep, they secured his tomakawk and knife. He was then awakened—but not until after a severe contest was he secured and placed in confinement.

“ On the 28th of April, 1830, he was tried by the court of common pleas of this county, and found guilty of stabbing with intent to kill.' He was sentenced to three years' confinement in the penitentiary."—Butterfield's History of Seneca County.

Dr. Kuhn removed from Woodsborough, Frederick, Maryland, in August, 1827. He was the second physician in Tiffin, Dr. Stewart, who had died the year previous, having preceded him. Of all his old cotemporaries of the medical profession, he is the only survivor. Among those who were residents of Tiffin, when he removed to the place, were the following :

Josiah Hedges, proprietor of the town ; Benjamin Pittenger, and John Pittenger, merchants ; Richard Sneath and George Park, tavern keepers ; Jacob Reed, John Galbraith, Samuel Kreidler, Thomas Loyd, George Saul, George Donaldson, Solomon Kuder, Wm. Toll, David Bishop, David Betz, Joseph Walker, John Walker, Jacob Plain (postmaster), Joseph Biggs, William Hunter, and Henry Cronise.

And at Fort Ball were the following :

Abel Rawson (lawyer) ; Milton McNeal (merchant) ; Neil Mc-Gaffey (county clerk) ; Dr. Eli Dresbach ; Jesse Spencer (proprietor

- 31 -

498 - Seneca County—Pioneers, Etc.

of Fort Ball); Elisha Smith (tavern keeper) ; David Smith (chair maker), and Samuel Hoagland.

Tiffin was walled in by a dense forest, and the principal street (Washington) was encumbered by fallen timber, stumps, etc., to degree that seriously obstructed travel. At the suggestion of Dr.

Kuhn, a portion of one day in each week was devoted to the par, pose of "niggering" the logs, and the removal of the stumps and roots, so as to make a passage for teams and pedestrians. The doctor. and Judge Pittenger undertook the work of opening Market street. Crossing the river in a canoe, the moment the bow struck the opposite shore, the doctor seized his axe, and, rushing partly up the bank, buried the blade in the trunk of a linn tree ; and, turning to Judge Pittenger, exclaimed:

"I struck the first blow in the work of clearing the west end of Market street ; and you will make a note of the fact."

There being no cleared ground suitable for the burial of the dead the doctor devoted the larger portion of three weeks of his personal time to the work of clearing the timber for a cemetery.

Among the early settlers in Tiffin, was Dr. Eli Dresbach, a very young man, who had gone there to practice medicine. He was born in Pennsylvania, but removed, when a small boy, with his parents, to Pickaway county, Ohio.

He was a pupil of the late Dr. Luckey, of Circleville, and a graduate of the Ohio Medical College.

Like most of the pioneers of the northwest, he had, as the best part of his outfit, good, industrious habits, with a full share of self- reliance. Unlike a vast number of the human family, lie had not mistaken his vocation.

Nature had fitted him for the profession of medicine, by the en- dowment of certain qualities deemed essential to success. He loved his profession, and was proud of it. All his life he was a close student, keeping abreast with the best men of his time He was a most uncompromising enemy of quackery, in all its phases, and under all its disguises.

His professional popularity, among all classes, was truly wonderful. It is a good thing to possess popular favor,—better still, the merit to deserve it. Dr. Dresbach was fairly entitled to the honors of both.

Touching this subject, we may rightfully appropriate a line from the " Deserted Village," and say, with the poet :

"A man he was to all his country clear."

The doctor was a man of fine presence, somewhat below the medium height, of robust frame inclining to corpulency, nervo-sanguine temperament, light blue eyes and fair complexion, a good talker, a most agreeable companion, and a polished gentleman. He was never married.

Seneca County—Pioneers, etc. - 499

His widespread reputation for eminent skill, forced upon him a very large professional business. Finally, this constant strain of mind and body, for more than a quarter of a century, began to make serious inroads upon his health. Other causes, doubtles, contributed to the same end. Travel and a change of climate, it was hoped, would prove beneficial; kind, loving friends did all in their power, but all without avail. He died April 14, 1853, at the age of fifty years.

Dr. Dresback was fond of a good story, and used to relate many amusing incidents in his own life. We will give only one :

Two neighbors, Smith and Jones we will call them, lived on opposite sides of Wolf Creek, five or six miles from town. As Mrs. Smith was suffering a great deal one day, it was so arranged that if she grew worse during the night, a signal should be given by blowing the horn, and thereupon Mr. Jones would make all haste to fetch the doctor. Before midnight the signal was given, with an emphasis that soon aroused Jones. It was a terrible night for any one to be out:

______" Ah ! bitter chill it was,

The owl, for all his feathers, was acold."

An obstetric call could not be put off till morning, by sending a prescription ; so the doctor was soon in his saddle, and, two miles out from town, taking Mrs. Levi Creecy behind him on his horse, he plunged across the country, through woods and brush, and over fallen timber. Finally, after much tribulation, the party drew up on the east bank of Wolf Creek, and began to reconnoitre. Smith had agreed to be in waiting with a canoe to take them across, as the water was too high for fording. Smith made no appearance that night, but his house stood in the distance dark and silent. Mrs. Smith had evidently got better, and the whole family were sound asleep. The party called and shouted till they were tired, and, after resting awhile, repeated the experiment. At last, heartily disgusted and .half frozen, they went back to their homes.

A few nights after this, the same mellow horn might have been heard discoursing sweet music; but this time it had no charms for Jones. Jones may have read the story of the shepherd boy, who used to cry " wolf'," till nobody would believe him. The Smith family were left in the lurch.

Rodolphus Dickinson settled in 1826 ; Abel Rawson opened a law office in Fort Ball in 1824.

A. G. Pennington was a student of Mr. Rawson in 1841, and has since continued practice in Tiffin—being now the senior member of the Seneca county bar.

Judge Lang commenced his studies with the late Joshua Seney, completed them with Oliver Cowdery, was admitted in 1842, and is the second oldest lawyer in practice; W. P. Noble is the third on the list.

Valuation of farms and buildings Town lots and buildings	$89,610 00 5,635 00
	$97,245 00
Personal property	$58,652 00
Total	$155,897 00
Valuation in 1871 was, of— Lands Town lots Personal property	$7,540,400 00 1,975,860 00 5,161,540 00
Total valuation in 1871 “ ” in 1830	$14,677,800 00 155,897 00
Increase in 42 years	$14,521,903 00

In 1845—Real property Personal property	$327,020 00 130,735 00
		$457,755. 00
In 1871—Real property Personal property	$6,628,805 00 3,088,615 00
		$9,717,420 00
In 1851, the value of town lots in Upper Sandusky, amounted to Value of personal property	$ 94,900 00 65,936 00
		$160,836 00
In 1871, their value amounted to Personal property	$522,100 00 458,258 00
		$980,358 00