Total number of acres of land in county, outside Bryan Total value of land in county, outside Bryan      “ chattels      “ lots and parcels of land in Bryan.       “ chattels in Bryan.  Total value in county

265,702 $4,673,800 00 1,587,038 00 478,685 00 297,046 00 $7,036,569 00

The lawyers taxed in 1839, were, Horace Sessions, Curtis Bates, Amos Evans, and William Semans ; and the physicians, Jonas Colby, G. W. Crawford, James M. Gillespie, Oney Rice, Jr., and Nathan G. Sales.   The first session of the County Commissioners of old Williams, was held at Defiance, December 6, 1824—the Commissioners being Benjamin Leavell, Cyrus Hunter, and Charles Gunn; and their clerk, John Evans.   At this session, authority was granted for opening a road " on the north side of the Maumee river, commencing at the east line of Henry county, and running from thence on the best and most eligi-   Williams and Defiance Counties - 583   ble ground opposite Defiance, Williams county, and to cross the river opposite Jefferson street, in said town of Defiance."   The name of Auglaize township was changed to that of Defiance. The County Auditor at this time was S. S. Smith ; Assessor, Samuel Vance, and Sheriff, William Preston.   The first Court of Common Pleas was held at Defiance, April 5, 1824, by Associate Judges Pierce Evans, Robert Shirley, and John Perkins.   John Evans was also appointed clerk pro tem., and gave the necessary bond. He was also appointed by the Court Recorder for the County of Williams.   The Court fixed the following as the rates of ferriage. across the Maumee and Auglaize rivers : For a footman, 6:1 cents ; man and horse, 181- cents ; loaded wagon and, team, $1; four-wheeled carriage and team, 75 cents; loaded cart and team, 50 cents; empty cart and team, sled or sleigh and team, 37-k cents ; horse, mare, mule, or ass, one year old or upwards, 64- cents; neat cattle, per head, 4 cents ; hogs and sheep, per head, 2 cents.   The Court granted a license to Benjamin Leavell to keep a ferry across the Maumee and Auglaize rivers, at Defiance, upon his paying into the County Treasury the sum of one dollar and fifty cents, or the term of one year.   At the May term, 1824, the Court granted Benjamin Leavell a license to vend merchandise at his residence in the town of Defiance for the term of one year, upon his paying into the County Treasury ten dollars.   At the May term, 1825, Rodolphus Dickinson was appointed by the Court Prosecuting Attorney.   Among the old settlers within the present limits of Williams county, are Philetus S. Gleason, who removed from Tompkins county, New York, to Springfield township, in 1835, where he opened a small farm, upon which he resided two years. He is now engaged in business in Bryan.   In the same year, John Kintigh removed from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Tiffin township, then Williams county. His brother-in-law, Isaac Evans, now of Bryan, accompanied him.   Also in 1835, Henry Miller, removed with his family from Richland county, to Jefferson township, where he opened a farm, and continued upon it until a few years prior to his death, which occurred in 1863.   John Miller, a brother of the above named, also from Richland, commenced opening a farm in Brady township, during the same year. lie is now a resident of Pulaski township.   Messrs. Hood, Thompson, and Joseph Bates were settlers in 1834. Mr. Thompson resides on the farm in Jefferson township, that he first opened.   Collin and David Thorp settled in the county in 1836.   M. B. Plummer, now of Bryon, who removed to the county in   584 - Williams County—Population, &c.   October, 1841, and settled near the village of Pulaski, says that Isaac Perkins (of Edgerton), is the oldest resident now Of Williams, having been in the county about 55 years. Mr. Plummer also says that there are few persons living in the county who inhabited it 32 years ago. He still finds, however, Albert Opdyke, George W. Myers, Isaac Perkins, Jacob Youse, Jacob Over, John Kaufman, William Yates, P. W. Snow, John and Jefferson Miller, Turner Thompson, Samuel Beerbower, John and Hiram Opdyke, Elijah Perkins, Jabez Jones, senior and junior, John B. Jones, Andrew Smith, Stephen Doughten, A. J. 'Pressler, William Wyatt, James Oliver, and George Buehler.   The following were the officers of Williams county in 1872:   Lewis E. Brewster, Clerk of Court; P. Smith, Prosecuting Attorney; Simeon Gillis, Auditor; Melvin M. Boothman, Treasurer ; L. Walker, Sheriff; Robert D. Dole, Recorder; James Paul, Surveyor ; H. S. Kirk, Coroner ; Eli Booth, D. Farnham, and F. W. Stocking, Commissioners.   Bryan, the seat of justice of Williams county, is, in several respects, one of the most desirable inland towns in the Valley for residence. Among its chief advantages, is the abundant supply of pure water, readily and cheaply obtained from Artesian Wells, which have been discovered from analysis of eminent chemists, to contain properties of medicinal value.   The town was surveyed and platted by Miller Arrowsmith, in July. 1840,—it having become an incorporated village, by an act of the Legislature, passed March 7, 1849.   Pulaski township, in which Bryan is located, contained, in 1840, a population of 279; in 1850, 760; in 1860, 2,258, and in 1870, 5,831. The relations of population, business, and wealth existing between Pulaski township and Bryan, are so intimately associated, that it is deemed proper to combine the census returns.   Bryan contains four church edifices—Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, and German Lutheran—and seven congregations. In addition to well-conducted schools, the Normal Academy, under the management of C. W. Mykrantz, is in very successful operation.   Two banking institutions—one National, and one organized under State laws—are prosecuting a safe and sound business.   Two newspapers are well sustained—the Bryan Democrat, by Robert N. Patterson, and the Bryan Press, by P. C. Hayes.   In manufacturing, the city contains a hub and spoke factory ; foundry and machine shop ; stove factory ; two grist mills; three saw do ; sash and blind factory ; flax mill ; shingle and handle factory ; three cooper shops ; three wagon and carriage do ; pump and cistern factory ; brewery, ashery, tannery; two cigar manufactories ; three cabinet and four blacksmith shops.   The city has also three hotels ; six dry goods, five grocery and provisions, four clothing, four boot and shoe, and three drug and medicine stores; three harness shops ; five meat markets ; seven millinery shops, and two livery stables.   In 1872, the amount paid at Bryan for timber, amounted to $40,000, and for flax straw, $20,000.   O. T. Letcher (56 Co., in 1871-72, paid for domestic produce, $145,000. Other firms paid out an aggregate equaling this amount. This firm of O. T, Letcher   Defiance County—Early History - 585   & Co., which controls chiefly the produce trade of the Bryan market, was established in 1860, when the whole payments for domestic produce would scarcely exceed $75,000. By business skill and fair dealing, they have obtained full confidence of farmers and commercial men, and their business is increasing with the rapidly advancing wealth of the country. The senior member of the firm, Mr. William Letcher, is a pioneer of the Maumee Valley, and first established himself in business at Fort Wayne, in 1841.   One dry goods firm (Ashton & Co.,) made sales, in 1871-72, of goods amounting to $100,000, and disbursed an equal amount for produce—a sum equivalent to the entire business of the town in 1856, when the house commenced business. Its first year's sales, including produce transactions, did not exceed $25,000. This fact illustrates the vigorous growth of the town.   One of the best agricultural townships in the county, is that of Brady, embracing the town of West Unity. The population of Brady, including West Unity, was, in 1840, 351; in 1850, 1,128 ; in 1860, 1,826 ; and in 1870, 2,218.   Madison township, which includes Pioneer, had a population in 1850, of 227 ; in 1860, 966, and in 1870, 1,865.   Edgerton, a new town on the Air Line road, in St. Joseph township, had a population in 1870, of 690.   Stryker, in Springfield township, on the Air Line railway, returned, in 1870, a population of 671.   DEFIANCE COUNTY.   In matter of historical interest, connected with the early settlement of the West, the site of the old Fort Defiance, or Fort Winchester, as sometimes known,—as the reader will have discovered in preceding pages,—was the scene of stirring and important events. Like Fort Wayne, it was a favorite point with the savages. Rev. O. M. Spencer, who, during his boyhood, in 1792, was a prisoner among the Indians, and spent most of his captivity at Defiance, says that " from this station I had a fine view of the large village more than a mile south, on the east side of the Auglaize, of Blue Jacket's town, and of the Maumee river for several miles below, and of the extensive prairie covered with corn, directly opposite, and forming together a very handsome landscape." On his expedition against the Indians on the Maumee, two years later, General Wayne, also, in a communication to the War Department (which will soon follow), refers to " the extensive and highly cultivated fields and gardens, as showing the work of many hands."   The late Chief Richardville often asserted to Judge Borden and others, of Fort Wayne, that Pontiac was born at Fort Defiance,— one of his parents being a Miami, and the other belonging to the Ottawa tribe of Indians.   According to Heckewelder, "the Miami of the Lake, at the junction of the Auglaize with that river," was the place of abode and refuge, in 1781, for a remnant of the Moravian Christian Indians, after the massacre on the Muskingum.   From manuscript prepared by Mr. Holgate, of Defiance, and designed as a contribution to the Maumee Valley Historical Society, the following is extracted regarding the captivity of John Brickell, of Pittsburg, who, during his boyhood, in February, 1791, was captured near his home, and, after a painful and tedious march, reached Defiance in May, 1791, and was adopted by   586 - Defiance County—Captivity of Brickell.   Whing-wy-pooshies, or "Big Cat," a Delaware Indian, in whose family he lived until J une, 1795 ; when his captors surrendered themselves and their white prisoners to the commandant at Fort Defiance. During his residence among the Indians, two very important military events occurred—the defeat of St. Clair, in 1791, and the victory of Wayne, in 1794 ; and it was probably one of the results of the latter event, added to the neglect of the British to supply them with food and clothing, that the Indians sought terms with the Americans. During his residence of five years among. the Indians, young Brickell had become so deeply attached to them and their customs, that he hesitated to accept the proposition to leave them, and to return to his own family. Mr. Brickell states that when intelligence of the approach of St. Clair's army reached the Indians at Defiance, the women, children, and such valuables as could be transported, were conveyed down the river, while-the able-bodied men went to resist the white invader.   In reference to Wayne's campaign, Mr. Brickell says : "In the month of June, 1794, two Indian men, a boy and myself, started on a candle-light hunting expedition up the Blanchard. We had been out about two months, and returned to the towns in August, and found them entirely evacuated, but gave ourselves no uneasiness, as we supposed the Indians had gone to the foot of the Maumee rapids to receive their presents froth the British, as they were in the habit of doing. We encamped on the lowest island, in the middle of a corn field. Next morning an Indian runner came down the river and gave the alarm whoop, which is a kind of yell they used for no other purpose. The Indians answered, and one went over to the runner, and immediately returning, told us the white men were upon us, and we must run for our lives. We scattered like a flock of partridges, leaving our breakfast cooking on the fire. The Kentucky riflemen saw our smoke, and came to it, and just missed me as I passed them in my flight through the corn. They took the whole of our two month's work—breakfast, jerk, skins and all. Wayne was then only four miles from us, and the vanguard pressed us close. The boy and myself pursued the trail of the Indians till we overtook them. Two or three days after we arrived at the rapids, Wayne's spies came boldly into our camp and fired upon the Indians. Their. names were Miller, McClellan, May, Wells, Mahaffy, and one other whose name I forget. Miller received a wound in the shoulder ; May was chased to the smooth rock in the bed of the river, where his horse fell, and he was taken prisoner; but the others made their escape. May was taken to camp, and identified as an old prisoner who had made his escape, and on the next day (the one preceding the battle) he was tied to a tree and his body riddled by fifty bullets. On the day of the battle, I was about six miles below with the squaws, and went out hunting. The day being windy, I heard nothing of the battle, but met some Indians on the retreat, one of whom told me they were beaten. Many Delawares were killed or wounded—among the former the one who took May. He was much missed, being their only gunsmith. Our crops and every means of support being cut off, we had to winter at the mouth of Swan creek, where Toledo now stands. We were entirely dependent on the British, and they did not half supply us, and the Indians became exasperated at their ;conduct. It was concluded to send a flag to Fort Defiance,, in order to make a treaty with the Americans ; and reaching that place, we found the Americans ready to treat, and an exchange of prisoners was agreed upon. Nine whites were exchanged for nine Indians. I was left, there being no Indian to give for me. Patton, Johnston and Mrs. Baker were three of the nine ; the names of the others have forgotten.   " On the opening of spring we all went up to Defiance, and arriving on the shore opposite, saluted the fort with a round of rifles, and they shot a cannon thirteen times, We then encamped on the spot. Q the same day, Whing-wy- poo-shies told me I must go over to the fart. The children hung round hie crying, and asked me if I was going to leave them? I told them I did not know. When we got over to the fort. and were seated with the officers, Whinway-poo-shies addressed me in about these words : ‘May son, these are   Defiance County--Indian Captives - 587   men the same color with yourself, and some of your own kin may be here, or they may be a great way off. You have lived a long time with us; I now call upon you to say if I have not been a father to you—if I have not used you as a father would a son ?' I replied : You have used me as well as a father could use a son.' He replied : I am glad you say so ; you have lived long with me ; you have hunted for me.; but our treaty says you must be free. .1f you choose to go with the people of your own color, I have no right to say a word ; but if you choose to stay with me, your people have no right to speak. Now reflect on it and take your choice, and tell us as soon as you make up your mind. I was silent a few minutes, during which time it seemed as if I thought of almost everything—of the children I had just left crying—of the Indians I was attached to, and I thought of my people, which I remembered, and this latter thought predominated, and I said : I will go with my kin.' The old .man then said : have raised you ; I have learned you to hunt. You are a good hunter ; you have been better to me than my own sons. I am now getting old, and cannot hunt. I thought you would be a support to my age; I leaned upon you as on a staff ; but now it is broken ; you are going to leave me and I have no right to say. a word ; but I am ruined.' He then sank back, in tears, to his seat. I heartily joined him in his tears—parted with him, and have never seen or heard of him since."   After his return from captivity, Mr. Brickell settled at Columbus, Ohio, and became one of its most esteemed citizens and honored Christians.   Rev. O. M. Spencer, already quoted from, thus describes, in his narrative, the site upon which Fort Defiance was, two years afterwards, erected.   On this high ground, extending from the Maumee a quarter of a mile up the Auglaize, about two hundred yards in width, was an open space, on the west and south of which were oak woods, with hazel undergrowth. Within this opening, a few hundred yards above the point, on the steep high bank of the Auglaize, were five or six cabins and log houses, inhabited principally by Indian traders. The most northerly, a hewed log house, divided below into three apartments, was occupied as a warehouse, store, and dwelling, by George Ironside, the most wealthy and influential of the traders on the point. Next to his were the' houses of Pirault [Pero], a French baker, and McKenzie, a Scot, who, in addition to merchandizing, followed the occupation of silversmith, exchanging with the Indians his brooches, ear-drops, and other silver ornaments, at an immense profit, for skins and furs. Still farther up were several other families of French and English. Fronting the house of Ironside, and about fifty yards from the bank, was a small stockade, enclosing two hewed log houses, one of which was occupied by James Girty (brother of Simon), the other, occasionally, by McKee and Elliott, British Indian agents, living at Detroit.   Brief extracts from the following copy of the letter of General Wayne to the Secretary of War, have been made in preceding pages ; but its historical and local value, and the high estimate given the place as a military point, authorizes its full insertion here :   HEADQUARTERS, GRAND GLAIZE, 14th August, 1794.   Sir; I have the honor to inform you that the army under my command took possession of this very important post on the morning of the 8th instant enemy, on the preceding evening, having abandoned all their settlements, towns and villages, With such apparent marks of surprise and precipitation, as to amount to a positive proof, that our approach was not discovered by them, until the arrival of a Mr. Newman, of the Quartermaster General's Department, who deserted from the army near the St, Mary's, and gave them every information in his power, as to Our force, the object of our destination, state   588 - Defiance County--Gen. Wayne's Dispatch.   of provisions, number and size of the artillery, etc., etc., circumstances and facts that he had but too good an opportunity of knowing, from acting as a field Quartermaster on the march, and at the moment of his desertion. Hence, I have good grounds to conclude, that the defection of this villain prevented the enemy from receiving a fatal blow at this place, when least expected.   I had made such demonstrations, for a length of time previously to taking up our line of march, as to induce the savages to expect our advance by the route of the Miami villages, to the left, or towards Roche de Bout, by the right ; which feints appear to have produced the desired effect, by drawing the atten- tion of the enemy to those points, and gave an opening for the army to approach undiscovered by a devious route, i. e., in a central direction, and which would be impracticable for an army, except in a dry season, such as then presented.   Thus, sir, we have gained possession of the grand emporium of the hostile Indians of the West,. without loss of blood. The very extensive and highly cultivated fields and gardens, show the work of many hands. The margins of those beautiful rivers, the Miamies of the Lake, and Au Glaize, appear like one continued village for a number of miles, both above and below this place, nor have I ever before beheld such immense fields of corn, in any part of America, from Canada to Florida.   We are now employed in completing a strong stockade fort, with four good block houses, by way of bastions, at the confluence of the Au Glaize and the Miamies, which I have called Defiance. Another fort was also erected on the bank of the St. Mary's, twenty-four miles advanced of Recovery, which was named Adams, and endowed with provision and a proper garrison.   Everything is now prepared for a proper move to-morrow morning, towards Roche de Bout, or foot of the rapids, where the British have a regular fortification, well supplied with artillery, and strongly garrisoned, in the vicinity of which the fate of the campaign will probably be decided ; as, from the best and most recent intelligence, the enemy are there collected in force, and joined by the militia of Detroit, etc., etc., possessed of ground very unfavorable for cavalry to act in. Yet, notwithstanding this unfavorable intelligence, and unpleasant circumstances of ground, I do not despair of success, from the spirit and ardor of the troops, from the generals down to the privates, both of the legion and mounted volunteers.   Yet, I have thought proper to offer the enemy a last overture of peace ; and as they have everything that is dear and interesting now at stake, I have reason to expect that they will listen to the proposition mentioned in the enclosed copy of an address, despatched yesterday by a special flag, who I sent under circumstances that will ensure his safe return, and which may eventually spare the effusion of much human blood.   But, should war be their choice, that blood be upon their own heads. America shall no longer be insulted with impunity. To an all-powerful and just God I therefore commit myself and gallant army, and have the honor to be, with every consideration of respect and esteem,   Your most obedient and very humble servant, ANTHONY WAYNE.   A resident of Monroe, Michigan, has recently communicated to the newspaper press the following:   Among the many interesting documents bearing on early history, and events of a past generation, which have been brought to life recently, is the original record of General Orders," issued by General Winchester during the march from Kentucky to the River Raisin, from early in September, 1812, to January 20, 1813,—and which was no doubt left behind when the army retreated. It was found, and for many years remained in the family of Colonel John Anderson. It is a weather-stained volume, bearing unmistakable signs of frequent battles with the elements. The paper is yellow with age, but the writing is   Defiance County—Gen. Winchester’s - 589   perfectily legible, the ink in most places being as black and brilliant as though written yesterday. Through the courtesy of Mr. Anderson Wing, the present possessor, I am enabled to make a few extracts. The army left Kentucky in August, 1812. Most of the men were clothed in their linen hunting shirts, and very few provided with woollen clothing—as a consequence suffering severely with cold before their supplies reached them. General Harrison joined the army on October 3d, as will be seen by the following order : CAMP AT DEFIANCE, October 3, 1812. )   GENERAL ORDERS.   I have the honor of announcing to this army the arrival of General Harrison, who is duly authorized by the executive of the Federal Government to take command of the Northwestern Army. This officer is enjoying the implicit confidence of the States from whose citizens this army is and will be collected, and possessing, himself, great military skill and reputation, the General is confident in the belief that his presence in the army, in the character of its chief, will be hailed with unusual approbation. J. WINCHESTER, Brigadier General U. S. Army.   The narrative of the march of the army through Ohio, is very interesting, and contains many details of the hardships and privations of the little army, through woods and streams, snow, ice and mud, the sleds and baggage vans often being drawn by the men. Occasional desertions took place, and these offenses were severely punished. One young man, Frederick Jacoby, was sentenced to be shot for sleeping upon his post while on sentry. An order was issued by J. Winchester, Brigadier General, dated at Camp Defiance, on the 9th of October, 1812, instructing the officer of the day in all necessary preparations for the execution of Jacoby, which were duly made, and the army drawn up to witness the first scene of this kind. The young man was placed at the distance of about twenty paces from the platoon of men constituting the firing party. They were waiting in painful suspense the order to fire, when a reprieve from the General was received, and the fortunate young man released. The effect was not lost upon the command, and no further cases of a similar kind ever were known.   The weather began to be very cold (November 1), and the supplies which were ordered from Philadelphia had not made their appearance. The General endeavored to appease the clamors of the soldiers by issuing the following order : FORT WINCHESTER, November 1, 1812.   GENERAL ORDERS.   With great pleasure the General announces to the army the prospect of an early supply of winter clothing, amongst which are the following articles, shipped from Philadelphia on the 9th of September last : 10,000 pairs of shoes, 5,000 blankets, 5,000 round jackets, 5,000 pairs of pantaloons, woollen cloth to be made up, besides the under clothing for Colonel Wells' regiment, 100 watch coats, 5,000 blankets, and 10,000 yards of flannel, 10,000. pairs shoes, 10,000 pairs wool socks, 10,000 of wool hose.   This bountiful supply evinces the constant attention of the government to the comforts of its armies, although the immense distance this wing hath been detached into the wilderness, has prevented its receiving those comforts in due season, owing to causes not within the control of human foresight, yet a few days and the General consoles himself with the idea of seeing those whom he has the honor to command clad in warm woollen capable of resisting the northern blasts of Canada, either from the bellows of Boreas, or the muzzles of British cannon. J. WINCHESTER, BRIG. GEN. Commanding Left Wing N. W. Army.   590 - Defiance County—Gen.Winchester's Orders.   Some of the punishments inflicted were of a very ridiculous nature, and calculated to hurt the pride, especially, of the prisoners. As an instance: CAMP WINCHESTER, t 28th October, 1812. SPECIAL ORDERS.   * * * * * * * * *   James Givins, private in Captain Croghan's Company, charged with sitting down near his post, apparently asleep, with his gun out of his hands, last night, October 25, 1812, found guilty, and sentenced to receive ten cobs on his bare posterior, well laid on, with a paddle four inches wide and one-half an inch thick, bored full of holes.   Thomas Clark, charged with altering his uniform without leave, sentenced to a reprimand on parade.   J. WINCHESTER, Brig. Gen’l   The records close at a date when they begin to be the most interesting, just before the arrival of the army at the River Raisin, the last entry being as follows   CAMP MIAMI RAPIDS, HULL'S ROAD, Jan., 1813.   GENERAL ORDERS.   As ordered yesterday, the line of march shall be kept well closed, every officer in his proper place, and no non-commissioned officer or private suffered to straggle from the lines except from urgent necessity, and then with leave to return to his place. Perfect silence is enjoined during the march, being in the immediate neighborhood of the enemy.   J. WINCHESTER, BRIG. GEN., Commanding Left Wing N. W. Army.   The Defiance Democrat, of May, 1860, in a notice of " Our Old Apple Trees," has the following :   Defiance has been famed for the possession of a monstrous apple tree. Strangers have seldom failed to visit it, to measure its proportions, and speculate upon its age and origin. It stands on the narrow bottom, on the north side of Maumee, and nearly opposite the old fort. It has never failed, in the knowledge of present settlers, in producing a crop of very excellent apples. One large branch, however, has of late years been broken off by the storms, and which has much marred its proportions. The remainder is yet healthy and prospering.   Before the town was laid out, there were many trees equally thrifty, and not less in size, in this vicinity. Their origin N variously conjectured. The most probable is, that they were planted by French missionaries and traders, during the French dominion on the lakes, and cared for afterwards by the Indians, trappers and traders.   Thomas Warren, of this vicinity, who came here about fifty years ago, informs us that these apple trees stood in a row, about fifteen feet from the edge of the bank, and extended from the point up to the bridge, and that they were then in excellent bearing condition. These trees are now all gone, as well as the ground they stood on. The continual wearing away of the bank, from ice, freshets, and frosts, has amounted, in that time, to about twenty-five feet.   On the Maumee bank, extending from where the canal now empties, up to the residence of T. J. Cole, was another row of similar trees—the most of these standing on the Wasson property. These, also, are all gone, except one in the rear of Mr. Cole's house. These died from various causes—cattle, cultivation, and malicious, or mischievous boys.   Chance trees stood also over most of the present town plat, but not of so large a growth—probably volunteers. Some of the smaller ones were taken   Defiance County—Old Apple Trees - 591   up and removed by the early settlers. Samuel Kepler, another early settler, started his orchard with trees of this kind. On the small bottom, on the north side of the Maumee, opposite Defiance, were quite a number of trees extending up as far as the county bridge; some of these were on the towing path, and others in the way, so that they were cut down, or died. The old tree so famous, is, perhaps one of this row. Standing further in from the bank, and, being private property, it has been saved from the general destruction.   At the so-called " Orchard Hollow," eight miles up the Maumee, was also quite a number of these old trees, and probably were of like origin and age. They were on the highland, on the south side, and immediately opposite the old Indian Delaware town, on the bottom, now the property of Chas. Speaker. It is remarked by Parkman, in his Jesuit and Pioneer History, that the missionaries and traders always fixed their stations on high grounds, overlooking the Indian towns ; and the selection of the high grounds at Defiance, and at Orchard Hollow, was in accordance with this general rule. None of these trees are yet in existence, at the last named place. The fruit of all these trees was better than that of the present so-called natural trees—grew larger, and had more agreeable taste. The stocks of the trees were more like those of the forest, higher to the branches, longer in the limb than the grafted trees of the present day—which, as compared with the Indian trees, are mere overgrown shrubs. The few trees of large growth at Ottawa, Charloe, and Fort Brown, were probably planted by the Indians themselves.   In early days, the Indians, before the whites obtained property in the land, guarded carefully these old trees. The fruit they claimed for themselves, and distributed to the remotest sections of their tribes a share. Probably associations of historic interest, of days of larger population and greater power, or of kindly regard for the French missionaries, by whom they were introduced, gave an extraordinary value to these old trees, in the estimation of these untutored sons of the forest.   No trees of similar age are known to have existed on the Maumee, below Defiance. It was upon the upper waters of the river, that the Indians had their chosen seats, and here those who, from benevolence or trade sought their acquaintance, must come.   After the extinguishment of the Indian title, the United States lands at Defiance were surveyed by Capt. James Riley, whose name had become noted for having suffered shipwreck and captivity on the deserts of Africa.   The following were the boundaries of the three school districts as laid off June 5, 1826, by John Evans, Arthur Burrows, and John Perkins, Township Trustees : District No. 1, to include the town of Defiance, and all the settlers within one mile of Defiance district. No. 2, all the settlers on the Auglaize, from Robert Shirley's to Isaac Carey's, and all the settlers between the Auglaize and Maumee rivers, embraced within one mile of Defiance. No. 3, to include all the settlers on Bean creek, and all the settlers on the north side of the Maumee, above the mouth of Bean creek, in said township.   District No. 1 contained eleven, District No. 2 thirteen, and District No. 3 fifteen householders.   It is much to be regretted that these rapidly accumulating pages require the omission of many notes relating to the pioneer history of Defiance, and the counties which follow. Two or three delightful days were passed, during the summer of 1872, under the hospita ble roof of Samuel Kepler, who was then in good health, but who died December 10, of pneumonia, at the age of 79 years, nine months, and seven days. Mr. Kepler came to the Maumee Valley in 1821, and entered a tract of land east of Defiance. On the 2d of December, 1827, he married Miss Rachel, daughter of Robert McKinnis, of Hancock county, Ohio—being the first white couple   592 - Defiance County—Early Inhabitants.   married in that county—the ceremony being solemnized by Wilson Vance, Esq. Mr. McKinnis resided on the Blanchard, six miles below Findlay.   Mr. and Mrs. Kepler had lived together happily for near half a century, and raised a family of six daughters and two sons.   Thomas Warren, of Defiance says : "My brother-in-law, Montgomery Evans, established himself in business, as an Indian trader, farmer, and real estate dealer, in Defiance, in 1818, or 1819, and occupied one of Winchester's block houses as a residence, during a period of about two years. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, having enlisted in Chillicothe, in a company of rangers.   " With a young adventurer named Parmenas Wasson, I first visited Defiance in 1822. On our route hither from Delaware county, which led through Sandusky, Tymochtee, and Fort Findlay, I passed through the Indian village then known as Ottawa Town, where we found many Indians assembled, and, as they were intoxicated, we pressed forward, and reached a crossing at Powell's creek, where we remained over night. Returning after a brief visit to the country, we passed through Ocanoxa's village (now Charloe), Forts Brown, Jennings, Amanda, Wapaukonnetta, and St. Mary's."   Joshua Hilton, with his family, consisting of his wife and eight children, —seven sons and one daughter,—removed to the Maumee river, December 3, 1822. Mr. Hilton had purchased his land the spring previous, and planted a crop of corn. The cabin he erected was the second known to have been occupied by white settlers, between Fort Wayne and Defiance—the first having been built by Mr. Rogers, five miles below Fort Wayne. Brice Hilton, of Brunersburg, at the age of 65 Years, is the only member of the original family now in the Valley—the only sister, Mrs. Philbrick, residing near Cleveland, and his only surviving brother, Horace Hilton, being a citizen of Kansas.   During the fall and winter of 1822-23, the following named families became occupants of lands between Defiance and Fort Wayne : Thomas Driver, Mrs. Hill (widow) and family, Benjamin Mullican, Thomas Warren, Peter Lumbar, Samuel Hughes, William Gordon, Oliver Crane, Samuel Reynolds, Samuel Gordon, Henry Hughes, Dennison Hughes, and Mr. Quick, (the last named a bachelor and Indian trader).   During the following year (1823-24), Richard Banks, William Banks, Thomas Banks, Frederick W. Sperger, James Shirley, Gad Bellair, Gen. Horatio N. Curtis, Mr. Snook, and his sons, John, Willson, W. N. and Peter, and two families named Champion, removed to the Valley.   Moses Heatley removed from Miami county, Ohio, cutting, a considerable portion of the distance, his own road-way for the passage of his ox team, drawing his family, bed, and goods, in the fall of 1824, and settled on Blodgett's Island, Auglaize river, three miles above Defiance. His family consisted of his wife and two children—only one of whom, J. B. Heatley, now survives, he having been a resident of Defiance and vicinity 48 years.   Dr. Jonas Colby, a graduate of Dartmouth College, N. H., removed to Defiance in 1832, and is the oldest physician in practice on the Maumee river. The incidents of his early adventures in swimming over the swollen streams of the country, to reach his patients, would form a chapter of courage and peril that his professional cotemporaries of later years have not been under the necessity of encountering. His co-practitioners in early days, were Drs. Conant and White, of Maumee City, Dr. Peck, of Perrysburg, and Dr. Thompson, of Fort Wayne.   Edwin Phelps, William A. and S. R. Brown, James S. Greer, Wm. Traverse, John and David Taylor, Dr. John Paul, Hugh J. and David W. Marcellus, Dr. George W. Crawford, Elijah Shipley, William and John B. Semans, Rev. Sanford C. Parkes, E. F. Lindenberger, C. L. Noble, Rev. Wm. B. Stowe, (who organized the first Presbyterian Church in Defiance) Rev. E. R. Tucker, Curtis   Williams and Defiance Counties - 593   Bates, (lawyer and State Senator,) Orlando and Alvaro Evans, (now of California,) Albert G. Evans, Allen Braucher, S. A. Sanford, Wm. Wall, E. C. Case, Charles V. Royce, Benjamin Brubaker, James Cheney, N. M. Landis, Wm. D. Haymaker, Geo. B, Way, S. H. Greenlee, John H. Kiser, Jehu P. Downs, C. C. Waterhouse, Addison Goodyear, Sylvester Medberry, G. W. B. Evans, and William Carter, in addition to others heretofore and hereafter mentioned, were also early residents of Defiance. Among its early and enterprising business men, was Sidney S. Sprague.   Rinaldo Evans, son of Judge Pieronns, occupies the old homestead, cnon the opposite side of the river, below Defiance.   Lost Creek, since changed to Farmer, was among the first townships settled by whites—the first inhabitant, Nathan Farmer, having removed to the township in 1833. Miller Arrowsmith, in a communication which appeared in the Defiance Democrat, in 1871, gives his recollections as follows :   My first visit to the township was in the fall of 1834. At this time, Nathan Farmer and John Heckman lived on Section 1, and Keelin Leonard had raised a cabin on Section 2, on lands afterwards owned and occupied by Collin Tharp. A hunter had lived on the east side of Section 9, and — Findlay had lived in a but on Lost Creek, in Section 32. But few entries of land had been made in the township.   The next year a number of emigrants bought and moved on their land, of whom were Oney Rice, sr., Dr. Oney Rice, jr., John Rice, Jacob Conkey, Widow Hopkins, W. G. Pierce, Randall Lord, and Lyman Langdon. These were from St. Lawrence county, New York; Levinus Bronson and William Powell, who were from near Cleveland, Ohio ; Isaac and William Wartenbe, David Comstock, James Crane Nathan Smith and William Mann, who were from Mus- kingum county, Ohio ; Thomas Dew, from Hocking county; Elijah Lloyd and Darius Allen, whose homes in the east are not now recollected. I think that Isaac, Elisha and Collin Tharp came this year from Allen county, Ohio.   About this time the township was organized and named Lost Creek. At the first election, there was not an officer in the township authorized to administer an oath, The people met and selected the Election Board, and one of their number swore a Clerk, who in turn qualified the other members of the Board. Many of the citizens had not gained a residence, but they extended, by com- mon consent, the elective franchise to all the male population over twenty-one years, and from their number elected their officers. Dr. Nice was afterwards elected a Justice of the Peace, and continued to fill this office for many years, administering justice in its mildest form.   A good story is told of his administration in these early times. The first settlers were not rich ; their lands were to be cleared, fenced and cultivated, before they could realize returns from their labor. The Defiance merchants sold goods and groceries on credit, adding heavy profits. The settlers made debts from necessity, which in most cases became due before their farms were yielding a profit to meet their payments for goods. The result was that the merchants sent their accounts to the Justice for collection, and one amongst them was upon himself. He notified the parties, who confessed judgment and entered bail for stay of proceedings, not forgetting to give bail on the docket for the amount claimed from the Justice.   The first marriage might have been noticed in a newspaper published then in Perrysburg :   "Married, September 10, 1834, by Jesse Haller, Esq., of Defiance township, Keelin Leonard, to Elizabeth Ice, all of Lost Creek township."   The first death in the township, was that of the hunter in Section 9. The coffin was made by Obadiah Webb, who lived on the east bank of Bean creek, opposite to the farm now owned by Lyman Langdon. The coffin was lashed to a pole, and carried by Abraham Webb and William Kibble, on their shoulders, to the hunter's camp, a distance of nearly thirteen miles on a direct line,   - 37 -   594 - Defiance County—Miller Arrowsmith.   and their route was through the woods without a path to guide them. They crossed Bean creek' at dusk, and with a pocket compass to guide them, and a hickory bark torch to light their way, they set out with their burden on their lonely route, and reached the but at 3 o'clock in the morning. He was buried on the northwest quarter of Section 10.   Exceptions were taken to the name of the township, and it was changed to that of Farmer. This was changed at the instance of the citizens, because they thought it more appropriate, and it was also designed to perpetuate the name of the first settler.   Of the voters at the first election, Elisha Tharp is the only one now living in the township. Some of them have removed to other localities.   Our place of voting was near the centre of Section —, where a log cabin had been built for this purpose, and was also used for a school house. Some years ago, a graveyard was lOcated at this place, and many of the pioneers have been gathered, one by one, to this place of burial, where their names are recorded on neat marble monuments."   MILLER ARROW SMITH.   Mr. Arrowsmith was born in Champaign county, Ohio, March 14, 1808, and was married in the same county July 1, 1832, to Miss Celinda Caraway, also a native of the same county. Mrs. A. died at Defiance, August 10, 1847.   The first visit of Mr. Arrowsmith to the Maumee Valley, was in June, 1833. He then bought land near Defiance, on which he settled in October following. Judge John Perkins was then County Surveyor, and, from age, and being engaged in other pursuits, he did not wish to perform the work of the office, and appointed Mr. Arrowsmith deputy County Surveyor, the duties of which office he discharged with accuracy and fidelity, during a period of fifteen years. He is one of the oldest surveyors in North Western Ohio.   The General Assembly of Ohio, at its session of 1845-46, elected Mr. Arrowsmith a member of the State Board of Equalization ; and he proved one of the most efficient members of that body. From 1848 to 1852, he was Auditor of Defiance county; and . Postmaster at Arrowsmith's, during a period of about fifteen years. Excepting minor offices, those enumerated fill the measure of his public life. Mr. Arrowsmith might have continued in office, and filled a larger space in the public eye, but his tastes and inclinations led him, in 1852, to engage in agriculture, and in this favorite pursuit, on his well cultivated acres, and among books and friends, in Farmer township, he is spending the evening of his days. He is now sixty-five years of age, and in full possession of physical and mental vigor. The pioneers of the Valley are ever specially welcomed under his hospitable roof.   THE LATE HORACE SESSIONS.   This gentleman, whose moral, social, and professional qualities were wick ly known and highly valued, throughout the Maumee Valley, was born in Painesville, 'Ohio, April 16, 1812, and removed to   Defiance County— Horace Sessions - 595   Defiance in 1833. He was married to Miss Lucia C. Candee, January 3, 1854, at Watertown, New York, and died at Adrian, Michigan, June 6, 1868. Mr. S. left no children living,—two having dies' in infancy, and one daughter at the age of five or six years. After. his decease, his widow returned to her former home, at Watertown, New York ; but within the, last two years removed to Painesville, where she now resides.   A meeting of the bar, held at the Court House, Defiance, on the 15th of June, 1868, at which William C. Holgate,—who, during a period of more than a quarter of a century, was his intimate associate and friend,—was made' chairman, and Edwin Phelps secretary, will convey an idea of the esteem in which Mfi. Sessions was held by his professional brethren. Upon accepting the position tendered him, Mr. Holgate addressed the meeting as follows :   Brethren of the Bar :   Horace Sessions is gone ! The Allwise Being, who rules and governs the affairs of men, has taken him to himself. He died at Adrian, Michigan, on the 6th inst., where he had stopped off to visit a friend, as he was returning from the Republican National Convention, at Chicago, which he had been attending as a delegate. I was present at his death, and with other friends and citizens of our town, accompanied his remains to Painesville, in this State, where, on the 9th, they were interred, in a beautiful cemetery, near the tomb of a loved little .daughter, and of a father, a mother, and other relatives.   Our relations with him, and his worth, require something more than the usual resolutions of respect and sympathy.   Being the first lawyer that ever settled and stayed here, he may truly be called the father of the Defiance Bar. He was also a pioneer of our valley, and the son of a noble patriot of our country, and pioneer of our State. In 1791, under Anthony Wayne, his father was in the great battle that first secured the white man possession of, and title to, the lands we occupy, and he helped to construct the fort which gives our town its name. In 1800. he settled on a farm near Painesville, and there, on the 16th day of April, 1812, Horace Sessions was born. He was a vigorous, stout boy, delighting in agricultural pursuits, and in watching the habits and caring for the animals reared upon the farm. But, at the age of twelve years a great misfortune befel him. He was taken down with a severe illness, resulting in a fever sore that racked his constitution, shattered his nervous system, producing untold pain, and crippling, him through his whole life. His father, dying in 1837, left him a poor, crippled boy, and a widowed mother and sisters in destitute circumstances. Finding that he would be unable to procure a living by the manual labor incident to farm work, he reluctantly relinquished his favorite calling, and cast about to see what he could do to make a living for himself and his destitute relatives. He chose our profession.   Being admitted to the bar, at the age of twenty-one, he first went down the Ohio and Mississippi, as far as Vicksburg, without finding a satisfactory location, when, returning, he came to the Maumee Valley, and, arriving at our town in 1833, he began the first practice of his profession. Defiance, at that time, was the county seat of Williams county, and to it was attached .several other counties for judicial purposes. Though the field was entirely open, there being no other lawyer here, professional business was very limited. But Horace Sessions was poor, he had a mission to fulfill, and he would not be idle. in addition to his professional duties, he wrote in the county offices, and taught in the district school.   I see several present here, who, like myself, have had a life-long business acquaintance with him ; mine, perhaps, has been the longest, and of the most   596 - Defiance County—Horace Sessions.   intimate character. Thirty-three years ago, accompanying my father from the State of New York, on a tour of exploration to the Wabash, with an eye to a settlement at Fort Wayne, we spent a week or more, as we were passing, at Defiance. During that week, I first became acquainted with Horace Sessions, and I have often since thought that acquaintance fixed my destiny in the choice of a future home, and brought me, a year later, to come here to live. At the time, he was occupying a room in the second story of the brick building on lot 58, of the original plat of Defiance, which building was the Court House, and, I may add, the school house, and also " the meeting house" of the village. In the same room was kept the offices of the county. He invited me to occupy from earth, we continuously occupied an office together begun. His bed was in the same room, and this we occupied together.   From that time to the time of his decease, whilst a generation of men have passed From the time he carte here, each summer he would go to the home of his the room with him, and continue the study of the law, which I had before aged mother, consoling and comforting her with his presence, and giving that material aid that relieved the wants of herself and family. And glad was I, the other day, whilst assisting at Painesville in the performance of the last duties to the deceased on earth, to hear an aged and eminent statesman of that place say : "Mr. Sessions has been very generous with his father's family ; he has ever most bountifully provided for them."   And here let me say, his generosity was not confined to his relatives alone. In all his dealings, he was liberal. Every charitable enterprise and good cause he helped on. He was industrious. temperate, and frugal in all his habits. He cut his own wood at his office for years. He built his fires at his house. He sought property only to make himself independent, and to do good ; and in this God bountifully blessed hint as He will ever bless any man pf like industry, temperance, carefulness, frugality, and honesty of purpose.   As a lawyer, to understand, digest, and bring to a successful issue delicate, intricate and complicated business matters, Horace Sessions had few or no superiors; and I believe that no party, selecting him as their counsellor, ever had occasion to regret their choice.   He was warm in his friendships, social in disposition, hospitable, unostenta- tious and mild in his manners. He was uniformly the same unruffled Horace Sessions yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Though unobtrusive and mild, within him was a heart, he has said to me, that never had a sensation of fear; Which statement his truthfulness leaves me no reasons to doubt. It is a part of the history of that country, that his father "was the bravest man that ever lived on Grand River." Truly can we say, as we look back on the battle of life he has fought, Horace Sessions was a brave son of that brave man.   To him the summons came suddenly. His sickness was brief and severe. Loving hearts and willing hands did all that could be done to stay the dread approach of the destroyer. Confident that the trying hour had come, he calmly approached the grave, " like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about ,him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."   On motion, a committee of five, consisting of William Carter, Edwin Phelps, Hamilton Davison,' William D. Hill, and Henry Newbegin, were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of the members of this bar, which committee, through their chairman, Hon. William Carter, reported the following :   WHEREAS, By a dispensation of an all-wise Providence, our late associate and brother, Horace Sessions, has been removed from our midst by death, it is, by the Bar of Defiance county, as expressive of the great loss they have sustained,   Resolved, That, in the death of Horace Sessions, the Bar of Defiance county has lost one of its oldest, ablest, most useful and worthy members, and this community one of its most worthy citizens.   Defiance County— Wm. C. Holgate - 597   Resolved, That we sincerely deplore the loss of our departed brother and associate, and shall revere his memory as one whose professional life was with- out blemish, and worthy of imitation.   Resolved, That our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the widow and relatives of the deceased.   Resolved, That these resolutions, together with the proceedings of this meeting, be published in the Defiance papers, with a request that the same be copied in the several papers published in the Maumee Valley, and at Painesville, Ohio.   Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished by the Secretary to the widow of the deceased.   On motion, the resolutions were received, and unanimously adopted.   It was also resolved that the proceedings of this meeting be presented by the chairman to the Honorable Jute of the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance county, at its next session, with the request that the same be entered upon the journal of said court.   WILLIAM C. HOLGATE, Chairman.   E. PHELPS, Secretary.   It may be added that intelligence of the death of no member of the old bar of the Maumee Valley, produced a feeling of more general and profound sorrow among his professional brethren, than that occasioned by the loss of Mr. Sessions.   WILLIAM C. HOLGATE.   Curtis Holgate, residing at the time in Utica, New York, accompanied by his son, the subject of this sketch, William C. Holgate, made a visit to the Maumee Valley in the spring and summer of 1835. On this trip he visited Manhattan, Toledo, Perrysburg, Maumee City, Napoleon and Defiance, Obi̊, and Fort Wayne and Huntington, Indiana. The journey was made on horseback from Maumee City—(the horses being procured of Dr. Conant)—and purchases of land made as follows :   June 8, 1835, of Isaac Hull, 80 acres in secs. 23 and 24, T. 4, R. 4, on north side of the Maumee, opposite Defiance, on which was situated the town plat of Williamstown ; and which purchase included the unsold lots of this town and five in Defiance, - $2,500   June 19, of Ignatius Byrnes, 95 61-100 acres, on the south side of the Maumee, in Indiana, near the Ohio State line - 500   June 25, of Judge Benjamin Leaven, an undivided part of 395 23-100 acres, which embraced the town plat of Napoleon, and lands adjacent—(Horatio G. Phillips, of Dayton, and Elnathan Cory, of New Carlisle, Clark county, Ohio, owning the remaining two-thirds of said property). - 2,500   June 25, of same, 117 95-100 acres, on the west side of the Auglaize, south and adjacent to Defiance, in sections 25 and 26, and now being a part of the town. - 2,500   June 25, of same, one undivided half of 180 98-100 acres of sections 23 and 24, and adjacent to the Maumee and Auglaize rivers, and which included the original town plat of Defiance—all which was deeded, except the lots then disposed of—Horatio G. Phillips owning the other undivided half - 7,500   598 - DefianceCounty—Wm. C. Holgate.   October 17, 1835, of Dr. John Evans, part of the southeast qr., N. W. qr., sec. 26, T. 4 N., R. 6 E , 50 acres, which is now within the corporate limits of Defiance, and on which is situated the Hub and Spoke factory, etc. - 2,730   Total - $18,239   Previous to this, about the year 1832, Mr. Holgate purchased several town lots in Fort Wayne, and located about one thousand acres of land near the same place, in Indiana; and near the time of making the above described purchases. at Defiance, he invested some $7,000 in property at Manhattan. His Napoleon interest was sold and deeded to Horatio G. Phillips, in July, 1839. He moved his family to Defiance, consisting of his wife, Eliza, daughter, Juliet, and two small children, Frances M. and A. Hopkins Holgate, and began boarding with Lyman Langdon, on Saturday, October 7, 1837. On Monday, 27th of November, of the same year, he moved into a house on lot 101, old plat of Defiance. Mr. Holgate died on the 15th of January 1840.   William C. Holgate was living at Defiance at the time of the arrival of his father;—having established himself there the year after the trip of 1835 was made, arriving on Monday, 2d of May, 1836—and has uninterruptedly made that town his home to the present time. He was born at Burlington, Vermont, November 23, 1814; graduated at Hamilton College, New York, in the summer of 1834; and the same College conferred upon him the degree of A. M., in 1841. He commenced the study of law in the office of Willard Crafts, Esq., in Utica, immediately after leaving College, and continued a student in his office up to the date of leaving for efiance,' in April, 1836. At the latter place, he entered the law office of Horace' Sessions, Esq., continued his studies, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio in the summer of 1838, George T. Hickcox, Clerk of the Court, dying about this time, he was appointed to succeed him, which position he resigned in the spring of 1839, when he received the appointment of prosecuting attorney for the county of Williams, and began as such his first practice of the law.   Mr. Holgate drafted the bill erecting the county of Defiance, in January, 1845, and, through his persistent efforts, and in face of a well-organized and powerful opposition, the bill became a law, on the 4th day of. March of the same year. He was active in the organization of the first agricultural society for the county, in 1848, and in getting up its first annual fair, in October, 1851. For the projection and construction of roads, affording encouragement to manufacturing and kindred enterprises, and the care of all public interests affecting the town and county, he was ever vigilantly engaged. He suffered much from the bilious derangements incident to the climate in the first settlement of the country, being prostrated upon beds of sickness more than half of the time.   Defiance County—Wm. C. Holgate - 599   In the years 1851-52, the business prospects of Defiance seemed likely to be lost, on account of the projection and construction of railroads passing her on all sides, threatening to destroy her existing trade, and future business prospects. Foreseeing the danger, Mr. Holgate's efforts, during these years, were unremitting in the work of securing for Defiance a railroad, that the town might be spared the destruction that menaced it. Probably it was on account of enfeebled physical condition, resulting from over-work and the illness referred to, that his system broke down in 1853, and he sank in a state of congestion almost apoplectic. Unable to read or write for the greater part of the succeeding twelve years or more, he was compelled to give up the law practice, which he has never resumed. Though now comfortable, and capable of transacting much business, Mr. Holgate has never entirely recovered from the congestive attack mentioned.   In March, 1864, when the two sections of land that had been granted to the town some fourteen years previously for the Defiance Female Seminary, had been forfeited for want of payment, and a bill was on its passage requiring the Auditor to sell the same, Mr. Holgate, volunteering his services, made a visit to Columbus and secured the passage of an act authorizing the lands still to be deeded on payment. The amount delinquent Mr. Holgate advanced from his own private funds, Mr. Sessions sharing the advancement with him, and so secured and saved to the town these 1,280 acres and their growing avails.   In all important schemes devised to promote the best interests of the town and county of his residence, Mr. Holgate has been ever diligent and prominent: On the 5th of January, 1851, he was married to Miss Mary Hillrick, who died June 6, 1865, leaving two children, W. Curtis Holgate, aged 18, November 29, 1872, and Fanny Maud Holgate, aged 16, October 2, 1872.   According to the recollections of Frederick F. Stevens, who was a resident of Putnam county, in 1825, and removed to Defiance in 1826, the following persons were then residents on the Auglaize below the mouth of the Blanchard: Mr. Frazee, Thomas and Silas McClish, William Bishop, Mr. Kava- naugh, Christopher Sroufe, Abel Crossley, Robert Foster, Isaac Carey (opposite the present town of Junction), Elias and Nathan Shirley, Abram and John Hudson, John Oliver, James Hudson, and Robert Shirley, senior and junior, who 'were living upon a farm part of which is now within the corporation of Defiance.   Defiance county was erected March 4, 1845, and its territory was composed of eightoriginal townships, taken from Williams, three from Henry, and a half township from Paulding. W. C, Holgate, Esq., prepared the following exhibit of the population of this territory from the census returns of 1840: From Williams county : Defiance, 944 ; Delaware, 201; Farmer, (now Farmer and Mark) 281; Hicksville, 67 ; Tiffin, 222 ; Washington, 93 ; Milford, 175. From Henry county : Adams, 188; Richland and Highland, (the latter then unorganized) 542. From Paulding county: The north half of Auglaize, 100. Total population of the territory in 1840, which formed the new county, and which had not been materially increased at the time of its formation in 1845, 2,218.