HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 525 groovings are plainly visible. The action of the waves here has washed off the soil which once covered them, and its indications of a period millions of years in the past are opened up to us for our inspection as evidence of the truth of the story related to us by our geologists. The rock here is very hard limestone, which stands the weather well, so that the glacier marks are much better preserved than in other localities. The ice movements also were longer continued and more powerful than in some other localities. On Kelly's Island the deepest grooves may be seen, where there are furrows several inches and sometimes two feet in depth, running for many rods in one direction. The direction of all the grooves is generally a little south of west, or nearly that of the longest diameter of the lake, showing that for a time the ice moved in that direction. Here also and in the quarries will be found such a multitude of remains of the crustacea as delights the eye of geologists. Although these shores and imprints on the shore mean little to the unscientific mind, to the trained scientists they are eloquent and speak a language that can be understood. Nowhere in Ohio are richer limestone quarries found than in and around Marblehead town. Millions of dollars worth of stone have been quarried, which have been used either .in building or in the preparation of lime, and the short railroad which connects these quarries with the main line of the New York Central is one of the best paying railroads in the United States. This is due principally to the great amount of stone and lime products that are transported over it. At Gypsum, there are large beds of gypsum, which is so largely used in the preparation of plaster. The discovery of these underlying beds has been the source of great wealth. Situated a distance of a few miles from the mainland, is a group of islands that is sometimes known as the "Wine Islands." A number of these islands form what is known as Put-in-Bay Township, in Ottawa County. The largest of these is " South Bass Island," which is generally known as Put-in-Bay, and comprises an area of about 1,500 acres. "Middle Bass" and "North Bass" islands are not far from Put-in-Bay. "Rattle Snake Island" includes about sixty acres, and "Sugar Island" is about one-half as great. "Green Island" is still smaller, being about twenty acres in extent. " Green Island" belongs to the United States Government, and there is located thereon a lighthouse. There are other smaller islands. Put-in-Bay Island is the most noted because of the conflict which took place near its shores, and which is described elsewhere. It is generally understood that Commodore Perry gave the name "Put-in-Bay" to this island, but it is a fact that there are deeds on record in Ohio being an earlier date than the conflict in which Commodore Perry defeated the British, and which refer to this island at Put-in-Bay Island. Until 1854 the islands were very sparsely settled. In that year J. D. Rivera, a Spaniard of New York, having become favorably impressed with the natural attractions offered here, purchased Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass, Ballast, Sugar, and Gibraltar at a cost of $44,000. His first efforts were turned towards converting Put-in-Bay into a sheep ranch, and at one time he had a herd of 2,000 sheep on the island. These were gradually disposed of, however, and the island developed into a fruit farm. In 1858 Mr. Rivera, in conjunction with Phillip Vroman, L. Harms, and Lawrence -Miller, began the cultivation of the vine. Their success was so great that others followed their example, until the principal industry soon became the growing of grapes, which has continued until this day. The quality of the soil, natural drainage, and the climatic influence surroundings the islands especially favors the growing of fruits, and the grape has proved itself to be most valuable. At least one-third 526 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO of the grape product of the state, and perhaps one-half of the wine, is credited to Ottawa County. The varieties of grapes grown are generally the Catawba, Delaware, and Concord. Put-in-Bay was at one time the most famous summer resort of Lake Erie. Visitors came here by the thousands from Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit, and cities far inland to spend a day or several days on this island. When Hotel Victory was completed, it was considered the finest summer hotel of the day, and many notable conventions were held within it. The development. of Cedar Point, near Sandusky, which was more accessible for excursionists from inland towns, gradually took away the prestige which had formerly been held by the island. It is still a popular place and supports a number of prosperous hotels, but it is not resorted to by so many thousands as two or three decades ago. One of the natural curiosities of Put-in-Bay is what is known as Perry's Cave, a subterranean cavern that is quite a subject of interest. It is 200 feet long, 100 feet wide, and has an average height of seven feet. At the farther end is a lake whose pure and limpid waters are said to extend to depths unknown. Another interesting island, just a short distance out from Put-in-Bay, is a rock island known as Gibraltar. It lies at the mouth of the indentation which forms Put-in-Bay harbor, and is not more than an eighth of an mile from the shore. Perry 's fleet sailed from here to engage the enemy. It is a vast rock which rises about forty-five feet above the lake. During the War of 1812, this island was fortified, and in more recent years it has been noted as the home of Jay Cooke, the famous financier of civil war times, who built a spacious castelated residence upon it. There is something romantic about the idea of owning an entire island, and this fact has probably shed additional romance upon Gibraltar. Mr. Cooke made it his summer home for many years, and took great pleasure in entertaining his friends and neighbors on it. It was sometimes the humble rather than the noble that he chose to entertain. We are told that it was his habit to invite ten Christian ministers at one time, and entertain them for two weeks. In the ten would be included two ministers from each of five different denominations, and he would generally choose the men who had small salaries rather than those from the prominent pulpits. When the men departed, HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 527 he would pass over checks to them to make good their expenses to and fro. He probably played wiser than he knew in thus mingling the ministers. from different denominations, because it enabled these men who were working in the same cause, but along different lines, to form a more charitable opinion of those who represented other denominations. Mr. Cooke also erected a monument to the memory of Perry, with an appropriate inscription, and near it stands some mounted cannon, trophies of his great victory. There is also a lookout tower which gives a splendid outlook over the surrounding islands. This rock of Gibraltar has its curiosities. The formation being limestone, and one side a perpendicular bluff, it has under it a cave into which a boat can go; it is called "Lovers Cave." Another is the "Needle's Eye," an arched passageway formed by an overhanging rock and another coming up from the bottom of the lake. One spot on the overhanging bluff is called "Perry's Lookout,". where Perry was wont to station a sentinel to watch for the British fleet. Early one morning he discovered it near the Canada shores, whereupon he hoisted his anchors, sailed out of the bay and met them, much to their sorrow. The development of the lime manufacture and the production of gypsum deposits furnish a very interesting item in the history of Ottawa County. The lime and stone plant of the Kelley Island Lime and Transport Company, at Marblehead, is an immense plant which once furnished employment for a very large number of men ; but the company has installed the latest appliances and machinery and kept pace perfectly with the scientific development of the industry and, though large numbers of men are still employed, there are not s" many as heretofore. The company owns large areas of valuable stone land, and it ships its products from Marblehead to Danbury, there connecting with the New York Central Railroad Lines. The company's interests at Marblehead are valuable. Its present plant resulted from the purchase of several smaller plants. This company also owns an immense quarry near Clay Center, in the western part of Ottawa County. This quarry is known as its "White Rock" plant. Here is manufactured large quantities of hydrated lime, and this plant is probably the largest lime plant in the world. The Marblehead quarry produces vast quantities of lime, crushed stone, and flux stone. John A. Kling, of Cleveland, Ohio, presi- dent of the Kelley Island Lime and Stone Company, has introduced in the operation. of these plants many valuable and humane principles in the treatment of his employees, and in connection therewith is inspired with a spirit of interest in the lives and happiness of his men and their welfare. It would be a good thing for the country if the heads of such large institutions, in general, had executive ability, and at the same time the simple thorough going humanity of Mr. Kling. Gypsum has been produced in the county from a period earlier than 1838. It exists at a depth of about thirty or forty feet. Until 528 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO recent years, it was quarried, the earth above it being stripped from the underlying gypsum. But about 1900, Alexander Forrester, of Cleveland, Ohio, sank a shaft and began mining of gypsum, since which time large and valuable mines have been developed. As the surface of the territory is so flat, and there has not until the mining of this gypsum been any mines conducted in Northwestern Ohio, it is rather curious that one of the important questions touching the title to mineral deposits should be tested in the Supreme Court of Ohio in a case from Ottawa County. Port Clinton, the county seat, was organized about 1827 by Cincinnati capitalists, while it constituted a part of Sandusky County. It is situated on a beautiful bay, just south of Put-in-Bay Island, and at the mouth of the Portage River. It has a fairly good harbor, which is under the supervision of the Federal Government. It is said that Port Clinton is the greatest fresh water fishing center in the world, and many carloads of fish are shipped from Port Clinton annually.. Other towns in the county are Oak Harbor, Genoa, and Elmore. Lakeside is a Chautauqua resort, under the Control of the Methodist Church, and here many resort each year for recreation. For many years a contest existed between Oak Harbor and Port Clinton over the location of the county seat. Port Clinton wanted to keep it, and Oak Harbor wanted to secure it. In the winter of 1897 and 1898, citizens of Oak Harbor endeavored to secure the passage of a bill in the Legislature of Ohio submitting the question of moving the county seat to Oak Harbor to the voters of the county. Citizens of Port Clinton, of course, fought this before the Legislature, and were aided by the Elmore and Genoa citizens to a very great extent. This fight created much bitterness in the county, which was slow in dying out, but which has at this time entirely disappeared. Committees of the Legislature visited both places, and many of the citizens of the county spent weeks and months at Columbus lobby ing for and against the measure. The bill did not pass, but there was submitted to the voters the question of building a new courthouse at Port Clinton, and this carried at the polls. The new courthouse was built. It is a beautiful structure located in the center of one of the squares in the town. The ground around it is beautifully landscaped, and it is as pleasantly surrounded as any public building could be. The building of this' courthouse settled forever this county seat question, and it is more firmly established by the building of an electric railroad, leading from Toledo, through Genoa, Elmore, Oak Harbor, and Port Clinton, to Lakeside and Marblehead. The citizens of the county are thus conveniently connected with each other by an easy means of communication, so that instead of requiring a day to go from Port Clinton to Elmore or Genoa to transact an hour's business, the citizens of Port Clinton can go and return in a few hours, and the citizens of the western end of the county can go to Port Clinton to pay their taxes or for other business and return in a half day or less. Much attention has been paid in the last few years to the improvement of the roads of the county, and it will not be many years until all of the roads of the county are made with macadam or cement and brick. Located near Port Clinton, along the shore of Lake Erie, in what is known as Erie Township, is the state rifle range, commonly called "Camp Perry." It is a beautiful and level tract of land, consisting of about 500 acres, and is owned by the State of Ohio. It is said to be an ideal rifle range. The shore consists of a long sandy beach, which slopes gradually out into the deep water and furnishes excellent bathing. The state has improved and equipped this range in an excellent way. In the northeastern corner of the range a small tract of land is owned by the Ohio Rifle Association, and on this is constructed a large club house, which is conducted in a most excellent manner. CHAPTER XLI PAULDING COUNTY NELSON R. WEBSTER, PAULDING The County of Paulding is traversed both by the Maumee and the Auglaize rivers, which make it indeed historic ground. Although no battles occurred within its boundaries, so far as we know, it no doubt had its full share of isolated tragedies which have never been written by the pen of the historian. It could not be otherwise than that the incoming settlers should at some place or another come into a clash with the red men, who looked upon them as intruders. The armies of Generals St. Clair and Wayne passed within the border of the county, and may have had some skirmishes there. A small stockade, called Fort Brown, was built at the confluence of the Big and Little Auglaize rivers in 1812, and it was occupied for a time by detachments from General Harrison's army. The stockade was soon abandoned, and all trace of it has now disappeared. The only reminder of its existence is in the name of a township. The largest. Indian village ever located within the county was that of Charloe, which was situated on a beautiful site upon the left bank of the Auglaize. It was near the center of an Indian reserve, of four miles square, which was known as Oquanoxa's reserve. Here dwelt the chieftain of that name with several hundred Indians, who were a portion of the Ottawa tribe. The reservation was sold in 1820, when the chief and his followers took up their line of march toward the retiring sun. When the first settlers arrived, there were several small bands of Indians who dwelt along the Auglaize or the Maumee, and the Vol. I-34 names of some of them, such as the Totigose, Saucy Jack, Big Yankee Jim., Draf Jim, P. Ashway, Pokeshaw, and Wapacanaugh were familiar names. These Indians were generally peaceable and kindly disposed toward the settlers, excepting when under the influence of the firewater brought by the civilized race. Following the custom of the early settlers in nearly every section of our country, the earliest pioneers built their simple homes along the banks of the streams. This was but natural for, in addition to the beauty of the location, the stream provided good fishing and good hunting as well as an easy means of communication to other settlements. The first white settler in the county was Shadrach Hudson, who arrived in the year 1819. He came from Miami County and built a log house on the right bank of the Auglaize River, about half a mile east of the present Village of Junction. It was in the usual style, being constructed of square logs, was two stories in height, and had a huge fire-place in one end. He had been a soldier with General St. Clair, and participated in the battle where that general was defeated by the Indians. It commanded a splendid view both up and down the river. He had also served in the American army during the War of 1812, and was so impressed with the fertility and natural beauty of this site that he decided to make it his home. Mr. Hudson and his wife lived a life of piety, and daily gathered their large family around the family altar.. They were very hospitable, and entertained many a stranger who chanced to pass that way. - 529 - 530 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Isaac Carey came in the autumn of the same year and settled near Mr. Hudson. In his cabin was born Daniel Clark Carey, who brought the distinction of being the first white child known to have been born within the limits of the county. He lived to a good old age and served the county in the position of probate judge, and in other offices of public trust. Nathan Shirley came in 1823 and Thomas Romine two years later, both of them choosing farms along the Auglaize. In the latter year settlement on the Maumee began. In that year, or about that time, there came to the county Dennison Hughes, William Banks, David Applegate, William Gordon, Reason V. Spurrier, and H. M. Curtis. These pioneers established the first settlement in the northern part of the county. Robert Hakes was an early pioneer who lived to a happy old age. Robert Barnhill was the first man to settle in. Blue Creek Township. Jonathan Ball penetrated the forests of what is now Benton Township, and built the first cabin there. Oliver Crane was a prominent early settler, and a township bears his name. A postoffice also bore the name of Cranesville for a long time, but it, has long since disappeared. James Hinton was an early "squatter" in Carryall Township, but David Applegate bears the distinction of being the earliest actual settler. William H. Snook, Sr., and William N. Snook came to the county in 1834, and their descendants have been prominent and useful citizens of the community. William Gordon built a small cabin along the Maumee in 1826, and preceded all other settlers in Emerald Township. This township was given its name because a number of the sons of Erin settled within its boundaries. There was no settler in what now constitutes Latty Township until Edward L. Himmell built a cabin there in 1853. When the first election was held three years later, only nine votes were recorded. There was not a postoffice in the township until 1873, when Gilbert's Mills was established, but it has since been abandoned. Settlers did not come to Paulding County so rapidly as to some other sections of the Northwestern part of Ohio. In fact, it was one of the very last counties to become thoroughly settled and, after the timber had disappeared from the larger portion of some of the counties, Paulding was still largely covered with the primeval forests. In 1828 Joseph Mellinger started a settlement on the Little Auglaize, and was shortly afterwards followed by William Harrell, Benjamin Kniss, and Dimitt Mackerel. Most of these early settlers came from the southern counties of the state. In 1835 two brothers by the name of John and William Moss, natives of England, began to improve farms on the banks of Blue Creek. A few months later Robert Barnhill and Joseph Reed also constructed cabins along this stream and began the battle with the forest. In 1851, when the first election was held here, when Jackson Township was created, only ten votes were cast. William Moss was elected both clerk and justice of the peace. Flat Rock Settlement was established by Thomas Wentworth, who was a native of the State of Maine. He left the pine covered hills of his native state to establish a home in Paulding County in the year 1835. It was a long and tedious journey for himself and his family to the farm which he carved out of the forest near the Village of Payne. Christian Shroufe located near Oakwood in 1826, and was the first settler in Brown Township. For a decade he had scarcely any neighbors. At an election held in 1830, only thirty votes were east in a territory equaling almost a third of the county. At this election Dr. John Kingery was chosen as justice of the peace. Pierce Evans erected a grist-mill on the Little Auglaize in 1834, but it was washed away not long afterward. John D. Carlton was one of the very earliest teachers in the county, for he began to instruct the youth as HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 531 early as 1834, in an unoccupied cabin near Charloe. Another early teacher was Mrs. Caroline Merchant, who taught about fifteen pupils in her own cabin. She taught because of the love of the work rather than for the small remuneration received. The primitiveness of elections in the early days is well illustrated by the following incident: "An election was held at the house of John Northup, the ballot-box being Mr. Northup 's old possum skin cap. Dana Columbia, of Junction, was a candidate for the office of county commissioner; but after the balloting had proceeded for some length of time, a horseman arrived post-haste, and by speaking so derogatorily of the character of Mr. Columbia, and by so emphatically declaring that he was not a suitable person for the office, he so influenced several of the voters as to cause them to want to change their votes. After some parleying with the judges and clerks, it was decided to begin the election over again. Accordingly the old 'possum' skin cap was turned upside down, the tickets already east emptied out and thrown away, and a new ballot taken." This was certainly a wide departure from the Australian system of balloting, but it resulted in the defeat of Mr. Columbia, and the illegality of the proceeding was never tested. The early pioneers of Paulding County were a religious people. Whenever it was possible religious services were held. The oldest Sunday School in the county is the one known as Charloe Union Sunday School. This was organized in 1841 by C. B. West, who held the superintendency for several years, and was then succeeded by David C. Carey. He .in turn was followed by Dwight C. Blakesly. These three men served as superintendents of this Sunday School during the first half century of its existence, with the exception of two periods of only a few months each, during which time Eli Day and Martin Myers filled the office of superintendent. This is a record that it would be hard to duplicate in this section of our state. It was not until after the opening of the Miami and Erie and the Wabash and Erie canals that settlers began to come to Paulding County in very great numbers. Some of the workmen who had been employed in the construction work remained here or came shortly afterward, and others settled upon the farms or worked in the industries that followed the canal. The Village of Junction, which was laid out in 1842, and so named because it was established at the junction of the two canals, at one time promised to be a flourishing town. It was flourishing in fact for a number of years, and prosperity seemed so imminent that some moved from Fort Wayne, believing that it promised to have a better future. Daily lines of packets ran along both canals, and many passengers were transferred' at this point. This made the business of the two or three hotels located there a prosperous one. There were also several large well-stocked dry goods stores and grocery stores, and three large warehouses were erected for the storage of grain. Frederick Ruffner built a flouring-mill there in 1865, which was run by water power furnished by the canal. William K. Daggett had erected a saw-mill in the neighborhood a score of years earlier. A postoffice was established at Junction in 1842, and John Mason, Sr., was named as postmaster. The canal collector's office was located there, and there were at least a half dozen places where liquid refreshments were disposed of. The wharfs were generally lined with canal boats, which were loading and unloading grain and other freight, and all this activity gave the embryo city the appearance of a very busy place. As commerce found other channels than the canals, decay began to settle upon the once thriving village. At the present time it has a forlorn appearance, for the warehouses were burned and many of the old buildings fell in the 532 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO decay, so that it might almost appear to be the original town that suggested to Goldsmith the celebrated poem of "The Deserted Village." Paulding County was named after John Paulding, who was one of the captors of Major Andre. It was created by an Act of the Legislature in 1820, along with most of the counties in Northwest Ohio. Although formally given a name and a habitation, so to speak, it was without any real existence for a number of years. Crane Township was organized in 1825, Carryall in 1829, and Brown in 1830. The county was attached to Williams County for judicial purposes, with the county seat at Defiance. To Defiance they were obliged to go to pay taxes and attend court. Since then a number of changes have been made in its boundaries, and the present Paulding County is much smaller than as originally created by the Legislature. The base line established by Sylvanus Brown, which forms the south line of Seneca County and bisects Hancock County, is also the southern boundary of Paulding. After the organization of the county, the first county seat was located at New Rochester, in the fall, of 1839. This village was situated on the south bank of the Maumee River, about a mile north of the Village of Cecil, and was at. that time the largest and most flourishing village in the county. It was laid out in 1835 by Dr. John Evans, Robert Clemmer, Rev. N. L. Thomas, and Rev. Joseph Miller. Rev. Mr. Thomas built the first house in the village, and Isaac Savage was the second person to erect a home there. When the county seat was located there the village contained thirty or forty families, had three hotels, as many general stores, a couple of blacksmith shops, and was on the line of daily stage service between Toledo and Fort Wayne. The county seat was removed within a little more than a year and the buildings, which were simply structures made of logs, have now all fallen into decay. A log schoolhouse was the last building to mark the spot of the first county seat of Paulding County, but even that has disappeared. No vestige of the Town of New Rochester now remains, and the farmer plants his crops where the busy streets once existed. The second county seat of the county was at Charloe. This village was laid out by Benjamin Hollister for the especial purpose of a county seat, and was pleasantly located on a commanding bluff along the Auglaize River. It had been the site of a little Indian town, and received its name from the chief known as Charloe Peter. The Indians raised corn on the rich bottom land opposite the village. Their cemetery was just north of the town, and silver brooches, pipes, and other trinkets have frequently been exhumed from the graves. The county seat remained at Charloe until 1851, when it was removed to Paulding. A native poet expressed the result of this removal in the following lines : "When Paulding a 'shire town was made, And thither folks began to wade, Then Charloe's flower began to fade, And drooped, and died, and away was laid." A courthouse had been built at Charloe by B. F. Hollister, who had agreed to do this in case that a county seat, should be located there. There had been no courthouse at New Rochester, and the only term ever held there was in a room over the store of Gen. H. N. Curtis. The county offices were located in private buildings wherever accommodation could be found. This first courthouse at Charloe was small, being only about 30 by 40 feet in size and two stories in height. It was built of brick on a solid stone foundation. On the first floor there were six rooms which accommodated the county offices, and on the second floor was the court room finished and furnished in black walnut. This building was presented to the county commissioners on HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 533 the condition that it should be the property of the county so long as the county seat remained at Charloe. When the county seat was removed to Paulding, it reverted to the heirs of Mr. Hollister, but as they were already wealthy they did not claim the property. As a result it was used for schools, church, elections, balls, and every other sort of public gathering, while the offices were occupied as residences by anyone who might choose to do so. It became everybody's building and no-body's building. When a new schoolhouse was built, the old courthouse was practically abandoned to the owls and bats, and year by year fell more and more into decay. "Ah, sad indeed, old house, hast, been thy lot, In thine old age uncared for and forgot ; To silent dust thou 'rt crumbling unbemoaned, And sadder yet, by old-time friends disowned. For many years thou wast fair Charloe's pride, And little dreamed of ills that now betide ; Withih thy walls hast Withinfull many a pioneer. Is there none now to drop for thee a tear '?" The second courthouse was erected in Paulding, in the year 1852. It was an awkward and badly proportioned building, about the size of the one that had been abandoned at Charloe, and the court room was reached by an outside stairway in the rear. When this building was burned in 1868, few tears were shed over its ruin. The only serious loss was that of some valuable documents which were consumed by the flames. A third courthouse was soon afterwards erected on the site, at a cost of only $2,000. Another long one-story building was constructed at the same time for the county officers. Although this latest courthouse was somewhat of an improvement over its immediate predecessor, the citizens of the county were glad when a new building was erected in 1888, after permission was secured from the Legislature to bond the county. A number of courthouses were visited by the building committee, and the one at Adrian, Michigan, was taken as the model. The corner stone of this building was laid by the Masonic lodge on December 21, 1886, with elaborate ceremonies. The building as its stands today is a very substantial structure, neat in appear- 534 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO ance, and well adapted to the use for which it was intended. The first jail in the county was a small brick building in Charloe that was constructed in 1842. It was not a very substantial building, and crumbled away soon after the county seat was removed. To the credit of the early settlers, it is said that this jail seldom had an occupant. The second jail was erected in the courtyard at Paulding shortly after that village became the county seat. It was built, of hewed logs closely fit together. The doors were of huge planks, heavily spiked and riveted together, and some of the cells were lined with heavy pieces of sheet iron for additional security. Despite these precautions, escapes were frequent from this bastille, so that a new and more substantial jail was erected in 1874. In a list of initial officers of Paulding County, we find that Andrew Clemmler served the county as its premier auditor. The first man whose official duty it was to arrest. the malefactors and preserve the peace as sheriff of the county was Andrew J. Smith, who was appointed to that position. Matthew Flemming was the first man elected to that important office. Gen. Horatio N. Curtis had the honor of being the first county clerk, as well as the original recorder of the county. The first treasurer was William Gordon, while Ezra J. Smith was the first man to be elected probate judge of the county after that office was established by the Legislature. The original Board of County Commissioners consisted of Christian Shroufe, John Kingery, and Thomas Banks. All of these officers were representative men of the county during the time in which they served their constituents. When a county board of school examiners was established, the first board was composed of J. 0. Shannon, S. N. Webb, and H. A. Brown. LAW AND MEDICINE When Paulding County was organized in 1839, Nathan Eaton, Gilman C. Mudgett, and John Hudson were appointed associate judges. The associate judges were men chosen for their sterling worth, honesty, and moral integrity, rather than for their knowledge of the law, for but few of them possessed any legal ability. Regarding this fact, an amusing incident is told as follows : "Robert McCreary, or `Bob' McCreary, as he was familiarly called, a waggish sort of a genius who resided in Paulding, attended the court room one morning in the early fifties, and looking up to where the presiding judge and the three associates sat, he shrugged his shoulders and smilingly said : `Ah, a thousand judges on the bench this morning !"Why, how is that, Bob ?' some one said. 'Why, one and three cyphers, doesn't that make a thousand?' The point was quickly seen, and a general titter ran through the court room as the result of witticism." When the first court was held in the spring of 1840, at New Rochester, it was presided over by Emery D. Potter, of Toledo, as the presiding judge. As there were no lawyers living in the county at the time, Edwin Phelps, of Defiance, was appointed prosecuting attorney. No records have been preserved of the early sessions. It was not long after the location of the county seat at Charloe that D. N. Harrington, John W. Ayres, John D. Carlton, and Alexander S. Latty located in that village, and tacked up the usual shingles announcing that they were prepared to practice law. When the county seat was removed to Paulding, these men followed, and from that time Paulding has been the home of the great majority of the attorneys living within the county. When the offices of associate judge was abolished by the amendment to the Constitution, Alexander S. Latty served as the first common pleas judge, and continued HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 535 in that office for a score of years. He was a wise and upright judge, and his final retirement was a matter of his own choice and not the decree of the electors. He was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America at an early age, settling first at Montreal. At a later period he came to New York State, and then turned his face toward the West and sought a home in the forests of Northwestern Ohio. This was about the year 1837, and he immediately became prominent because of his native talents and indefatigable industries. After retiring from the bench, he Made his home at Defiance. One of the very first physicians who practiced medicine in the county, and the first of whom we have definite knowledge, was Dr. Richard Allison, who accompanied General Wayne in his memorable march down the Auglaize. He was the surgeon-general of the expedition, but was never a resident of the county. Some of the pioneer physicians of the county were Dr. John Kingery, Dr. Royal B. Cooper, Doctor Marcellus, and Dr. B. B. Woodcock.. Doctor Kingery was not only a physician, but a farmer and a shoemaker as well. From an old account book left by him is taken the following entry : December 4th, A: D. 1845, John Kretzinger to John Kingery, Dr. Making one pair fine shoes - 62 1/2 cents To one-half bushel turnips - 10 cents To one bushel potatoes - 25 cents To medical attention - $1.00 From another entry in the same book, we find that John Bowers was indebted to John Kingery in the sum of $5 for filling one "waggon" wheel and "sitting" a tire. This physician with the many accomplishments resided on the opposite side of the Auglaize River from old Fort Brown, and died about the year 1854. Doctor Cooper was a man who was very careless in his office, but was re garded as a good physician. He practiced medicine in the county for fifteen or twenty years until his death in 1860. Bleeding was a very common remedy in those days, and the lancet was found in the "pill-box" of every physician. Twenty-five cents was charged for "tapping a vein," and for "sitting up all night" at the bedside of a patient the charge was $1.00. For a long ride to visit patients 25 cents a mile might be charged. They were, also the dentists, and yanked out teeth at "two bits" each. Their principal remedies were Glauber's salt, dragon's blood, balsam of Peru, bitter apple, melopodium, Huxham's mixture, and other obsolete remedies. Dr. Elijah J. Brown practiced medicine in the county for a half century or more. Doctor Olds settled in Charloe in 1852, and there began the practice of medicine. One of his favorite prescriptions was large doses of calomel, and so many of his patients were salivated that the people ceased to employ him. As a result a popular song arose, which was frequently heard in the neighborhood. Two of these verses that have been preserved for us ran as follows : "Said Dr. Olds unto the wife, `Bring me clean paper, spoon and knife ; I'm sure your husband can't get well, Without a dose of calomel.' Chorus :— Calomel, calomel, Without a dose of calomel. The husband turned himself in bed, And to his wife he feebly said : 'O let me bid this world farewell, Without one dose of calomel.' Chorus :— Calomel, calomel, Without one dose of calomel." 536 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO PRESS AND PULPIT The first newspaper to be published in Paulding County was named The Age of Progress, and it was established in 1853. It was published in the Village of Paulding by P. W. Hardesty. It survived but a few months, when the plant was sold to Alexander S. Latty, who started a periodical which he called The Democrat. After a year or two the paper was sold to J. D. Baker, who changed the name to the Republican. After publishing it for about a year, and not meeting with the welcome that he anticipated, the press was removed to Defiance. In the summer of 1856, John W. Ayres and Ezra J. Smith purchased the material for a printing office, and gave to the public the Paulding Eagle, which had for its editor Fielding S. Cable. This paper was afterwards sold to Joseph 0. Shannon, who conducted it for a year or two, when the Eagle quietly folded its pinions and sank to rest. The next periodical to make its appearance was the Paulding Independent, the first copy of which was issued November 10, 1859, with S. R. Brown as its publisher and editor. The valedictory number of this paper was issued four years later. One week after the demise of the Independent appeared the Paulding Press, under the ownership of Daniel Hixon and Fielding S. Cable. After a time the publication again changed hands and appeared under the name of Rural Ohioan, and under this title it appeared for several years. Thomas Emery and Wesley A. Savage then purchased the material and issued the Paulding Plain Dealer, which continued until 1874, when the plant was removed from the county. In the year 1869, Joseph Cable began the publication of the Review in Antwerp, but soon removed the establishment to Paulding. The name was shortly afterwards changed to the Paulding Journal. After passing through several hands this paper came into the owner- ship of George W. Potter, who founded the Paulding Democrat, in 1874, and a couple of years later it passed into the hands of George P. Hardy and Peter Becker. After several intervening ownerships the paper came into possession of Ralph D. Webster in January, 1879. Mr. Webster continued as its editor and proprietor until 1884, when he was elected to the office of county auditor. He then leased it to his brother, Nelson R. Webster. After retiring from office Mr. Webster again took charge of the paper, but sold it shortly afterwards to Frank J. Mains. It has since been purchased by Nelson R. Webster, who is the present owner and editor. The Paulding Register was begun in 1876, with Messrs. Fisher and Keller as its editors and proprietors. Mr. Fisher soon retired, and Mr. Keller remained in charge until the paper suspended a year later. The material was then purchased and merged with the Democrat. Will E. Osborne in 1866 founded the Antwerp Gazette, which he published in that village for a dozen years, when it was removed to Paulding, and the name changed to the Paulding County Gazette. In 1882 the office was purchased by James R. Conner, who published it for a year, and it finally came into the possession of A. C. Banks, who continued it until 1887, when the business passed into the hands of an assignee. It was finally sold to Andrew Durfey, and the name changed to the Paulding County Republican. After about a year the plant was purchased by J. R. Ross. The Paulding News was founded in 1891 by Fred W. French and James R. Thomas. The Free Press is the only German paper ever published in the county, and it was edited for a number of years by Joseph Silverberg. The Antwerp Banner was started in that village in the year 1879 by R. S. Murphy. It suspended publication a couple of years later, and the material was sold. In 1882 a Mr. Williamson began the publishing of the HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 537 Antwerp Standard, which was shortly afterwards sold to B. B. Banks and A. N. Smith. W. E. Osborne purchased the material of the Standard and issued the Antwerp Argus, with E. A. Budd as the associate editor. N. H. Osborne was then admitted into the partnership, and it was conducted by them for a number of years, when the plant was leased and finally purchased by John F. Lusk. The first number of the Oakwood Sentinel was issued in 1889 by C. F. Carey. After only a few weeks' ownership, he sold the paper to Frank A. Hakes, who finally removed the material to Wisconsin and began the publishing of a paper in that state. Mr. Carey purchased a new plant and continued the publication of the Sentinel for a year, but it was finally sold to J. L. Lomer in the summer of 1890. Sherman Mott began the publication of the Scott Messenger in the village of that name. He sold it to Charles 0. Grimm, who in turn disposed of it to M. A. Kirschner. The first newspaper published at Payne was the Star, of which the initial number was issued in 1883. It did not prove to be a star of the first magnitude, for it soon ceased to twinkle. Then it was that the Payne Independent arose upon the horizon, with W. C. B. Harrison as editor and proprietor. As this paper was not well supported, the proprietor moved the plant to Hicksville. The third newspaper founded was the Review, issued in 1885 by W. J. Johnson. Methodism was early upon the ground of Paulding County. As early as 1830 Rev. J. J. Hill, pastor of the St. Mary's Circuit, established an appointment in Brown Township, and in the year 1831 he began to preach at the settlement known as Milligans. St. Mary's Circuit at that time included about 300 miles of travel. It took the minister four weeks to encompass it. The first society organized with the regular preaching was established at Junction in 1849. When the Town of Paulding was laid out, the Northern Ohio Confer- ence gave $90 for the Paulding Mission, and John S. Shaw was appointed the pastor in charge. It was by him that the society was organized in the Village of Paulding. For a few years it was included in the Toledo district, with Rev. David Gray as the presiding elder, and the church was allowed $100 from the conference. Among the very early preachers were Enoch Longsworth, John Priddy, Moses Hebbard, and Josiah Adams. In 1859 it was included in the Antwerp Circuit, with Rev. David Bulle as the preacher. It did not become the head of a circuit of its own until 1861, and this did not last very long. In 1887 Paulding became a station and has remained as such ever since. St. Paul's Church in Payne is the outgrowth of a class organized in 1864 by Rev. John Brakefield. It was the second church organized in that village. The chartered members of this society were Louis Stillwell and wife, A. F. Hardesty and wife, Anna H. and Jonathan Snellingberger, and Caroline Christopher. This small class formed the nucleus of the congregation of today. The first services were held in the Wiltsie schoolhouse, a couple of miles northeast of the village. The present church was dedicated in 1885 by Rev. David Rutledge. The Bethel Christian Church was organized in a schoolhouse in Auglaize Township in 1858, by Elders John Gillespie and John Bushong. This territory was then included in the Auglaize Conference, but it was transferred to the Maumee Conference as soon as it was organized. These were afterwards consolidated in the Northwestern Ohio Christian Conference. The charter members of this church were fourteen, and their names were as follows: John and Rachael Bickner, John, Susanna, and Ichabod Gillespie, A. J. and Elizabeth Frederick, Thomas and Jemimah Graham, D. P. W. Rains, William and Nancy Smith, Jacob and Rosanna Eitmaer. A hewed log church, small in size, was built in the 538 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO same year and used as a place of worship for a number of years, when a new frame church was erected. Rev. John Gillespie served the congregation for eleven years, and Reverend Bushong for a year. John H. McCague held the office of deacon and clerk for many years. Flat Rock society of this denomination was organized by Elder E. Leavitt in 1877 with fifteen members. There are also a number of churches of other denominations in the county, including Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic. A number of United Brethren societies were early organized in the county. At Clark's Corners a congregation was gathered in 1846 by David Landis in an old log cabin. In the following year another company met at McCormick's Corners with nine members. In 1850 a society was gathered together as a result of meetings held at the house of Deliverance Brown. Rev. Abram Shingledecker was an active minister of this denomination and organized several churches. One of these was in Blue Creek Township, in the year 1850. As a direct result of the efforts of these early ministers and members, there are today several United Brethren churches within the county. INDUSTRIES In the early year's of the county, the extensive forest products furnished the chief source of wealth. Among the early manufacturing industries, that of making staves, railroad ties, and the chopping of cord wood, were the most important. These industries began with the opening of the canal. The staves were made of white, red, and burr oak, and barrels were greatly in demand. The timber was sawed with a crosscut saw, the power being furnished by the muscle of the workmen. It was then split with a maul and riven into staves with a frow and mallet. A canal. boat would stop wherever there was a pile ready for shipment. Not much consideration was paid to the rights of property, and the stave cutters cut timber for many years without regard for the ownership of the land. Many thousands of hoop-poles were shipped from here, which had been cut in this way. Following this period of the hoop-poles and hand-made staves, there came the shipment of timber, about 1856. None of the counties of Northwestern Ohio furnished more or better timbers for shipping than did Paulding County. It was mostly carried on by Canadian capital and Canadian workmen. The trees were cut down, hewed square, and hauled to the nearest water, clown which they were floated to Toledo. At first the best of oak could be purchased for 2 cents a foot. At Toledo the timber was loaded on the lake vessels and taken to Quebec, from whence it was shipped to London or Liverpool. Millions of feet were shipped in this way. At one time there was a blast furnace at Antwerp and another one at Paulding, invited here by the abundance of wood for charcoal, and the ore for these vessels was transported by water through the canal. These furnaces were built in the sixties, and furnished employment for hundreds of men, and they converted thousands of cords of wood into charcoal. Next came the period of the elm industry, from which hoops and staves were made. This began about the year 1880, although much of the elm timber had been shipped before that. day. The first oil well drilled in the county was at Paulding by the Paulding Oil and Gas Company, in the summer of 1887. Both gas and oil was obtained, but not in paying quantities. The news of the discovery of oil and gas, even in small quantities, flew like wildfire, and the greatest excitement prevailed for a time. Lots in the town doubled in value within a few hours. The gas maintained from the well was set on fire and flamed up to a height of twenty feet or more. Drilling was continued, and a number of wells were found HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 539 which yielded oil in commercial volume. The well known as the Lamb well, six miles west of Paulding, yielded the best results, and had a capacity* of about twenty barrels of oil per day. RESERVOIR WAR The Reservoir war furnished an exciting chapter in the history of Paulding County. Six Mile Reservoir had always caused considerable trouble through overflow, but the farmers stood it as long as the canal was in operation. Upon the abandonment of the Wabash and Erie end, they became dissatisfied. Protests not bringing the desired relief, the citizens of Antwerp and vicinity determined to take the matter into their own hands when the Legislature failed to pass the bill championed by them. A mysterious body, afterwards known as "Dynamiters," arose. On the night of April 25, 1887, a loud explosion was 'heard in 'the vicinity of the reservoir. It was then learned that the few guards on duty had been overpowered by a large force of masked men, and that the bulkhead of the reservoir had been blown out, together with three locks. The news flew like wildfire. The following. telegram was sent to Governor Foraker : "Two hundred men marched on the canal in a body, captured the- guards and held them in confinement until daylight. They worked all night on the front and rear of the reservoir, cutting the ground enough to let the water out. Then they poured coal oil on the lock and the keeper's house, burning it up. One hundred more men went to Tate's and the other remaining lock, blowing them up with dynamite. The people of Defiance and Paulding counties call on you to protect the state property." Troops were immediately dispatched to the scene, in all fifty-three enlisted men and nine officers. When they arrived there was no " enemy " in sight, and not a gun was fired. The purpose of the dynamiters was accom-. plished, for the damage was never fully restored. After remaining on the scene about a week, the troops were recalled. The only casualty was one soldier, who accidentally shot himself, and died from the wound. The Legislature finally passed a bill abandoning the reservoir and the lands were sold. Wheat and corn now grow where the. waters once stood, and which had become only a dismal and desolate swamp. PAULDING It was in the year 1849, as the story runs, that a party of men in Van Wert were discussing the probable future of Northwestern Ohio. One of them passed the remark that the county seat of Paulding was not located where it should be, and would probably be changed at some time. A shrewd speculator who heard the remark decided that he would hasten this change, and make a profit out of it for himself. Accordingly, he purchased lands near the geographical center of the county, and the Village of Paulding was laid out in 1850 by George March. A postoffice was established in the same year, and Mr. Hickerson was named as the original postmaster. It was then in the midst of a dense forest, and several miles from any human dwelling. Through judicious manipulation the county seat was located there only a few months afterwards. The entire business had been conducted so quietly that .the people at Charloe did not realize the impending calamity until it had already happened. All efforts to take the county seat away from Paulding were futile. The change was doubtless a good thing for the county, since its location is as good as could be chosen, even if it was started as a, speculation scheme. A few log cabins were hastily constructed for the county offices and officials. The first house was built 540 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO by Elias Shafer, and in his cabin two terms of court were held before the new county buildings were completed. The first frame residence erected in Paulding was the Exchange Hotel, which was built by Isaiah Richards. The Paulding House, another hotel, was soon erected by John Crosson, and a number of private residences were likewise built, one of which was for Judge Latty. There were no rich people in this village, and everybody lived extremely modestly. The first merchant in the village was Elias Shafer, who opened a small general store in the front part of his dwelling in 1857. He also constructed a small grist-mill at the foot of what is now South Main Street. It was a small frame building, and was equipped with one set of burrs. Portions of the old dam may still be recognized. Soon afterwards Dr. A. P. Meng opened a combined dry goods and grocery store, and he was followed soon afterwards by V. V. Pursel and Joseph Coup-land. The early development of Paulding was exceedingly slow. It was so slow, indeed, that after a score of years the population was less than 500. It did not develop, in fact, until the decade following 1880, when several additions were added to the plat of the village. This condition is .not strange, however, when one considers its isolated and wooded situation, and the absolute lack of improved roads across its swampy soil. It was incorporated on the 12th of April, 1873, with A. H. Selden as the first mayor. W. A. Savage was the clerk, and. Alonzo H. Selden, Thomas Emery, and Peter Kemler were the first trustees. The first city council was composed of M. C. Powell, George W. Remage, V. V. Pursel, Joseph Coupland, Warren Baldwin, and Thomas B. Holland. The city hall was erected in 1883, and the building provides accommodation for the fire department, as well as the ,City officials. The first banking institution was established by George W. Potter in 1874, and it was named Potter's Bank. The Pauld ing Deposit Bank came into existence in 1887 through the efforts of C. H. Allen and W. H. Mohr. The first schoolhouse of Paulding was a small one-story frame building, which stood on the southwest corner of the courthouse square. It was built in 1853 and 'used for school purposes for about sixteen years, when it was superseded by a better building. This second building was afterwards sold to the United Brethren Church, and a fine two-story brick schoolhouse was constructed in 1884. ANTWERP Antwerp is situated along the Wabash Railroad, about four miles east of the Indiana state line. It is situated in a pleasant location on the bank of the Maumee River, and in the midst of a fertile farming region. The plat was laid out in 1841 by Gen. Horatio N. Curtis, and was surveyed by W. Wilshire Riley. Since the original platting of the town, there have been several additions to its boundaries. The business portion was originally located along the canal, where wharves, warehouses, hotels, and business houses were erected. In fact, it was the coming of the canal that brought Antwerp into existence. On the building of the railroad, however, the village began to move northward, and the business section was changed. For many years. Antwerp was the metropolis of the county, but was finally superseded by Paulding, so that it is now the second village in size and importance. For a long period John J. Shirley was one of the merchants of the place, and erected the first brick business room. The first factory to be established was the Antwerp Stave Company, about 1860. It manufactured staves and heading. PAYNE In 1858 a postoffice was established at the home of Adam Snellenberger, which was HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 541 called Payne. It was afterwards removed to Malottville, but the name of Payne was retained by the postal department. The present Town of Payne owes its location to W. C. Hedges, of Tiffin. During the time that the "Continental" Railroad was being graded, Mr. Hedges laid out several towns along this line. Among these were Oakwood, Hedges, and Payne, in this county. The original plat was made in 1872 by Mr. Hedges, and the survey was made by Noah Ely, who was at that time the county surveyor. The place at first bore the dignified name of Flatrock City. Additions were made to the village by James Malott and Peter Lehman, and the name was changed from Flatrock to Malottville. The village did not begin to grow until the Nickel Plate Railroad was built there. At this time Gen. W. H. Gibson, of Tiffin, made an addition to the town, and built several business rooms. The village was incorporated in 1883, under the name of Payne, and from that time it had a slow and steady growth. It is the third village in size in the county. In 1887 a disastrous fire visited the village, which swept away an entire block of frame buildings, thus causing a great loss to the citizens. Another disastrous fire occurred in 1891, in which five business houses were laid in ashes. As a result the village has built up a fire department to safeguard against another disaster of the same kind. A number of factories have brought a considerable degree of prosperity to the village. VILLAGES The Village of St. Andrews was laid out by James M. and Alexander Mather in 1850, and named after the patron saint of Scotland. Newberg followed in the following year through the efforts of David Shriver and Leonard Kimmel. These towns have since been absorbed by Melrose. Oakwood had its beginning in 1872, through the efforts of William C. Hedges. A postoffice had already been located here. Both Melrose and Oakwood are now incorporated. Smiley is a small station on the Nickel Plate Railroad. Broughton is likewise a small village, possessing a postoffice and business places. Grove Hill is another small village in another part of the county. It was laid out in 1887, and was named after Grover Cleveland. Latty was laid out in 1882 by Judge Latty and Wrexham Lewis. A portion of the village was at first called Wrexham, but it was all finally incorporated as Latty. Holcombeville was an industrious place not far from Paulding during the stave factory period. Briceton, and Worstville, arose through the location of stave mills, around which grew up settlements. Haviland is an incorporated village, which had its origin and growth dating from the building of the Findlay, Ft. Wayne and Western Railroad, now known as the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad. Man-dale, a village near the east line of the county, was laid out and had a career as a stave manufacturing point for a number of years. CHAPTER XLII   PUTNAM COUNTY   GEORGE D. KINDER, OTTAWA Putnam County was the site of one of the reservations of the Ottawa Indians, granted to that tribe by the treaty at the Foot of the Rapids of the Maumee. This treaty stipulated that "There shall be reserved for the use of Ottawa Indians, but not granted to them a tract of land on Blanchard's fork of the Great Auglaize river, to contain five square miles, the center of which tract is to be where the old trail crosses the said fork." The village of the Ottawa Indians, which was generally known as Tawa Village, and which consisted of some twenty-five shacks, or cabins, most of which simply consisted of a few poles set in the ground and covered with bark, was located on both banks of Tawa Run, and on the site of the present county seat of Putnam County. The original spelling of the name of this village is said to have been Tauwas, and it is known to have been in existence as far back as the middle of the eighteenth century, for it was visited by French missionaries and fur traders about that time. The principal trace, which ran from Wapakoneta to the Rapids of the Maumee, crossed the Blanchard River near where the river bridge on the road to Columbus Grove now stands. Tawa Village was practically the center of the reservation of five miles square. The most pretentious cabin in the village at the time of the removal of the Indians was the council house, which was constructed of logs, and located on what is now Walnut Street, in Ottawa. The trading cabin of Deardorf and Freede, fur traders, was the next cabin in size. It was also used by the early French missionaries as a place in which to hold religious services. A crude altar occupied the east part of the building, and, at a window in one end a lamp was kept burning for years at all hours. It was for this reason that the Indians and early travelers generally spoke of it as " The Light House." The Indians had cleared about five acres of land in the river bottom immediately west of their village, on which they used to raise corn. This tract and another of about one acre was practically all the land that the tribe cultivated. During the later years of the tribe on this reservation, Pe-ton-i-quet was recognized as their chief. In their conversations, however, the Indians usually spoke of him as their half-chief. In explanation of this, they said that Pe-ton-i-quet had a twin-brother, who was also a chief, and although this twin-brother had been killed, the remaining twin could only be a half-chief. The white men who met Pe-ton-i-quet spoke favorable of him, and said that he was not only sober in his habits, but honest in his dealings and kind in his disposition. He was not a full-blood Indian, his father being a Frenchman. When the removal was made, he and several others refused to accompany Colonel Hollister to their new home, but they all followed their kindred towards the declining sun a year or two after. wards. Among the Ottawa Indians of this reservation was one called Tom. Tom was the most worthless vagabond known to exist among all the tribes of the Ottawas. He was a thief and an habitual drunkard, too lazy even to hunt - 542 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 543 or fish. He had a wonderful thirst for strong liquor ; being drunk was his normal condition, being sober the exception. Tom, when on an extra big drunk, celebrated the occasion by whipping his squaw. The squaws, to even up with him, furnished him an extra amount of "red liquor," which made him helplessly drunk. While in this condition they caught him, took him down along the river bank and, after divesting him of all his clothing, tied him to a log and left him all night to the mercy of the mosquitoes. It is said that next morning Tom was scarcely recognizable by any of his companions. This bit of squaw justice worked to the full satisfaction of the squaws, and ever afterward, when Tom became abusive, all they had to do was to "buzz" like a mosquito and he fully understood their meaning. Tom went West with the other Indians of his tribe, who were very anxious to leave him behind, and tried many plans to consummate their desire. During the War of 1812, General Harrison erected a fort on the Auglaize River, which he named Fort Jennings, in honor of Colonel Jennings. The location of this fort is where the village of that name now stands. It was established as a base for supplies, and as an intermediate post between Fort Recovery and Fort Defiance. Colonel Jennings, with three regiments of militia, was stationed there for some time, while awaiting troops which had been detained by flood conditions. During this waiting period, detachments were dispatched down the Auglaize, and up the Blanchard River and Hog Creek, to investigate the situation among the Indians, for the Ottawas were not regarded as very friendly to our Government. On one of these expeditions, a detachment reached the Tawa Village and remained there for several days. As the Indians had departed and carried off all their property, the most of the village was burned. The town of Fort Jennings, which was at one time noted for the manufacture of corn whiskey, was incorporated in 1881. The first white family to reside in Putnam County was that of Henry Leaf, who built a cabin on the south side of the Blanchard River. A little later he removed from there and erected a primitive dwelling on the Auglaize River, at the junction of the Blanchard, at which place he was living in 1824. Although a white man, he could scarcely be considered a resident of the county, for he lived with the Indians and removed with them to the West in their final migration. In 1824 David Murphey came down the Blanchard River with his family in a canoe from Fort Findlay. He landed at the mouth of that stream, and there he raised a cabin of poles. He has the honor of being the first permanent white settler in the county. His wife was the first person buried in the cemetery at Kalida, and the remains of her husband were deposited at her side upon his death. During the same year Silas, Thomas, and Jack McClish established themselves a mile below Murphey, on the west side of the Auglaize. William Bowen settled three miles south, and William Patten fourteen miles to the south in the same year. Otho Crawfis and his wife were early settlers in what is now Blanchard Township. The first election of the township was held at his home. Joseph Hickerson, who was elected clerk, was delegated to carry the returns to Defiance, then the county seat. While there he took the oath of his office, and on his return swore in all the other officials. His son, Martin, was the first white child born in that section of the county. Elias Wallen reached the county in 1822 and located in Jackson Township, where he became the first permanent settler. Robert Wallen settled in Perry Township in 1819, it is believed, and became the first pioneer in that neighborhood. In 1828 an election was held in that township at the home of Sebastian Shroufe. Not long 544 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO after William Turner established his home in Pleasant Township, twin daughters came to brighten his home. They were given the good biblical names of Martha and Rebecca. Religious services were held in the same township at the home of John Bogart in 1834. Christian Bucher, one of the early German settlers in Riley Township, lived to pass the century mark. The first election was held there in April, 1834, at the cabin of Thomas Gray, at which J. D. Walmsley was elected justice of the peace. Robert Martin and Solo-. mon Sprague established themselves in Sugar Creek Township on Hog Creek in the year 1828. Two years later Benjamin, Jacob, George, Samuel, and William Clevenger reached the little settlement and built the Clevenger mill. In 1834 this township polled thirty-four votes in the election for governor. Obed Martin was the first township magistrate. Abraham Baughman was the first man to brave the malaria and ague of Van Buren Township in 1835. In 1843, when the first election was held, there were just an even dozen votes cast, -barely enough to fill the offices. Of the dozen it is said that three were not bona fide residents of the township at that time. From the organization of the county the only means of transportation was by wagon, the nearest market point being Lower Sandusky, now Fremont. The commonest conveyance at that time was the pirogue, which passed down the rivers and streams of the county to Defiance and thence to Maumee City or Perrysburg. The canal, which was completed in 1845, afforded an outlet for shipments from the western part of the county, but was of no great value then, as for many months in the year the roads were so bad that the canal could not be reached. The construction of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad through the central part of the county, in 1859, afforded the first means of shipment by rail, which was of very great importance to the county at large, and is so at the present time. The construction of seven other railroads since that time have filled the wants of the people of the county. In the spring of 1833, Michael Neuenschwander, who was a native of Alsace, together with his son John, came west to seek a new home in a new land. Having learned that Putnam County was a rich county, where land could ,be purchased cheap, they came directly here and selected two quarter sections. They then proceeded to the Government Land Office at Piqua, and entered this land. The father cleared up his quarter section, and occupied it until his death, forty-five years later. Returning to their former home in Wayne County, Mr. Neuenschwander brought the remaining members of the family and their household goods to Putnam County, making the trip in eleven days. At that time there were only a few neighbors, and these were Thomas Grey, John Sigafoose, Christopher Miller, and John Stout. In the fall of 1834, four additional families joined the settlement. These were Christian Suter, who was afterwards the minister of the congregation, Dorse Amstutz, Christian Bucher, and John Moser. In 1853 a large number of families arrived from Switzerland and Alsace, among them being the Steiners, Schumachers, Basingers, Lugibills, Geigers, and others. The hardships of these pioneers were many indeed. It was necessary at first to go to Sandusky over a road that was scarcely more than a cowpath to procure flour for the household. It was considered a great boon when this household necessity could .finally be purchased at Lima. Two of the sons of Mr. Neuenschwander -returned to Wayne County to secure their brides. They had one horse between them, and. the two women might have ridden this animal alternately. Daniel's wife, however, was not used to riding horseback, and preferred to walk the entire distance. In this way these two honeymoon couples passed HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 545 the happy days of their early wedded life on the way to the new home that awaited their occupancy in the wilderness. The prevailing religion in this community is the Mennonite, and the preaching is generally in the German language, while the schools are taught in both the German and English languages. The members as a rule are industrious, economical, law-abiding, and pious. A few still adhere to the peculiar garb and ancient practice of the sect, but the younger members are moving along with the changes of time, while the older members still guard vigorously against all innovations. They are very much opposed to secret societies, and have thus far been successful in keeping their members out of such organizations. The old congregations have generally elected their preachers so far by lot, and they usually have from two to four. Their deacons are chosen in the same way, and for life, whether they prove to be competent or not. The sect is now divided in four different denominations, which differ somewhat on minor practice and belief. The general contour of Putnam County is flat, but there are numerous small streams that drain it, while a complex but thorough system of surface drainage has made it possible to cultivate nearly all the soil. The Auglaize drains practically all the county. The Ottawa River, formerly known as Hog Creek, and the Blanchard River also course through the county. Sugar Creek derived its designation because its banks were lined with sugar maple trees. Riley Creek was formerly known. as Deer Creek, because of the abundance of these little animals. Jennings Creek was named in honor of Colonel Jennings. Plum Creek was given its title because of the number of plum trees growing along its banks. Leatherwood bushes grew along the stream which bears that name, and Cranberry Creek received its cognomen for the same cause, for Vol. I-35 the succulent cranberry was common upon its banks. Putnam County was set off     the Legislature by the act of February 12, 1820. At that time it contained nearly 600 square miles, but goodly portions have since been separated to add to other counties. It was not until fourteen years later that the county was formally organized and permitted to take its place as an independent political district. At the first election, held in 1834, only 163 votes were cast. William Cochran, Henry Morris, and Silas McClish were named by the governor as associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas. These men were charged with the duty of formally organizing the county. Pursuant to instructions they met on May 8, 1834, at the house of Abraham Sarber, in Kalida, and took the first steps in starting the county machinery. After being sworn in as provided by law, they proceeded to the organization of the county by appointing Daniel W. Gray as clerk of the court, and Amos Evans as prosecuting attorney. Thomas Grey, William Priddy, and Samuel Myers were named as county commissioners. An election was then ordered on the 31st of the same month, for the purpose of electing a sheriff and coroner. For some unknown reason the county seat had been definitely located in 1829, five years before the county was organized, at Kalida. The reason was, probably, that this site was the center of population of the county, as it was outlined at that time. It was located near the confluence of Plum and Sugar creeks. After the organization of the county, the commissioners purchased some land, which was laid off into lots, and which the town director was ordered to dispose of at the best possible prices. The money thus obtained was to be employed in the erection of a courthouse and jail. A frame courthouse was then erected, as well as a jail of heavy timbers, to accommodate the offenders against the laws. Prior 546 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO to that time court had been held at the home of Abraham Sarber. In 1839 these primitive structures were replaced by substantial brick buildings, whiremained in use until 1864, when the courthouse was destroyed by fire. Two years later an eQ,lection was held to decide the location of the clectiont for the future. At this election 3,154 votes were cast, and Ottawa was the successful competitor by a majority of 672 votes. The citizens of Ottawa deposited $15,000 with the county commissioners to guaiantee the erection of a courthouse. An interesting incident of the early days is revealed by a notice in the Kalida Venture in 1845. At that time postmasters were generally chosen at a public meeting of the adherents of the party in power. POSTOFFICE MEETING "In pursuance to notice heretofore given the Democratic citizens transacting their business through the Postoffice at Kalida met at the office of Ben Metcalf and proceeded to nominate a suitable person to be recommended to the Postmaster General to fill the vacancy in the Postoffice at Kalida to be occasioned by the resignation of M. M. Gillett the present incumbent ; "Which resulted on the fifth balloting, in the choice of Winchton Risley., "On motion the meeting adjourned without day, March 22nd, 1845. Stephen White, Chairman. Ben Metcalf, Secretary." When the first court was convened in Putnam County, in 1834, the court appointed Amos Evans to fill the office of prosecuting attorney. One of the first acts of the court was the granting of a tavern license to Arthur E. Martin, for the Town of Kalida, for which privilege he was to produce the receipt of the treasurer of five dollars. William Cochran was also permitted a license to maintain a tavern at his residence in Jennings Township on the same terms. When the first session of the court was held at the new courthouse in Kalida in April, 1835, George B. Holt was the president judge. The first case that came up before the court was that of Joshua Waggon-seller vs. Jacob Deweese, an action in chancery. At one of the early sessions, Isaac McHenry, aged seventy-two years, came into court and made a declaration in order to obtain the pension granted to soldiers of the Revolutionary 'War. When the first grand jury reported, it presented six indictments, of which four were for selling liquor without a license. As the early records of the county were destroyed by fire, it is impossible to give a correct list of the early attorneys and the dates at which they came to the county. Originally the majority of the lawyers lived in Kalida, the first county seat, and when the seat of justice was removed to Ottawa, practically all of them followed to the new county capital. Where formerly a number of attorneys practiced in Kalida, there is now only one in that village. Among the early attorneys, we can list the following names : J. B. Woodruff, T. J. Logan, D. I. Brown, Richard Lameson, Charles A. Wright, Azariah Budd, Day Pugh, James R. Linn, James Anderson, Ely Holmes, Josiah Gallup, C. J. Swan, H. F. Knowles, John Buchanan, Stansberry Sutton, Joseph Foltz, J. J. Moore, F. H. Gillette, A. A. Skinner, W. L. Berge, John Norris, J. N. Palmer, Benjamin Metcalf, N. W. Ogan, Elam Day, and Sidney Sanders. When the Circuit Court was organized in 1884, John J. Moore, of Ottawa, was elected one of the three judges on that bench. John M. Sheets, after serving a short time on the Common. Pleas Bench, was elected to the office of attorney general of Ohio, in 1900, which position he filled for two consecutive terms. Americus V. Rice was one of Putnam County's distinguished citizens, and had the honor of rising to the highest military rank HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 547 of any one in the county. He entered that great conflict in 1861 and remained in the service until its close, when he was breveted brigadier-general for distinguished services. In 1874 he was elected to Congress, and served two terms in that body. In 1894 he was appointed pension agent at Columbus, and filled that position for a number of years. He subsequently went to Washington, and was connected with the pension office for a number of years until his death. The Kalida Venture was the first newspaper in Putnam County, and it was well named, for it was indeed a venturesome undertaking. The editor was Francis Gillette, who at the same time eked out a precarious livelihood by practicing law in the county seat. The publication passed through a number of different ownerships, and none of the editors seemed to have made very much money out of it. It was in this early day that the paper came into the possession of Horace K. Knapp, who afterwards wrote the interesting "History of the Maumee Valley." He sold it to James McKenzie, also a lawyer of Kalida, who added editorial duties to his legal practice. He owned the publication for almost a decade, and was succeeded by Luther Wolf and afterwards by John Dixon, who remained the owner until the county seat was removed to Ottawa. He then removed his plant to Ottawa, and his paper appeared for a time under the name of the Citizen, and soon afterwards it breathed its last sigh. The change was too great a shock for its slight vitality. The Kalida Sentinel was established in 1865 by Elam Daym and was a democratic paper. Soon afterwards Luther Wolf purchased the unprofitable publication, and he passed it on to Levi G. Lee, by whom it was moved to Ottawa and consolidated with the Putnam County Sentinel in 1864. The many changes of ownership are an indication that the enterprise was not a financial success. The Sentinel was also removed to Ottawa and rechristened the Putnam County Sentinel, a name which it has borne for half a century. M. G. Gillette was the owner at that time, and he took in as partners Stevens Godfrey and Leonard Miller. In 1867 the Sentinel passed into the ownership of George D. Kinder, who continued as editor and proprietor for more than a third of a century. During his long connection with the Sentinel he built up a newspaper, which ranked high among the periodicals of the state. Mr. Kinder retired in 1900 and the paper passed into the hands of a stock company, which has remained in charge since that time. Since 1913 A. P. Sandles, who is well known over the state, has been the managing editor of the paper. Mr. Kinder still retains his chair in the office, and has been associated with the paper nearly ever since that time. Few men in the state have been connected with the active newspaper business longer than has Mr. Kinder. Der Demokrat was established in Ottawa by C. W. Bente, who remained in charge until 1890, when he sold it to Henry Halterman. A few years later Mr. Halterman disposed of the paper to H. L. Rauh. The Ottawa Telegram was established by John McElroy during the Civil War, but lived only a short time. Mr. McElroy afterwards did newspaper work in Toledo, and is now editor of the National Tribune, of Washington, D. C. The Ottawa Gazette was _established in 1881 by C. L. H. Long, who disposed of it to George Bassett after a few years. It then passed through the ownership of Hoffa and Vale, C. P. Godfrey, J. H. Letcher, and E. B. Walkup, the latter continuing as owner until 1913, when it was purchased by a stock company. It is now owned by W. J. Swisher, who is its editor. The Leipsic Free Press was given to the public in 1878 by W. W. Smith, who remained as the editor and proprietor until his death in 1912. It is now managed by his son, George F. Smith. The Leipsic Tribune was founded 548 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO in 1891 by Pratt Kline. The Kalida Record was established in the '90s by E. J. Bolerjack, and he was succeeded by the present owner and editor, W. N. Curtiss. The Pandora Times was established in 1899 by J. R. Swaney. Two years later it was purchased by A. J. Stevens, who later disposed of it to D. B. Basinger, who is now its owner and editor. The Continental Union-News was started a number of years ago, and is now owned by Tri-Countyman. The. Ottoville TriCounty News was established in 1906 by Mr. Fluhart, but it finally ceased publication in 1910. Soon afterwards the first number of the Ottoville Leader was published by C. V. Wannemacher. He afterwards disposed of the plant to W. N. Curtiss, who removed the Plant to Kalida and installed it with the Kalida Record. At the present time Ottoville is without a paper. The Columbus Grove Vidette was started by W. C. Tingle in the year 1874, and was published by him for a, number of years until his death. It is now the only paper published in Columis Grove, and W. H. Holdeman is. its present editor and publisher. Since then two other papers have been started in that place, but were published for a short time only. The only national bank in Putnam County is the First National of Ottawa, which was organized in 1903. D. N. Powell was the first president, and William Annesser was the earliest cashier. The Bank of Ottawa was originally organized as a private bank, and continued to operate as such for a: number of years, after which it was incorporated under the laws of Ohio as a state bank. The first officers were Dr. W. F. Reed, president; and W. H. Harper, cashier. This is the oldest bank in Putnam County, and also the largest in the amount of its deposits. The Continental Bank was established in 1890, with the following officers: J. H. Edwards, president ; and I. N. Bushing, cashier. ,It has never been incorporated, and has always done a success ful business. The Farmers State and Savings Bank of Continental is a new concern, having been organized in 1913. It began business with C. E. Wright as president, and C. R. Blauvelt as its cashier. The Bank of Leipsic began business in 1888. It is also a private banking institution, in which the Edwards family of that village are the largest stockholders. J. H. Edwards is the president, and T. D. Rosenberger the cashier. The Exchange Bank of Columbus Grove was established in 1873 by. Simon Mapel and. several associates. Their interests were purchased about twenty years later by Wilson Martin and J. M. Crawford. The bank passed through several ownerships until its incorporation in 1914. The Peoples Bank of Columbus Grove was organized in 1892., The first' officers elected were Christian Basinger, president ; and G. W. Core, the cashier. The Peoples Bank of Kalida dates from 1899. The Farmers Bank- ing Company of Pandora was organized in 1900. The Ottoville Banking Company began business .in 1903. The first officers were C. J. Wannemacher, president ; and T. J. Maehlman, cashier. The Belmore Banking Company had its beginning in 1907. C. G. Bennett was elected the first president of the institution, and C. R. Blauvelt was selected as its cashier. CHURCHES The first Methodist organization of which we have a record in Putnam County was the one at Gilboa, which was organized in 1833, with Samuel Hall and wife, Moses Williams and wife, Sarah Crawfus, Louisa Guisinger, G. W. Montgomery, and Samuel McDonald as the charter members. It was at first connected with the McComb circuit, but later became the head of the circuit, and in 1911 was made a station. A Methodist class was organized two miles south of Columbus Grove at the home of Philip Hopper, Sr., in October, HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 549 1839. His house continued to be a preaching place until 1853, when services were held in a schoolhouse, and later in a public hall in Columbus Grove. A lot was finally donated to the congregation by Father Hooper, and a frame church was erected. This building an swered the needs of the congregation until 1891, when the present brick building was constructed under the pastorate of Rev. Alexander Harmount. Until 1868 Columbus Grove was simply an appointment, on a circuit, but at that time it was made a separate church. The first class was organized under the pastorate of Elmer Day. From a small the beginning this church has grown in three-quarters of a century to a thriving congregation, and a new church is now being erected. The Methodists entered Leipsic in 1870, and for a number of years conducted their services in the schoolhouse and in other churches in the village. The first building was erected in 1884, under the pastorate of Rev. J. S. G. Reeder. The present beautiful edifice was dedicated in 1896. The Methodist congregation was organized in Ottawa in 1855 under the Rev. John A. Shannon, and a brick building was erected in 1858. This building was in use until 1900, when a new church was dedicated to the services of Almighty God by Bishop David H. Moore. Other churches of this denomination in the county are found at Continental, which dates from 1895, North Creek, Clover Dale, and Dupont. The oldest Presbyterian Church in the county is located at Columbus Grove. It was organized on September 9, 1836, with the following charter members : Samuel, Anna, Elizabeth, and William McComb, Adam Turner, Joseph and Eleanor Belford, Joseph, Hannah, and Martha Nichols, Joe, Jane, and Martha Combs, and Jane Pier. A log church was constructed to accommodate this loyal band of Presbyterians, until a more pretentious building could be erected. As the settlers came in the congregation began to grow and become prosperous, so that a frame building was contracted for in 1851, which was dedicated in the same year under the pastorate of Rev. William K. Brice. This was replaced by the present beautiful structure in 1902. The congregation is one of the largest among the Protestant societies in the county. Presbyterianism made its appearance in Kalida in 1845, when fifteen members of that faith met and organized. The first services were held in private homes and in the old courthouse, until the frame building for their use was completed in 1852. This building is still standing, and has the honor of being oldest church built within the limits of Putnam County. Although it is known that a society was organized some years earlier, the records have been burned. The church building, which is still in use, was erected in 1873 in a central location. During the pastorate of the Rev. David Demster and Rev: Harry C. Cunningham the church reached its maximum of prosperity St. John's United Brethren Church of Columbus Grove had its beginning in the year 1858, and was organized by Rev. Daniel Glancy. The first temple of worship was erected in 1860. A church of this denomination is found at Continental (1888), Wisterman (1884) and Cascade (1885). The only Congregational Church is at Vaughansville, and was organized in 1889. In the same village is a Christian Church, which dates from 1850. Another Christian Church was organized in 1860, which is known as the Ottawa River Christian Church. There is a Lutheran Church at Continental ; a Dunkard Church and several other Protestant societies are scattered over the county. The first Catholic place of worship in Putnam County was erected for Father Horstman at Glandorf, and he celebrated the first mass in it on Easter Sunday, in the year 1834. It was a small house, built of hewed logs, which served both as a residence for the