600 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Because of this circumstance it was concluded that this must have been the grave of an Indian chief. Among these articles were a fine steel tomahawk, a gun barrel, some silver ornaments, and a small copper kettle containing a few English silver coins. There was another burial place on the William Martin farm where a grave contained the bodies of two Indians. It is related that these red braves, because of their love for the same Indian maiden, fought a duel with knives. Their left wrists were first securely bound together, and in this way they contested until both fell in a dying condition. An orchard of apple trees, said to have been planted by "Johnny Appleseed," once covered the site of this duel. One of the early settlers of Van Wert County, a man who had encountered many exciting experiences as a sea rover, was Capt. James Riley, who founded the town of Will-shire, the first capital of the county, in 1822. He was born in the town of Middletown, Connecticut, on the 17th of October, 1777. At an early age he turned to the sea, and passed through all the grades on board ship from cabin boy to cook, and finally served as chief mate on a number of different vessels. He was a man in excess of six feet in height, and was well proportioned. In 1815 he had charge of a vessel which left New Orleans and proceeded to Gibraltar. There he took on a cargo of brandies and wines and set sail, intending to return by the way of Cape Verde Islands. Owing to foggy weather, the ship was wrecked on the coast of Africa. There the crew were captured by native negroes, and robbed of all their possessions that had value. Proceeding to sea again in a leaky boat, they were compelled to land once more. Bad luck was still with them, for, encountering a band of Arabs, Riley and the men with him were reduced to a condition of actual slavery. Riley himself became the property of an Arab named Sidi Hamet. The hard ships that he was compelled to undergo were almost unbearable. He succeeded in making his master believe that the ransom which his friends were willing to pay was worth more than his services. He managed to send word to some English people at Magadore, who ransomed the members of the party for the sum of 920 "hard dollars." They were safely delivered to William Wiltshire, the money paid, and the party succeeded in reaching the American shores again. Concluding that life at sea was a little too risky in those days, Mr. Riley learned the profession of civil engineer. He was appointed a surveyor by Edward Tiffin, and was sent to the region of St. Marys, in 1819, to survey the lands that had been recently purchased from the Indians. Returning to Connecticut, he moved his family to Chillicothe in a two-horse wagon. They were six weeks on their way from Connecticut. He left his family there for a time while he surveyed the lands between the Auglaize and Maumee rivers. He surveyed the lands at Wiltshire and brought his family there in 1821. He had secured some land there and also had erected a small mill. He was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature in 1823. In 1830 the call of the sea was too strong to resist, so that he made a number of voyages between the United States and the African shores. In 1840 he left New York in his brig "William Tell" for St. Thomas, in the West Indies, and died at sea. Riley is just one example of the picturesque and sometimes rough characters who were drawn to Ohio, and several of whom reached Van Wert County. His town of Wiltshire, named in honor of his English benefactor, promised at that early day to make a thriving village, but the railroads and the canals drew the settlers to other centers. Ansel Blossom was another of the early settlers of Van Wert County, coming from Maine. When he arrived at Wiltshire, he worked for Captain Riley at a dollar a day HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 601 and board until there was due him $100, with which he entered eighty acres of land. He erected a log cabin and moved upon the property, and immediately commenced the work of clearing. His wife's name was Mercy, and they became the parents of a large family. To make sure that his sons should become great, in name at least, they were named after the prominent men of that time. Thus it is that they bore the names of Horatio Gates, Edward Preble, Ira Allen, Benjamin Franklin, Smith Mathias, James Monroe, and John Quincy Adams. Mr. Blossom officiated at the first wedding in Van Wert County, when he joined in matrimony Phillip Froutner and a Miss Bolenbaugh. He had been elected justice of the peace just a week before by the aid of his own vote. The wedding had been postponed for a week, awaiting his qualification, for otherwise the parties would have been obliged to go to St. Marys or Fort Wayne. A second postponement of a few days was occasioned by an unfortunate accident. Seeing a polecat quietly drinking milk from a pan, Squire Blossom struck it with a shovel. The result was he was blinded for a week, and it was that long before his best clothes were presentable. The Gillilands were early settlers in Van Wert County, coming from Pennsylvania. James G. Gilliland walked from Gettysburg to Fort Wayne and back, on a prospecting tour in 1833. He returned with his mother, his brothers, and sisters, and his own family in 1834, and entered land in Ridge Township. At that time the settlers were obliged to go to Fort Wayne to have their grain ground. The nearest neighbors lived fifteen miles away, and a number of Wyandot Indians were still located in the neighborhood. Most of them were very friendly, and one would occasionally spend the night at the Gilliland home. James Gilliland and his brother Adam cut the first road from the Auglaize to the vicinity of Van Wert. They followed an Indian trail, and it took them three days to make the trip. One of the sons of James G. Gilliland was Thaddeus Stephen Gilliland, who was born in 1834. Until his death at an advanced age, he was closely identified with everything connected with the growth of the city. He was the author of a "History of Van Wert County," which has been the source of much of the material of this historical chapter upon the county. Game was very plentiful in the early days, and the pioneers filled their larders from its pursuit. Wolves were numerous, also, but the bounty was worth more than the carcass. "At an early day two boys, Norman Fish and William Evans, were out hunting. Coming to a hollow log in what was called the Frisbie deadening' (now known as the McMillen farm), they heard something in it, and young Fish concluded he would crawl in and investigate. Taking his gun with him, he had gone some distance when he saw two bright eyes. He fired, and then went forward and caught hold of some animal's foot, and pulled it out, only to find it a full-grown wolf. He went in again with the same result, and again the third time, bringing out a wolf each time —one black and two grays. This proved a good day's work for the boys—$4 for each scalp, besides the pelt." Joseph Gleason was one of the prominent early settlers. With his wife and three children he came to the county in 1837. At first he located at what is known as Pott's Corners. After his election to the office of county recorder, he removed to Van Wert. A double one-storied log cabin served for the purpose of a court house. At that time the village consisted of hardly a dozen cabins. Being very popular with the pioneers, Mr. Gleason had official honors heaped upon him. He served as justice of the peace for many years, and the rulings of Squire Gleason were generally sustained by the higher courts. His 602 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO wife, Harriet, was also a woman of strong character, and she was a helpmate in the true sense of the word. Both lived to a ripe old age, and they left a family of several children, who have been prominent in Van Wert affairs. It was at Willshire that the first celebration of the Fourth of July occurred, in the year 1825. The ceremonies were held under the giant trees of the forest, and the food supplied included bear, venison, and wild turkey. The oration was delivered by Captain Riley, and it was indeed eloquent and patriotic. The first religious services in the county were also held at the Riley home in Willshire. The preacher, a Mr. Antrim, was one of those early exhorters who preached that Hades was raging just beneath them with real fire and brimstone. Willshire is the home of the oldest Baptist church in the Auglaize Association, as the society was organized in 1837. Henry Reichard established a dry goods store there in 1836, and a tavern was opened up two or three years later by William Case. The first school in the county was taught by Ansel Blossom in a one-story log house used for a postoffice, and afterwards for both court house and jail. This school was opened January 1, 1836, with six pupils. Among the early marriages were those of Josiah Clark and Alice Kettle, by William Morman, J. P., and that of Peter Hurt and Mary German, by Joseph Gleason, J. P. Although Van Wert County was formed in 1820, from lands purchased of the Indians at a treaty in 1818, made at Wapakoneta, it was not organized until 1835, and the first meeting of the commissioners was held on the 24th day of April in that year, at Willshire, the temporary county seat. There were only two commissioners at that time, Jesse Atkinson and Joshua Goodwin. They examined their own credentials and found them correct. Ansel Blossom was appointed special clerk for the session. As the assessor elected was not a resident of the county, they appointed John Keith to fill the vacancy until the next election. The second session of the board was not held until 1837, when the same two commissioners were present. Daniel D. Cross, presenting his certificate of election as auditor, executed a bond for the sum of $2,000, and entered upon his duties. The oath of office was administered to William Case, as county treasurer, and William Priddy took his seat as the third commissioner. It was ordered that the auditor keep the treasurer's bond, and that the treasurer have custody of the auditor's bond. The absence of a newspaper is shown by the following order : " Ordered that whenever it becomes necessary to advertise any matter in the public paper and as there is none printed in the county, the same may be done by posting up written notices, in each township within the County, by the Auditor thereof." In the succeeding election Joseph Johnson, Henry Reichard, and William H. Purdy were chosen commissioners—all new men. It required several settlements with Mercer County to adjust their respective interests after Van Wert County established an independent government. Almost a thousand dollars was due the new county from various funds, which was a large sum in those days. Eli Compton became the second treasurer of the county, and gave a satisfactory bond. Among the pioneers were some honest men, for an entry on the commissioners' books reads as follows: " Convened at eight o'clock, Dec. 4th, 1838, Washington Mark came forward and acknowledged that nine eighty-acre lots of land owned by him were taxable and were not returned by the Auditor of State for assessment and the Commissioners assessed them at two dollars and fifty cents per acre." Settlers did not come in very rapidly to Van Wert County, because of the swampy condition of the land. In 1840, only 298 votes were cast for Governor in the entire county. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 603 In 1843-4 it was not uncommon to see a dozen to twenty teams in a string hitched to the old Virginia "schooners" on their way to the West. All of these were bound for the new State of Indiana. It grieved the hearts of the citizens of Van Wert County to behold these emigrants pass them by and travel a hundred miles or more farther to homes, when they were wanted so badly here. A society was organized to induce these travelers to locate in Van Wert County. The members of the organization were urged to get into conversation with these "movers," and explain to them the advantages of settling here. Many arguments were used, but few of them had an effect. In the fall of 1844, eighty-three wagons were counted in one day bound for the West. Two or three years later, the string of those returning was almost as great. The "chills" had taken hold of whole families, and after two years of trouble they had given up the fight in despair. Many of the residents in Van Wert County would also have returned to their former homes if they could have disposed of their land for enough to take them back. In fact, many of those who urged the "movers" so strongly had this very purpose in view. The first term of the Court of Common Pleas for Van Wert County was held in Will-shire, May 11, 1838, William L. Helfenstein officiating as presiding judge. Joshua Watkins, Oliver Stacy, and Benjamin Griffin were the associate judges. George B. Holt, of Dayton, was appointed prosecuting attorney for the term, and was immediately inducted into office. The following persons composed the grand jury : Daniel D. Cross, James Major, Peter Frysinger, Jacob M. Harter, Robert Gilliland, Washington Mark, Peter Bolenbaugh, John Keith, David King, John F. Dodds, Ezra F. Parent, Eli Compton, John Pool, Thomas C. Miller, and Henry Myers. The court appointed Daniel D. Cross as foreman of the jury. At this term Daniel Cook was indicted for selling liquor without a license ; he plead guilty, and was fined $5 and costs. Samuel Maddox, who was indicted for assault and battery, also acknowledged his guilt and received the same extremely moderate fine. John F. Dodds and Nash Mark were appointed school examiners. Mr. Holt was allowed $25 for his services as prosecutor during this term of court. After the new State Constitution was adopted, and the office of associate judge was abolished, John M. Palmer was the first judge of the new Common Pleas Court in Van Wert County. He was succeeded in 1856 by Alexander S. Latty. When the Probate Court was organized as a separate court, in 1852, W. H. Ramsey was elected as probate judge. Before that time the probate work had been performed by the Common Pleas judges. Of the resident lawyers of Van Wert County, James Madison Barr was the premier practitioner, coming to Van Wert in 1842. He served as prosecuting attorney for the next three years, and practiced in the courts of the surrounding counties, to which he traveled on a handsome little Indian pony named " Selim." William E. Rose was probably the second attorney, and he was practicing here in the year 1845. S. E. Brown served as prosecuting attorney in the '40s, but afterwards removed to the West. R. C. Spears came to Van Wert in 1844, and practiced here for a number of years. He married Louisa Spear, so that by her marriage she only added one letter to her name. Charles P. Edson and Perin C. Depuy organized a partnership in Van Wert in 1846 for the practice of law. Depuy left for California in a few years, where he acquired quite a fortune. He returned to Van Wert and, when he died, left a large part of his fortune to the School Board of Van Wert for the education of the poor. A. W. Rose, Robert Encil, and James W. Steel were also among the attorneys of the early days. 604 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Dr. P. J. Hines was the first physician to settle in Van Wert. He had studied medicine in Washington, D. C., and came to Van Wert in 1838. In addition to attending to a large medical practice, he served as county auditor, a member of the Ohio Legislature, and postmaster of the town of Van Wert. Before Doctor Hines settled here, Dr. William McHenry, of Lima, was frequently called to Van Wert. Thirty, miles on horseback, and over bad roads, did not deter the pioneer physician from ministering to the sick and helpless. Dr. John W. Lennox came to Van Wert in the early '40s. He had a large practice throughout the county, often traveling twenty miles on horseback to see a patient. He rode day and night, and is said to have maintained such a gait that few could keep pace with him. Among other early physicians were Dr. James Burson, who came in 1842, and was elected county treasurer ; Dr. John Q. Adams, who finally removed to the West ; and Dr. C. W. Boland. The Grange has had an important influence in Van Wert County, as it has in many other agricultural counties. The first society was organized in the autumn of 1873. While the primary object was to study the science of farming and horticulture, yet the Grange assumed a much wider field. For the first time farmers were really formed into a compact organization, and their influence could be felt in any direction in which they threw it. The Grangers thus became the leading spirits in many legislative matters in which they were interested. They threw their weight in favor of road improvement, a most important subject in a county where better roads were so much needed. The Grange had a social side, which also meant much for those living in rural communities, and filled a much needed want among the agriculturalists. Its motto, "Faith, Hope, and Fidelity," was indeed an inspiring one. In many instances it started a generous rivalry between neigh boring farmers, or nearby neighborhoods, resulting in much improvement of the homes and surroundings. VAN WERT The first plat of Van Wert was made and filed in Mercer County, on the 26th day of May, 1835. In this plat there were 78 lots lying between Water and Jackson streets, and between Cherry and Jefferson streets. A couple of years later, an additional plat was filed in the same county, comprising 246 lots, and which is known as the "Original Plat of Van Wert." By this plat, a so-called "Commons" was dedicated to the public out of which the beautiful parks have since been created. There are three distinct parks, which is very unusual for a city the size of Van Wert. It was certainly a wise foresight on the part of the donors. By this plat all of the odd numbers of lots from numbers one to seventy-seven, excepting only lot three, were dedicated to the use of the County of Van Wert forever, by the owners, James Watson Riley, Peter Aughenbaugh, and George Marsh. A sale of these lots was held in the following year, and most of them were sold. These lots were given to the commissioners for the benefit of the county, upon the condition that the seat of justice for the county should be fixed at the Town of Van Wert. As this requirement had been officially complied with, the transfer of the county offices from Wiltshire to the present county seat was made. When the offices were moved it was a simple matter, and the officers had little difficulty in transporting all their books and papers in a pair of saddlebags. The recorder carried his records on foot over the sixteen intervening miles, wrapped up in a bandanna handkerchief. The various offices were at first scattered over the village, each officer using his own home for the transaction of his duties. In 1838 a contract was let to Jesse HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 605 King to build a jail for the sum of $483. This building was of logs hewed on four sides, and notched so that they fitted close together. Three months later the commissioners accepted the jail, with the deduction of $45 from the contract price. In modern public contracts the price always has a habit of growing instead of decreasing. The first building erected in Van Wert for a residence was occupied by John F. Dodds. He was appointed county auditor in 1837, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Daniel D. Cross, and this brought him to the county seat. He also served as a road commissioner. There has been some question as to who opened the first general store in Van Wert. The earliest official record that we have of such an enterprise is when the county treasurer was ordered, in 1838, to collect 3 per cent on the capital. of Samuel M. Clark, who was engaged in merchandising in Van Wert. Mr. Clark also started the first blacksmith shop in Van Wert in the following year, and at one time was the keeper of a tavern. He built a double log house for his own residence, and a small one-story frame building in which he kept his stock of dry goods. At the time of the first sale of lots, Clark was registered as a resident of Allen County. Adam Nimon, formerly of Bucyrus, and Thomas R. Mott also built one of the earliest. log buildings in the embryo village, and installed a general store. They were succeeded in 1842 by Walter Buckingham, who brought a stock of groceries, dry goods, and hardware from Mansfield. Robert and James Gilliland were likewise among the earliest merchants of Van Wert. Compared with the business houses of today, these little pioneer stores carried very small stocks, usually of the most actively selling goods. Tobacco was one of the most essential articles and, if the stock of one merchant became exhausted, all of his customers immediately made a dash for the store that still had a supply of " dog leg," as it was usually called. Sometimes those merchants who had purchased liberally were almost compelled to share with their competitors. James and William A. Clark opened up the first shoe store in a log building not far from where the courthouse now stands. This store remains in the Clark family to this day. When Daniel Cook arrived in Van Wert, he started a tavern in a log house 18 by 24 feet in size, which he gave the name of the Eagle Tavern. It flourished for a number of years under several different managers. While it was owned by Joseph Gleason, the name was changed to the American House. In 1870 this building was torn down and a brick hotel erected in its place, which was known as the Commercial House. Another tavern was started by Samuel M. Clark, who nailed a sign on the trunk of a hickory tree, which read "The Other Tavern Kept by Samuel M. Clark." This tavern did a flourishing business, even though it was small, for it was only 18 by 20 feet in dimension. The first sawmill was run by James Watson Riley, under a contract which he made with the county commissioners, when the county seat was located there. The second one was operated by a man by the name of Stage, who also had a grist-mill in connection, run by water power, in which corn was ground when there was enough water to run the mill. The early sawmills manufactured the timber which was used in the building up of the growing village. The saws were of the upright, or "muley" type, and it was some time before the circular saw took their place. The original tannery was erected by John F. Gabby, but it did not prove a financial success. A second tannery was built by John Uncapher, which was more successful. When new processes of tanning hides were discovered, the old-fashioned tanneries became unprofitable, and they finally disappeared. The last tannery was operated by John 606 - HISTORY. OF NORTHWEST OHIO Malick. The original shoemaker in this neighborhood was Isaac Dougherty. The pioneer shoemakers journeyed from house to house in the fall of the year and made up the shoes for the family. Of this type was John Roach, who came to Van Wert about the same time as Dougherty. As early as 1841, W. H. Brown opened up a cabinet shop, and in the following year Abel R. Strother began the manufacture of wagons. The Shaffer brothers, with the good old Biblical names of Isaiah and Joshua, opened up a shop as wheelwrights, thus introducing another new industry into the village. Of these two men, an old pioneer writes: "Two strikingly familiar figures were the brothers Joshua. and Isaiah Shaffer, of temporary residence in early Van Wert, where they first worked at repairing wagons. Soon tiring of that, they took up wild land in Hoaglin township. They were twins, I think, or as near alike as twins, both being of the same build, of medium height, very dark, and each wearing a full beard, black as jet, as were their long, unkempt locks. I think they farmed in partnership, their team consisting of a yoke of black bulls, which were broken to ride ; hence it was quite a common sight to see the Shaffer brothers ride into the village `Bullback,' as unconcerned as you please, their slouch hats turned up fore and aft most comically. Like most of their class, the Shaffer brothers only remained a few years in the vicinity of Van Wert. Having cleared a few acres, thus making their holdings more desirable than wild land, they sold out for enough to take them and their families farther West, where the same routine was probably followed, they being virtually members of the advance guard of the army of civilization which was gradually taking the place of the aboriginal tribes of the forest." The experiences of the early settlers in Van Wert were similar to those of the pioneers in other settlements. Nevertheless, one never tires of reading the exciting and romantic incidents of the pioneer life of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. When C. W. Goss and a companion started out with a cross-cut saw to cut some timbers for the building of a new house, they found two cub bears killing the chickens near a neighbor's house, which they quickly despatched. When an old she bear and a cub appeared, one of the boys ran, but the other got a neighbor and started on a hunt. The cub disappeared in some way, and the man and the boy followed the old bear for the greater part of the day, but she succeeded in escaping. When Van Wert was in its natural state in these early days, the mud was about a foot deep. Many indeed are the experiences related by the pioneers of the trouble that was occasioned by this mud, as all the roads and the trails were well nigh impassable. Van Wert was incorporated under an act passed by the General Assembly in 1848. John W. Conn, P. Jacob Hines, and Robert Gilliland were authorized to put up in three public places in the town a notice to the electors that there would be an election held at the courthouse, on Saturday, the 13th day of May, 1848. James M. Barr and Isaac Dougherty acted as judges at the election, and E. G. Jones served as clerk. Richard C. Spears was elected mayor, E. G. Jones, recorder, and J. G. Van Valkerberg, Reuben Frisbie, William R. Kear, Walter Buckingham, and Hiram Campbell were chosen as trustees. The next mayors in the order of their election, down to the Civil War, were Charles P. Edson, John W. Conn, W. C. Gallaher, George L. Jacobs, and Davis Johnson. The first newspaper was started in Van Wert by George E. Burson, in 1844. It was called the Van Wert Patriot. The second paper which made its appearance was published by William Moneysmith, and was named the Bugle. This paper drifted into HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 607 the hands of Conn and O. W. Rose, and the name was changed to the National American. For a time this same paper was known as the Ohio Weekly Bulletin, and, in 1859, it was changed to the Van Wert Bulletin by William C. Scott, who was editor and proprietor. In 1865 J. H. Foster became the editor, and the paper has been in his family continuously to the present time. In 1873, a daily edition of the Bulletin was also started, which had a 'very satisfactory circulation. The Weekly Bulletin continued until 1895, when it was changed to a semi-weekly paper. Thus it is that this paper has never been suspended for a day from its first appearance in 1844, which is a very unusual experience for a newspaper in these early towns. It has been republican in politics ever since that party was organized as the champion of free territories and free speech. The Watchman was started by William Moneysmith in 1854. He was succeeded as editor by H. S. Knapp, who was generally known as the "fighting editor." In 1857 the publication again changed hands, and it was renamed the Weekly Constitution. This in turn was succeeded in 1865 by the Van Wert Times, under the ownership of Moneysmith and Tucker. W. H. Clymer became the owner in 1870. A daily edition of this paper was given to the public in 1904, and is still published. The Times has always been democratic in politics. The Press was established in 1874, and was published for a time by J. A. McConahay, but was finally discontinued. The Morning Star was issued for a time, as a spiritual paper, but it expired after a short struggle for existence. The Van Wert Republican was started April 26, 1883, by Milton B. Evers. It is also republican in politics, as the name indicates, and has a large circulation throughout the county. The First National Bank of Van Wert was opened for business on February 25, 1863, with a capital stock of $60,000. The first offi cers were Charles Emerson, who served as president, and Andrew S. Burt, who filled the office of cashier. The Van Wert National Bank was incorporated in March, 1882, and succeeded the private bank of Emerson, Marble & Company. The Peoples Savings Bank commenced business in 1903. The success of these banking institutions speaks well for the prosperity of Van Wert and the county. Two successful insurance companies are also located in Van Wert. One of these, The Van Wert County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, was incorporated in 1876. The name was afterward changed to The Central Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company. It does a general business throughout the United States. The other is The Farmers Mutual Aid Association of Van Wert County. This company was organized especially to insure farm property, and it has been very successful. It was about 1840 that the first "class" of the Methodist Episcopal Church was gathered together by Smith Hill. It numbered just an even half dozen. There was no regular preacher, but some of the pioneers called themselves exhorters and preached occasionally. The courthouse was at first used by the Methodists as their place of worship. It was under the pastorate of Rev. John Graham that a new church was inaugurated, in the year 1845. The original trustees were Abel R. Strother, Abraham Zimmerman, Theophilus W. King, Samuel S. Brown, and James M. Young. The contract for the erection of a frame church was awarded to James H. Long. The timber was hauled upon the ground, and work begun in the summer of 1847. The building was not plastered, and was seated with rough boards to accommodate the congregation. In this condition it was used for several years as the house of worship by all denominations. Mr. Graham was succeeded by Rev. John S. Kalb, and he in turn by Rev. James Albright. 608 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO The First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert was organized by Rev. John N. Nevins, under the authority of the Miami Presbytery, on June 10, 1843. It was organized in the courthouse, and the membership numbered twelve persons. After its organization, the members proceeded to elect an elder, and their choice fell upon Joseph Hattery. The first infants to be baptized in this church were Hugh, son of Robert Thompson, and Sarah Samantha, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Wells. As Rev. Mr. Nevins found himself unable to remain in Van Wert, John Elliott was invited to serve the church one-half of his time. As compensation he was promised $100 a year in produce. This call was 'accepted by him, and he served as the pastor for a year. By this time the number of communicants had increased to twenty-three. For several years there was no regular pastor, but in 1851 Rev. Richard Graham was called to the pulpit, and he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Elcock. For a time the Presbyterians shared with the Methodists the new church, which the latter had built, for in those days all the church congregations were small, and they helped each other and shared church privileges very freely. There is a record of the organization of a Baptist church of four members in Van Wert as early as 1847. In 1850 there were twelve members, with Elder J. G. Volkenburg as pastor in charge. This congregation was not fully organized until 1853, and the first regular pastor was Rev. D. D. Johnson, under whom only ten members are reported. The history of the church is a story of serious struggles against many difficulties. For a score of years the congregation had no house of worship, its meetings being held in private homes and the schoolhouse, or in other available places. At the end of that time; the church purchased a schoolhouse, in the west part of the town, and fitted it up for a place of worship. Elder A. Larue was the pastor. The succeeding years have brought much greater prosperity to this congregation, until now it is one of the leading denominations in the City of Van Wert. The Catholics of Van Wert were first supplied from Delphos as a mission, beginning in 1867. In that year, the Rev. F. Westerholt paid his first pastoral visit to Van Wert. He continued his visits for several months, and was succeeded by the Rev. A. I. Hoeffel, who served the communicants for about seven years. A small frame building was fitted up as the temporary chapel, which soon proved too small for the congregation. A brick church was constructed in 1874, and was in use until 1915, when 'a 'fine new church of the Mission type was completed. The first school in Van Wert was taught by E. R. Wells, in the courthouse. Relief Morse was the first lady teacher, she having taught in the shop of the Shaffer brothers. The first building dedicated to school purposes was a hewed log building. It was used as such until 1853 when two frame buildings, each of two stories, were built. One of these was located in the east end of the town, and the other in the western part. A good natured rivalry existed between the two schools, and spelling contests were common. One of the institutions to, which the citizens of Van Wert point with pride is the Brumback Library. Several ladies of Van Wert had organized a library society in 1890, which had been incorporated as the Van Wert Library Association. Any person who contributed $3 each year was permitted to share in the use ,of the library. When the Will of John Sanford Brumback was made public, it was found that he had provided for the gift to the people of Van Wert County of a building in which to maintain forever a free public library. The provision of his will reads as follows : "It is my will and desire that my said dear wife and children expend sufficient of my HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 609 estate willed to them in items one and two to carry out my wishes known to them by the erection and gift of a library building, something after the plans and designs I have had prepared for that purpose : provided, and this item is upon the express condition that my said wife and children can make arrangements satisfactory to them with the city of Van Wert, or if they desire and think best, with Van Wert county, for a location for said building and the maintenance of the library to be placed therein." John Sanford Brumback came to Van Wert in 1862, with a very small capital, but in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and for more than a third of a century his life was linked with the growth and history of the town and county. He was first a dry goods merchant, and then a stove manufacturer, and afterward was one of the principal promoters of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad. In later years his interests were chiefly centered in the banking and insurance business. His heart was philanthropic, and he felt that he should do something for his fellow citizens among whom he had prospered. He could think of no way in which so much good could come to the general public as through a public library, freely open to all. It is to the credit of his children and widow that they faithfully carried out his will, even though it was left entirely optional on their part. The unique provision of his will was the suggestion of a county library. Up to this time no such institution had been established, or so far as known even thought of. Its inauguration was not accomplished without much effort and many discouragements. It was necessary for his son, Hon. Orville S. Brumback, an attorney of Toledo, to present to the Legislature a bill which permitted the county commissioners to bind the county to maintain a library by taxation. The farmers of the county, through their Granges, de- Vol. I-39 Glared almost unanimously in favor of such a library, and the measure finally became a law in April, 1898. In that same year, the county commissioners took the necessary action, and the Van Wert Library Association turned over to the Brumback Library all its books, some 1,600 in number. The Brumback heirs agreed to construct and furnish complete, ready for use, a stone building in one of the parks of the City of Van Wert. The county agreed to forever maintain the library by an annual levy. It was provided that the Brumback Library should be managed by a nonpartisan board of seven trustees, three to be appointed by the county commissioners, two by the Ladies' Library Association, and two by the Brumback heirs. The ceremony of laying the corner-stone occurred in July, 1899, and on the first day of the new century the new building was dedicated. It opened with about 5,000 books on its shelves, in charge of Miss Ella L. Smith as librarian, and today it numbers about 28,000 volumes. As a county library the Brumback Library has attracted attention all over the country, and a number of other libraries have taken it as an example. It is indeed a splendid monument to one of Van Wert's most distinguished citizens. The county unit in Van Wert County is emphasized to as great an extent as in any other county in the United States. At the present time three other county institutions are being erected, which are quite worthy of mention. George H. Marsh, an elderly resident of large means, is providing the funds for a county Young Women's Christian Association building and a county hospital. The former will be the first county building for a Young Women's Christian Association in the United States. Lot, building, and equipment will represent an outlay of over $100,000. The hospital, fully equipped, together with a nurses' home will, when completed, represent the expenditure of an equal amount 610 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO of money. A county Young Men's Christian Association building was provided for in the will of John Strandler, who died in 1914. This building is being erected in a large park, which was purchased with money given for the most part by a large number of Van Wert citizens. The larger gifts were $10,000 given by the Woodruff heirs, $5,000 given in the name of the late Priscilla Buckingham, and a lot, building and $500 given by Earl Gleason. When all three of these institutions are ready to begin operations, a work will be accomplished in Van Wert County whose importance cannot be overestimated. The philanthropic spirit of the citizenship of Van Wert County is also worthy of mention. Aside from the benefactions already noted, reference should be made to a $25,000 endowment for the County Hospital, an endowed instructorship in the Van Wert High School, and a Poor Fund Endowment, all provided by John Strandler. A large sum of money was also left by Marvin Woodruff for the erection of a Lutheran Church, and a considerable sum of money was bequeathed the Methodist Church by the Krout estate. DELPHOS Delphos has the distinction of being situated in two counties. The Miami and Erie Canal divides it into two quite equal portions. The part east of this canal lies in Allen County, and the part west is within Van Wert County. In 1840, when the first vote was taken in Washington Township, only ten votes were cast, and Thomas W..Bowdle Was elected justice of the peace. The first plat of the town was made by Ferdinand Bredeick, on the west side of the .canal, and the Rev. John Otto Bredeick, coming a couple of years later, laid out the addition on the east side of the canal. He was 'a Roman Catholic priest, and reserved a large plat of ground for church purposes. He gave this as a free gift. For a number of years, this settlement was known as East Bredeick and West Bredeick, and then there were a couple of other little settlements, which were known respectively as Section Ten and Howard Town, the two former being settled by Germans and the other two by English-speaking people. It was finally decided to adopt one name for the four settle- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 611 ments and, after a meeting called for that purpose, the name Delphos was suggested by Father Bredeick, and it was adopted. From that time all jealousy ceased, and all citizens began to work for the common good. To this harmonious action may be credited the growth of the settlement. Delphos was incorporated in 1851, and the first election was held on March 3rd, of that year, at which Col. Lester Bliss was elected mayor, and Smith Talbott, recorder. N. White, J. P. Cowan, J. P. Murphy, and Theodore Wrocklage were chosen the first councilmen. Much of the growth may also be attributed to the liberal views held by Father Bredeick. Although brought up under the narrow, old-country standards, he adopted in the broadest and most liberal manner American views, and encouraged those of all nationalities and all faiths to settle there. He was as ready to assist one as another, and gave a lot to the Presbyterians on which to build a church. He said he did not want a Catholic town, as that would make the people selfish and narrow. He wanted all classes and all creeds to commingle. The postoffice occupied a small room built on a platform of the lock between the gates of the canal, on the Van Wert County side. Amos Clutter was the postmaster in 1847. The first hotel was opened in the spring of 1845. It was built by Morgan Savage, and was named Traveler's Rest. The second was built by James Graver, in the same year, and was called the Ohio House. One of the interesting incidents of early history is told about a pioneer druggist: "Joseph Hunt owned a drug store, and made a contract with a firm of chemists to take all the slippery-elm bark he could furnish in a given time. He bought all he could contract for, and, as all the ridges had an abundance of red elm, he soon had many tons. When he commenced shipping carload after, carload, the firm saw they were swamped and called a halt, while he still had many carloads on hand. The matter was finally settled by the contract being cancelled, with full payment to Mr. Hunt for the bark on hand." The first newspaper in Delphos was issued by Benjamin Metcalf, in 1849, and was called the Section Ten Budget. It existed for about one year, and was followed by the Delphos Oracle, edited by Noah Huber. This expired in 1854, but the Northwestern Republican, with S. E. Brown as editor, was established in the same year. This paper lived only about a year, and the settlement was without a paper until 1869, when the Herald made its appearance, with D. H. Tolan as editor. In 1877 the Courant was established, with E. B. Walkup as editor. It was first started as a weekly, but was later made a tri-weekly, and finally became a semi-weekly. When the Ohio & Indiana Railroad, now a part of the Pennsylvania Company's main line, was built in 1854, much of the iron for its construction was brought down by the canal from. Toledo. Two boats, the "Seneca Chief" and "Damsel," transported the greater part of it. A locomotive, called the "Lima," was also, brought down by the canal and used in the construction work. The Delphos & Indianapolis Railroad was opened in 1875, and was completed to Toledo three years later. It is now known as the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railroad. This was at first a narrow guage railroad, but the track was afterward standardized. To Father Bredeick was due the building up of the first. Roman Catholic congregation. He gave to it the splendid site now occupied by its church edifice. A log chapel first served the small town, but a more pretentious church was begun in 1846. The second pastor of the congregation was Rev. F. Westerholt. In that same year the Methodists held their first services, in the cabin of R. M. Petticord, at which five persons were present. Rev. John Graham officiated as minister. When E. N. 612 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Marlen, an ordained minister, came to Section Ten in 1848, he agitated the building of a church. A couple of years later the foundation stone was laid. The Presbyterian Church was organized about the same time by Rev. Richard Graham. The congregation was very small, and a church edifice was not begun for almost a score of years, as the congregation had been decimated, first by a scourge of cholera and afterward by the Civil War. VILLAGES One of the interesting places in. Van Wert County is Venedocia. This village, and the county for miles around, is a Welsh settlement. Their fine farms and splendid' homes are monuments to their industry and good management. The first Welsh settlers were William Bebb, Thomas Morris, and Richard Jervis, coming there in 1848. Religious services were held in one of the log cabins in the Welsh language, on the very first Sunday after their arrival. This custom has been continued during all the succeeding years. Several churches have been built since that time. These Welsh people are fond of both sermons' and song. The Venedocia Male Chorus has a national reputation, and has won many prizes in many states. It owns its own building, which is known as "Cambrian Hall." Evans, Jones, Lloyd, Williams, Morgan, and Hughes are common names in and around Venedocia. Ohio City was laid out by J. S. Brumback, and by him named Enterprise. Because, of the confusion resulting from another town of the same name in the state, the name was changed. It is not a large place, but it is prosperous because of the oil field in the vicinity". The first oil was discovered there in 1902; and a number of gushers were struck within a short time. Middlepoint lies about half-way between Van Wert and Delphos. An immense stone quarry gives employment to many men. The village was incorporated in 1874, and William Foster was the first mayor. A school known as the Western Ohio Normal School was formerly located in Middlepoint. One of the best, as well as largest, towns of the county is Convoy,. which lies about seven miles west of Van. Wert. Convoy is surrounded by good land; and the residents of the contiguous territory, many of them. Germans, have made the village through their trade one of the most prosperous for its size in Northwestern Ohio. Other villages in the county that have not been mentioned are Scott, half of which lies in Paulding County, and which in the early days of the county's history, when the country was heavily timbered, was a very active town in the timber industry. Wren, a village of about 300, is located in the Southwestern part of the county, and Elgin, a village of 150, lies in the Southeastern part of the county. Dixon is a little village on the Ohio and Indiana state line, and about half the inhabitants reside on either side of the boundary. This fact has probably interfered with its growth, as it precluded incorporation. CHAPTER XLVI WILLIAMS COUNTY CHARLES A. BOWERSOX, BRYAN Williams is in the extreme northwestern county of the great State of Ohio. When it was created, in 1820, the entire county consisted of heavy timber, and much of the soil was extremely swampy. Because of these conditions, settlements were not made there as early as along the Maumee River, which furnished the means of transportation when the roads were impassable. In natural resources no county in the state exceeds it, far, with the exception of a small lake and the watercourses, there is scarcely a waste acre in the county today. It was not until the railroads penetrated Williams County that the population began to increase to any great extent. The first iron highway projected was one which was promoted by Judge Ebenezer Lane, and a number of associates, to build a line from Cleveland or Norwalk west toward Chicago, crossing the Maumee River at the foot of the rapids. This was known• as the Junction Railroad, and a considerable amount of work was performed on it, including some massive stone abutments for the bridge which was to cross the river at Maumee City. The company solicited subscriptions froth individuals, towns, townships, and counties, and succeeded in securing a large amount of pledges. Williams County was asked to contribute $100,000 towards the purchasing of stock, in consideration of the road passing through the county. The election was ordered for the 5th day of April, 1852. In the same year the Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana Railroad Company, which already had constructed a part of its line, quietly appeared in the field and surveyed a route across the county without asking any financial aid, requesting only the right of way and donation of sufficient ground for passenger and freight depots. The securing of the right of way was placed in the hands of E. Foster, of Bryan, and he succeeded in his efforts. By the year 1857, through trains were running from Toledo to Elkhart. Although squatters and hunters doubtless had established themselves for at least a temporary residence in the county at an earlier day, James Guthrie, who is believed to have been the first real pioneer, arrived in 1827. Although a farmer, he was obliged fora number of years to depend largely upon his skill as a hunter. A daughter of Mr. Guthrie was the first white child born within the present limits of Williams County. It was not long after Mr. Guthrie arrived until John Perkins settled there. An early pioneer of the county was Samuel Holton, who settled on Fish Creek about 1827. Many believe that he preceded Mr. Guthrie, but the honor of priority has never been absolutely settled. Mr. Holton erected a saw-mill and small grist-mill on the banks of the creek as neighbors began to locate near him. When the Widow Fee reached this neighborhood with several marriageable daughters, it was a real godsend for the bachelors. Samuel and John Hallenbeck each took one to wife, and William Bender married a third. When George Bible settled near Montpelier in 1834, there was not a white settler in that township. An Indian camp was located on the site of that town. The pioneer did not - 613 - 614 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO reach Madison Township until 1838. In that year Cyrus Barrett came with a numerous family and erected a primitive log cabin. Rev. Thomas J. Prettyman, a Methodist local preacher, settled in the county in 1831 and became a leading man in the community. He was much in demand among the pioneers. Jabez Jones reached the county in 1834, and was probably the first elected justice of the peace in the county. He lived to a very advanced age. Albert Opdycke, generally known as "Pap" Opdycke, was one of the hardy pioneers. He was a very religious man, and his home was at all times open to the itinerant preachers. In 1833 Mrs. Mary Leonard, a widow lady, came with her family. She was accompanied by her three sons-in-law, James Overleas, John Heckman, and Sebastian France. Four cabins soon arose in the midst of the primeval woods. Mr. France was an elder in the Dunkard Church and conducted the first religious service in Center Township. In 1833 Judge John Perkins, with his sons, Isaac and Garrett, and son-in-law, John Plummer, together with John Moas, George Lantz, Henry Jones and a Mr. Hood, came from Brunersburg and established themselves on Beaver Creek. They named their little colony Pulaski. Judge Perkins built there a grist and saw-mill. (which is believed to be the first of the kind erected within the county). This settlement never had a town organization, although there was a postoffice and the elections were held there. Judge Parker came from Defiance in 1836 to trade with the Indians. He laid out a village which he named Denmark, and he brought in the first stock of goods. In 1840 it had become quite a village. Nothing is now left to indicate that the village was ever in existence. Judge Parker was the first and only postmaster that Denmark ever had. Another town that has disappeared was West Buffalo, founded by John D. Martin in 1836. Only four lots were ever sold. The village was finally surrendered to farm land. A gristmill was built on the river, west of the little village, which has long since disappeared. In. the same year Montgomery Evans, Nathan Shirley, and Thomas Warren employed a surveyor and laid out the Town of Freedom. It was intended to be the future county seat. The division of the county and the rival Town of Center defeated these hopes and the village was abandoned. In the extreme northwest part of Williams County, and the State of Ohio as well, is Northwest Township. In this township is a little body of water known as Nettle Lake. Of this neighborhood, the county history says : In the vicinity of Nettle Lake, on every side of it, are some eight or ten earthworks erected by an unknown race called Mound-Builders, probably more than 1,000 years ago. It is quite generally, though erroneously, believed, that these earthworks were the work of the Indians ; but archaeologists are of the opinion that the mounds have a higher antiquity, and that they were erected by the Mound-builders, who might have been the remote ancestors of the Indian tribes, though this is disputed by many eminent scholars in this department of historic research. On section 23 are a few of the mounds, two of them being of unusual size for this section of the state. The greater number have been opened in past years by curious and inexperienced persons, who failed to properly notice features which are considered highly important by archaeological students. In almost every instance, human bones were unearthed, as was also charcoal, sometimes in considerable quantity. Copper implements, such as arrow and spear heads, were taken from several of the mounds, and in one was found a piece of mica six or eight inches square, and about an inch thick. In several instances, it was definitely ascertained that many individuals were buried in the same mound. The Indians had no knowledge, HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 615 traditionary or otherwise, concerning these people, save what was derived from their works, the same character of knowledge which we have. In the extreme northwestern township of the county, and not more than forty rods from the state line of Indiana, there settled a man by the name of Aaron Burr Goodwin, whose life was filled with mystery and romance. He was a man of splendid education, and was an excellent surveyor, and for many years had been an Indian trader in the three states that here join. He was brave, but was possessed of a violent temper, which when once aroused raged like a veritable conflagration. In his dealings with the Indians and with the whites, he was wholly unscrupulous. He appeared in this township about the year 1837, and his family consisted of two orphan children, a boy and a girl, whom he had adopted. He was an expert gunsmith, and derived considerable revenue from the Indians for repairing their guns, which always seemed to be out of repair. He kept a stock of powder and lead, tobacco and calico, and a plentiful supply of whisky as well. He encouraged the Indians to drink the firewater because, when they were drunk, it was easier to drive a hard bargain with them. Although he had many altercations with the red men, he always managed to escape without serious harm to himself. No county in Ohio is more replete with stories of hunting experiences. Bear and deer were especially plentiful, as well as raccoon and the smaller animals. The Wyandots used to go there every winter on hunting expeditions. Bruin was especially fond of young pig, and the pioneer would frequently be aroused at night by a commotion in the vicinity of his pig pen. Then it was that the pioneer would construct a bear trap for his nocturnal visitor. This was generally a "dead-fall," constructed somewhat after the following fashion : A log about a foot in diameter was fastened upon the ground at a suitable place, and wooden pins were driven into holes bored on the upper side, after which the upper ends of the pins were sharpened. Another log, fully as large, was partly suspended over the lower one, and provided on the lower side with sharpened pins, as above described. A trigger was made and baited with a portion of a dead hog, and arranged in such a manner that the bear must stand directly over the lower log and under the upper to secure the meat. To get the bait the bear must necessarily pull the trigger, which would cause the upper log to fall, thus pinning the animal like a vise between the two logs, and piercing it with the sharp pins. The trap worked like a charm, and when examined at the proper time, the bear would be found dead between the logs, pierced through and through by the pins. John Gillet had an interesting and rather exciting experience near Mill Creek, which has gained historical mention in the history of the county. "I had known for some time by the signs that there was a nest of cub bears somewhere in the neighborhood, so one day I concluded that I would put in my time finding them, as a party in Adrian wanted a pair to send over to Baltimore to a friend who was fond of outlandish pets. You see, it was along about the first of September, and pretty warm at that, and after walking up and down the creek, I began to get pretty tired ; so I sat down by the side of a smooth stump, about twelve or fourteen feet high, to rest. I hadn't been there more than a minute until I heard something inside the stump, and soon made out that it was a couple of cub bears playing with one another. I looked on all sides of the stump to find an opening, but none was to be seen. Then I happened to notice the marks of claws up the side of the stump, and I understood it. The hole went in at the top. I set my gun against a bush, up-ended the branch 616 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO of a tree, and was soon at the top of the stump, looking in at the two cubs, which were about the size of fullgrown rat dogs. I was so excited that I jumped down into the stump and grabbed the cubs. They at first began to squeal, and then turned on me for fight. But they were small enough to handle, and in a minute or two I had their mouths tied so they could not bite, and their feet fastened so they could not scratch. "I knew that the old bear would be along pretty soon and make it hot for me if she found me in the nest ; so I swung the youngsters into my buckskin belt, preparatory to getting out. "Get out? Did I get out ? Land of love ! It makes me shiver to think of it yet. I could no more get out of that stump that I could fly. The hollow was bell-shaped, larger at the bottom than at the top—so large, in fact, that I could not put my back against one side and my feet and hands against the other, and crawl up, as rabbits and other animals climb up, inside of hollow trees. In no way could I get up a foot. There were no sticks inside to help me up, and I made up my mind I had to die certain. About the time I came to this conclusion, I heard the old bear clumbing up the outside of the stump. With only my hunting-knife as a means of defense, and in such close quarters, you may possibly imagine the state of my feelings. The old bear was not more than half a minute, at the outside, climbing up the stump ; but it seemed like a month, at least. I thought of all my sins a dozen times over. At last she reached the top, but she didn't seem to suspect my presence at all, as she turned around and began slowly descending, tail foremost. I felt as though my last hour had come, and I began to think serious about lying down and letting the bear kill me, so as to get out of my misery as quickly as possible. " Suddenly an idea struck me, and despair gave way to hope. I drew out my hunting- knife and stood on tiptoe. When the bear was about seven feet from the bottom of the hollow, I fastened on her tail with my left hand with a vise-like grip, and with my right hand drove my hunting-knife to the hilt in her haunch, at the same time yelling like a whole tribe of Indians. What did she do? Well, you should have seen the performance. She did not stop to reflect a moment, but shot out at the stop of the stump like a bullet out of a gun. I held on until we struck the ground. Then the old bear went like lightning into the brush and was out of sight in half a minute. I took the cubs to Adrian the next day and got five dollars apiece for them, and in those times five dollars were as good as fifty dollars are now." Like the neighboring counties, Williams had its origin in 1820, through an Act of the General Assembly. At first, it was a part of Wood County, with the county seat at Maumee City, and then for a number of years the seat of justice was located at Defiance. Proceedings of that period have been set forth in the chapter devoted to Defiance County. When Williams County was first organized as an independent county, it had civil jurisdiction over territory that now constitutes six prosperous counties, with the county seat at Defiance. It was not until 1840 that the seat of justice was removed to a site in the central portion of the county, which was named Bryan. The county commissioners at this time were Oney Rice, Jr., Payne C. Parker, and Albert Opdyke. Almost the first business taken up by this board were several petitions for county roads. If anything was needed in the county, it was roads that would be passable at all seasons of the year. A number of roads were soon authorized and work was begun upon them, but it was many years before they could be called good roads. The money allotted to the county for roads had heretofore been expended on the older sections of the county. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 617 At a session of the commissioners, held on the 14th of February, 1842, it was ordered that a court house be erected in the center of the public square in the Town of Bryan. The board ordered that a plan, which had been drawn by H. Daniels for a building 53 by 871/2 feet, should be adopted by the board for the new palace of justice. Those insisting upon having Bryan chosen as the county seat had promised, and had given bond for an amount of money equaling $8,500, to erect he county building. There seemed to be a difference of opinion as to the construction of the bond, and it finally became necessary for the county to sue to recover upon it. At a special session in July, 1841, the board considered "in lot No. 137, in the town of Bryan, in said county, the proper and most suitable situation for the erection of said jail, and selected the same for that purpose, for which a bond was given by John A. Bryan, for himself, and William Trevitt, to the Commissioners of Williams county, and their successors in office." It was also recorded that Erastus H. Leland was appointed "a special Commissioner to sell at public auction to the lowest responsible bidder, the job of clearing off the above named lot 137, with instructions to have the same done as soon as possible." At a later session the board allowed John McDowell the sum of $525 for the material and building of the jail, and E. G. Leland $7 for clearing off the jail lot. The first term of court held in Bryan was on the 19th day of April, 1841. Emery D. Potter was the presiding judge, and with him sat Jonas Colby and William D. Haymaker as associate judges. John Drake was the sheriff, and Edwin Phelps served as clerk. The sheriff having returned the venire for the grand jury, the following persons answered to their name, to-wit : Horace Hilton, John Bowdle, James Partee, Jacob Kniss, Zachariah Hart, William Travis, Francis Loughhead, Daniel Wyatt, George W. Durbin and Jacob Dillman. Isaiah Ackley, Amos Stoddard, Seth Stinson, Frederick Miser, and Jacob G. Wilden were summoned from among the by-standers as talesmen, and thereupon the court appointed Jacob Dillman foreman of the jury, who were duly impaneled, sworn, and charged. At this term, twelve indictments were returned by the grand jury. Four of these were for selling liquor, three for 618 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO assault and battery, three for gambling, one for an assault on a constable, and one for an affray. Four petitions for naturalization were heard. At a term of court, in September of the following year, the same presiding judge was on the bench, and with him as asso ciates were Reuben B. James, William D. Haymaker, and Jonathan B. Taylor. At the June term in 1845, a part of the court itself seems to have become involved in trouble. E. H. Leland, the prosecuting attorney, was indicted for gambling, and Judge Thomas Kent had to face an indictment for assault and battery. It is only just to both of these officials to say that upon trial they were duly acquitted. Not much is known about the early bar of the county. In 1837, the only names credited to Williams County were Curtis Bates, Horace Sessions, and William Semans. William C. Holgate, who afterwards became a successful lawyer and served as prosecuting attorney of the county, was at this time a law student in the office of Mr. Sessions at Defiance. In 1842 the names of lawyers upon the tax list included the following : William Semans, William Carter, Horace Sessions, William C. Holgate, George B. Evans, Edwin Phelps, E. H. Leland, and George L. Higgins. In 1844, the following names appear upon the bar docket as residents of Bryan : Leland, Blakeslee, Case, Foster, Joshua Dobbs, Huyck, and James Welsh. Joshua Dobbs was the first man to be elected probate judge under the Constitution of 1850. One of the most noted men that the Williams County bar has produced was Selwyn N. Owen, who served several terms on the Common Pleas Bench and sat with distinction upon the Ohio Supreme Court. THE PRESS The early press of Williams County were located at Defiance, and have been noted in the chapter devoted to Defiance County. The first journalistic enterprise within the present limits of Williams County was in 1845, when Thomas H. Blaker issued from Bryan the North-Western, a democratic paper. Owing to the fatal disease, known as lack of patronage, which overtook so many of the pioneer journals, the North-Western had an extremely short life. In the following year, J. W. Wiley attempted to resurrect the deceased newspaper, and named his paper the Williams County Democrat. In the same year he enlisted in the Mexican War, and the paper ceased publication. In 1847, an eccentric gentleman by the name of William A. Hunter removed his family to Bryan, and resurrected the democratic organ. Because of the county seat conflict between Bryan and West Unity, he transferred his printing material to the latter place, and with T. S. C. Morrison started the Equal Rights, a Free-Soil democratic organ. Judge Joshua Dobbs began the publication of a democratic newspaper at Montpelier in 1852, and its career was also very brief. The next effort to establish a democratic paper was made by Robert N. Patterson. He named his paper the Bryan Democrat, and the first number was published April 30, 1863. During the next nineteen years it continued under the same management and only three weeks publication were missed, and there was a good excuse on each of these occasions. The Bryan Democrat was the first successful newspaper started in the county. The Williams County Gazette was established by Isaac R. Sherwood in 1857, with J. Palmiter as the editor. For a couple of years the paper was continued by these two men, when Mr. Sherwood was succeeded by L. E. Rumrill. The name of the paper was changed at the same time to the Williams County Leader. Mr. Sherwood returned to the paper, and continued its publication until the Rebellion broke out. Although he enlisted in the army, the publication of the Leader was continued by J. H. and I. R. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 619 Sherwood. The Republican Standard was begun about the year 1857, and was published by Starr and Spencer. The name itself indicates the politics of the publication. Alvan Spencer's name appeared as editor, but he disposed of his interest to I. R. Sherwood. In 1868, Robert N. Traber became the editor. The name of this paper was finally changed to the Bryan Press in 1869. At this time Gen. C. P. Hayes was the editor and proprietor. In 1877 C. A. Bowersox was the editor, and S. Gillis, the business manager. The Fountain City Argus appeared in 1876. It was a democratic paper, but it lasted only about three years, when the plant was disposed of. As a partisan democratic journal it achieved prominence, but its financial returns were not great. The Buckeye Vidette made its appearance, with J. W. Northup as the editor in 1880. This paper was the organ of the greenback party. In 1879, the first number of the Border Alliance made its appearance, with C. H. De Witt as the editor. The name was shortly changed to the Pioneer Alliance, and finally the name Pioneer was dropped. This paper was republican in politics, but the name was afterwards changed to the Tri-State Alliance, because of its circulation in the three states. The first newspaper printed in Montpelier was called the Eagle, and was the organ of the Spiritualists, and it lasted only a few issues. The second publication was the Star of the West, a neutral newspaper, devoted to local interests. This was established in 1855 by T. D. -Montgomery, but it lasted for less than a year. Nothwithtanding the disastrous experiences of its predecessors, the Montpelier Enterprise was established in 1880 by Ford and Smalley. An interesting incident in connection with the war history of the county is shown by an advertisement which appeared in the Leader in 1863 : WANTED CORRESPONDENCE. Two brave, gay and festive young soldiers, who have lately been marching through mud and rain after Skedaddle Bragg, have become mud-bound near the mountains, and hence have got the blues. So, accordingly they challenge Uncle Sam's fair nieces to write on love, fun and the consequences, as they are bound after the Union of States is secured to settle down in the Union with some fair girl who is noble and true. Correspondence from Brady and Pulaski Townships preferred. Address— WILLIAM BLAIR OR HARRY TOBIAS. Company H, Second Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Second Brigade, Third Division, Army of the Cumberland. BRYAN It was the first Monday of December, 1839 that three commissioners were appointed by a joint resolution of the General Assembly to locate the seat of justice for Williams County. These commissioners were Joseph Burns, of Coschocton ; James Culbertson, of Perry, and Joseph McCutchen, of Crawford County. As Defiance was a border town and difficult to reach from the interior, it was felt that a more central site should be chosen. There were already towns in Williams County, notably at Williams Center and Pulaski, and both of these places were candidates for the county seat. John A. Bryan, of Columbus, then the auditor of the state, had donated ground to the county in consideration that the seat of justice be permanently established upon it. It was in his honor that the town was named Bryan by Miller Arrowsmith, the civil engineer, who had been employed to survey and plat the town. The surveyors were obliged to live in tents during their work. Two of the streets, Main and High, were laid 620 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO out 100 feet in width, which makes them very imposing thoroughfares. The public square and two lots were donated to the county for public buildings. The plat was received for record by the county recorder on the 24th of September, 1840. At the time that Bryan was selected as the county seat, there stood upon the site as fine a growth of timber as could be found anywhere in Northwest Ohio. In the clearing of the site not a tree of the original growth was permitted to stand. Volney Crocker had the contract for clearing the public square, and every tree planted there by nature was doomed to perish. To provide a habitation for himself during the time that he was engaged in the work of cutting down the timber, Mr. Crocker built a rude shanty which was the first building upon the site of Bryan. The first permanent cabin was constructed by Daniel Wyatt at one side of the square. Not long afterwards another home was constructed by John Kaufman. Many people were attracted to the town that had been located in the wilderness, and came there with the expectation of making it their home. Many were repelled, however, by the primitiveness of the surroundings, and quickly left. The inhabitants of the towns that had been disappointed said many discouraging things about the new capital of the county, and did all they could to prevent its growth. The discovery of a number of artesian wells for which certain virtues were claimed gave the town a wider reputation and added many to the population. The first marriage solemnized in Bryan was in September, 1842, when Andrew J. Tressler and Oleva Kent, daughter of Dr. Thomas Kent, were joined in matrimony. A little log building at one side of the square served as the pioneer school building, and in it the education of the youth was begun by Miss Harriet Powell and then by A. J. Tressler. Mr. Tressler was paid the generous sum of $15 per month for three months' instruction. In the fall of 1841 William Yates removed from Wayne County with his wife and ten children and a stock of goods. The entire outfit was transported from Defiance to Bryan in wagons drawn by ox teams, and it required three days to cover the intervening distance of only eighteen miles. It was not long after the county seat was removed to Bryan that the need of a public hostlery was felt, as transient visitors began to be numerous. The first attempt to supply this need was by Thomas Shorthill, who built a public house on Main Street. Thomas McCurdy and John McDowell also opened up hotels for the accommodation of visitors. Even then it was necessary when court was held at Bryan for private homes to be opened up for the entertainment of the lawyers and their clients, witnesses, jurymen, and others, whose business required them to attend court. The first frame public house and the first one of any real importance was built by Daniel Langel upon one side of the courthouse square. At the depth of only sixty feet he struck a vein of flowing water, which forced itself in the house without the need of a pump. The first manufacturing enterprise was established by Jacob Youse, when he built a tannery in 1842 which he occupied for a number of years. It was not until 1849 that Bryan had become a settlement of enough importance to demand incorporation. In that year it was duly organized as a village, and an election of officials was ordered. This was held on June 15, 1849. The total number of votes cast was only forty-two. Charles Case was elected mayor, and John Will recorder. The trustees elected were Jacob Youse, William Yates, E. Foster, Thomas Serrels, and Jacob Over. The trustees appointed John K. Morrow as marshal, and Benjamin Schmachtenberger as treasurer. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 621 The first religious society organized in Bryan was the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the fall of 1840 Zara Norton organized a class in the embryo town, and the first preaching was conducted at the hotel of Thomas Shorthill. The members of this original class were Thomas and Elizabeth Shorthill, Mary Kaufman, and James Shorthill. In the following year William Yates and his wife moved to Bryan, and brought with them their letters of membership. The congregation finally moved from the hotel to the old courthouse, and continued their meetings until the schoolhouse was built and occupied that building until the first church was erected in 1853. A splendid new edifice replaced the original structure in 1895. For a while this society was a part of a circuit which included Bean Creek and Pulaski, and one appointment in Indiana. In all there were sixteen preaching places on the circuit. The first regular ministers on this circuit were Rev. Henry Warner and Rev. Austin Coleman. In the condition of the roads at that time, the duties of the minister were arduous enough to tax the strength of the strongest man. In compliance with a notice previously given, a meeting was held at Bryan in June, 1854, for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian Church. After a sermon by Rev. J. M. Crabb, the following members were received : Alexander Connin and his wife, Sarah Connin, John and Harriet Kelley, James and Sarah Allen, Jeannette Grim, Isabella M. Ogden, and William H. Ogden. Mr. Ogden and Mr. Kelley were chosen the ruling elders, while Alexander Connin and Mr. Allen were elected to the office of deacon. The first new member to be received in the congregation was Miss. Julia Hamilton. This society was incorporated in 1856, as the Presbyterian Church and Society Old School, but the name was finally changed to the First Presbyterian 'Church and Society of Bryan. Rev. D. S. Anderson was the first clergyman, and his ministry continued for a number of years. Up to 1871 the society was dependent in part for its support upon the Home Missionary Society, but since that time it has been self-sustaining. The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church dates from 1861, when the society was organized with a membership of eighteen persons. The pastor was Rev. Hermann Schmidt, of the Ohio Synod. A few years later a movement was set on foot to erect a church edifice, and a small building was constructed upon lots donated by Alfred P. Edgerton. An English Lutheran Church was founded in February, 1875. The first pastor of the church was Rev. F. A. Matthis. It began with a membership of an even dozen, but the numbers have greatly increased since that time. The church known as the Universalist is quite strong in Williams County. The first Universalist Church of Bryan was organized in 1870 by Rev. J. F. Rice, with a membership of twenty-one. Mr. Rice preached for a number of years, and it was greatly due to his untiring industry and unwavering zeal that the church owes not only its existence but its splendid success. The church edifice was erected in 1876, and is a commodious brick structure that still answers the needs of the congregation. MONTPELIER The second town in importance and size in Williams County is Montpelier. The original survey of this town was made by Thomas Ogle in 1845, and for three years it remained a comparatively unimportant village. The first merchant to engage in business was C. W. Mallory, who opened up a general merchandize store. Dr. A. L. Snyder, who located there in 1854, was the first resident physician. 622 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Montpelier was incorporated in 1875. At the election held in that same year J. D. Kriebel was elected mayor, Jacob Leu clerk, John Allen treasurer, and Jesse Blue, marshal. The real growth of the town began with the opening of the Detroit division of the Wabash Railway in 1881. This at once opened up a market for the products of the region of which Montpelier is the center, and also has brought a great many railroad men to the town who have made their homes there. WEST UNITY West Unity was laid out in the year 1842 by John Rings, who at that time owned the greater part of the land upon which the town was located. It was named after Unity, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of Mr. Rings. The growth of West Unity was fairly rapid for that time, and it soon became quite a village. The first lot in the plat was sold for $40, and a frame building was erected upon it by Henry Kline which he used as a residence. Jeremiah Cline was one of the first inhabitants. The first store building was erected by a Mr. Hasting in which he installed a general store. A saw-mill was constructed by John Rings and Mr. Baker, which burned down about a year after it was erected. W. S. McGarah was the first landlord in the village. Many of the first events cling around the name of John Rings. He was the first justice of the peace, and the original postmaster of the town. His daughter Susan was the first child born in the settlement. The first man to administer to the sufferings of the community was Dr. T. W. Hall. West Unity was incorporated in the year 1866. At the election held in the month of February the following officers were elected : Mayor, H. H. Peppard ; clerk, C. W. Skinner ; members of the council, Dr. G. W. Finck, Dr. J. M. Runnion, J. M. Webb, George R. and J. Kline. E. S. Davies was afterwards chosen as the treasurer, and Alfred Stoner as the marshal. The credit of organizing the first Masonic lodge in Williams County belongs to West Unity. This was in 1849, and W. A. Hunter was the first worshipful master. The first man to join the order was H. H. Peppard. PIONEER The enterprising village of Pioneer was located on land which had been entered by James A. Rogers, about the year 1840. He employed two young men by the name of P. W. Norris and Owen McCarty to clear ten acres for him. One of these men erected a small log shanty. There was not another house within several miles of the place. In the succeeding years a number of other settlers established themselves in the place, of whom Silander Johnson was one of the earliest, and a postoffice was established there in 1851, of which Mr. Norris was made the postmaster. A couple of years later he employed a surveyor to lay out a plat, consisting of twenty-four lots, which he named Pioneer after the post-office. This was the origin of the town which lies so near the border of Michigan. Joseph Rogers brought in the first stock of goods in 1854. Andy Irvin erected the Pioneer Hotel in 1854, and G. R. Joy opened up another inn later in the same year. The village was incorporated in 1876 upon a petition signed by seventy-four citizens. In the following year an election was held to fill the municipal offices. The result was that William Siddall became the first mayor. H. S. Shoemaker was elected clerk, and with him in the administration of the village affairs were associated Emery Sidley as marshal, and Henry Harley as the treasurer. The councilmen were Martin Perkey, E. H. Kenrick, George Young, G. R. Joy, Simeon Durbin, and A. D. Ewan. The total number of votes cast at this election were one hundred and seventeen. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 623 STRYKER Stryker was laid out by John A. Sargeant and E. L. Barber in the fall of 1853. It was named after John Stryker, who was an officer of the Air Line Railroad, then being constructed. In the same year Chester Blinn and William Letcher started a small store in the village and continued in business for a number of years. In the following year a saw-mill was constructed by C. L. Chase for the firm of Walter Haywood and Company, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. This mill did an immense business in the county for a considerable period. Among the earliest physicians were Dr. Blaker, Dr. C. P. Willard, and Dr. Hubbard. The village was incorporated in 1863. The records of the village revealed the fact that John Barnhart made oath before Lemuel Allen, a justice of the peace, that he "set up" notices calling attention to the fact that an election would be held on the 24th day of August, 1863, for the purpose of electing village officers. At this election ninety-one votes were cast. William Sheridan, Jr., received forty-seven votes, as compared with E. D. Bradley's forty-four votes for mayor. John S. Kingsland received the majority for the office of recorder (clerk). The councilmen chosen were John Barnhart, S. N. Webb, E. P. Willard, C. E. Woodworth, C. C. Stubbs, and D. C. Clover. N. B. McGrew was sworn in as marshal and 0. G. Smith as the treasurer after they had been elected to this office by the council. OTHER VILLAGES In 1850 there were only three families living on the present site of Edon. These were Henry Stuller, John Garwood, and Thomas Smith. When Andrew Sheline came, he erected a small steam saw-mill. A Mr. Huber conducted the first mercantile business in the settlement. In the '60s Mr. Sheline and Joseph Allomong established a woolen factory which did a large business for a number of years and helped to build up the town. Edon was first platted in 1867 and named Weston. In 1874 it was incorporated and the name changed to Edon. Erastus Hoadley was elected mayor. Robert Rhees was chosen clerk. Andrew Sheline, Jonathan Burke, J. P. Rummel, H. S. Hine, J. W. Thomas, and Eli Sheline were the first councilmen. Edgerton is a pleasant little village on the west bank of the St. Joseph River. Its streets are wide and shady. The village was incorporated many years ago. At one time it boasted a newspaper, called the Edgerton Weekly, which was afterwards changed to the Herald and then to the Earth. The first sermon preached there was by Rev. Elijah Stoddard, about the year 1836, in a small log house. West Jefferson was laid out by Jonathan Tressler, George Dorshiner, Elias R. Brown, and Jonathan Gilbert. It has never passed beyond the dignity of a small village. Blakeslee was started on the branch of the Wabash Railroad, running from Detroit to St. Louis. It is located in Florence Township. It began about 1873 and was named after Schuyler Blakeslee, the well known attorney of Bryan. It had a thriving saw-mill at one time, which has been abandoned on account of a scarcity of timber. It is incorporated, and is a thriving village of several stores. Kunkle is a village started by John Kunkle, and is located on the Wabash Railroad. It is a thriving village, having a bank, good stores, churches, good school, and other business enterprises. Columbia is a pleasant village in Northwest Township, in the northwest part of the county. It was started many years ago, and has its physicians, 'school, church, and stores. Recently an interurban railroad has reached the village and given it a new impetus. It is a very pleasant little town, and a bank is now located there. Cooney is a country town in the same township, having 624 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO a good store, church, a grange hall, and is a very thriving place. Bridgewater Center is of considerable age, has a store, a church, a schoolhouse, but has never had much growth. It is located in one of the best townships in the county, that of Bridgewater. Alvordton is a thriving village located at the junction of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad and the Wabash Railroad. At one time it had a thriving saw-mill and other timber manufacturing interests, which have quit operation. It has good stores, an excellent bank, and a good hotel operated by H. D. Alvord, who started the town. There are in Williams County a number of good country stores doing a thriving business, and which continue to prosper, although the towns get the greater part of the trade. THE FIRE-BUGS Williams county has furnished one of the most dramatic incidents in the local history of Northwest Ohio in recent years. The pages of the dime novel do not contain a deeper laid scheme or more cunningly devised plots to defraud individuals and corporations out of almost fabulous sums of money than was disclosed in the investigation of the history of the fire-bugs, whose headquarters were in this county. The ramifications of this gang of criminals were not confined to Williams County, but they extended east through Fulton into Lucas County, and even into the contiguous counties of Michigan and Indiana. The gang numbered more than a score of men, many of whom lived a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde existence on a monumental scale. They plied honorable trades during the day, and blossomed out as incendiaries at night. Incendiarism was placed upon a commercial basis, and it was an easy matter to hire a member of the gang to burn a building for a sum varying from $10 to $600. So bold had this gang become in its more than a quarter of a century existence, that many neighborhoods were practically terrorized. It was not always greed or avarice that induced the burning of a building, but revenge was also one of the causes, and to it were offered as sacrifices, homes, stores and barns. Practically no one in certain sections escaped from a visitation of this band of criminals. Enemies were punished and friends were rewarded by the same simple code of ethics, with the flaming torch as its symbol. The gang of fire-bugs was organized in 1874 in a modest way. Its operations were so successful, however, that new members were added to the band from time to time. Some of them occupied prominent positions in the social and business world. Screened by position and wealth, the gang plied its nefarious calling unmolested and the crime of arson was reduced to a science. The insurance companies were the legitimate, or illegitimate, prey of the fire-bugs, and it is claimed that they were mulcted to the extent of almost $1,500,000, all lost from fires started by members of this gang. In all these years of their operations, marked by charred blackened ruins everywhere, the real members of the gang were never once suspected. At length the losses became so great that the Legislature of the state was appealed to by the insurance corporations to create a state fire-marshal department, and this was finally done. The results of the investigation of the agents of this department were startling. Men of power and influence, who had never been under the slightest suspicion, were shown to be the brains of the organization. It was the confessions of Jack Page that resulted in the unearthing of the gang. He was himself a confessed fire-bug, but it developed that he was only a tool in the hands of those who possessed more brains. Had a bolt of lightning shot from a clear sky and stricken scores of persons, it could not have caused more sur-