300 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY adjusted satisfactorily and the property was deeded to the bishop and on December 8, 1857, St. Joseph's congregation, was recognized as a parish and Rev. L. Molon was assigned to its pastorate as well as to St. Ann's. It is right, seemly and proper that the names of those earnest men who organized this flourishing church and whose descendants still worship at its altar, should be preserved in every record concerning it. They bore the following names : Andres, Buchmann, Baumgartner, Binsack, Duerr, Gabel, Giebel, Gompert, Geschwind, Haberstroh, Heim, Haser, Ochs, Reinick, Rimmelspacher, Stuber, Schmidt, Schwartz, Toeppe and Wilhelm. Of this honorable list especial mention is due Joseph Stuber and Godfrey Buchmann, both of whom through influence and personal effort did much to bring St. Joseph's Church into being. The church, however, had yet some stormy days ahead, the recital of which need not be. inserted here, but a better and quieter era came about when Rev. Nicholas Moes, succeeding Father Molon and Rev. George Peter, came as pastor, in 1861. During his pastorate of a little more than one year he had brought peace and tranquillity of his parishioners and his name is still held in sweet memory. On September 21, 1862, Rev. Seraphin Bauer was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's. He found the parish encumbered with debt and he set to work immediately to clear it off. He also bought property and in every way proved himself a wise and judicious priest. There was, however, still a measure of dissatisfaction and this resulted, in 1864, in the withdrawal of thirteen families from St. Joseph's. These families lived in or near what was then the village of Hessville, but is now known as Lindsey. Although they had permission from neither the bishop nor Father Bauer, they determined to build a church for themselves, contributed the money and actually erected a brick structure, 40 x 70 feet in dimension. Before it was entirely completed it was destroyed by a cyclone on October 4, 1864. No effort was made to rebuild, but the disaffected members, later, became identified with what was then the parish of Greensburg, now Millersville. In spite of the loss of these families and of others whose business interests had caused them to remove to other sections, St. Joseph's made a steady advance and. fully justified its original organizers. In 1859 the church was provided with a bell and a very fine organ and in that year was built the first parish school. This school has continued its good work and kept pace with the growth of the parish in providing for the intellectual and moral needs of the young. The Notre Dame Sisters, of Cleveland, supplanted the lay sisters in 1876. For a number of years, however, a first-class school building was needed to take the place of several buildings which had been utilized for the purpose, and in June, 1903, three lots were purchased at a cost Of $8,250. They adjoin the rectory lots and face the present fine church. The magnificent new school building was completed under the supervision of the present pastor, Rev. Frederick Rupert, in September, 1908, at a cost of $74,000. In 1864 the present pastoral residence was built and the land for a parish cemetery purchased, a tract of six acres, which, in 1897 was increased by the purchase of two and one-half additional acres. In 1870 a beautiful Calvary was constructed in the cemetery, with an image of the Crucified on His cross surmounting it. Father Bauer blessed it on the Feast of All Souls of the same year, in the presence of a large concourse. The two lots on which the present church stands were bought in 1873, for $4,000. In 1878 a fine brick house was erected which was intended to be the pastoral residence. but was first used as a school building and will be used as a club room and library. Improvements and repairs were continually made on the old church, entailing large expenditure. In 1874 new windows had to be put in to take the place of the old ones which had been shattered by a storm ; the old organ was practically rebuilt in 1876; in. 1878 a new slate roof was put on and many other improvements testified to the faith, earnestness and pious zeal of both priests and people. However, it became a burning question—the erection of a new church, one that would be a testimonial of the strength of St. Joseph's. On September 8, 1881, on the Feast AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 301 of Our Lady's Nativity, ground was broken for the imposing structure which now shelters the congregation of St. Joseph's. On. April 3o, 1882, Bishop Gilmour blessed the corner-stone of the new edifice, and the late Rutherford B. Hayes, formerly President of the United States, set the stone in place. The church was put under roof that year, at a cost of $50,000. On July 9, 1893, Bishop Horstmann dedicated this superb edifice and it is one of the most beautiful and complete. church buildings in this section of Ohio. Its total cost could not have been less than $100,000. To briefly mention some of its interior—the three fine altars are of oak and the pews of Canadian cherry birch. The sanctuary windows and the Stations of the Cross are choice examples of Munich and Innsburck art. The beautiful sanctuary, the vases for the altar and the rich vestments were imported from Europe. In 1899 a new organ was installed at a cost of $6,000. A grand ostensorium was imported from Paris, in 1894. The dimensions of the new church are 71 x 162 feet and the beautiful spire, 250 feet high, can be seen from any part of the city. In November, 1893, the old church was converted into a hall for the use of the church societies, and in 1898 a residence was built for the parish sexton. St. Joseph has been particularly mindful of the needs of all its members, establishing confraternities and societies for youth, middle life and age. In 1878 was established the Society of Holy Infancy, for the children ; in 1881, the Court of Mary, for young girls ; in 1871, a sodality for young ladies and in 1872 one for young men; in 1889 was established the St. Stanilas Union, for boys and young men ; in 1873, the confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, for married women and widows. The first society was established in 1867, for men of mature years and has been one of the most helpful organizations of the church. In the same year was founded the Confraternity of the Living Rosary, an organization which numbers more than a thousand members. PIONEER SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS. The first schools in the county, or rather in the territory to become the county, were at Lower Sandusky. The first schoolhouse of rough unhewn logs was built about 1816, and was located a few rods west of Fort Stephenson and on the site of the present school grounds, about where the recently dismantled old Central School Building stood. Soon after it was (1817) replaced on the same site by a more substantial structure of hewn logs fronting east, with glass window panes, a row of desks around the walls and a fireplace. This building afterwards served as a place for holding courts for many years, as has been stated in a previous chapter. It was burned in the fall of 1834 by the authorities, on account of the death therein of a person afflicted with the cholera. The names of some of the early teachers have been given by Mr. Everett in his history as Mr. Jocelyn, Dr. Gooding, Dr. Brainard, a Miss Beebe, Ezra Williams., and Justice Williams. In the winter of 1818-19 Mrs. Lysander C. Ball taught a select school in one of the rooms of the old fort—one of her pupils being an Indian boy, and it is said that he was a bright pupil. In 1829 came Samuel Crowell, from Virginia, who taught here in that and the succeeding year. He afterward became sheriff of the county. Edson Goit taught in the hewed log schoolhouse before mentioned, in 1830. The writer has conversed with a few of those who were among the pupils in this schoolhouse, and remembers the deep ravine that, in those days, ran through the eastern portion of the grounds on which the new high school building is being erected. In this log house the missionaries preached, the teachers taught and the judge administered the law. The studies pursued in those early schools consisted of spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic, with a little grammar and geography sometimes added. Among the school books of that day the Elementary Spelling Book by Noah Webster is remembered with affection by many pioneers, who became so proficient in its use that they could spell nearly every word in it "by heart." They also still remember with what absorbing interest they read the Stories in this spelling book of the rude boy in the apple tree, who would not come down till the old owner of the tree pelted 302 - HISTORY OF SAN DUSKY COUNTY the "young sauce box" with Stones, after failing in the use of softer missiles ; and of the milkmaid who, by a proud toss of her head, on which she was carrying a pail of milk, caused the milk to be spilled and suffered the consequent loss of the elegant new green colored gown she was fondly anticipating, to the envy as she supposed of all her associates. There were but few school children, of course, in those early days, and but little if any public school money. The schools prior to 1821 were mainly "subscription" schools, the teacher receiving from the patrons or subscribers a certain sum for each pupil, or scholar as they were called, for the term, which was generally twelve weeks. Before 1821 dependence for the support of schools was placed on the income from the lease of school sections and other school lands, which proving insufficient, the first law providing for a tax in Ohio was passed in that year. The provisions for carrying into efficient effect this law being defective, the law of 1825 with mandatory provisions in this regard was enacted. It made it the duty of every organized township to lay off the same into school districts, as a condition of receiving any portion of the county tax, and also the annual election of three school directors in each district, whose duties were to build schoolhouses, employ teachers, manage the schools, make needed assessments and to receive and expend all funds. A penalty was affixed for a failure to employ a teacher. In 1838 an act was passed making the township clerk superintendent of the schools of his township, and the county auditor superintendent of the schools of the county, and provided at least six months good schooling. It also provided for the organization of schools in incorporated cities and towns, not under special charters. In 1847 the citizens of Akron obtained a special law, "for the support and better regulation of the common schools in the towns," and the next year the General Assembly gave the council of any city or town authority to adopt the Akron law, on the petition of two-thirds of its voters. In 1849 a law was passed entitled "A General Law for the Schools in Cities and Towns." It gave boards of education power to establish high schools as well as the lower grades, and to determine the branches of study to be taught in the schools. From about this time till 1855 was a period of progress in the history of education in Ohio. Many cities and towns organized and graded their schools under the Akron law and the law of 1849, and in many districts schools were placed under the direction of a superintendent ; teacher's institutes were established in some of the counties, which by 1855 had increased to over forty, with an attendence of 4,000 teachers. In 1873 boards of education of townships were given permission to employ a superintendent, but it seems that it remained a dead letter for years, and in Sandusky County even at this time a superintendent is not employed in all township districts. In 1888 the important law requiring instruction to be given on the nature of alcoholic drinks and narcotics, in all grades of schools, was enacted. Space will not permit the mention of all school laws but among important school legislation may be mentioned the so-called "Workman Law," making the township the unit in school administration, like the city and town ; the "Boxwell Law," providing for the graduation of pupils in rural schools and their admission to high schools of near cities or towns ; the law authorizing kindergartens as a part of the public school: the law to compel the elementary education of children : and creation of the office of truant officer to enforce the same; the law giving women the right to vote and be voted for as school officers ; the school book law with its option of free books and the law of 1898 authorizing centralization of schools and transportation of pupils. TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. Just when the Sandusky County Teachers' Institute was first organized there seems to be no record to show, but one has been successfully operated for many years, promoted by the ablest teachers of the county. At its last annual meeting, August 9 to 13, there were enrolled. 202 persons connected with the public schools in the county as superintendents and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 303 teachers. The following officers and committee were elected for the ensuing year : President, A. L. Gantz ; secretary, Harriet Barber ; executive committee, J. E. Ockerman, E. F. Warner and Merritt Mason. COUNTY SCHOOL EXAMINERS. W. D. Ross, president; A. W. Tinney, vice president and E. F. Warner, clerk. SCHOOL YOUTH AND EXPENDITURES FOR TUITION. The school youth in the county are, boys 4,779, girls 4,538, making a total of 9,316. The enrollment in the elementary schools are, boys 2,991, girls 2,802, and in high schools, boys 169, girls 234, making a total enrollment of 6,197. There are twelve township districts with 134 sub-districts, and seven separate districts, making nineteen districts in all. The number of teachers required to supply the schools is, elementary 195, high schools sixteen. The only high schools in the county are in Fremont, Clyde, Gibsonburg and Woodville. The amount expended for the year ending 1908, for tuition and supervision in the elementary schools, was $25,572 ; and for same in high schools, $13,812, making a total expenditure for tuition and supervision according to last annual report, $39,384. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR ALL PURPOSES. The total receipts in township districts during the year amounted to $63,603.97 and their total expenditures $67,022.74, but there was a balance in the treasury at the beginning of the year of $59,536.98. The total receipts in the separate districts during the year amounted to $94,501.72 and their total expenditures amounted to $73,869.51. These had a balance on hand at the beginning of the year amounting to $48,712.56. At the beginning of the year 1908-1909 there was in the aggregate a balance in the township district treasuries of $56,118.21 and in the treasury of the districts of Fremont, Clyde, Gibsonburg, Woodville, Helena, Lindsey and Rollersville, the sum in the aggregate of $69,344.77. The schools will be further considered in the history of the townships, villages and the city of Fremont. CHAPTER XXIII. TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS. Settlement and Organization of the T ownships—Settlement and Founding of the Towns —Sketches of Croghansville, Lower Sandu sky, Clyde, Bellevue, Green Spring, Woodville, Gibsonburg, Hessville, Lindsey, Vickery, etc. BALLVILLE TOWNSHIP. Tax duplicate, $990,000. Voters, 480. The first settlement was in that part of the township adjacent to the Two-mile Square Reservation. Among the settlers were David Moore, Asa B. Gavit, John Wolcutt, Mr. Rexford and Mr. Chaffee. In 1819 the first family, Samuel Cochran's, located above the bend of the river. This year added to the inhabitants of the township several families, among them being John Fitch, John Custard and the Prior family. In 1820 permanent settlement began, and the country rapidly filled up with emigrants from New York, Pennsylvania and southern Ohio. The Prior family, consisting of the parents and five children, came from Virginia to Ohio in 1816. Samuel and Margaret Cochran were natives of Massachusetts. After their marriage and removal to Buffalo, Mr. Cochran built a half-deck vessel and transported his family, in 1816, from Buffalo to the mouth of the Huron, where the family remained about three years, during which time, in 1818, Mrs. Cochran died. In 1819 General Cass, then Indian agent, employed Mr. Cochran to assist the mail carriers at the mouth of Wolf Creek, when the water would be high. He cleared a small tract and built a cabin. This was the first white man's cabin in the upper part of the township. By the time the land came into market, after the Indian title became extinguished, he had cleared twenty acres. But like many other squatter settlers he lost his improvement in consequence of being overbid at the government sales. Mr. Cochran afterwards purchased land on the river about seven miles below Lower Sandusky, where he lived from 1822 until his death in 1825. He left surviving him nine children, viz : Elizabeth ( Johnson), Minerva (Smith), Cynthia (Sherman), David, Samuel, Henry, Fannie (Courtwright), Harriet (Seager) and Nancy (Frary). Phineas Frary (husband of Nancy Cochran) was one of the early settlers at the mouth of Wolf Creek. Their daughter, Margaret, was probably the first white child born in the township. Harriet first married Thomas Miller, October 23, 1826. After her father died and until the time of her marriage she lived with her sister, Mrs. Frary, and assisted in clearing the farm. Mr. Miller settled on Portage River, where Woodville has since been laid out. Here he died in 1828. David Moore moved from Ross to Sandusky County in 1818. He built a double log cabin on the bank of the river. A little below that he built a grist-mill, and ground the grain of the pioneers until his death, December 24, 1829, which was caused by an accident in falling, at night, from the attic of the mill to a lower story. He was 63 years old. The old settlers in those days did not all use patent flour. The following is a copy of many orders for meal which are still in the possession of the Moore family in Ballville. Portage River, July 20, 1825. David Moore, Dear Sir : Please send by the bearer two bushels of corn meal, and charge to me. EZEKIEL RICE. David Moore's wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Davis, remained on a farm in - 304 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 305 Ross County, where she died, July 1, 1826. The children of David Moore were Elizabeth (Justice), Sarah (Fields), George, James and John Moore, all of whom came to Sandusky County. George Moore returned to Ross County in 1830, and settled on Paint Creek, eight miles south of Chillicothe, where he died October 1, 1850, leaving a widow, Mrs. Rachel Moore, and four children, David, Eliza, Morris and William, all of whom are dead. David left four daughters, Georgia, Ella, Kate and Willie. James Moore died December 20, 1873, from an accident that happened to him in his mill. John Moore died May 31, 1876, aged 78. Eliza Justice died October 17, 1876, aged 76. Date of death' of Sarah Fields not known. Asa B. Gavit, a native of New York, settled on the west bank of the river about 1818. He married a Miss Strawn, whose family settled further up the river, near the mouth of Wolf Creek. Moses Nichols came to the township in 182o. He constructed a tannery on the river road just outside the limits of the Two-mile Square Reservation. We have already spoken of the first settlement at the mouth of Wolf Creek ; between there and the village of Ballville, by 1824, nearly every farm on the west side of the river had been improved. Elizabeth Tindall kept the only public house along this road. She came to the township. with her family, consisting of five sons, Samuel, Daniel, William, John and Edward, and two daughters, Eliza (Lovejoy) and Amy (Bond). J. L. Tindall, the oldest son of Edward Tindall, was born May 4, 1838. Between the Tindall estate and the Gavit farm were a number of improvements made about 1822, among the settlers being Mr. Woodruff and John Custard. David Chambers purchased a tract of land in Section 8, with a view to engaging in milling. Mr. John Rhidout, father of William Rhidout, was one of the first settlers in the northwest part of the township. He was a shoemaker, and came west for the purpose of engaging at his trade at the Indian missionary posts on the Maumee. After settling here in 1824 he engaged in farming. . The settlement in the upper part of the township on the east side of the river began in 1832, after the Senecas had been removed to their western home, and the reservation which they had occupied had been thrown upon the market. Other early settlers were Thomas Sherrard, Benj. Decker, T. Holmes, Dennis DeRan, Isaac Maurer, P. Doell, David Halter,. Henry and John Fry, Jonas Smith, Joseph Hershey, John Hutchins, Mr. Ensminger, John Halter, George Fry and Cornelius Hufford. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. The following is a list of the United Brethren preachers who held services in the Batezole Schoolhouse and later at Mt. Lebanon, from 1835 to 1907: Benjamin Moore, Joseph Bever, John Davis, John Dorcas, Michael Long, S. Lillibridge, J. C. Bright, S. Hadly, John Lawrence, P. J. Thornton, D. Glancy, B. J. Needles, W. Bevington, Wesley Herrington, R. Wicks, D. P. Hurlbut, J. Lemmon, Jacob Newman, John French, W. Jones, James Long, H. Curtis, S. T. Lane, D. G. Ogden, A. M. Stemen, S. Foster, W. Miller,, Peter Fleck, R. K. Wyant, J. Mathers, D. F. Cender, S. H. Raudebaugh, D. D. Hart, B. M. Long, E. B. Maurer, A. Powell, D. S. Caldwell, T. D. Ingle, John Hipple, J. A. Young, J. Young, W. P. Bender, I. E. Ingle, A. H. White, P. 0. Rhodes, J. Sargeant, H. L. Snyder, E. Loose, J. S. Smith and J. O. Rhodes. Mt. Lebanon was built in 1864. The first trustees were Revs. M. Long, M. Bulyer, Noah Young, Mr. Anson Eldridge and Mr. John Batezole. The following persons have served as superintendents of the Sunday school there : Noah Young, S. Young, C. Young, Jacob Burgner, B. M. Long, J. W. Worst, H. C. Smith, N. S. Long, F. P. Smith, Norton Young, Sidney Strobl, W. H. Sibord and W. H. Kisen. The church building at Hoover's Corners was erected about 1854 ; in 1864 a class was formed at the mouth of Wolf Creek by Samuel Jacoby, known as "Clingers Class." A meeting-house was afterwards built called. Wolf Creek Church. In 1868 a house of worship, free for all denominations, was built about 306 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY four miles south of Ballville Village called Union Chapel. Dr. Bushnell of Fremont and Dr. Willard of Tiffin held services there about 187o, but now no preaching service is maintained there. McGormley Church—About the year 188o, during the pastorate of Rev. Jesse Richards, of the First Reformed Church of Fremont, Ohio, and under his direction, a Union Church was built, four miles southeast of Fremont, near the McGormley Cemetery, known by several names, as the White, the McGormley, the Union and the Maurer Church, in which very successful services were held by the Reformed ministers, in connection with services in the Fremont and the Four-mile House Churches, for several years, until during the pastorate of Rev. J. I. Swander, D. D., when regular services were discontinued, and the church building used by different denominations for funeral services only, and it continues to be so used. The Sunday school has also been discontinued. The first trustees of the McGormley Church were Isaac Maurer, Jonas Smith and Henry Baumann. CEMETERIES. Oakwood, St. Joseph's and St. Ann's— Oakwood, on the river bank, is a beautiful cemetery under a board of careful trustees. Directly in front of the entrance is a large circular lot where President and Mrs. Hayes, three children and one grandchild lie buried. A simple but handsome sarcophagus of Vermont granite bears their names. The highest monument in the yard is the plain shaft commemorative of Sardis Birchard. Many other fine stones are to be seen as one wanders about the place, with here and there fresh flowers ; and the little flags marking the places of those who served their country in the Civil War, numbering more than two hundred graves. Not far away are the respective cemeteries of St. Joseph's and St. Ann's Catholic Churches. A fine road was opened hither from Buckland Avenue a few years ago. At the highest points of land stand great crosses ; the grounds are beautifully shaded and carefully kept, and contain many fine monuments. These cemeteries are, indeed, beautiful for situation and no spots more lovely can be found for the final rest of the dead—the "long loved and lost awhile." SCHOOLS. The first schools, of which any record can now be found, were in the Babione district on the east and Tyndall district on the west side of the Sandusky River, in 1833. Miss Harriet Mudge was the first teacher in the former, and it was a subscription school. The schoolhouses were of logs. The first board-siding schoolhouse was the Duesler schoolhouse. Among the earliest teachers were Jonathan Lockwood, Noah Young, Peter Hershey, Wesley and Enoch Kolbe. Early in the forties the Batezole, Mudge and Ballville schools were added. All had puncheon seats and a slanting shelf around the walls for a desk. The schools were held only in the winter time at first, but later on spring and fall terms were added. The first school directors of whom there is any record to be found were Isaac Glick, George Mudge, John Dawson, Daunt Tindall, John Moore and Jonas Smith. John Moore served the Ballville district for about twenty years. About 1896 free text books were provided for all pupils by the board of education, and the teachers were supplied with useful demonstrating, apparatus, to aid them in obtaining the best possible results. In 1908 the board of education wisely adopted supervision and employed Mr. George W. Bloom, superintendent of the schools for 1908-1909. The result has been highly gratifying, and the board has employed Mr. W. A. Danford for the year 1909-1910, Mr. Bloom having withdrawn to assume the duties of county auditor, to which he was elected in 1908. There are thirteen sub-districts in the township, with a school enrollment of 300 pupils and twelve teachers for thirty-two weeks at an expenditure for tuition not including supervision, which is not yet officially reported for the year, $3,978. MANUFACTURES. About 1821 two grist-mills were built, one by David Chambers, the other by David Moore, kith near the second rapids of the Sandusky River, and further up a saw-mill by Mr. Tindall. Moore subsequently became the owner AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 307 of all the water-power and the mill built by Chambers. In 1831 Charles Choate leased the shed and water-power at Moore's Mill, and began the carding and fulling business. In 1835 James Moore, son of David, began the erection of a new saw-mill, which was put in operation in 1837, into which Mr. Choate moved his carding machinery, which he continued to operate there for three years, the last year working 40,0000 pounds of wool. He sold out to Asa Otis and P. C. Dean, who continued to operate the same for some years thereafter. In 1858 James Moore built the mill known as the Stone Mill, near the spot where the skirmish with the Indians known as "Ball's Battle" occurred in 1813. This mill is now owned. by H. H. Tucker. In 1867 P. C. Dean and John Moore built what was called the Croghan Mill. Mr. Dean sold out to his partner, who conducted the business until his death, when it passed into the hands of his sons. It was burned in 1878 and rebuilt the same year. Of all the mills and factories mentioned none are in operation, except the Stone Mill at the upper dam, which is conducted by H. H. Tucker & Son. The lower dam and all the buildings formerly connected therewith but two are gone, and these are unoccupied. The dam was swept away by recent great ice gorges occurring with floods. The Fremont Power & Light Company, recently incorporated, has secured, by purchase, all the mill sites, river and flowage reights on the river, for a distance of about two and one-half miles, and are just completing plans for the construction of a hydro-electric plant at Ballville, which will, in the future, conserve the energy of the Sandusky River for industrial, commercial and domestic uses in the city of Fremont and vicinity. The falls of the river which have heretofore been utilized for the operation of these mills and factories will, by the present development, all be brought under a single power with a static head of about forty-three feet—thus producing, for the greater portion of the year, about three thousand horse-power for the generation of electricity, the modern motive power. These rapids of the Sandusky River always presented a scene of industrial activity by the operation of these mills and factories in the vicinity of Ballville, until steam-power gradually superseded the natural water-power. But recent inventions and modern machinery have made it possible to turn the energy of rivers into account for the better service of humanity ; and if the project be successful, Ballville Township will have the distinction of being the home of one of the most modern hydro-electric plants in the country. The D. M. Potter Drain Tile & Brick Company is a large and prosperous concern of Ballville Township, the active head of which is Daniel M. Potter. Many years ago, or about the beginning of the Civil War period, the father of Mr. Potter, Henry Jarvis Potter, picked up on his land some lumps of clay which had been burned to a red color, and this was the first indication he had that the soil was excellent for brick and tile making. His son Daniel was then but a child, but a number of years subsequently he began the manufacture of brick and tile on a small scale, at first doing all the work himself. The business gradually increased until he found it necessary to employ help and he now employs eight men on an average, and does a business approximating $6,000 annually. His entire output is purchased by farmers in the vicinity. The Shedenhelm Saw-mill in 'this township does a large business in the production of lumber from native timber. BRIDGES. There are three bridges across the Sandusky River in this township, the covered bridge at the village, built in 1858; the covered bridge higher up the river known as the Tindall bridge, built in 1864. and the iron bridge still further up known as the Gilmore bridge, constructed in 1901. VILLAGE OF CLYDE AND GREEN CREEK TOWNSHIP. Township Tax Duplicate, $1,210,030. Voters, 858. In 1820 Jesse Benton "squatted" upon a tract included within the present corporate limits of 308 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Clyde, and thereby acquired the distinction of being the first settler. Benton's claim contained eighty acres, being the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 14. The tract is bounded, nearly, as follows : Commencing at the crossing of the Big-Four Railroad on Main Street, thence west to the organ factory, thence south to the waterworks, thence east on the line of South Street, extended to Main Street, thence north along Main Street to place of beginning. A few steps north and east of a spring, later known as Harkness' Spring. On this land Benton erected a log house in which he and his family lived until the land came into market, when Samuel Pogue bought it from the Government, and after purchasing Benton's improvement, for a barrel of whisky, immediately took possession of the place and with his family lived in the Benton cabin until about 1828, when his death occurred. In 1822 he was elected one of the first township officers. Lyman F. Miller (his stepson), Amos Fenn, Silas Dewey and Giles Thompson accompanied him to 'this vicinity in 1820. All of them lived with Pogue the first winter after they arrived here. At this early date and for several years afterward no village existed, nor was thought of in connection with 'the present site of Clyde. It may, therefore, not be inappropriate to inquire into the early settlement of this immediate neighborhood, although, first let us note the fact that the Pogue farm eventually fell in equal shares to Lyman F. Miller and Geo. R. Brown, the latter of whom had married Mr. Pogue's daughter and was by them laid out into village lots. A few settlers preceded Benton, locating, along the ridges (then Indian trails), which extend through this vicinity. One of their number, Samuel Baker, Sr., erected a cabin near the present site of the Baker schoolhouse in 1818. He was, it is claimed, the first settler in Green Creek Township. Among the early settlers of the vicinity was Norton Russell, who in 1828 accompanied by James Birdseye, father of Nathan and Joseph Birdseye, William McPherson, father of General McPherson, and Lyman Babcock came on foot from Canandaigua, New York, and located along the North Ridge, then the 'principal Indian trail leading from Fort Seneca to Portland, now Sandusky. Mr. McPherson erected a frame building on this place, one of the first, if not the first, in Green Creek Township. The building was long since removed. An orchard now graces the spot, and it was here the illustrious soldier, Gen. James Birdseye McPherson was born. The trail near which the house stood was frequented by Indians who journeyed, at least, once a year from the reservations in the vicinity of Fort Seneca to Portland, to receive from the Canadian Government, in consideration of the terms of some 'treaty, a tribute consisting mostly of blankets, 'trinkets, etc. An Indian chief, while on one of these missions, stopped at the McPherson dwelling. He looked with great interest at the pale-faced babe, and consolingly to the mother said, "Him make big, big man." Jonathan Rathbun, father of Chaplin Rathbun, and grandfather of Saxton Rathbun, settled in 1820 upon a tract of land now known as the Persing farm. The following year, 1821, Samuel McMillen located upon lands, a part of which are now in the west part of the village. He was the father of Henry McMillen, well known here in early days, and of Mrs. Norton Russell. Dr. Forbes, Seth Murray and Luther Porter in 1822, settled within or near 'the present limits of the village. The latter two were acquaintances of Norton Russell and left Canandagua at the same time that Mr. Russell and his three companions did, but they came in a wagon drawn 'by horses and therefore arrived here a few days sooner than did 'the Russell party. The same year brought Oliver Comstock. In 1823 Elisha Babcock settled on Butternut Ridge near the present site of Lay's corners. The following year Chaplin Rathbun and family, including Saxton S. Rathbun, moved from New York to Green Creek Township. In 1824 Mr. Guinall, father of James Guinall, lived in a log house near the present McPherson residence in Clyde. Clark Cleveland, uncle to Clark R. Cleveland, lived on the farm now occupied by Thomas Simmons, about one and one-half miles west of the village. William Hamer. afterwards known as the founder of Hamer's corners, lived on an eighty-acre tract AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 309 of land, in southwest quarter of Section 20, Green Creek Township. His house was located south of the present Sand Ridge Road, about fifty rods, near an Indian trail. Josiah Rumery lived near the present site of Mr. Huber's residence. He owned and operated a water-power saw-mill and "Corn-cracker," which were located near by. We are unable to give the exact date that Guinall, Cleveland, Hamer and Rumery settled in Green Creek Township, but it was prior to 1824. Adam Smith settled in the township in 1824. At this time the Western Reserve and Maumee Turnpike was not constructed and travelers going east or west were compelled to take a very circuitous route. The trail on which Samuel Baker's house was located had now become the regular line of travel between York's Crossroads (Bellevue) and Lower Sandusky. Mr. Baker therefore converted his cabin into a tavern and kept liquor for sale, as did all taverns at that time. It is said, however, that the Indians were his best customers at the bar. FIRST ELECTION. At the first election, April, 1822, John Purnphrey. Samuel Kepler and Samuel S. Baker served as judges, and Jared H. Miner and Isaac Hines as clerks. Seventeen votes were cast and the following officers were elected : Trustees, Samuel S. Baker, Josiah Rumery and Samuel Pogue ; clerk, Jared H. Miner ; treasurer, Silas Dewey ; constable, Benjamin Collins; appraisers of property, Samuel S. Baker and Samuel Pogue. The poll sheet contains the following names : Josiah Rummery, Samuel McMillan. Caleb Rice, Silas Dewey, Joseph Baite, Samuel Pogue, Francis McNutt, John Pumphrey, David Cochran, Samuel S. Baker, Jesse Benton, Samuel Kepler, Samuel Utley, J. H. Miner, Levi Tuttle, Isaac Hines and B. Collins. TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS. These schools from the time of separation of Clyde as a district, as well as before, have been well supported by the erection of buildings and the employment of competent teachers. The district has ten sub-districts, requiring ten teachers to supply the schools, costing for the years 1907-1908 including $100 for supervision, $3,700. The schools are re garded as among the best in the county. Box-well graduates attending a high school, boys 7; girls 7; total 14. SMALL FRUITS AND CABBAGES. The topography of the township has been considered in a former chapter. The soil of the township, especially west and southwest from Clyde is noted for its adaptability to the cultivation of small fruits of all kinds that grow in this northern climate. It is estimated that within the township there are approximately 2,000 acres of land devoted to small fruits, including cherries. It is equally noted for its immense cabbage crops, and a conservative estimate places the cabbage crop, annually, at 4,000 acres. Other parts are equally fertile for standard agricultural products. Robinson Kraut Company of Green Spring„ Green Creek -Township, was established in 1895, the plant being located on the Nickel Plate Railroad. It produces between fifteen thousand and twenty thousand barrels of "White Vine Kraut" annually, and is a flourishing concern. Harry W. Robinson is president. W. F. Huber's Steam Saw-mill is one of the important manufacturing enterprises of Green Creek Township. It is located on the Green Springs Road, about six miles east of Fremont. Mr. Huber started the business soon after the Civil War, in which he was a participant. Upon returning home at the close of that struggle he purchased fifty acres of the farm he now owns in this township and established a saw-mill, later buying the water privilege from a Mr. Smith. At first he rented the water-mill but later purchased it. About four years afterwards it was destroyed by fire and he then, in partnership with Mr. N. E. Ellsworh, established the steam-mill which is now in operation. After awhile he purchased the interest of his partner and since then has conducted the business alone, employing some five .men. He has been highly successful; has added to his landed property, and in addition to his milling interests has been largely engaged in farming. GREEN SPRING. This village is located partly in the township of Green Creek and is a pretty and thriving vil- 310 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY lage, of about one thousand inhabitants counting both sides of the county line, dividing the same between Sandusky and Seneca Counties. It is on the line of and at the crossing of the Big-Four and Nickel Plate Railroads. The celebrated mineral springs known as Green Spring is near this village, an account of which has been given in a former chapter. The Oak Ridge Sanitarium is at this spring. The village has churches, good schools and school buildings. A bank, newspaper, hotels, a large shipping business of live stock and grain is carried on here. The tax duplicate (in Sandusky County) is $80,075. Green Creek Township is, in part, served by a rural mail delivery route from the village accommodating many people in the southwest part. THE VILLAGE OF CLYDE. Tax Duplicate, $855,590. Voters, 86o. Population, 3,500. Among the first to embark in the building up a village at the place was William McPherson ; he was a blacksmith by trade, and opened a shop soon after the pike was graded, and did a thriving business in this line for a few years, and thereafter engaged in the dry goods trade and other enterprises which contributed to the welfare of the community. William Hamer also became a resident about 1828 ; he purchased of William McPherson the triangular shaped tract of land, bounded at present by the pike on the northwest, by Maple Street on the southeast, and by Main Street on the west, and at once erected a commodious log building, and for a number of years the place was known by the name of Hamer's Corners. The tavern was a two-story, hewed-log structure, about 3o feet in length and 26 feet in width, an addition in the rear containing the dining room ; the main part of the building Stood with its side fronting the pike, and its lower story Was divided by a log partition into two rooms, one of which was used as a sitting-room, and the other for a bar-room and office; the latter was provided with a large open fireplace and a sideboard well stocked with old-time untaxed whiskey. With the increased emigration from the Eastern States, which soon followed, this business of entertaining travelers was very re munerative. Mr. Hamer was a very amiable landlord, and successfully managed the hotel until about 1838, when he retired from the occupation. Another name deserving of mention in connection with the early history of the corners, is that of Wesley Anderson. Mr. Anderson about 1830, erected a large, frame hotel at the cross roads two miles east of Hamer's Corners (the building was afterwards owned by Nathan Birdseye), where he kept a hotel and store a year or two, and then sold out and came to Hamer's Corners, and engaged in keeping store in a frame building which he erected, and is the oldest one remembered on the pike. Another man who identified himself with the movement to establish a town at the corners was Cornell Bradley. He built the first frame hotel building, and kept hotel therein a few years—the house was afterwards successfully managed by Mr. Corbett, Roswell George (father of Joseph George), Daniel Boyd, William Boyd and Isaac Sparks. Another early settler was Reuben Bolls. He built the first brick building at the corner—a small structure which stood on the south side of the pike and a little east of the frame hotel above mentioned: it was used as a tailor and shoe shop. He was in partnership for a time in mercantile business at the corners with John West of revolutionary fame, who died a few years ago. Others among the early settlers and business men : Robert McElhany, Thomas Wikes, Mr. Booth, Dr. Forbes, Spicer and VanDercook, Elan Ames, Dr. Henry Niles, Dr. Henry H. Treadway, Dr. Seely, Dr. Wm. G. Harkness, father of Darwin E. Harkness. The latter was also one of the business men of Hamer's Corners in 1838. He erected the brick block which yet remains on the pike, the most expensive and substantial building that Hamer's Corners could boast of. He was postmaster next after William McPherson. The succeeding postmasters have been Jacob McCleary, D. E. Harkness, J. W. Wales, W. H. Reynolds, J. B. Bush, J. P. Fish, J. B. Fellows. R. B. McPherson, Mrs. Z. Perrin, Chas. H. McCleary. Louis Hock, C. L. Dirlam, B. F. Jackson and C. D. Tiffany—the incumbent. P. B. Beery, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 311 late known as a prominent New York wholesale merchant, carried on a store at the corners in 1851; Dr. C. G. Eaton was engaged in the drug business there about the same time. A line of post-coaches was established, with the pike as a route, about 1832 ; two coaches, drawn by four horses ran each way daily, and these were the only public means of conveyance prior to the building of the railroads. The name of the town seems to have been in some doubt about1852 ; the plats recorded by Hamer and Beery are designated "additions to Centerville ; the one recorded by Brown is headed by the words, "addition to Clyde." J. L. Ames made an addition to the village the following spring, and the record of the plat shows it to be an addition to Centerville. The controversy concerning the name was, at least partially, settled about 1852 at a meeting held at Whitcher's hotel. It was attended by perhaps fifteen citizens, among whom were Doctor Treadway, 0. P. Woodward, Lyman Miller, E. B. Whitcher, Robert Clapp, A. G. Perry and William Hamer. The question of adopting a name was discussed, and several names were suggested, among which were the names Ayer, Plainville, Livonia and Clyde. The latter was proposed by Mr. Woodward, who had been a resident of Clyde, New York, and it was finally adopted, and soon thereafter was accepted by the people generally. The competition of the railroads was the herald of a new order of things ; two hotels were immediately erected at the crossing of the roads. In a few months a village had sprung into existence at this point ; it grew rapidly, and the business houses were moved to the new site, and soon Hamer's Corners became a thing of the past. The town was incorporated as a village March 8, 1866 ; John M. Lemmon was elected its first mayor ; Z. Perrin, C. G. Eaton, Milo Hunter, John Lefever, A. B. French and W. W. Wales were chosen members of the first council. The village of Clyde contains over three thousand inhabitants. In point of wealth, business and population, it ranks next to the county seat. Clyde is the center of a rich farming country and fruit growing district, the soil of which is very diversified in its character and adapted to a great variety of products. For this reason, principally, the town has experienced a steady and permanent growth. It has three steam railroads and one electric railroad, passing through the village. The post office receives twelve daily mails and dispatches eleven. There are five rural delivery routes from the office, with 632 homes supplied with mail boxes, serving a rural population of 2,500 inhabitants. It has two miles of paved streets within its corporate limits. WATER-WORKS. A special act of the Legislature passed March 15, 1883, authorized the submission to the voters of the April election following, of the question of issuing $2o,000 corporate bonds for the construction of a system of public waterworks. This vote was taken, a majority of ninety-seven votes being in favor of the project. May 29, 1883, the council by ordinance formally provided for the construction of public water-works. July 17th, a second ordinance directed the issue and sale of $2o,000 in bonds, the full amount authorized. June 25, 1883, the first election for trustees of the water-works was held ; H. B. Tiffany, A. C. Keating and W. H. Kauffman were chosen. July 9th bids for construction were advertised for, to be opened and awarded August 13th. There was a large number of bids, but not all were satisfactory, and only a portion of the work was let. August 24th the council by resolution authorized the trustees to contract without further advertising, which was clone on favorable terms, and the work was soon thereafter begun. December 18, 1883, the works were put in operation, and since that time have been kept going without serious interruption and at very moderate cost for repairs. With Raccoon Creek, the water of which largely from springs and very pure and soft, three flowing artesian fountains, and the supply from the moist quicksand to the westward of Raccoon and the great storage capacity of the reservoirs, it is fair to presume that no shortage in supply can occur. Lines of the pipes pass through most of the streets, and every part of the village east of 312 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Raccoon Creek is within reach of the fire protection afforded by the hydrants. CHURCHES. METHODIST CHURCH. Methodism in this vicinity began as an organized church in the year 1820. Previous to this prayer meetings were held by a few who belonged to the church before settling here. This place was included in the Lower Sandusky District, and in the year 1821, Rev. Boardman organized the church here. The class consisted of six, viz : Samuel McMillan and wife, James Guinall and wife, and Albert Guinan and wife. Preaching was held in a log schoolhouse once in four weeks, usually on week days. In 1827, under the preaching of Presiding Elder McMahan, John Hazzard and Adam Poe, preachers, a revival occurred, and about twenty-five united with the church, Norton. Russell being the first convert; his wife, and sister (Mrs. McPherson) were also converted at that time. In '44 there was a great awakening in the church, especially among the young people ; numbers united with the church, among them was James B. McPherson. Also a number of young men, some of whom became respected ministers. In 18c1 the society decided to build a church. Accordingly the first Methodist Church was built ; the lot on Duane Street was donated by Tonathan Ames. Rev. George Eaton was preacher in charge, his health failing, Alfred 'Wheeler supplied him, Rev. Day assistant. The church was finished, furnished and dedicated the last day of December, 1852. Presiding Elder Disboro preached the dedicatory sermon. The whole cost was fifteen hundred and thirty dollars ($1,530). In 1866 the officials decided to build a new church ( J. S. Broadwell, pastor) ; the membership of the church at that time was 145. Two lots on the corner of George and Buckeye Streets were purchased at a cost of $1,150. In February,• 1867, the basement was ready, and the congregation used it until the audience room should be ready. Work was continued on the church, and it was dedicated in August. 1867. Thirty-seven hundred dollars was subscribed. enough it was then supposed to pay the debt ; however, the church was not completed, neither the spire nor gallery were built, and on corn pletion of the whole, and a failure on the part of the subscribers to pay, it was found to be in debt. Rev. E. Y. Warner was pastor in '67. In '68 Rev. W. S. Paul was pastor and was returned in 1869 and '7o. During his pastorate arrangements were perfected with the Messrs. Remington of Ilion, New York, and money borrowed without interest being charged to pay the church debt, which was then on interest. In the winter of '71, the pastor resigned his charge, and B. Wright supplied his place. Fall of '71 Rev. G. H. Hartupee became pastor. In the spring following the church debt was so large that it was resolved to try and raise a part of it. Bishop Bowman was called and preached, a subscription was taken and several thousand dollars promised, but a failure on the part of subscribers to pay again left the church in debt, and though considerable reduction was made, the indebtedness continued burdensome. In '74 and '75 the debt was somewhat reduced. Yet in the fall of '75 they were still $4,250 in debt, and Rev. J. W. Mendenhall. who had become the pastor, labored zealously and awakened among the members a lively interest in the welfare of the church, resulting in the cancellation of the entire remaining debt during his pastorate. The event was celebrated by a jubilee meeting. Rev. W. H. Painter succeeded as pastor in 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. B. J. Hoadley, who served as pastor until the fall of 1882. Rev. G. W. Ball was the next pastor of the Clyde congregation ; he served two years. Rev. a Badgley succeeded Rev. Mr. Ball. The following pastors have served in the order named after Mr. Ball : Revs. G. L. Hanawalt, C. F. Johnson, Wm. Kepler, S. J. McConnell, S. L. Stewart, P. B. Stroupe and R. F. Mayer. The following named persons have been superintendents of the Sunday school in 'the order named : W. W. Weeks. Basil Meek, H. H. Rabe, D. A. Heffner, G. S. Pickett, L. W. Kastrup and H. C. Heffner. ST. MARY'S CHURCH. The few Catholics in and about Clyde were attended in the early days by priests from Fremont and Bellevue. As early as 1853 mass was celebrated by Rev. Thomas Walsh of Fremont, in an old log house which stood on the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 313 spot now occupied by the L. S. & M. S. Ry. freight depot. Rev. John Rose while pastor at St. Joseph's, Fremont, from 1856 to 1859, occasionally attended Clyde, but Rev. L. Molon, also of Fremont, had full charge of this mission. From 1854 to 1859 he came every four weeks and said mass in private houses. In the latter year he purchased an acre of ground and began the erection of the frame church. This was completed in the following year under the direction of Rev. G. Peter and was solemnly blessed by Right Rev. Bishop Rappe in May or June. On the same occasion the cemetery which surrounds the church was consecrated. In 1862 Rev. James Manahan, then stationed at Bellevue, took charge of the congregation. He said mass in Clyde every Sunday, driving from Bellevue for the purpose until August, 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. T. M. Mahoney. Father Mahoney purchased a very desirable corner lot adjoining the church property, intending that when the congregation .became sufficiently large, a substantial new church should be built thereon. He was succeeded, at Bellevue, in August, 1871, by Rev. E. Mears, who continued to visit Clyde regularly until August, 1872, when Rev. J. D. Bowles was appointed first resident pastor of Clyde. During the administration of Father Bowles the pastoral residence was purchased at a cost of $1,600. An addition to serve as a vestry was put to the church and several minor improvements were made. In January, 1875, Rev. G. P. Rudolph took charge and remained until March, 1879. Rev. F. N. Nunan was next pastor until July 25, 188r. From this time the congregation was attended by Rev. John T. Cahill, then stationed at Bellevue, until September, 1881, when he became resident pastor at Clyde. He was succeeded April 29, 1883, by Rev. A. F.. Manning. The foundation of a new church was laid during the spring and early summer of 1886, and the corner stone put in place by Rev. Bishop Gilmour, Sunday, July 4th, of that year. The edifice was completed in due time thereafter. The present pastor is Rev. Father Quinn. BAPTIST CHURCH. There were a few Baptists among the early settlers of the township. Jared H. Miner, Esq., had meetings at his house occasionally, and Elder Thorp sometimes exhorted. Missionaries held services at irregular intervals, and in 1857 a house of worship was built. The first organization into a congregation was effected April 9, 1859, at which time L. D. Caulkins was chosen clerk ; Gideon Palmer, Lyman Ames and George N. Thornton, trustees ; Anson Ames was also a member at this time. Joseph Jackson was chosen pastor. In August, 1864, a pastor was called, Rev. Adam Snyder ; he was a strong preacher, and attracted large congregations. In May, 1866, Rev. W. E. Lyon became pastor and served the church with success. Rev. T. J. Shepperd succeeded to the pastorate, and remained between one and two years. Rev. J. V. K. Seeley assumed charge in November, 1872, and during his term of five years' service added about forty to the membership. In 1868 Rev. Fernald became pastor and remained two years. The greatest revival in the history of the church was held during this pastorate by an evangelist, Rev. W. H. Hulburt. More than one hundred were converted, and eighty: four joined the church. Rev. J. L. Philips was installed pastor in August, 1880; he remained about two years ; many additions were made to the church during his term of service. In August, 1883, he was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Davies. The writer is without further facts, except that a new and commodious house of worship has been erected and the present pastor is Rev. A. M. Dixon, who succeeded Rev. J. H. Hollingsworth. UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH. Prior to 1865 the services of Clyde congregation, of the United Brethren in Christ, were held at the house of Rev. Daniel Smith, west of the village on the Maumee Turnpike, on what is known as the John Chamberlain farm. In 1865 the present house of worship on Duarte Street was purchased from the Methodists, who moved to their new house on Buckeye Street. At this time, and until 1866, Clyde was one of the five charges comprising Flat Rock Circuit ; in that year the other four charges became Flat Rock Mission, and Clyde was made 314 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY a Station, with an appointment at Mt. Carmel attached. Preachers in charge from 1866 have been Michael Long, M. Bulger, D. G. Ogden, W. P. Dickens, S. H. Raudebaugh, S. S. Essex, H. F. Hartzell, D. S. Caldwell, Geo. Bender, C. E. Ruddick, J. W. Eastman, V. French, A. W. Keesey, R. G. Miller, Samuel H. Brake, A. C. Blake, J. W. Eastman. This congregation no longer maintains services and may be regarded as disbanded. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Presbyterian congregation, of Clyde, was formally organized in the Baptist meetinghouse, April 6, 1867; Doctor Bushnell, of Fremont, and Geo. H. Fullerton, of Huron, being present. At the meeting the following persons were received as members : Dr. J. W. Luse, Mrs. E. C. Luse, Hiram Vincent, Adam Dunlap, Mrs. Kate B. Dunlap, Mrs. Margaret Luse, Mrs. Emily Fletcher, Mrs. Jane Thorpe, Mrs. C. Loveland, George B. Fuller and Mrs. Alcina Ellsworth. The first regular service of the church was held on the following day, conducted by Doctor Bushnell, who preached and administered the sacrament. Rev. J. B. Smith was the first minister chosen ; he preached at stated intervals for two years. In 1869 D. W. Marvin succeeded to the pastorate, and in the winter of that year initiatory steps were taken toward the building of a house of worship. A comfortable brick house was erected on Forest Street, near Main, and dedicated January 3o, 1870. A Sabbath school was organized about that time and has since, excepting a short interval, been maintained. In 1872 Rev. E. R. Chase was regularly installed pastor. The church was greatly strengthened by a revival in the winter of 1873. Mr. Chase was beloved by all, and the church prospered under his care, but he was not long spared in his chosen field of labor. A disease of the lungs, contracted in the army, brought him to an untimely death, May 25, 1874, at The age of 34 years. Rev. A. M. Meili, formerly a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, was elected to the pastorate in March, 1875. Owing to complications which arose he resigned in 1876, and all services, including Sunday school and prayer meeting, were for a time suspended. The prayer meetings and Sunday school were, however, soon re-organized and the general church work again set on foot. About 1878 Rev. J. S. Axtell was employed as .pastor, and he continued to act as such until 1883. Rev. H. P. Barnes succeeded him as pastor, and remained until the fall of 1885; he was an able and popular man, and did much toward the welfare of the congregation. Rev. R. J. Smith, a student of Oberlin College, supplied the pulpit till 1888. Rev. D. Street became pastor next and served till the spring of 1889, when he was succeeded by Rev. Geo. E. Wilson until 1898, when D. Irvin Conkle was pastor until 1902. Then Rev. R. W. Kohr took charge as pastor and served until 1909 and has just been succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. E. A. Miller. In 1891 the church was remodeled and greatly enlarged, at a cost of $8,000, of which amount the Sunday school of the church raised and paid $1,000. The superintendents of the Sunday school have been G. S.. Richards, W. G. Estill and A. L. Gautz, the latter now serving. GRACE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Protestant Episcopal is the youngest of the religious organizations of Clyde. Its beginning was in 1875. Rev. W. tiV. Earr and Rev. A. B. Nicholas, at the time rectors, respectively, of Grace and Calvary parishes, Sandusky, were spending an afternoon in Clyde, waiting for a train to get home. They went about the village hunting up such persons as had been members of the Episcopal Church in other places, and arranged for a series of services to be held on Friday evening of each week. These services were begun at Good Templar's Hall, in Kline's Block ; clergymen from Norwalk, Monroeville, Bellevue, Fremont and Tiffin alternating in conducting them. In 1879, when the lodge of Good Templars dissolved and gave up their hall, the use of the Presbyterian Church edifice was secured, and clergymen from Fremont and Bellevue held afternoon services there on alternate Sundays. About this time a Sunday school was organized. In 1882 it was determined to change the hour for services to the forenoon, and to hold them every Sunday. The Universalist Church building, which was not then in use, was rented, and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 315 Rev. M. Hamilton became the regular minister. A formal organization was made in May, 1879, and the name Grace Church adopted. About 1884, the Universalists desiring to again use their house, the Episcopal people moved to Delfantelian Hall, in Hirschberger's Block, and there remained until their own new and modern house of worship, since erected on Buckeye Street, could be used. This was first .occupied May 21, 1886, on the occasion of the annual visitation of the bishop of the diocese. Work on it had commenced in October, 1885. The audience room is 50x30, with arched and vaulted roof and commodious chancel, nave for choir, and vestry room in addition to the audience room. Services are held every Sunday morning at 10:30, Sunday school at noon, and a 5 o'clock afternoon service is in contemplation. The growth of membership has been regular and steady, and it now has ceased to be a mission, and is served by a rector as a parish in connection with St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Bellevue. UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. The first Universalist congregation in this vicinity was organized by Rev. George R. Brown about 1835. The membership increased rapidly, and soon thereafter the organization was enabled, with the help of contributions generously made by the public, to build a substantial frame meeting-house. The building was the first place of worship erected in this neighborhood. Rev. Brown, assisted by supplies, continued to administer to the spiritual needs of the congregation until 1864. He was succeeded by Elder J. F. Rice, who served the congregation three years. In 1872 Rev. N. Crary became the regular pastor, and continued as such for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Soule. Rev. C. A. Lander was employed as pastor in 1876, and served till. August of that year, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. J. P. McLean. The next regular installed pastor was Rev. W. P. Burnell ; he served the congregation from 1882 to 1885, inclusive. From this latter date until January, 1887, no minister was regularly employed, and services were had by supplies for a time, but finally services were permanently discontinued. The first members were Rev. Brown and wife, Mrs. Jacob McCleary, Mrs. Clough, Mrs. Nathan Birdseye and daughter ; Mr. Birdseye became a member of the church sometime after its organization, and contributed largely towards its support—the lot occupied by the church being a gift from him. The church property was sold to the Lutheran Church, which is one of the church societies of the village known as St. Paul's Lutheran, Rev. L. F. Freyberg, pastor. ST. PAUL LUTHERAN was organized by Rev. G. A. Harter in 1887, who was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Allwardt and he by the present pastor. This church is served in connection with the Adam's and Zion's congregations in Seneca County. ADVENTISTS' CHURCH. The Seventh Day Adventist Church, of Clyde, was organized by Elder J. H. Waggoner, August 11, 1867. O. F. Gilford was chosen elder, and William Herald deacon, and ordained by Elder Waggoner at that time. The organization built a house of worship in 1877-78. Its location is on Washington Avenue, near Vine Street. The house was dedicated by Elder Waggoner January 20, 1878. Elder H. A. St. John was the next pastor ; he was succeeded by Elder E. H. Gates. Elder W. J. Stone next served the congregation as pastor. There is no regular pastor now serving this church. PATRIOTIC AND FRATERNAL ORDERS. G. A. R. Eaton Post, No. 55, was organized in 1881, then assuming the number of an earlier post which had been disbanded, and taking the name of. Eaton Post under which it has ever since existed. The charter members of this post were : N. B. Mason, M. B. Lemmon, W. H. Kauffman, C. G. Aldrich, Fred Metz, R. H. Timanus, H. N. Lay, G. H. Brace, W. M. Barber, H. Grabach, J. H. Zender, 0. M. Mallernee, J. T. Aldrich, Geo. Pittinger, O. R. Wilson and Eugene Matthews. Many other names have since been added. Regular meetings of the post are held. C. G. Eaton Relief Corps, No. 188. Knights of the Maccabees. Clyde Tent, No. 30 . Ladies of the Maccabees. Clyde Hive, No. 347. 316 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Modern Woodmen of America. Banner Camp, No. 7126. Monticello Lodge, F. & A. Masons, No. 244, was first organized by W. M. Harrison, C. G. Eaton, Jacob McCleary, G. R. Brown, J. N. Russell, J. W. Forster, William Hamer, W. S. Russell and Henry Burdick, December 3, 1853. The meetings of the lodge as an organization were held in the old Norton Russell house on the pike until Dr. Eaton erected a building for a drug store with an upper hall, where lodge met until 1855. It then moved to a brick building erected by Jordan & Harkness, 'where it remained until 186o, when it removed to the third story o fthe brick building northeast corner Main and Duane Streets. In 1874 it moved to the Richard's Block. The first officers of the lodge were : W. M. Harrison, W. M.; C. G. Eaton, S. W.; Jacob McCleary, J. W.; W. Hamer, treasurer; W. S. Russell, secretary; P. B. Beery, S. D.; W. Hinton, J. D.; Robert Clapp, tyler. Royal Neighbors. Hunter Camp, No. 3202. United Spanish War Veterans, McMacken Command, No. 34. United Spanish. War Veterans, McMacken Auxiliary, No. 34. R. A. M. Clyde Chapter, No. 90, was organnized January 29, 1864. The first officers were : W. M. Harrison. P. ; W. E. Lay, K. ; W. W. Wales, S.; A. Thorpe, R. A. C. ; .C. G. M. 3d V. ; S. T. Finch. G. M.. 2d V. ; C. G. Sanford, G. M. 1st V. ; W. Hamer, treasurer, J. W. Forster, secretary ; R. A. Forster, guard. Order Eastern Star. Clyde Chapter, No. 73. I. O. O. F. Clyde Lodge, No. 380, was organized in 1866. The charter members were M. Benner, G. B. Fuller, R. F. Patrick. S. M. Reynolds, Josiah Barnett, A. N. Taylor, G. F. Bell, Geo. Smith, Peter Upp, Dr. W. W. Stilson, A. P. Smith, B. R. Bacon, J. McMartin, John McM.artin, W. W. Whitton and Geo. R. Brown. I. O. O. F. Earl Encampment, No. 105, is a higher branch, or upper house, of Odd Fellowship. This encampment was organized in 1868 with M. Benner, E. F. Gettins, Henry Baker, H. Grabach and G. B. Fuller as charter members. Daughters of Rebekah. Charity Lodge, No. 18, D. of R., was organized May 12, 1870, with the following charter members : Henry Baker and wife, N. H. Taylor and wife, G. S. Rhoades and wife, E. T. Gettins and wife, H. Nichols and wife, M. Benner, R. F. Patrick, H. T. Barnum, J. W. Foster and J. J. Nichols. Knights of Pythias. Clyde Lodge, No. 126, K. of P., was instituted January 13, 1881, by D. G. C., D. M. Lazerus, with twenty-eight charter members, occupying the I. O. O. F. Lodge rooms. An interest and enthusiasm was manifest from the first, in the.completeness and thoroughness of conferring the several ranks, as well as in the acquisition of new members, the roster showing 105 initiations in 1885, at which time they moved into quarters of their own, in the third story of the brick block on northeast corner of Main and Duane Streets. I. O. G. T. Eureka Lodge, No. 115, was organized August 7, 1883, with 32 charter members. The name was changed November, 1886, to Peerless Lodge. The officers at date of organization were: B. F. Rogers, C. T.; Mrs. E. D. Soper, V. T.; W. P. Burnell, chaplain ; H. A. Tiffany. secretary ; Edward Tea, assistant secretary; W. L. Stark, F. S.; E. W. Cooke, treasurer; V. L. Everett, Mar.; Mrs. L. E. Hoch, D. M.; Albert Cowell, I. G.; C. Breckenridge, 0. G. ; Mrs. B. B. Rogers, R. S.; Nettie Reynolds. L. S. ; G. D. Nichols, P. C. T. O. C. F. Clyde Council, No. 70, Order of Chosen Friends, was organized December 9, 1886, and although the youngest order among the many now flourishing in Clyde, it bids fair to rival some of the older ones in popularity and strength. Knights and Ladies of Honor. Clyde Branch, No. 288. Knights and Ladies of Security. Clyde Council, No. 637. Knights of Columbus. Clyde Council, No. 1175. Knights of Honor. Clyde Lodge, No. 989. Woodmen of the World. John T. Yates Camp, No. 107. CLYDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The first school in the township is said to have been taught by Joshua Fairchilds. Jared AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 319 H. Miner taught school in 1820, a cooper shop which stood on a site now included in the Persnig farm was used as a schoolhouse. The data regarding the location of the first schoolhouse is somewhat conflicting, but it is quite certain that about 1825 a log schoolhouse was built near the corners, and was shortly afterward burnt down; soon thereafter a second log house was erected near the present site of the Lake Shore depot, but was after a short time moved to the knoll, near the present burial place of General McPherson. That was the last log schoolhouse erected in the vicinity. July 1, 1826, the trustees established the first school districts in the township ; these districts, four in number, comprised the whole of the township, and contained sixty-three inhabitants. As the population increased the original districts were subdivided and new ones formed. In 1840 eleven districts had been established. A township board of education was organized. The creation of this board marked a new era in the history of the public schools. Thereafter large sums of money were levied, good schoolhouses were provided, and the schools have since been maintained in a very prosperous condition. The present village district was originally subdistrict number 7. About 1840 a frame schoolhouse was erected in this district. The construction of the Sandusky City & Indiana Railroad in 1852, necessitated its removal; its location was changed to Buckeye Street, where it was used until the erection of a brick school building, now a part of Kline's Block, on Main Street, in 1854. The cost of this building was about five thousand dollar's. The number of pupils in the district at that 'time was 206 and in the township 785, including above number. Regular courses of study for the scholars, including all the common branches, vocal music, natural, mental and moral philosophy, chemistry, rhetoric, astronomy, geology and zoology, were adopted by the township board April 19, 1858. The village schools were held in the Main Street building until the erection of the present Union School building—completed in 187o. In 1867 the school property and money belonging to sub-district 7, was turned over to the Clyde district by the township board. The first election in this district was held April 8, 1867. A. B. French, Chester Hunter and C. G. Eaton were chosen directors. The union school law governing cities and villages having been adopted on May 30, 1868, an election for members of a school board was held, resulting in the choice of M. Benner, John Lefever, Milo Hunter, S. D. Terrill, S. B. Taylor and Smith Motley. The offices of the directors of the district were thus terminated and all property was turned over to the board of education. Under its management the present schoolhouse was erected. The building and grounds cost about forty thousand dollars, and were long ago entirely paid for. The superintendents of the village school since 1856, have been J. F. Martin, Wm. Russell, S. Motley, W. W. Ross, W. H. Rayle, C. H. Roberts, F. M. Ginn, Homer Mitzgar, George M. Hoke, W. L. Fulton, A. H. Wicks and A. L. Gautz. The first class, four in number, graduated in 1875. The graduates from the high school number, boys 94, girls 246, total 340. An Alumni Society was organized in 1877 and meetings are held annually with a reunion and banquet, well attended. The enrollment of the schools of Clyde are as follows : Elementary, boys 220, girls 219; high school, boys 43, girls 59, total 541. Number of teachers necessary to supply the high school 4, elementary II, total 15 ; and the cost of tuition, including supervision, for the year ending August 31, 1908, was $7,715. ARTISTS. Clyde has perhaps turned out several successful artists of note. First and foremost was the late James A. Wales, of New York City, one of the founders of the comic weekly, Judge. He was one of the pioneer cartoonists of the country and his untimely death a few years ago cut short a most promising career. Miss Elizabeth Tuck, of Chicago,. is a former Clyde girl, having been born and raised south of that place. When a school teacher she commenced her artistic training, pursuing her studies abroad and has achieved a high degree of success in the realm of art. Karl Anderson, who has his studio in New York, is another Clyde boy who has achieved 320 - HISTORY OF SAN DUSKY COUNTY fame and fortune as an artist. He is now recognized as one of the best illustrators in the country. Lee Stanley, cartoonist on the Cleveland Press, is another Clyde boy. His work is familiar to all readers. Although scarcely twenty-one he is doing excellent work. L. J. Haff, of Cleveland, fashion artist with the Scripps-McRae League, which controls nearly thirty papers in various parts of the country, is another Clyde boy. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. Clyde's factories and business concerns are numerous and prosperous, among which a few are here mentioned. The banks and the press and library have been given in other chapters. The Clyde Cooperage Company. The plant of this concern covers three acres of land along the Wheeling & Lake Erie and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railways and gives employment to about fifty men. The present manager is Joseph A. Walde, who has acted in that capacity since 1902, at which time he succeeded a son of Jacob Sherrer, one of the founders. The concern manufactures about six hundred barrels per day, getting the timber from their own forests in West Virginia, and they make specialties of oil, whikey and lard barrels. They also furnish barrels for the different kraut factories for which Clyde is famous. Clyde Produce Company. The factory of this concern is situated on East Buckeye Street, Clyde, the capacity of the plant being 150 cars per year of their special product, "Pride of Clyde Kraut." The business was purchased several years ago from 0. M. Mallernee by Henry H. Parker, its present manager. After conducting it along for a year, Mr. Parker in 1907 formed a stock company and has since continued as manager. Employment is given to thirty-five men and the business is one of Clyde's most beneficial enterprises. The Clyde Floral Company is a prosperous concern conducted by Reginald C. Arlin, a well known florist of Clyde. Mr. Arlin came to Clyde in 1902 and purchased the greenhouses of 0. P. Horton. on Maple Street, which he conducted for five years. He had at that location six greenhouses, 60x15 feet, but in 1907 he found it necessary to secure more commodious quarters. He accordingly purchased 131/2 acres along the electric railroad from Mr. N. Finch and has erected six greenhouses, four of which are 21X 100 feet in dimensions and two I Ix Poo feet. He conducts a general greenhouse business and has two cut-flower stores, one in Fremont and the other at Bellevue. The Hughes Granite & Marble Company, of Clyde, has been established here as an important industry for a number of years. James B. King, a sculptor of fine ability, is a member of the firm. Mr. King came to Clyde in two and was selected by the company then existing to make the models for the Ohio Monument commemorating the Battle of Shiloh. Soon afterward he became a partner in the concern and in 1907 the firm name was adopted as it is at present. The plant gives employment to thirty-five men and is the largest establishment of its kind in the Middle West. Ames Publishing Company, of Clyde, was established in 1870 by the late Albert Ames, a former proprietor of the Clyde Sentinel. The concern is engaged in the publication of plays and other theatrical books and literature, being one of the seven houses of this kind in the United States. Mr. Ames directed the business until his death in October, 1887. The present proprietor is Mr. C. E. Lewis. The Flouring Mills of L. S. Reed & Co. is an important concern and is conducting a growing business in Clyde. The Clyde Cutlery Company is another important manufacturing concern. R. A. Jones is manager. The Jackson. Manufacturing Company established by A. H. Jackson, of Fremont, as a branch of his immense underwear factory there is one of the valuable plants of Clyde, furnishing as it does employment to about seventy-five women. Nurseries. The two noted and extensive nurseries of A. B. French and G. S. Pickett are located here and for many years have done a highly satisfactory and prosperous business. The floral house of W. E. Hall is a well established concern. It is known as the "Carnationry." AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 321 Grain Elevators. There are two of these in Clyde, that of Comstock & Slessman and of G. M. Benfer, both having been doing business for many years. Elmore Manufacturing Company, of Clyde. This flourishing concern is engaged in the manufacture of the Elmore automobile, one of the leading and standard machines now on the market, which has successfully stood severe tests. The president of the company is Mr. Harmon V. Becker, who was formerly engaged in the manufacture of the Elmore bicycle. He came to Clyde in 1894 and two years later began the manufacture of the Elmore automobile under the firm name of the Elmore Manufacturing Company. Since then the business has so increased that it has been necessary to enlarge the plant from time to time. Two hundred men are now employed and the company will manufacture approximately about one thousand machines during the year 1909. Clyde Kraut Company. This concern, which is one of great importance to the farmers of Clyde and the vicinity, was established in 1890 by Alonzo J. Wilder, who for a time conducted it with his brother Nathan T. Wilder, under the above firm name. The business gradually grew to large proportions and in 1896 some changes were made in the composition of the firm. In 1890 it was incorporated with the following officers, which today constitute its official board : A. J. Wilder, president ; Nathan T. Wilder, vice-president ; W. W. Wilder, secretary and treasurer. The plant is the largest in the United States for the manufacture of kraut, the capacity being 1,000 pounds per day, and employment being given to too men. Good shipping facilities are furnished by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and the Big Four Railroads. A branch house for the manufacture of kraut and pickles has been established at Jackson, Michigan. The registered trade-mark of the company's product is a Silver Fleece. The excellence of the goods has gained for them a reputation all over the world. JACKSON TOWNSHIP. Tax duplicate, $1,119,440. Voters, including Burgoon, 345. This township was organized in December, 1829, and named for the distinguished Andrew Jackson, then President of the United States. It comprises the Congressional Township 4, in North Range 14 Fast. The general surface slope is toward the northeast, the three principal streams, Wolf, Muscallonge and Mud Creeks flowing in that direction. The geological history of 'this township is deeply interesting, but cannot be fully given here. A belt of boulders across the township marks the path of a moving ice mountain of the "glacial period," which left in its wake these rounded fragments, wrenched from their native ledges, in the far north and here deposited by this mighty ice stream, when it finally melted and its waters receded from off the land. The reader is referred to Chapter I of this volume for a history of this period, where the "Harrison Rock," one of these boulders, is described and illustrated. This rock was named by the editor of this volume, and a brief history written by him some years ago (Ohio Archaeological and Historical Publications, Vol. XIV., P. 329). There was an Indian trail leading from Lower Sandusky through what is now Spiegel Grove, the home of the late President Hayes, passing thence west of Sandusky River in a southwesterly direction and intersecting at a point not far east of this rock a similar one from 'the site of Fort Seneca, and thus becoming united into one trail, passed near the rock in a northeasterly direction to the Maumee River, at the site of Fort Meigs. This became known as the "Harrison Trail" because, in his military movements between the points named, General Harrison made use of it as a military route. On an occasion as tradition, which seems well founded, has it, he with his staff, took mess upon this rock, as upon a table in the wilderness. This region, eighty years ago an unreclaimed wilderness, will now compare favorably in improvements and wealth with any agricultural district in the country. The first road was cut through the woods in 1828 from Muscal- 322 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY longe Creek to Chambers Mill, on the Sandusky River, where Ballville Village now is. Improved roads now accommodate the people from every part of the township. SETTLEMENTS. The first man to settle here was Peter Stultz in 1828. He was soon followed by his brother Henry. They came here from Franklin County. They settled and built cabins on the banks of the Muscallonge, that being dryer ground than that back from the creek. The sites of these cabins were near to where the present bridge on the Greensburg Road spans the creek. Gilbreath Stewart probably built the third cabin. It was near what is now the Mud Creek bridge on this road. In the spring of 1829 David Klutz and David Vernon came with their families. John Garn soon followed with his wife Catherine. He built a mill on Mud Creek, which was long ago abandoned. About this time George Overmyer came and soon after him his brother Lewis settled here ; they came from Perry County. Daniel Overmyer, son of George, came with his father. He died in 1859 leaving a family of six boys and four girls. John Mooney, John Mowry, Hugh Jams and wife Mary ; Michael and Eleazer Shawl, George Gier, Hugh Mitchell, George Roberts, Samuel King. George Camp, Samuel Clinger, the Hite and Winters families, Peter Warner, Peter Whitmore, Andrew Swickard and Henry Havens. the father of Hugh Birchard and the late W. J. Havens, were among the very early settlers in Jackson Township. Among those who came later and helped to make this former wilderness blossom as the rose, were the Voorhies, Dolls. Mowervs. Fishers, Boors. Nickles. Shales, Vandersalls, Ludwigs, Kolemans. Feasels, Kings, Burgetts, Andreses, Ickeses, Leases and Hoffmans. Land entries in 1828, 1829, 183o and 1831 were by the following named persons : Jacob Nyce, Thomas Nicholson, Daniel Tyndall. John Billsland, Smith Clawson, John Custard, J. and H. F. Hartwell. Samuel Henderson, Elizabeth Kendall, Jacob Bruner, Jr., Christian Bruner. John Bruner, C. Cooplin, George Foltz, P. F. Ludwig. Adam Zarung, George Phillips and Samuel Treat. MILLS. The first saw-mill was built on the Muscallonge Creek by Henry Stultz and the next by John Garn on Mud Creek ; and later the third by Jacob Winters on the Muscallonge, and the fourth by Joshua Smith on that stream. All of these have passed away. The first gristmill was erected at Burgoon in 1880. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, VILLAGES, Among the earlier religious services in the. township was preaching at Gilbreath Stewart's house in 1829, where the first sermon is said to have been preached in the township. It was preached by Rev. Jacob Bowlus. Services were also held at the schoolhouse on Mud Creek at the site of the bridge on the pike, held by Jeremiah Brown, and at the barn of Jacob Winters on the Muscallonge. It was in this barn that Michael Long, who afterwards distinguished himself for usefulness, preached his first sermon. In 184.o a meeting house was built in the Mowery neighborhood. In 1866 Eden Chapel was built near Winters Station, which is still occupied by the United Brethren Congregation. The Evangelicals. Among the early promoters of this faith were John Betts. John Shale, Daniel Mowery, Samuel Leffler, Nicholas Shale, John and Jacob Vandersall, Michael Shaffer, Jacob Harley and Aaron Boraff. Millersville is a post village on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Peter Miller founded the village, for whom it was named. He was the first postmaster and was succeeded by John Garn. The present postmaster is Elsworth Smith. St. Mary's Catholic Church here is at present in charge of Rev. J. J. Eugster. Among the leading members in the organization of St. Mary's were George and Myron Hoffman, Peter Dolwick, John Kuffler, Loedegar Lehman, Joseph Weil, Casper and Andy Foos, Peter Miller and Maggie Young. The grain business is done by the Daub Ele- vator, located here. Havens is a hamlet on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad with a grain elevator known as the Havens Farmers' Elevator. Frank Havens was postmaster until the free rural mail delivery superseded the office. The first village was laid out by Jacob Win- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 323 ters, located on the line of railroad then called the Lima & Fremont, now the Lake Erie & Western. A post-office named Winters was established with David Lemmon, postmaster. When The Toledo, Tiffin & Eastern Railroad was located, Winters was found to be too far northeast for the crossing of the two roads, which caused the place to be abandoned as a village. Burgoon was platted where these roads cross and superseded the former village. The village and post-office was named Burgoon in compliment to Isadore H. Burgoon, then superintendent of what is now The Lake Erie & Western Railroad. Burgoon is a pleasant village with railroad facilities furnished by two lines here crossing each other. It has a voting population of 180, three churches—the United Brethren, Zion Evangelical and the Radical United Brethren. The postmaster is Henry F. Bischoff, who is also a merchant of the village. A rural mail delivery route, No. 1, extends from this post-office, serving a large rural population. The post-office has five daily mails. The village is supplied with a good school building and with graded schools. Burgoon has a large grain elevator, stock shipping yard, a butter factory and a planing-mill. Helena is an incorporated village with a municipal organization and a separate school district. It is composed of territory from both the townships of Jackson and Washington, and is located on the Pennsylvania Railroad. The postmaster is John Spohn. There are three rural routes from this post-office with 281 boxes, with an area of forty-seven square miles, and serving a population of 1,700 inhabitants. It has a hank, grain elevator and three churches—the Radical U. B., Rev. Mr. Francis, pastor ; The St. Peters Reformed, Rev. J. I. Swander, pastor, and the United Brethren. Rev. W. E. Rowe, pastor. Its school enrollment shows, boys 46, girls 32; total 78. Teachers employed 2 ; amount paid for tuition, $990. TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS. Jackson Township school district has twelve sub-districts, requiring the services of thirteen teachers for thirty-two weeks at an expenditure, for tuition of $4,340. The enrollment is, boys 147; girls 118; total 265. The first schoolhouse in the township was a log building, which stood near the bridge on the present pike. James Drake taught the first school therein. This house was built by Campbell, Klutz, Garn and a few others about 1832. The good old Webster's spelling-book was the standard for spelling, and at the same time served as primary reader. The first schoolhouse and school in the southern part of the township was located on the Muscallonge, in 1834. In 1853 there were five schoolhouses, and at the April meeting of the board of education of that year $83 was appropriated for repairs! MADISON TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $782,200. Voters, 305. This township is one of the western tier of township of Sandusky County, and is six miles from east to west and four and a half miles wide. It is a portion of country which is known as the "black swamp" and is very fertile, since having been thoroughly drained. It was named after President Madison. The first lands were entered in the years 1830 and 1831. Entries were recorded first in 1835 by John A. Allen, on Section 7, followed by Joel Benton, and a number of families by the name of Hathaway on Sections 29, 30, 20, 17 and 19. The first actual settler in the township was Henry P. Allen, who came to the township about 1831 and built a cabin on the King farm. He left the country a few years later and was afterward drowned. The second settler of the township and the first one, whose residence was permanent, was David Smith, who married Catherine Blank, by whom a family of seven sons and six daughters were born. He was the father of Daniel Smith, who died in the township only a few years ago. Daniel Smith held the office of justice of the peace in the township twenty-two years and was admitted to the bar in 1874. David Reeves, a native of New York, who first settled in Columbiana County, and in 1832 came to Madison. Many settlers about this time came from Columbiana County. David 324 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Reeves was the father of Eli Reeves, who will be remembered by all the old settlers and who died August 2, 1897. David Reeves surveyed Madison Township. The Reeves settlement was near the present village of Rollersville. George Ickes, who was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1800, settled in the township with his family about the year 1833. Jacob Garn, who was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and who married Elizabeth Bittle in 1824, was one of the early settlers who came to the township in 1833, and remained here until his death in 1879, his wife dying ten years later in 1889. The Garn family consisted of sixteen children, twelve boys and four girls. The children living are Andrew, John, Peter, Samuel, Milton, Daniel, David, Levi, Adam, Eliza and Mrs. Wm. Baker. Among other early settlers were Abraham Shell, father of Isadore Shell. Josiah Harman, 1833; Benjamin Cramer, 1833 ; Elias Miller, 1834; Charles Hazelton, 1834. Jermiah King came here in 1834. He was a very useful man in the township and in the county, having been justice of the peace twelve years and county commissioner several years. Peter and Jacob Kemmerling came to this township quite early. Noah P. Hathaway settled in the township in 1858, and a number of his descendants yet live in the township near Rollersville. William Driftmeyer came here in 1842 ; his son Louis occupies the homestead east of town. John W. Hutchinson settled in the township in 1852. He assisted in building the first frame building in Gibsonburg, the old part of the Methodist Church. FIRST ELECTION. The first election was held in Jacob Garn's blacksmith shop, July 4, 1833, where it was held for a number of years afterward. The officers chosen were : For justice of the peace, David Smith and John Reed ; trustees, James A. Holcomb, Jacob Garn and William Whitford ; supervisors, Jesse Johnson, George Ickes and John Reed ; treasurer, Daniel McIntosh ; constable, William Smith ; overseers of the poor, Frederick Clark and Henry P. Allen ; fence viewers, Gideon Harmon and Elias Miller. EARLY MILLS. The first saw-mill was built in 1836 on Sugar Creek, and was in charge of Crawford King. The second saw-mill was built by Jacob Garn. Caleb Taylor and William Burkett settled here in 1837. We have confined ourselves to the very earliest of the pioneers, as we have been able to get. them. TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS. We have been able to find but little regarding the early history of these schools. It is claimed that the first one was taught by Eliza Davidson in a house on what is known as the Stanerd farm. Daniel Smith also taught in this house in an early day. The schools have, however, kept pace with those of other townships and their condition as shown by the report of August 31, 1908, is as follows : Number of sub-districts, eleven, with eleven teachers. Amount expended for tuition, $3,853. School enrollment, boys 127, girls 129 total 256. Boxwell graduates, attending a high school, boys 5, girls 3. GIBSONBURG. Tax Duplicate, $452,600. Voters, 310. Population, 2,000. William H. Gibson. of Tiffin. was the founder of Gibsonburg. After the railroad had been surveyed, General Gibson purchased a tract of ninety acres of land and in the early part of August, 1871, surveyed forty acres of the same into town lots. Associated with him in laying out the town as first platted and named, August 5, 1871, were T. D. Stevenson and J. F. Yeasting. A post-office was at once secured and T. D. Stevenson commissioned as postmaster. In 1873 he was succeeded by J. F. Dohn, who held the office of postmaster for ten years or more. The first dwelling erected in Gibsonburg was the house owned by Ezra Bell, on Yeasting Street. The second one was built by Thomas Dunlap, on the corner where the German Lutheran parsonage now stands, and he had his blacksmith shop on the corner where the town hall now stands. The old Peter Kemmerling house is quite old. but it was a AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 325 farm house which was built before the town was thought about, no doubt. The first schoolhouse was built west of the railroad on Madison Street, where some little mounds can be seen. It was a round-log structure and when it became too small another hewed-log schoolhouse was built on the ground now occupied by the large Zorn-Hornung Company store. Later, a frame was built and located on the ground now occupied by the Hotel Wildey. This building was later sold to the Methodists, who occupied it as a church for several years, and later was moved to the present site of the present M. E. Church and is the west part of that structure. After this was sold the school building now owned by the Lutheran congregation was built. In 1894 the present school building was erected at a cost of $16,000. The first church was erected by the Evangelical people and was built of bass-wood logs, and occupied the site where the bank building now stands. The first business house to be erected was built on the lot where the two-story brick block known as the Wichman Block now stands. It was erected by Henry Wichman. The owner was Joseph Bowers. The first store to locate here was in 1871, by Philip Zorn and Adam Hornung. The Gibsonburg Hotel was built by William H. Gibson and placed in charge of John Patterson. Peter Kemmerling purchased it in 1875 and conducted the hotel for many years. \V. H. Gibson & Co. built the first lime kiln in 1873, and a second one was built in 1877. Another kiln operated by L. Friar & Co., in which The Zorn-Hornung Company owned a two-thirds interest. The Zorn-Hornung Company inaugurated the grain trade here, and built an elevator in 1875. The village was incorporated in the spring of 1880. On the first Monday of April of that year an election was held to choose village officers, which resulted as follows : J. Kininger, mayor ; Eli Reeves, J. W. Marvin, Elijah Garn, Charles Sander, T. D. Stevenson and M. W. Hobart were chosen councilmen ; S. B. Stilson, clerk ; Adam Hornung, treasurer, and George Kaunkle, marshal. POST-OFFICE. The post-office was established in 1871 and the postmasters have been the following: T. D. Stephenson, C. H. Carter, F. W. Dohn, James M. Ramage, Israel W. Miller, Atwell E. Ferguson, present incumbent. There are four rural delivery routes from the office, covering about one hundred square miles of territory, with 386 service boxes, serving a population of about fifteen hundred inhabitants. It has five daily mails received and dispatched on week days and three on Sundays. CHURCH SOCIETIES. The Evangelical. The Evangelical Church, corner of Stone and Webster Streets, represents the oldest church society in Gibsonburg. The first church building known as the "basswood church," was built in 1858, and stood on the northwest corner of Main and Madison Streets, where the Gibsonburg bank now is located. This church was dedicated by Bishop Long. Peter Kemmerling, J. F. Suters and John S. Biddle were leading pioneer members of the church. The present church was built in 1873. Rev. E. Crouse was pastor when the church was begun and Rev. J. H. Strauch at its completion. Rev. A. C. Stull is the present pastor. Lutheran. The Lutheran Zion's Congregation was organized in 1875 by Rev. P. H. Buerkle. The organizing members were Casper Stausmyer, Henry Michael, Charles Sander, Adam Hornung, Henry Beeker, Charles Esslinger, Louis Paul, George Minich, Joachim Albrecht, Fred Trapp, Christian Mintz, John Guieser, H. P. Neeb, P. Neeb, Henry Heesemann and Fred Tebbe. The first officers of the church council were Casper Stausmyer, Charles Sander, Henry Michael and Rev. Buerkle. The young congregation was connected with the Lutheran parish at Hessville, Ohio. Rev. P. S. Poppen, the pastor of the Hessville charge, served Zion's congregation from 1875 to 1886. In 1876 a church was built at Gibsonburg costing $2,000. From 1886 to 1891 Rev. P. H. F. Seeger served Zion's congregation, having now become a self-supporting charge. Under 326 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Rev. Seeger a parsonage was built, costing $2,000. From 1891 to 1903 the congregation was served by Rev. H. W. Mohrhoff. The present new and beautiful church was dedicated to the Lord's service April 9, 1893. This new church is 42x88 feet, including sacristy and vestibule, and. the tower, containing a bell of 1,500 pounds, is 125 feet high. The beautiful Gothic windows of stained glass, the large pipe organ, the lovely high altar with statutes of and the marble baptismal font—all this makes Christ, St. Peter and Martin Luther, the pulpit a very churchly appearance. The church and all its furnishment cost about $14,000. The present pastor is Rev. E. Gerfen. Lutheran Parochial School. Almost from her beginning Zion's Lutheran Church had a parochial school, taught by the pastor. Soon a small schoolhouse was built and dedicated. In 1894 Mr. Fred Mohrhoff was called as second regular teacher. When Mr. Damrose accepted a call to another parish. Mr. A. Cordes was called as regular teacher. In 1897 Teacher Cordes resigned to go into business and since then Teacher Paul Mohrhoff is conducting the school most successfully. The attendance at present is seventy-four pupils, Teacher Mohrhoff is also the leader of the church choir and organist of the church. Paul Mohrhoff was born June 16, 1874, in Chatfield, Ohio. He attended private and parochial schools and completed his studies at the Teachers' Seminary in Woodville, Ohio. From this seminary he was graduated with honors in 1895. The old schoolhouse could not accommodate the growing attendance of pupils, hence it was sold and removed. But in 1894 the congregation bought the large public school building in the rear of the church for $1,250, in which now the work of the school is conducted. Methodist Episcopal. Rev. C. W. Wolf was the first to preach regularly, in the year 1873. In the following year his successor, Rev. J. L. Scott, organized a class. In 1873 an old log church known as the "bass-wood" church was secured as a temporary place of worship. In 1878 an old schoolhouse was pur chased and moved to the ground where the present edifice now stands, and converted into a church. This building was repaired at different times and finally under the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Lucy, the influence of the people and a successful revival necessitated the enlarging of the church building to accommodate the people. An additional lot was secured, and the church building was enlarged to about its present size. Other improvements were made in 1893-1894. The parsonage was built in 1889 and first occupied by Rev. J. W. Shultz. In the past the Gibsonburg charge has consisted of Gibsonburg, Washington Chapel, Tinney, Kansas and Rollersville. At present it consists of Gibsonburg and Tinney. Rev. C. J. Yeisley is the present pastor. Christian Church. Was established in the year 1879, and was organized by Rev. A. C. Barlett, its first pastor. Prior to its organization the followers held meetings in the homes of the members. The present church edifice was commenced in 1881, but not completed until 1886. The elders who were instrumental in the upbuilding of 'the church were George Morris, J. W. Hutchison, M. E. Long, C. J. Taylor ; trustees, E. Taylor, J. W. Hutchison and Fred Maynard ; deacons, H. R. Shull and Enoch Taylor. The Christian .congregation is on a firm foundation, out of debt and money in the treasury. In connection with the church there is a good Sunday school, Endeavor Society, Aid Society and prayer meeting. The present pastor is Rev. E. L. Hand. Catholic Church. The Catholics of Gibson-burg were members of St. Mary's parish at Millersville, six miles distant, until May, 1896. About that time the Lutheran Church in the village was offered for sale at a very low figure, and Bishop Horstmann sanctioned the purchase. It was moved to lots on East Stevenson Street, purchased for $420 by Father Dechant, in May, 1892. In a short while the building was remodeled into a neat church and provided with suitable furnishings and a fine bell. The main attar, several statutes and many other things in the line of church ornaments were donated by Father Dechant. The remodeled church was dedicated to St. Michael on Sun- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 327 day, October 30, 1892. Manager F. H. Boff, V. G., as the bishop's delegate, performed the ceremony. Gibsonburg was made a parish in May, 1896, Rev. Philip A. Schritz as first resident pastor. He attended the place from Millersville after January of the same year. The priest's residence was built in 1896. He continued in his pastorate until December, 1898, when the Rev. L. L. Broens was appointed his successor. In June, 1901, Rey. J. B. Wendling was appointed pastor of St. Michael's. The erection of the present beautiful Gothic structure was completed and dedicated in June, 1905, on the grounds which had been purchased in 1903. The building and grounds are worth about $25,000. This building is an ornament to the village and will stand as a monument to the zeal of the Catholic people and the tireless labors of the priest in charge, Rev. J. B. Wendling. The Salem United Brethren. The first ministers held meetings at the homes and schoolhouses. The class was first organized by Samuel Hadley and John Bright, about eight years before the log church was built. Rev. D. P. Hurlbut gave the land where the log church was built, and the log church was completed in 1845, about two miles south of Gibsonburg. The Salem U. B. log church was the first church built in Madison Township. Revs. John Long and Peter Fleck were the first ministers. Jacob Garn, John Reed and John Long were the first trustees. John Mosses, first superintendent in Salem log church. The second Salem U. B. Church was built on the ground near the log church, in 1870. Rev. Michael Long was the first minister ; Rev. Levi Moore was the first presiding elder. Andrew Biddle, Jacob Garn, Peter Warner, John Long and Adam Mosses were first trustees; John Long, first superintendent; Jennie Garn. the first person converted in the Second Salem Church. The third U. B. Church was built on West Madison Street in Gibsonburg. The corner-Stone was laid in 1806, the building- completed in 189-7. Rey. S. H. Raudebaugh was first minister ; Frank Noggle, Dolph Fausey, Thomas Vance, John Sheerard and John Callihan, first trustees. The first Ladies' Aid Society was organized in Gibsonburg, October 12, 1896. First president, Mrs. Ellen Noggle; secretary, Miss Ida Taylor. Rev. S. H. Raudebaugh is again the pastor and now in charge. FRATERNAL AND OTHER SOCIETIES. Gibsonburg has her quota of fraternal and kindred organizations which furnish many social features of the place. Some of the orders are classed as pioneer orders and have grown and flourished with the city's progress, until now they are recognized as a necessity to the town. It possesses fraternal lodges of a number of the leading fraternities of the state. These local lodges are prosperous and number among their members the most reputable men and women of the place. Woman's Home Missionary Society was organized in 1892, under the leadership of Mrs. O. Bowlan, now of Van Wert, Ohio, Sadie Maynard, deceased; Mrs. L. J. Turley, secretary, and Mrs. J. L. Hart, treasurer. It is non-denominational, has a large membership, and by its kind deeds carries sunshine into many clouded unfortunate homes within the corporation. Encampment of Patriarchs were granted a charter prior to 1884. They organized at Helena with the following named gentlemen as charter members : Dr. J. C. Thoinson, Rollersville ; J. M. Marvin, J. M. Games, J. M. Jones, G. P. Cornelius and A. L. Tice. May 22, 1884, their charter and records were destroyed by fire. Shortly after, the present charter was secured in lieu of the one burned. The Encampment, No. 209, was then removed to Gibsonburg where it has met regularly in the I. O. O. F. hall, every second and fourth Thursday nights since. G. A R., No. 124, was granted their charter August 12, 1881. M. H. Potter, W. A. Penfield, James Voorees, Samuel W. Ake, J. B. Mowery, G. W. Peterson, Emanuel Kornbaumanci, George Miller, charter members. The membership is not large, but the boys held their regular meetings in the I. O. O. F. hall. Canfield Relief Corps was organized March 3. 1900, by Sarah D. Winans of Toledo. The 328 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Corps is auxiliary to the G. A. R. It holds regular meetings every alternate Monday night, in the I. O. O. F. hall. At 'the organization Mary E. Aleshire was elected president and served two years. Mary A. Jones, Sen. Vice; K. 0. Donnells, Jr. Vice; Effie Crispen, secretary; Sadie People, treasurer; Elizabeth Johnson, conductor; Harriet Fought, chaplain; Emma Burkett, guard ; Emma Van Tine, Ida Daunee, Elizabth Kornbaum and Jennie Ake, color bearers. The Masonic Order. In the winter of 1893 and 1894 it was ascertained that there were not less. than fifteen master masons in Gibson-burg, and the feeling seemed to exist that a lodge of F. & A. M. should be organized in Gibsonburg. A suitable room was secured in the Wichman Block. Permission was secured from the most worshipful grand master to work under dispensation with the following charter members : John Brown, J. B. Wilson, D. Frank Rust, H. H. Andrews, Thos. C. Pennell, Henry Purdy, W. J. Aleshire, R. H. Black, J. L. Hart, A. B. Hughes, Herbert E. Myers, J. S. Paul, Frank Palmerton, George Raymond, James Ramage, Jacob Shoalts, J. B. Seeley and Cornelius Vandervelde. The following officers were appointed to put the lodge in motion : W. M., George Raymond ; S.. W., Jacob Shoalts ; J. W., W. J. Aleshire ; secretary, D. F. Rust ; treasurer, T. C. Pennell ; S. D., J. L. Hart ; J. D., Henry H. Andrews. When the grand lodge met in Springfield, October, 1895, a charter was granted October 24th. Jacob Shoalt was elected W. M. and J. W. Brown, secretary. K. O. T. M. Madison Tent, No. 115, K. O. T. M., was organized by District Rep. Charles Reeves of Sandusky, Ohio, June, 1892. Dr. N. B. Ervin, P. Corn. ; A. B. Kemmerling, Corn. ; F. W. Smith, U. Corn. : Samuel Ernst, R. K. ; S. D. Peoples, F. K. ; W. A. Penfield, chaplain ; W. W. Williams, sergeant ; Dr. N. B. Ervin, physician ; A. A. Ake, Mat. A. ; E. H. Williams, 1st M. of G. ; Frank Thompson, 2d M. of G. ; C. M. Stull, sentry ; W. S. Carroll, picket. Lady Maccabees. The Lady Maccabees are an auxiliary to the Knights of the Maccabees. The Hive in Gibsonburg was organized by Miss Harmon, of Detroit, Michigan, in February of 1893. Instrumental in the organization of this institution we find Mary E. Aleshire its first commander, with Orpha E. Hart its lieutenant; corresponding secretary, Cora E. DeLoe; F. K., Anna Fleming, now of Toledo; chaplain, Mary A. Jones ; sergeant, Ida Leslie ; M. of A., Myrtle Hughes; sentry, Emma Marsh ; picket, Jennie Marsh, now of Carey, Ohio. Rebekah Ladies. The order of Rebekah was instituted in May, the 24th day, 1889. The charter members were : John Brown and wife, Emma ; John Hulburt and wife, Minnie ; G. H. Daum and wife; William Penfield and wife; G. W. Florence, Jennie Florence; A. P.. Johnson and. wife ; J. W. Wilson, John Fader, H. F. and Matilda Tice ; Ed. and Mrs. Trimire Samuel Kaiser, J. H. Ramage, A. Kemmerling, Anna Kaiser, Ella Powers and Dr. N. B. Ervin. I. O. O. F., No. 687, is among the oldest fraternal organizations in the town, it being instituted May 5, 1879. From the charter granted the order and under which the present order is working, we find the names of T. D. Stevens, A. P. Johnson, H. H. Tice, C. D. Patterson, Geo. Donnell, John Sandwich, F. W. Dohn, Henry Zorn, C. H. Heseman, Charles Urech, A. H. Tice, J. L. Donnels, W. A. Penfield and John Brown, given as charter members. This order has been recognized as a leading factor in social and beneficiary orders. In the big fire of 1897 the building, with almost all its furniture, was destroyed. Almost immediately after the fire work was begun upon the present beautiful structure 'that now adorns the corners of Main and Madison Streets, and is pronounced among the most beautiful in town. The building was finished in 1899. The first and second floors are used for hotel purposes, and the third is used by the I. O. O. F. Knights of Pythias. Gibsonburg Lodge K. of P., No. 435. was instituted June 26, 1890. J. G. Steinkamp of Elmore. being the installing officer. A class of thirty-nine members was secured. The first officers to preside over the body were : Past chancellor, N. B. Ervin ; C. C.. W. H. Gilbert; V. C., A. E. Finch ; Pre., AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 329 A. B. Kemmerling; M. of F. C., C. Z. Washburn; M. of E., J. E. Haworth; M. of A., P. A. Smith; I. G., W. M. Brown ; O. G., C. A. Wilson; trustees, E. S. Johnson, Fred Maynard and J. V. Johnson. Sorosis Club. Last, but by no means least, among the organizations of the town is the Study Club, organized in 1898, and known as the Gibsonburg Sorosis. The object is mutual benefit to its members and a united effort toward higher education. The club was started under the leadership of Mrs. Fred Wing, assisted by two vice presidents; Dora Turley, secretary ; Mabel Ervin, treasurer. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Gibsonburg's school system is as old as the town itself. It began in a round log house on the ground now occupied by the Pennsylvania Depot. The old round log house with its puncheon floor and wooden-legged benches was displaced by a more modern log house made from hewn logs. The new house occupied the site that is now occupied by the Zorn-Hornung Company's store. The next improvement was when the little log house was outgrown and a frame building was built in its stead. Up to 1876 the schools had been a district school but in that year the village was set apart as a special district and a school board composed of T. W. Marvin, president ; John Beach, Charles Sander, J. B. Taylor, E. Garn and J. Keninger. The new board at once caused the erection of a new and more modern schoolhouse of three rooms. When it was completed T. D. Stevenson, a successful country teacher, was hired as principal. Mr. Stevenson arranged a course of study that was adhered to for many years. The town continued to grow and the new school building became too small to accommodate the pupils. At this time to relieve the conditions the town built another house, a one-story one-room building, that was used as a primary school. but Gibsonburg was still growing with such rapidity that another building, more commodious was deemed necessary. At last the site was chosen and work begun, which resulted in the erection of a beautiful brick structure, completed in 1894. It has nine rooms, with office and recitation room. It has a fine system of steam heating with ample provisions for toilet arrangements. Mr. Orrin Bowland, a man who did much good work in the schools, was the first principal in the new building: His administration was followed by Mr. Smith, a scholarly gentleman who arranged a course of study, or properly speaking, graded the schools, and placed them upon an excellent foundation. The new building was erected at a cost, as before mentioned, of $16,000. Dr. N. B. Ervin was president of the board; Peter Bowser, clerk ; A. P. Johnson, treasurer ; Jacob Beard, P. H. Zorn and Charles Sander members at the time of its erection. Pupils enrolled in high school, boys 23, girls 36; elementary, boys 186, girls 193, total enrollment 438. Paid for tuition in high school, including supervision, $1,800; in elementary $3,165. The number of teachers necessary to supply the high school, two ; the elementary, eight ; total, ten teachers. The whole number of graduates in history of the school, boys 25, girls 44, total 69. S. H. Benson is superintendent of schools. Oil and Lime. These industries haye been treated in another chapter. The Gibsonburg Water Works.—The first definite action in the establishment of water works in Gibsonburg was the passage of an ordinance by the village council on May 13, 1896, authorizing and providing for the election of a board of water works trustees. These trustees were elected at a special election held June 15 of that year, N. B. Ervin, P. A. Rust and Henry Zorn being elected the first water works board. The year following the election of this board was spent in the necessary preparatory work and in inspecting other plants, and the erection of the plant was not commenced until the spring of 1897. Bonds were authorized in the sum of $30,000 for the construction of the plant, but only $28,000, however, were ever issued. The first well was drilled in the spring of 1897. A second well was drilled in 1900, the depth of each being 300 feet, and from these an abundant supply of the purest, clearest and most healthful water is obtained. Through 330 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY nearly every foot of the trench work in laying the water mains was rock excavation to a greater or less extent, thus largely increasing the cost, yet the total cost of the original plant was kept within the bond issue of $28,000, though additions and extensions of the service have been added each year until the system is practically complete and water is within reach of nearly every resident within the city corporation. The village has within it about two miles of finely paved streets. The Electric Light Company.— The Gibsonburg Electric Ligat Company was established in 1893 by Chas. Shaffer, and after about two years sold out to F. H. Smith and John Shertzer. After running it a short time they sold out to two young men from Pittsburg, Morhoff & Westhoff, who later formed a joint stock company composed of H. Feerhmyer. Charles Sander, Fred Gerwin, Rev. W. H. Mohrhoff, Albert Miller and Frank Minick. January 16, 1903, this company sold and the name was changed to The Gibsonburg Electric Light and Telephone Company. as a local telephone had been established some time prior to this change. Stave and Heading Factory—Just when the first saw-mill was erected here cannot be definitely ascertained, but Gibson & Patterson were probably the men to start it, after which Farmer & Dohn became owners. The Zorn-Hornung Company bought it in 1881 and have run it ever since until last July, 1904. when the press of their other industries became so great that they leased it to Bruner & Son, of Tiffin, for two years with the privilege of five years. The mill, which not only saws all kinds of lumber, has in connection a stave and heading factory, which at present is all that Bruner & Son manufacture. The plant burned clown in 1885 but was rebuilt the same year. At one time the Zorn-Hornung Company had in connection a hoop factory, but is was destroyed by fire several years ago and was not rebuilt. In the early days the mill was run night and day and 100 men were employed, but as timber became scarcer, not so many men were employed. The Ohio & Western Lime Company, which bought out the former Norris & Christina Stone Company, has an office at Gibsonburg. with William M. Stone as superintendent. Lawrence Kohler is the owner of a saw-mill at Gibsonburg, which he operated for many years with much success, but is now retired. A. B. Hughes conducts a machine shop on South Main Street, Gibsonburg, which has a steady patronage. Mr. Hughes is also largely engaged in oil production. Creamery—The creamery was established here in 1886, by the Zorn-Hornung Company, and has been operated by them ever since. It is one of the many important industries which this progressive firm operates. The average daily output will average not less than goo pounds the year around. They have made as high as 2.000 pounds in a day. Grain Elevator—The enterprising firm. The Zorn-Hornung Company, erected this building in 187$. and in order to take care of their grain trade rebuilt it in 1894. It has a capacity of 8,000 bushels. They also grind all .kinds of mill feed and do an exchange business in flour. They always pay the highest prices for all kinds of grains and by their fair dealing no opposition has ever sprung up to any extent. The people rely upon their honesty and know that they will make everything right. C. F. Hornung is the general manager O. E. Beaverson runs it and is a man well qualified to do the work. The over used is one of the most up-to-date gasoline engines. The Gibsonburg Banking Company—The Gibsonburg Banking Company was incorporated October I I. 1894. Prior to its establishment the well known firm of Zorn-Hornung Company and William Schwam did a goodly sized private banking business. The bank was opened to the public January 1. 1895. Henry Zorn, the manager of the Zorn-Hornung Company. a man who manifested interest in all public affairs. was elected president of the institution and remained at its head until his death which occurred June I. 1897. Mr. W. M. Masterman, a young man of ability and experience. was made cashier. The Gibsonburg Banking Company today. although young, is recognized as one of the staunch institutions of the country. It has never had a run upon it: never failed to pay on demand. It offers absolute security, prompt AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 331 and careful attention and liberal treatment consistent with careful banking. The village is favored with one steam railroad operated by the Pennsylvania Company, and is the terminus of the Gibsonburg Junction of the Lake Shore Electric, placing it in handy touch with the county seat. RICE TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $519,380. Voters, 210. This township, while Ottawa County was a part of Sandusky, formed a part of Bay Township; but in 1840 when Ottawa was cut off from Sandusky County it took the larger part of Bay Township and it became necessary to establish a new township. in Sandusky. The name was conferred in honor of Ezekel Rice, a prominent pioneer citizen on the Portage River. The early records of the township have been lost, and the first officers of the same cannot be given. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The first schools appearing from the records were established in 1851. ''Six districts were then laid out and in 188o one more was added. Now there are nine sub-districts, requiring ten teachers to supply the schools, at a cost for tuition, according to. the last annual report, of $3.667:5o. The school enrollment shows, boys 103, girls 90. total 193. There was one Box-well graduate who attended a high school. FRENCH SETTLERS. In January, 1813. by direction of the Government, about twenty French families living along the Maumee River packed their possessions and started for Lower Sandusky. It was a fortunate circumstance that heavy ice well covered with snow gave them an easy course of travel and at the time made it possible to avoid the savage enemies of the forest. All being in readiness, a French train was formed of one-horse sleighs. runners of which were made of boards. The train was placed under direction of a Frenchman named Peter Maltosh, who had been an Indian trader. He knew the country thoroughly and proved himself a faithful and valuable guide. The journey to Locust Point was made over the ice with ease. in one day. On the following day Port Clinton or Portage. as it was then called, was reached. The train was held close together and the order of the sleighs frequently changed, so that the horses having become weary, breaking the way, were rested in the beaten track in the rear. Upon arrival at Portage the horses were almost exhausted. Malt-horses from exhaustion and on the following morning directed the train to follow his tracks; he assured them that he would be at Lower Sandusky far in advance of the train and would have at the mouth of Muscallonge teams to assist them to the end of the journey. The horses, stiffened by two days' travel through the deep snow, entered upon the third day's trial of endurance with reluctance. The train slowly moved' across the head of the bay and entered the river. The delight of our band of weary travelers, on reaching the mouth of Muscallonge Creek, can be imagined. There a number of fresh teams were in waiting. The effect of finding the welcoming hand of friendship thus extended far to them, can only be appreciated when we remember that these people were strangers in a strange country. They found inhabitants in America even less secure, and were now fleeing from a savage foe under command and direction of the hereditary enemy of their mother country. With what delight then did these discouraged and exhausted refuges receive this token of friendship and promise of protection. These teams from the fort took most of the load and broke the way. Lower Sandusky was easily reached and the colony was given quar- ters in government barracks during the remainder of the winter. In the spring cabins about the fort were occupied, but the forest was full of hostile Indians, and at a signal all were ready to flee into the enclosure. On the 1st of August, 1813, the French families, by order of the Government, were removed to Upper Sandusky. While on the way the sound of Procter's cannon was heard at Fort Stephenson which they had just left. The families remained at Upper Sandusky until 'the conclusion of the war, and were then moved back to Lower Sandusky in government wagons. The war having closed, it now became necessary for them to seek homes and earn their own livelihood. We can give further information of but few individuals and families of the company. 332 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Joseph Cavalier and wife both died at Fort Stephenson before the removal of the company to Upper Sandusky. Their son Albert, and one of the few survivors of the company, was left in charge of his aunt. Mrs. Jaco. Gabriel O'Dea, Le Point and Thomas De Mars made squatter improvements on the river bank eight miles below Lower Sandusky, on the tract since known as the Tucker farm. Mrs. Jaco married Le Point, and Mr. Cavalier was received by Mr. De Mars. Mr. Jaco had died during the progress of the war. Le Point served as a soldier during the war. The land sales of 1821 caused serious confusion among all these French squatters. Few of them were prepared to purchase land, and those who had the means did not understand how to profit by the opportunities offered. The land on which Le Point and De Mars had located was purchased by Samuel Cochran and the inhabitants compelled to seek other homes. De Mars purchased a tract on Mud Creek. The Bisnette family permanently settled on the farm at the bend of the river, later owned by Mr. Enoch. The Catholic cemetery is located near the site of their cabin. A member of the company, named Minor, squatted on Negro Point, and remained there about two years. He returned to the Maumee. Charles Fountaine, after remaining at Lower Sandusky for a time, located on Peach Island. Christopher Columbo was a migrating carpenter. His services were not in great demand, as not only houses, but furniture, were constructed in the simplest possible way, mostly of puncheons. The Devoir family, consisting of five brothers, Peter, Robert, Francis, Jacob and Alexander returned to the Maumee. GERMAN POPULATION. German is an important element in the population of Rice. During the period of early settlement the inhabitants were, with a few exceptions, all French. About 1835 the first German families moved into the woods in the western portion, and by untiring industry soon had fertile fields in a State of profitable cultivation. Here a large tract of "wild land" offered an opening to the emigrants who were seeking western homes. From 1840 to 185o the work of clearing and improving was pushed with the greatest rapidity. John Smith, one of the earliest German settlers of this township, came to America and settled here in 1833. He was born in Germany in 1783, and married there, Catherine Ernst, also a native of Baden. They reared a family of seven children, viz : Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Christina, Frederick and Rosannah. Both of the parents died in 1870. Frederick was born in Baden in 1829. In 1852 he married Elizabeth Kiser, a native of France, and in 1877 settled in Sandusky Township, where he had a family of eight children, Christina, Frederick, Caroline, Elizabeth, William, Clara, Amelia and Edward. Christian Kline, who was born in Germany in 1790 emigrated to America with his wife in 1837, and settled in this country. After remaining eight months they removed to Lucas County and lived there about three years, after which they returned to this county, and made permanent settlement in Rice. Mr. Kline died in 1855, having survived his wife ten years. Louis lives in Monroe County, Michigan ; Andrew, the third son, born in 1824, lives in Fremont. He married Sarah Ann Kreilick in 1848. Henry and Catherine Swint, natives of Germany, had a family of eleven children, three of whom came to this country. Henry, the fourth child, was born in 1814. He married in 1848, Rosena Reineck who was born in 1831, in Baden, Germany. The children that have blessed this union, are : Anthony, John, Catherine, Jacob, Ambrose, Mary, Edward, Lizzie, Sarah, Ella, Josephine, Henry, Anna and Rosa. Mr. Swint was a weaver and worked at the trade in Germany. He served twelve years. in the German army. He came to America and settled in Riley Township in 1845, but at the, opening of the war with Mexico he joined the army and continued in the service until July, 1848, when he returned to this country, married and settled down to farming in Rice. William Seigenthaler was one of the first German settlers of the township. Gotlieb and Margaret Gnepper had a family of eight children, two of whom, Francis and Ernst, came to this country. Ernst was AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 333 born in Germany in 1824. In 1853 he married Mary Friar, whose father Frederick Friar, emigrated from Germany and settled in Woodville Township in 1836. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. Catholic. The French settlers were all Catholics, but it was several years after the close of the war before they were visited by a priest. The first mass was held by father Gabriel ReShoir of Detroit, but a regular congregation was not formed till about the year 1830, which finally as a society ceased. There is no regular Catholic organization in the township, but the friends of that faith are affiliated with St. Joseph's in Fremont. Evangelical. Fishing Creek Society was formed in 1850 by Joseph Lambert, Sr., and others, none of whom are now living. Meetings were held in schoolhouses until about 1860, when a church was built in the southern part of the township, near Kingsway, where they worshipped till about 188o, when the congregation was disbanded and the church building was sold to John Ottermat, and was used by the Trinity Lutheran congregation for services for about eight years. It is not now used for church purposes. Zion Society, located near the line dividing the county of Sandusky and Ottawa., was organized in 1881. Among its members were Rev. Mr. Gahn, and Mr. Gnepper. The society is served by Lindsey Church. Lutheran. About 1832 the western part of the township began to fill up with Pennsylvanians and Germans who had been connected with the Lutheran Church. Peter Hetrick and Adam Kreilick were leading members and meetings were at first held in their houses. In the year 1843 Rev. Henry Lang of Lower Sandusky formally organized a society, and in 1848 a log meeting-house was built, which accommodated the congregation until 1867, when the present substantial brick edifice was erected. Mr. Lang here served the church for more than forty years. until 1879, when Rev. C. H. Althoff was given charge until 1886. Rev. J. Dornbirer supplied the pulpit for one year during Mr. Lang's pastorate. Rev. G. Kiesel served two years and in the spring of 1888 Rev. W. A. Bowman became pastor and is still in charge, preaching in both the German and English languages. Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in 1892 by Rev. Carl Ackerman. Rev. G. Mochel was his successor and served as pastor until 1893, when Rev. W. A. Bowman took charge and served till 1900. Rev. J. Hieserman took charge until 1907. Rev. August Burman became pastor of the church in 1907 and is still serving the same. Methodist. Zoar German Methodist. Episcopal Society, composed mostly of German families and situated in the central part of the township was organized about 1844. The heads of the families organizing the same were Michael and John Schmidt, Nicholas Younker, Michael Hulderman, Mr. Paul, Giles Sigroff and Jacob Switzgroeor. A new house of worship was built in 1873. Hunting and Fishing Club—The Ottawa Hunting and Shooting Club and the Demars Point Hunting and Fishing Club are located in Rice Township, the former owning large quantities of marsh land therein the latter owns about one hundred and thirty acres. The Winnous Point Shooting Club, located in Ottawa County, also owns large tracts of marsh land in this township lying between the river and Mud Bay. Kingsway, on the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad, is a hamlet, with a post-office,. in the midst of a thriving neighborhood. The Kings-way Grain Company, with extensive elevators is located here. George W. King, for whom the place was named, was the first postmaster. The present postmaster is August A. Horn. RILEY TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $846,090. Voters, 350. This township is greater in area, next to Washington, of any other in the county. It is bounded on the east by Townsend, south by Green Creek Township, on the west by Sandusky Township and River and on the north by the Sandusky River and Bay. The reader is referred to Chapter II and III for data in connection with what is here stated. Pickerel, Raccoon, South and Green Creeks flow sluggishly through shallow channels from 334 - HISTORY OF SAN DUSKY COUNTY south to north toward the bay, widening as they approach their outlets and assuming more the appearance of ponds than of running streams. Bark Creek also passes into and out of Riley Township in Section 18, a distance of about one mile. Much of the north part of the township is marshland and up to within a few years ago was famous as hunting and fishing grounds and waters. Fish, fowls and fur-bearing animals were abundant and afforded a great source of revenue for the early settlers. Many acres of these lands remained as government land until about 1856, when nearly all the northern end containing these marshlands was entered, and finally large parts of the same became owned by two sportsmen clubs, one known as the Winnous Point Shooting Club, and the other as the Ottawa Hunting and Shooting Club. These clubs have virtually monopolized for sport and pleasure the hunting and fishing of the principal part of all these marshes and waters, so that what is owned by the individuals is small in comparison, and furthermore, so restricted by the enforcement of rigid game laws, passed at the instance of these clubs. as to become of but little value for hunting or fishing purposes for the average land owner there. SETTLEMENTS. The first settlers located on the prairies, and the heavily timbered district at the south was left till about 1835. when a class of industrious Germans began to take up lands there. The first settler in the territory which became Riley Township was Andrew Stull from Huron County. In 182o he came with his goods in a wagon along the old army trail which passed through the center of Townsend Township about one mile south of the prairie, until he reached a point opposite to Section I. Township 5, his destination. A way or road was then cut through by him and the spot reached, which was to be the home of the Stull family for many long years thereafter. The nearest neighbor. William Tew. was six miles away. The nearest physician, at Lower Sandusky ten miles distant. The nearest mill was in Huron County, more than twenty miles away. Michael Stull, a son of Andrew. in a conversation in 1881 said : "Our food was chiefly wild meat. venison, turkey and fish, the latter in plenty. Salt pork was 50 cents a pound, bread mostly corn." He further said that fish were so plenty in Pickerel Creek that he and his brother Jacob speared in one night fifteen barrels of pickerel. They built a platform of puncheons across the creek, covered it with earth and built a fire at the middle of the stream. He in one end and his brother in the other of a canoe, picked the fish with their spears as the canoe moved along. Swans were often seen from the cabin door. Mr. Stull killed six deer in one day and a Mr. Charles Lindsey shot nine. Jonas Gibbs, Isaac Allyn, Christopher Straight, the Markhams, M. Bristol, Forton Twist, Charles Lindsey, David Camp, Joseph H. Curtice, John Karshner, Woodford family, George Jacobs, Conrad Worman, William Pierson, William Harris, John Faust, Daniel Schoch, Cyrus Haff, Joseph and Samuel Meek, C. P. Daniels, Joseph Haaser, Charles Livingstine, W. B. Sanford, James Maurer, Adam Lutes, G. A. Wright and Henry Voght were all among the early settlers of Riley and prominent in its development. The hardships of improving this region were increased by the prevalence of the disease called "milk sickness," caused, as was supposed, by some unknown poisonous vegetation there growing, while the land was in its primitive state, and which was eaten by milch cows. Here, as elsewhere, when the land became cultivated and tame pastures came into use, this disease disappeared. (See Chapter on the Medical Profession.) Facts relating to the topography of this region will be found in Chapter III. MILLS. The first inhabitants were supplied by mills on Raccoon and Pickerel Creeks. Charles Lindsey built the first grist- and saw-mills, which were located on Raccoon Creek and ran till the water-power failed by reason of the clearing of the country, and consequent drying up of the water supply of the creek. William and James Beebe built a saw-mill on Pickerel Creek. and afterward sold it to Levi Cowell. This mill shared the same fate as those on Raccoon Creek, by the lack of water. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 335 Jason Gibbs built the first steam saw-mill in the township. About 1845 Eli Faust built a grist-mill on Green Creek and a Mr. Schoch built another in 1850. All of these have ceased to be operated. CHURCHES. According to the best information at hand, the first sermon in the township was preached at the residence of a Mrs. Lathrop, by a Methodist circuit rider, whose name' is not remembered. After the schoolhouse on the corner near the present town house was erected meetings were there held. The first Methodist class was formed in April, 1853, at Tuttle's Schoolhouse, known as Tuttle's Class, Clyde Mission. The members were A. Lutz, Elizabeth Lutz, W. Lutz, Levi Tuttle, Almira Tuttle, Benjamin Twist, Lavina Twist, Z. Franks and wife, and Rhoda Marks. Rev. Alfred Wheeler preached there. W. D. Disbro was presiding elder. The United Brethren Society was organized by Rev. Mr. Lemmon about the year 1853, with Samuel Meek, William Jones, W. Van Buskirk, James Walden, and their wives, for they were all married, as the first members. A union house of worship was built by the Methodists and United Brethren in 186, known as North Riles, Class, Bail Shore Circuit. In 1855 the South Riley Class of the United Brethren had its beginning, and in 1877 erected a church building. In the same year a portion of its founders, together with those of the Evangelical faith in the neighborhood, united and also built a church further west. The heads of the families forming the latter were C. Shultz. Daniel Pocock, Jacob Miller, Jacob Stokes. John Gilbert and Adam Johns. Regular services are not now held here. SCHOOLS. The first schoolhouse stood on Section 16 near the site of the town house, about 1845. It was a log house with puncheon seats and desks. The schools in those days were kept three months in the year only and supported mainly by subscription, the teacher "boarding round." The township was sparsely settled, and much of the time during the school months, which were December, January and February, the road to the school was covered with water, rendering it difficult for children to get to school. The second schoolhouse was known as the Faust Schoolhouse. Caroline Camp was probably the first teacher, teaching several terms. Z. Woodward was also an early teacher in the southern part of the township. Others were Burt Levisee, Fred Forbes, Major Scranton, Anna Watt, Julia Schultz and Sanford McIntyre. Since 1852 good schoolhouses have been built and public instruction maintained. In 1887 there were eight sub-districts; now there are twelve, requiring the services of twelve teachers. Enrollment of pupils in the schools, boys 178, girls 143, total 321. Amount paid for tuition for the year ending 1908, $4,077..25. The township employed a superintendent for the year 1908-09, but the annual report at this writing is not made up. Erlin, a hamlet, is situated on the Lake Erie & Western Steam Railroad. and the Sandusky, Fremont & Southern Electric Railroad. It has a post-office with two daily mails. Ira Dunham was the first postmaster. John F. Karl)ler is the present postmaster. He is engaged in business as a manufacturer of and dealer in lumber and general building materials. He entered this business about ten years ago and was in partnership for a while, at first with Henry B. Dickman, under the firm name of Karl)ler & Dickman. Mr. Dickman was the second postmaster. For some years Mr. Karbler has been sole proprietor of the business, which is in a flourishing condition. Luther Gibbs & Son are proprietors of extensive drain-tile and brick works near Erlin, with a capacity of 12,000 tiles and bricks each daily. There are twenty acres of land connected with the plant. While considerable amounts are shipped, their products are mostly disposed of to farmers in the neighboring country." These works were established in 1892, by Isaac G Sanford and Frank Halbeison, by whom they were disposed of in 1894 to Luther Gibbs and P. F. Meek. The latter sold his interest to Gibbs in 1805, and then A. j. Gibbs became associated with his father in the business, since which time they have conducted the same with success. 336 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY The Vickery Grain, Company has an elevator here, and buys and ships grains and seeds and conducts a business usually carried on in the grain trade. THE STOKES ORCHARDS. The apple orchards of Mr. John A. Stokes are not surpassed for beauty in appearance and profit in production by any in the country. These consist of two separate orchards, one of twelve acres, containing about four hundred and eighty trees, about twenty-two years old; the other of about three hundred and twenty trees of fourteen years' growth. These grounds are devoted exclusively to apples, about equally divided, chiefly between the Baldwin and Ben Davis varieties, but other varieties are represented, such as Stark, Winesap, Grime's Golden, King, Belmont, Bellflower, Rome Beauty, Walbridge, Pippins and a few others. The trees are about thirty three feet apart each way, and many of the lower branches of the older ones quite touch each other, from tree to tree and hang so near to the ground that a considerable percentage of the fruit can be picked without the use of ladders. The older trees are twenty-five to thirty feet tall, and present a remarkably healthy appearance, as do also all the trees, with but few exceptions. For many years Mr. Stokes has systematically sprayed his trees, using for some years, at first lime-sulphur spray, while the buds were swelling, but now mostly arsenate of lead and Bordeaux mixture, combined, requiring each season about fourteen thousand gallons, and costing, when applied, for material and labor 1 1/4 cents per gallon. The work of spraying is done as soon as possible after the blossoms fall and the method of application is by a twohorse-power gasoline engine, a 150-gallon tank and tower, mounted on trucks, drawn by one horse. Bamboo poles, ten feet long, with nozzles attached are used, and the one handled by the man on the tower has a brass extension three feet long, so arranged as to give a downward angle to the nozzle, directing the spray straight into the calyx cups of the blossoms. From one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five pounds pressure is obtained and the 150-gallon tank is emptied in approximately forty minutes. For the largest trees it takes for a single spraying about twenty gallons of spray per tree. Plots of trees in this orchard were used in 1908 by the "Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station" as tests on spraying, and from the station's report it is shown that the best record obtained was from a Ben Davis tree sprayed with Bordeaux before bloom and once heavily with arsenate of lead soon after the bloom fell. The yield from this specimen tree was .five barrels of first quality, nine-tenths of a barrel second quality, and a "hatful" of wormy apples. The Baldwins averaged one or two per cent more wormy than the Ben Davis, owing to the fact, probably, 'that they were further advanced when sprayed. The trees in the orchard twenty years old, which were sprayed about two weeks after the bloom fell, ran from three or four per cent wormy on some trees, to thirty-three or thirty-four per cent wormy on others. A plot of trees reserved from spraying yielded 42.5 per cent wormy. So far as could be determined, a second and third spraying with poison had so little effect in reducing the percentage of worminess as not to pay the cost of application. From his orchards Mr. Stokes. in 1908, gathered 1,750 barrels of fruit, which sold at prices varying from $3.00 to $5.00 per barrel. From two hundred to three hundred bushels were sold in the local market, in towns near by and to neighbors, at good prices, and a carload of "drops" was sold in bulk at 65 cents per 100 pounds. From fifty-five of the oldest Ben Davis trees, as specimens, were picked 396 barrels, the average yield per tree being a little more than seven barrels. The fruit of these orchards when gathered is assorted into two classes, "firsts" and "seconds," and then placed in barrels, which are made on the farm. The "firsts" are shipped to Cleveland and placed in "Cold Storage" for preservation to await a desirable market, while the "seconds" are stored at home for local sale. After making all allowances for care, spraying, trimming, harvesting, barreling and storing, the net profit will exceed $150 per acre annually, on an average. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 339 SANDUSKY TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $1,097,540. Voters, 520. The organization of this township as a township of Huron County in 1815, has already been given. As a Sandusky County township it originally included all that part west of the Sandusky River. All east of the river was then as has been heretofore related, Croghan Township, which was reduced by the formation of others from it until but a small part, remaining, was added to Sandusky, and Croghan ceased to exist. The original Sandusky Township was also reduced from time to time, after the county was organized until 1878, when it was left with its present boundries by the formation of Fremont Township which took from all that portion of the Two-mile Square Reservation lying east of the riyer. The Muscallonge and little Mud Creek are on the west side of the river and on the east side is Bark Creek. The noted Black Swamp region begins at Muscallonge and includes that part of the township lying west of this stream. SETTLEMENT. James and Elizabeth Whittaker were the first permanent white settlers here, if not the first in Ohio. They were married at Lower Sandusky in 1782 instead of at Detroit, as formerly supposed. (See letter of W. Arundel in Chapter V.) They settled on a tract down the river, which afterward became known as the Whittaker Reserve. Here they lived and reared a family of eight children. This is the tract described in the treaty with the Indians in 1817, as follows : "To Elizabeth Whittaker, who was taken prisoner by the Wyandots and has ever since lived among them, 1,280 acres of land on the west side of the Sandusky River near. Croghansville, to be laid off in a square form as nearly as the meanders of the said river will admit and to run an equal distance above and below the house in which the said Elizabeth Whittaker now lives." James Whittaker died in 1804 and was buried near the house referred to, together with other members of the family. As before stated the revolutionary soldier, Nathan Goodale, who died at the Whittaker home was buried there. The tract known as the Williams Reserve mentioned in the same Indian treaty, is in this township on the east side of the river. Negro Point is also here. Next after the Whittakers and probably Williams, Reuben Patterson came in 1818 as a permanent settler. His family consisting of his wife and six children, Alvord, Evaline, Danforth, Julius, Harriet and Caroline. When the family arrived they at first occupied a log house in the fort, which had been used during the war by the officers. In the spring of 1819 he with his family moved into an unfinished log cabin on the Whittaker Reserve, where he and his boys cleared a small piece of land. When the sale of government land was advertised Mrs. Patterson went on horseback to Delaware and purchased a small tract of land on the east side of the river on which the family located and where Mr. Patterson died in 1841, having survived his wife one year. Evaline married Lysander C. Ball, and Harriet married James Moore. George Shannon came to Lower Sandusky in 1809 and married Mary, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Whittaker. In 1812, when the Indian troubles came, he fled for safety with his family to the Scioto Valley. Returning after the close of the war, he settled on a piece of land given him by his wife's mother, Mrs. Whittaker. Among the early settlers a few others may be mentioned : Geo. and Michael Overmyer and Daniel Hensel in 1817 ; later George Reed, Rev. Jacob Bowlus, Samuel Crowell, Henry Bowlus, Aaron Forgerson, Basil Coe, George Michel, George Engler and John Kuns. If space permitted, others coming later would here be mentioned. CHURCHES. The religions and educational affairs of the township, in early times, were so intimately connected with Lower Sandusky as to have but little important early separate history. In later times churches were organized and schools established. The Methodist Protestant Church. In 1840 Dr. William Reeves accompanied by his wife Hannah, members of this religious denomination conducted religious services in Lower Sandusky which resulted in gathering together a small "class," which was increased by a split in the United Brethren Society. The results following the labors of Dr. Reeves and 340 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY wife were satisfactory, but the society not seeming to prosper in town, a class was organized the summer following in the country. Two years later a meeting-house was built on the farm of Henry Bowlus, where services were held until 1873, when the present house was erected on the Rollersville Road near the Muscallonge Creek. The present minister is Rev. F. T. Allen. Lutheran. Salem Lutheran Church, at Four-mile House, was organized June 23, 1839, by Rev. C. Conrad, though he had held services and performed rites from the year 1835 to 1839. He was followed by Rev. J. Beilharz from 1839 to 1846, when Rev. Henry Lang took charge and served till the year 1880. Then Rev. C. H. Athoff became the pastor and served until the year 1888. Since April 22, 1888, Rev. W. A. Bowman has served the congregation until the present time, 1909. The corner-stone of the present edifice, completed in 1884, was laid June 4, 1883. SCHOOLS. There are thirteen sub-districts, requiring Thirteen teachers to supply the schools with a total enrollment of 286, of which 147 are boys and 139 are girls. The amount paid teachers during the year ending August 3, 1908, being the last official report at this writing, was $4,352.50, and for supervision there was paid $40. There were eight Boxwell graduates who attended a high school. INDUSTRIES. George V. Shreffler operates a large stone quarry on his farm of seventy-one acres, situated at Four-mile House, Sandusky Township, and has been continuously engaged in the stone business here for the last thirty years. The product quarried is available for building purposes, bridge construction and concrete road making, and Mr. Shreffier is carrying on a successful business. Fremont Tile & Brick Manufacturing Company (incorporated) conduct one of the leading industries of Sandusky Township. The business was founded many years ago by a Mr. Wolcott, from whose hands it passed into those of A. A. Reynolds, who conducted it for a number of years. It then came under the control of the present company, consisting of Henry Swint (manager), Theodore L. Fuchs and A. A. Nichols, all of Fremont. The concern is engaged in the manufacture of drain-tile and building blocks of a superior quality, the plant being installed with the latest improved machinery and electric power. It is rapidly coming to the front as one of the important business concerns of the county. SCOTT TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $1,018,250. Voters, 391. Scott Township was so named in honor of one of its early settlers, Merritt Scott. Among the first settlers in the township were Merritt Scott, Samuel Bickerstaff and Lewis Jennings. Scott Township was organized April 8, 1830. The first township clerk was Lewis Jennings. Two members of the first board of trustees were S. D. Palmer and Samuel Bickerstaff. The only villages in the township are Greensburg, now Tinney, named after Judge John L. Green, and Rollersville, named for one of its citizens, Henry Roller. These two villages were important points for the distribution of mail during and for many years after the war. Greensburg was especially noted as a country post-office, people coming from where Millersville and Helena now are and from near Gibsonburg to this place for their mail. The mail was carried to these villages from Fremont twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. The venerable mail carrier for a number of years was John C. Dean of Rollersville. The first white child born in the township was Laura A. Ballard. The first church built within its borders was at Rollersville, in the year 1830. While Rollersville can claim the first church, Greensburg has credit for the first schoolhouse, which stood about eighty rods west of the village now known as Tinney. Scott Township is the only township in the county that has no railroad touching its territory. This township is purely agricultural, except the oil industry, which has been largely developed and has been a great source of wealth to many of the farmers. There have been more than two thousand oil wells in operation in this township at one time. The surface is level and soil fertile, consist- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 341 ing for the most part of a dark loam and some sand, and is well adapted for raising corn, wheat, oats and grass. There were two prairies which probably were formerly small lakes. The one in the south known as the Tauwa, the other the southwest part of the township. Where many good farms now are, the wild duck hatched and reader their young by the thousands. There is a sand ridge bordering along the south prairie from eight feet to thirty feet higher than the surface of the prairie, and was at one time the route of an Indian trail. When the first settlers arrived this Indian trail over this sand ridge was worn about one foot deep by the ponies used by the Indians. This prairie was the first to be put under cultivation and before it was broken for cultivation furnished an abundance of pasture and tall prairie grass, which was cut and dried and stacked for winter feed. When the land was first plowed, numerous elk's horns were plowed up and so also were many logs covered with earth to a depth of about eight to twelve inches. On the sand ridge for many years all kinds of Indian relics were plowed up. The other prairie was most of the year under water until some time in the eighties, when it was drained and has since that time been under cultivation. The top of the soil is a very light muck, underneath of which there is a layer of snail shells, many in perfect form, about four to eight inches thick. Henry Roller, for whom Rollersville was named, was one of the earliest settlers. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Wilson Teters came with him in 1832. The first settler on the Tauwa prairie was Samuel Miller. The first preacher in the township was Jeremiah Brown. Other early settlers were, M. L. Smith, Jacob Reinhart, James Baker, C. C. Barney, James Donnel, the Ballard family, John Harpster, Geo. N. Snyder, the Hathaway family, Jacob Kuntz, Phillip Miller, Daniel Long, whose three sons Samuel, John and Michael were preachers, Samuel Sprout, Michael Settzer, Jacob Hawley, Elisha Moore, Reuben McDaniels, William Wright, David Solomon and the Wyant family. Later came the Buchtels, the Gossards, James Evans, Joseph Metzgar, W. W. Peck, Adam Bair, W. A. Gregg, John Houts, John E.. McIntyre and John Ernst. The early settlers, a hardy industrious people, gave character and standing to its citizenship that was to follow. The people of Scott Township are noted for their. thrift, industry and respect for law and good government. Among the families that have left their personality stamped upon its institution may be mentioned, Bates, Phillips, Putman, Roush, Gossard, Inman, Wright, Lehman and Tinney. From Scott, Hon. Benjamin Inman, Hon. John J. Lehman and Hon. G. F. Aldrich have represented Sandusky County in the House of Representatives at Columbus. SCHOOLS. "Schools and the means of education" have always been encouraged in Scott Township, and many of the best teachers of the county have come from here. Some of the earlier teachers were, W. H. K. Gossard, Levi L. Wright, L. M. Snyder, Samuel Long, Sarah Long, Druzilla Gossard and Ellan C. Wright ; later came M. Putman, Frank O'Farrell, Mary O'Farrell, C. W. Binton ; then came F. Jay Tinney, G. F. Aldrich, Arthur Gossard, A. W. Tinney and Charles Tinney, so all along through her history Scott has always been and is at present represented by a strong corps of public school teachers. Scott Township school district has eleven sub-districts, requiring the services of eleven teachers for thirty-two weeks at an expenditure of $3,887 for tuition and $260 for supervision. The school enrollment is, boys 165, girls 173 ; total 338. CHURCHES. Canaan Class United Brethern, in the south part of the township was formed in 1834, and the first preachers were Revs. Beaver, Moore and Davis. The first class was organized by David Long and David Solomon, the latter being the leader for more than thirty years. A house of worship was built in 1867. The Evangelical organized a class at an early day, the first members of which were John Roush, John Harpster, John Orwig, Isaac Miller, Mr. Hartman and others whose 342 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY names are not remembered. They erected a church in 1870. The Methodists organized Mount Zion Class and erected a church building in 1872 near Greensburg, now Tinney. The Congregational Church at Rollersville was organized in 1842, through the efforts of Rev. M. P. Fay, who continued to serve the same until 1878. Its first members were, John Miller, Philip Miller, Sylvester Jewett, James Merrick, Angus Campbell, Geo. N. Snyder, Williston Merrick, Mr. Harrison, with their wives, respectively, and Mrs. Reuben McDaniels. The house of worship was built in 186o. The first postmaster at Rollersville was David Smith, who was succeeded by Dr. J. C. Thomson, who served from 1847 till 1862 ; others were Daniel Baker, William Herriff, S. P. Hathaway and D. B. Baker. Since rural mail delivery was established the post-office has been discontinued.. The first physician in Scott Township was Dr. William Durbin ; but the most prominent of the early physicians here was Dr. J. C. Thomson, born in 1822, the son of a Pennsylvania congressman. He began practice in Scott in 1844 and continued for over forty years. He was held in high esteem as a physician and man of affairs in the township. He was justice of the peace for about thirty years and filled many other positions of honor and trust. He was prominent in Masonry, Odd Fellowship and Knights of Honor. Perhaps the most potent educational force in the township for years was the Tinney Select School, organized about 1890 and conducted for twelve years by G. F. Aldrich. The school, though unpretentious, did much to create educational sentiment and prepare young men and women for teaching in the public schools. The teacher and pupils of this school have organized themselves into what is known as the Alumni Association of the Tinney Select School, which meets annually at Tinney. Mr. Aldrich has stood for years in the front rank of educational workers of this county. Scott Township has had four members of the Board of County School Examiners. G. F. .Aldrich, F. M. Inman, A. W. Gossard and A. W. Tinney, the latter a member of the board at present. The township has a history of which its people may well be proud. TOWNSEND TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $798,680. Voters, 400. The organization of this township has been given elsewhere in this volume. Prior to the settlements the southern part was heavily timbered. Prairies broke the northern part and were covered with a heavy marsh grass interspersed with an occasional spot where grew a more nutritious variety. There is but one mill-site in the township, that being in the eastern part below "Rockwell Spring"— a spring which is the source of the most beautiful Stream in the township—a rapid current of clear mineral water. Fountains of cold water pleasantly tinctured with mineral matter are found in different parts of the township. The first artesian well here was sunk by C. G. Sanford in 1850, which, when cased, gave forth an abundant supply of water at a height above ground sufficient to run into a water trough. The depth of these wells vary from twenty to fifty feet. At some places water will rise, when properly cased, six feet above the surface. It is believed that Cold Creek Spring, in Erie County, and Rockwell Spring are fed from the same source, through natural fissures in the layer of conglomerate, covering a subterranean system of currents, whose source is higher than the surface of the soil. THE SETTLEMENTS. The first settler was Moses Wilson. who built a log cabin on the north ridge in the spring of 1818. The Townsend family. whose name the township bears, made an improvement in 1818 on the farm known now as the Brush farm. Abraham Townsend emigrated from New York to Canada before the War of 1812. His son Ephriam K. joined the American Army, which made it prudent for his father to return to his native country, which he did. The family consisted of the father and mother, two sons, E. K. and Gamalial, and five daughters, Margaret, Betsy, Mary, Amy and Eliza. The father removed to Huron in 1824 and later to Michigan. Ephraim remained and became owner of eighty acres of land. He was the first township clerk. He married Rebecca Tew, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 343 daughter of William Tew, Sr., in 1820. Mr. Tew built the fourth cabin there in 1818. He had a family of eight children. His son, Paul Tew, became a prominent and influential citizen and served as county commissioner when the brick court house was built in 1844. A. C. Jackson settled in 1822, with his wife, Amanda, and two children, to whom ten were added, born in Townsend. Mrs. Jackson was much beloved for her kindness and skill in ministering to the sick. The Winters family early settled here; Daniel, Benjamin and John, sons of Christian Winters, engaged in stock raising. John Freese and his son, Silas, came in 1821. Azariah Beebe settled in the neighborhood of Rockwell Spring about 1824 ; he had eight children; the youngest one, Ethan A., was born here. The Selveys came in 1824. Robert Wallace and his wife, Marv, settled here in 1826. Ebenezer Rawson, Josiah Holbrook. Samuel Love, B. Widener, Daniel Rice, James Lemmon, Sr., Albert Guinan and John Bush came about the same time. Later along in the thirties there followed the Parkhursts, Stevens, Whitmores, Beaghlers, Higleys, Haffs, Sanfords, Hoopers, Chambers, Lewises, Goldens, Brushes, Millers and Fullers. EARLY EVENTS. The first road followed the ridge from Cold Creek and intersected the pike at Hamer's Corners. Another, farther north, was cut out just so that wagons could be drawn through, during the War of 1812 from the direction of Huron. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Harry O. Sheldon, in the Jackson neighborhood. The first cemetery was laid out by William Tew, Sr. The first permanent schoolhouse was built on the Lemmon farm in 1826. Rachel Mack taught a summer school at Beebe's place. The "milk sickness" prevailed among the early settlers, and many deaths occurred from that mysterious disease. Since tame grasses have 'taken the place of wild herbs, the disease has disappeared. The first marriage was that of Rebecca Tew and E. K. Townsend. The first born was on the farm known as the Z. T. Brush farm. Townsend post-office was established in 1824 with William Tew, Sr., as postmaster. In 1853 it was named York Station, on the C. S. & C. Railroad, with Josiah Munger in charge. It has recently been discontinued. Whitmore Station, on the L. E. & W. steam railroad and the Sandusky, Fremont & Southern Electric, was made a post-office and Walter Davlin postmaster upon the extension of the L. E. & W. Railroad 'to Sandusky. The office has been discontinued since rural mail delivery was established. The first church in the township was built on the north ridge by the Methodists in 1848 and stands there now. The first circuit preacher was Daniel Wilcox. The United Brethren built a church in the north part of the township in 1870. Vickery. This village, located on the L. E. & W. Railroad, and the Sandusky, Fremont & Southern Electric Railway, was platted by Robert Vickery in 1881. A post-office was established and B. Sharpe was appointed postmaster. The following persons have since served as postmasters : Charles Green, C. A. Daniels, William Worman and Herman Lindsey, the incumbent. It has two rural delivery routes, with a daily service covering about thirty square miles, containing a population of about twelve hundred inhabitants, with 240 mail boxes. The village has a population of about one hundred and fifty and contains a Methodist Church served by Rev. H. H. Fisher, pastor. A grain elevator operated by the Vickery Grain Company, composed of J. J. Pearson, Marion Jones and William Wolfe, is doing business there. Rockwell Spring Trout Fishing Club is located on the stream which flows from the spring on the site of the old Boice Water-mill, originally built by a man named Rockwell, for whom the spring was named; which mill, in the early days, supplied not only the people of 344 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Townsend, but a large population of the adjoining counties. The club has erected a club Muse and changed the source of the stream, after the plan of the Castalia trout stream. The club numbers twenty-six members. Emery Thierwechter is president, Lacy Williams of Toledo, secretary and treasurer, and T. P. Hire is superintendent of grounds in charge of the fish hatchery. From two to three hundred thousand eggs are hatched every year. The Tile Factory of Frank. Halbeison, in Townsend Township, near Vickery, is one of the important industries of this township. Mr. Halbeison first started tile manufacturing on his farm in Riley Township in 1882, carrying it on there for several years. Afterward he followed the business for about two years at Erlin, Ohio. In 1902 he began the manufacture of tile at his present location, where he now has a plant capable of turning out 8,000 tile per day. The business is prospering and much of the time the plant is run to its full capacity. TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS. The district contains ten sub-districts and requires eleven teachers to supply them, for thirty-two weeks. Amount expended for teaching, $3,382.65, and for supervision, $262; total, $3,644.65. School enrollment, boys. 150, girls 143 ; total 293. Boswell graduates attending a high school, boys 4, girls 7 ; total 11. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $1,559,780. Voters, 440. This is the largest in area of any township in the county, embracing all of original Congressional Township No. 5, and twelve sections of Township No. 6, of Range No. 14 East, these twelve sections being added after Ottawa County was organized. The principal streams flowing through the same are Little Mud Creek, Big Mud Creek and Nine-mile Creek, all flowing from the southwest to the northeast across its territory. A small stream called Wolf Creek flows through the northwest corner of the township. The soil, excepting the surface of a sand ridge, extending between Little and Big Mud Creeks, is a black vegetable mould, the remains of luxuriant swamp vegetation, and marks it as being a part of the region designated as the "Black Swamp." This sand ridge portion is strewn with numberless rocks, foreign in formation to the place where found. These are known as boulders or bowlders, so named from having been "bowled" along, by a moving ice stream from the far north, whence they were brought, during what is known as the glacial period. The reader is referred to the article on Jackson Township and also to Chapter I, for further information as to the glacial period. THE SETTLEMENTS. Owing to the unpropitious conditions existing in this swamp region, no permanent settlements were made within the limits of Washington Township, till about 1830, though land entries were made as early as 1826, in which year the following entries are recorded : David Hess in Sections 9, 10 and 15, 73o acres; in Sections 13 and 24 Enoch Rush, 210 acres; in Section 24, Josiah Topping, 140 acres ; Section 9, Harry Fuller, sixty-six acres ; in Sections 8 and 9, Reuben Wilder, 267 acres. From 1826 to 1831, inclusive, the following named persons entered lands : Pontius Wheeler, J. H. Topping, George Waggoner, Samuel Waggoner, Robert Long, Jacob Nyce, Jonas Graham,Michael Hogle, William Floyd, David Grant, 'Magdalena Bowman, George Watt, David Church, Joseph Deck, A. W. Green, Jacob Hendricks, Daniel Karshner, Daniel Hendricks, John Mackling, Michael Overmyer, Peter Poorman, John Rose, N. P. Robbins, William Rose, Solomon Shoup, John Shoup, Jacob C. Stultz, William Skinner, John Strobl, J. H. Topping, Hector Topping, John C. Waggoner, John Smith, Isaac Rhidenour, John Baird, William Chenaworth and George Hetrick. The quantities were generally not large, varying from eighty to three hundred acres, and in one instance, Daniel Hendricks, as high as 370 acres. The locality seems not to have been an inviting one for land speculators, judging from the generally small sized tracts entered. Entries that would, from quantity, indicate purposes of speculation were Dickinson and Pease in 1835, 372 acres ; in 1836, H. G. Folger, 532 acres ; Edward Bissell, 2,376 acres, and James AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 345 Easton and F. G. Sanford, 426 acres. During the year 1840 the balance of all the lands in the township were closed out. The settlers were nearly all natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent, but a large proportion came here directly from Perry County. Josiah H. Topping, David Grant and John Wolcutt were the first. Topping kept tavern on the pike. George Skinner came as the fourth settler in 1830 and settled in Section 26. From then onward settlements progressed, and among these hardy pioneers were : Joseph Cookson; Jacob Stultz, the Waggoners, Jacob Hendricks, Solomon Shoup, the Skinners, John Baird, Hugh Forgerson, William and Samuel Black, Michael Fought, A. G. Ross, Peter Morton, George Geeseman, Samuel Spohn, Jacob Moses, Joseph Garn, Henry Forster, Daniel Karshner, Christian Dershen, James Ross, Henry Bowman, David Hess, Henry Stierwalt, John Bowersox, Daniel Boyer, William Yeggle, John Avers, E. Hungers, H. Bearing, John Mogler, David Deil, James Snyder, Martin Garn, Daniel Spohn, Jacob Heberling. John Waggoner, a native of Maryland, came in 1830 with his family of eight children, namely : Betsy, John. Jacob, David, Nancy, Daniel, Solomon and Samuel. Philip Overmyer, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1833. He had seven sons, viz : Samuel, William. Daniel, Jacob, George, Philip and David. Jacob Overmyer settled here in 1833, corning from New York. He had sons, Philip A., William, George, Luke, Amos, and daughters, Sarah Ann, who married Hiram Waggoner of Indiana ; Agnes, who married Jacob Huffman of that state; Susan, who married Michael Overmyer ; Marv, who married Solomon Overmyer ; Catherine, who married Coonrad Hess, and Amanda, who married Jacob Hess. Joseph Garn came in 1831 and was a preacher of the United Brethren faith, but never rode a "Circuit." Joseph Reed came in 1832. Henry Forster, Mr. Shively, Samuel Kratzer. Henry Reiling, John W. Bauman, John Lantz, Henry Myers, Casper Heseman and B. Karschner settled later. SCHOOLS. The first schoolhouse was built in 1833 on the north side of the pike on what is known as the old Hetrick farm. It was built of round logs, covered with "shakes" or split boards about three feet in length, held in place by "weight poles" and the floor and seats were of puncheons or split logs hewn smooth on the upper side. The window lights were made of greased paper. The first teacher was Narcissa Topping. The first schoolhouse in the southwest corner was built about 1834 on the farm of Jacob Moses. The public schools have kept up with the progress of the township in other affairs, affording ample facilities for the schooling of the youth of the township. In the township district there are fifteen sub-districts, requiring fifteen teachers, thirty-two weeks 'to supply the same. The school enrollment is, boys 186, girls 140; total 326. The township district employs a superintendent. Amount paid for tuition, including supervision, $5,700. Washington Chapel, Methodist Episcopal congregation have a meeting house three miles south from Hessville. HESSVILLE. This village was laid out October 21, 1837, by David Hess and B. H. Bowman and was designated in the plat by the name of Cashtown. It is located in Section 9, Town 5, Washington Township, on the Maumee and Western Reserve Road. It is now traversed by the Lake Shore Electric Railroad. It is said that the name Cashtown was given the village because dealers at that point paid out more ready cash for produce than was paid at other trade centers in the county: Finally, because of the prominence of the Hess family, who laid out the north part, the name by which it is now known was adopted. The post-office was known as "Black Swamp" until recent times. The postmasters have been David Berry, H. Forster, .Henry Reiling, Samuel Ritter, A. Lay, Jacob Amsted, George McVey, Frank Artz and J. H. Milious. 346 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY The post-office has been superseded by a rural delivery route from the neighboring village of Lindsey. The physicians have been Dr. S. Thompson, McVey, Phillips and Durbin. In 1843 a union meeting-house, used by the Lutherans and German Reformed Churches, was supplied by Rev. George Cronnenwett. In 1851 the Lutherans built a house of their own on the pike farther west. This was superseded by a fine building in 1877. Among the first members were the Auxter, Tappy, Schwartzman, Pohlman and Upp families. The first members of the Reformed were : Henry Bowman, B. Karshner, S. Kratzer, William Keizer, William Opperman and a few others. The mill and distillery of Henry Reiling were once important business concerns, but they no longer exist. The village has not increased in population of late years to any appreciable extent. There is a good two-story brick schoolhouse in which a good graded school is kept. Among the former teachers there were, Frank O'Farrell, Esq., and Miss Lenore Belle Meek of Fremont. The Reformed Church has a commodious building and maintains services in the village. Emmanuel's Lutheran Congregation, near Hessville. This congregation was organized by Rev. Conrad of Tiffin, Ohio, in the year 1840. He was followed by Rev. G. Cronnenwett, of Woodville, in 1841, who served the congregation about twenty-nine years. He was succeeded by Rev. R. Graetz, who served the congregation from 1869 to 1875, when Rev. S. Poppen took charge and was pastor to the year 1885, when Rev. C. H. Althoff, the present pastor, was installed, who served the congregation during the past twenty-four years. The services of Emmanuel's congregation at first were held in a log schoolhouse west of Hessville. In 1853 a frame building was erected in Hessville where the Reformed also held services. From 1853 to 1876 the congregation worshiped in a small brick building west of the present house of worship. It was during Rev. Poppen's administration that the present commodious church house was erected and dedicated. Mt. Calvary United Brethren Church is located at Four-mile House and maintains regular services. LINDSEY. Tax Duplicate, $214,890. Voters, 160. Lindsey, located in Sections 2 and 3 in Washington Township, on the line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, has a population of about seven hundred inhabitants. It has a post-office and is served by four daily mails and has one rural delivery route, serving a rural population of about one hundred and fifty inhabitants. The village was originally platted by B. F. Roberts and E. B. Phillips, November 2 1 , 1853, and named the town of Washington. It was incorporated by the name of Lindsey. It has a municipal government and is a separate school district with a school enrollment of 114, of which there are 50 boys and 64 girls. G. W. Overmyer, superintendent (1908) with a salary of $540. Three teachers are employed thirty-six weeks. The village pays for tuition, including supervision. $1,890. For the year 1909 J. J. Breslin has been employed as superintendent. The post-office was first named Loose, and William Overmyer was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by W. M. Boyer: since Boyer, the following have served : John Jordan, J. W. Breneman, E. S. Bowersox, J. W. Boyer and C. G. Bowers, present incumbent. Lindsey has a bank, two grain elevators, one creamery. a planing-mill and lumber yard, and two tile factories. The churches are the Evangelical, Rev. E. D. Paulin pastor, and Reformed, Rev. Israel Rothenberger, pastor. Leander Bloker, of Lindsey, operates a planing-mill and deals extensively in lumber, window frames, sash, etc. He entered into his present business in 1882, being a partner in the firm of Bloker & Wilson. In 1893 he purchased Mr. 'Wilson's interest and continued alone until June 15, 1907, when his plant was destroyed by fire. He has since rebuilt it and resumed operations under improved conditions, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 347 and is now numbered among the town's prosperous citizens. WOODVILLE TOWNSHIP. Tax Duplicate, $1,162,250. Voters, 270. This township lies in the northeast corner of Sandusky County and was organized April I, 1840. It lacks six sections at the northeast corner of being six miles square or of being the size of a Congressional township, which fractional piece was made a part of Ottawa County in 1840, when that county was organized, being taken from Sandusky County. It was named in honor of Amos E. Mood, a leading citizen at the time of its organization, and prominent in public affairs. He was subsequently elected to Congress and re-elected, but died during his second term. The first election in the 'township was held at his house April 14, 1840, and resulted in the election of David Dunham, Lester Allen and Archibald Rice, trustees ; Ira Benedict and Jared Plumb, justices of the peace ; Ira Benedict, township clerk. PHYSICAL FEATURES. The surface is mostly a plain. The Portage River trayerses the township in a northeasterly course, diyiding it into 'two almost equal parts. Tousaint Creek in the northeast corner and Sugar Creek in the southwest, run parallel with the Portage River, through the township northeasterly. These streams are separated by almost imperceptible ridges of lime stone, the out crops of the underlying Niagara formation, mention of which, with the stone, lime and oil industries of the township, has been made in Chapter XII of this volume, 'to which the reader is referred. Between these ridges the soil is the ordinary mixture characteristic of the Black Swamp region. SETTLEMENTS. Permanent settlements in the Woodville Township territory were not made for quite a number of years after those in most of the other parts of the county. In 1825 it was ordered that the Mud Pike, which was little more than a "corduroy" road, be built and 'that the adjoining road lands, ceded by the Indian tribes, in 1808, by the Brownstown treaty, embracing one mile on each side, be sold as pike lands. This was the signal for settlement. Prior to this, however, there was an occasional "squatter." The first clearing was made on the present site of Woodville Village in 1825, and a little log cabin erected, and in the fall of 1826, occupied by Thomas and Harriet Miller. Mr. Miller died in 1828, and Mrs. Miller kept tavern here until 1837. Land in Section 35 on Sugar Creek was bought in 1826 by C. B. Collins, who afterwards superintended the grading of the pike. In 1832 Ephraim Wood and his son-in-law, G. H. Price, bought lands and built houses in Sections 27 and 28. Price's tract embraced what is now the south part of Woodville Village. Wood's tract was just across the Portage River from Price's, where he erected, at first a log cabin, to which he afterwards added a frame building, and here kept a tavern. Here is where the first township election was held in 1840, 'then owned by Amos E. Wood, son of Ephraim. Price's children were George E. and \V. W. Price, by his first wife, Parthena Wood, and Willie H., Nellie P., and Grace E., by his second wife, who was Louise B. Ladd. Lester Allen was one of the earliest to settle in the east part of the township. In 1831 the Baldwin and Chaffa families settled in the 'township. There were then but five families therein. David Dunham came in 1833. His son, Almon, became prominent in county affairs, and represented the county in the State Legislature. In 1833 to 1840 came John H. Scott, John and Mary Moore, Jared Plumb, David B. Black, Archibald Rice, James Scoville, Samuel and Erastus Pitcher, Ira Kelsey, Mr. Thatcher, Peter Kratzer, Edward Down, Andrew Nuhfer, Ira Benedict, John Vanettan, B. Hurrelbrink, Hiram Preston, Fred Myerholtz, Henry Seabert, William Black, Mr. Burnham, Michael McBride, Dr. A. R. Ferguson, W. C. Hendricks, T. L. Truman, Later came the Klavings, Kelloggs, Bakers, Krauses, Klines, Brions and Campers. TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS. Woodville Township is not behind in educational facilities. In the days of the early settlements little log schoolhouses sprang up in the several districts. These have given way to the more substantial frame and brick structures. 348 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY The first schoolhouse was built in 1836 and Catharine Seager was the first teacher. The daughters of Ira Benedict and Jared Plumb also taught the early schools in the township. In 1839 a frame building was put up in Woodville by the Lutherans for church purposes, but it afterwards became a schoolhouse. In the year 1836 John Moore's house was transformed into a schoolhouse and his daughter was the teacher. In 1837 a new building was put up on Sugar Creek and John Scott taught school therein for his board. There are no records furnishing further definite information until 1853, when on April 18, 1853, the board of education was as follows : Frederick Jaeger, clerk of township I. K. Seaman, J. S. Compton, S. G. Baker, Davis Dunham, John Scott, Christopher Trame, Caleb Klink. There were then seven sub-districts numbered in the order mentioned with the members. On April 20, 1857, the board levied a half mill for German schools and a half mill for English schools, and thus it appears that German was taught in 'the public schools. Among the early teachers who left an impress of their work and individuality may be mentioned, Miss Seager, Mrs. Daly, Henry Osborn, William Humlong, Jonathan Hunt, Mr. Catlin and Mr. Hinkley. Of the later teachers whose memory still lingers among their former pupils are : Mr. Baker ; Mr. Brown, the founder of The Normal University of Valparaiso, Indiana: O. Dunham, W. H. Andrews; and George Worst and Mr. Essig in the special district are worthy of mention. The township district has seven sub-districts requiring seven teachers, thirty-six weeks at a cost for tuition of $2,780. Boxwell graduates attending a high school, boys 4, girls 3 ; total 7. Enrollment, boys 67, girls 7o; total 137. MILLS. The first grist-mill in Woodville Township was built by D. B. Banks in 1835 on the banks of the Portage River. a short distance from the present village of Woodville. There was also a saw-mill on the other side of the river. The grist-mille was first run by horse-and ox-power, the customers furnishing their own teams to grind the grain. It was last run by William Hendricks. There was a saw-mill on the farm of Caleb Clink in Section 4 and one at Woodville owned by Lewis Maynard. There was a woolen-mill in the village owned by J. Keil. WOODVILLE VILLAGE. Tax Duplicate, $413.430. Voters, 234. This village was laid out June 13, 1836, by Amos R. Wood and George H. Price and named in honor of Mr. Wood. It will be observed that the village was located before the township was organized. Reference to settlements prior in date to 1840 is understood to apply to territory subsequently becoming Woodyille Township. The village contains about nine hundred inhabitants and is situated on both banks of the Portage River in Sections 27 and 28. The business part, however, is on the west side. Transportation facilities are furnished by the Maumee and Western Reserve Turnpike and other improved roads; the Pennsylvania steam railroad ; the Lake Shore Electric, and the Lake Erie, B. G. & Napoleon Electric Railroads. The post-office has four daily mails and two rural delivery routes with seventy-five rural boxes. The postmasters here have been Charles Powers, John P. Elderkin, J. H. Rearick, Andrew Nuhfer, J. T. Sivalls, George Wehrung and the present incumbent, Miss Mary Sivalls. The village is located in the midst of valuable oil producing territory, and with the advent of oil enjoyed great resulting prosperity, rapidly increasing in wealth and importance as a business center. Its stone and oil industries have been mentioned in other chapters of this work. The village has two banks, two hotels, a grain elevator and a flouring mill. This mill is the outgrowth of the first one here, which was built by Henry Seabert in 1860 and afterwards destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and fell into the hands of John P. Elderkin and later was managed by Dr. A. R. Ferguson for a time. The present brick structure and elevator in connection with the same are owned and operated by W. H. Bruns. The capacity of the mill is 150 barrels of flour daily. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 349 VILLAGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The history of the village schools begins with the year 1865, when Sub-district No. 3 was set off as a special. school district and thereby separated from the control of the township board. The school building at that time was a two-room, one-story frame, located on the corner of Cherry and Railroad Streets. This district was changed to a village district in 1868, and comprises the village of Woodville and considerable adjacent 'territory. The present four-room,. two-story brick structure was erected in 1878. The high school, with a four-year course, was established in 1894. It is graded as first-class under the school law and its graduates are eligible to entrance in the State University. Four teachers and a superintendent are employed. Amount, as per last annual report, paid high school teachers, $1,379.03 ; paid elementary teachers, $1,433.75 ; paid for supervision exclusive of teaching, $250. Total paid for tuition, including supervision, $3,067.78. Enrollment,, high school, boys 10, girls 14; elementary, boys 68, girls 59; total enrollment 151. Salary of superintendent, $1,000. Woodville Normal School is one of the educational institutions of the Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio. It was founded in 1881 by the Rev. George Cronnenwett. Its primary object was, and is, to furnish teachers ,for the parochial schools of the Synod. It was, however, found expedient to offer facilities to those who may desire to prepare for a collegiate course, or to acquire a more thorough mastery of the common branches, and a more general knowledge of the sciences than is usually offered by the common schools. With this in view, courses in Latin and bookkeeping have been added. Both sexes are admitted. The faculty consists of four professors and two assistant instructors. Solomon's Parochial School. The Lutheran Solomon's Congregation maintains a parochial school since 1862. Organized primarily to provide instruction in religion and the elementary German branches, it has gradually expanded its curriculum until now it includes besides these an English course identical with. that of the public school to the seventh grade. Pupils graduating from this school are prepared to enter the public high school. Three teachers are employed. The attendance varies from about seventy-five to ninety pupils. The total cost of maintaining the school is about fifteen hundred dollars a year. CHURCHES. Solomon's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The beginning of Solomon's church dates back to the year 1830. It was then that the first settlers arrived here from their old Hannoverian home in and about Osnabruech. In 1841 Rev. George Cronnenwett was called to this field. All was dense asprimeval forest then in the Black Swamp. Forty-seven years did Father Cronnenwett serve his people, for years the only Lutheran pastor within a radius of more than fifty miles. During these years he baptized 2341, confirmed 1730, buried 1214 persons. In 1864, during the Civil War, the present church was built, quite a pretentious church for the times. Rev. Paul Raether succeeded Father Cronnenwett in 1889. Easter 1903 he resigned his ministry at this place.. During the vacancy of a little more than a year the late Rev. J. Bauch served Solomon's people as their temporary pastor. Peter Langendorff entered upon his ministry April 24, 1904. He came here from Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County. Solomon's congregation numbers today from 1,000 to 1,100 souls. It is one of the largest churches of the denomination in this part of the state. For more than three decades the congregation has supported a parish school. It is ably served by Prof. C. Vogel, Misses Lydia Nieman and Margaret Riedel. Personal recollections of Rev. Mr. Cronnenwett : "I can speak from personal knowledge, only of the northwest part of Sandusky County, Woodville Township and vicinity. The first German settlers came there in 1833—Sebert and Schuler. The latter went to Perrysburg. The next year three more families came up the river. One mother brought a dead child hid in her shawl for fear it would be cast into the lake or river as is the custom at sea, and she had it buried at Lower Sandusky. Other families came until there were nine in Wood-