MADISON
MADISON, embracing an area twenty-seven miles square, lies between Woodville on the north and Scott on the south. Wood county is the western boundary, and Washington township the eastern. The geological feature of this township is the two limestone ridges, or out-crops, which traverse its territory. A ride on the road leading from Hessville to Gibsonburg will convince the most unobserving traveller of an unusual formation, for protruding ledges occur provokingly near each other, and are calculated to disturb the mildest temper. But these out-crops are of great economic value. Quarries located on their summits are worked with comparative ease. The rock is of excellent quality for the manufacture of lime, an industry which has been the means of building up, since 1871, a town third, numerically, within the county. Curiosity naturally leads to inquiry into the cause of the solid rock formation being thus broken. The only explanation geology has ever set forth is, that after the upper limestone layer or stratum had been formed of calcareous fossils, a powerful disturbance took place, perhaps making a continent of the bottom of the sea. The tenacity of a comparatively thin shell of rock could afford very little resistance to a force of such giant power. The earth's crust, broken in huge blocks, resembled the breaking up of the ice on a lake surface in springtime. But an era of quiet restored permanence. Drift, which has covered the surface and formed the soil, filled up the gaps. The drift naturally covered lightly the ridges caused by meeting edges, leaving the surface stony and throwing obstructions in the way of easy cultivation.
The western part of Madison is flat and mucky, but an extensive system of ditching has made the soil capable of high cultivation, and remuneratively productive. Sugar Creek takes a course almost due north, and is the best natural drain in the township. Its source is in Sugar Creek prairie, in Scott township. Two branches of Coon Creek drain the remaining area of the western part of the township. Here log houses, stumpy fields, and extensive woods, thick with underbrush, indicate the age of the settlement ; ditches, bearing away streams of living water, explain the cause.
Madison has had an uneventful life, and her history will therefore be short. There are none of those exciting episodes to record which throw a whole community into a foment of excitement, and then live in fireside traditions longer than the memory of families themselves. She passes the chronicle of crime to her neighbor Scott, where certainly there is plenty of material to fill it. Madison has been rapidly developed materially against adverse natural conditions. No higher compliment can be paid her first settlers and citizens.
THE SETTLEMENT.
The first lands were entered in Madison in 1830 and 1831. Very few, if any, squatters had penetrated the swamp before that time. This sickly flat, made hideous by the hum of mosquitoes, had no at-
794 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
tractions for the professional rovers, whose general character is delineated in a previous chapter. Settlement here involved sacrifices which no one was willing to endure, except in the hope of building up home, and providing a heritage for their children. All who came had the necessary resolution to make them wealthy men, but more than half were wanting in the stability necessary for pioneer service they abandoned their stations and sought a more promising clime. Most of those who remained, the pioneers of today, accomplished in a satisfactory measure the object of their ambition. They have also performed a high mission in life by clearing, plowing, and ditching, thus finishing the work of creation by adapting nature to the use of civilized man.
As a guide to the location of early settlers, as they are mentioned in the foregoing sketch, a list of the original land entries is herewith given. The date of entry in nearly every case antedates the date of record five years. A further explanation is found in connection with York township. What is said there concerning the State turnpike lands does not apply here, there being no pike lands in this township :
The following entries are recorded in 1825:
.............................................................SECTION..ACRES.
John W. Allen ...................................................7........160
Joel Benton .....................................................25..........40
Eli Charles .......................................................11.......160
Charles T. Gilmore ..........................................34.........40
E. P. Hathaway.................................................29........160
Richard I. Hayck...............................................20..........80
Gideon and James Hathaway ...........................30..........80
Freborn Hathaway.............................................30..........79
N. P. Hathaway..................................................19.......160
N. P. Hathaway..................................................17.........80
Jac Kemerling ...................................................25.........40
David Kepford...................................................18..........39
George Lightner.................................................19..........39
Marcus Montelius..............................................20........160
Marcus Montelius..............................................11..........80
George Orwig....................................................12...........80
Philip Roush .....................................................12...........80
Wilson Teeters...................................................34...........80
Thomas Withers.................................................22...........80
The following entries are recorded in 1836:
................................................................SECTION......ACRES.
Jacob Burkett......................................................18............40
William Blank ......................................................9............80
N. P. Hathaway....................................................31............82
Augustus Hastings...............................................29............40
T. P. Johnson .......................................................27............80
Joel Kemerling.....................................................26............80
Daniel Kratzer .....................................................26..........158
Isaac Ludwig........................................................25..........120
George Orwig ........................................................1............40
William Reed.......................................................14.............40
Merrit Scott .........................................................35...........160
Daniel Smith .................................................27, 28.............80
J. D. Storms .........................................................19.............80
Jesse Stone .....................................................10, 11.............80
David Smith..........................................................17.............40
David Smith, jr......................................................17.............80
David Smith .........................................................20..............80
Morris and John Tyler...........................................20...........160
John Topping ........................................................22.............80
Hector Topping......................................................22.............40
A. B. Tyler and C. Pettibone..................................27.............80
A. B. Tyler and C. Pettibone..................................15.............40
B. Vrooman ...........................................................10.............40
The following entries were recorded in 1837:
..........................................................SECTION..ACRES.
Charles Hazleton........................................22...........40
George Sinclair...........................................30.........161
George Sinclair...........................................30..........40
The following entries were recorded in 1838:
..........................................................SECTION..ACRES.
Henry P. Allen..............................................33.......160
Joel Russiquire..............................................31.......160
Joel Russiquire..................................32 and 33 ........80
The following entries were recorded in 1839:
...........................................................SECTION..ACRES.
John Bums...............................................29, 32........240
John Brown ...................................................25........160
Solomon Burgman..........................................25........160
Christian Burgman..........................................13..........80
F. C. Clark ......................................................33..........40
John Causer.....................................................13........160
Benjamin Cramer.............................................33.........80
Elias Frank .......................................................31.........82
Jacob Gam............................................22, 23, 15.......360
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 795
..............................................................SECTION..ACRES.
Jacob Garn.................................................21, 20.........160
John Hazzard ............................................23, 26.........160
Josiah Harman.................................................36.........160
Charles Hazelton..............................................34.........160
George Ickes.....................................................25..........80
Elias Miller.......................................................36........160
Jacob Mathews.................................................30.........160
Jonas Rishel ...............................................14, 35.........160
William Reed ...................................................23...........80
Adam Shaffer....................................................36.........160
John Straughan..................................................28.........160
David Smith ................................................32, 33.........120
Merrit Scott .......................................................27...........80
Charles Taylor....................................................32...........40
Benjamin Yates..................................................28............80
Jasper Whitney...............................................9, 10..........320
John Whitford jr.................................................32..........160
William Whitford...............................................32............80
Godfrey Wheeland..............................................14..........160
Lewis O. Whitmore.............................................34..........160
Edward Webb .....................................................28............80
Andrew Wood.....................................................53..........160
Fred Zepherick..............................................14, 13..........160
The following entries were recorded in 1840
.................................................................SECTION.....ACRES.
Christian August................................................23.............80
Patrick Byrne.....................................................34.............40
George Barrier.............................................23, 28...........240
Joshua Cope ......................................................17.............40
Augustus Campbell......................................24, 26...........160
Frederick Clark...................................................35.............80
Charles Choate....................................................13...........160
Augustus Campbell.............................................26...........240
Samuel Croaks.....................................................13.............80
John Dixon ..........................................................19...........159
John Dixon, jr ......................................................19.............79
Archibald Esther...................................................35.............40
J. L. Flack, 2d........................................................13.............80
Daniel Forbes .................................................31, 17............200
Jacob Garn.............................................................27.............80
George Hartman....................................................14.............80
James and George Holcomb..................................27...........160
N. P. Hathaway ...............................................31, 32...........163
George Ickes..........................................................25.............40
John Kills ..............................................................34.............40
Jacob Kam .................................................24, 23, 15...........360
Benjamin Nester.....................................................14.............80
Daniel Kern ...........................................................29.............80
Joseph Kratzer..........................................................7.............80
George Lightner......................................................19.............39
Jacob Maugas..........................................................23.............80
In 1840 the following entries were recorded:
.....................................................................SECTION...ACRES.
Daniel McIntosh.....................................................27...........80
John Marder ...........................................................29...........80
Eli Murry, sr............................................................18...........79
Samuel Myers .........................................................18...........80
Adam Moyer............................................................19...........80
John Moore, jr..........................................................18...........79
Philip Moore ............................................................18..........39
J. D. Orwig ...............................................................12..........80
Jacob Poorman..................................................8 and 9.........120
Henry Roller..............................................................35.........160
Calvin Salisbury.........................................................31..........40
William Smith............................................................34..........40
Benjamin Stanton.......................................................24........160
Benjamin Stanton .......................................................21..........80
Daniel Sohn ................................................................26........160
Jacob Staner ..............................................33, 28 and 27........160
George Spencer............................................................31..........40
John Teeters ................................................................32.........160
Wilson Teeters.............................................................34...........80
Samuel Warts ..............................................................24.........160
The first settler of Madison was Henry P. Allen, who came to the township about 1831 and built a cabin on the King farm. He was a New Englander by birth. Although the first settler he is not remembered with that affectionate interest which would secure for him an extended notice. He left the country in a few years and was afterward drowned.
We are unable to mention in their order the early arrivals. The year 1833 made a great change in the appearance of the township. It is often said that people are like sheep; when one takes the lead the flock follows. This characteristic of human nature demonstrates itself in the settlement of a country. Thus it happens that the first settler of a district, in an historical sense, is the central figure of an important epoch.
The second settler of Madison township, and the first one whose residence was permanent, was David Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1777. He married Catharine Blank, by whom a family of seven sons and six daughters were born. The family in 1821 removed to Columbiana county, Ohio. In 1832 Mr. Smith entered a tract of land in Madison township, and shortly afterward recommenced the life of a pioneer. At the
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first election, in 1834, he was elected one of the justices of the peace and held ,the office many years. As will be seen by reference to a previous chapter, he filled the office of county assessor for a number of years. By trade Mr. Smith was a gunsmith, and was a workman of more than ordinary skill. He died in his ninetieth year. Mrs. Smith died at the age of seventy-four.
Daniel Smith was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. He is the son of Daniel Smith, whose family settled in Columbiana county in 1821. He entered land in this township, on which he settled, and, in 1834, married Jeanette Holcomb, by whom he had seven children. Mrs. Smith died at the age of forty-eight. He married again in 1863, Mrs. Emma Brobst. Mr. Smith held the office of justice of the peace, in Madison township twenty-two years. He was admitted to the Bar in 1874. David Smith, jr., came to the township from Columbiana county with his father and entered a tract of land on which he settled and died.
John Reed was probably the next arrival in the township. He was followed by James Holcomb, a native of Connecticut, who came to Ohio in 1824 and settled in Portage county. He was married to Dorcas Trumbull and had a family of seven children. In the summer of 1832 he removed with the family to Madison, where he lived until the time of his death. Only three of the children are living, George W., Moses V., and Gideon H. George W., the oldest child living, is yet a resident of Madison township. He was born January 11, 1808. He was married, in 1836, to Catharine Smith, daughter of David Smith. Two of their three children are living —David and Eli.
David Reeves, a native of New York, settled first in Columbiana county, andthen, in 1832, removed with his family to Madison. There seems at this time to have been a stampede from Columbiana county to Madison. It will be remembered that about the same time Washington township was filling up with people from Perry county, most of whom were native Pennsylvanians. Mr. Reeves was county surveyor eleven years. He died in 1847. The family consisted of thirteen children, five of whom are living, one —Eli—in this township. The Reeves settlement was in the south part of the township, near the present village of Rollersville.
Fred C. Clark settled in Madison about 1833. After a short period he sold to Luther Chase, and removed to Wood county. The farm was transferred by Chase to John Dean.
Jacob Staner came to Madison in 1833, and settled where Smith's sawmill is now located. He removed to Fremont in about ten years, and opened a tavern.
George Ickes, one of the oldest of the pioneers of Madison, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1800. He settled in Madison township with his family about 1833. He married Margaret Croyle in 1821, and had a family of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, viz : Henry, Adam, Catharine, Thomas, Barbara, Sarah, Michael, Margaret, Sophia, and George. Mrs. Ickes died in 1867.
William Whitford settled in the south part of the township in 1833. He was one of the proprietors of the surveyed village of Rollersville. He lived in the township until his death.
Benjamin Yates moved into the township from Columbiana county about the same time. He removed from here to Michigan.
Another of the Columbiana county colony who came in 1833, was Angus Campbell, a native of Scotland. He was
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a Scotch Presbyterian of the strict school. He died in 1868 at the age of sixty-four years. His wife survived him nine years, Eight of their eleven children are still living.
Caleb Taylor and William Burkett settled in Madison in the year 1833. Both had families, and became respected citizens.
The census duplicates of Jackson, Washington, and Madison register the name Garn oftener than any other. Jacob Garn, the progenitor of the Garns of Madison, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1799. In 1824 he married Elizabeth Bittle, and two years later emigrated to Ohio. After spending two years in Richland, and five years in Seneca county, the family settled in Madison in 1833. It was at Mr. Garn's residence that the first election was held in 1834, also succeeding elections for a number of years. This family is characteristic, at least for size. The children numbered sixteen, fourteen of whom are living eleven boys and three girls. One boy and one girl are dead. Mr. Garn died in 1879 at the ripe old age of eighty years. Mrs. Garn, the mother of this large family, is yet living on the homestead. The children living are: Andrew and John (twins), Sandusky county; Milton and Lizzie (Turley), Wood county; Margaret (Barker), Elijah and Adam, Sandusky county; Peter and Samuel, Williams county; Susannah (Warner), California; Daniel, David and Levi, Sandusky county.
Abraham Shell was one of the earliest settlers of Scott township, but is classed among the pioneers of Madison because more of his life was spent here than anywhere else in the State. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1803. He married Lydia Fought and came to Scott township about 1829, and remained two years, then moved to Columbiana county. Mr. Shell returned to the county and settled in this township in 1832, where he remained till 1849, then removed to Erie county, and died there in 1851. The family consisted of eight children, five of whom are living, viz: Elias, Illinois; John, Nebraska; Absalom, Ballville; Jonathan, Ballville; and Isadore, Madison. Absalom, who is a well-known citizen of Ballville township, was born in 1839. He married, in 1859, Elizabeth Glass.
Josiah Harman came to Madison with his brothers, Frank and Merritt, about 1833. Josiah taught school, and had a good reputation for awhile. What finally became of him is not known.
Benjamin Cramer settled on the Whitney farm about 1833. He soon became discouraged and removed to Michigan.
Jasper Whitney was born in Ontario county, New York, November 8, 1803. He settled in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1825, and in 1826 married Elizabeth Gunwer, a native of Switzerland. During his residence in Seneca county he had a severe attack of sickness. For fourteen days he was unconscious and apparently lifeless. The physician pronounced him dead, and every preparation was made for the funeral—coffin, shroud, and all. Mrs. Whitney, however, insisted on delay. Her judgment and resolution prevented what happens more frequently than people generally suppose—burial before death. Mr. Whitney has never fully recovered his strength, but has raised a large family and attained to a ripe old age. He has cleared four hundred acres of land since coming to Ohio. The family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are still living. Following are their names : Edwin, Emily, and an infant daughter, all deceased ; Amelia (Spooner), Wood county ; Erastus, Laporte county, Indiana; Ezra, Cass county, Iowa ; Ann, Washington township ; Mary A. (Russell), Madison; Ellen
798 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
(Klotz), .Wood county; and Ami E (King), Madison township. Besides the severe and almost fatal illness above described, he has suffered some severe injuries. In 1840, while riding a horse, Mr. Whitney was thrown off and broke his left leg. Again, in 1858, he was thrown from a wagon and broke the same limb, besides receiving such injuries upon his head that he was for a long time unconscious. Some six weeks after, while still suffering from the effects of this accident, he was in the barn watching the men who were threshing, when the horses ran over him and broke his other leg.
Ami M., seventh child of Jasper and Elizabeth Whitney, was born in Seneca county in 1842. He came to Madison with the Whitney family in 1852. He married, in 1862, Julia Damschrader, who was born in Toledo in 1844. Two children are living—Mary M., and Martha A. Mr. Whitney removed to Washington township in 1869.
Elias Miller settled in Madison township about 1834. He died in this township.
Charles Hazleton came to the township in 1834. He was a native of Vermont. He married, in Madison, Mary Wolcutt, and is now living in Illinois.
Jeremiah King was one of the most useful men who ever lived in Madison. He was born in Rhode Island in 1805. In 1826 he married Mary Dean, of Massachusetts, and in 1834 they came to Sandusky county and purchased a farm in Madison township. Being dissatisfied with the country they returned to the East, but afterwards came back and settled on the farm in Madison. He was killed May 6, 1856, at Aspinwall, while crossing the Isthmus of Panama. He had been justice of the peace twelve years, and was county commissioner several years. He was a leader in urging forward public improvements. He was a machinist by trade.
Louis O. Whitman was the owner of a sawmill. He settled about 1835.
Charles T. Gilmore, a native of New England, came to Madison about 1835. He returned to the East five years afterward.
I. D. Storms settled in Madison about 1836. He died five years later. The family removed to Michigan.
Peter and Jacob Kimmerling, born of Pennsylvania parentage, in Union county. came to this county in 1836. Peter married, in Union county, in 1833, Elizabeth Hartzell, who died in 1859, leaving thirteen children, viz: William, Catharine, James, John, Edward, Margaret, Mary, Julia A., Ellen, Bennel, Peter, Henry and Sarah. He married for his second wife, Catharine Unger in 1861, and by her had a family of five children—Saloma, Samantha, Abram, Jacob F., and Lillie M. Mr. Kimmerling left the farm a few years ago and began keeping hotel in Gibsonburg. His family are all married except three. William, Sarah, Bennel, Henry, and Peter are dead.
Noah P. Hathaway was born in Massachusetts in 1801. He married Nancy Payne in 1823, and in 1836 came to Ohio and settled in Madison township, where he lived until 1858. He then removed to the present site of Helena, where he remained two years, afterwards becoming a resident of Scott. Fostoria was his home for twelve years from 1862. The family consisted of six children—Rowena P. (Merrick), Attica, Indiana; Ann P. (Thomas), Rollersville; Avis (Thompson), Rollersville; Adelaide C. (deceased); Helena M. (Lloyd), Fostoria, and Sylvanus P., Scott township. Mr. Hathaway killed the last wolf seen in Sandusky county, in 1858.
About 1836 Freeborn, Gideon and
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 799
James Hathaway settled in Madison, and Philip in Scott.
William Blank settled in 1836. He died in the township nine years ago. George Lightner settled about the same time.
David Kepford, a stone mason from Pennsylvania, came into Madison in 1836. He moved west from here.
Esquire Plumb settled west of the present village of Gibsonburg.
Joseph Slates was born in Carroll county, Maryland, in 1809. He married Elizabeth Fleck in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he moved to this county and resided in Jackson, then in Washington township, moving thence to Madison, where he now resides. The family consists of nine children living: Catharine, Madison township; Elizabeth (Snyder), Washington township; Rebecca (Garn), Williams county; Jennie (Allen), Defiance county; Lucinda (Klotz), Scott township; Ellen (Klotz), Madison township; Lydia A. (Krotzer), Wood county; William, Madison township; and Jacob, Michigan.
William Slater was born in Pennsylvania in 1837, and came to Ohio with his parents. In 1873 he married Emeline Metzger, who died in 1874, leaving one child, Joseph.
D. P. Hurlbut, a native of Vermont, was born in Chittenden county in 1809. He came to Ohio in 1832 and settled in Geauga county. After about one year he left the State and did not return till 1837, when he settled in Madison township. He married, in 1834, Maria Woodbury, a native of New Hampshire. Nine children blessed this union, seven of whom are living, viz: Wheeler W., Emily A., Emory A., George M., Henry K., Phebe M., and John L. Mr. Hurlbut purchased his farm at one dollar an acre, land which would now bring in the market eighty times that amount.
We have now sketched in a general way the first settlement of the township. We have given our readers as much information concerning those who went before and prepared the way for rapid improvement, and progress, as our space and information can supply. It takes time and labor to improve a country. The working pioneer really enlarges the world by just as many acres as he clears and reduces to the use of civilized society. But there is a class of later settlers who deserve some attention, those who have carried on the battle commenced by the pioneer army. This class is so large that we can mention but a few families.
William Driftmeyer, son of Lewis and Isabella Driftmeyer, was born in Germany in 1816. He came to America in 1842, and settled in Madison township. He married, in 184.3, Mary Cook, also a native of Germany. The fruit of this union was eight children, viz: William (deceased), Henry, Mary, Eliza, Sarah, Frederick, Sophia, and Louis. Mr. Driftmeyer is one of the many foreign-born citizens who have earned by labor and economy, a handsome estate, with no other start than a healthy body and determined purpose. He came to this county without a cent, but is now one of the wealthy men of the township.
John W. Hutchinson, son of William Hutchinson, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1832. In 1853 he married Rebecca Naylor, a daughter of Samuel Naylor, and a native of Medina county, Ohio. He settled in 1853, in Madison township. Three of their six children are living William W., Willard B., and Charles. Mr. Hutchinson engaged in merchandising at Rollersville one year, and is now carrying on undertaking and farming. Mr Hutchinson assisted in building the house now used as the Methodist church, the first frame building erected in Gibsonburg.
800 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
A. H. Tice, son of Peter Tice, was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, in 18z0. He married Catharine Noggle in 1844, and in 1853 settled in Jackson township. In 1858 he removed to Madison. The family consisted of ten children, nine of whom are still living, viz: Malinda, Emeline, Andrew J., Elizabeth, James B., George W., Sarah J., Hattie, and Alpha. Mr. Tice served as magistrate of Madison township nine years.
Samuel Bell, a son of Abraham Bell, was born in Cecil county, Maryland, in 1823. He came to Ohio and settled in Ottawa county in 1834, where he lived till 1862, when Madison became his home. In 1846 Mr. Bell married Catharine Correll, of this county. Seven children blessed this union, five boys and two girls, all living—Sarah E. (Lloyd), Scott; William, Ottawa county; James O., Ottawa county; Mary F. (Edmunds), Bradner, Wood county; Melvin E., Ottawa county; Andrew and Elmer, Madison.
Robert R. Webster was born in Ontario county, New York, June, in 1807. He came to Ohio in 1841, and settled in Erie county. Ten years later he moved to Toledo, and lived there till 1867, when with his family he settled in Madison township. He married, for his first wife, Amelia McMillen; after her death he married Elizabeth Daum, widow of John P. Daum. The fruit of both marriages was sixteen children, eleven of whom are living. Mr. Webster may truthfully be called a' veteran soldier, having served three and one-half years in the Florida war, one year and a half in the Mexican war, and two years in the Rebellion, in the Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Thomas Lattimore was born in this county in 1829, but while quite young his parents moved to Ottawa county. He married, in 1852, Susan Park, of Ottawacounty, by whom four children were born, one boy and three girls, who are living, viz: Elva V., Nancy E., Thomas O., and Susan. In 1879 Mr. Lattimore returned to his native county, and settled in this township.
GIBSONBURG.
The construction of the Tiffin, Toledo & Eastern Railroad (now the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago) seemed to create all along the line a craze for towns. For this, as well as for the disappointment which has or inevitably will result, the projectors of the road are responsible. It will be remembered that as an inducement to secure a free right of way, depots were promised at almost every road crossing, and flourishing towns pictured at every point. Burgoon, Millersville, Helena, and Gibsonburg—four towns within a distance of ten miles—have for ten years been contesting for supremacy. All except one are flourishing villages for their age, and good markets. But if the enterprise and business of the four could be consolidated into two, there would be a reasonable hope of growth beyond the limits of a village. From experience has been deduced the adage: "The fittest survive." History is not the place for prophesy. We therefore content ourselves with brief outlines.
The founder of Gibsonburg was fortunately a man who knew the methods necessary to accomplish the ends in view; in other words, he was a business man. As a result, his town was given a start which attracted the attention of other enterprising business men, who have assumed management of affairs, and are furnishing the food necessary to nourish a rapid and healthy growth. In ten years a population of six hundred has been brought together, who are fed by solid and productive industries.
To William H. Gibson, of Tiffin, be-
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longs the honor of founding this town, which bears his name. After the railroad had been located, General Gibson purchased a tract of ninety acres, and early in August, 1871, surveyed forty acres into town lots. Associated with him in laying out the town, as at first platted, August 5, 1871, were T. D. Stevenson and J. F. Yeasting.
A post office was at once secured, T. D. Stevenson being commissioned to take charge of the office. He was succeeded in 1873 by F. W. Dohn, the present incumbent.
The first store was opened in 1871, by Zorn & Hornung, in their own house which was also the first business building in the place.
P. H. Zorn, the senior member of this firm, was born in Germany. He came to America in 1849, and located at Fremont, where he was employed at making shoes. He married Margaret Stotz and afterwards located at Hessville, where he opened a shop and worked at the trade. By economy and industry he was enabled in a short time to purchase a stock of boots and shoes. This was the beginning of a successful mercantile career. Adam Hornung, who had learned the shoemaker's trade in Mr. Zorn's shop, was received as a partner, and the business enlarged to a general store. The store at Gibsonburg was at first placed under the management of Mr. Hornung, and conducted as a branch. The rapid growth of the village soon induced the firm to consolidate at Gibsonburg, and Mr. Zorn became a resident of the village. Merchandising has been continued uninterruptedly since, the only change in the firm being the admission of Henry Zorn into the partnership, in 1877.
The business of E. Farmer & Co. was established in 1873, by E. Farmer. In 1875 F. W. Dorhn became a partner, and in 1879 the firm name changed to Farmer, Dorhn & Co. Since 1880 the style of the firm has been E. Farmer & Co. The senior partner, Mr. E. Farmer, is also extensively engaged in other enterprises. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1842. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after the conclusion of the Rebellion settled in business in Mansfield, Ohio, where, in 1867, he married Jennie Smith. Mr. Farmer removed with his family to Gibsonburg in 1873. He is enterprising in pushing the various industries in which he is interested and at the same time is a public-spirited citizen.
The first drug store in the village was opened by Carlin & Markle, in 1874. In a short time it passed under the charge of Cribliz & Shull, and the following year was purchased by the present owner, S. B. Stilson, who is a practical business man and trained druggist. Before coming to Gibsonburg Mr. Stilson was engaged in the drug trade for a number of years at Oberlin, Ohio. He was born at Edinburg, Portage county, Ohio, in 1848. His present business consists of trade in drugs, books, medical instruments, etc.
It would be useless and tedious to trace all the changes in the hardware and tinware business. The first store of this character was opened by A. S. Herr. The line of succession was from Herr to Bordon & Powers, then to A. J. Bordon, and from him, in 1878, to M. W. Hobart & Co., H. T. Bowlus being the partner. Mr. Bowlus sold, in 1880, to Mr. Smith. The business of this house is general tinwork, and trade in hardware, tinware, stoves, building material, and agricultural implements. Mr. Hobart, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Portage county. He was engaged in trade in Pemberville, Wood county, from 1872 till 1878.
The Gibsonburg hotel was built by W.
802 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
H. Gibson, and placed in charge of John Patterson. The property was purchased by Peter Kimmerling in 1875, who has since been the obliging lord of the tavern. The bane of most small towns, and in this connection we do not hesitate to include the three first named in the introduction to this topic, is miserable dens misnamed houses of entertainment. Gibsonburg, in this particular, fortunately has nothing to complain of. The landlord is as obliging and hospitable as he is loquacious, and the landlady as neat and careful as the most fastidious could wish.
Nature here has left a legacy of inestimable value in the peculiar geological formation spoken of in the introduction to this chapter. The town stands nearly on the summit of the break or uplift, making it comparatively easy to open quarries. The manufacture of lime is the prevailing industry of the place. This industry, directly and indirectly, employs about one hundred and fifty men.
The first lime-kiln was built by W. H. Gibson & Co. in 1873. A second kiln was connected in 1877. Both are now owned by E. Farmer & Co. Their capacity is eleven hundred barrels per week. Connected with these kilns, and owned by the same firm, is the stave and heading factory. This establishment manufactures general coopers' supplies, but was primarily built for the manufacture of lime barrels. The firm employs eighty hands and fifteen teams.
The lime-kilns operated by L. Friar & Co., a two-thirds interest in which is owned by Zorn, Hornung & Co., have a capacity of seven hundred barrels per week. Closely connected with this firm is the Hoop Factory company, which supplies the lime barrels and also carries on the manufacture of hoops on an extensive scale. Twelve thousand hoops a day are turned out in busy seasons, and forty menare given steady employment in all departments.
Zorn, Hornung & Co. inaugurated the grain trade. In 1875 they built an elevator and are the only dealers at present.
Two stores have not been mentioned, A. Fraunfelter, merchant tailor, and M. H. Porter, groceries and provisions. There are a number of saloons.
The first member of the medical profession who settled in Gibsonburg was R. S. Hitell, who opened an office in 1873. He was a graduate of Jefferson Medical college, and won a good reputation and profitable practice during his residence here. He removed, in 1881, to Kansas City, Missouri, where he is now practicing.
D. G. Hart, a native of Ashland county, began practicing in Gibsonburg in 1877. He is a graduate of Cincinnati Medical college. His practice is the best testimonial of the confidence reposed in him by the public.
E. B. Erwin opened an office in this place in 1881. He is a graduate of Cleveland Medical college.
We have now outlined the growth of the village from a business point of view. The exact population in 1880 was five hundred and eighty-six. The growth since that time has been fully one hundred.
But a town needs more than business establishments. It must have government, educational facilities, and societies for the promotion of morality and social benevolence. Toward the building up of institutions of this kind, Gibsonburg has already made a good beginning.
The public school enrolls one hundred and fifty pupils, and employs three teachers. The growth of the village made the erection of a new schoolhouse necessary in 1876. The building contains three rooms. A regular course of study was arranged in 1877 by T. D. Stevenson, who
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was at that time principal. The village was set apart from the township as a special school district in 1880. The first board were J. W. Marvin, president; John Beach, Charles Sardis, J. B. Taylor, E. Garn, J. Kininger.
T. D. Stevenson has been identified closely both with the business and educational interests of Gibsonburg. He is the son of David Stevenson, of Green Creek township. He learned the saddle and harness making trade at Green Spring, and worked there till 1861, when he enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he returned to Green Spring, and worked at the trade till 1866. The next two years were spent at Milan Normal school and Oberlin college. Mr. Stevenson then came to Madison township, and engaged in school teaching till June, 1881. He has been justice of the peace for ten years, and was from 1874 till 1877 senior partner in the firm of Stevenson, Smith & Co. Mr. Stevenson married, in 1870, Rosetta A. Fowler, of Wood county, and has a family of three children—Thomas B., Amos C., and Ray D. Mr. Stevenson was admitted to the Bar in 1877.
The village was incorporated under the laws of Ohio in the spring of 1880. On the first Monday of April of that year, the following officers were chosen : J. Kinninger, mayor ; Eli Reeves, J. W. Marvin, Elijah Garn, Charles Sanders, T. D. Stevenson, and M. W. Hobart, council; S. B. Stilson, clerk ; Adam Hornung, treasurer ; George Kaunkle, marshal.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor are both represented in this village.
Gibsonburg Lodge No. 687, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted August 12, 1879, with the following as charter members : T. D. Stevenson, A. P. Johnson, John Veipch, Henry H. Tice, C. D. Patterson, George L. Donnels, John Sandwich, Henry Zorn, C. W. Heseman, Charles Urech, A. H. Tice, John D. Donnels, W. A. Penfield, John W. Brown, F. W. Dohn. The past noble grands in their order are : T. D. Stevenson, John Veipch, John L. Donnels, John W. Brown, and G. L. Donnels. The present membership of the lodge is fifty-six.
Thomson Lodge No. 1413, Knights of Honor, was instituted October 9, 1879. Dr. J. G. Thomson, of Rollersville, stood sponsor at the christening. The charter members were : R. S. Hittell, Jesse E. Caples, S. B. Stilson, J. Kinninger, Charles A. Eslinger, Charles Urech, Henry Diel, S. Immel, D. G. Hart, Joseph M. Bowser, Robert A. Mitchell, Peter P. Wolcutt, Martin Vosburg, M. W. Hobart. The following is a list of past dictators: R. S. Hittell, D. G. Hart, J. Kinninger, S. B. Stilson, M. W. Hobart, J. B. Taylor, and J. W. Lewis.
There are in Gibsonburg three churches —Evangelical, Lutheran, and Methodist. The first-named was organized long before the town had an existence. There is one other — the United Brethren, one mile south of the village, which for convenience will be sketched in this connection.
The Evangelical is probably the oldest religious society in the township. It was formed, in 1836, of the following five individuals : Peter Kimmerling and his wife Elizabeth, Jacob Kimmerling and his wife Nancy, and Dena Wickard. The. society was known as Basswood class. The first meeting-house was built about 1845. The present house was dedicated in 1874. The preachers have been: Revs. Lintner, Lumbert, Haley, Longbrecht, Kopp, Sintzer, Eckley, Stroman, Storkley, Zintner, Strohm, Smous, George, Thomas, Rife, Schupp, Crouse, Strohman, Wingard, and Snyder. The present membership is about seventy.
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Salem church, United Brethren, was organized near the time of the organization of the Evangelical church. The first members were the families of Jacob Garn, John Reed, and Lucas Fleck. John Long and Peter Fleck were the first preachers. The old log meeting-house was built in 1845. The present house, one mile directly south of Gibsonburg, was built in 1864. There are about seventy members.
A Methodist Episcopal class was formed at Gibsonburg in 1873, Rev. Christian Wolf being the first preacher. In 1877 the old schoolhouse was purchased and fitted up for a meeting-house. There are at present about fifty members.
A Lutheran congregation was formed in 1875, Rev. George Gratz pastor. A meeting-house was built in 1876. The membership includes about fifty families.
ORGANIZATION.
Three townships bear the names of illustrious Presidents of the United States. Jackson, the first of the three established, adopted the name of the great organizer, if not real founder, of the Democratic party, who at that time was at the head of the Government. A new township, bordering Jackson on the north, was formed a year later, and, at the request of its leading men, was honored with the name of the noble patriot whose name has been a household word since the foundation of the Government. The first settlers of Washington probably felt like declaring their patriotism in some way or other, even though it was necessary to lay aside partisan feeling and accept the name of the great antagonizer of Jeffersonian principles, for the majority were genuine Jacksonian Democrats. It is barely possible, however, that the minority who drafted the petition took advantage of the majority's ignorance of political history, and secured for the new township the name of the distinguished Federalist leader.
June 3, 1834, Madison was brought into being, and, in answer to the request of leading residents, was complimented with the name of that other distinguished champion of early Democracy, and Chief Executive during the War of 1812—James Madison. The township originally included all of township five, range thirteen, but, in 1840, when Woodville was organized, a strip one mile and a half wide was struck off the north side and attached to Woodville, leaving Madison six miles long and four and one-half wide.
The first election was held on the 4th day of July, 1833, at Jacob Garn's blacksmith shop, near the centre of the township, where succeeding elections were held for a number of years. The officers chosen were: David Smith and John Reed, justices of the peace; James A. Holcomb, Jacob Garn and William Whitford, trustees; Jesse Johnson, George Ickes, and John Reed, supervisors; Daniel McIntosh, treasurer; William Smith, constable; Frederick Clark and Henry P. Allen, overseers of the poor; Gideon Harmon and Elias Miller, fence viewers.
INITIAL ITEMS.
The first frame barn in the township was built by James A. Holcomb.
An impetus was given to the settlement of Scott and Madison townships in 1836 by the erection of a steam sawmill on Sugar Creek, which was placed in charge of Crawford King. Why so much importance should be attached to the building of a sawmill it is hard for an observer of the present day to understand. But a revolution has taken place in this part of the county since 1836. Boards, if not a necessity, are inestimably convenient. Other things being equal, settlers will seek locations where the use of puncheons for floors and doors is unnecessary. The condition of the roads made it impossible to haul lumber any distance, so that, in
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the absence of a local mill, there was no alternative to the-use of puncheons. This mill was owned by a joint stock company, known as the Farmers' Union Milling company. Jeremiah N. King was the leading spirit in the enterprise, and was chosen president of the company. The stock was owned by local parties. In a financial point of view the establishment proved a failure, but the main object for which it was built was accomplished.
The second sawmill in the township was built by Jacob Garn.
The first cemetery in the township was located in section twenty-three, and has become a township burying-ground named Madison township cemetery. Mrs. Lucas Flake was the first person buried there.
Quinchan cemetery has also become a public burying ground. Its incipiency was the burial of a child of Jacob Staner. The institutions of a new country usually begin in a very simple way. In the case of a cemetery for instance, some one dies. No tract in the immediate neighborhood has been dedicated for the burial of the dead. A grave is dug at the nearest dry and elevated spot. The place is marked with a wooden picket, and fenced up by a square of rails. Soon there is another death, and the body is buried by the side of the first. In course of time it becomes necessary to enlarge the enclosure. The place becomes recognized as a public lot for burial, and eventually is deeded by the owner of the land to the township, a church, or association. The wooden slabs have, in most instances, been displaced by lettered freestone, but in some instances the perishable wood has rotted away, and the resting-place of the eternal sleeper is forever unknown.
The first school in Madison township was on the Staner farm, and was taught by Eliza Davidson. Daniel Smith was one of the early teachers in this house.
The last wolf seen in the county was killed by N. P. Hathaway in 1858. This is an "initial item" in the sense that it marked the beginning of safety for sheep and other weak domestic animals.
The first important ditch through the township begins in Wood county, drains the northwest corner of Scott township and the western part of Madison, emptying into Sugar Creek in Madison.
Rollersville is divided by the township line, and is briefly sketched in a previous chapter.
HIGH WIND.
In the year 1839 Madison was visited by the most terrific storm ever known in the western part of the county. It was one of the three great tornadoes which have touched our territory, and, as it was second in regard to time, so also was it second in power and destructiveness. The first passed over Green Creek and Townsend, and the last over the south part of Green Creek. The Madison tornado fortunately passed over a sparsely populated region of country and did little real damage. The timber in its path was splintered and twisted to the ground. But this circumstance, at that time when forest was a nuisance rather than a resource of wealth, had little effect upon values. It made clearing so much easier, and, to that extent, was a benefit. No one was hurt, no houses were blown down; useless trees were the only victims of the wrath of AEolus. Madison, on account of this circumstance, was given the pseudonym "Windfall."
HARVEST HOME.
An institution of the west part of this county and the east part of Wood county is the annual harvest festival and thanksgiving. This beautiful social custom of yearly meeting and feasting originated in 1857, in the form of union Sunday-school and pioneer meetings. Historical remi-
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niscences and speeches relating to Sunday-school work were delivered and all united in a bountiful picnic dinner. Gradually, however, as the range of visitors extended beyond the limits of the neighborhood, the character of the meetings changed until now it has become a general holiday.
These annual gatherings are held August 30th, and are under the management of a president and committee of arrangements. Morris Reese, esq., of Pemberville, has been president since the institution of the holiday. The meetings are held in Mr. Reese's grove. Expenses are met by charging license to sell confectionary, etc. No intoxicating drinks are allowed on the premises. The farmers of this section can well afford to devote one day in the year to social pleasures and thanksgiving. Nowhere in Ohio is agriculture better rewarded, besides, such gatherings conduce to the unity and consequently the happiness of the community.