418 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

CHAPTER XV.

BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP.

THIS township was surveyed in 1820 by J. Glasgow, outside the boundaries of the reservation, and, on the cession of the Indian lands, C. W. Christmas surveyed the reservation in 1832, all forming Township 1 north, Range 13 east. The Indian Treaty of September 17, 1818, provided that 16, 000 acres should be set apart for the use of the Wyandots of Solomon's Town and Blanchard's Fork, with the center of such tract at the Big Spring of Seneca County. By the treaty of January 19, 1832, all this reservation was ceded, except 320 acres kept for Roenunas. The President's proclamation, ordering the sale of the lands thus ceded, was made November 13, 1832, and the work of pioneer settlement was begun.

The spring from which the township takes its name, is near the hamlet of Springville. It is an ordinary lime spring, showing no traces of sulphur, clear, pure and invigorating.

The creeks of the township are all native, that is, finding a source and an outlet within the township; the soil is fertile, and the 4,000 acres, still classed as forest land, are well timbered with valuable hard wood. The drains in the southern sections have drained the great swamp.

Organic and Official -The commissioners established this township March 6, 1833 and April 4, following, the first election was held. * Richard Reynold and E. Bogart were elected trustees; William Brayton, clerk; Hugh Mullholland, treasurer; Cornelius Bogart, And. Springer and Joshua Watson, fence viewers; Elijah Brayton and Charles Henderson, overseers of the poor; and Austin Knowlton, constable. The records for 1834, 1836 and 1837 are gone where too many good records go, so that there is no certain way of supplying the names.

1835.-John Ellerton, Jacob Grove, Peter Lantz, trustees; William Brayton, clerk.

1838.--William Benham, Peter Lantz, Ezekiel Bogart, trustees; Israel Harmas, clerk.

1839.-E. H. Cook, John Jenkins, David Bowersock, trustees; I. Harmas, clerk.

1840.----W. Benham, Frederick Waggoner, Peter Lantz, trustees; I. Harmas, clerk.

1841-42.-N. L. Hulling, Peter Lantz, John Elarton, trustees; David Byrnes, clerk.

1843.-John Elarton, Peter Lantz, N. L. Hulling, trustees; John Luzader, clerk.

1844-45.-William Smith, Theo Frink, Peter Lantz, trustees; Abram Dow, clerk.

1846.-H. Davis, Theo Frink, Samuel Young, trustees; A.. Battenfield, clerk.

1847.-H. Davis, Theo Frink, Samuel Young, trustees; H. J. Flack, clerk.

*Originally attached to Seneca Township.

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1848.-William Smith, T. Frink, A. Frederick, trustees; Samuel Lutz, clerk.

1849.-Hiram Davis, T. Frink and S. Young, trustees; Montgomery Noble, clerk.

1850.-Hiram Davis, T. Frink, S. Young, trustees; D. Burns, clerk.

1851.-Hiram Davis, T. Frink, Peter Wenner, trustees; J. C. DeWitt, clerk.

1852.-Hiram Davis, Adam Vetter, Henry Boucher, trustees; J. C. De Witt, clerk.

1853.-John W Werley, Adam Vetter, Hiram Davis, trustees; John C. DeWitt, clerk.

1854.-John Yentzer, John Werley, H. Davis, trustees; J. C. DeWitt, clerk.

1855.-H. Davis, T. Frink, P. Simons, trustees; J. C. DeWitt, clerk.

1856.-A. J. Sanders, Peter Simons, Jacob Von Blon, trustees; John C. DeWitt, clerk.

1857.-David Burns, J. Von Blon, James Keesberry, trustees; Daniel Rinsel, clerk.

1858.-Joshua Watson, P. Simons, J. Von Blon, trustees; Daniel Rinsel, clerk.

1859.-Joshua Watson, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; Daniel Rinsel, clerk.

1860.-Peter Wagner, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; Joseph Zint, clerk.

1861.-Peter W Wagner, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; J. W. Lantz, clerk.

1862.-Peter Wagner, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; George M. Shumaker, clerk.

1863-04.-AVilliam Smith, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; George M. Shumaker, clerk.

1865.-Thomas Rinehart, J. W. Lantz, C. Wagner, trustees; J. F. Frink, clerk.

1867.-Thomas Rinehart, A. J. Sanders, C. Wagner, trustees; J. F. Frink, clerk.

1868.-John P. Genzler, I. W. Cline, P. Wagner, trustees; AV. Beady, clerk.

1869-70.-John P. Genzler, I. W. Cline, P. Wagner, trustees; D. Rensley, clerk.

1871.-Ernst Kerrian, I. W . Cline, P. Wagner, trustees; D. Rensley, clerk.

1872.-Matt Faller, I. W. Cline, J. P. Genzler, trustees; S. Bearly, clerk.

1873.-Matt Faller, A. Vetter, J. P. Genzler, trustees; James V. Magers, clerk.

1874.-Joseph Lafontaine, J. P. Genzler, A. Vetter, trustees; James V. Magers, clerk.

1875-76.-Joseph Lafontaine, Thomas Rinehart, A. Vetter, trustees; James V. Magers, clerk.

1877.-Nick Marks, A. Vetter, Thomas Rinehart, trustees; James V. Magers, clerk.

1878.-Nick Marks, Dominick Arndt, Thomas Rinehart, trustees; James V. Magers, clerk.

1879.-Nick Marks, Dominick Arndt, John Mathias, trustees: James V. Magers, clerk.

1880-81.-Michael Goshe, D. Arndt, N. Marks, trustees; B. J. Murphy, clerk.

420 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

1882.-M. Goshe, D. Arndt, John Mathias, trustees; B. J. Murphy, clerk.

1883.-John N. Kinn, John Mathias, D. Arndt, trustees; William Haines, clerk.

1884.-Paul Huss, N. Kinn, John Mathias, trustees; William Haines, clerk.

The officers of Big Spring Township, elected in 1885, are Paul Huss, Nicholas Kinn, A. W. Simonis, trustees; William Haines, clerk; Charles Shubert, treasurer; Peter Goshe, assessor, William Haines, T. M. Frink, I. W. Cline, and Charles Shubert, justices of the peace; J. Vetter, and Joseph Wullen schneider, constables.

Schools.-The township of Big Spring was laid off in six school districts, June 22, 1838. The people of Big Spring Township voted on the question of selling the school lands of that township, June 22, 1850. Samuel Young, Theo. M. Frink and Hiram Davis were judges. There were fifteen votes cast. October 25, 1851, a sale of the west half of east half of Section 16, Town 1, Range 13 was sold to John Houck for $270, and of the west half of west half of Section 16, Town 1, Range 13 to Theo. Pierce for $270. Those tracts were sold with Liberty Township lands. The remaining tracts were not sold owing to want of purchasers at appraised price. September 3, 1853, the east half of the east half of Section 16, was sold to M. Zinder for $275, and the east half of the west half to Jesse Boucher for $264. The following statistics give the state of the schools in Big Spring Township, outside the villages, for the year ending August, 1884: Local tax, $2,362.76; total receipts, $4,513.06; expenditures, $3,373.11; number of schoolhouses, 9; value of property, $4,000; number of teachers, 14; average pay, $41 and $29; number of male pupils, 154; of female, 88.

Statistics.-The assessment in 1841 gave the following figures: 24,721 acres of land and improvements, valued at $38,474; value of town lots, $1,544; 139 horses, valued at $5,560; 483 cattle, valued at $3,864; merchants' capital and moneys at interest, $2,500; total, $51,942. Total tax, $662.26. Delinquencies of 1840, $64.27. The value of 20,885 acres of land in Big Spring Township in 1884 was placed at $617,150; 1,750 acres in Adrian School District at $73,030, and 64 acres in New Riegel Village at $22,180. The personal property in the township was valued at $216,640; in Adrian District at $31,090 and in New Reigel at $58,840, giving a total of $1,018,930. This sum equalized according to population of 1880 would give to each of the 2,048 persons, then forming the population, $497.50. The total tax levied in 1884-85 was $9,625.30 and $150 dog tax. The actual value of the township may be placed at $2,800, 000.

The general statistics of Big Spring Township for 1884 are as follows: Acres of wheat, 5,154-product of 1883-84, 27,557 bushels; 15 acres of rye produced 202 bushels; 16 acres of buckwheat, 87 bushels; 1,315 acres of oats, 42,440 bushels; 2,594 acres of corn, 62,245 bushels; 1,575 acres of meadow yielded 1,290 tons of hay; 732 acres of clover produced 740 tons of hay and 925 bushels of seed; 116 acres of potatoes yielded 15,019 bushels; home-made butter, 36,060 pounds; 8 acres of sorghum, 637 gallons of syrup; maple trees produced 29 gallons of syrup; 77 hives yielded 605 pounds of honey; eggs, 11,845 dozens; orchards, 295 acres--3,771 bushels of fruit; acres of land cultivated, 11,412; acres of pasture land, 5,611; acres of woodland, 3,859; total acreage, 20,882; pounds of wool, in 1883, 4,096; milch cows, 534; dogs, 150; animals died of disease--hogs, 917; sheep, 108; cattle, 20; horses, 14.

Pioneers and Old Settlers.-When the first permanent settlers arrived in the town ship, they literally- stepped in the tracks of the original owners, who

BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. - 421

just moved out to give them place. The locality subsequently named Springville, was the only garden spot in the township, and around it the first settlements were made, within a year or two of the period when the township was organized. South of the township line the families of Asa Lake and Nehemiah Earls settled as early as 1819, Daniel Hodges in 1821, Christopher Baker, William Brown and John James in 1822, John Carey in 1823, Smith Kentfield in 1825 and Hiram J. Starr in 1830. Many of those pioneers of the Delaware and Wyandot country were acquainted with the big spring, coming and going over the Wyandot trail from the Big Spring Reservation to the Upper or Twelve-Mile Reservation, so that when the pioneers of this township arrived they were within easy distance of the pioneers of what is now Wyandot County . William Brown entered his lands, just south of the base line, in 1822, and mad be counted among the pioneers of the township. The Jenkins brothers were early traders, and, it is believed, the first white residents of Big Spring. The Braytons, pioneers of Tymochtee Township, Wyandot County, came in 1832: the Knowltons, Bogarts, Mullhollands, Hendersons, Youngs, Springers, Peer:; and Reynolds were all here prior to organization.

The year 1833 witnessed the true beginnings of settlement, and immigra tion then commenced and continued to flow in for years, until the whole township was peopled with as industrious and good a class of citizens as it is the fortune of any county to possess.

Stephen Bearld, or Beardly, purchased the west half of northeast quarter Section 12, from Jacob Haser, in 1833, and entered on its improvement . . . . Hiram Bogart, E. Bogart and Cornelius Bogart were among the very early settlers . . . . Elijah and Anna (Holebrook) Brayton, parents of Peter Brayton, natives of Vermont, where they married and lived for a few years thereafter, moved to Fremont, Ohio, in 1814, thence about 1816 to Huron County, and later to Wyandot County, where they remained until 1832, when they settled on what is known as the Big Spring Indian Reservation; Mrs. Brayton died here in 1851; Mr. Brayton in 1868 . . . . .William Brayton, son of Elijah Brayton, and brother of Matthew Brayton, who was lost in the woods in 1825, moved into Big Spring Township in 1832; is now in Wyandot County; Matthew was lost as mentioned when a child of eight years, while searching for cattle with his brother William, and about 1859 a captive appeared who stated that he was captured by the Copperheads, a band of Canadian Indians, who named him Ohwa-owah-kish-me-wah. In 1851 this man married Tefronia or Tame Deer, daughter of O-wash-kah-ke-naw, and by her had two children: Tefronia and Qululoe. Thirty-four years after the capture the Cleveland Herald contained an advertisement of a captivo who did not know his original name. William Brayton, now living, proceeded to Now York State, having with him a description of the marks on the boy, and there, in the house of one Smith, he found his alleged brother, but, on closer investigation, the stranger proved to be one of the Todd family, of Michigan, who was known as William Todd. He entered the army in 1861 and died at Nashville. The fate of Matthew Brayton is unknown . . . . . Landelin and Elizabeth Brosemer, natives of Baden, where they married, came to America about 1832, and settled on the farm now occupied by their son, who was born in this township in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Brosomer afterward lived in New Riegel until Mrs. Brosemer's death, caused by a team of horses running away. Landelin Brosemer was born in 1803; died in 1885 . . . . . The Bakeis family, of whom Nicholas Bakeis is a member, have resided for over forty-three years on their homestead.

George and Nfarlv Cline, natives of Maryland, and parents of Mrs. William

422 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Johnson, came from Lancaster County, Penn., to this county about 1836, and here the former died in 1861, and the latter in 1856.

Frederick and Frederica Dible (both deceased), parents of Mrs. John Luzander, born here in 1838, were early settlers of the township . . . . .Isaac and Eleanor De Witt, parents of Mrs. Samuel Kiser, of Loudon Township, were pioneers.

Anderson and Julia Ewing, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of John F. Ewing, of Adrian, came from Pennsylvania, in 1840, to this county, where Mrs. Ewing died in 1847; Anderson Ewing subsequently married, and removed into Wyandot County, whore he died in 1875.

Theodore M. and Sabrina (Torrey) Frink, natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1804, the latter in 1808, came to this township in 1837, from Tymochtee Creek, where they spent the winter of 1836; Mrs. Frink died in 1855.

Jacob Gwyer was in the township in 1832, but was not a settler. Many depredations were credited to this old resident of Stark County while among the first settlers of Seneca County. About the time of the Michigan conspiracy case he was arrested on a charge of murder, escaped from prison, and completed a bad career by suicide . . . . John and Margaret (Limbauch) Grins, natives of Belgium, carne to Seneca County in 1847, and here Mrs. Grine died in 1839 . . . . John and Elizabeth Guilliam (both deceased),,parents of Mrs. John Mathias, were early settlers in this county.

Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Titler) Harsh, natives of Wayne County, Ohio, born in 1823 and 1829, respectively, came to the township in 1848 . . . . Charles Henderson was an early settler . . . . John Hile settled in the township at an early day; died in 1869 . . . . Nicholas and Catharine Huss, and their son Paul, all natives of Germany, the latter born in 1843, came direct from the fatherland to this county in 1846, where Mrs. Huss died in 1873. Nicholas Huss and his son Paul are now residents of New Riegel.

Ben Jenkins, the trader at the Big Spring, was among the first settlers of the township, and with John Jenkins caused the site of Springville to be surveyed into town lots . . . . Lewis and Margaret Jenny, natives of Europe, parents of Mrs. Francis Kalmes, came in an early day to this township, where they died . . . . . Archibald Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Big Spring Township about 1820; was killed by lightning in 1845; his widow died in 1879.

Francis Kalmes, a native of Belgium, born in 1822, came to this county in 1846 . . . . A. J. Kinney, born in New Jersey in 1807, came from Wyandot County, Ohio, about 1843, and settled here . . . . Austin Knowlton, born in Massachusetts in 1809, has resided in this county since 1830, and is called the " Father of Big Spring." Mrs. Rhoda Knowlton (widow of Timothy Knowlton, who died in Massachusetts in 1823), mother of Austin Knowlton, after her husband's death moved with her family to Wyandot County, Ohio, and after remaining there a few years settled here, where she died at age of eighty-six.

Joseph Lafontaine and his parents (Nicholas and Mary Lafontaine), all natives of Belgium, came to America in 1841, and settled in Big Spring Township, where the parents died .... Christian and Catharine Lenner, natives of Bavaria, where they married, came to New York in 1831; to Stark County, Ohio, in 1832, and in 1837 to this township, where Mrs. Lenner died in 1876; Christian Lenner lives with his son Daniel . . . . John Lugader, born in Ross County, Ohio, in 181.4, came from Wyandot County to this county in 1833.

John B. Martz and his parents, Henry and Margaret Martz, all natives of Belgium, came direct from their native land, in 1846, to Big Spring Township, where the parents died . . . . Nicholas and Theresa Marks, natives of Germany,

PAGE 423 - PICTURE OF JOHN SEITZ

PAGE 424 - BLANK

BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. - 425

where they were married, former born in 1809, latter in 1823, came direct from their native land to this County in 1850, and settled in this township . .Joseph E. and Mary A. (Sneeringer) Magers, pioneers of Stark County, Ohio, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, settled in Seneca County in 1852; the present clerk of Seneca County is their eldest son . . . . Lewis and Josephine Mathias, natives of Europe, settled hero at an early day, and here their son Nicholas, of New Riegel, was born in 1849; Lewis Mathias died in 1878; his widow survives him . . . . Lewis and Clara Mathias (both deceased), natives of Luxemburg, Germany, came to America in 1840, and settled here . . . . Mack and Eliza McCullough, parents of Mrs. John F. Ewing, of Adrian, settled in this county in early times, thence moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, where they died . . . . John and Magdalena Miley, natives of Virginia, parents of Mrs. Jacob Black, came, about 1828, to Seneca County, where Mrs. Miley died in 1856, Mr. Miley, in 1874 . . . . Dr. John Montgomery, after a long and painful illness, died at Adrian, January 29, 1885; Dr. Montgomery had been a resident for a great many years and was widely known . . . . Hugh Mullholland was elected the first treasurer of the township in April, 1833.

John Poor and Philip Peer settled in the township, previous to its organization . . . . Nichols and Elizabeth Plenz, natives of Germany, parents of Mrs. Paul Huss, of New Riegel, came here about 1848, and have ever since resided here.

Richard Reynolds was a settler prior to 1833, in Big Spring Township.

Anthony Schindler, who settled on Section 12, Big Spring, in 1833, may be considered one of the pioneers of the German colony . . . . Charles Schindler settled on his farm in 1835 . . . . Christian and Elizabeth Schlemmer (both deceased), parents of Mrs. Jacob Herbert, were early settlers in the county .. .. Adam and Kathrina (Effort) Simonis, natives of Germany, parents of Peter Simonis, of Fostoria, were among the pioneers of this township . . . . Conrad an (I Elizabeth Smith, natives of Germany, parents of John M. Smith, came to Seneca County in 1834, where latter died in 1870, former in 1880 . . . . Timothy and Catharine Smith, natives of New York, parents of William Smith, of Big Spring Township, who was born in 1815, in New York State, came to Seneca County in 1833, and here died, former in 1853, latter in 1883 . . . . Jacob Spraw, a native of Bavaria, born in 1809, came to Ohio in 1832, locating in Big Spring Township . . . . Andrew Springer was one of the first American pioneers.

Henry Tull, born in Luxemburg, Germany, in 1819, came to America in 1849, locating in this county.

Dr. A. S. Uberoth, one of the physicians of the township, was mangled to death by a train on the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad, February 16, 1883. His watch, umbrella and other articles were found scattered along the track. This showed that he had been dragged by the train for some dis tance and met with one of the most horrible deaths which it is possible to depict.

George Wehrle, of Now Riegel, who settled in the township in 1833, was the first president of the village . . . . Michael Wagner, one of the oldest inhabitants of this county, died at Now Riegel, September 9, 1885, aged one hundred and two years . . . . John and Elizabeth Wullenschneider, natives of Germany, married in Licking County, Ohio, and settled here many years ago, where former died in 1860 .. . . . . Joshua Watson was one of the first settlers;, his name is almost forgotten.

John Young and family settled in Big Spring in 1833, and were among the first settlers in the wilderness . . . . Samuel and Isabella Young, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. Jonathan A. Haines, were married in Wayne County,

426 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Ohio, where they remained until 1833, then came to this township, where Mr. Young died in 1859; his widow remarried and now resides in Adrian; Mrs. J. A. Haines was born in Seneca County, in 1835.

Nimrod and Mary Zender, native of Switzerland and Luxemburg, respectively, came here at an early day, where they died. Here their son Joseph was born in 1835.

ADRIAN VILLAGE.

Oregon (now Adrian) was surveyed by R. M. Shoemaker, in February, 1844, for Erastus H. Cook and DeWitt C. Henderzon, on west half of northwest quarter of Section 36, Big Spring Township. Prior to this time the location was known as Foster's Mills, under which name it was established a postal town early in the "thirties," with William White postmaster. He was succeeded by John Carr, who had the office in 1847. C. O. Fenn was succeeded in August, 1885, by William Haines. The town has since been extended into Section 35.

The Business Circle is made up as follows: D. F. Bascom and Adam Vetter, blacksmiths; Isaac W. Kline, grocer, business now owned by William Haines; James Curtiss, dry goods; Lewis Etchin, boots and shoes; Shober Bros., meat market; J. H. Snyder, stoves and tinware; Miss Anna Haines, milliner; Mrs. Catherine Krell, hotel; John F. Ewing, carpenter. E. Slack's flouring-mill was burned in 1884. Dr. W. H. Paul left Adrian in the summer of 1884, and Dr. John Montgomery died here in February, 1885. C. G. Fenn has been postmaster for almost a quarter of a century, succeeding Lou Anderson and James Curtiss in that office, James Kline established a steam saw-mill in the winter of 1883-84.

Schools.-Adrian High School Association was incorporated January 13, 1869, with James C. Runneals, Frederick Hahn, Timothy B. Hawkins, James T. Ewing, James J. Zint, H. B. Curtiss, M. L. Knowlton, William Nease and Dr. J. A. Lutz, members. The object was to build a house and conduct a high school at Adrian.

The condition of the schools of Adrian, August 31, 1884, was as follows: Number of male pupils, 26, of female pupils, 34, of whom 26 were in the high school; one house valued at $2,000; 2 teachers receiving $36 and $30, each, per month; local tax, $267.44; revenue, $800.64; expenditures, 513.07.

Societies.-Adrian Protection Horse Company was organized April 20, 1874, with the following members: James J. Zint, B. Copley, L. Walton, J. R. Higgins, John Baker, John Kimble, D. Wander, Martin Wenner, John Haines, and the trustees then elected George Wander, Levi Haines, and David Leuhr.

Adrian Lodge No. 494, I. O. O. F., was organized under State law, January 20, 1877, with Joseph Zint, G. W. Shober, Louis Etchen, Jacob Bloom, W. H. Slaymaker, A. Johnson, John Greer, T. B. Hawkins, Frederick Shober, John Snyder and Josiah Haines, original members.

May Flower Grange 290, was organized at Adrian, January 30, 1877, with W. H. Coply, J. R. Higgins, Daniel Leiner, John Grier, J. W. Eckleberry, G. W. Mullholland, H. Vogle, Charles Bier, D. H. Wander and Benjamin Coply, members.

Churches.-Methodist Episcopal Church. The early records of this church -ire not to be found; the oldest record is that of the Sunday-school, which points out that the Oregon Sunday-school was organized May 17, 1845. The subscribers were Charles Foster, L. C. Anderson, Stephen McKennie, Al Yancer, William White, Anthony Frederick, Samuel Young, William Blew, J. W. Frederick, I. C. Waggoner, W. Young, Austin Knowlton, F. Waggon

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or, Peter Wenner, Levi Hare, Jacob Yancer, Al. Loy, S. H. Foster, Susan Anderson, R. Taft, Hannah Clark, Mary Whittlesey, Curtis Berry, Thomas Baker, Ira Taft, Aaron Strouse, Sarean Blew, Andrew Vance, Josiah Flack.

The early preachers at Adrian were Rev. Warner, who was here about thirty-eight years ago with Mr. Dodge and Philip Cole, 1850; James Milligan and Philip A. Drownd, 1854; Mr. Close, 1856; Mr. Biggs, R. K. Good. 1860: Mr. Holmes, 1863, and J. W. Miller, the last preacher from the Carey Circuit. In 1868 Adrian was detached from Carey, and created a circuit, with Samuel L. Boggs, preacher. In 1870 R. M. Culver came. He was followed by J. W. Hill, in 1873; I. N. Kalb, 1875-78; Philip A. Drownd, 1878; John Houghtley, 1880; Benjamin L. Rowand, 1882; Rev. M. C. Howey, the present. pastor. The society has a membership of thirty-seven. The present brick church was erected in 1854, but prior to this time, services were held in the old schoolhouse on the Knowlton farm.

The Catholic Church of St. Nicholas was founded in 1855 for the accommodation of the French population; but, from the beginning, half the membership was made up of Germans. The church, however, is known as the French Church. The pastors who leave had charge of the congregation since 1855 are named as follows: Revs. L. Melon, Bally, Dolweek, Laux, Aloes, Magenhann, Burkell, and the present pastor, Rev. Joseph P. Gloden. The house of worship, located on the highest point of land in the county, Section 23, Big Spring Township, was erected in 1856. The membership is about 500.

Universalist Church of Adrian was organized in 1870, with the following named members: John Slaymaker, Sr., and wife, J. T. Ewing, I. A.. Lombard and wife, William Haines and wife, F. Hahn and wife, S. Keenan and wife, Joseph Zint and wife. The present membership is about twenty. The church was erected prior to the regular organization in 1869, at a cost of about $1,600. The first pastor (1870) was Rev. N. A. Saxton. He was preceded by George R. Brown, of Clyde. The pastors since Rev. Saxton's time have been varied. Rev. D. R. Biddlecomb was the last preacher, who left for Akron several years ago. The organization is observed, but no regular services have been held.

Evangelical Trinity Church of Adrian was founded in 1869, by B. Popley. John Wonder, William Brayton, Eli Gear, James Loy, John Scheirman and Rev. E. B. Crouse. The church was erected the same year at a cost of about $2,000. Since George Wonder settled hero in 1871, he has been connected officially with the society. The original society was organized years ago, but never erected a house' of worship. Rev. C. M. Rinehold succeeded Rev. Mr.. Wingerd in April, 1885. The congregation numbers about fifty.

NEW RIEGEL VILLAGE.

New Riegel was surveyed by G. H. Heming in January, 1850, for Anthony Schindler. Walter Myers' addition to Now Riegel was surveyed by Heming in April, 1855, within the angle formed by Tiffin and Perry Streets. John Wer ley's addition to Now Riegel was surveyed in January, 1877.

Organic and Official.-New Riegel Village was incorporated December 2 1882, on petition of B. J. Murphy and thirty-nine other residents, presented to the commissioners of the county, December 28, 1881. The local records, however, acknowledge the order of February 5, 1883, as the act of incorporate. tion, because under this order, the first village elections wore held April 2, 1883.

The record of this election is as follows: For trustees, Andrew Worley, 42 votes; B. G. Wullenschneider, 47; Celestine Friedman, 44; N. Plenz, 29;

428 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Peter Clause, 26; John Werley, 28. The first three named were elected. Andrew Werley was chosen president, which position he now holds; Charles H. Klein was appointed clerk, which position he still holds in conjunction with the treasurership. Joseph Zender, elected first marshal in 1883, was succeeded by Joseph Wullenschneider, who is now serving (March, 1885). In June, 1884, sidewalks and street crossings were authorized, and a series of public and private improvements commenced.

Andrew W Werley, the first postmaster at New Riegel, was appointed in 1877, and served until April, 1878, when he resigned in favor of C. H. Klein, who has also been notary public since November, 1881.

The Business Circle is made up as follows: Altwise Bros., and George Klein & Son, furniture; N. Dandlinger, blacksmith; William H. Focht, F. Walter and F. M. White, physicians (Dr. J. M. Drescher has removed); Peter Huss, John Wissler, shoe-makers; C. H. Klein and J. & A. Schalk, dry goods, etc ; C. H. Klein and N. Mathias, groceries; Joseph Zender, butcher; Peiffer & Clouse, saw-mill; Smith & Clouse, agents for well augers and earth elevators; Nicholas Petty, wagon-maker; A. & C. Wangler, builders and contractors; Martin Wetzell, harness-maker; B. G. Wullenschneider, proprietor of the Empire House; Thomas Marks and John Zimmer, saloons. Joseph Plentz, who was shoe-maker here, moved to Tiffin in 1885. Andrew Werley established his grain trade here in 1881, and built an elevator the same year.

Churches.-The Catholic Church.-As early as 1825 a few Catholics moved to the vicinity of New Riegel, who were visited at intervals by the Redemptorist fathers. Ten years later Rev. Father Trebenhens, C. S. S. R., visited the neighborhood, .and has been engaged ever since as a traveling missioner, journeying on foot throughout Seneca and the adjoining counties. In 1845, the congregation of the Most Precious Blood established a mission at New Riegel, with Fathers Sales and M. Brunner and five priests of the congregation in charge. The property of the church at New Riegel is valued at $25,000, the church itself is one of the finest buildings devoted to religion in northwestern Ohio; while the monastery, convent and schools are buildings equally suited to the wants of a large religious community and a great congregation. The number of the congregation is over 600, principally Germans. The Catholic schools are attended by 160 scholars in charge of two sisters and one lay teacher.

Other religious denominations claim representation here, but are without organization or house of worship.

Schools.-The statistics of the schools of New Riegel for the year ending August 31, 1884, are as follows: local tag, $34.32; revenue, $54274; expenditures, $245.25; one schoolhouse-value of property, $450; two teachers, average salary, $35; number of pupils enrolled, 23-18 boys and 5 girls; average attendance, 11. This was set off as a special district about ten years ago. The schools of St.. Boniface in connection with the church are in charge of two sisters, and the male school has been in charge of Jacob Schiffer for the last seventeen years.

SMALL SETTLEMENTS.

Springville, on the southeast half of Section 29, Town 1 north, Range 13 cast, was surveyed in May, 1834, by D. Risdon for Benjamin and John Jenkins. Springville does not now contain any business house. Mr. Cooke carried on a store there for many years, until the building burned down.

Charles Foster, John Ganz, Adam Felter, and Eli Gehr were the first settlers at Springville.

Dr. D. Peters and Dr. George H. Scoles were resident physicians at Springville. in 1847-48; but Dr. Lang was the pioneer resident physician in 1834.

BLOOM TOWNSHIP. - 429

French Town is the name given to the French settlement, west of New Riegel, settled by the Lafountaines and others between 1840 and 1847. Comfortable homes and well cultivated farms characterize that portion of the township known under this name.

Alvadia, or Alvada, a small settlement in Section 18, was surveyed in January, 1876, by A. C. Turner for William Smith and T. J. Anderson. The business men of Alvada are Beitler Bros., general store; James Beitler, blacksmith; Louisa Ludwig, grocer; Nicholas Schira, shoe-maker; H. J. Star & Son, grain dealers; Frank Kopfler, hotel; N. Schira, Peter Nye and F. Kopfler; saloons; Benjamin L. Ludwig, postmaster.

RAILROADS.

The railroads which cross Big Spring Township are the Indiana, Blooming.. ton & Western and the Ohio Central; the former enters the township in the northeast quarter of Section 25, takes a southwesterly course, passing through Adrian Village, and leaves the township at Section 35; the latter penetrates the township in the northwest quarter of Section 2, runs in a southeasterly direction, passing close to New Riegel Village, and leaves the township at Section 13.

CONCLUSION.

This township, now one of the richest in the county, was originally settled by native citizens. To-day it is a rare thing to meet an American born resident other than the children of the German and French pioneers. who now may be called the sole possessors of the southwestern division of Seneca County.