YEAR	AMOUNT
1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838	$ 2,623,781 $ 3,967,781 $ 4,857,600 $14,757,600 $34,8772179 $ 6,776,236 $ 3,081,939

After Mr. Owen resigned his office as receiver of the Land Office, he kept a provision store in Tiffin, and was elected justice of the peace several times, which office he held as long as he was able to do public business, and until old age disqualified him for public life. He was a thorough politician, and perfectly at home in an office. He held office nearly all his life, and discharged every duty and trust with marked ability and fidelity; but he had very little idea of practical life outside of an office, and, like most politicians that do not know how to steal, died poor. He knew simply nothing about speculations, or the value of money. He provided and lived well while he had plenty, and when his money was gone he economized from the force of circumstances. He was a popular officer, a generous, liberal man; was strictly moral and scrupulously honest in all his intercourse with his fellow men, and was highly respected. Mrs. Owen died in Tiffin January 7, 1849, aged sixty-two years, nine months and sixteen days. Mr. Owen died September 9, 1857, aged eighty-two years, four months and one day. One son and three daughters are still living. When Mr. Owen resigned the office of receiver of the Canal lands Governor Lucas appointed Mr. Timothy Griffith, of Columbus, his successor. Mr. Owen was a short man, being only about five feet and two inches high; he had a heavy head of dark brown hair, strongly marked features, light blue eyes; was stoutly built, fleshy, and withall active. He was a great reader, and very interesting in political conversations. He was well acquainted with nearly all the leading politicians of his time. While Mr. Owen held the office of receiver of the canal lands, at - 20 - 306 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. Tiffin, great quantities of land were sold, and the money paid was all gold and silver. The state lid furnished Mr. Owen an iron Chest to put his money into; it looked like a block of iron two feet square. When it was full he hired a team to haul it to Columbus. One time Daniel Dildine, Sr., with his team, and Mr. Owen, on their way to Columbus with the chest, stopped at a hotel in Marion for the night. The hotel was crowded with all sorts of customers, and there was a great deal of carousal going on. What to do with the iron chest they did not know, but were of the opinion that it would not do to take it into the tavern, for it took four men to put it into the wagon Finally they concluded to leave it in the open yard in the open wagon, simply covering it with a little straw. The next morning everything was found all right. Nobody suspected that the two old farmers had $8o,000 in gold in that old wagon. For those who have a curiosity to read the Mohawk Indian, and further, to preserve a specimen of it from utter oblivion, there is attached hereto the 2d verse of the 6th chapter of St. Mark, followed by a translation of the same. into Mohawk : " And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue; and many hearing him were astonished, saying : From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?" TRANSLATION. " Neonione onea Wa-aweandadogeaghdane, tahhadaghsawer waghsakorihhonnyea et-hone synagogue ; neoni yawetowanea yakott, hoende na-ah, wa-akorighcoaneghragoh, wairough : Kah oughdenoe tahhawe nekea—ea Tfinikarihhodease? neoni oghna Kamikoughrodea oughte ne roewawyh, ne kinongkeah n'agwagh Kayodeaghferas-hatsde yoyo'dch ne Rasno'nke? ANDREW LUGENBEEL Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1806. On the 11th of September, 1832, he was married to Elizabeth Baltzell, of that county, who was a sister of Thomas Baltzell, formerly living in Seneca township, and of Dr. Kuhn's first wife. Soon after his marriage Mr. Lugenbeel moved to Seneca county, where he resided up to the time of his death. When the writer first got acquainted with Mr. Lugenbeel he was a partner in the mercantile business with Jacob Stern, in Tiffin. About 1834 he bought the land of Joseph Janay, where, in 1836, he b gilt a grist mill on the river bank, a short distance south of town, that h is ever since, and until very recently, been known by the familiar name of " Lugenbeel's mill." Mr. Lugenbeel took charge of the mill himself, and soon made it the most popular mill on the river. ANDREW LUGENBEEL - 307 After his appointment as one of the associate judges of the Seneca common pleas, he was familiarly called " Judge Lugenbeel," which title he retained to the time of his death. He took a very active part in public affairs, and was very successful in all his undertakings. He became one of the most popular, as he was certainly one of the most eminent, men in Seneca county. He was a man of clear views,. naturally philosophic in his thoughts, of strong, clear, sound judgment, of polished manners without the least ostentation; a safe counselor, a true friend, kind, benevolent; ,a man of enlarged views, broad-gauged and generous. He was beloved, by his intimate friends and esteemed by all. file was one of the originators of the Seneca county infirmary, and one of its first directors. He held a number of township offices also, and filled the bill wherever he was placed. The writer heard Judge Bowen say, at one time, that amongst all the associate judges in his very large circuit, there was not one the equal of Judge Lugenbeel for sound judgment and capacity. About 1843 Mrs. Lugenbeel died, and the judge married Miss Jemimah Souder, December 11, 1845. The judge died December 10, 1863, in the fifty-eighth year of his age, without a child, leaving his estate, which was regarded as one of the best accumulations in the county, to his widow, who still survives him, but who seems to be either very indifferent or else knows but little about the judge, or both. Judge Lugenbeel was about five feet nine inches high; had a fair complexion, very florid face, high forehead, blue, deep-set eyes, clenched lips; his face was always shaved smooth, and he never wore a beard. He was slow and dignified in his conversation, but whatever he said was solid. He never indulged in frivolous talk, and enjoyed conversation that required deep, sound thinking. He died while the country was in her throes of war, and his memory is fast becoming obliterated; but while he lived he was a true man and a most excellent citizen. JOHN PITTENGER Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the 16th day of January, 1778.; was the oldest son among twelve children, two sisters being older. He was married to Julia Ann Gibson, at Graceham, in the same county, June 22d, 1817. Mrs. Pittenger was born April 12th, 18o1, and is still living, now residing with her eldest living daughter, Mrs. R. R. McMeens, at Sandusky City, Ohio. There were nine children as the fruit of this marriage, five sons and four daughters, five of whom are still living, viz: Mrs. R. R. McMeens, at Sandusky City; J. H. Pitten- 308 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ger, attorney-at-law, at Tiffin, Ohio; Mrs. M. E. Stem, at Sandusky City; Mrs. H. S. Kendig, at Tiffin, Ohio, and Charles W. Pittenger, at West Liberty, Ohio. John Pittenger worked on his father's farm, where he was born, until he was over thirty years of age, and when losing his health he moved to Graceham, a small Moravian village, in Frederick county,.where he entered into the mercantile business, and which he continued until he removed to Tiffin with his family, in 1829 He came to Ohio first in 1823 or 1824, passed down to Cincinnati. Sitting on his horse on a hill overlooking the embryo city, he came to the conclusion that there was nothing there to make a city, and rode on down to North Bend, where he thought the prospect was better. From there he passed north through Indiana, crosses the Black Swamp into Seneca county. Here he was pleased with the fine timber and the streams, and concluded to locate here. In the fall of 1825, he sent a stock of goods by wagons from Baltimore, Maryland, and opened the same in the name of J. and B. Pittenger. Benjamin Pittenger is a younger brother, still living, and familiarly known by the name of Judge Pittenger. Leaving his brother Benjamin in charge of the store, he returned to Maryland. The store and building have already been described. The business was thus carried on until 1834. In 1837 Mr. John Pettinger carried on the business in his own name, until 1844 or 1845. In 1832 the .two brothers started the tannery on Perry street, already mentioned, and conducted the same until they sold it to Fleming and Schock, about the year 1839. Mr. Pittenger was an active and industrious man. He carried on a farm on lands he entered in this county. He was constantly employed at something, and when he quit public life he started a nursery on the south side of Market street, on the lot now occupied by the "Turners' Hall " and Mr. John Nuser's residence. Here he busied himself with budding and grafting trees for a number of years. He became a member of the Methodist church at an early age, and remained a consistent member all his life. His home in Graceham was a general stopping place for ministers of all denominations. Father Purcell, now arch-bishop of Cincinnati, frequently accepted his hospitality when he was at Emmitsburgh. Even after he moved to Tiffin he often entertained Methodist ministers at his house. He crossed the mountains on horseback nine times, between Frederick county, Maryland, and Seneca county, Ohio, upon the same horse—old Major—averaging fifty miles per day. The old horse, which lived till its twenty-sixth year, was a fine racker, but refused to work in harness. JOHN PITTENGER - 309 While Mr. Pittenger was a man full of energy and business, he was quiet and unobtrusive. He was not very talkative; there was no flattery or blarney about him. He was sincere and earnest in his dealings with men. He was a large, muscular and bony man, not fleshy, but well built. He had a large head, clear blue eyes, an expressive face, and as the weight of years made their mark upon him his head became bald, his hair and beard white, and his once powerful frame broken down, so that towards the evening of his life he was quite stoop shouldered. He was a decided Whig, but never a leader in politics. He died on the loth day of October, 1857, at the ripe age of seventy-nine years, nine months and four days. BENJAMIN PITTENGER Was a younger brother of John Pittenger. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the 29th day of January, 1798, on a farm, where he was raised. On the 941 day of September, 1825, he was married to Theresa Creeger (already mentioned), and located in Tiffin in December of the same year. His wife died here December 8, 1847, at the age of forty-two years, leaving five children. Mr. Pittenger was married again on the 13th day of December, 1849, to Miss Mary Ann Hunter, who also died August 15, 1877. Mr. Pittenger was one of the first associate judges of Seneca county, holding that position two terms (fourteen years), and was therefore familiarly known by the name of Judge Pittenger. He never was very fond of work, and therefore unlike his brother John. who was always busy. The judge was one of the early leaders of the Whig party in the county, and continued thus until that party fought its last battle under General Scott, in 1852; and when, in 1856, the Republican party was organized and John C. Fremont nominated for President, he attached himself to that party, and has voted with it ever since. The judge and his brother John were in partnership in Tiffin, in the mercantile trade, and in the tannery already described. They sold the tannery to Fleming and Schoch, in 1839. Some twenty years ago the judge moved to his farm, about two miles from the city on the Melmore road, where he still resides. He has two sons, both married, and three daughters—Mrs. J. M. Naylor, Mrs. Ed. Naylor and Mrs. Al Buskirk. Judge Pittenger, in the full vigor of his life, had a very straight carriage, was about six feet two inches high, had a full head of hair, bushy eye-brows, a long face and rather large nose He resembled General Jackson very much. But the eighty-two years of life that have passed 310 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. over his head, have left it very white, and broken down his .physical powers very materially. The judge was not a man of great force or character, but honorable, dignified, kind and sociable. JOHN AND LOUISA FIEGE. There were also many mechanics in Tiffin who failed to make a success. This is a world of cause and effect, and, to a great extent, just as we make it. John Fiege came to Tiffin from Germany in 1834, a cabinet maker by trade. He was a good mechanic, a kind, clever man, and strictly honest in his dealings. He built up a large trade, and accumulated property rapidly. In 1836 he was married to Mary Louisa, oldest daughter of Philip von Blou, who located in Tiffin about that time and soon moved onto a farm in Eden township, where he lived a long time. Mrs. Fiege was born in Waldmohr in the Bavarian Palatinate, on the 8th day of December, 1813. John Fiege was born in Oedelsheim, in the Electorate of Hesse, July 3, 1811. They had ten children in all, of whom three sons are still living, now familiarly and favorably known as the "Fiege Brothers," carrying on the most extensive furniture and undertaking business in the city. John Fiege was drowned in a millrace March 31st, 1869. Mrs. Fiege died December 29th, 1874. Both were among the most highly esteemed people in Tiffin. CHRISTIAN MUELLER AND VALENTINE SCHMIDT Were brewers and coopers by trade. They came to Tiffin in 1847, from Bavaria. They produced lager beer in 1848, which is thought to have been the first in Ohio. In 1854 they erected a new brewery on River street, and conducted the business together until 1860, when Mr. Mueller bought Mr. Schmidt's interest, and carried on a very extensive business. He turned Schmidt's brewery into a malt house in 1872. Mueller's beer is celebrated all over Ohio and the west. Mr. Mueller had promised to write out a little history of the breweries in Tiffin, but, like so many of our good intentions, it was left undone. "Christ. Mueller," as he is familiarly called, is a very clever and congenial gentleman. excellent social nature, and a fine conversationalist. He is a great lover of music, and was one of the most active among the founders of the "Bruderbund," a German singing association that was organized in 1854, and is still in existence. He has a large family, and with the great industry and energy necessary to THE GREAT FIRE - 311 conduct his very extensive operations, he still preserves his youthful appearance; nor has he lost any of his innate jocular and friendly disposition. Valentine Schmidt died some fifteen years ago. THE GREAT FIRE OF 1872. The greatest losses by fire that Tiffin ever suffered, at any one time, occurred on the 13th of April, 1872. A very full description of 'it is found in the Tiffin Tribune of the 18th of April, 1872, from which I copy : TERRIBLE FIRE! TWO SQUARES BURNED OVER! 70 BUILDINGS DESTROYED! $90,000 IN PROPERTY BURNT UP! FIRE AN UNRELENTING MASTER! FULL DETAILS OF THE FIRE OF SATURDAY. Saturday, April 13, 1872, marks an epoch in the fire history of Tiffin that will never be forgotten by those who witnessed the terrible conflagration. About two o'clock and forty minutes, the alarm of fire was given in the second ward, and in a moment the fire bells of the city were ringing out the loud clamor of danger. During the day the wind had been blowing a gale, from a northwesterly direction, and when the alarm was given it was seemingly at its height. The different fire companies hastened to the second ward, together with the citizens generally; nearly everybody started immediately in the direction where the fire was supposed to be, with a seeming intuition that there was work to be done that would require the assistance of all. Upon reaching the ground it was discovered that fire was burning on the roof of Mrs. A. Rawson's house, on Miami street, and the roof of the store occupied by A. McNeal, on Sandusky street, all connected with each other. The engines were immediately put to work, one at a cistern near the engine house, and the other nearly opposite McNeal's store. In a few minutes the engine in front of the store had to move from the cistern, after working hard, as the heat was unendurable. The other engine got to work immediately, and was doing good execution, when the water in the cistern gave out. This necessitated a change in these two engines, with their hose, and gave the fire a free field, with but one engine to work on it. The wind seemed to gain in fierceness, and the building was one mass of flames. In the meantime, a large number of citizens had been carrying out and saving all that was possible of the furniture in the .house, and goods from .the store. 312 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. On the opposite side of Sandusky street, right directly in the 'Ace of the wind and fire, the hook and ladder companies and citizens were on the roof of Ogle's store and the dwellings in the rear, busy with buckets of water to save them. The fire raged higher and fiercer, and these buildings had to be deserted, as the heat was too intense to be endured. Just at this time, about fifteen minutes after the fire was discovered, the word went around like magic that four barns were in flames, and a few rods in the rear and a little north of Ogle's store; so intently was the attention of every one directed to the first building on fire, and 'saving those near, that these barns were not discovered until every part of them was on fire and the flames were shooting up nearly one hundred feet. This changed the whole face of everything. It was found that the buildings first on fire and those near had to be left to their fate, and attention turned to the saving of property ahead of the fire. All became dire confusion among those most likely to suffer immediately from the flames.. Attempts were made to save the buildings with buckets of water, and removal of furniture began. Women and children were crying with fright, and the owners of property, with pale faces and compressed lips, saw the impossibility of saving their houses. Scarcely had the fire in the barns above mentioned been discovered, when flames were seen leaping up from Le Baron's stave factory, sixty rods or more distant. This burned fiercely, and the wind from a gale became almost a hurricane. Burning shingles, boards, coals and sparks flew in every direction, and ignited everything they touched. Fires were kindled in every direction; at this time, twenty-five minutes after the first alarm, upwards of fifty buildings were blazing furiously. The flames leaped from building to building; dense volumes of smoke covered the doomed ground, and it seemed that nothing but an interposition of Providence could stay the destruction. In thirty-eight minutes after the fire started, the roof of the house of Mr. Singer, on the east side of Washington street, was nearly burnt off, while everything inflammable between that and McNeal's corner was in flames. It was impossible to keep track of the buildings as they caught fire, for the fire seemed to start in every direction, with the regularity of the ticking of the clock. Earnest, terrible fighting was done, but the heat was intense and showers of fire so great that the people were helpless in what is now called "the burnt district." A DESPERATE FIGHT. We arrived at Sneath's warehouse, Kaup's planing factory and depot. Here the desperate fight of the day was made. The fire was making fearful ravages and rapidly approaching these buildings which are divided from the burnt district by the railroad. Had the fire got into these large buildings, the Ohio Stove works, over forty residences, and Cunningham's mill would have been burnt, and the fire would have crossed the river and the business portion of the town would have been doomed. The two steamers were put to work at this point, and a large number of citizens took hold and worked with the firemen. Benner's house and barn and Bartell's saloon, directly opposite Sneath's warehouse, were burning fiercely. The water 'house and sheds of the railroad, with large piles of wood opposite the planing factory and the depot, were burning terribly. THE GREAT FIRE - 313 In the warehouse, Smoyer & Bro. had 50,000 bushels of wheat, and 20,000 bushels of oats. The oats were in the upper story under the roof, and the precaution of bringing in pails there, had been taken. Six men were on the oats to watch the sparks which were blown under the shingles. As these sparks fell, they would throw water on them and extinguish them. On the outside, men were on the roof with pails, and the fire company threw water onto the front, together with fighting the Benner and Bartell fire. The same work was done on the planing factory and depot, both of which were on fire inside and out several times. At one time the depot was in flames, and it was thought that it was doomed ; the freight was partially removed. However, hose was got onto the roof, and the building was deluged and saved. No conception of this can be pictured on paper. It was a dead fight between seething flames on one side and desperate men intent on saving hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property on the other. The latter prevailed. Another very important key to the safety of the city was the saving of the house of Mrs. Glick, at the corner of Miami and Monroe. That, with the Holt house, was the only property saved on that square. A number of young men to hold there, and, with buckets of water, kept the fire away from it, or rather extinguished it whenever it burst out. The heat was so intense that those working had to cover their faces with wet cloths. It was saved after a determined fight, and after it was on fire several times. We say this was another key to the safety of other property from the fact that directly opposite was an old dwelling that would have gone ; next to that a frame, and so on, building after building, until the Cunningham warehouse was reached ; all of which would have burnt, and the end would have been the destruction of all the factories and business portion of Tiffin. It was a fearful time, and one we do not wish to witness but once in a life time. The fire companies, as companies, and individually, did all it was possible for them to do. They were promptly on hand, and when the labor of the citizens was done, they kept at work, worn out as they were, till late on Sunday. They hung to their work faithfully and well. About forty-five minutes after the fire started the entire property destroyed was in flames. The fire from Singer's house passed intervening buildings and ignited the pump-shop of Fishbingh. and two houses, all of which were burnt. In the meantime fighting fire was done on all the buildings in that section. The fire crossed the river and started Smith's brewery to burning, and the woods, trees and fences beyond for one and one-half miles from the starting place of the conflagration, but no damage was done. On the square first burnt, the furniture, bedding, etc., in many cases were removed to streets adjoining and left, as was supposed, in safety, but when looked for were found burnt up or on fire. The city council telegraphed to Sandusky for help, but receiving no answer, did so again, and finally informed Sandusky that the fire was approaching the railroad bridge. Then the track was cleared by telegraph, and the engine reached Tiffin in forty minutes from the time she started, and 314 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. threw water in less than one hour from the ti me she left Sandusky. After working one half hour she collapsed a flue, She was well handled up to that time, and Sandusky deserved Tiffin's compliments. THE SUFFERERS AND THEIR LOSSES. The larger portion of these losses are sustained by men in moderate circumstances, who cannot well bear the blow. Some are laboring men who have secured a home by hard knocks, and were thus left homeless.

Sandusky street—west side:
McNeal, goods in store Mrs. Rawson's buildings	$ 2,000 3,500
Sandusky street—East side:
A. & F. Ogle, two-story brick building, and dwelling adjoining, on and one-half story, and two one-story frames T. Collins, loss on goods D. C. Baughman, two-story brick and frame barn, etc. A. Meehan, two-story frame	9,000 1,900 2,000 2,000
Miami street—North side:
A. & F. Ogle, two frames, one brick and two barns A. McNeal, two-story frame house, barn and wood Mrs. Glick, frame barn and smoke-house	3,000 3,000 500
Franklin street—West side:
John Knott, house and barn. W. Shugan, two-story frame house. P. Hartner, frame barn	600 1,500 200
Adams street—South side:
P. Hartner, double House and two-story brick N. Nubel, large barn	3,800 500
Franklin street—East side:
Mrs. Bresnin, frame house	800
Adams street—South side:
D. Arndt, brick house and barn D. Bartell's brick, etc. George Benner's house and barn	4,000 4,000 1,000
Adams street—North side:
Jacob Kuhn's frame house B. Troxell's house and barn Railroad company, two-story frame, etc Railroad company, loss on freight removed and whisky destroyed	1,000 1,800 2,000 500
Franklin street—East side:
M. Kuhn, two dwellings and one barn Mr. Quinn, dwelling house L. A. Baron, stave factory T., T. & E. railroad company, ties burnt	2,500 600 15,000 500
Washington street—West side:
E. Umsted, house and barn F. J. Wagner, house and barn H. L. Kendall, brick house and barn A. Brandebury, brick house	2,500 3,000 3,500 3,000.
THE GREAT FIRE - 315
Washington street—East side:
Samuel Shade, barn, etc. F. Singer, brick house and barn	1,000 3,200
Minerva street:
George Fishbaugh, pump factory and barn, etc. Paul Miller, house and barn L. Bang, house	1,500 1,500 1,000

There were also a number of smaller losses, amounting to several thousand in the aggregate. The total loss reached $95,000. CHAPTER XX. SURPLUS REVENUE-POLITICS-FIRST POLITICAL JOLLIFICATION-TIFFIN IN THE WOODS-TIFFIN INCORPORATED-FIRST ELECTION--INCORPORATION OF FORT BALL-ITS FIRST ELECTION-INCORPORATION OF THE CITY-FIRST CORPS OF CITY OFFICERS- HARRISON NOBLE- PLANK ROADSPIKES-TELEGRAPHS-THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN. WHEN the revolutionary war ended the general government and the colonies were badly in debt; the former was compelled to repudiate, and those of the colonies that were lucky enough to have surplus lands under their old charters, were enabled to pay a large part of their debts by land scrips. Virginia and Connecticut, owning the entire northwestern territory, paid nearly all their colonial debts by these scrips, which secured the first titles to land northwest of the Ohio river. The general government struggled along with an empty treasury for many years, until finally the duties on imports and the proceeds from the sale of the public lands made her exchequer flush, and the statesmen of those days were troubled with the surplus revenue. There was no national debt, and the money accumulated in the United States treasury until it became a burden. The recommendation of General Jackson, to distribute it among the states, was approved by some and opposed by others. Some of the eastern states had no particular use for their shares, but it was a God-send to some of the states in the west, where the people suffered greatly for want of money, which was especially true of Ohio. The gross amount to be distributed was $20,000,000. The portion to Ohio was $1,423,000; and the amount that came to Seneca county was $31,756.73.03. The act passed congress and was approved by the President on the 26th day of March, 1837. By an act of the general assembly of the state of Ohio, the county commissioners of each county were made fund commissioners of this surplus revenue for their respective counties. On the 2d day of May, 1837, these commissioners distributed the such of $15,877.62.5, being the remainder of the amount coming to this county, to one hundred and fifty-eight persons, in sums of $100.00 each, secured by bond and mortgage on unencumbered real estate. This was a great relief to Seneca county, as well as to Ohio. generally. Mr. Read, the editor of the Tiffin Gazette, in concluding an editorial on this subject, May 13, 1837, said: The amount thus loaned we hope may relieve, to some extent, the pressure felt in our community, and enable many to meet their little responsibilities under which they have been laboring. The loan has had a salutary influence in establishing confidence in our institutions and relieving the pressure, which, though perhaps not as bad as it might be, is sufficiently disastrous. This testimony is here added to show the great want of money spoken of heretofore, when writing. on the Ohio canals. The general government is not troubled with a surplus of revenues in her treasury now. The interest on the national debt runs high up into the millions. Generations unborn will come and pass away, and this humble little book will be lost and forgotten, before the treasurer of the United States shall again be put to the inconvenience of distributing, among the states, moneys that have accumulated, and for which the general government has no use. POLITICS. A historian has no Tight to be partial, either in religion or in politics. When he has stated facts and events truthfully and honestly, as they occurred, he is done, and should leave others to form conclusions for themselves. Conscious of this rule, men and parties are spoken of, and the histories of churches given without favoritism or prejudice. Tolerant in all things, it is a very easy matter for a man to concede to another his right to judge for himself what is best for him in both politics and religion. Men often differ, and very honestly too, on almost every subject. Few and scattered as the settlers were in Seneca county in the fall of 1828, and removed far away from the real theatre of action, one would scarcely have supposed that then and here, under the then surroundings, party spirit would run up to fever-heat; but it did. It took a newspaper two and three weeks to reach Tiffin from the Atlantic coast. But when they came and developed new steps taken by the parties, they were discussed, and sides taken by our people, with as much vehemence as anywhere, and the Adams men, the Clay men, the Jackson men and the Crawford men, in 1828, were no more decided in their respective choice of candidates and their attachment to party, in New York or Baltimore, than they were in Seneca county. Jackson was elected 318 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. president, and the 'fight on the United States bank culminated in the removal of deposits, the vetoes of the re-charters, which agitated the whole country. Party spirit ran high in 1832, when Jackson was the Democratic candidate for re-election. Clay was the candidate and the embodiment of the Whig party. Clay and Jackson were both Masons. Great prejudices were entertained against both, and the Morgan affair was in everybody's mouth. The Masons were very much abused, and a new party was called into existence, called " anti-Mason," under the leadership of William Wirt, of Maryland, who was the candidate for president, and Amos Ellmaker, of Pennsylvania, for vice-president. The ides of November came on and Jackson was re-elected. Now the Democrats had to have a jubilee, and the first political jollification in Seneca county came off at the house of Colonel John Goodin, in Tiffin, on Thursday, the 6th day of December, 1832. Hon. David E. Owen was appointed president, and Andrew Lugenbeel vice-president. In writing up the proceedings of this meeting, Mr. E. Brown, the editor of the Patriot, the pioneer newspaper of the county, and whose columns were open to the three parties alike (for he published " Clay politics," " Jackson politics," and " Wirt politics,") said: Although many of our friends were unavoidably absent, viewing the lands in the " Seneca Reservation," previous to the sale of them, which commences on Monday next, yet the concourse was unusually large. Thirteen regular toasts (one for each of the original states,) were offered, besides a number of volunteer toasts—some witty, some less so. Amongst those who participated were Henry Cronise, George Flack, Nathan L. Wright, Joseph Graff, Colonel R. Jaqua, Uriah P. Coonrad, Gabriel J. Keen, E. Brown, Jacob Kroh, Colonel John Goodin, A. Eaton, Samuel S. Martin, J. H. Brown, E. Locke, Frederick Kishler, P, J. Price, William Anderson, John Campbell, William H. Kessler, Joshua. Seney, Andrew Mainz. The Seneca Patriot will be noticed in the chapter on the " Press." The following will show how Seneca county voted for fourteen years of its early history: In 1828—Adams, (Whig,) received one hundred and eleven majority. In 1830—Lucas, (Democrat,) received three majority. In 1832—Clay, ( Whig,) received twenty-nine majority. In 1834—Lucas, (Democrat,) received five majority. In 1836—Van Buren, (Democrat,) received one hundred and eighty-one majority. In 1838—Shannon, (Democrat,) received one hundred and thirteen majority. In 1840—Shannon, (Democrat,) received one hundred and sixty-one majority. TIFFIN AND FORT BALL - 319 In 1842—Shannon, (Democrat,) received five hundred and sixty-three majority. As a general thing the county remained Democratic ever since, with the success of an occasional opposition candidate, except in 1854 and 1855, when the Know.Nothings swept the county in a storm, electing their candidates by majorities over 1,400. The following table shows the vote of Ohio, from the years of 1828 to 1842, both inclusive:

1828—Jackson, 67,597 1830—Lucas, 49,186 1832—Jackson, 81,246 1834—Lucas, 70,738 1836—Van Buren, 96,948 1838—Shannon, 107,884 1840—Shannon, 129,312 1842—Shannon, 129,064

Adams, 63,396 McArthur, 49,668 Clay, 77,539 Findley, 67,414 Harrison, 105,405 Vance, 102,156 Corwin, 145,442 Corwin, 125,621

Maj. for Jackson, 4,201 " " McArthur, 482 " " Jackson, 4,707 " " Lucas, 3,324 " " Harrison, 8,457 " " Shannon, 5,738 " " Corwin, 16,130 " " Shannon, 3,443

TIFFIN AND FORT BALL.

There is very little about Tiffin that attracted the attention of people and answered as an inducement for new-comers to settle down here. There was nothing inviting to the immigrant. Mr. Hedges offered his lots very cheap, indeed; caused the county seat to be located here, secured the removal of the land offices here, invested money to improve the town, built houses and mills and bridges, assisted in securing the post-office on this side, and all that, but the thing dragged and exhibited very little vitality for a long time. Simeon B. Howard bought in-lots, numbers 19, 20 and 21, for $60 on credit. Lots could be bought on almost any terms.

After the few first cabins were put up in the woods, and a few trees cut away to let the sun shine down upon them, the principal streets were opened, and thus the little settlement lingered along for many years, struggling against numerous adversities. The locality was sickly. Mechanics found no employment. The few settlers already here had no money to build with. Those that brought money with them preferred to invest in land, and there was no chance for speculation with a view of immediate profit. Fort Ball seemed to have the best of it for a great while. The elite and the rich gathered there and looked down upon a Tiffinite in contempt. They had the best store over there and the post-office, and McNeil's corner was the hub of civilization.

It seemed as if they would never forgive Mr. Hedges and those that acted with him, for the location of the county seat on this side. They called the commissioners, that located the county seat, very hard

320 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

names; charged them with having been bribed, and predicted that all sorts of evils would follow. Even the purchase of Fort Ball by Mr. Hedges, failed, for a time, to allay this bitter feeling. It grew into fever-heat when the post-office was removed from Fort Ball to Tiffin, and Jacob Plane was appointed postmaster on this side, in the spring of 1829, under Jackson. Even Mr. Hoagland, the ferryman, became so incensed against Mr. Hedges that at every session of the court he would come into the court house on the second or third day of the term, take off his big stove-pipe hat at the door, walk up to the judges' desk with measured step, in his long brown overcoat reaching down to his shoes, holding in his hand a large role of manuscript, which he Would lay before one of the judges, turn round and walk out again with an air of triumph, snapping one eye at the bystanders. In this manuscript he complained of Mr. Hedges for refusing to let Hoagland take stones out of the river, and many other things.

But the little town, thus languishing, did live (as the lawyers say); slowly and gradually increasing in numbers, until about the year 1833 it numbered probably 400 souls. For fourteen years, from the time of its platting, it was under the government of Clinton township, having no government of its own until the 7th day of March, 1835, the legislature of Ohio passed an act incorporating the town of Tiffin. The act contained twenty-one long sections. It provided, amongst other things, for the limit of taxation; for the use by the town of the county jail; for the election and appointment of officers; for building of sidewalks and improving the streets; for providing fire apparatus; for punishing the sale of intoxicating liquors, etc. The town embraced the first plat and first southern addition.

There was no election held under the law in April, 1835, nor in April, 1836. Nobody seemed to care for a town government, but in June, 1836, the following notice was published in the Tiffin Gazette, viz:

CORPORATION ELECTION.

Notice is hereby given that an election will be held at the house of Eli Norris, on Wednesday, the 29th inst., for the purpose of electing officers in conformity to the provisions of the act incorporating the town of Tiffin.

GEORGE W. GIST.

NICHOLAS GEOTHIUS.

M. M. MASON.

CHARLES LEWIS.

JOHN BAUGHER.

GEORGE PARK.

M. D. CADWALLADER

 JOEL STONE

J. W. MILLER

DAVID BECK.

June 18, 1836.

At this election Dr. H. Kuhn was elected the first mayor of the town.

TIFFIN AND FORT BALL - 321

The population of Tiffin proper, in 1840, was 728; 1850, 2,718; 1860, 3,992; 1870, 5,648, and in 1880, 7,882.

Tiffin outstripped Fort Ball in population and improvements. Business clustered around the public square and along Washington street, where it is yet holding sway with a most wonderful tenacity. Tiffin is unlike many other towns in the west in this respect, where business extends into various streets; but here it must be confined in a square or two and stick there.

No reason can be given for this singular freak,' because there is no reason nor sense in it.

Fort Ball had no organization as a municipal corporation until the legislature, on the 13th day of March, 1849, passed an act authorizing an election for town officers to be held, fixing the boundary, giving corporate powers to the new town, etc.

Jacob Flaugher was elected the first mayor, James P. Pillars recorder, and J. H. Kisinger was appointed the first marshal. It was a short-lived affair, and no other election was ever held under the charter, for the organization of Tiffin, as a city of the second class, embraced both towns and allayed the old rival jealousy that had annoyed both sides so many years, and both had a right to say with Shakespeare:

" Now shall the winter of our discontent

Become glorious summer, etc."

The act, incorporating the city of Tiffin as a city of the second class. was passed March 23d, 1850. It took effect from and after its passage.

The first section provides for the boundary line of the new city, embracing both towns—Tiffin and Fort Ball—and additional territory. In the description of this boundary line is that " big sycamore tree" (mentioned before) and the little brook—both now passed away.

Section two provides for the election of not less than three nor more than five councilmen, from each ward, who, together with the mayor, constituted the " city council."

Section three provides for the division of the city into two wards; all east of the river to be the first ward, and all west to be the second ward.

Section four fixes the term of the officers to be one year, etc.

Section twenty-four provides for an election to be held in the month of April, 185o, and the place of voting to be designated by the mayors and council of Fort Ball and Tiffin jointly, and the returns to be delivered to the mayor of Tiffin.

- 21 -

322 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

Section twenty-five repeals the acts of incorporation of Tiffin and Fort Ball.

The act contains twenty-six sections; was prepared by the writer at the request of the councils of both towns, and was passed by the legislature without any change.

The first election was held on the 20th of April, 1850, and the following named persons were elected, viz:

Mayor—William Lang.

Treasurer—Robert Crum.

Marshal—Samuel H. Kisinger.

Councilmen, First Ward—William H. Gibson, William H. Keilhotz, Andrew Denzer.

Councilmen, Second Ward—Jacob Flaugher, W. M. Johnson, George C. Small.

J. W. Patterson, the last mayor of the town of Tiffin, certified the election returns.

On the 16th day of January, 1871, the city council, by ordinance, divided the city into five wards, as now. They are as follows:

First ward is all north of Market street, to the river; extending from Market street east to Circular; thence south to Rebecca; thence east along Rebecca to an alley lying east of lot 647; thence south along said alley to Main; thence east to the corporation line.

Second ward—All north of Miami to corporation line, on the left bank of the river.

Third ward—All south of Miami to corporation line, on the left bank of the river.

Fourth ward—All south of Market and west of Washington, and west of Melmore streets to the corporation line.

Fifth ward—All east of Washington and Melmore, and south of Market and the south and west line of the first ward.

The valuation of the taxable property in the city proper for 1879 was $2,403,593. The city tax for the same year was $83,087.83. For a number of years past the annual tax of the city has averaged three per cent. on the dollar valuation.

The following is a list of the

OFFICERS OF THE CITY

at this time (1880):

Mayor—Harrison Noble.

President of Council—Dr. J. F. E. Fanning.

Vice-President of Council—Dr. J. P. Kinnaman.

Clerk—C. J. M. Sullivan.

HARRISON NOBLE - 323

The treasurer of Seneca county is the treasurer of the city ex officio- City Solicitor—Perry M. Adams.

Marshal—James F. George.

Street Commissioner—Scudder Chamberlain.

COUNCILMEN.

First ward—James Love, J. P. Kinnaman.

Second ward—John Marsony, Josiah P. Baker.

Third ward—J. F. E. Fanning, Charles Sting.

Fourth ward—John B. Ehrenfried, Ronaldo A. Gray.

Fifth ward—Peter Grammes, Benjamin Shinners,

HARRISON NOBLE.

The subject of this sketch was born in Salt Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio, where his father's family lived on a farm, on the 28th day of January, 1826. When the family moved to Seneca county he was about ten years old. He attended the first school at a log school house that his father and the neighbors put up on the northeast corner of section 19, in Jackson township. It was a school house of the kind. they had in those days; a clap-board roof, pungeon floor, pungeon seats and pungeon desks. Basswood logs were split and hewed as smooth as possible, holes bored into the logs in the sides of the house, sticks driven tightly into the holes and the hewed pungeon, laid on the sticks, made a writing desk. Holes bored into another piece of pungeon and legs, about eighteen inches long, driven into them, made benches. An older brother of Harrison, Washington Noble, the oldest son of the family, taught the first school here. He had forty scholars the first winter. The house was warmed from a large fire-place put into one end of the school house that took a four foot back log. The end of the cabin was cut out and a sort of pen built on the outside. On the inside of this pen, having three sides, stones and clay were put up some five feet high for the back and sides of the fire-place. Upon this bank the chimney was raised with sticks and clay mortar. The wet clay was mixed with straw to keep it in its place and hold it together.. Some of the children had to come three miles to school through the' woods by paths and trails. It was a great hardship for some of the smaller ones when the snow was deep and the underbrush full of icicles. Water under the snow was often knee-deep. This may well be called getting an education under difficulties. Children attending the beautiful school houses in Seneca county now, can scarcely appreciate the condition of the first schools here. The large airy rooms in

324 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.

your high schools now-a-days, heated by hot-air furnaces, and Supplied with beautiful and convenient patent desks, were not to be thought of then.

When Harrison grew up to be large enough to work, he helped his father clear land, and in a few years seventy acres were cleared on the homestead farm. The boys had their sports also in those days. It was not always hard work and no play.

He was a very good coon hunter, and kept a couple of blooded coon dogs with which he would scour the country around for coon; the Crossley boys, the young Bostons, and Hollopeters, often joining him. One night Harrison got out his Indian pony, took his dogs with him and went to Mud creek, where he caught seven coons. Boys often got their " spending money " in that way.

The wolves were still very troublesome then, and people that kept sheep or pigs had to stable them for protection.

The squirrels, chip-monks and crows were so numerous and. troublesome that the people were compelled to make war upon them. Harrison often collected a lot of boys with guns and ammunition for a squirrel hunt. They appointed two captains, who picked their men one at a time, " turn about;" then they started in all directions. They were to meet at a certain place, and the party that had the least number of squirrel-tails, lost the price, which was two bushels of corn which the losing party had to furnish. The plumes of the left wings of crows, hawks or buzzards were also counted for so many squirrel-tails.

The boys also organized debating societies and spelling schools, which were held often at private houses, and which were a source of pleasure and mutual improvement.

The winters of 1844-5 young Noble spent at the college in Oberlin, and in 1846 he attended the Seneca county academy in Republic. In the winter of 1846-7 he taught a school in Tiffin, occupying one of the upper rooms in the two-story brick school house, still standing, on the north side of Market street, near the corner of Monroe and Market. Mrs. Gibbs, a Mr. Collins, and the writer were all the other teachers then employed in Tiffin. Collins was a tall, slender man, had a wife and child, was a preacher, and made terrible war on the Masons and Odd Fellows. He was going to break down their lodges and build the church of God upon their ruins. He returned to Wooster, where he formerly lived, and did not behave very well after his return. He left no ruins but his own.

In the following year Noble entered the office of his brother, Warren P., to read law. During his studies he taught a school in Liberty