HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SHETCHES SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. WAPAKONETA, 0.: R. SUTTON CO. 1882. COLLINS, PRINTER, PHILADELPHIA. PUBLISHERS NOTE NOTE: The following page numbers were omitted from the original book: 185, 186, 375, 376, 385, and 386. Courthouse Courthouse Courthouse Methoidist Church SEARCH ENGINE When you reach the page you have been referred to by the search engine, search this page by going to the top of your browser, click Edit and then click find on this page. Type in the desired search word and click. This will take you to the places on the page where this word is found. It will take you through all of the places that this word is found on this page 131 150 175 200 225 250 275 PREFACE DURING the past few years a marvellous interest has developed in historic research. In the physical world geologists have explored the depths, astronomers the heights, while archaeologists have revelled in the intermediate fields. Step by step investigation has advanced, sometimes pausing to learn of a plant, and yet again wringing information from a world. An uncouth skull tells its story to the osteologist, a mound to the archæologist, the bashful rocks to a geologist, and a distant world to the astronomer. Naturalists have found " Books in running brooks ; sermons in stones." Everywhere historic research has been pushing backward and farther backward, until each plant and fossil and rock has been compelled to tell something of the story of its being. This tendency, so manifest in the physical world, is also observable in the world of man. While a fossil is exhuming in the one field, a Troy is unearthing in the other, while each is asked for the narrative of its past. While one specialist seeks the development of organized life, another traces the development of organized society. By patient research the student follows the development of man from the individual on through the family, the clan, the community, the State, the nation, and back again to a foundation in the family. The mutation of nations taught the rise and fall of empire, for the ruins of one became the foundations of others. So with rulers, regardless of the power they exercised, and the splendor of their reign, for over the grave of one the sceptre of a successor is seen. At this point history became complex, and specialists entered the field to treat of particular races or independent States or nations. Even here classification became necessary to avoid incompleteness or unwieldiness. National history was then treated by periods, until political divisions suggested the local rather than the epochal method. Under this method the United States furnish a national history, each division a State history, and, finally, each county a local history. This method brought with it pioneer societies, which in turn gave rise to the publication of local histories to supply a demand already created by the pioneer associations. This unassuming volume only dares announce itself as an effort to gratify this home demand. The plan adopted naturally suggested itself on account of its chronological simplicity, and will be found to embrace five general yet distinct departments. 1st. A general Introductory ; Discovery ; The Indians ; Indian Treaties ; Indian Tribes ; Titles to Ohio ; Military Expeditions ; Mound Builders ; Indian Wars ; Life of Wayne ; Council at Greenville ; The Shawnees ; Prominent Indians. 2d. The Northwest Territory; Title of Virginia; Ordinance of 1787 ; Population ; Ohio Land Company ; Settlement ; Officers ; Forts ; Moravian Missions ; Friends at Wapakoneta ; Post-Offices. 3d. Ohio.—Ratification of States ; Constitution ; Incidents of 1812 : General Hamar ; Stephen Johnston ; John Chapman ; Post-Offices : Counties ; Territorial and State Governors ; Election and Population Statistics. 4th. Van Wert County.—The Civil Organization ; Sketch of each township, with its towns, schools, industries, and churches, supplemented by many biographical notices of residents, and deceased pioneers. 5th. Mercer County.—Narrative as Civil Organization ; Separate Townships ; Schools ; Societies ; Enterprises ; Churches ; Biographical Sketches. In the presentation of general matter which antedates the formation of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, it has been sought to present only such events as appeared to sustain a close relationship to the counties particularly under consideration. With this end in view, it was found necessary to glance back to the period of discovery, in order to trace out something of the chain of causes which brought about the formation and development of this section. In treating of the settlement it was necessary to consider the Indian tribes which held possession of the lands, and to treat of those Indians it was necessary to look hack to the discovery of America. In this research almost every step is attended by incidental events and characters which dare not be ignored. Each step, too, in search of the Indians revealed the imprints of another race so distinct that if not treated to some extent it might be confounded with the present race of Indians, and unfounded assumptions obtain. So a chapter is devoted to the mound builders, and this chapter necessitated another, devoted to archaeology and osteology. So it has been almost impossible to circumscribe the work and at me same time preserve consecutiveness, relationship, and cause and effect, even if the idea of completeness and symmetry was entirely ignored. The work, therefore, although ostensibly and really a narrative of the principal events which have characterized the formation and development of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, is necessarily much more comprehensive than its mere title indicates. In fact it has been no easy matter to determine just what material should be received and what rejected. In purely local affairs, it was difficult to determine upon a satisfactory limit, and even when this was done, such material as was generally acceptable required rare scrutiny to separate absolute truth from colored fancy, or absolute exaggeration. The object in view was the presentation of a volume (iii) iv - PREFACE. which would do justice to the several features of this community by tracing its growth from the period of its infancy. Such is the general plan of the work, and although every endeavor has been put forth to render the volume complete and reliable, we are conscious that defects and errors will be discovered. Every intelligent reader will appreciate the difficulty of preparing a work of this nature which will prove even approximately perfect, while absolute perfection need neither be demanded nor assumed. Dependent largely upon the memory of the older citizens, in the absence of any historical society's records, it will not appear surprising if every incident of settlement and growth did not find itself recorded in this volume. No pains have been spared in an earnest effort to attain accuracy and completeness. The material has been gathered from every available source, and compiled with a view to the presentation of valuable matter in an attractive Without daring to indulge the belief that this aim has been realized in every instance, it is still hoped the effort will meet the approval of those readers who, knowing the fallibility of every endeavor, do not demand absolute perfection, especially where it is least to be attained. To such readers the volume is submitted without further comment or apology. In this connection we return our thanks to all those who in any manner assisted in the collection of material, or otherwise contributed to the success of the work. Especially are our thanks due the officers of both Van Wert and Mercer counties for their many courtesies and valuable assistance throughout the prosecution of the work. Hoping the volume will not prove altogether unworthy of the effort it has cost, it is placed in the homes of the people for whom it was designed, and whose liberality rendered it a possibility. THE PUBLISHER. CONTENTS. Preface - 3 Introduction - 17 Discovery - 17 The Indians - 18 Indian Nations - 22 Habits and Implements - 22 Treaties - 23 Tribes of the Upper Ohio - 27 Titles to Ohio - 28 Early White Men in Ohio - 29 Early Military Expeditions - 29 Organization of Illinois County - 33 Western Expeditions - 34 The Mound Builders - 36 Archeology - 36 Bourneville Fortification - 37 Carlisle Fortification - 37 Sacred Enclosures - 38 Newark Works - 38 Mounds - 39 Implements - 39 Osteology - 40 Paleontology:— Mastodon Giganteus - 41 Mammoth - 43 Indian Wars :- Todd's Defeat - 45 Clarke's Expedition - 45 Harmar's Expedition - 45 St. Clair's Defeat - 46 St. Clair's Life - 48 Wayne's Victory - 49 Wayne's Life (with portrait) - 54 Greenville Council - 56 Surrender of British Posts - 70 The Shawnees - 71 Prominent Indians - 73 Northwest Territory :- Virginia Title - 78 Ordinance of 1787 - 79 Character of Population - 80 Ohio Land Company - 81 First Settlement - 81 Surveys and Grants - 82 Treaties - 82 First Officers - 83 Second Grade Government - 83 Early Laws - 83 Local Courts - 83 Organization of Counties - 83 Villages and Towns - 84 Officers - 84 Military Expeditions - 84 Legislators - 65 First Council - 85 Early Forts - 86 Moravian Missions - 90 The Friends at Wapakoneta - 98 Post Office - 102 Ohio - 103 State Constitution - 106 Incidents of tile War of 1812 - 114 Life of Harrison - 118 Life of Colonel Johnston - 120 Life of Stephen Johnston - 121 Life of John Chapman (with portrait) - 121 Post Offices in Northwest Ohio - 122 County Organization - 124 Governors - 124 Statistics - 124 United States Senators - 126 Presidential Elections - 126 Population by Counties - 127 Van Wert County:- Introduction - 131 The County - 131 Mounds - 132 Relics - 132 Early Incidents - 132 Wolves - 133 Taxes - 133 Voters in 1839 - 133 Commissioners' Journal - 133 Early Marriages - 139 Election Statistics - 140 Enumeration in 1839 - 141 Judiciary - 142 Officers - 142 Resident Attorneys - 144 County Infirmary - 144 Court Proceedings - 144 Probate Proceedings - 145 Receipts and Disbursements - 146 Justices of the Peace - 147 Military Record - 151 Founders of Van Wert - 159 County Seat - 160 Early Incidents - 163 Early Enterprises - 165 Early Institutions - 166 Incorporation - 166 Officers - 166 Newspapers - 168 Societies - 168 Fire Department - 170 Hook and Ladder Company - 170 Gas Company - 170 Manufacturing and Industrial Interests - 170 Notes on Early History - 174 Churches - 177 Biographies - 181 Pleasant Township - 190 First Inhabitants - 190 Original Land Entries - 193 Record of Marks and Brands - 193 Officers - 194 Churches - 196 Societies - 196 Biographies - 196 Ridge Township - 200 Churches - 203 Biographies - 203 Jackson Township - 211 Biographies - 211 Hoaglin Township - 212 Biographies - 215 Union Township - 217 Officers - 218 Churches - 221 Biographies - 221 Tully Township - 222 Convoy - 224 Dixon - 224 Biographies - 227 Harrison Township - 231 Churches - 232 Biographies - 232 Willshire Township - 936 Early Physicians - 240 Abanaka Station - 241 Churches - 241 Willshire - 242 Cholera - 212 Reminiscences - 241 Oration of Captain Riley - 250 Riley's Journal - 252 Biographies - 253 Liberty Township - 259 Churches - 260 Dull Station - 260 Shasta Station - 260 Biographies - 263 York Township - 269 Early Settlers - 270 Churches - 270 Jonestown - 270 Biographies - 970 Jennings Township - 273 Churches - 274 Venedocia - 274 Biographies - 277 Washington Township - 277 Delphos - 278 Middlepoint - 282 Biographies - 284 Mercer County :- General Mercer - 291 Establishment - 292 Early Observations - 192 Geology of Van Wert and Mercer Counties - 296 Political Divisions - 303 Senators - 303 Representatives - 304 Congressmen - 304 County Officers - 305 Infirmary - 306 Licensed Ministers - 306 Teachers' Institute - 306 Celina Circuit - 309 Churches - 309 Railroads - 312 A Tragedy - 113 Commissioners' Journal - 314 Military Record - 331 Population of Towns and Townships - 337 Justices of the Peace - 338 St. Marys Township - 339 Jefferson Township - 343 Celina - 343 Officers - 346 Court House - 346 Jail - 349 Schools - 349 Societies - 350 Newspapers - 350 Business Interests - 350 Churches - 351 Biographies - 352 Centre Township - 373 Neptune - 373 (v) vi - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Churches - 373 Biographies - 376 Union Township - 387 Early Settlement - 387 Civil Organization - 393 Officers - 394 Education - 397 Statistics - 398 Mendon - 398 Biographies - 399 Dublin Township - 404 Early Settlement - 404 Incidents - 407 Officers - 408 Schools - 409 Churches - 409 Shanesville - 409 Mercer - 412 Biographies - 412 Black Creek Township - 417 Early Settlement - 418 Biographies - 418 Liberty Township - 422 Churches - 423 Biographies - 423 Hopewell Township - 426 Churches - 426 Biographies - 426 Washington Township - 433 Statistics - 434 Macedon - 434 Wabash City - 436 Churches - 435 Biographies - 435 Recovery Township - 440 Fort Recovery - 441 Burial of the Remains of the Heroes of Fort Recovery - 442 Churches - 445 Monterey - 416 St. Joseph - 446 Biographies - 449 Franklin Township - 455 Montezuma - 456 Biographies - 456 Gibson Township - 458 Biographies - 458 Granville Township - 462 St. Henry - 462 Burketsville - 462 Biographies - 462 Butler Township - 468 Coldwater - 469 Philothea - 469 Biographies - 469 Marion - 473 Chickasaw - 476 St. John's - 476 Rose Garden - 476 Marysville - 476 Carthagena - 476 Colored Citizens - 476 Biographies - 479 Patrons' List— Van Wert County - 483 Mercer County - 485  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Portrait of General Anthony Wayne - 54 " Jonathan Chapman - 121 VAN WERT COUNTY VAN WERT Court House - 131 Residence of W. H. Clymer - 149 " William Smith, M.D. - 172 " Walter L. Scott - 180 " Col. I. N. Alexander - 172 " H. H. Uppegrove - 180 " and Business of Matthias Springer " 149 Patrons' Elevator and Warehouse " 225 Van Wert Carriage Works " 206 Bulletin Office, J. H. Foster " 172 Portrait of S. Swineford " 161 " Major I. D. Clark - 161 Portraits of Joseph Gleason and wife - 161 Portrait of James G. Gilliland - 161 " Robert Gilliland - 161 PLEASANT TOWNSHIP Residence of Peres M. Dix (with portraits) - 191 " Aaron Balyeat - 180 " E. R. Wells. (with portraits) - 198 " Capt. T. J. Davis - 198 Portraits of Joseph Rank and wife - 261 RIDGE TOWNSHIP Residence of Lewis Frager - 267 " Moses H. McCoy (with portraits) - 267 " J. J. McMillen (with portraits) 234 " Rufus Duprey - 205 " Samuel Arnold - 234 " J. B. Fronefield - 256 " Alex. H. McCoy - 234 Portraits of Smith Hill and wife - 202 " David McCoy and wife - 202 " Alex. McCoy and wife - 202 JACKSON TOWNSHIP Residence of B. C. Cogswell - 210 HOAGLIN TOWNSHIP Residence of A. R. Merrick - 225 " Gottlieb Mohr - 210 " Henry Rumble - 210 " Frank Carlo - 214 " Isaac Hoaglin - 214 Portrait of John W. Hoaglin - 214 UNION TOWNSHIP Residence of Michael Beck (with portraits) - 219 Daniel Snyder - 210 Store of William H. Snyder - 210 TULLY TOWNSHIP Residence of William Frech - 220. Frederick Reed - 226 " Alexander Mentzer - 220 Residence of D. Shepard Sr Son - 226 " Convoy School - 226 HARRISON TOWNSHIP Residence of Abraham Balyeat (with portraits) - 230 " Peter Hertz - 233 " John M. Sproul - 233 " Peter Germann - 256 " Jonathan McConnell - 478 WILLSHIRE TOWNSHIP Residence of Elias Dull - 238 " John W. Dull - 238 " Lenhart Dull - 237 " Frederick Shinerer - 237 " Samnel Beldon - 268 " Frederick Lillich - 256 " Dr. J. F. Shaffner (with portraits) - 247 " A. W. Chilcote (with portraits) - 247 " Fredrick Schrum (with portraits) - 209 " Mrs. George M. Schumm (with portraits) - 198 Portrait of Peter Frysinger - 261 LIBERTY TOWNSHIP Residence of John A. Smith - 262 " Simon Kiser - 262 " Peter Brubaker - 271 " E. W. Robinson - 268 " Joseph Wert - 205 " Wert Agler - 205 Store and Warehouse of J. M. Dull Sr Bro. - 271 Portraits of Martin Lintemoot and wife - 261 Portrait of Matthias Brewer - 261 YORK TOWNSHIP Residence of Abijah Goodwin - 268 JENNINGS TOWNSHIP Residence of Morgan H. Morgan - 272 Tile Works of John T. Thomas - 272 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP Residence of Henry Saum (with portraits) - 276 " George Cover - 280 " John Summersett - 280 Middleport and Flouring Mill of Priddy & Beaghler - 206 MERCER COUNTY. CELINA CITY. Court House and Jail - 288 to 289 Residence of J. F. Blizzard - 371 " John W. De Ford - 348 P. A. Ellis (Ellis house) - 366 Residence of Hon. Thomas J. Godfrey - 358 " Dr. J. N. Hetzler - 361 " Luzerne Jones - 348 " Jacob Kreusch - 371 " Hon. F. C. Le Blond - 353 Mercer County Infirmary - 307 Store and Residence of J. W. McKee - 366 Reservoir - 300 Residence of A. P. J. Snyder - 371 " T. G. Touvelle - 300 Carriage Factory and Residence of Alex. Wyckoff - 342 CENTRE TOWNSHIP Residence of Judge G. W. Raudabaugh (with portraits) - 378 " Stephen Howick - 382 UNION TOWNSHIP Residence of C. B. Collins (with portraits) - 390 and 391 " Dr. W. C. Cole - 405 " Christian Maurer (with portraits) - 402 " M. Miller (with portraits) - 396 " George W. Wooden - 371 DUBLIN TOWNSHIP Residence of Peter Dull - 414 T. J. Dull (Star Mills) - 420 Residence of Branson Roebuck - 414 BLACK CREEK TOWNSHIP Residence of Charles H. Jordan - 307 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP Residence of Uriah LaRue (with portraits) - 430 and 431 " J. Bumbauld - 443 " David Porterfield (with portraits) - 437 Salesroom of Peter Portz - 448 RECOVERY TOWNSHIP Residence of J. H. Adams, M.D. - 448 Woollen Factory - 453 Residence of W. Krenning - 453 " J. H. W. Krenning - 453 Drug Store of Nickerson & Co. - 448 Residence of J. S. Rhodes - 448 " Frederick Schneider (with portrait) - 443 FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. Residence of J. H. Monroe 420 GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP. B. Bruns Family Page - 463 Harness Shop and Residence of J. B. Drahman - 478 Store and Residence of W. H. Lemm - 474 Residence of William Simison - 474 Store of M. A. Schlegel - 478 MARION TOWNSHIP. Residence of John Link - 474 Residence, Store, and Elevator of Henry Gast - 478 Residence and Office of A. R. Greer, M.D. - 478 Residence of Joseph Wobeler - 474 MAPS. Ohio - 9 and 10 Van Wert County - 13 Mercer County - 15