250 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
making one end of the chain fast above ground, passed the other around the stump, taking what they call a rolling hitch, and rolled it out in five minutes with ease. Then he was ready for a windlass to haul up the dirt, and was offered the one used at our well. But he said that it required too much hard work to work the windlass, and he had a plan that would save all that labor, and his two sons, Benjamin Franklin and Edward Preble, could do it all, so that the other boys could farm and clear land. To accomplish this he erected an old-fashioned well-sweep. Each side of the heavy end of the sweep he erected two poles, some twenty-five feet long, like two ladders, they were fastened together at the top, and holes bored through them both ways, about a foot apart, rounds were put in the side to use as a ladder, and holes through across, about a foot apart, into which a pin could be fitted, so that when Ben wanted to go down, Ed. got astride of the butt of the sweep pulled out the pin that was through the poles above, and Ben being the older and heavier went down as Ed. went up, and when down called to Ed. put in the pin, then when the bucket was full, Ed. pulled out the pin that held up the sweep and let it down, bringing the bucket up. Then he emptied it and lowered it, when Ben held it until he climbed up his ladder inserted the pin underneath the sweep, until the bucket was filled. It was a very slow process, but the boys persevered and had gone about twenty-five feet, which was the height of his ladder, then new ones of thirty feet were erected, after much delay and labor, and the work progressed a few feet, when one morning Benjamin Franklin stepped into the tub to go down without first seeing that Edward Preble was astride, and without his counterbalance, he dropped to the bottom, which was sand and broke through into water, not being much hurt, and believing that Edward Preble was astride, thought that he must have been thrown into the air like a stone from an ancient catapult, screamed out Ed! just as he called out Ben ! which soon brought the whole family to the spot they found the water coming in very fast. Ed. climbed his ladder, mounted his teeter, and soon brought Ben to the surface. Horatio Gates was dispatched to the mill for the hands to come and help. They put the windlass in the ox-cart and hurried to the well, rigged it and lowered a frame curb into the sand and placed the wall upon its top, finished it before night, and it remains, I presume, to this day, so Ansel Blossom can say with Shakespeare:__
"All's well that ends well."
Ansel Blossom was peculiar even in his having the ague chills or shakes all together, and instead of wrapping up in blankets, he would take off his coat, and shake until the perspiration would stand in beads upon his bald head and smooth-shaven face, so that children often went to enjoy the sight when told the squire had pulled off his coat to shake. One night just after he had been elected justice he spent the evening with my father. The subject of great men was his theme. He remarked, " Capt. Riley, have you ever noticed that most all great men were bald? I remember many were. Julius Caesar of old, our John Quincy Adams, and also Benjamin Franklin, two of our decidedly great men, are bald." Raising his hat, which he always wore even in the house, " Did you ever notice that I am bald ?" Father humored his conceit, and told him that in many respects he reminded him of Franklin, etc. He left for home through the woods. He heard some one call to him, "Who, who, who, who, who, who are you, ah?" "I am Esquire Ansel Blossom." "Who, who, who, who, who, who, ah," was repeated from a limb, and he heard the cracking of the mandibles of a huge white owl, the emblem of wisdom. One of father's mill-hands had an impediment in his speech, and the squire may have thought it was him. Philip Troutner's wife died, and he married Catharine Bethiah Blossom, and no doubt the squire performed the ceremony, though I could not state positively.
Father determined to have a Fourth of July celebration on July 4, 1825, in which all joined heartily and patriotically, and unanimously called on him to deliver the oration, which call he accepted, and made preparation. An arbor was erected under some large oak trees on the river bank, just north of the mill, and a very long table made with boards laid upon carpenters' horses, with benches and chairs, such as could be found (not more than one dozen). The table was furnished with plates, cups and saucers, knives, forks, and spoons. The meats were venison, bears, roast pigs and turkeys, with chicken pies baked in tin milk basins in old New England style, fish—black bass, pickerel, and salmon—with all kinds of vegetables obtainable at that season, wild gooseberries, honey, coffee made in a large sugar kettle, maple sugar and syrup, pumpkin and cranberry pies. The speaker's stand was between two large oaks that stood about six feet apart, and extended from one to the other, fronting the east. A salute was fired by charging the hole in the anvil, which made a very loud report.
Oration of Capt. Riley, Delivered at Wiltshire, July 4, 1825.
FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS: The practice of celebrating the birth of distinguished individuals with joy and festivity has prevailed in all nations from the remotest antiquity to the present day.
Great national festivals have also from time immemorial been established commemorative of some great epoch in the history of each government ever since man has existed in a social state upon this globe.
In conformity with this venerable usage, and in order to exhibit our thankfulness to the Great Author of our being for the signal benefits conferred upon us as a nation, we assemble this day to celebrate the 49th anniversary of the Declaration of our National Independence by the Congress of the thirteen United States.
I approach this subject with extreme diffidence, being fully aware of its magnitude, the arduous duties assigned me, and conscious of my incompetency to fulfill the task in a manner worthy of the occasion, I rely and crave your indulgence while I attempt to sketch a rapid out, line of the early history of our country, of the memorable event we celebrate, and the present condition of the New World.
A little more than three centuries have rolled around since Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, endowed with an uncommon mind, with great knowledge and experience, under the protection of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, of Spain, discovered the American continent. Adventurers from Spain, fired with avarice and a thirst for blood and military conquest, soon overran and subjugated the large islands embosomed by the Caribbean Sea, and extended their dominions over the flourishing kingdoms of Mexico in North, and over Peru in South America.
The old kingdom of Mexico was large and powerful, that of Peru populous and rich, and its court magnificent. Both nations were considered heathen by the Catholic Spaniards who contrived to overcome, rob, murder, and destroy them, and rear upon their ruins appendages to the Spanish Empire.
In the mean time adventurers and emigrants from England, France, Holland, and the Germanic States, persecuted at home for their religious opinions (being dissenters from the churches established by their respective governments), sought an asylum from tyranny in- the country now termed the United States, then a howling wilderness inhabited by ferocious tribes of savages and the haunts of beasts of prey. England, France, and Holland, each in their turn, claimed supremacy over their several colonies as they became important in a commercial or political point of view. They added to the number of the emigrants by sending out malcontents exiled and expatriated by the laws of their countries..
After various struggles with the European powers, England obtained supremacy over all the countries along the seaboard, north of the St. Marys River, in Georgia, and to the frozen ocean, and exercised her authority by appointing governors over the several colonies, and sending out military forces in order to preserve the integrity of their power, and to aid in repelling the attacks of savages in their neighborhoods.
By grants of immense territories to individuals and companies and governmental charters, their system of government was established where so soon as our forefathers had driven out the savages who in ited the country, and kept up for nearly three centuries a predatory. warfare both cruel arid sanguinary on the then frontier settlements. During the early period of our history our fathers became anxious for the welfare of their posterity. They built churches and established common schools and colleges, and the hardships, fatigues, and privations they were forced to undergo fitted and prepared them to the endure still greater evils in order to establish their independence of the mother country.
Colonial Assemblies, consisting of members chosen by the freeman on landholders of the colony, met every year at the capital of each to enact laws for the good of the whole. The force of these laws was, however, subject to be destroyed by the vetoes of the English king by his governor, who presided over their deliberative assemblies. Thus our forefathers attended strictly to the morals of their children, and, struggling continually against the crown of England for every privilege, prepared themselves to shake off the yoke that pressed them already to the earth, and whose galling influence was daily increasing.
Great Britain assumed the right of taxing, without their consent, and to an indefinite amount, the Colonies of Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. These colonies resisted for a long time the encroachments of the mother country by petition, remonstrances, agents, and every argument. They were. met with scorn, derision, and contempt. Becoming at length determined to force her system upon her colonies, England supported agents in every colony to collect her duties on stamps, and sent a ship loaded with tea to Boston in defiance of public opinion. The citizens met masked, entered the ship in a mob, and threw the tea into the ocean.
Great Britain, feeling her pride wounded, sent out a heavy military force to Boston, in order to force the colonists into individual uncondrtional subjection. But several of the colonies had assembled in congress in order to devise measures whereby to resist these encroachments.
They began to form depots of military stores, and the British WO: marched to Concord, and destroyed a small quantity which were there deposited, a distance of about twenty miles. The free citizens of tr adjacent country arose in mass, and, without commanders, annoyed the British troops in their retreat from behind the fences and trees. a"
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killed about fifty British soldiers and officers, and lost on their part five men killed and several wounded.
Thus the fire of the Revolution and civil war was kindled. The yeomen of the country fled to arms. Blood, the blood of freemen had yeomen been spilt (the country was electrified) by their natural protectors. A special congress was called at Philadelphia; articles of confederation were agreed upon ; an army was to be raised for the general defence, and the command of it was given to General George Washington, a veteran hero, whose valor, prudence, and ardor proved, under Providence, finally triumphant over foreign and domestic enemies ; aided, indeed, by the blood and sinews of an intelligent and devoted people.
Early in June, 1775, was fought on Bunker Hill the first battle between the English and American Armies. The British troops, the pride of their country, veterans in war, and commanded by the most experienced generals, were overpowered by the raw American militia. Three times they were repulsed by a handful of yeomen. More than one thousand veterans were slain. While our undisciplined countrymen, after expending all their ammunition, retired and joined with little loss the main body of the army.
Citizens flocked to the standard of their country in all directions, badly clothed, without even shoes to cover their naked and lacerated feet. Nearly destitute of firearms they rushed to the field, and, amidst all the perils and sufferings incident to such a state, they conquered. The names of Washington, Warren, Putnam, Montgomery, Green, Gates, Arnold, Mercer, Lee, Hamilton, Wayne, the Marquis De La Fayette, and a host of worthies, are still fresh in the recollection of every citizen. The memorable battles of Lexington, Bunker's hill, Ticonderoga, Long Island, White Plains, Fort Washington, Brandywine, Saratoga, Trenton, the Cowpens, Monmouth, and Yorktown, are known by every child sixteen years of age who has read the history of his country.
These battles, through which our fathers waded in blood, cemented the Union of American Confederacy, now the happy and prosperous United States.
The pride of Britain being humbled, although she called to her aid all the savages of our vast Northwest frontier, who: broke in upon us with the tomahawk and the scalping-knife, making indiscriminate slaughter of helpless men, women, and children, she was forced, in 1783, after the most sanguinary conflict, to acknowledge that the United States were free, sovereign, and independent.
The Declaration of Independence was signed and promulgated through the union on the fourth of July, 1776, after which the war continued six years, waged in the most cruel and unfeeling manner by the British. Those amongst our citizens who adhered to the British king were styled Tories. in These men, destitute alike of every feeling and principle, at the, bloodthirsty i a sudden manner, the citizens of their own towns, wreaking t: burning vengeance alike on their parents, brothers, and sisters; burning towns, villages, and the dwellings of their nearest relatives with relentless fury, and plunging the dagger to the hearts of their countrymen. Oh, shame, where is thy blush
But let us turn from these disgusting pictures. Peace was proclaimed, the soldier of the revolution returned to his home after his severe trials, pennyless; his ardent patriotism did not forsake him, he mingled again with his fellow-citizens, and though neglected by the Government, which was poor and without means, he uttered not a murmur, but strove to gain a subsistence by his daily labor.
He saw everywhere around him the fruits of his toils and sacrifices. Towns, villages, and cities reared their majestic temples where the forests had covered the country, and the beasts of the field, as well as the original inhabitants, fled before civilization and the arts; every house was opened and every hand greeted the war-worn veteran. After a lapse of years he is made to partake of the bounty of a grateful government.
Another war, rendered memorable by many battles and by the sacrifices of a brave and generous people, has tested the strength and stabil- ity of our political institutions.
It was waged by our old enemy. Our navy, though compared to hers it was but a pigmy to a giant, rode triumphant on the ocean. Our militia and raw troops again beat the proudest veterans the world could produce, with less than equal numbers, and the boasting conquerors of ensanguined Europe were themselves conquered.
The genius of the free government of our country is daily developing its powers; its flag waves over every sea. Its commerce extends over the whole globe, and equals that of the proudest nations of earth. While the inventive faculties of the American mind in our immortal Fulton furnished to the astonished world the novel spectacle of ships propelled by fire, traversing every sea, and approximating the extremities of the longest river to a span. 0 ur free and happy population has increased beyond any former example. In less than half a century two millions of people have become twelve millions.
Sciences and the arts have even outstripped our most sanguine expectations, and we now behold our beloved country, blessed by the fostering !land of an overruling Providence, one of the most prosperous, flourishing, and powerful nations of the earth.
Examples interest our country in many directions, for the spark that at kindled the flame of our revolution has spread its benign influence over the entire world. In Europe it has been smothered and kept clown by bigotry, ignorance, superstition, and tyranny, through the most destructive wars, occasioned by the French Revolution, of thirty years' continuance.
The entire host of tyrants and religious fanatics in the Old World have marshalled themselves against our principles—they are arrested in Europe—they sleep but to arise again with redoubled vigor. When bursting asunder their chains they are destined to overwhelm their tyrants and oppressers throughout the universe.
In their steady march the principles contained in our Declaration of Independence in the New World have fully triumphed, and under the genial influence of our example the republics of Buenos Ayres, Chili, Columbia, Mexico, and Peru, have recently sprung into existence.
The land of the children of the sun is free; the bloody horrors inflicted by bigoted and mercenary Spain under her Christian Cortez and Pizarro upon the Mexicans and Peruvians have returned upon her devoted head ; led by the virtuous and patriotic Bolivar, St. Martin, O. Higgens, Hieras, Lare, and a host of other worthies, the legions of liberty have established their independence.
Kingly tyrants and religious fanatics have received a mortal stab in that portion of the world. The blood of Montezuma, the Incas, and hosts of innocents has cried for vengeance, and the Almighty arm has avenged their injuries.
Already the cry of liberty of conscience has been proclaimed, and may we indulge the pleasing hope that this monstrous struggle will satisfy the civilized nations of the beauties and benefits of self-government, destined to extend throughout the globe.
The day we are assembled to commemorate and the patriots who proclaimed and established the most perfect system of equal rights and privileges, civilization keeps pace with moral and religious freedom and toleration, and is the most conclusive proof that these States have out- stripped the other quarters of the world. Look at the American female character.
The fairest work of creation here have all the advantages of polite and useful education, and of moral and religious liberty; as wives, mothers, and daughters they hold the rank of equals with their nearest relations, and by their virtues and their goodness are esteemed as the greatest blessing a bountiful Providence could bestow on man.
The oration being ended, the people, to the number of about seventy-five, took their places at the table, which had been loaded with all the luxuries the country afforded, and well cooked. Mr. Golden Green, of Shane's Crossing, asked a blessing, and those who were skilled commenced to do the carving. A small roasted pig happening to be in front of one old gentleman, the skin beautifully browned (it was roasted before the fire), he deliberately took off the skin and placed it on his plate, remarking, "Some folks like meat best, and some folks like skin best ; for my part I like skin best," and carved the pig for the rest, no one objecting to his gratifying his taste, and all went off delightfully. After dinner toasts were drank, using what we called metheglin, made from honey, very delicious, but not intoxicating. I only remember my father's toast, which was, "The State of Ohio, the first born of the ordinance of 1787. May she lead the van in the cause of freedom and equality until our glorious Declaration shall be fulfilled, and we can with truth ' proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof.'" All cheered the sentiment ; then followed many more of like patriotic sentiments. My father, brother James, Uncle Roswell Riley, J. W. Milligan, Dr. Edmiston, Tom Sweeney, and James Hager, with mother and sisters, Amelia and Phebe, Mrs. Milligan, Mrs. Roswell Riley, and Mrs. Edmiston were all good singers. Uncle Roswell sang comic songs as well as I ever heard since on the stage. He sang several, and then Perry's Victory and Hull's Surrender. Mrs. Edmiston sang The Meeting of the Waters (Vail of A reca). She was a highly accomplished musician, and all wound up with Burn's Auld Lang Syne, shaking hands across the table. Those that did not know the words joined in the chorus. A plank floor had been laid upon scantling on the ground, and a dance by torchlight wound up the first celebration of the Fourth of July in Van Wert County, Ohio.
The first religious services were held at our house by missionaries, who visited Fort Wayne whenever the Indians were to receive their annuity, when there were a great many Indians and traders assembled from all parts of the country. The missionaries were generally Methodists, but every denomination was invited by my mother to hold meetings (she being a Congregationalist) —one Mr. Antrem, a Methodist preacher, most frequently. He was a large, powerful man and was considered a revivalist. The Holy Spirit, as he called it, manifested its saving power by giving ladies, what they called the jerks, which would commence with a loud groaning, and then the head would jerk back and forth, causing their long hair, which they braided, to crack like a whip-lash, they jumping up and down and shouting, while the preacher called on the congregation to alternately sing and pray. He would exhort them, telling them that hell was raging just beneath them with fire and brimstone. "Yes,", said Freshour, "I know it's just under Shane's prairie, 'cause I dug a well last week, and the water was so full of brimstone and sulphur that they could not use it, and it turned everything black, and caved in.
252 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
I don't believe but hell's right under there." To this awful discovery Antrem quoted several passages from the Bible ; read from Dante, John Bunyan, and Milton. Several young women from the prairie jerked until they fell exhausted, frothing at the mouth, with every nerve twitching. They were pronounced by Antrem to be most powerfully converted; and that appeared to be the uniform working of the Spirit at all his meetings in Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky. A. Rev. Mr. McCorcle, of Dayton, also preached at our house several times, but without, producing any excitement. I think he was a Congregationalist.
The first school was kept by my, sister Amelia (now Mrs. Dr. W. M. Murdock, of Urbana, Ohio). It was held in a little log school-house built on the public square of the town. Her scholars were my sister Phebe, Julia (now Mrs. I. J. Beach, of Mansfield, Ohio), my brother Horatio. Sprague (deceased), myself, Roswell Riley's children—Edward, William, Henry, and Sally ; Blossom's children, about six, and Jonathan Lewis. The woods stood thick all over the town plat, except around the cabins,. and we could frequently see deer and wild turkeys by looking out of the window or through the cracks. I think she taught summer and winter of 1827, except during sugar-making time, when all were engaged making maple sugar. We had a very large number of trees. The camp was on. the west side of the river, and about a mile north of Willshire.
There was a murder of. an Indian by Sackacha Shane, the chief's son. They had a game that they played called moccasin. A number of moccasins were laid as fiat as possible on the ground ; then they take a bullet in one hand, lift the moccasin, and pass the other, with the bullet, under one after another, saying over some words, and leaving the bullet under one of them, and then they guess which one it is under. It is the same as the game we call thimble-rig. Sackacha had been beaten a number of times, and finally the Indian told him he could not play well enough to play with him, he might play with the squaws. This so infuriated Sackacha that he seized his long knife and stabbed him through the heart. The Indian left a widow, and after a long parley with her and his relations he settled the matter by paying her thirteen ponies, four or five blankets, some silver brooches, and a silver bracelet. Had he not been a chief's son her friends would certainly have killed him.
My father was the first postmaster of Willshire, and the office was established in 1823. He located the first State roads from St. Marys to Willshire, and also to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and assisted in opening them, building bridges, etc. As soon as the lands he had surveyed were offered for sale he purchased seven tracts of land at Willshire, being the first purchaser. The first piece was a fraction of (2.93) two acres and ninety-three hundredths on the bluff bank of the St. Marys, just south of Willshire. The patent is No. 1, folio No. 1, and page No. 1, in the Register's office.
The first death was an infant son of Roswell Riley, and he was buried on that tract, which has ever since been used as a burying-ground for the town of Willshire. The second death was Mrs. Philip Troutner and infant, ten months after her marriage. She was only seventeen years of age and quite beautiful.
A remarkable thing! The first piece ever bought was for a grave-yard for his nephew to be buried in ; but so it is.
Captain James Riley, the first settler of Van Wert County, Ohio, with an: authentic account of his labors as a Government Surveyor of the Northwest portion of Ohio—his sufferings and losses in his endeavors to open up that country from July, 1819 to 1826-8—compiled from his journal and correspondence, by his son William Wiltshire Riley, with notes of memory by the compiler.
Edward Tiffin, Surveyor General of the United States of America, to all who shall see these presents greeting:
Know ye that issuing special trust and confidence in the integrity and ability of James Riley, of the State of Ohio, I do make, nominate, and appoint and depute him the said .James Riley to be my lawful Deputy Surveyor, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the duties of that office according to law, and such instructions as he may receive from the Surveyor General, and to have and to hold the said office with all the powers, privileges, and emoluments to the same appertaining during pleasure.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 23d day of June, 1819.
[SEAL.] EDWARD TIFFIN,
Surveyor General.
From the Journal of Captain reached the forests on the St. Mary's River in July, 1819, and commenced surveying on the lands purchased from the Indians by treaty of St. Marys in 1818. In December, having finished for the season, I went to Washington City and spent the winter. In May, 1820, I removed with my' family to Chillicothe, and in June began again to survey on the Auglaize River, and continued that work on and between the Auglaize and the Maumee rivers until winter. I had, however, in September, 1820, purchased of the United States at the land office at Piqua, seven tracts of land at a rapid on the St. Marys River, called the Devil's Race Ground, adjoining the Indiana line, and intending to build mills, I immediately commenced improving my purchase by erecting across the river a dam, and building a log into which I removed with my family (consisting of my wife and five children, viz., James Watson, Amelia Matilda, Phebe Julia, "fora, tio Sprague, and William Willshire, who was six years and eight months old, in January, 1821, in. the midst of a dark wilderness, environed wolves and beasts of prey, which, with their howlings frightened sleep from -my wife and the children for a time. The nearest human habitation was twelve miles, occupied by a half-breed Indian family, and the nearest path (not a road), four miles distant.
Here began my labors as the pioneer in earnest. The forest, however, gave way before the strokes of the axe, fires burned around consuming the fallen timber, cut short and rolled into piles by sinewy arms ; the limbs and brushwood having. already been cut, piled, and burned ; rails were made; fences raised to enclose our corn fields from the deer and beasts of the forests. Another cabin was built, gardens laid off, plowed and planted. A mill-race of one-fourth of a mile, twelve feet deep at its head, and twenty feet wide, was dug; a frame saw-mill was built and filled with machinery, and in May of the same year, I went again to my business of surveying at and near Fort Defiance, at the junction of the Auglaize and Maumee rivers, and up Tiffin's River, and to the northern boundary of Ohio.
In August, 1821, my whole family were taken down with bilious and remittent fevers; no help could be had to attend upon or even get us water from the spring to quench our feverish thirst. On the arrival of my. son James with a surveying company, we were placed upon beds in a wagon, and conveyed sixty miles to Piqua on the Miami River, through deep forests, mud, and mire, tormented by myriads of flies, mosquitoes, and other insects that swarmed in that fertile but unsettled region. The settlers generally on our route, which took up five days, were more miserable, if possible, than. ourselves, sick and destitute of the necessaries of life, could afford us no assistance, and excited our sincere commiseration. In the month of November the severe frosts destroyed the. noxious. alluvia, from vegetable putrefaction which lately grew so luxuriantly in these level and marshy countries. We travelled slowly and feebly. back, still occasionally shaking with the ague.; our skins resembling, tanned leather. We found our corn fields clothed with strong food, and by March, 1822, were enabled to resume our occupation.
In 1822 I built a two-story frame grist-mill, but by deceit and unskillful management of the builders and millwrights, I was subjected o enormous expenditures.
This year I surveyed the land on both sides of the St. Marys to Fort Wayne, Indiana, including that important place of trade and deposit, and the lands in Indiana between the St. Marys and Maumee 67 (about twenty townships of six miles square). I laid out a town on my own land, situated. at the Rapids of the St. Marys, and called it Willshire, in, honor of my redeemer and friend, William Willshire, of gag. done, Africa.
Several families in the course of 1822 came into my neighborhood and neighborhood and strain settled. But I had to cut roads, build bridges over every nerve and exert all my faculties and resources to improve the country and procure provisions, the most of which I had hauled ,c on Dayton, ninety miles, on wagons, for my family and those of my neighbors, who were destitute. These enormous expenses swallowed surveying profits. In the great freshet of 1823 my mill-dam was away, and my property fast destroying. A post-office, however, Li been established and the road part made a mail route.
In Oct. of 1823 I was elected a member of the General Assembly of; Ohio, for the counties of Darke and Shelby, to which counties of Darke the new counties of Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding, and Williams were judicially attached, and I served as a member during the session commencing ii December, 1820-4. At that session all the statutory laws of Ohio were revised ; several new counties were granted ; the canal policy and internal improvements promoted, and advances made towards a system of common schools in the State, hitherto neglected. The public surveying in Ohio being completed, the policy of the head of the surveying department deprived me of further business in that line. The frequent breaking and destruction of my mill-dam and other vexations pro ruinous. From the commencement of my residence in Ohio my health became precarious, every year I was seized with bilious fevers of the most violent type, generally early in July, these continued until the frosts destroyed in October the putrid matter floating in the atmosphere then nearly at death's door. Dysentery, cramps, and cholic pains would taper off the fevers, so that I was not able to attend much to my business until February or March, and then not with my usual vigor of body. Every member of my family suffered extremely from the effects climate yearly.
In January, 1826, when still feeble with a fever, I was attacked influenza, on the brain, which deprived me of my reason for some weeks, when, by the suppurations of my right ear, I was relieved ; but the order continued to break at my ear, to swell and break about every few days, until March, having been transferred to the to the back, and there caused the most excruciating torments. After having suffered thus for three months, without being able to lie down or get
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 253
relief, I was removed by water in April to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the benefit of constant medical attendance. The swellings, or racking parns in the back of my neck, obstinately continued, yet could not be brought to suppurate. The swelling breaking about the throat, together with numerous sores, occasioned by the insertion of several skeins of silk as setons into different parts of my neck and throat, as many as twelve at a time, kept me in continual torment until July, when My wife and eldest son, James Watson Riley, insisted on my being removed by water to New York, where, if I could but live to arrive, they had hopes I might recover by breathing again the pure sea air, to which I had been accustomed. Worn down and emaciated by sickness and distress, lean as an Arab, and, being unable to use my limbs, I could with difficulty be persuaded to submit. to the alternative, but at length yielded assent ; and my son James, who was clerk of Mercer County, but had left his business, and attended me night and day, during my long-continued illness, in the most feeling and truly affectionate manner, now procured a boat, fitted an awning over it, and placed me on a feather bed on board of her ; when, having taken, as I supposed, a last farewell of my family and my numerous friends, who aided me in my embarkation, with my son and proper 'attendants on board, we cast off on the first of July, and were accompanied for several miles down the river by the Masonic fraternity, who extended their brotherly kindness as far as possible, and are entitled to my warmest and grateful consideration. After a painful passage for me, having been forced to stop and blister my neck on the route, in order to lessen the dreadful effects of the cramps and spasms, we reached Fort Meigs, at the Lower Rapids of the Maumee River, on the 5th. I was placed on board a packet schooner for Detroit, Michigan, on the 6th. Here my son was constrained to leave and return, to attend the sessions of the courts at St. Mary's. I was. landed at Detroit on the 8th. A consultation of physicians and surgeons was called, who only recommended and prescribed such remedies as might prove sedatives, and advised immediate change of climate as my only chance of recovery.
I was accordingly placed on board the Henry Clay steamboat for Buffalo, New York then on board an elegant canal packet for Albany and, again taking ,a steamboat, arrived at the city of New York on the 24th of July, 1826, when I was carried to the residence of my worthy brother, Asher Riley, by whom I was received with all the kindness and tenderness my situation required. His house became my home. Himself and his kind-hearted and amiable wife (who is sister to General John Wool, of the United States Army) administered to all my wants and wishes by night and by day. I became the patient of the celebrated Dr. Valentine Mott, Professor in Mott, Professor of Surgery in Columbia College. His skill and advice Were very beneficial, in a few weeks my cramps and spasms having ceased to afflict me. By Dr. Mott's advice I used Dr. Ireland's medicated vapor bath, so highly and justly celebrated. In a few applications of this Wonderful bath, my skin, which was before yellow, hard, and assumed its former appearance ; and perspiration, which bad been long checked, or stopped entirely, was resumed ; my health fast improved ; the stiffness of my joints gradually subsided my appetite and my flesh increased; and in November I was able to walk two miles a day. Thus the change of climate has again restored me to comparative al and the use of my limbs and organs, except the right ear. And, although my section of the State of Ohio is now flourishing, and the whole State one of the most fertile and important in the Union, yet as health is the greatest of all blessings, and neither myself nor my family can enjoy that blessing in an interior region, I have since continued, and expect to continue, in New York or its vicinity, and have determined to remove my family from the scenes of so much labor and such continued disasters, sickness, and distress."
It may be added, in conclusion, that he never returned to Ohio, but, in company with Messrs. A. C. Rossue & Co., engaged in maritime pursuits, commanding a vessel trading between New York, Gibraltar, and the empire of _Morocco, at. the port of Magadore, where he went first to Pay a visit of gratitude to Mr. William Willshire, who redeemed him from barbarian slavery in 1815, the particulars of which are related in "Riley's Narrative." He died on board his vessel, the brig William Tell, on the 13th of March, 1840, thirteen days out from New York, bound to Port-au-Prince, of fever ; and after four days, not making port, was buried in the ocean. Thus ended the life of the first settler of Van Wert County, Ohio.
The family removed to New York City in April, 1828.
BIOGRAPHIES.
SOLOMON HARTZOG
removed from Reading, Pennsylvania, and located upon a half section of wild land which he had entered at the United States Land Office at Lima, January, 1836. This half section was situated upon the north bank of the St. Marys River. The whole trip from Reading to Will-shire was made in a Pennsylvania or Conestoga wagon.
His first place in which to shelter his family was a little arrangement erected by himself alone, as he had no neighbors to aid him. The hut
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he made adjoined the trunk of a large tree that had fallen, and upon one side of this tree. The pole-shelter roofed with bark, was used for cooking and other kitchen purposes, and also to afford some protection against the assaults of the winter blasts, which was partly secured by keeping up a brisk fire, and by the hapless family standing upon their feet and constantly changing their position. The Conestoga wagon box had been adjusted on the other side of the log, and utilized as a lodging-room.
After making the best provisions for his family possible, his next object of anxiety was his faithful horses, and after the team had been rested, he made a trip to Shane's prairie, twelve miles above, and bought corn at one dollar per bushel, and a quantity of prairie hay, for which he paid only a very moderate price.
Nightly the new settlers had a serenade by wolves, but the constantly burning fire kept the cowardly beasts from making an attack.
The St. Marys at this time was an important channel of commerce, connecting the upper towns of the Miami with Fort Wayne, and flatboats and pirogues were almost constantly, during seasons favorable for navigation, floating on the surface of the water.
On Mr. Hartzog's place, and on the margin of the river bank, was a fine spring, and this was a favorite stopping rendezvous for river men. Thus Mr. Hartzog's place within a year or two, became a sort of trading post for not only those who navigated the water, but for Indians, fur traders, and others, who desired to make exchanges.
When Mr. Hartzog removed to the county his family consisted of his wife, one daughter, married to David Smith, and his son Jesse, married to Miss Mary A. Adams, April 1, 1854, of Van Wert. After their removal to this county two daughters and two sons were born. The eldest daughter Leah, married Henry Banta., merchant of Willshire, his son King S., married Miss Polly, daughter of Ephraim Maddox. Miss Eliza. married James C. Casto, and Benjamin Hartzog is a merchant in Van Wert.
Solomon Hartzog, after his settlement in the county, became a large land owner, and accumulated considerable wealth. In the spring of 1848, having lost his wife in 1845, he rented his farm adjoining to the town, and commenced hotel and mercantile business at Willshire, and died in November, 1848.
King S. Hartzog was a soldier under Capt. Scott, Company K, 99th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the battle of Chicamauga, in which he bore himself gallantly, mysteriously disappeared, and no trace of him has since been discovered.
DR. J. L. HARPER,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1817. When five years of age his father moved to Athens County, Ohio, where he lived till 1833, when he with his older brother started for the State of Michigan. On their way they stopped at Willshire over night, when his brother was taken sick. They remained here some two years, then moved across the State line into Adams County, Ind. During the winters of 1833 and 1834 young Harper carried the mail on horseback from Fort Wayne to St. Marys. A number of trips he carried the mail-bag on foot. The waters being too high to ford with a horse, he would cross the river and streams on fallen timber. In 1.842 he returned to Athens County. Here, at the age of twenty-four years, he commenced to go to school and to study medicine. He commenced the practice of medicine in 1854, married Nancy Savage in 1854, returned to Pleasant Mills in 1856, where he has lived till the present time, with the exception of twelve years that he lived in Willshire. They have raised only one child, Flora, the wife of Dayton Stetler, of Pleasant Mills. The doctor, although sixty-four years of age, still follows the practice of his profession and oversees his farm.
Below we give some of Dr. Harper's early recollections of Willshire. He says the first election held in the township was in the fall of 1833. It was held in the post-office building. There were ten votes cast. The electors were John, Peter, and Jacob Bolenbaugh, Ansel and Benjamin Blossom, J. P. McMannis, James and William Major, John Frysinger, and John Johnston. At the election in 1834 there were thirteen votes cast. The first school taught was in 1834 by an Irishman (name not known). The first goods sold in the town was by Patrick Frink in the post-office building. The first religious society was a Methodist Episcopal. The first members were Richard Piing, Ansel Blossom, James Major, and their wives. First brick house was built by Amos Compton. The first blacksmith was David Major.
REV. JOHN FRYSINGER.
His father was one of Virginia's pioneers, and bravely fought in the American Revolution. He died at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1812, leaving a wife and eleven children. In 1816 his wife and children immigrated to Champaign County, Ohio. Her son John was born Jan. 20, 1807, in Rockingham County, Virginia, and remained there until March, 1830, and removed thence to Shane's Crossing, Mercer County. In June of that year he bought land of Amos Compton, in Willshire Township, and on Sept. 9th was married to Miss Elizabeth Baltzell. Jan. 16, 1831,
254 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
they settled on the farm three miles north of Willshire, and at that time the nearest farm north of here was on the Maumee River, thirty-five miles distant. On the south his nearest neighbor was Ansel Blossom, three miles betwixt him and Fart Wayne on the northwest, and on the north side of the St. Marys River eastward, the nearest family was fourteen miles. Then there was but one family living in Willshire—Mr. John McManes. He labored successfully in erecting his cabin and clearing the land, and in process of time reaped his reward.
Rev. Mr. Frysinger as a spiritual adviser and preacher labored successfully under the banner of the United Brethren, and as a citizen useful and excellent in all things ; in truth, he had no superior.
FREDERICK SCHINERER
was born in Bavaria in 1824. Located in Dublin Township, Mercer County, Ohio, 1849.. He was a miller by trade. He rented from John Rhodes a water grist and saw-mill on the St. Marys River, two miles west of Shane's Crossing, for which he agreed to pay four hundred dollars a year rent, but before a year expired he bought the mill and 115 acres of land, for which he was to pay thirty-three hundred dollars, of this amount of money he had only one thousand dollars, the balance was to be made on the mill. This mill only had one pair of burrs, which he used for wheat, corn, and buckwheat. He ran this mill some three years without any help, running both saw and grist-mill at the same time. Often he would commence on Monday morning and never stop till Saturday night, not going to bed for a whole week. This mill was originally built by John Rhodes in 1840, who ran it till 1849, when Mr. S. bought it and ran it ten years, when he built another. This he owned till 1873, when he sold his mill and 475 acres of land, and moved to Willshire Township, and bought a farm near the town of Willshire, the old homestead of Ansel Blossom, one of the first settled farms in the county, settled 1822. On this farm is the first orchard planted in the county.
Mr. S. has been twice married—he first married Mary Deior, 1849, by whom he had two children; his wife died 1861. In 1862 he married Elizabeth Schumm, by whom he has had ten children.
Mr. Schinerer is one of the stable farmers of Willshire Township, whose word is known to he as good as his note, and his note is as good in bank as any man's in the county; he is one of the wealthy farmers of Van Welt County.
ANDREW ROEHM
was born in Germany, 1814. When twenty-one years of age he came to the United States and located in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he worked by the month for about four years at the rate of from seven to ten dollars per month. In the year 1839 he married Rosanna Jaus ; in the fall of the same year they moved to Tully Township, Van Wert County, on eighty acres of land he had entered the year previous. When he landed with his wife in the woods he had only five dollars left; they had no cabin; they put up a shelter beside a log, and covered it with his wagon cover. Here they lived about three weeks ; this was late in the fall and snow on the ground. Here he left his wife all alone in their tent, while he went to Fort Wayne for provisions to live on. For these provisions and a few chickens lre laid out all his money. Here he was without a cent of money or a bit of land cleared. When he ran out of provisions he would work for some of his neighbors. He could get a bushel of corn for a day's work, in this manner he worked along during the winter. 'The next spring his wife died. He felt that he could not live here all alone in the woods. So one of his neighbors loaned him five dollars and he returned to Columbiana County, where he remained until the fall when he returned to Tully. That same fall he married Catharine Bientz, by whom he had eight children. His second wife died 1858. He then traded his farm for a farm in Willshire Township. Here he married his present wife, and is now located on section 27.
The first election held in Tully Township was at the house of Mr. Roehm, where they were held for several years. He was one of the petitioners for the organization of the township.
CYRUS BOWEN
was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1819. When fifteen years of age he went to work for himself; he worked on the Mahoning Canal at $9.00 per month; he worked on this canal about three years; here he saved money enough to enter 80 acres of land; this he did in Willshire Township in 1837. This land he gave his father a life-lease upon, his father having been unfortunate, had lost all his property. he came with his father's family to this land August 6, 1837. After their arrival Young Bowen worked out by days' work to provide food for the family. The first sack of meal they had in the house Cyrus went to St. Marys for and brought home on a horse. In 1841, Mr. Bowen married Mary McQueen, by whom he has ten children. Anthony McQueen, the father of Mrs. Bowen, came to Willshire Township, 1836. Mr. Bowen has since he came to the township bought and now owns 221 acres of land, all by his own industry and economy; he has now retired from active labor.
HALSTEAD C. MILLS
was born in New Jersey-in the year 1812. When a young man without any means, he went to Arkansas to make his fortune; he commenced by cutting cord-wood for the steamboats and rafting on the river, this he followed a little less than a year. He then returned to Miami County Ohio, where he rented a farm for one year. The money he saved in this time he bought 160 acres of land with in Willshire Township. This was 13 in 1839. The following year, 1840, he married Mary Pearson. In 1844 they moved to their home in the woods. From this beginning Mr. m. has become one of the wealthiest citizens of Van Wert County. Mr. Bills has been connected with all the public interests of the county. To him more than any other man belongs the credit of the completion of the T. D. and B. Railroad, he giving his name as personal security for the iron to lay the track. He has invested and paid to the T. D. and B. Railroad $8000, for which he has not received one dollar in return. He has at the present time 1000 acres of land and 280 acres of wheat in the ground. Mr. M. has retired from active farm life. His wife died in 1877.
FREDERICK SCHUMM
was born in Germany, 1814. Came to the United States with his father's family in 1833. John Schumm, the father of the above, had a family of five children. They first located in Holmes County, Ohio. Mr. S., when he landed in Holmes County, had just $275 left, this he invested in land, which he owned some three years, when he sold it for $1400, with this money he entered 800 acres of land in Willshire Township in the year 1836, but did not move on to it till 1837. There were just five children, each one got 160 acres. Frederick Schumm, the subject of this sketch, married Magdalena Meyer in 1838. They have twelve children, viz., William, born 1840; John, born 1842; Frederick, 1844; Catharine, 18413; Jacob, 1848; Hannah M., 1849; Maria B., 1851; Ludwig G., 1853; George F., 1856; Anna M. B., 1858; Martin H., 1861; Ferdinand G., 1863.
Mr. S. commenced in the woods with his axe, cleared his land himself, and has made for himself one of the. finest homes in Willshire Township; he has 260 acres of well-improved land, with good substantial buildings, a view of which is shown in this work.
ABEL JOHNSTON
was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1812. Married Margaret Gillespie in 1833. They have seven sons, all men grown, and now residing in other States, except one. Mr. Johnston first came to Van Wert County; in 1836, and entered his land, but did not settle on it till 1838. The Johnston family all came from Harrison County; the family consisted of father, mother, three brothers, and four sisters. There are now living in the county Mrs. Wagers and Abel Johnston, of Wiltshire Township and Davis Johnston, Of Van Wert. They were a family of more county ordinary intelligence, and have held prominent offices in the of the Abel Johnston, the subject of this sketch, was Associate Judge of the county in the year 1847, and has been Justice of the Peace a number of years. Mr. J. had three sons in the late-rebellion, who serve`' full time of enlistment, and were honorably discharged. Mr. J. says the first school-house built in the township, outside of Willshire I I" was on section 7, in the year 1838, and taught by Davis Johnston that the first election in the township was in the fall of 1837.
Dr. J. F. SHAFFNER,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania in 1829, and brought by his parents to Crawford County, Ohio, when quite young. -He remained here till 1843, when he went to Seneca County, Ohio. Here he commenced the study of medicine under the tutorage of Dr. W. H. Coover. He graduated at Cleveland .Medical College in 1863, and also attended a course at the Ohio Medical College in 1875, where he also received a certificate of graduation. In 1849 he married Barbary Mader, by whom he had seven children, three still living. His wife died in 1877. In 1878 he married Nancy J. Roop. By this marriage they have one child, viz., Fred. S., a bright little boy one year of age.
Dr. Shaffner came to Willshire and commenced the practice of medicine in 1867. From that time to the present he has had the leading practice of the town and surrounding country.
JAMES H. SIMS
was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1826, and came to Willshire in 1865. He married Margaret Chilcote in 1870. They have a family of five children, viz., Emma, Ida, Almira, Charlotte, and May. Mr. Sims, was a volunteer in the war in 1863; was taken prisoner at Beverly, W. V., was sent to Libby Prison, where he remained until there was an exchange of prisoners. Although Mr. Sims was not among the number exchanged, when the roll was called for those who were to be exchanged, he answered to the name of one who happened to be absent, and marched out of prison with the rest. After the close of the war he came to Willshire, where he now lives, and is engaged in the practice of the law'
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 257
PETER FRYSINGER
was born in Virginia in 1810. When six years of age he was brought by his mother to Champaign County, Ohio, where he remained till he came to Van Wert County. In 1832 he married Sarah Bodey, by whom he had fourteen children. In 1834 he moved to Wiltshire Township, where he now resides. His wife died in 1864. In 1868 he married Hannah M. Knapp, by whom he has had one child. Mr. Frysinger is one of the oldest settlers now living in the county. His brother .John had preceded him some three years, who is now the oldest settler in Willshire Township, if not in Van Wert County. He has retired from the active duties of life, having spent forty-five years of hard labor in Wiltshire Township.
ELIAS DULL
was born in Pennsylvania in 1822. He came to Van Wert County in 1844, and bought 160 acres of land in Willshire Township, on which land he went into debt, two hundred dollars. This indebtedness he paid by working at ten dollars per month. He then commenced to improve his hind. In 1850 he married Jane Walters. They have six children, viz, Harriet E., Hannah L., John W., Wm. W., Rebecca J., and Mary R. Mr. Dull has added to his farm till he has at the present time four hundred acres, beside giving to his children two hundred and forty-five acres. This has all been done by his own industry and economy, and that of his wife. He has confined himself to farming and stock raising and has been one of the successful farmers of Van Wert County.
A view of his home is to be seen in this volume.
TIMOTHY AGLER,
a son of Jeremiah Agler, was born in Stark County, Ohio, 1834. In 1837 the Agler family came to the Northwest woods. They at first stopped in the edge of Mercer County, and lived in the house of Mr. Schlater's family till the spring of 1838, when they moved on to what they supposed was their land in Liberty Township, where after building a cabin and commencing to clear land they found they were on the wrong Piece of land. They then moved on their own land, where tike widow still resides. 'Timothy Agler married Elizabeth Brewer, 1857. They have five children.
LENHART DULL
was born in Pennsylvania in 1815. Married Susannah Ream in 1842, by whom he has eleven children, viz.: Celesta, wife of E. W. Robinson, Joseph Monroe Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, James B., Lafayette J., E., Isabella and Arabella, and Mary C.
When Mr. Dull arrived at manhood he received from his father's estate d00, this was all the help he ever had to commence with. A couple of dears previous to moving to Van Wert County he bought 160 acres of 'and where he now resides, for this land he paid $2.50 per acre in the woods, this was in 1840; he moved to his land in 1842, since which time he has cleared his farm, and added to it till he had 660 acres. A view home is shown in this work.
ADAM DIETERICH
was born in Germany, 1828. He came to America with his father, Jacob Dieterich in 1838, and located in Willshire Township. He married Mary Germann, 1854, by whom he has six children. The Dieteriehs, like many others of the early settlers, commenced in the woods without any means. They first lived in a camp till they could build a cabin; cleared a patch of ground for potatoes and corn; that fall they sowed one acre of ground in wheat; they were not able to buy the seed for more. This they cultivated with the hoe, not having a team to work with. He says they have been six weeks at a time without bread in the house.
CHARLES VANCE
was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, 1840. Came with his father (Elias Vance) to Van Wert County in 1852, where he has made his home principally from that time to the present. In 1868 he married Elizabeth J. Croninger, by whom he has four children, viz., Hilinda, Adelaide, Owen, and an infant. Mr. Vance is a druggist by profession, and has made a success in his business. He is located in the town of Willshire, where he was the first, to make a specialty of the sale of drugs. Mr. V. corn. menced trade with but little or no capital, but has made for himself a good home, and is doing a good and prosperous business.
HENRY BANTA
was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1825, came to Willshire in 1852, engaged in the mercantile trade in 1853, had been in trade the greater Part of the time from that time to this. In the year 1860 he married Leah Hartzog, whose parents (Solomon and Susan Hartzog) came to Willshire in 1835. Mr. Banta is one of the leading merchants of Wm- shire ; his annual sales are from $35,000 to $40,000, and besides this he deals largely in all kinds of grain.
ANDREW LILLICH
came to America from Germany in the year 1833, with a wife and five children, and settled in Holmes County, Ohio, where they lived till 1840, when they came to Van Wert County, and located on section 25, Will-shire Township.
Frederick Lillich, a son of the above, was born in Germany in 1829. In 1852 he married Sarah Shell, by whom he has had ten children, all still living. Mr. L. has held the office of Township Trustee for several years, and at the present time is one of the Commissioners of the county.
ABRAHAM PONTIUS
came to Willshire Township in the year 1836, and was one of the few who first helped to let the sunlight shine on the fertile soil of Van Wert County. Win. Pontius, a son of the above, was born in Wiltshire Township in 1841, was raised and lived on a farm till 1872, when he went as clerk in a. store. In 1879 he engaged in the hardware trade in the town of Wiltshire. In 1864 he married Melinda A. Hartzog, by whom he has seven children.
WM. CHILCOTE
was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1823. Came to Van Wert County, 1847. Married Eliza Walters, 1847, by whom he has had eight children. Although Mr. C. was not among the very earliest settlers of Wiltshire Township, yet when he settled on his land there was not a road within one and a half miles of him, nor a spot of ground cleared on his land. Mr. Chileote's wife died Nov. 3, 1874.
CHARLES C. CHILCOTE
was born in Pennsylvania in 1819. Married Catharine Philbee in 1840. They have six children. Mr. Chilcote came to Van Wert County in 1852.
Robinson 'Chilcote, grandfather of the above, was in the British army in the Revolutionary War, but left the British and joined the Colonies, and was killed in battle. James Philbee, father of Mrs. Chilcote, was in the war of 1812, and served until peace was declared.
DAVID SMITH
was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, 1826, but was raised and educated in Franklin County, Ohio. In 1846 came to Wiltshire Township; here, for three winters, he followed teaching district school. In 1849 he married Mary Hartzog, when he rented a farm and followed renting farms for eight years, when he bought a farm of his own, and still resides on it. Mrs. Smith died 1874. They have had a family of nine children, five of whom are still living.
GEORGE M. SCHUMM
was born in Germany, 1812. Came with his father to America, 1833. Came to Wiltshire Township, 1837. Married Maria Pflueger, 1838. They have had thirteen children, nine still living. Mr. S. died June 4, 1871.
Henry G., a son of the above, was born 1854. Married Anna M. Roehm 1879. They have one child. They are living on the old homestead of his father. A view of the home, together with portraits of the parents, are in this work.
MARTIN SCHINERER
was born in Bavaria, 1834. Came to Mercer County, Ohio, 1852. In the year 1860 he married Mary Schumm, by whom he had four children, viz., Frederick, Henry, John, and Barbara. His wife died 1869. In 1875 he married Rosanna Schumm, by whom he has two children, Louis and Ferdinand. Mr. S. came to Willshire Township in 1860. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of the township.
GEORGE H. YOUNG
was born in Virginia in 1824. Married Eliza J. Taylor, 1847, by whom he has had seven children. Mr. Young is a colored man, whose mother was a slave, but was emancipated when sixteen years of age, and came to Ohio in 1829. Mr. Young's family are noted as being musicians; they frequently travel throughout the country and give entertainments to the public. Mr. Y. is a local minister in the A. M. E. Church.
SAMUEL BELDON
was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 1837. Came to Van Wert County, 1840. Married Emma Cecil, 1859. They have four children, viz., Jesse, Wert, Minnie, and an infant born 1881. Mr. Beldon for some time has been engaged in merchandising at Beldon Station; is also agent of the T. D. and B. Railroad.
258 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
AMOS W. CHILCOTE
was born in Wilshire Township in the year 1841. Married Elmira Dagen, 1863, and resides in the town of Wilshire. Joshua Chilcote, the father of the above, was one of the pioneers of Willshire Township ; he settled here in the year 1836, and was an active citizen of the township till 1880, when he passed away:
DAVID CASTO
was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1839. Married Susan E. Eyler in 1857. They have three children, Hilinda B., May H., and Burton. Mr. Casto for a number of years has been engaged in the mercantile trade, and at the present time has one of the largest stocks of goods in the county; he is also engaged in buying and shipping grain.
JACOB DULL
was born in Pennsylvania, 1817. Came to Van Wert County in 1838, and married Harriet Ream in 1846, by whom he has six children. When Mr. Dull moved on his land there was not a stick cut, except what he had cut for his cabin; they moved into their cabin without a door, a floor, or a window.
MOSES FOREMAN
was born in Maryland in 1846, and came with his father's family to Mercer County, Ohio, in 1850, where he lived on a farm till in the fall of 1880, when he came to Willshire and became the proprietor of the American Hotel. In 1876 he married Mary E. Bowen, by whom he has one child, Clark M., born in 1878.
JACKSON PENSE
was born in Champaign County, Ohio, 1829. Married Mary M. Kear in 1851. In the year 1855 they settled in Van Wert County. Mr. Thomas R. Kear, the father of Mrs. Pense, was an early settler of Van Wert County, and was one of the first sheriffs of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Pense have raised a family of seven children.
JOHN P. HEY
was born in Pennsylvania in 1819. Married Margaret Smith in 1843. They have two children, David N. and Orrin W. Mr. H. has for many years been a prominent member of the U. B. Church, and organized the first Sabbath-school (1852) that was organized in the eastern part of the township.
DAVID MOSER
was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1826. Came with his father's family to Willshire Township in 1846. In 1852 he married Assenath Wolf, by whom he had three children. They located on section 18, where he now resides; his wife died in 1859. In 1864 he married Rebecca Wagers, by whom he has four children.
DR. C. C. SCOTT
was born in Defiance County, Ohio, 1853. Commenced the study of dentistry 1873, under Dr. J. L. Scott. Commenced the practice of his profession at Hicksville, Ohio, where he remained till the fall of 1877, when he came to Wiltshire, where he now resides. In 1879 he married Mattie B. Davis.
JOHN B. BIENTZ
and wife, with a family of ten children, came from Germany to America and located in Tully Township, 1838. Their sons John and Jacob afterward (about 1850) came to Wiltshire Township, where they now reside. John Bientz was noted as a hunter, and says he has killed at least five hundred deer, beside bears and other game.
WESLEY J. WALTERS
was born in Ashland County, Ohio, 1845, was brought by his father, Wm. Walters, to Van Wert County in 1846. In 1868 he married Mary L. Smith. They have two children.
Wm. G. Walters, a brother of the above, was born in 1842. Married Jane M. Anderson, 1866; they have three children.
SAMUEL ROOP
was born in Pennsylvania, 1814. Came to Wiltshire Township, 1844. Married Margaret Frysinger, 1851. They have eight children. Mr. Roop paid for his first lands by working by the day at 50 cents per day. He now has a fine fat m with good improvements, all by his own industry and economy, he never having had a dollar given to him.
WM. STOVE
was born in England 1826. Married Mary E. Widmer in 1850. have eight children. They came to Willshire Township, 1861, but had lived in Mercer County some ten years previous. Mr. Stove was a soidier in the rebellion nearly three years; was discharged on account of disability from injury to eyesight.
DANIEL BILLMAN
was born in Pennsylvania, 1825. Came to Willshire Township, 1839. He married Christina Shafer, 1857. They have ten children ; the parents of Mrs. Billman came to Van Wert County in 1838, and were among the first settlers of Liberty Township.
JOHN C. SCHUMM
was born in Van Wert County, 1849, and married Wilhelmina Brenn BrennInger in 1880. Louis Schumm, the father of the above, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, 1818; but came to America, 1833, and married Barbara Pfiueger. He died August 22, 1856.
REV. GOTTLIEB F. C. SEEMEYER
was born in New York City, Sept. 28, 1853, and married Wilhelmina S. Franke, Sept. 28, 1876; they have three children, viz., Alvine A. C., M., Anna C. M. and Charles G. H. Rev. S. is now Pastor of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Willshire Township.
GEORGE STAGER
was born in Germany, 1812, and married Anna Deller, 1838. They came to Van Wert County, 1853. They have two children, Catharine and John N. Mr. Stager has been twice married, his first wife died in 1803. In 1854 he married Hannah Shinerer, who died March, 1878.
CHRISTOPHER KREISELMEYER
was born in Bavaria in 1821. Married Susan Swope, 1847. Came to Van Wert County, 1852. They have six children. When Mr. K. fist came to the United States he located in Crawford County, Ohio, where he lived till he came to Van Wert.
EPHRAIM MEDAUGH
was born in Pennsylvania in 1814. Married Jane Schlater in 1835. Came to Van Wert County in 1841. They raised a family of six children. Mrs. M. died in 1864, he afterward married Christina Dague, the widow of Alfred Dague.
DANIEL AND GEORGE STETLER
came to Wilshire Township from Montgomery County, Ohio, 1833. Jacob Stetler came in 1834. John Stetler did not come till 1841. They all located near together. Jacob and George in Mercer County, 1:341. and John in Van Wert.
WM. H. BEALL
was born in Harrison County, Ohio, 1846, and came to Wiltshire, 1867. He married Mary C. Bunner, 1868. Mr. B. is Justice of the Peace and Mayor of the town of Wiltshire.
FREDERICK ELLER
was born in Richland County, Ohio, 1832. Married Nancy E. Kilmer, 1864. He came with his father, Jacob Eller, to Van Wert County, 1850.
NICHOLAS GEISLER
was born in Germany in 1832, and settled in Willshire Township, 1840. He married Elizabeth Cons, 1862. They have three children, George, John, and Anna.
HENRY SCHUMM
was born in Willshire Township, 1844. Married Rosanna, Schinerer, 1872. They have five children, viz., John M., Mene, Clara, Hannah, and Edward.
MOSES ROYSTON
was born in Maryland, 1819. Married Catharine Bobletz .1852, and moved to Van Wert County the same year. Mr. R. is located on section 27, on which he has built a fine brick house.
JOHN BUECHNER
was born in Germany, 1828. Settled in Van Wert County, 1852. Mar' ried Margaret Secor, 1853. They have four children.
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 259
JOSHUA MYERS
was born in Van Wert County in 1850. Married Mary E. Dague in 1870. They have two children—John S. and William C.
FREDERICK SHEETS
was born in Columbiana County in 1830. Came to Van Wert County 1853. Married Nancy A. Merica, 1862. They have six children.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
This township is six miles square, containing thirty-six sections. It is bounded as follows : On the north by Pleasant Township, east by York Township, west by Willshire Township, and by Mercer County on the south.
Organization.
The commissioners at their March session in 1840 formed this township. It was detached from Willshire. The petitioners for the organization were John Shafer, John Schlater, William Reed, George Clouse, Daniel Riley, Peter Putman, Peter Brubaker, Emanuel Cummins, Asahel Culver, Jeremiah Agler, John Rollin, and Thomas Townsend.
The first election was held at the house of Peter Putman on the first Monday of April, 1840. The officers elected at that election were as follows: Trustees, Peter Putman, Asahel Culver, and George Clouse; Clerk, John Shafer Treasurer, William Reed ; Constable, Thomas Redman.
The first Justice of the Peace was Emanuel Cummins. The township records of an early date have been lost or destroyed. The present officers are: Trustees, 'Willson Addleblue, John Morehead, and Samuel Smith; Treasurer, William Ayres ; Clerk, William Witting; Justices of the peace, Lauren 13. Shaffer and William N. Watt.
The township was given the name Liberty by Jerry Agler.
The First Settlements.
The first settler in the township was James Hemphill, from Richland County, Ohio, who settled on the land now owned by Jacob King in section 31, in the year 1837.. There were no others came till the spring, summer, and fall of 1838, when we find that Jeremiah Agler (the second settler, Peter Putman, George Clouse, Madison White, John Shafer, John Schlater, and George Shafer came in. This settlement was made In the southwest part of the township. There may have been some other settlers who came as early as the above of whom we have no knowledge, as these are only given from recollection at the present time. Daniel Riley and Gersham Jewell perhaps came as early as 1838.
Roads.
Upon the first settlement of Liberty Township there were no laid out roads; in fact there was no road of any kind. The first settlers had to cut a way through the timber and brush to their lands. The first road laid out was the diagonal road, leading from the county line to Van Wert, known as the Mill road. This road was surveyed in the fall of 1840 by John Morse. The viewers were William Thorn, William Priddy, and William Davis. The second road was what is known as the Hitesman and Clouse road. The third road was the county line road.
Topography.
The greater portion of the township is level, particularly through the central part, but is sufficiently rolling for easy drainage. In the southwestern portion of the township, extending in a northeast direction through the township, is a ridge which makes the lands quite rolling. In the northwest part of the township is the eastern terminus of twenty-seven mile prairie, which is drained by twenty-seven mile creek, in a southwest direction across Willshire Township, and empties into the St. Marys River at Pleasant Mills, in the State of Indiana. The drainage of the remainder of the township is to the north, through what is known as Town Creek, which empties into the Auglaize River.
The first school-house built in the township was in the fall of 1841 on the land of John Schlater. The first school was taught by Thomas Redman.
The first sermon preached was by the Rev. Daniel Riley at the funeral of the wife of Peter Bubaker, July, 1840.
The first death was that of a child of John Shaffer named Cornelius.
The first birth was Jacob Clouse, son of George Clouse. He was born Nov. 19, 1838.
The first marriage was Jacob Gates and Fanny Hemphill. They were Married by Esquire Cummins.
The first round log house was built by James Hemphill in 1837 ; the first hewed log house, by 'William Reed ; first frame house, by Peter Brubaker ; first brick house, by William Rumbaugh.
The first improved agricultural implements, by way of reaper, mower, and grain-drill, were bought by Peter Brubaker.
In this township there is one of the largest organizations of the Patrons of Husbandry there is in the State, known as Liberty Grange. We made an effort to get the history of this grange, but failed, because it was not furnished as promised.
Liberty Township is inhabited by an enterprising class of people, mostly from the central and eastern parts of Ohio. All who first came here were poor, with barely enough to bring them to the county, and perhaps enough to buy a small piece of land.
The land being heavily timbered, and a great portion of it low and wet, with no natural streams for drainage, was necessarily slow in development. But the sturdy pioneer, with his axe and spade, and a determination to have a home, has made Liberty one of the best townships in the county. The settlers of this township did not spend their time in cutting and hauling stave-bolts and hoop-poles, as they have in some places, but bent their energies to clearing and draining their lands and making nice homes for their families.
There are two railroads in the township—the C. V. W. and M. passes nearly through the centre north and south, the T. D. and B. passing centrally east and west. The junction of the two roads is near the centre of the township. There are three stations and villages within the township, each having a post-office for the convenience of the people.
Within the township are nine school-houses, five churches, viz., Presbyterian, United Brethren, Evangelical, Baptist, and Lutheran ; four saw-mills, and two brick and tile factories. There is not a rural township anywhere in Northwestern Ohio that has more and better advantages than has Liberty.
The Original Entries of Lands.
