Abstract of votes given for justice of the peace in Washington Town. ship, Van Wert County,
Ohio, on the 8th day of June, 1840. Thomas W. Bowdle having the highest number of votes for
justice of the peace, was declared elected. Thomas W. Bodle, 7 votes ; Oliver Stacey, 3 votes;
total, 10 votes.
Joseph Gleason, J. P; Thomas Gilliland, J. P.; Robert Gilliland, Clerk.
Poll-book of the election held in the township of Washington, in the county of Van Wert, on the
12th day of October, 1841.
James Cavett, Jr., James G. Cavett, and T. W. Pring, Judges; John D. Cavett and William Nuttle,
Clerks.
List of votes cast : ____
1. John Cavett.
2. William Nuttle.
3. Abraham Hire. .
4. James G. Cavett, Jr.
5. T. W. Pring.
6. John D. Cavett.
7. David Pring.
8. Thomas W. Bowdle.
9. John Hire
10. Orren Burright
11. William Todd.
We do hereby certify that Jacob Clark had four votes for Senator, Robt. A. Foresythe had seven
votes for Senator, John W. Walters had four votes for Representative, James B. Steadman had
four votes for Representa- tive, John F. Hinkle had seven votes for Representative, Calvin T.
Pomeroy had seven votes for Representative, P. J. Hines had three votes for Treasurer, James G.
Gilliland had eight votes for Treasurer, Stephen Gleason had five votes for Commissioner, James
Johnson had six votes for Commissioner, Thomas R. Kear had four votes for Sheriff, Samuel M.
Clark had seven votes for Sheriff, Cyrenus Elliott had three votes for Surveyor, John G. Morse
had eight votes for Surveyor, B. l3. Woodcock had four votes for Coroner, William Parent had
seven votes for Coroner, and Edward R. Wells had seven votes for Auditor.
Signed—James Cavett, Sr., James G. Cavett, Jr., and T. W. Pring Judges ; John D. Cavett and
William Nuttle, Clerks.
DELPHOS.
The thriving town of Delphos is located on the east line of Van Wert and west line of Allen
counties, the town being nearly equally divided by the Miami Canal, which is the boundary
between the two counties.
The first plat of the town was made by John O. Bredeick, which pis lay on the east side of the
canal. Shortly afterwards Ferdinand Bredeick platted some lots on the west side of the canal. This
w`7) the year 1845. These lots were surveyed by Elias Everett.. The lei, was then known by the
name of East Bredeick and West Bredeick. Some time after this Messrs. Holister, Bliss & Pettit
made an addition, made an addition which they called section 10. Then Samuel Forrer another
addition, which was named Howard. These names were finally dropped, and the original town
and its additions took the name of Delphos.
The town has been enlarged by quite a number of additions, viz., Mary V. Bredeick added 60 lots
; Howard, 24 lots ; Bredeick's heirs, 49 lots and a public square. — Moennig, first addition, 63
lots ; second addition, 32 lots ; J. M. C. Marble, 9 lots ; Imber, 9 lots ; Shenk, 42 lots ; Cline &
Marble, 120 lots.
The town was incorporated in 1851. The first mayor was Hon. Lester Bliss. The population of
Delphos in 1870 was 1668, and in 1880, 3814. The present population is over 4000, and rapidly
increasing.
There are three railroads in the town—the P. F. W. & C., and two branches of the T. C. & St. L.
Narrow Gauge, giving facility for shipping east or west, north or south. The Miami and Erie
Canal is much used for the shipment of timber, lumber, and other heavy freight.
Present officers : C. C. Marshall, Mayor ; H. Lindeman, Marshall; 0. J. Ostendorf, Clerk ; H.
Trame, Treasurer.
First House.—The first house built in the town was a log house by Ferdinand Bredeick ; first
frame house by Henry Menckhaus first brick by Capt. McCune. The M. E. Church was built
about the same time.
First Stores.—The first store was kept by F. Bredeick ; the second, by Gilmore & Scott ; third, by
Esch & Wrocklage ; fourth, by Hollister Bliss ; fifth, by White & Newton.
First hotel was kept by James Groover. First blacksmith was De Camp.
First Mills.—The first mill in the town was a saw-mill, built by E. N. Martin in 1845. In 1847 he
built a frame grist=mill, four stories high, with three run of burrs. Its power was water from the
canal.
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 281
First child born in the town was Amelia Bredeick, the present wife of George Lang.
Within a radius of four miles of Delphos there are over thirty mills constantly employed in
cutting and preparing lumber for the market. Immense quantities of timber are annually conveyed
to market by the railroads and canal.
The enterprise and growth of Delphos can be seen by the following list of business
establishments: 2 steam saw-mills, 2 gristmills. 1 paper-min, 1 woollen mill, 1 machine shop and
foundry, 1 stirrup factory, 2 planing mills, 1 handle factory, 1 excelsior works. 1 union stave
factory, 1 hoop and stave factory, 1 Washington stave factory. 1 tight-barrel factory, 1 wheel
factory, 2 brick yards, 4 livery stables, 4 'hardware stores, 4 stove and tin stores, 9 drygoods
stores. 4 millinery establishments, 4 drug stores, 12 grocery and provision stores, 30 saloons, 4
butcher shops, 3 jewelry stores, 2 harness shops, 2 undertaking establishments, 3 furniture stores,
4 wagon shops, 6 blacksmith shops, 6 boot and shoe shops, 7 baker shops, 1 tannery, 1 brewery,
2 honks, 2 newspapers, 2 warehouses, 3 elevators, 6 hotels, 2 public halls, 1 Masonic hall, 1 Odd
Fellows' hall, 1 steam fire-engine, 2 hand engines, and there is now being erected railroad shops
for the T. D. and B. R. R.
Delphos originally was settled by Germans, principally Catholics. They have one of the finest
churches in Northwestern Ohio. The following are its dimensions: Whole length 192 feet; width
of main building 78 feet, with two wings, forming a cross; width of cross 100 feet; width of front
88 feet; height to comb of roof 84 feet; height of tower 222 feet; length inside 158 feet; width
inside 73 feet; inside of cross 92 feet; height of middle arch 58 feet; audience-room is 120 feet
long. It has a seating capacity of 1500. The church building was commenced in 1878.
Corner-stone was laid June 15, 1879. The building was completed in 1880. Dedicated January
16, 1881. The total cost of building was $60,000, but were it to be built at the present time it
would cost much more.
The society has a membership of some three hundred families. The Present priest is Father
Hoeffel.
Presbyterian Church
was organized in 1849. The following ministers have filled the pulpit: Rev. W. Johnson, Rev.
Mr. Graham, Rev. Mr. Cameron, Rev. Thomas Eilcock, Rev. James Young, and Rev. _____.
The present brick building was erected in 1869, being 38 by 60 feet, at a cost of $6000.
Officiating ministers: Rev. Edward Scott, 1874, the present pastor. Elders: W. S. Campbell. Ezra
Ford, William Scott, J. R. Evans. Deacons: W. H. Evans, John Lytle. Trustees: R. K. Lytle D.
Chambers, Henry Davis, W. T. Dolby, and C. W. Rigley.
There is a Sabbath-school connected with the church, of which Dr. J. R. Evans has been the
superintendent for ten years, with teachers and 130 scholars.
C. C. Marshall was the first mover to establish this church, and in one year had collected twelve
hundred and fifty dollars.
It is eminently due to the. memory of the Rev. Father Bredeick, a Catholic priest of Delphos, to
state that in August, 1852, he conveyed 47 in the town of Delphos to the Board of Education on
certain conditions, but the lot was never appropriated to its original use. He therefore donated it
to the Presbyterian Church, which donation was ratified by an act of thLegislaturere on the
petition of the Board of Education and the executors of his will. Passed March 14, 1859.
The Newspapersrs of Delphos.
The first newspaper to make its appearance in Delphos, then called Section Ten, was the Section
Ten Budget, in the year 1848, by Benj. F. Metcalf, who afterwards became a distinguished
Common Pleas Judge. Noah Huber succeeded Mr. Metcalf in 1850, and changed the name of the
paper to the Delphos Oracle. Mr. Huber sold to O. S. Perry, in 1852, and removed to Oregon.
The Oracle was conducted by the latter until 1854, when S. E. Browne, now and for many years a
resident of Denver, Col., became owner of the office and rechristened the paper The
Northwestern Republican, which lived until 1856, when it expired for want of support .From
1856 until 1869 Delphos was without a newspaper. In May of 1869, D. H. Tolan established the
Delphos Herald, which he still continues to publish, and which is founded on a solid and firm
foundation. The Herald is Democratic, and has a large circulation.
The Delphos. Courant was established April, 1877, by E. B. Walkup. In March, 1878, E. K.
Taylor purchased a half-interest in the paper, which he sold to H. S. Thomas in January, 1879. In
June, 1880, Mr. Walkup again became sole owner by the purchase of Mr. omas's i'interest, and
has so continued. The Courant is a four-page paper, 28 by 44,. !me columns, the largest in the
city; subscription price, $2.00; has alwsYs been consistently and steadfastly Republican, the
editor having a hearty sympathy for the principles, career, and success of that party.
- 30 -
Banks.
The First National Bank of Delphos was established January, 1864, with a capital of $100,000.
The following stockholders constituted the first board of directors: L. G. Roebuck, F. J. Lye, J.
M. C. 'Marble, R. K. Lytle, H J. Boehmer, B. Esch, and Henry D. Clark.
Original officers were: L. G. Roebuck, President; J. M. C. Marble, Cashier. Feb. 20, 1880, the
capital of the bank was reduced to $50,000. Present board of directors are: Jas. Boehmer, A.
Shenk, F. H. Stallkamp. F. Allstaetter, T. Wrocklage, and S. D. Chambers.
Present officers: T. Wrocklage, President; Jas. Boehmer, Cashier.
Commercial Bank.—This bank, formerly known by time name of the Commercial Bank of
Delphos, Ohio, as a private bank, was on the 26th day of March, 1877, incorporated as a State
Bank, and chartered under an act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, passed Feb. 26,
1853, with a capital of $100,000. On January 1. 1880, the capital was reduced to $50,000. The
present officers are: R. K. Lytle, President; Dr. R. E. Jones, Vice-President; W. H. Fuller,
Cashier.
Delphos Handle Factory
was established in 1872 by John T. and E. 'T. Hartwell, under the name of "Hartwell Brothers."
The establishment manufactures handles, neck-yokes, swingle trees.
Number of hands employed 28; engines used, 58 horse power; capital invested $25,000. It is
situated on lot No. 2. When in full blast they manufacture 1800 axe-handles per day.
Ohio Wheel Factory
was organized in Toledo in 1869, by T. S. Page and W. P. Garret. In November, 1871, it was
consolidated with time Hub and Spoke Company, with its headquarters at Delphos.
The grounds upon which the buildings are placed, occupy five acres, equivalent to eighteen town
lots, the Miami and Erie Canal on the east, and Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad on
time north, and connected with time Toledo, Delphos and BurlingtonNarrow-gauge Railroad.
The main building is brick, 60 by 125 feet, four stories high, having an engine and boiler room;
also machine shop, 40 by 100 feet; a two-story drying-kiln, 30 by 100 feet; warehouse, 50 by 150
feet, two stories high. Sheds for hub-blocks and spokes, 20 by 1000 feet, two stories high. The
business of the mill requires 1,500,000 feet of hickory, oak, and other lumber per annum..
The capacity of the manufactory is as follows: There are bent daily of felloes 150 sets, which
presents an aggregate of 45,000 sets per annum. Six thousand spokes are finished and turned out
per day, and the product of elm blocks amounts to nearly 200.000 per year ; one-half of which are
sold in the block, while the remainder are kept to finish for the bodies. Over one hundred men
'are employed, and the capital invested is $112,000. The engine is 120 horse power.
The officers of the company are J. M. C. Marble, President; T. Wrockloge, Vice-President; H. J.
Rrame, Secretary and Treasurer, and G. F. Almy, Superintendent.
Delphos Stave Company
was incorporated in 1869. The incorporators were John Ostendorff. Theodore Wrocklage, J. M.
C. Marble, and H. J. Trame. It occupies five floes oground'd, or eighteen town lots. It
manufactures flour and salt barrels, staves, hoops, and headings. The transactions amount to
$50,000 per annum. The buildings consist of the factory, warehouse, office, and shops.
JohOstendoffff is President, and C. P. Washburn, Treasurer and secretary.
Pittsburgh Hoop and Stave Company.
Hoops, staves, and headings are manufactured in this establishment, which covers five acres of
ground, and has a capital stock of $22,000. Number of hands employed, 75 to 100; size of
factory, 60 by 120 feet; additional building, 40 by 120 feet ; engine-room, 40 by 45 feet ; six dry
kilns, 24 by 32 feet ; two warehouses, one 50 by 100 feet, and the other 30 by 80 feet ; four stave
shops, 24 by 100 feet ; two engines of 100 horse-power each. The company manufactures 20,000
hoops per day, 20,000 staves, and 1500 sets of heading. C. Megran is President, M. Steinmyer is
Treasurer and Secretary, and Thomas A. Weger is Superintendent.
School Building
is a large substantial brick building, which was erected in 1869, and cost $30,000. The schools
have one superintendent and twelve teachers, including German department, with fivhundredel
scholars. The school is taught nine months in the year. E. W. Hastings is the superintendent, and
has the following excellent teachers as his assistants : Miss E. W. Hastings, Miss Louisa John,
Miss Johnzie Taylor, Miss Emma Jemison, Miss Stella Hughes, Miss Alice Loveking, Miss E.
W. Bailey, Miss Lizzie Lye, Joseph Limbach, A. Finds, and H. Holtgreve.
 
282 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
Delphos Flouring Mills
are owned by Abraham Miller and P. W. Morton, and were built in 1847 by E. N. Morton. In
1856 Abraham Miller, T. F. Conklin, and J. Shotwell became the purchasers ; afterwards they
sold to Cooper and T. F. Conklin, and in 1858 Abraham Miller and J. Shotwell purchased it. In
1861 P. W. Morton bought J. Shotwell's interest. In 1876 P. W. Morton owned three-fourths
interest and Abraham Miller one-fourth interest. Its, valuation is $20,000.
It has four pair of buhrs, and runs about sixty days by water and the remainder of the year by
steam. Its engine is a 65 horse-power, and makes 50 barrels of flour daily in the twenty-four
hours, and manufactures all kinds of custom work.
It is situated on the Hydraulic lot, on the Miami extension of Miami canal. Size of the mill, 40 by
60 feet; first story, 10 feet; second story, 12 feet; third story, 14 feet ; fourth story, 12 feet. Mr.
Morton's capital stock when he came to Delphos was twelve dollars and fifty cents.
Railroads.
The Toledo, Cincinnati, and St: Louis Railroad shops are situated in the north part of town, and
occupy ten acres of ground, which, together with $30,000, were given by the town for the
erection of the shops at this place. The dimensions of the shops are as follows: The machine shop
is 80 by 142 feet, with wing of 25 by 95 feet, used for engine-house, brass foundry, and
store-room ; it is 19;4 feet high. Boiler and blacksmith shop is 60 by 90 feet ; 16 feet high.
Engine or round-house is 55 by 120 by 200 feet, with ten stalls ; 18 feet high. Car shop is 60 by
112 feet ; transfer table, 50 by 142 feet. These are the main shops for the road. They are built of
brick with metallic roof. The supervision of the erection of the buildings was under Robert
Martin, of Delphos.
Toledo, Delphos and Burlington Railway, leading from Toledo to Delphos. Celina, and St. Louis.
It is now called the Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railway. This road has direct
communication with Celina, Van Wert, and State line. The main line continues from Mendon to
Spencerville, eight miles, thence to Delphos, twelve miles, and thence to Toledo It has a branch
road from Mercer to Shanesville four miles long.
This road, N. G. R. R., is a consolidation of the following roads: 1, Toledo and Maumee R. R.; 2,
Toledo and Grand Rapids R. R. ; 3, Toledo, Delphos and Indianapolis R. R..; 4, Delphos and
Kokomo R. R.; 5, Delphos, Bluffton and Franklin R. R. ; 6, Toledo, Franklin and St. Louis R. R.,
7, Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis R. R.; 8, Dayton, Covington and Toledo R. R.; 9, Cincinnati
and Northern R.. R.; 10, Dayton and Southeastern R.. R.
The length of the consolidated road is seven hundred miles, but the road is not yet complete. The
gauge is three feet. By a new device, called the "Ramsey transfer," the products of the farmer
and the mercantile, manufacturing, and mining interests are placed in the cars, and without
change carried to the Eastern cities, thereby saving a large amount to the shipper. This is the first
narrow gauge so constructed in the United States for commercial purposes, and is the longest in
the world, and thus far has proved eminently successful. So great has been the passenger and
freight increase that the demand of the counties through which the road passes has required the
officers to take additional energetic measures to accomplish these ends. Toledo, the lake terminus
of this railroad, is destined to become a city of great commercial importance.
In regard to its course through Mercer County we may state that it enters near the east corner of
Union Township, and in its course, alter entering Mercer County, passes the town of Mention ;
thence four miles to Mercer; thence to Oregon, four miles; thence three miles to Celina; thence
five and a halt' miles to Montezuma; thence five and a half miles to Chickasaw ; then passes
midway between St. John and Rose Garden, and about one and a half miles east of St. John on
the old Indian boundary, and passes out of the county in Marion Township near St. Johns,• and
reaches Versailles, Parke County, the whole distance being about thirty-six miles. Celina
subscribed $15,000 to the stock of this road. It was incorporated in the spring of 1879, and the
capital stock invested is $7,000,000.
Gen. J. M. Corse, President ; _____ Darling, General Superintendent ; Gen. R. G. Butter, General
Manager; W. J. Sherman, Chief Engineer; Herbert Stewart, Secretary and Treasurer; N. Z. Eaton,
Cashier, Paymaster, and Purchasing Agent; I. W. Mcllvaine, Auditor ; W. W. Rhodes, General
Freight and Passenger Agent ; W. G. Bronson, Director and Superintendent.
MIDDLEPOINT.
This village is situated on the P. Ft. W. and C. R. R., nearly midway between Van Wert and
Delphos. It is surrounded by a good agricultural community, whereby it becomes a point of
purchase and shipment of a large amount of grain and other farm products. This, in connection
with sonic manufacturing and commercial enterprises, gives to the little village something of
business importance beyond the average town of its size. The enterprising and energetic character
of its business men will readily account for this prosperity. the village might be said to be of
recent origin, having been laid out in 1852, as shown by the subjoined description :___
Plat of Middlepoint, situated in Van Wert County, Ohio, in the west half of the northeast quarter
of section 19, of Town 2 S., Range 4 E. adjoining the north line of the Ohio and Indiana (P. Ft.
W. and C. Railroad, on land belonging to S. B. Sykes and H. N. Sykes, proprietors, and surveyed
by S. C. Newton, to wit, seven lots numbered 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are 66 by 132 feet ; 8, 9, and
10 front southerly on the railroad, and 4, 5, 6, and 7 front westerly on Mill Street. Three lots,
numbered 1, 2, and 3, front northerly on North Main Street, and contain severally the 18th, 24th,
and 32d of an acre.. There is an alley addition to land conveyed to the Ohio and Indiana Railroad
Company, 16½; feet in width, and next adjoining on the north. All streets are 60 feet wide, and
all alleys 16½ feet wide.
Given under our hands and seals this fifteenth day of September, .A. D. 1852.
Executed in presence of E. G. Langsworth, David King, and Nathaniel Sykes.
LORENZO B. SYKES. [SEAL.]
HARRISON H. SYKES. [SEAL.]
The State of Ohio, Van Wert County, ss.:
Before me, W. H. Ramsey, Probate Judge within and for the county of Van Wert and State of
Ohio, personally came the above-named L. B. Sykes and Harrison N. Sykes, and acknowledged
the signing and sealing of the above and foregoing plat of Middlepoint for the purposes therein
expressed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal at Van
Wert, this 22d day of November, in the year or our Lord 1852.
W. H. RAMSEY, Pro. Judge.
Entered for record Nov. 22, 1852, and recorded Nov. 25, 1852.
O. W. ROSE, Recorder.
Since the date of this plat several extensions and additions have been, laid out a.nd annexed to
the village. At the beginning, houses were built by L. B. and H. N. Sykes, Wortman and John A.
Estill.
Incorporation.
At a meeting of the county commissioners, held Sept. 9, 1874, the following action was taken
:____
A petition was this. day presented to the board, signed by not less than thirty of the legal voters of
this State residing in such territory, praying for the incorporation of the village of Middlepoint, in
Washington Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, including the northeast Quarter and east half of
northwest quarter of section 19, T. 2 S., R. 4 E. in said county, and all the lots, streets, alleys,
roads, highways, and railroad tracks of said village and the several additions thereto. Thereupon
the board appointed the fourth day of November next at ten o'clock A. M. as the time. and the
auditor's office of said county as the place for hearing of said petition and the auditor was
directed to give legal notice to the agents of said petitioners according to law.
Auditor's office, Van Wert County. Ohio, Nov. 10, 1874. This being the day fixed by the
commissioners of Van Wert County, Ohio, for hearing the petition for the organization of the
incorporated village of Middlepoint, said commissioners meet as per said appointment. Present:
Abraham Balyeat, Samuel Miller, and M. H. Morgan.
Thereupon said petition came on to be heard, and said Commissioners being satisfied that said
petition contains all the matter required, and that its statements are true, that the name proposed
for said corporation is appropriate; that the limits thereof have been accurately described, and
that the same are not unreasonably large or small, and the map or plat thereof is accurately made;
that the persons whose names are subscribed thereto are legal voters, residing in said territory,
and said commissioners being further satisfied that the notice required by law has been given,
and that there is a population in said territory of over two hundred persons, and said
Commissioners deeming it right and proper that said petition be granted ; it is ordered by said
Commission: ers, that the corporation as named and asked for in said petition be and the same is
hereby organized, and the Auditor of said county is directed to make complete transcript of all
the proceedings herein.
ABRAHAM BALYEAT, M. H. MORGAN, SAMUEL MILLER}Commissioners.
This would appear to comprehend the whole proceedings in incorporation, as the books of the
Recorder's Office do not show these proceedings on record as required by law.
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 283
Officers.
The following is the list of the first officers of Middlepoint—followed a list up to the present
year:
1875. Mayor, Wm. Foster; Treasurer, D. J. Davis ; Clerk, D. F. Cook Councilmen, Dr. A. C.
Beaghler, W. S. Nelson, A. .Fife, Geo. Fairfield, G. S. Nutt, Dr. J. A. Estill; Marshal, W. T.
Manship.
1876. Councilmen, I. N. Groscost, L. S. Clemens, G. S. Nutt, Lewis Fairfield; Street
Commissioner, J. D. Miller.
1877. Mayor, D. L. Denistone, resigned; S. N. E. Priddy, appointed ; Treasurer, D. J. Davis;
Clerk, J. W. Wilson; Councilmen, G. S. Nutt, John Davis, Dr. A. C. Beaghler; Marshal, E. M.
Clapper.
1878. Mayor, S. N. E. Priddy; Treasurer, D. J. Davis ; Clerk, J. W. Wilson; Councilmen, Lewis
Fairfield, Jacob SUM, Henry Volz, Geo. W. Hood, G. S. Nutt, Dr. A. C. Beaghler; Street
Commissioner, Andy Walk; Marshal, J. E. Addison.
1879. Mayor, Timothy Addison, resigned; Treasurer, J. W. Wilson; Clerk, John Yost;
Councilmen, W. S. Nelson, Howard Corbett, D. H. Pennypacker; Street Commissioner, Horace
Fairfield.
1880. Mayor, S. N. E. Priddy; Councilmen, Lewis Fairfield, E. Dippery, D. F. Cook ; Street
Commissioner, Henry Volz; Marshal, E. W.
1881. Mayor, J. W. Summersett, Treasure, J. W. Wilson; Clerk, 0. F. Manship; J. C. Spray, G. S.
Nutt, Erastus Starling, S N. E. Priddy; Street Commissioner, Paul Myers; Marshal, R. L. Baker.
Business Interests.
The following classification will present the different business interests of the town:_____
Howard Corbett, dealer in grain and proprietor of warehouse.
Fockler & Gamble, manufacturers of tiles of all sizes.
Prickly & Beaghler, dealers in all kinds of grain. This firm is now constructing a new steam mill,
containing four run of stones, and a 48-horse power engine, at a cost of $7000.
Charles Clendenning, proprietor of carriage and wagon factory and blacksmith shop.
Hotels.
The first hotel was opened by A. Fife. There are now two in the town, the "Zellers' House," by
Henry Zellers, and the "Central Hotel," by ______ .
Stores.
George G. Atkinson, dealer in drygoods, clothing, boots and shoes business Cook, dealer in
drygoods and groceries. He has been in the Hire s here about fifteen years.
Hire & Clemens' "New York Store," dealer in groceries and queensware.
Mrs. G. S. Nutt, dealer in millinery goods and notions.
Walter Hill, dealer in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, and glass.
S.A. Cordell, harnessmaker and dealer in hides, pelts, and furs.
McCombs & Morris, boot and shoe manufacturers and dealers.
Lewis Fairchild, dealer in groceries, queensware, tobacco, and cigars. Mr. F. has been closely
identified with the business interests of the town during the past seventeen years.
Teegarden & Foster, dealers in hardware, groceries, glassware and notions.
Physicians.
John A. Estill was the first physician to practice here. He died in 1877. At this time there are
three resident physicians, viz., Drs. A. C. Beaghler, W. W. Small, and Dr. Worley.
Churches.
There are five churches in the village, viz., the Methodist Episcopal, the Presbyterian, the
Quaker, the Church of Christ, and the Lutheran.
Middlepoint Stave; Hoop, and Handle Mills are owned by Eldridge Pennypacker &.Co., and
were built in 1873, and have been in successful operation since that date.
The capacity of the mills is 20,000 staves per day, with headings to match. It also makes 16,000
of the patent elm hoop. Recently the mill was burned, but the proprietors have arranged for its
immediate rebuilding.
Associations.
The Middlepoint Building, Loan, and Savings Association.—This was the first, and is the only
association of this character in the town, and was the enterprise of some of the leading men. The
following instrument of incorporation will fairly exhibit the objects of the association:_
Middlepoint, Ohio, April 3, 1871. The undersigned, citizens of the village of Middlepoint and
vicinity, in Van Wert County; Ohio, hereby associate ourselves together. in a corporate body, for
the purpose of raising and loaning money among the members of such body, and such as may
become members thereof, for the purpose of being used in buying real estate and erecting
buildings thereon, or of repairing buildings already erected, under the act of the General
Assembly of the State of Ohio, passed May 9, 1868, and an act amendatory thereof and supple.
mentary thereto, providing for the creation and regulation of incorporate companies in the State
of Ohio, and certify—
First. That the name assumed by said company, and by which it shall be known, is "The
Middlepoint Building, Loan, and Savings A ssociation."
Second. That the Business Office of said company shall be in the incorporate village of
Middlepoint, in the State of Ohio.
Third. That the Corporate Stock of said company agreed on by us is One Hundred Thousand
Dollars, divided into Five Hundred Shares of Two Hundred Dollars each.
Witness our hands and seals at Middlepoint, Ohio, this third day of April, A. D. 1871.
Signed: B. F. DENISTON, [L. S.]
ALBERT FIFE, [L. S.]
WILLIAM SHORT, [L. S.]
W. S. NELSON, [L. S.]
J. HAMILTON, [L. S.]
WASHINGTON M. CARLOCK, [L. S.]
Wm. F. SUMMERSETT, [L. S.]
The State of Ohio, Van Wert County, ss.:
Before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace in and for said county, personally came B. F.
Deniston, Albert Fife, Win. Short. W. S. Nelson, Jonathan Hamilton, Washington M. Oarlock,
and Wm. F. Summersett, and severally acknowledged the signing and sealing of the foregoing
instrument to be their voluntary act and deed, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name officially this third day of April, A..
D. 1871.
H. WEIBLE, J. P. [L. S.]
The officers of the association are as follows: President, Albert Fife; Vice-President, Jacob
Saum; Secretary, W. S. Nelson; Treasurer, D. F. Cook. Directors: B. F. Deniston, Albert Fife,
Jonathan Hamilton, Wm. Short, Jacob Saum, John Summersett, W. S. Nelson, Thomas Kensler,
and D. F. Cook.
Schools
Middlepoint School District.—At the incorporation of the town in 1875, the district comprising
the village became by that act an independent school district.
A brick building was erected the same year at a cost of about $7500. The school .contains three
departments, has an average attendance or about one hundred and thirty pupils, and is well
managed, thus giving promise of great efficiency. A just pride is taken by the citizens in these
educational facilities, as a proper appreciation of education is entertained.
The Boards of Education, since the organization as an independent district, are shown by the
following list :-
1875. President, A. Fife; Clerk, J. A. Estel ; W. S. Nelson, George Fairfield, Wm. Foster, A. C.
Beaghler ; Principal, John Yost.
1876. President, A. File; Clerk, J. A. Estel; W. S. Nelson, Wm. Foster, D. J. Davis, A. C.
Beaghler; Principal, Sylvester Lamb.
1877. President, Wm. Foster; Clerk, D. J. Davis; A. C. Beaghler, G. S. Nutt, C. Griswold, C.
Swinehart ; Principal, J. W. Sumtnersett.
1878. President, Wm. Foster; Clerk, D. J. Davis; A. C, Beaghler, G. S. Nutt, C. Swinehart, C.
Griswold; Principal, J. W. Summersett.
1879. President, Wm. Foster; Clerk, John Yost; A. C. Beaghler, C. Swinehart, C. S. Nutt, Adam
Myers; Principal, A. L. Belch.
1880. President, Wm. Foster; Clerk, John Yost; A. C. Beaghler, D. F. Cook, Adam Myers, S. S.
Fodder; Principal, A. L. Belch.
1881. President, Lewis Fairfield; Clerk, John Yost; Adam Myers, S. S. Fockler, D. F. Cook, A.
C. Beaghler; Principal, Charles Carlo.
SOCIETIES.
Middlepoint Lodge, No. 665, I. O. O. F.
The charter of this lodge was granted by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1877, and
the lodge was instituted June 20, 1877, by Henry C. Hedges,.M. W. G. Master of Ohio. The
charter members consisted of G. S. Nutt, Rawson Rader, L. S. Clemens, Lewis Fairfield, J. M.
Clark, D. J. Davis, J. W. Wilson, S. W. Murphy, D. J. Rernebaugh, B. L. Rowand, J. H. Ward,
and L. E. Fawcett.
284 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
The following were the first officers: G S. Nutt, N. G.; Rawson Rader, V. G.; D. J. Rumbaugh,
R. S.; Lewis Fairfield, P. S.; D. J. Davis, Treasurer.
Officers during 1878—first semi-annual election: Rawson Racier, N. G.; J. W. Wilson, V. G.; M.
K. Wenger, R. S.; D. F. Cook, P. S.; D. J. Davis, 'Treasurer; D. S. Nutt, Past G. Second election:
J. W. Wilson, N. G.; M. K. Wenger, V. G.; J. W. Summersett, R. S.; Rawson Rader, Past G.
1879. First election : M. K. Wenger, N. G.; J. W. Summersett, V. O.; G. A. Heist, R. S.; D. F.
Cook, P. S.; Rawson Rader, Treasurer ; J. W. Wilson, Past G. Second election : J. W.
Summersett, N. G.; G. A. Heist, V. G.; S. W. Murphy, R. S.; M. K. Wenger, Past G.
1880. First election : G. A. Heist, N. G.; S. W. Murphy, V. G.; J. M. Clark, R. S.; Lewis
Fairfield, P. S.; J. W. Wilson, Treasurer; J. W. Summersett, Past G. Second election: S. W.
Murphy, N. G.; J. M. Clark, V. G.; W. H. Hunter, R. S.; G. A. Heist, Past G.
1881. First election: J. M. Clark, N. G ; W. H. Hunter, V. G.; G. W. Hood, P. S.; D. F. Cook, R.
S.; J. W. Wilson, Treasurer; S. W. Murphy, Past G. Second election: W. H. Hunter, N. G.; D. F.
Cook, V. G.; C. F. Manship, R. S.; G. W. Shrider, P. S.; J. M. Clark, Past G.
This order has enjoyed the favor and smiles of fortune, being out of debt and in a flourishing
condition, after paying for the hall in which they meet, and which is well and neatly furnished.
The membership is now fifty-seven in good standing.
Sons of Temperance.
Middlepoint Division, No. 50, was organized Jan. 12, 1880, with 69 charter members. The first
election resulted in the selection of the following officers; A. L. Belch, W. P,, Jennie Leslie, W.
A.; O. P. Pennypacker. R.. S.; J. W. Wilson, F. S.; Allen Collins, A. R.. S. ; S. N. E. Priddy,
Treas., ; Rev. S. M. Boggs, Chap.; Nellie Crosby, I. S.; James Welch, O. D.; G. F. Nutt, D. H.
Pennypacker, and Dr. A. C. Beaghler, Trustees.
Present board of officers: Emma Small, W. P.; Mrs. J. M. Clark, W. A.; J. W. Summersett, P. W.
P. ; J. W. Wilson, Dept.; A. Man-ship, R, S.; Oscar Hire, F. S.; J. W. Wilson, Treas.; Jennie
Leslie, Chap.
CHURCHES.
The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation
was organized in 1858 by Rev. Julius Stinewalt. The first members were Jacob Conrad and wife,
Samuel Foster and wife, George Nettle and wife, Elizabeth Denman, Henry Cover and wife,
Simon Foster and wife, Charles Swinehart, Benjamin Fisher, Barbara Timbers, and M. Hamilton.
The same year they built a frame church, 28 by 40 feet in dimensions, which was the first church
built in the village. The following is a list of the pastors since the organization : Julius Stinewalt,
from 1858 until 1860, when T. W. Corbit took charge. He was pastor until 1878, when he was
succeeded by Charles Witmer, who is still in charge of the congregation. Prior to the
organization, or in 1857, Rev. Paul Stinewalt came here and conducted some religious services.
First Presbyterian Church of Middlepoint.
Dec. 11, 1873. According to the notice previously given, a majority of the members of the
Highland Church, Van Wert County, Ohio, met at the house of Robert Pollock, whereupon
Joseph Lepley was chosen chairman, and Wesley Frager secretary. Said congregation then
proceeded to elect three trustees. Jacob Lepley, Lewis Frager, and William Pollock were chosen
trustees, and Wesley Fraser secretary for the ensuing year. On motion, said meeting proceeded to
elect five members as a building committee. Robert Pollock, Shannon Lybarger, Lewis Frager,
James R. Crooks, and John McCoy were chosen said committee.
This congregation was organized in 1874, and built a house of worship the same year. The
organization was effected by Rev. Wm. Fuller, with about thirty communicants. The first board
of ruling elders consisted of Thomas Lepley, Lewis Frager, and Asa Pollock. Rev. Wm. Fuller
continued in the pastorate until 1878, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Scott.
The first regular Sabbath-school was organized at the house of Jeremiah Perry, in 1868, and has
been continued up to the present.
Church of Christ.
This congregation was organized Feb 20, 1876, by U. M. Browder. The original membership
consisted of the following-named persons: Nancy Wait, Elizabeth Nelson, Charles Hahn,George
Hahn, Mary Hahn, Horace Fairfield, J. W. Nelson, Allie Nelson, Ellen Hamilton, Lettie
Groscross, Mrs. Jacobs, James Lowry, Sarah Hamilton, W. D. 'Paisler, Jane Taylor, Delilah Yost,
Harry Smith, Lettie Hahn, and Clarissa Fairfield.
The first elders were George Fah field and John Yost; Deacons, George Hood and L. W.
Fairfield. The pastors of the church are as follows: U. M. Browder in 1876, since which time
Rev. George Fairfield has hod the pastorate.
The congregation has never erected a church, but continues holding services in the "Davis Hall."
The present membership is thirty-seven
The Friends (Quakers).
In the spring of 1878, Alice and Harvey Bergman, two evangelistss of the Society of Friends,
came to Middlepoint, and procured the use of the Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian churches
in which they conducted a series of meetings, which resulted in a revival, through which some
seventeen persons organized a society, thus forming the nucleus for the present society. The
revival meetings continued until over one hundred persons united with the society. A frame
building was immediately commenced, which was soon completed, and dedicated in October,
1878.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Middlepoint.
This society was organized in 1872, by Rev. I. N. Kalb, at a school. house just northeast of town.
The following list exhibits the names of the first members: D. J. Davis, Rachel Davis, Albert
Fife, Margaret Fife, and Lizzie Price, with perhaps one or two others, whose names do not appear
on the records. At the annual conference in Sept. 1872, this appointment and four others were
combined under the title of "Middlepoint Circuit," and Rev. R. Rauch appointed pastor. In the
spring of 1873 the society numbered twelve members, and a Sabbath-school was organized with
D. J. Davis as superintendent. The work prospered during the year, and a church was built in
town, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. T. H. Wilson, on September 12, 1873. The
following year Rev. Reuben Rauch becaMe pastor, and under his ministration the membership
was increased to 114, and a parsonage erected. Ile was succeeded in 1876 by Rev. C. W.
Taneyhill. During 1877-8 Rev. B. L. Rowand was pastor, and was followed during the next two
years by Rev. S. M. Boggs. At this writing Rev. L. Herbert is pastor ill charge. Mr. D. J. Davis
served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school until December, 1878, when he moved to Texas.
Since that time J. W. Summersett has held the office in a very acceptable manner, and under his
charge the school has been highly successful.
BIOGRAPHIES.
HON. CHARLES C. MARSHALL
was born November 24,1814, in what is now Shelby County, Ohio. His father, Samuel Marshall,
came from Washington County, Pa., in 1809, and located in what afterwards became Shelby
County. In 1816 he drafted a petition for the organization of the county, which was after ward
granted. He was honored with the appointment of Assocate Judge at the organization of the
county, and served two full terms. He was one of the commissioners of the county in 1830, when
the courthouse was built, which has just been torn down for the erection of the magnificent one
which is now being built. In 1828 he was awarded the contract of carrying .the mail from Piqua
to Defiance; his son Charles C., carried it on horseback, making the round trip weekly. The route
was as follows : leaving Piqua, the first stopping-place was Wapakoneta, from there to Sugar
Grove on the Auglaize River, near the mouth the Blanchard River, thence to Defiance. The
whole distance was a dense forest and inhabited only by Indians. He had the honor of witnessing
the signing of the treaty for the purchase of the Indian reserves, including the Wapakoneta.
Lewistown, and Hog Creek reservations. In September, 1837, he married Miss Jane Akin, and
shortly afterward moved to Marion Township, Allen County, Ohio, and located on a farm. In
1838 his wife died. In 1840 he married Susannah Russel (daughter of Andreas Russel), who was
the first white child born in what was then Allen County. She was born in the block-house within
the stockade of Fort Amanda. From the year 1839 to 1843 he was engaged in selling goods and
buying furs. In 1843 he bought a saw-mill on the Anglaize River, which he operated about five
years. In the same year he was elected Commissioner of Allen County, and served three years; he
declined a renomination, having determined to move to Spencerville, then in Mercer County. In
1851 he was appointed superintendent of the canal, which position he retained some seven years.
The position of superintendent of the canal induced him to move to Delphos, which he did?
1853. His supervision extended from St. Marys to near Defiance. In, 1857 he was elected to the
State Legislature, and served one term, but declined to return. In 1861 he was elected to the Ohio
Senate for to Thirty-second District, and served one term.
In 1865 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has served as melt of from that date to the
present time. He has been Mayor of the town of Delphos for twelve years, which office he also
fills at the present time' Esquire Marshall's second wife died June 8,1871, leaving three children,
two of which have since died. In 1873 he married Mrs. Mary Reeves, whose maiden name was
Hedges. Esquire Marshall says he was well acquainted with all the chiefs of the tribes of Indians
through whose
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO - 285
reservations he passed while carrying the mail from Piqua to Defiance. He has seen and
conversed with Blackhoof many times; he learned to talk their language almost as readily as he
could the English. He is now in his sixty-seveth year, and is still hale and hearty, and fills the
position of Justice of the Peace and Mayor, with satisfaction to all, is shown by his continued
re-election.
HON. HENRY WEIBLE,
son of James Weible, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1827, near Canal Dover.
His father died when Henry was seventeen of age. Henry immediately apprenticed himself to
Abraham to learn blacksmithing, and served his full time. In 1848. he went to Van Wert and
worked two years for Samuel Engleright.
While in Van Wert he married Miss Mary Will; he then moved to Hancock County, and
remained there some two years. Then in 1851 he moved to Delphos, where he now lives. He
followed blacksmithing till 1871. In 1872 he was elected a member of the House of
Representatives and served two terms. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace
twenty-seven years: that of School Director eighteen years Town Councilman nine years. and
County Commissioner three years. He is at the present time engaged in the mercantile trade, and
is one of the leading men of his town and county in all their enterprises.
THEODORE WROCKLAGE
was born in Hanover in the province of Osnabrück in 1817. Came to the United States in 1S36.
and located in Putnam County, Ohio.. where he remained till 1842, when he came to Allen
County. Ohio. awl located on the Auglaize River temporarily. till August, 1843. when he came to
where Delphos now is. and took a. contract on section 10 of the canal, which he afterward re-let
to other parties. In 1844 he built a log house and early in 1845 he and B. Esch put in a small
stock of goods. Also built an ashery for the manufacture of pearlash. In April, 1845. he Harried
Mary E. Wickard by whom he has had four children. all now living. Mrs. W. died September,
1855
Mr. Wrocklage was in Delphos at the building or the first home. Was a member of the first town
council. also of the first school board. Has been in business from the first starting of the town to
the present time. and is now the oldest business man in the town. In 1855 he entered into
Partnership with F. H. Stallkamp; the have continued that partnership from that time to this. They
are also stockholders in the Ohio Wheel Factory. Union Stave Factory, and First National Bank.
Mr. peen foremost in all the public enterprises of the town.
EX-JUDGE WILLLAM H. MOSIER
is of French descent, and was born in Gilead Township, Marion County, Ohio, June 29, 1835,
and continued his residence there until 1865. He removed to that part of Delphos located in
Washington Township, Van Wert County. and engaged in the mercantile business, and also the
lumber and saw-mill trade. The impress of his energy has been most favorably felt at Delphos. In
1878 he was nominated on the Republican ticket as a candidate for probate judge against odds
which his political friends and opponents considered scarcely possible that he could overcome.
He was, however, successful at the election by a majority most gratifying to his friends.. His
business qualifications aid him greatly in the prompt discharge of the official duties which now
devolve upon him. He served during four years and two months in the Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, Sherman's Brigade, during the late civil war. On March 8, 1-A6, he was married at
Mount Gilead, Ohio, to Miss Eunice N., daughter of Judge David Richards, by whom he has
three children.
FRANCIS H. STALLKAMP
was born in Hanover, in the province of Osnabrück. Germany. came to America in 1848. and to
Delphos in 1849. was a hostler at the American House till 1853, when he entered into Partnership
with T. Wrocklage and B. Esch. In 1855 he and Mr. Wrocklage commenced business together,
and have continued as partners in all their business transactions and enterprises to the present
time. In 1855 he married .Josephine Heterich. They have had ten children, eight of whom are still
living. Mrs. Stallkamp died December, 1880.
GEORGE COVER
was born in Perry County, Ohio. Feb. 11, 1845. In 1848 he removed with his parents to Van \Vert
County, and settled in Washington Township. where he still resides. He married Elizabeth
Crooks. daughter of Robert E. Crooks, Dec. 27. 1867. by whom he has two children living.
HENRY ZELLERS,
proprietor of a hotel at Middlepoint, was hors its Hocking County, Ohio. in 1826. and came to
this county in 1856. He served during the late war in Company F, One Hundred and Eighteenth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. from Aug. 22, 1862, to .June 24, 1865.
JOHN SUMMERSETT
a native of Ross County. Ohio. came to this township in 1840, since which time he has applied
his attention to farming and stock-raising near Middlepoint. He was born Oct. 15. 1825. May 2.
1851, he married Mary A. Clendenning, a native of Vermont. where she was born in the year
1833. They have reared a family of five children, named as follows: John Wesley. born June 17,
1852; Elizabeth Ann, born Sept. 11. 1855; Greenberry Oscar, born Sept. 28, 1858; Wiley W.,
born Oct. 10, 1862; Henry L.. born Sept. 30, 1867.
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