400 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. CHAPTER XLIV. TROY TOWNSHIP. SURVEY AND EARLY SETTLEMENT-POPULATION-ORGANIZATION-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-SCHOOLS -FIRST LAND BUYERS-THE WESTERN RESERVE ROAD-MEN OF 1839-THE CHOLERA LANDMARKS-CHURCHES-STONY RIDGE-LEMOYNE-LUCKEY-WEBB-CONCLUSION. THIS division of Wood county was surveyed, in 1820, by Charles Roberts. The settlement of this township may be said to have begun in 1833, when a few of the immigrants who chased the sun toward the Maumee considered they had traveled far enough west and determined to cast their fortunes in the forests of this division of the county. It is true that the Western Reserve road was open through a part of the wilderness, giving a token of civilization; but it was a trivial token of which no others would take notice, save the brave, adventurous spirits who set out from their homes in old communities to seek new lands which they could develop at will and in their own time and fashion. The population in 1840, was 383; in 1870, increased to 1,057, and in I890 to 1,803. Organization.--This township as established December 1, 1834, embraced Congressional Township No. 6, in Range 12. The first election was ordered to be held at Thomas Learning's house on the first Monday in April, 1835. In the matter of territory the township was left intact until December 8, 1846, when Secs. 1g, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 were attached to the new township of Webster. The old records are in very poor shape, but research in offices of the county clerk and auditor, and in the office of Township Clerk Metzger, resulted in finding many names. The election of justices of the peace, held June 5, 1835, resulted in the choice of David Phenicie and Daniel H. Cole for each of whom the following named electors, including the candidates, voted-Adam Bates, John Gallagher, Samuel Wagoner, Orange Howard, Daniel Wallace, Isaac L. Russell, Ichabod Spencer, Thomas Leaming, Huckins Spencer, David Phenicie, James La Farree. Daniel H. Cole, Thomas Crago, Jacob Furry and Michael Rogers. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. Trustees.-The names of the trustees, elected since 1838, are given in the following list, based on documents in Auditor Gahan's office, and records in possession of Mr. Metzger, the clerk: 1838-James La Farree, Henry Boose, Orange Howard. 1841-James La Farree, Daniel Blandin, Jacob Furry. 1842-James La Farree, Daniel Blandin, B. B. Van Camp. 1843-Seth Phillips, Charles Stoner, John Noel. 1844-Seth Phillips, B. B. Van Camp, John Noel. 1845-E. Tyler, Charles Stoner, B. B. Van Camp. 1846-Daniel Blandin, J. A. Smith, B. B. Van Camp. 1847-Cornelius Daly, J. F. Myrose, Charles Stoner. 1848-John Slines, David Kaley, Charles Stoner. 1849-L. M. Gilbert, J. F. Myrose, Charles Stoner. 1850-L. M. Gilbert, J. F. Myrose, D. Elderkin. 1851-J. P. Elderkin, J. F. Myrose, Charles Stoner. 1852-H. L. Wood, J. A. Smith, Fred Rolfes. 1853-54-H. L. Wood, Jacob Moyer, William Harmeyer. 1855-Robert Daly, Daniel Rife, Charles Stoner. 1856-Robert Daly, Henry Rolfes, Charles Stoner. 1857-Samuel Shriner, Henry Rolfes, Charles Stoner. 1858-Henry Siebert, W. Harmeyer, J. S. Smith. 1859-Henry Siebert, M. W. Gilbert, Henry Sherman. 1860-61-J. Mayer, Aaron Smith, Henry Sherman. 1862-J. Mayer, L. Metzger, W. Harmeyer. 1863-J. Mayer, Robert Daly, W. Harmeyer. 1864--Abraham Lehman, D. Van Camp, W. Harmeyer. 1865-Samuel Shook, John Christen, Rudolf Hartman. 1866-Henry Siebert, Daniel Rife, Rudolf Hartman. 1867-Henry Siebert, Daniel Rife, John Emch. 1868-Garret Spade, Louis Metzger, John Emch. 1869-Aaron Smith, Henry Rolfes, Louis Metzger. (Isaiah Chamberlain appears to have filled a vacancy in 1869). 1870 Val. Hahn, Henry Rolfes, Aaron Smith. 1870-71-Val. Hahn, Henry Rolfes, Aaron Smith. 1872-73-F. Seibert, John Frontz, F. Sealscott. 1874-75-George Brough, John Frontz, F. Henry Freyer. 1876-Val. Hahn, Louis Metzger, F. Henry Freyer. 1877-Aaron Smith, Louis Metzger, W. Harmeyer. 1878-John Frontz, Val. Hahn, W. Harmeyer. 1879-Henry Rolfes, William Ricker, W. Armbruster. 1880-William Menter, William Ricker, W. Armbruster. 1881-William Menter, Val. Hahn, W. Armbruster. 1882-Andrew Rudaloff, Val. Hahn, James McCutchen, Sr. 1883-J. C. Ricker, William Elder, S. P. Hathaway. 1884-Samuel Shook, Fred Schwan, John Myers. 1885-86-Samuel Shook, Fred Schwan, Henry Hoelter. 1887-Samuel Shook, Fred Schwan, Frank Brough. 1888-Paul Greulich, Fred Schwan, Frank Brough. 1889-Paul Greulich, Fred Schwan, Henry Hoelter. 1890-91-Paul Greulich, John Fark, Henry Hoelter. 1892-93 Paul Greulich, John Fark, F. W. Welling. 1894-95-John F. Myers, John Fark, F. W. Welling. 1896-Dennis E. Kaley was elected. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. -401 Juslices.-The justices of Troy were Daniel H. Cole, 1835; David Phenicie, 1835; Jehial P. Martin, 1836; Julius Blinn, 1838; Henry A. Harris, 1839; Thomas Gorrill, 1840 to 1853; Ephraim Tyler, 1842; Hiram Pratt, 1847; L. Gilbert. 1849 (did not qualify); Stillwell Truax, 1850; Jonathan Stoner, 1852; Joshua Chappel, 1852; Solomon Phillips, 1853 to 1862; August La Farree, 1857; Joseph Shook, 1860 and 1863; Caleb Root, 1862; William Welling, 1865 to 1871, and 1875 to 1881; Jerome B. McCutchen, 1866 to 1877, when he resigned, and 1881 to 1896; John S. La Farree, 1878; F. W. Welling, 1875, and 1881 to 1896; F. W. Welling, 1896. Clerks.'-The clerks: D. H. Cole, 1837; James La Farree, 1839; J. P. Martin, 1841; DeWitt Van Camp, 1842; Cornelius Daly, 1848; DeWitt Van Camp, 1851; Joseph Shook, 1853 James Lynch, 1855; A. La Farree, 1857; Caleb Root, 1858; A. La Farree, 1860; Joseph Shook, 1861-62; Jerome B. McCutchen; 1863; H. H. Dennis, 1877; Jerome B. McCutchen, 1878; H. H. Dennis, 1881; William Garner, 1884; J. B. McCutchen, 1885; E. H. Myers, 1886; E. F. Metzger, appointed Sept., 1892, re-elected 1896. Miscellaneous.-In 1896 Samuel Shook was elected assessor; Louis Leaking, constable; Fred Claus, cemetery sexton; and G. W. Wagoner, J. C. Webb, Jr., John J. Deuble, and S. N. Fox, members of the school board. Schools.-In 1833, when William Gorrill and his wife made their first home in Wood county, within this township, Mrs. Gorrill organized a school in her cabin, and thus became the pioneer teacher in Troy, as she was one of the township's pioneer women. The enumeration taken by D. H. Cole, clerk of the township, in October, 1837, credits District No. 2 with thirty-three children of school age. On that date Isaac L. Russell had one child attending; Henry Elder, also 1 ; Silas H. Howard, 2 children; Orange Howard, 3; Thomas Learning, 8; Joshua Smith, 5; Benedict Cramer, 2; Charles Stoner, 2; Elijah Emerson, 3; Elijah Baker, I ; and Daniel Smith, 5. Of the number, 20 were females. The value of the school house was $25, and the annual salary of the teacher $72.50. Section 16 was then unsold, and a non-producer of revenue. This township appears to have conceded the rights of women to participate in affairs of the school board as early as 1856, for, in December of that year, Eliza Mary Winter was clerk of the board of education. The taxpayers of District No. 4, or Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, appear to have been Alto Gorton, Mary, Jacob and Wm. Sternaman, F. H. Freyer, J. H., Harry and Fred Hartman, G. Helker, George Joseph, Lewis, Ed.. H. and J. F. Linker, John, Fred and Frank Rolfes, Joanna C. Shellenbarger, John and Stillwell Truax, Christian and Garrett Tape, Henry Holtmeyer, Jacob Emch, Mary O. Epker and daughter, Henry Epker, F. Neiman, Henry Kohring, Henry Menter, Daniel Rife, Eberhardt Samson, Fred. Samson, and E. H. Menter, Harmon Sanders, F. Schwan, Daniel Blandin, J. F. W. Heminger, C. Rothenbuhler, John H. Puck, Fred Sealscott, Wm. Titcornmeyer, C. H. Winter and J. H. Fable, with John Waterberry and Wm. Seurs, who are called '' specolators. " The oldest school record, in possession of Clerk Metzger, dates back to April, 1857, when Thomas Gorrill, George Hopper, B. F. Dennis, Caleb Root, William Sternaman, Robert Daly, John Goss, Q. G. Smith, George Joseph and Daniel Blandin formed the board. An enumeration, made in 1857, credits Sub-District No. 1 with 27 male and 17 female children, belonging to Henry Elder, Thomas Gorrill, James McCutchen, James K. Knaly, H. Siebert, Joseph and S. Shook, Fred. Swarts, A. Snyder, William Zacharias and Augustus La Farree. In SubDistrict No. 2 were 19 male and 17 female children, of Jacob Mayer, C. Stoner, Harvey Haines, V. Hahn, B. F. Dennis, John Shifferly, B. Cramer, Jacob Smith (killed by a falling tree later), J. V. Smith, John Moore, D. Van Camp and S. Howard. In District No. 3 were 27 male and i8 female pupils, children of H. L. Wood, George Denison, D. Gibson, Jacob Furry, Win. Mann, L. Myrose, H. Buckland, D. D. Foster, Adam Caris, P. Hartman. W. Witzler, Henry Sherman, H. Harr, S. Phillips, James Lynch, C. Root and Mary Pratt. In District No. 4 were 58 male and 40 female children, the parents of whom are named under date of 1856; in No. 5 (where a house was erected in 1856), were 23 male and 32 female children of Robert Daly, D. Hagarty, John Conway, Aaron Smith, Mary Smith, John Gilbert, C. Goodell, O. Goodell, George Griner and A. Perkins, while in District No. 6 were 16 male and 10 female children of Samuel Shriner, S. Gushard, George Hopper, Daniel Snyder, G. Kepler and George Miller. Among the teachers mentioned in the record of the board of trustees, under date 1855-56, are Mary G. Gorrill, Augustus La Farree, W. J. Dennis, Mary Ann Daly, Mary Goodell. Henry Buckland, Henry. Averill, Helen C. Bradley, Arnold McMahan, and others whose names are not written distinctly. In recent years, as in the 402 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. past, many, if not all, of the men named in the lists of township officers have taken a leading part in school affairs. First Land Buyers.-The surveys of exterior and sectional lines of Troy were made by Alexander Holmes and Ambrose Rice, the first in 1820, and the second in December, 1833. The vanguard of the pioneers possessed the land before the final survey, but immediately after bought United States land. The first entries are recorded as follows: Andrew Stoner, N. W. S. 2, May 29, 1834. Charles Stoner, S. W. S. 2, May 29, 1834. Thomas Bossler, S. N. E. & S. E. 1/4, S. 2, June 5, 1834. Junius Patterson, S. W. S. 3, May 28, 1834. John Knowles, N. W. N. E. S. 3, March 3, 1835 (a soldier of 1812). Thomas Phillips, S. W. N. W. S. 12, Nov. 13, 1833. James Kinney, N. N. E. S. 12, April 6, 1836. George Whitestone, N. S. W. S. 21, Aug. 6, 1834. Michael Rogers, N. E. S. 21, July 34 Gad Sutliff, W. S. W. S. 22, Aug. 8, 1834. Stillwell Truax, E. N. E. S. 25, May 15, 1834. Abraham Whisler, W. S. E. S. 25, April 14, 1834. Christian Tape, E. N. W. S.25, Nov. 11, 1834. Fred. Rolfes, pt. of S. 25, 1836. Jacob Emch, E. S. E. S. 26, April 16, 1834. Henry Munshower, N. W. S. E. S. 26, May 14, 1835. Wm. Hearst, pt. N, W. S. 28, June 27, 1834. John Davis, W. S. E. S.28, Oct. 28, 1835. David Hoyt, W. N. E. & N. N. W. S. 33, Oct. 16, 1835. Samuel Dixon, S. S. W. S.35, July 1, 1834. Edward Lockwood, N. S. E. N. S. W. S. 35, Oct. 16, 1835. Daniel Carsner, N. S. W. S. N. W. S. 36, April 16, 1834. J. P. Martin, S. E. S. W. S. 36, July 15, 1835. Fred. Zileschote (Sealscott), N. E. N. W. S. 36, Feb. 20,1836. Jacob Furry entered Road Tract, No. 41, in 1833, and others, named in the list of first voters, invested in road, canal and swamp lands, taking deeds from the State. The Western Reserve Road.-One of the most important improvements, in this part of Ohio, was commenced in 1825, when a " mud pike " was constructed from Lower Sandusky to Perrysburg, a distance of thirty-one miles. Notwithstanding the fact that schooner, brig and steamboat carried many of the thousands, who settled in the West, the direct route for other thousands, who traveled overland, was through the Black Swamp. For this reason, the building of the "mud pike" was looked upon as a great advance. About 1825, Artemus Beebe and Ezra S. Adams, of Elyria, bought the interests of Silas Wolverton in the mail route, between Cleveland and Lower Sandusky, and in 1827 placed the first mail coaches on that line, which they extended to Detroit, via Fremont and Perrysburg, in 1830. In 1836, Neil, Moore & Co.'s coaches were placed on this end of the route, and in 1838 Toledo was made a terminal point, and the railroad began to make inroads on the old-time coach. By degrees the number of coaches lessened, and ultimately disappeared. In 1875, the Chicago and New York fast mail made the trip between the two cities, in twenty-six hours and forty minutes, or about one-third of the time required by the mail carriers of 1823 to run from Norwalk, Ohio, to Detroit, Mich. The pioneers and old settlers of Troy, Lake and Perrysburg well remember the early days along this road. They relate that mud-holes were created for revenue purposes, that yokes of oxen for helping to extricate teams were kept in readiness, and that the mud holes, convenient to each tavern, were the perquisites of the nearest taverner. Indeed, it is said that one of the mudhole owners, becoming tired of this holey department of his business, sold his interest therein to a neighbor for $5, hoping by this means, to escape retribution in the next world, and the curses of the immigrants, who were delayed in their westward travels, in this. Neil, Moore & Co., whose coaches plied over the old mud-road, were made the butt of ridicule. One of the early poets of Wood county, writing for the Maumee Express, in 1837, describes the road at that period: No more we hear the Jarvey say:. "Load in, gents, all is right," The horn that used to sound by day, alas! now sounds by night, And soon, deep-stalled in endless mud, no more the coach can go- A lumber wagon takes the road-alas! Neil, Moore & Co. In wet seasons, or when the spring sun peeped through the forest and warmed the frosty ground, the mud-road was well-nigh impassable. At all times it was a dernier resort for the traveler, and the bug-a-boo of thousands, who dared the delays, troubles and expenses of a journey over it. Time, which heals all troubles, covered it with rocks and broken stone; but, ten years after the work was completed, the railroad came to rob it of its travelers, and to leave it only a small fraction of its former vast patronage. Men of 1839.-The male inhabitants of the original township, over twenty-one years of age, in 1839, were: Orrin Kellogg, Joseph Kellogg, Casper Noel, Jacob Furry, John Gallaher, James More, Simon Wagoner, Thomas Crago, James McLargan, Daniel Walden, Peter Fisher, Jehiel P. Martin, Joseph Webster, Adam Harmire, Daniel Carsner, George Albert, Jr., Joshua Main, Anthony Ewing, Dexter Leffingwell, Thomas Phillips, Solomon Phillips, Nathan White, Charles Stoner, Benedict Cramer, Joshua Smith, John L. Smith, William Barr, Simon Stevenson, Daniel Stevenson, Hugh Nugent, Thomas Leaming, Edward Leaming, John Anderson, Julius Blinn, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 403 James Jeffery, William Jeffery, Frederick Sealscott, Harman Saunders, Jacob Emch, John Buck, Daniel Blandin, Stilwell Truax, Jacob Whisler, Henry Epker, Henry Hartman, Henry Fry, John Rolf, Garrett Sealscott, Abraham Whisler, John Sinker, Christian Tape, Henry Harris, Meredith Pitcher, John Gidsbey, Thomas Harrison, Hollis Deater, Russel Case, James Brown, Samuel Harvey, Orange Howard, Silas M. Howard, Robert Rugg, Ellis Eisinghuit, Henry I. Elder, Isaac Russell, Jerry Smith, Thomas Gorrill, John Martin, William McKnight, Benjamin Van Camp, John Goss, Solomon Wright, Garret Tape, Frederick Rolfes, William Bushnell, Seth Phillips, Elijah Baker, William Phillips, Seth S. Phillips, Sanford G. Baker, Benjamin Bromley, Ambrose Rogers, Daniel Smith, James Dubois, Sanford Main, Henry Boose, George Albert, Philip Harns, Henry Harns, Alonzo Utley, Cameron, Cornelius Darley, John Elderkin (who built the present "Empire House"), George Newton, Arnold Sutton, William Corvett, George Willson, Martin Burns, Patrick Welch, Richard Close. The list embraces the names of many whose lives were identified with Lake and Webster townships, and of a few who became prominent in the history of Perrysburg. The Cholera. ---In 1852 and 1854 the cholera plague struck Troy, taking away Fred, Julia and William Rolfes, Philip Hartman, James La Farree, and others in 1852, and one or two from every family in 1854. Landmarks.-The umbrella barn, about three miles southeast of Stony Ridge, was one of the landmarks of the road. The old "Howard House," at LeMoyne, is a good specimen of the ancient tavern. ''Elders Tavern," owned by Russell in 1835, was the only frame house on the old Reserve road. It stands three-quarters of a mile southeast of the railroad depot, at Stony Ridge, and is occupied by William Elder. The villages of LeMoyne and Stony Ridge, on the old road, are modern in style of buildings and in the habits and customs of their inhabitants. Churches.-The Troy German Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Henry Rolfes, Louis Meierrosee, E. Samsen and Fred Nieman were trustees, purchased, in 1864, from George Joseph, the lands in the western quarter of Sec. 25, T. 6, R. 12, where the society began building a church early that year. To-day there are about fifty members. The heads of families, named in the record of School District No. 4, in 1856, were nearly all members of this society. Rev. M. A. Johanson is the resident pastor and teacher of the Lutheran school at that point. About fourteen years ago, he succeeded Adam Burkey, who succeeded Rev. George Cronewett: Andrew Hays, well-known in Montgomery and Perry townships, has been a local preacher in the M. E. Church since 1844. He has probably officiated at more marriages and funerals than any other local preacher in the county, and has had more Gospel adventures than a dozen of his fellows. A little incident which took place a few years ago in which the gentleman was the principal actor, and which relates to Troy township, deserves mention. It was told by Mrs. Carter, and, of course, is fact throughout. He was notified to fill an appointment for a brother minister somewhere in the northern part of the county, Troy township. It was a bright Sabbath morning, and Andrew went riding leisurely along, probably thinking over the heads of his discourse. Looking up he saw just ahead of him a church and people gathering for service. As it was about the place where he expected to find the church, and about the time to begin service, he made no inquiries of any one, but hitched his horse, walked into the church and entered the pulpit. He announced the opening hymn, which was sung by the congregation, offered prayer, the congregation sung the second time, and as Rev. Hays was about to announce his text, a gentleman stepped into the pulpit and placing his hand on Hays' shoulder, said to him: "My good brother, it may be your sing and pray, but it is my preach." Mutual explanations followed, when Brother Hays discovered it was about four miles farther on to his appointment. It is only necessary to remark that he arrived some time after his congregation had got tired of waiting, and dispersed to their homes. In the matter of churches, Woodville was the Mecca of worshipers of Troy township for some years. In 1840, a Lutheran class was organized by Messrs. Konrad and Cronewett; a Catholic congregation was formed by Father Rappe, in 1843; a German Methodist Society was organized the same year; a Methodist Society in 1844; and the United Brethren Society about the same time. STONY RIDGE. The village was surveyed in May, 1872, for Caleb Bean, on Road-tract 59, and that part on Tract 38, for Samuel Shriner, George Kirk being the surveyor. The name, taken from the physical character of the locality, is altogether appropriate. The pioneers of Stony Ridge find WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 404 mention in the sketch of the township, and in more than one chapter of the general history; while her soldiers are named in the Military chapter. The "Empire House," built in 1848 or 1849, stands on the hill southeast of the village, and near it are the church buildings of the community. The postmaster is E. F. Metzger, who is also township clerk. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1840, with the following named members: Jacob and Fanny Furry, John and Peggy Noel, James McLargan, James Moore, John Goss, James La Farree, Sr., Joshua Smith, Sr., and their wives, Mrs. Gorrill, Mary Smith and John Reid. There were others belonging, but the names can not be given. Fifteen or sixteen years ago the Stewarts, McCutchens, Mrs. Eliza Robinson, and Catherine Eagle became members; but the personnel of the first class got religion during a camp meeting held down on Mud creek, in 1839 or 1840. The first church, erected in 1856, is now the temporary dwelling of Eugene Morris. In 1889, the present house of worship was erected, and dedicated December I, 1889. Mr. Albrittor is presiding elder, with Rev. C. M. Myers, preacher-in-charge. Rev. John Stewart has supplied the pulpit for over a decade. St. John's Lutheran Church was founded by Rev. E. Cronewett, of Woodville, Ohio. Among the early members were John F. and Joshua G. Swartz, Ludwig Metzger, George Miller, George Lederer, Daniel Snyder, C. Hazel, C. Meyers, Adam Snyder, Jacob Kurfess, and Samuel Gossert. For the first few years services were held very irregularly as the society had no church building. In 1872, the present house of worship was erected at an approximate cost of $2, 500, and the parsonage, which was built about 1880, cost $800. The pastors of the charge have been Revs. Buerkle, Sheips and George Wolf, until 1887, when, in July of that year, the present incumbent, Rev. John Born, assumed the pastorate. The present membership is about 150, which is in a thriving condition. The Sabbath-school has an attendance of about seventy. The Union League, of which Thomas Gorrill was president, and DeWitt Van Camp, secretary, was organized May 30, 1863, with fifty-one male and nineteen female members. Sydney Brewster Post, No. 160, G. A. R., was chartered October 28, 1881, and named in honor of a soldier of Company C, 21st O. V. I., who fell mortally wounded at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. The charter was granted to M. Kopf, H. S. Clifford, Thomas Mears, C D. Dennis, Thomas Lee, John Priest, Richard Priest, C. Guisbuehler, George Miller, Jacob Baker, Isaiah Chamberlain, J. V. Smith and Michael Burgemeister. The four first named filled the offices in Post rank, with M. Burgemeister as adjutant. In 1884, H. S. Clifford was commander, M. M. Carr, adjutant, there being thirty-one members at that time, with headquarters at LeMoyne. Meetings were also held at Stony Ridge until the decrease in membership caused the dissolution of the organization. Knights of Honor Lodge, No. ,3490, was organized June 28, 1889, with twenty-five members, among whom were Wesley Bean, Nathan and George Robinson, Marshall Cole, James and Frank Wagoner, Dr. H. A. Noble, Michael Hackley, Lucian Snyder, A. C. Calkins and Solomon Bouncer. There are now eighty members enrolled. LEMOYNE. This little railroad village of the present day, was at one time an important- stage-coach station, one well remembered by tens of thousands, who traveled over the Western Reserve road before the days of railroading were introduced in the Maumee Country. The '' Howard House," a brick building in Colonial style, was the first pretentious structure in the eastern townships. The village, as surveyed in February, 1877, for S. Howard, Alfred Dennis, John Webb and U. J. Dennis, shortly after the opening of the railroad, was named Le Moyne, now spelled Lemoyne. The first store was established in 1877, by H. H. Dennis; R. Bollini opened the second the same year, and James Nicholson, the third, a few years later. The old brick caravansary has long been divorced from tavern uses, and is now the property of Harman Hartman. The office of the C. H. V. & T. railroad was opened in 1876, by J. W. Crawford, who was agent until 1880, when A. N. Newell, the present agent, took charge. The post office was opened in 1880, and in April, 1881, created a registry office. The incumbents have been Jacob Mayer, who signs the record in April, 1881; H. H. Dennis, June, 1883; Michael Kopf, September, 1885, and Thomas A. Spencer, 1889. John D. Bringman was appointed in 1893. The Trowbridge Stave Works was an important industry here for some years, or until the forests round the new village of Dunbridge won the industry for that point. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 405 The Sawyer limekiln, established twelve or thirteen years ago, was abandoned after a short run, owing to the poor quality of the lime rock found here. The early ventures of oildom south of the village, though earnest, did not succeed in finding petroleum 'in paying quantities, though latterday explorations in Troy and Lake leave little room for doubting the existence of a pool in the old territory. Salem Evangelical Church adopted a constitution November 2, 1871, signed by Rev. S. E. Rife, preacher, and members of the society. The church building was then finished, and rules made for attending worship. Among such rules was No. 5 : "The Males to be seated to the left of the preacher on the stand, and the Females to the right of the preacher on the stand." The society is said to have been organized n November, 1841. United Brethren Church (Radical), was organized in 1881, by Rev. J. M. Crim, with the following named members: D. Van Camp, R. L. Van Camp, H. S. Clifford, and their wives, Wm. Andrews (then a widower), A. N. Newall, Benedict Emch, Fred. Barnes and their wives, Ellen Van Camp, Laura, Katie and Barbara Hahn, and a number of young members, making in all about forty members. The present church building was finished in 1882, at a cost of $1,800, including lot. The trustees, since organization, have been A. N. Newell, H. S. Clifford and William Andrews, while the other two places on the board have been filled by various members. There are twenty-five communicants. Rev. C. T. Doane is pastor. LUCKEY. This village was surveyed, in April, 1881, for Isaac W. Krotzer, by George Kirk. The location could not be better; for, between the railroad and a small feeder of the Toussaint, in Section 28, the ridge assumes a form peculiarly adapted to a town site. The main street, running west from the railroad, is a broad thoroughfare, wanting only in lines of shade trees to become a boulevard. On the north side of this street are the principal business buildings-a row of brick houses which would do credit to a town of 10,000 inhabitants. West of the business center are the cottages of the people; while on parallel streets are several cozy homes and the church and school buildings of the community. Along the railroad are the limekilns and stave works, and round the village, in every direction, are the well-cultivated farms and houses of an industrious people. The store of Samuel P. Hathaway must be considered the first mercantile venture at this point, and the limekiln of Riddle, Krotzer & Krotzer, the first industry. The post office was established in 1881, with George Luckey, postmaster. Samuel P. Hathaway succeeded him in 1882, and, on his resignation, Charles F. Greiner was appointed. In 1885, Edward Myers was commissioned ; in 1889, Samuel P. Hathaway; and, in 1893, G. F. Peabody, who resigned in January, 1895, when G. F. Claus, the present incumbent, was appointed. C. C. Layman, who located at Luckey in 1884, was the first lawyer of the village; while Dr. Peabody must be named as the first physician, though one or two medical men resided here, for short terms, before he began practice. S. P. Hathaway made the commercial beginnings of the village in 1871, when the grading of the A. & L. E. railroad (now the T. & O. C.) was commenced. Ten years later he built on Main street, sold that house to the Myers brothers, and built on the site of his present store. After the village was platted the other pioneers of trade came in. The fire of July 12, 1893, destroyed the two blocks extending along the north side of Main street, from Charles to Walnut, including the stores of Myers Bros., S. P. Hathaway, E. F. Peabody and G. F. Claus; Krotz's saloon; the Hathaway dwelling, and Mrs. Wagner's millinery. In the fall of that year, the HathawayPeabody brick block was erected, and also the Myers block. The Claus and Daniel Rife buildings were erected at the same time, and before the winter of 1893-94 a row or terrace of brick mercantile houses had taken the place of the old time frame structures. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Webster township at the Walker school house a number of years ago. The headquarters of the class were, in 1882 or 1883, moved to Luckey, where a building was erected on a lot donated to the society. Among the first members were Ira Austin (who has been steward or secretary since reorganization), Richard Priest, Martin Tooley, Thomas Holden, Elisha Holden, Fred Miller, Wm. Goss, Orlin Goodell, Daniel Caris, James Hopper, William Lance, William Barber and their wives, Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Lehman, Mrs. Vleckie, Mrs. Clegg, Mrs. Krotzer. The Church is in the Pemberville Circuit. 406 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. The German Lutheran Church was incorporated January 23, 1884, with Conrad Kuttler and Gerhard Dierkey, elders, and H. Hoelter, Franz Vahle and Peter Lehman, trustees. The work of church building was commenced that year, and the house of worship was dedicated in the fall. The Salem Evangelical Church was dedicated November 19, 1893, Rev. Berger, of Perrysburg, being pastor. The house cost $1,500. The society was organized by Rev. Rosenbarger years ago, and services were held in the old school house until the society purchased the house from the district, about twelve years ago, moved it to the site of the present church, and worshiped therein until 1892, when the Catholic congregation bought the old building, moved it to Luckey, where it is used for worship. The heads of families of the Evangelical Society, at or about the time of organization, included John Jacob, John Christian, Jacob Christian, J. W. Rothenbuehler, Samuel Jacob, and their wives, with Mrs. Brandt. Gott. Burkholder is steward. The membership in October, 1895, was sixty-eight. The Catholic Mission was established in 1892 by Father Kress, when the old Evangelical building was purchased, and fitted up as a mission chapel. Among the members were James Powers, Sr., M. McCluskey, Leonard Karns, John Hagartys, John Berning, James Maginn, Henry Berning, Joseph Whalen, Joseph Kehn and M. Biskey. The mission is now attended by Father' O'Connor. WEBB. Webb, in the northeast corner, was the postal center and shipping point for parts of the two counties. In the fall of 1895, the post office was discontinued, owing to the proximity of Lemoyne, Latchie and Stony Ridge. CONCLUSION. The township may be called a rural or predial one. The agriculturists are sturdy and industrious, and their farms and homes show how thoroughly they understand and appreciate their advantages. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE