406 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. CHAPTER XLV. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. SURVEYS, POPULATION, ESTABLISHMENT, AND BOUNDARIES-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS, ETC.-PIONEERS -FIRST MURDER-A FALSE ALARM-A SWEET SPECULATION-EARLY SCHOOLS-BOARD OF EDUCATION-OTSEGO-BENTON-GERMANY. TONTOGANY VILLAGE-MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, AND OFFICIALS-POST OFFICE-TRADE AND TRADERS-CHURCHES-SOCIETIES. THE surveys of this township were made in 1819 and 1820, as related in the chapter on Land Titles. The population in 1840 was 244; in 1850, increased to 504; in 1860, to 899, and in 1890, to 1,212. The establishment of Washington, on June 5, 1837, was agreed to by the commissioners, and the following declared to be its boundaries: "Commencing at the Maumee, taking all of fractional townships No. 6. N., and R., No. 9, E., and Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14 in T. No. 5, R. 9, E., and Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in T. 5, R. 10, thence from N. E. corner of Section 4 in said township, north on the east line of Sections 33, 28 and 21, and Fractional Section 16, in T. 6, R. 10, and thence west to the Maumee," thus taking territory from Middleton, Plain and Weston townships. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. The first election was held July 4, that year, when the following named officers were chosen: Trustees-John Crom, Sr., Elias W. Hedges, Robert Bamber, Sr.; clerk-Michael Sypher; treasurer-Frederick Bassett; overseers of the poor-John Skinner, James Henry; fence viewers - John Graham and Levi Eggleston; supervisors - Caleb North, Sr., M. P. Morgan, David Whitney; constables- Edmund Buttles and James T. Skinner, and school examiner- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 407 Emilius Wood. By the second election, in the spring of 1838, Samuel Flanders succeeded John Crom, Sr., as trustee, the clerk and treasurer and the other trustees being re-elected. In 1839 Jeremiah Ward succeeded E. W. Hedges on the board of trustees, and served with Samuel Flanders and Robert Bamber; Elliott Warner was elected clerk, and R. Black, treasurer. In 1840 Jeremiah Ward, Robert Black and Robert Bamber were elected trustees; M. Sypher, clerk, and Samuel Flanders, treasurer. In April, 1841, Ward, Black and Flanders were re-elected, and Elliott Warner was elected clerk. In 1842, John Skinner was elected treasurer, Robert Black remaining on the board of trustees, with Martin Warner and Phineas H. Durphy as his associates. Emilius Wood was the first justice of the peace. The Trustees, elected annually since that time, are named as follows: 1843-Martin Warner, Jr., Joseph A. Creps, J. T. Skinner. 1844-Martin Warner, Jr., Henry Mandell, Robert Black. 1845-Martin Warner, Jr., Robert Black, Jacob Crom. 1846-Martin Warner, Jr., Robert Bamber, Jacob Crom. 1847-Edward A. Ketchum, Robert Bamber, Jesse Huff. 1848-Edward A. Ketchum, J. A. Creps, John Bamber. 1849-Martin Warner, Jr., Edmund Buttles, Henry Burkhart. 1850-Edwin Tuller, J. 't. Skinner, Martin Warner, Jr. 1851-David W. Bamber, Martin Warner, Jr., Jacob Crom. 1852-P. H. Durphy, John Bamber, Jacob Crom. 1853-P. H. Durphy, E. Wood, John Bamber. 1854-Edwin Tuller, Nelson Kuder, John Gundy. 1855-Edwin Tuller, Martin Warner, Caleb North, Jr. 1856--Edwin Tuller, Martin Warner, William North. 1857-58-Hiram Cunning, James W. Condit, Joseph A. Creps. 1859-J. A. Creps, G. L. Warner, J. Q. Adams. 1860-61-G. L. Warner, Septimus Mawer, George Green. 1862-Septimus Mawer, Robert Bamber, J. Q. Adams. 1863-64-John Q. Adams, Septimus Mawer, Jacob Gundy. 1865-James Raymond, Nelson Kuder, Septimus Mawer. 1866-Sidney Van Tassel, Abner Cummings, J. Q. Adams. 1867-Jacob Gundy, Septimus Mawer, J. Q. Adams. 1868-Nelson Kuder, George Green, Jacob Gundy. 1869-James W. Condit, Elliott Warner, J Q Adams. 1870-Bernard Phillips, Thomas Stone, J. L. McColley. 1871-Joel Foote, James Davis, J. Q Adams. 1872-Nelson Kuder, Joel Foote, J. Q. Adams. 1873-Joel Foote, Septimus Mawer, James Davis. 1874-Joel Foote, Nelson Kuder, J. Q. Adams. 1875-76-Edward Beverstock, Joel Foote, J. Q. Adams. 1877-C. C. Gundy, Daniel Murdock, E. B. Beverstock. 1878-C. C. Gundy, E. B. Beverstock, J. Q. Adams. The trustees from 1879 to 1896 are named in the following list: 1879-Fred Peinert, David Petteys, S. Van Tassel. 1880-Silas Gray, J. S. Matthews, Fred Peinert. 1881-C. C. Gundy, Fred Peinert, J. S. Matthews. 1882-Jacob Huffman, Fred Peinert, J. J Black. 1883-Jacob Huffman, Fred Peinert, J. Q. Adams. 1884-C. C. Gundy, Fred Peinert, Adam Scherer. 1885-Alex. McCombs, J. S. Matthews, C. C. Gundy. 1886-Alex. McCombs (3), Daniel Huffman (2), J. S. Matthews. The election of April, 1887, was the first when a single trustee was to be chosen. John S. Matthews was elected, and, with his associates elected in 1886, formed the board. The trustees, elected for the long term, or to fill vacancies, since April, 1888, are named as follows: 1888, Daniel W. Huffman; 1889, Alexander McCombs; 1890, Frank Adams; 1891, Adam Scherer; 1892, W. U. Baker; 1893, John Phillips; 1894, George Stone; 1895, Daniel W. Huffman; 1896, John S. Phillips. Transactions.-The Sugar Creek ditch was considered in September, 1854, and Stations 22 to 31, inclusive, apportioned to Egbert Husted. In November, 1854, the trustees in session, with T. S. Sabin and William Pratt, of Weston, and M. Tracy, of Plain, awarded the contracts for excavating the Keeler Prairie and Tontogany ditch. The White Outlet was excavated in 1856; the Washington & Weston Middle ditch, the Cummings ditch, and other drains were authorized the same year. The Donaldson and Soash ditches were constructed in 1858, and also the Elliott and Russell and the Green ditches. By March, 1859, there were ten large drains existing, including all named, with the Plain and Tontogany, the Sittle Prairie, and the Weston and Washington West Town Line. The election for stock in the Dayton & Michigan railroad, held April 4, 1853, resulted in 56 votes for and 28 contra. On the 12th the trustees met at the Jefferson school house to issue said bonds, but declined signing them. On May 19, W. V. Way, agent for the company, called the trustees to meet him, but nothing was accomplished; again, on the loth, the attorney met them and urged them to sign bonds for $10,000, which they did, after Way and Peck had given their joint bond, for $20,000, to the township for the faithful observance of the railroad company's promises. Each of the ten bonds issued was for $1,000, bearing 7 per cent. interest, and payable January 1, 1873. On May 28, the trustees levied sixteen mills on each dollar of valuation, to meet interest on such bonds. On June 4, 1868, there is a minute made of the fact that the trustees took 280 fifty-dollar shares in the stock of the Michigan-Dayton Railroad Company. In April, 1888, there were 127 votes cast for issuing $4,000 bonds for building a town hall123 votes against, and nineteen neutral. In December, 1893, the trustees and board of health considered the sanitary condition of the township, ordered all school children to be vaccinated, appointed Dr. B. F. Davis health officer, and Adam Scherer, sanitary policeman, and adopted a series of rules to be observed in guarding against contagious diseases. 408 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. The old journal of the trustees, in possession of judge Ewing, with documents and records in the county offices, have enabled the writer to make almost a complete list of township officers and a summary of their transactions. Justices.- Justices were Emilius Wood, Hyman, and Peter Whitmore. 1838; Samuel Flanders, 1839; Elliott Warner, 1841; Samuel B. Campbell, 1841; Jeremiah Ward, 1843; Edmond C. Buttels, 1846; Thomas E. Jackman, 1847-52; Edwin Tuller, 1849 (did not qualify); Edmond Buttels (of the Thunder gust mill), 1850; Edwin Tuller, 1850-53; John Bamber, 1851; Ebenezer Donaldson, 1856-59; Edwin Tuller, 1856 to 1898; Edward Renwick, 1862; Robert Bamber, 1862; Charles Lewis, 1863; James L. Curry, 1864; Thomas W. Mawer, 1865; Geo. H. Van Blarcum, 1865; Luther Black, 1866; Alfred B. Jeune, 1868; Richard Ingraham, 1869; George Nicholls, 1871-74; E. A. Ketchum, 1875-78; R. H. Freeman, 1875-8o (resigned in 1882); H. G. Condit, 1882; G. A. Repass, 1884-87 (resigned in 1889); John Q. Adams, 1886-89; Jesse P. Wade, 1892; and John S. Matthews, 1895. Clerks, Treasurers, Assessors.-The clerks: Michael Sypher, 1837; Elliott Warner, 1839; M. Sypher, 1840; Elliott Warner, 1841 to 1868; Burt Williams, 1868; Geo. Nicholls, 1872; Silas Clark, 1873; E. A. Ketchum, 1874; Geo. R. Matthews, 1876 (served until April to, 1884, when he resigned, and Dr. A. Eddmon was appointed to fill the vacancy); R. J. Collins, 1885; Geo. R. Matthews, 1887; W. R. Marwick, 189o (declined to qualify, when George R. Matthews was appointed); Robert J. Collins, 1892, reelected 1896. Treasurers were T. Bassett, 1837; R. Black, 1839; Samuel Flanders, 1840; John Skinner, 1842; James T. Skinner, 1844; Nelson Kuder, 1845; Walter Cummings, 1852; C. C. Whitmore, 1873; David Petteys, 1880; Frank Yost, 1882; and Will Waugh, 1895-97. The assessors were named as follows: Jeremiah Ward, 1842; Michael Sypher, 1845; James W. Condit, 1847; Roswell M. Skinner, assessor to 1854; Edward A. Ketchum, 1854; Joseph E. Creps, 1856; Nelson Kuder, 1857; Phillip Ballard, 1858; Jacob R. Huff, 1859; J. H. Kuder, 1860; Joseph A. Creps, 1864; Bernard Phillips, 1865; J. H. Kuder, 1866; Burt Williams, 1870; Bernard Phillips, 1871; John S. Matthews, 1872; P. H. Van Valkenburg, 1880; G. S. Kuder, 1882; Jacob Gundy, 1883; W. Cummings, 1886; W. R. Marwick, 1888; Loren C. Potter (chosen be lot), 1890; Christopher C. Gundy, 1892; C. C. Kuder, 1893; and L. A. McCombs, 1895-97, who received 16o votes on the Republican ticket against eighty-three recorded for Jacob Douster, the Populist nominee. School Trustees.-In 1896 the following were elected members of the school board: Conrad Beil, Ananias Shenower, Jacob Volmer, William Pioneers.-Samuel Ewing, who settled opposite Wolf Rapids in 1819, and who was killed in 1822, must be named as the pioneer of the township. His farm became the property of Valentine Winslow, who sold to David Hedges. He built the stone house in 1833. The white adult males within the township in 1839, are named as follows: Isaac Bossard, Jesse T. Pugh, John Black*, Robert Black*, Jacob Barnthistle, Robert Bamber, Jr., John Bamber*, Jonathan Crom, Josiah Cummings, Abraham Crom, Josiah Crom, Solomon Kuder, Jonas Stockwell, Jeremiah Ward, John Skinner*, William North*, Henry Comager, Joseph North, Caleb North*, Emilius Wood, Elliott Warner, Martin Warner, Martin Warner, Jr., John Warner, John Williner, Richard Hoff, Alexander Howard, Levi Lazell, John Soash, Edmund Buttles, Noah Reed, Phineas Durphy, Samuel Flanders, St. John Wilson, Michael Sypher*, David Whitney, Benjamin Miller, Luke Van Tassel, Merrit Flint, Jacob Huffman, James Henry, Neptune Nearing, Alex Alcorn, David Hedges, Elias W. Hedges, Stephen Cook, and Robert Newell, blacksmith. In 1833, the men whose names are marked thus * above were among the petitioners for a road, from Miltonville to Green Encampment, or Bowling Green, with James Smith, Robert Cowan, Levi, Samuel and Horace Hamilton, Jacob Crom, Robert Bamber, Sr., and George Barron, who do not appear to be residents of the township in 1839. In 1834, the names of John Barker, Jesse T. Pugh, C. Collett, John Graber, David Hedges, the three Hamiltons, the two elder Warners, Robert Shuman, John Feagles, Widow Linscott, Joseph Haines and Elias W. Hedges were here. Michael Sypher settled in 1831; William North and Samuel Hamilton, in the fall of 1830 (settled on site of Tontogany); John Crom in 1831; and John Skinner in 1832. When these pioneers went into the forest from the river, that part of the Fort Meigs and Wappakoneta road, from the Mission station into the prairie, on the east bank of the Tontogany, was not cut out or bridged. The Haskins and Bear Rapids road running from the river to the Perrysburg and Findlay road, at Mackey's, at Mt. Ararat, was next cut through, and then the road WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 409 referred to above, as petitioned for in 1833. Michael Sypher .moved in the spring of 1831, from his first location, a half-mile above Miltonville, into what is now Washington township. As stated above, William North and Samuel Hamilton arrived the year before, or the same year; John Skinner, Sr., with his wife and seven children, came in 1,832, while John and Robert Black located north of Tontogany the same year. The Barnthistles, Solomon Kuder, Elliott Warner, Sr., and the Bambers came next, followed in quick succession by others until the pioneer circle of the township was completed. First Murder.-The township has not been without its tragedies and alarms. - In 1819 Samuel Ewing settled at Wolf Rapids, near where David Hedges established the town of Benton in later years. One day, in 1822, while visiting Richardson's tavern, at Roche de Boeuf, he quarrelled with a man named John Lewis, who struck him in such a manner as to dislocate his neck, killing him at once. Lewis was imprisoned in the jail at Maumee, but escaped that night. Eight years after, Porter killed the owner of that tavern, and suffered the death penalty for the act. A False Alarm.-The Huckleberry war of 1837 left its impress on the pioneers of this township. A half-breed named Tibault carried the news from Gilead that the Sacs and Foxes had induced the Pottawattamies and Ottawas to don the war-paint, and exterminate the whites. The Ottawas were guiltless of the charge, but the report was sufficient to drive the settlers to arms; so that on the night after the first new moon, succeeding the Indian council, Rev. Isaac Van Tassell and his missionary family were in a boat, anchored in midstream, ready to fly; a number of pioneers, fully armed, garrisoned Guy Nearing's old mill at Otsego, and another party garrisoned John Crom's log house, north of Tontogany. A Sweet Speculation.-Many stories are related of Guy Nearing, the pioneer. On one occasion (some time in the thirties") he made a bargain with the Deckers to pay them a dollar a tree for every bee tree they could find. At that time wild flowers were so abundant on the prairies that wild bees prospered better than tame ones do now, and it was no trouble to find a bee tree. The Deckers, who were skillful bee hunters had marked a great number in the openings skirting the prairie north of where Bowling Green now is. Nearing took his men and ox-wagons, filled with barrels and supplies, including some whisky, and came out and a merry, sweet, jolly time they had of it. Nearing, who had feet as large as a small store box, attended the "commissary," and packed the honey in the barrels, which he would do by getting in the barrels with his feet and stamping it down. After getting a full cargo they took it to the river, and shipped it by steamer to the Buffalo market. Early Schools.-The first school house in Washington township was a log " structure " 12 x 14 feet, built near where the Washington chapel, U. B., now stands, about 1833. After the house was built the question came up: " Who shall be our teacher?" As that commodity was not as plentiful as at present, it was decided, in 1834, that Michael Sypher and Elliott Warner, Sr., should take charge of the school, each by turn teaching a month, their only pay being the satisfaction of seeing the rapid advancement of the pupils, who, we may mention, are now some of the old and substantial citizens of Washington. Thus began the first educational effort in a public way in that township. Probably the first Sunday-school of the vicinity was organized in the same building, with Warner, superintendent, and when the people on the Sabbath wished to attend church and hear a sermon, they sometimes went to the " Mission Station" to hear Rev. Isaac Van Tassel read a sermon of the Old School Presbyterian kind. The "Washington" school house, near John McColly's, completed in 1842, was the first frame school house in the township. The meetings of the lyceum were held in the old house, and debates carried on there were generally hot and heavy. The cemetery has now spread over the school site. Dr. Lathrop taught in 1835-36. The " Jefferson," or old Tontogany, school house, built in 1845, was the second. It stood north of the village, on the old Wood farm, now owned by Hiram Cunning. The old frame was purchased by S. L. Irwin, moved to Tontogany by W. D. Herrick, and forms a part of the Irwin homestead to-day. It is said that a log house was built in District No. 2 before township organization, and that the Sypher-Warner house was the second building. Board of Education.-The first record-book of the board of education, in possession of the clerk, begins April 18, 1853, and ends April 10, 1882. The clerks of the five districts, in 1853, were Edward A. Ketchum, James T. Skinner, Josiah H. Kuder, John Bamber and J. A. Creps. E. A. Ketchum, Jesse Huff and Samuel Minard were elected directors of Sub-District No. 1; James T. Skinner, Walter Cummings and Robert Black, of No. 2; J. H. Kuder, Martin Warner, Jr., and Syrenus Condit, of No. 3; (No. 4 410 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. not mentioned); and J. A. Creps, S. Mawer and Hiram West, of No. 5. About that time a school house was almost finished in No. 5; William Trill was appointed agent to obtain title to a site for the Otsego school house. In December, 18 there was $513.51 in the school-house fund, including $19.03 accrued interest on Sec. 16, and $280.79 from State common-school fund. The township tax on county duplicate for 1853 was $181.45; the sub-district tax, $118.57, and orders of former years, $42.23, making a total of $855.76. In 1854, the names of John Crom, William North, Joseph Jeffries, Robert Bamber and Philip S. Jones appear as directors, while in April, 1855, the members of the board of 1853 appear as librarians for their respective districts; the number of books committed to each being twelve or thirteen volumes. Sections 8 and 7 were established as Sub-District No. 7, or Oak Ridge, in 1857, and a levy made for school-building purposes. In the six districts of October, 1856, there were 233 children of school age. Edwin Tuller, Hiram Cunning and E. A. Ketchum, directors of the new district, had a school house erected in 1857-58, which is now George Merk's dwelling house. During the ensuing twelve years, two districts were added, requiring nine school buildings, ranging in value from $150 to $450 each for building and ground. In September, 1870, there were 240 male and 210 female children in the township, and the township tuition fund was $932.84. In April, 1871, District No. 10 was established, and J. W. Sargent was chosen clerk. A few months later a new school house was erected at .Tontogany at a cost of $1,947, being the first school building, above the cabin style, in the township. By 1880, the ten districts were consolidated into seven, of which Thomas Stone, Jacob Gundy, C. C. Gundy, Henry Thomas, Joel Foote, A. S. Taft and Thomas Aldrich were clerks or members of the township board. There were then 148 male and 128 female pupils enumerated. In 1884 modern school equipment began to find its way into the schools, for in February of that year seven cases of the "Complete School Charts" were purchased at $5o a set, from Nickerson & Willoughby. Dr. A. Eddmon was elected secretary of the school board in April, 1884; in April, 1885, mention is made of a brick school house, the first in the township, 26x36 feet in floor area, to be erected in District No. 3, at a cost not to exceed $1,101.88. In April, 1885, R. J. Collins was elected secretary of the board. In 1886-87, modern school furniture was introduced, Jacob Minard, C. C. Gundy, L. R. Van Tassel, George Cummings, Joel Foote, A. S. Taft and P. Filer voting for this innovation. In 1888, authority was given to purchase a site and build a school house in District No. 6, and one in joint-District No. 2, or Snyder Town, in connection with Grand Rapids township. In 1893, Zahm Stephens, N. Shenower, William Burditt, John Baker, Eugene Huff, Michael Seetz and Charles Cook formed the board. VILLAGES. Otsego.-This quaint old town owed its beginnings to Nearing's sawmill, which he sold, in 1834 or 1835, to Asa Gilbert, who came from New York State. The place was then called " Gilbert's Mill." Prior to that time Eagle & Culbertson established a store there; but in 1834 moved to Grand Rapids, then named " Gilead. Emerson H.. Eaton succeeded them as merchants; Samuel Flanders next purchased the property on which the Nearing mill stood, with the dwelling house and store room; rebuilt the gristmill, put in three buhrs, and added a sawmill, so that the flood which carried away the first mill in 1839-40 was rather beneficial than otherwise. South Otsego was surveyed in May, 1836, by Hiram Davis, for Samuel B. Campbell, agent and attorney for Levi Beardsley, James O. Morse and Jeremiah Fowler, of Cherry Valley, New York. The location was at Bear Rapids, on the N. E. Fr. 1/4, Sec. 35, T. 6, R. 9. Samuel Flanders, above named, must have succeeded Campbell, for he was here in 1839, and the most prominent man on the river above Perrysburg. About the time the village was surveyed an old sea captain, named Wilson, carried on mercantile business; but Edwin Tuller was the merchant in the hard winter of 1842, when he transacted a large trade in the hides of frozen cattle. Willard Trull became owner of the mill, but when Samuel Clymer bought Tuller's interest in the store, Trull sold him the mill. There is scarcely a trace of this old town to be found to-day. As early as 1839 G. M. Gunther kept a hotel, but in 1842 the hotel was the dwelling of Alexander Howard. Robert Newell was the old-time blacksmith. Before the dam was constructed at Bear Rapids for the Nearing mill a little steamer named Crockett," and one named "The Sun, " plied between Gilead and Defiance, and between Otsego and Defiance, when the water warranted such trips. Of Asa Gilbert, it is said that he repaired the old mill, erected a house and store for himself, and two small houses for his employes, among whom were Charles Smith and Sarah Smith, his sister. This girl married Gilbert shortly after, and when WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 411 he sold the property she accompanied him to New York State. The post office, as related in the history of Tontogany, was discontinued in 1861 or 1862. Samuel Flanders is said to have been the first postmaster; Henry Mandell was appointed about 1842; Joseph A. Creps followed; then, at the close of the "forties," Edwin Tuller was appointed; then P. H. Durphy; and lastly, Samuel Clymer, who was the incumbent in 1861 or 1862, when the office was discontinued. Benton, like Otsego, passed out of existence many years ago. It was founded by David Hedges a few years after his settlement in this township, because it appeared to him that Wolf Rapids offered a good mill-site and a market town to the settlers living between Otsego and Miltonville. He was an admirer of Tom Benton, and in his honor named the village, which he laid out on the northeast corner of the farm. Emerson H. Eaton moved from Otsego to the new town and opened a store, while Alexander Alcorn, a chair-maker, established a shop there. Hedges constructed a dam across the river, built a sawmill and launched the village on a commercial career; but circumstances opposed his enterprise, destroyed the town and left nothing of it, save the cellar of Eaton's store. To the traveler who goes north from Tontogany to the river, and walks a little southwest on the river road, the reward may be given of seeing where Benton stood, just as the searcher for Orleans of the north, who visits the quadrangle at Fort Meigs and looks into the bottom lands, will see where Hollister's four-story building stood, and the home of the Wilkinsons. The Stone House, now Morehouse, built by John Whitehead, Close, the mason, et. al., in the year 1833, may, however, be seen, reminding the traveler of the ideas of construction and architecture which then obtained; of 1819, when the Ewings selected the location for a home, and of the tragic end of Samuel Ewing, in 1822. Germany. -There never was a village surveyed under this name in Wood county, but the title was given to Gwynndale, two miles south of Tontogany, where Dr. Nieblung purchased a tract of land in the "forties," and attempted to establish a colony. Gwynn came from Ireland or England after the panic of 1837, built a three-story house, which he never completed; attempted to build a corduroy road from his home to Otsego, which attempt also failed, and he fled, leaving the forest and land and tall house to any adventurer who might dare to locate there. Dr. Nieblung came in 1845, bought the Gwynn house, pulled it down, had it sawed into two parts, converted the upper stories into a hen-house, and sold the lower stories to Dr. Waitz, who, in 1876, occupied it as a dwelling. Among the settlers who followed Dr. Nieblung were Ernest Miehe, Guido Marx (who, in Centennial year, was mayor of Toledo), E. W. E. Koch, Albert and Robert Just, C. Marksheifle, Conrad Bobel, and a few others, with a party of merry young men and musicians. The Doctor was wealthy, but his wealth did riot save him from the mosquitoes and ague. Having lost his money and patience, he was pleased to get away alive out of the Western Germany, which he aimed to establish in the wilderness. Moving to St. Louis, he established himself as a physician. His daughter, who became the wife of Orrin Tyler, of Plain township, is still a resident of the township. Many stories are told of Nieblung and his colonists, the best among the lot being the attempt of the musicians to amuse the cattle, with the result of destroying their domestic character and converting them into a herd as wild as buffalo! TONTOGANY VILLAGE. The first settlement on the village site may be credited to Samuel Hamilton, who came from New York State in the fall of 1830, and selected a home where the village now stands. William North came about the same time, with his parents, and built a cabin where the fair grounds of a later day were fenced in. A better cabin was erected by him near the site of the Presbyterian church, into which he introduced, as house-keeper, and wife, Matilda, daughter of John Skinner. Such were the beginnings of settlement in the vicinity. On the town site, Pinnock's little store, 10 x 12, was the first structure. S. W. Whitmore located here shortly after; in 1856, Edwin Tuller settled near the west line of the village, and made his home there until elected judge of probate. Tontogany was surveyed by Sylvanus Jefferson May 5, 1855, for Willard V. Way and E. D. Peck, who named it in honor of the Indian chief, referred to in the chapter on Indians. The village was incorporated September 9, 1874, on petition of forty-two residents, presented by W. H. Wood, April 17; re-presented June 2, that year, and, in opposition to a remonstrance signed by sixteen residents, presented on May 11. The first election was held April 11, 1875, when J. Patchen was elected mayor; C. C. Whitmore, treasurer; T. Klussman, clerk; Wm. Crom, marshal; William Allen, George Reed and Dr. B. F. Davis, councilmen for two years; C. C. Burton, Peter 412 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Van Valkenburg and R. Freeman, for one year. In 1876, the three last named were elected for two years. The mayor's chair has been filled by the following named citizens: J. Patchen, 1875; E. A. Ketchum, 1877; J. Y. Petteys, 1879; J. H. Kuder, 1881; A. F. Klinepeter, elected in June, 1$82; G. A. Repass, 1885; Edwin Tuller, appointed December 31, 1888; A. Eddmon, 18881895; and R. J. Collin, 1895-96. Municipal Elections.-The councilmen elected annually since April, 1877, are named as follows: Martin Warner, Z. S. Davenport, David Petteys, John Whitehead, in 1877; David Petteys, L. S. Pair and George Reed, 1879; W. D. Herrick, C. Burton, P. Whitmore, 1880; G. Dawler, C. Champion, M. Markley, 1881; S. Pair (vice W. D. Herrick), W. A. More, J. A. Parsons, 1882; G. Dowler, C. Champion, S. Pair, 1883; W. D. Herrick, William Heyman, S. Clark, C. C. Whitmore, J. A. Creps, 1884; A. Barger, C. Hollis, F. Yost, W. Crom, Peter Peany, 1885; W. Parker, F. Banks, S. Clark, Peter Whitmore, William Chapman, 1886; William Heyman, Peter Peany, Peter Whitmore, John Patchen, 1887; William Leaker, F. Banks, W. Crom, C. Hollis, 1888; S. L. Irwin, A. D. Foote, William Heyman, 1889; Ed. Foster, F. Banks, C. Hollis, 1890. Messrs. Foote, Foster, Heyman, Hollis, A. Beverstock and J. S. Phillips formed the council in 1891. In 1892, Ed. Foster, C. W. Hollis and B. Tasker were elected for two years, and John Huston for one year. In July, 1892, J. L. Braden and S. L. Irwin were appointed, vice Heyman, and Hollis, resigned. William Heyman, J. L. Braden and J. Huston were elected in 1893 for two years, and William Scott, for one year; while, in 1894, C. W. McColley and Ed. Foster were elected for the long term, and William Scott for the short term. In 1896 John Huston and C. Hafner were elected councilmen. The Union ticket, nominated in 1895, was endorsed. The candidates elected were: Mayor-R. J. Collins (R.); treasurer-P. H. VanValkenburg (R.); councilmen-W. H. Heyman (D.); John Phillips (R.); William Chapman (D); marshal-William Earl (R); street commissioner -William Earl; sealer of weights and measures -Harry Rudd (R.); school board-Mrs. Anna Skinner, Mrs. Viola Foote. The fifty-four votes cast for mayor and three votes not recorded made up the total male vote. There were twenty-two votes cast by women for school officers. The treasurer's office has been administered, since 1883, by H. G. Condit, 1883; S. W. Whitmore, 1885; F. Yost, 1886; R. J. Collins, 1887; P. H. VanValkenburg, 1895; William Waugh, 1896. The clerks of the village are named in the order of service: T. J. Klussman, 1875; W. N. Wood, appointed in January, 1877; R: J. Collins, 1879; 0. Beverstock, 1887; W. H. Leaker, appointed January 7, 1889; F. A. Boor, 1890; R. W. Johnson, 1892-95; John S. Matthews, elected in 1896. The marshals were William Crom, 1875; L. S. Pair, 1877; Henry Champion, 1879; Al. Wickham, 1881; G. A. Repass, 1884; J. C. Wickham, 1885; William VanValkenburg, 1889; Charles Challin, 1890; C. R. Crom, 189-; and William Crom, 1896. School Trustees.-In 1896 William Heyman and Peter Whitmore were elected. Post Office.-The first postmaster was E. Pennock, appointed September 12, 1857; the second, S. W. Whitmore, followed by Abraham Edgerton, George Lewis, George Moore, Fred. Foote (1868), H. L. Thorndyke, Luther Black, William Crom, A. D. Foote (1885), C. C. Gundy (1889), Frank Yost (1892) and A. D.Foote (1893-97). Trade and Traders.-The C. H. & D. railroad was completed to Tontogany June 17, 1859, and the last rail placed by Superintendent R. M. Shoemaker, August 18, when the train from Cincinnati ran over the road to Toledo. After the war, the Bowling Green people discussed the subject of building a branch line to connect their village with the C. H. & D.; but the project did not take proper shape until May, 1874, when a route was surveyed by David Donaldson. As told in the pages devoted to Transportation, and to Bowling Green, this branch line was constructed, and in April, 1875, was dubbed " The Slippery Elm Road," by the railroaders at Tontogany. The completion of the trunk line, in 1859, gave an impetus to trade, and the village became a thriving little town. In 1862, it boasted of a good hotel kept by A. C. B. Drury; two grain houses with a capacity of 50,000 bushels; two church buildings; one sawmill, and four or five stores. In 1859, S. W. Whitmore established a general store, which, in 1862, as in later years, was the center of village trade. The Tontogany fire of December 31, 1876, destroyed Black & Ingraham's drug store, William Allen's store, George Reed's store, and the Masonic hall above it; Cooley's grocery and Ridgeway's tailor shop. The burned territory was rebuilt, and within a few years there were established Black's grocery store, Davis & Collins' WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 413 and Dr. Eddmon's drugstores, E. J. Matthew's livery, Champion & Son's implement warehouse, William Moore's harness shop, William Ladd's harness shop, Merkley's furniture store, VanValkenburg's general store, Jacob Huffman's elevator, W. D. Herrick's saw and planing-mill, and the Tontogany gristmill. The gristmill was burned in 1893, while the planing-mill is operated by George Gill. Royce & Coon's elevator, built by S. W. Whitmore sixteen years ago, and the steel grain tanks constructed in 1895, tell at once that the village is in the center of a great grain region. Churches.-The Methodist Episcopal Church of Tontogany received a deed to lot 124 on May 18, 1861, from James T. Skinner and others. The building was completed later that year, and dedicated by Thomas Barkdull, an uncle of Rev. T. N. Barkdull, then supply in the Bowling Green Circuit. He was preacher-in-charge from 1869 to 1872, and noted the Tontogany choir as the best in his five appointments. J. S. Skinner was then superintendent of the Sunday-school; the church house was refitted, and the membership in stanch order. The class in 1866 comprised Thomas B. and Sarah Smith, Walter, Olive and Lucy Cummings, Jonathan and S. M. White, Nancy Green, Andrew J. and Ellen Ketchum, Nevin and Ann Custar, and Mrs. S. Parks, with Sarah and James L. Curry. The officials of Tontogany charge, in 1873, were J. T. Skinner, W. Cummings and A. S. Condit, stewards; William Allen, J. S. Skinner, S. E. Clark and Josephine Wood, class leaders; Henry Warner and A. Taft, local preachers; A. Taft, H. Warner, W. Cummings and S. IV. Whitmore, trustees. The second quarterly Conference of the Weston Circuit was held at Tontogany January 31, 1874, W. W. Winters presiding, with A. S. Condit, secretary. A. C. Barnes signed the records in 1874 as pastor. In 1881, R. J. Collins was appointed secretary of the Conference of Tontogany and Weston charges. The first quarterly Conference of the Tontogany and Portage Circuit was held at Mount Pleasant church, October 21, 1882, Rev. J. R. Henderson being then pastor, with R. J. Collins, J. J. Black and J. T. Skinner, stewards. The pastor's salary was then $550, Tontogany class contributing $215, Mount Pleasant $135, Portage $150, and South Liberty, $50; while the total revenue of the four Churches was $675.50. In the records of the Gilead Society, references are made to this Church in common with others in the old circuit. The First Presbyterian Church of Tontogany was incorporated in 1867, with Martin Warner and George Reed, trustees, and Elliott Warner clerk. It was organized September 4, 1861, with Elliott* and Amelia, Martin* and Hannah and Nancy Warner, Harriet Tupper, J. W. * and Sarah Condit, George S. and Charlotte Warner, Henry Pierce, William, Rhoda and Mary Binn, William and Sarah Feathers and Nelson and Eliza Kuder. The members whose names are marked thus*, with H. G. Condit, A. D. Foote, R. M. Skinner and C. W. McColley have served as elders, while Elliott Warner and A. D. Foote have been the clerks. No less than eleven pastors have been called since 1861, namely: Revs. Perry C. Baldwin, G. R. McCarthy, William McLaren, James E. Vance, Chauncy Taylor, Sherman Taylor, N. C. Helfrich, John R. Fevey, H. G. Dennison, H. W. Cross and C. L. Herold. The present house of worship was erected in 1861, at a cost of $1,600, and in it the sixty-three members worship to-day. The German Reformed Congregation of Beaver Creek was organized by Rev. A. Tusmeire May 21, 1868, with John Niehoff, clerk. The Evangelical Association is represented here, but the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches claim as members the larger portion of the churchgoing population. Old Masonic Lodge. -In 1843 Emilius Wood, Martin Warner, David Maginnis, Sr., Sylvanus Hatch, Morrison McMillen, Jairus Curtis, Morris Brown and Leonard Pierce organized the first lodge of Free Masons in Wood county, excepting the military lodge formed at Fort Meigs in 1813, and for several years they held their meetings in an upper room of Wood's log house, on Tontogany creek, about one mile north of the present village. It was moved to Mt. Ararat above Bowling Green, and thence to Bowling Green, where it is now working. Tontogany Lodge, No. ¢5z, A. F. & A. M., was organized U. D., January 10, 1870, with seventeen members: L. W. Moe, Luther Black, Fred Foote, J. T. and J. S. Skinner, C. C. Burton, H. L. Thorndyke, George Pitcher, R. Ingraham, J. M. Cumming, Myron Legalley, E. C. Ketchum, Hiram West, J. H. Stadden, P. J. Feagles, and George S. Kuder. The charter was issued October 22, 1870, and under this the lodge was instituted, November 30, 187o, Rev. G. A. Adams, of Perrysburg, delivering the address. L. W. Moe was the first master, followed by Luther Black, 1871 to 1873; Myron Legalley, 1874 to 1883; John Q. Adams, 1884 to 1886; G. S. Kuder, 1887-89; George R. Matthews, 1890; G. S. Kuder, 1891, S. L. Irwin, 1892 to 1893, and O. C. Peinert, 1894-96. The 414 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. first secretary was J. S. Skinner, followed by Edwin Tuller, 1872-1874; Frank Yost, 1875; E. C. Ketchum, 1876; C. C. Whitmore, 1877; Edwin Tuller, 1878-80; J. S. Matthews, 1881 to 1887; W. R. Marwick, 1888; J. S. Matthews, 1889; C. W. Whitmore, 1891; Frank Yost, 1892-93; J. C. Freeman, 1894-96. There were thirty-seven members on August 23, 1893, to whom four have been added, but one has been demoted, making forty members. Tontogany Lodge, No. 755, I. O. O. F., was chartered May 20, 1887, and instituted August 4, 1887, with the following charter members: A. D. Foote, H. C. Daniels, J. W. Van Valkenburg, Jacob Douster, D. C. Bemis, C. W. McColley, W. M. Cobley, M. Wilcox, A. Eddmon, R. W. Johnson, G. E. Matthews, Henry Goodenough, John A. Mason, W. M. Sly, and Henry Hughes. The roll of past grands is as follows: A. D. Foote, G. E. Matthews, 1888; A. Eddmon and C. W. McColley, 1889; J. M. Gundy and L. C. Potter, 1890; C. L. Cook and C. C. Kuder, 1891; E. P. Lee and R. W. Johnson, 1892; U. E. Coen and James Gillespie, 1893; A. E. Battles and Frank Adams, 1894; Ed. Hemelspeck and Ezra Hoyt, 1895. The secretaries were A. Eddmon, C. W. McColley, J. M. Gundy, L. C. Potter, R. W. Johnson, (189o), A. D. Foote (1890), F. A. Boor (1891), F. Adams (1892), and E. G. Gill (1893 to January, 1896). The past grands who held that office prior to coming here are Jacob Dauster, Moses Wilcox and D. C. Bemis. There are sixty-six members. Oriana Lodge, No. .100, Daughters of Rebekah, was chartered June 28, 1894, with the following members: Della Kuder, Ella Battles, Mollie Gill, Sophia Hemelspeck, Catherine Bobel, Jennie Gundy, E. G. Gill, Ed. Hemelspeck, C. C. Kuder, A. E. Battles, C. C. Gundy, Adam Bobel, and Jacob Dauster. The chair has been filled by Mrs. Della Kuder, Mrs. Ella Battles, and Mrs. C. C. Gundy, the present noble grand. Mrs. Mollie Gill, the first secretary, was succeeded in 1895 by Mrs. Waugh. There are about thirty members. Walter Wood Post, No. 48, G. A. R., was formally organized March 23, 1881, with the following members: William Crom, A. R. and J. C. Wickham, J. H. Kuder, D. Murdock, P. H., W. M. and I. B. Van Valkenburg, F. Franklin, J. Bobel, C. C. Burton, A. McCombs, P. S. Whomore, D. W. Wright, B. S. Aldrich, Bernard Phillips, J. L. McColley, Charles Champion, C. W. Hollis, G. S. Kuder, B. F. Davis, Luther Black, George R. and John S. Matthews, E. B. Beverstock, W. D. Herrick, D. C. Bliss and C. C. Gundy; the seven last named by transfer from Neibling Post. The past commanders are: C. C. Gundy, L. Black, C. B. Beverstock, W. D. Herrick, 1884-85; C. C: Gundy, 1886; Albertus Russell, 1887; Bernard .Phillips, 1889; S. L. Irwin, 1891; C. C. Gundy, 1893; J. S. Matthews, 1894-96. The past adjutants: George S. Kuder, 1881; John S. Matthews, 1884; George S. Kuder, 1886; D. V. Gundy, 1887; George S. Kuder, 1889; I. B. Van Valkenburg, 1892; and Albertus Russell, 1893-96. There are sixteen members in good standing of the forty-four ex-soldiers residing in the township. Women's Relief Corps, No. 87, was chartered June 10, 1885, with the following members: Frances S. Burton (1.2. 3.), Mary E. Herrick (B.), Sarah Wickham, Caroline Barger, Olive Peany, Julia Russell, Eunice Matthews (A. C.), Sarah Davis, Elizabeth Johnson, Alcina Card, Jennie Gundy, Augusta Kuder (8. 9.), Elizabeth Phillips, Caroline Benn, Belle Matthews, Sarah VanValkenburg, Ida Irwin (4. 5. 6. ), Helen Repass, Charlotte Parsons, Katie Phillips, Belle Beverstock, Katie Creps and Ella Beverstock (7.), Frances S. Burton was secretary in 1888-96, and Mrs. E. B. Hines elected president in 1895, with Mary Whitmore, secretary. The figures denote terms as president, and the letters as secretary. John B. Kreps Camp, No. 61, S. of V., was chartered March 9, 1884, with R. W. Johnson, W. N. Davenport, A. D. Herrick, T. D. Rice, U. E. Coen, D. Rice, Lewis Kuder, G. A. Repass, J. Repass, John S. Phillips, E. B. Wright, C. R. Crom, C. Benn, C. Champion and D. Jeffers. The captains in order of service are: G. A. Repass, J. W. Van Valkenburg, J. S. Phillips, R. W. Johnson, J. A. Mason, L. A. McCombs, and C. E. Gundy, the present captain. R. W. Johnson served as adjutant from 1884 to 1889, followed by J. S. Phillips, L. A. McCombs, C. Berry, and L. A. McCombs, the present adjutant. There are seventeen members, with quarters in the Grand Army hall. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE