WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 415 CHAPTER XLVI. WEBSTER TOWNSHIP. SURVEY-POPULATION-GROWTH-ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWNSHIP-ORGANIZATION-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-TAX LEVIES-SCHOOLS-EARLY LAND BUYERS-FENTON'S REMINISCENCES-CEMETERIES-FENTON-TEN MILE HOUSE-SCOTCH RIDGE. THE survey of the exterior lines of the southern part of this township was made in 1819, by Alexander and Samuel Holmes, and of the interior lines, in 1821, by S. Bourne. The northwestern part was surveyed by the Holmes brothers, in 1819, and the interior lines run in 1821, by I. T. Worthington, while Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 were surveyed in 1820, by Charles Roberts. The United States Census enumerator credited the township with 237 inhabitants in 1850. In 1860, there were 674 inhabitants reported; ten years later, 922; in 1880, the population was 1,197, and in I890 it was found to be 1,420. As related in the reminiscences of the pioneers, the first impressions of civilization on the wilderness were made in 1833. Within a decade the industry and labor of the settlers had made several clearings in the forest, and within thirty years a number of well-cultivated farms were to be seen by the traveler; while a greater number of little clearings showed, unquestionably, that the people who located here knew that they found land worthy of their best efforts, and were in earnest in its reclamation. Establishment of Township.- This division of Wood county was, established December 8, 1846. The territory so named included Sections 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34 and 35 in fractional T. 6, R. 11, formerly attached to Perrysburg; Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, formerly belonging to Troy; Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and. 18, formerly attached to Freedom, and Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14, detached from Center. The inhabitants of the territory named, petitioned for this change, and the justice of their claims being unquestionable, the commissioners were prompt in granting their prayer. Organization.- The first meeting was held at the cabin of Joseph Kellogg, on January 2, 1847, with John Fenton, Thomas Jolley and John Muir, judges, and Thomas Thompson and Hugh Stewart, clerks. The trustees and clerks named in the following lists, with John Muir, treasurer, were then elected. On March 1, the board held a meeting at Kellogg's house, when seventy-five cents were granted to Stewart and Bushnell for services as trustees; $1.87 to Thompson for his services as clerk, and $1.75 to John Muir for his services as treasurer and judge. .Bonds were accepted from Muir as township and school treasurer, and the township was divided into four school districts. The annual election of 1847 was held April 5. John Muir was reelected treasurer; Daniel Hathaway, Jr., assessor; Robert Fenton, Daniel Hathaway, John Householder and Robert Forrester, supervisors. On June 19, 1847, two justices of the peace, named hereafter, with John Muir, Jr., and Robert Fenton, constables, were elected. The order for that election was made April 5, when a one mill tax for township purposes was ordered. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. Trustees.The trustees of Webster township, so far as records in possession of the township clerk, or in the auditor's office, show, are named as follows: 1847-Hugh Stewart, L. Bushnell, W. Zimmerman. 1847 (April)-Hugh Stewart, W. Zimmerman, J. W. Phillips. 1848-George Loomis, W. Zimmerman, J. W. Phillips. 1849--Hugh Stewart, William Burgess, Robert Davidson. 1850-51-James Muir, John Fenton, Jr., William Zimmerman. 1852-53-James Muir, George Loomis, William Zimmerman. 1854-Robert Forrester, Guy Caswell, George Loomis. 1855-56-Robert Fenton, J. W. Phillips, Robert Davidson. 1857-58-A. Ordway, Dudley Loomis, Alanson Bushnell. 1859-60-James Muir, Dudley Loomis, Robert Fenton. 1861-James Muir, James Waugh, W. S. Hurlburt. 1862-James Muir, Dudley Loomis, Robert Fenton. 1863-65-Robert Dunipace, Dudley Loomis, Robert Fenton. 1866-Adam Hinds, John Muir, Jr., Robert Fenton. 1867-Robert Dunipace, John Muir, Robert Fenton. 1868-Hugh Stewart, John Muir, William D. Muir. 1869-Hugh Stewart, L. H. Forrest, Henry Clague. 1870-Hugh Stewart, E. H. Hopper, Henry Clague. 1871-Hugh Stewart, Robert Forrester, Adam Hinds. 1872-Hugh Stewart, John Muir, John A. McKean. 1873-Johann Landwehr, James H. Muir, John A. McKean. 1874-Robert Dunipace, James H. Muir, John A. McKean. 416 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. 1875-Robert Dunipace, James H. Muir, Hugh Stewart. 1876-Robert Dunipace, Charles Roper, Charles W. Russell. 1877-E. M. Holden, Henry Lang, Charles W. Russell. 1878-E. M. Holden, Adam Hinds, Charles W. Russell. 1879-80-W. D. Richardson, Garrett Hebler, Enos Bellville. 1881-C. W. Russell, David Main, Robert Dunipace. 1882-G. A. Hebler, David Main, Robert Dunipace. 1883-G. A. Hebler, David Main, Robert D. Forrester. 1884-Robert Shanks, David Main, James Waugh. 1885-Robert Shanks, Thomas Clague, James Waugh. 1886-Robert Shanks, John Landwehr, James Waugh, 1887-Robert Shanks, E. H. Hopper, Briton Russell. 1888-Robert Shanks, E. H. Hopper, Briton Russell. 1889-E. H. Hopper, J. D. Muir, Briton Russell. 1890-E. H. Hopper, J. D. Muir, Fred. Bushman. 1891-J. D. Philo, J. D. Muir, Fred. Bushman. 1892-93-J. D. Philo, John McConnell, Fred. Bushman. 1894-Phayon E. Shaburg, John McConnell, J. D. Philo. The election of April, 1895, is recorded as follows: Trustees-R. D. Forrester (R.), 105; Antony Seifert (D.), 96; A. Philo (Pro.), 16. Treasurer-R. S. Davidson ( R.), 114; Charles Roper ( D.), 88. Assessor-Milan Jameson (D.), 106; Gordon Duncan (R.), 95. Constable-Joseph Fuller (D.), 104; F. Hinds (R.), 95. In 1896, W. McKean and W. H. Williamson were elected. Clerks.-The clerks of the township since its organization are named as follows: Thomas Thompson, 1847; Daniel Hathaway, 1849; N. Brewster, 1850; Robert Fenton, 1851-55; G. C. Phelps, 1855; S. S. Canfield, 1859; G. M. Bell, 1862; George C. Phelps, 1863; John Wight, 1869; W. W. Dunipace, 1872; W. Zimmerman, 1877-79; Thomas S. Forrest, 1881; Andrew Ickes, 1884; T. A. Davidson, 1885; James Rogers, 1891-96; C. W. Greiner, elected in 1896. Treasurers.-The treasurers are named as follows: John Muir, 1847; Robert Forrester, 1849; J. Muir, re-elected, 1850; Dudley Loomis, 1858; George Loomis, 1859-66; Robert Stewart, 1866; John W. Phillips, 1867; Robert S. Davidson, 1868; William S. Forrester, 1884; Robert S. Davidson, 1888-96. Assessor.-Samuel Muir was elected assessor in 1896. Justices.-The justices were Thomas Thompson, 1847; John Fenton, 1847, elected June 19, resigned in October, 1848; reappointed in 1849; John W. Phillips, 1849 (did not qualify); N. Patch, 1852; Walter Davidson, 1853 to 1874; Amherst Ordway, 1856; James Waugh, 1859; G. R. Tifft, 1862; Robert Fenton, 1864-69; George C. Phelps, 1866; David Philo, 1872; William Weddell, 1873 to 1882; Albert Marks, 1877; A. Philo, 1879; E. M. Holden, 1882; Thomas S. Forrest, 1884; David Main, 1885, '88; Charles W. Russell, 1888, resigned in 1890; James Rogers, 1890; William H. Williamson, 1891; and Myron Chamberlain, 1894. School Trustees.-In 1896, Jane Dunipace, Charles Wight, Marion Goodell and William Fletcher were elected. Tax Levies.-The trustees, as a rule, have exercised great economy in their dealings with the public purse. From 1874 to 1876, the annual levy for township purposes did not exceed 2.4 mills. In 1877, it reached five mills, lowered gradually until, in 1883, it was one mill. In 1884, a levy of 2.2 mills was made, but not until 1892 did it again reach the two-mill mark, since which time it has been kept above two mills. The figures are based on a report by W. and J. M. Forrester and R. B. Moore, a committee that examined the records in June, 1895, under authority of the trustees. Schools.-The records of the board of education of Webster township, date back to April 11, 1853, when John Fenton, Jr., Robert Fenton and Guy Caswell were elected directors for District 1; Robert Dunipace, John W. Phillips and Rufus Austin were elected for District 2; Walter Davidson, John Forrest and John Householder, for District 3; John F. Butler, John Muir, Jr., and William Zimmerman, for District 4. The board organized April 18, 1853, and ordered a levy of two mills on the assessed value, for school purposes. Ellen C. Bradley taught in District 2; and Mary Jane Hannon, in District 4, west of Scotch Ridge. In 1855, the State appropriated $292.97, while the local school-house tax amounted to only $96.51. A school house was erected in Sub-District 3, in 1854, and one in District 4, in 1855. There were 130 school children in the four Districts in that year, exclusive of the number enumerated in' the joint districts. In June, 1856, Geo. C. Phelps furnished the house in District 4, for $81, and, during the ensuing few years, marked progress was made in school matters. In 1858, there were six districts and 236 pupils; in 1861, there were 288 children, and in 1863 there were 349. There were eight districts in 1864, when 366 children were enumerated. Among the early teachers, not already named, were Louisa Caswell, Sarah Kemmel, Helen Willard, Margaret Birdsall, Aurilla Borden, George Weddell, Mary Conrad, Phoebe E. Osburn, Elizabeth Kelley, Byron Pember, Mary Jane Fox, Martha (Scott) Householder, Mary M. Wilson, W. H. Gorrill, Pamelia Smith, Emiline Benedict, Louisa Lowell, Matilda Gorrill, Calista Hatch, Geo. C. Phelps, Mary Peck, Chauncy Stephens, Catherine Muir, Jane Buel, Jennette WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 417 Forrest,, Lewis Morse, S. S. Canfield and Emma J. Fox. They were the teachers of this township from April, 1853, to the close of 1859. Early Land Buyers.-The first land buyers in the sections of T. 6, R. 12, now included in Webster, were Joel Munn, S. E. 19, Dec. 5, 1835; Enoch Jones, N. W. 19, Mar. 8, 1836; Michael Houseman, N. S. E. 20, Aug. 6, 1834; Jesse Stone, S. N. W. and N. S. W. 29, April 5, 1836; A. M. C. Smith, S. -130, Jan. 25, 1836; Orrin Kellogg, S. W. 31, Oct. 31, 1835; Daniel S. Cash, S. E. 31, Jan. 25, 1836. In the sections of T. 6, R. 11, Nos. 22 to 36 inclusive, the following named settlers purchased lands at Bucyrus, in 1834 and 1835: Hugh Stewart, N. S. W. 23, Sept. 3, 1834; John Fenton, parts of N. E. and S. E. 23, Sept. 3, 1834; John P. Pifer, N. S. E. 31, May 2, 1834; Henry Pifer, S. S. E. 31, May 2, 1834; Isaac McKim, S. S. W. 33, Aug. 6, 1836; Henry Hood, Jr., N. E. S. E. 36, Feb. 18, 1836; James Shanks, S. S. W. 36, Feb. 29, 1836; Jennette Muir, N. E. S. W. 36, Feb. 29, 1836; John Pearson, N. W. S. W. 36, Mar. 23, 1836. The early buyers in T. 5, R. 12, within the present limits of Webster, were Robert Dunipace, pt. N. W. 5, Sept. 7, 1836; William Muir, S. pt. N. W. 5, Sept. 7, 1836; Thomas Forrester, S. S. W. 6, Aug. 21, 1834; Levi Loomis, N. W. 7, May 9, 1834; Adam Householder, E. S. W. 7, June 17, 1834; Jacob Myers, W. N. E. 17, May 28, 1834; Adam Householder, E. N. W. 18, June 17, 1834; William Muir, S. N. E. 5, April 16, 1836. In the sections of Webster with T. 5, R. 11, the following named settlers purchased lands: Henry Graber, S. pt. N. E. 2, Jan. 23, 1836; Alex. Vass, N. N. E. 12, Aug. 21, 1834; Robert Reid, S. S. E. 12, Aug. 21, 1834; William Zimmerman, S. W. 13, June 17, 1834. Fenton's Reminiscences.-The story of the emigration, arrival and settlement of the Scotch colony in Webster township is valuable, not only in its descriptions of the trials and successes of its personnel, but also for the lessons which it teaches. It is given here, as told by Robert Fenton, before the pioneers assembled, at Bowling Green, in September, 1883: On the 19th day of April, 1834, a hardy little band of Scotch people started from the city of Glasgow, Scotland, for America. A more robust, healthy, determined lot of people seldom have left Scotland. We took shipping at Greenock. As it was when Columbus started on his first exploring expedition in such small vessels, it does seem as though it was too much risk to brave the Atlantic in such small crafts, so it was with some of the oldest residents of Webster. Our little brig, when she turned her prow westward for the land of promise, registered just 284 tons. Vessels of far greater tonnage could be once seen at the dock at Perrysburg. After forty-two days buffeting the billows, we were brought safely into the bay of New York. No person, unless one who has been similarly situated, can have any idea the anxiety the head of a family has in going to a land of strangers, and more especially a person in the situation of my father. He was a shoemaker by trade, not having done one day of out-door labor in his life, with a family of small children and still smaller capital. I have heard him say that after our passage was paid he had one hundred sovereigns left--a sum equal to $484. As to matter of wealth, all of us were about on equal footing. As it now is, so it was then; every one is ready to take the advantage of emigrants. It was not as to the matter of comfort we had to consult, but the way we could be taken the cheapest. After two days we came to Albany. One incident occurred in that city, and I sometimes have to recall it, when I get in company with your townsman, Robert Stewart, and Robert Davidson, who were two of us. As I said before, emigrants have a great many rogues to deal with; so we had. It used to be a trick for three or four rascally canal boatmen to buy an old water-logged canal boat and get her afloat, and agree, at a cheap rate, to take a load of emigrants on the canal to Buffalo. The would hire some old canal livery horse and, after going a few miles on the canal, commonly in the night, abandon her, first getting mostly all the passage money. By such were we victimized. We called these fellows smooth tongued Yankees, and so they were. One of the sailors who came with us across the ocean came with us to Albany, he having more knowledge of water-craft than we had. After our luggage was aboard we discovered that the boat was in a sinking condition, and only by vigorous pumping could she be kept afloat, and that she had no rudder that she could be steered by. He informed us that we had better get our stuff out, or we would soon lose all we had; and he was right. Now came the tug of war, when we began to get our luggage ashore, and the boatmen saw their plans to cheat us frustrated. Our sailor was a regular John L. Sullivan, and Hugh Stewart was a man whose rights could not be trampled on without testing them. I will say that I never saw two men defend their rights against so many, and come off victorious. Any way, we got our luggage ashore, and some blood was spilt. Then those fellows went and swore out a warrant, and most all the heads of the families were arrested. We hired a pettifogger, and were cleared. We thought this a pretty rough introduction into this land of promise. We got along well enough on the raging Erie canal except the seeing of those what we thought monster snakes, and. hearing the blood-a-nouns of the bull-frogs, something we had never seen or heard of before. So at length we arrived at Buffalo. From Buffalo we came to Cleveland in an old steamer, "William Penn," that might have been built before the Revolution, and condemned as unfit for use. There was one incident happened in coming up the lake which I can never forget. A German woman, the mother of a large family, while drawing a bucket of water from the lake, fell overboard and was drowned. The rascally captain did not try to stop the boat, which he could have done, and perhaps have saved the woman's life, but the heartless wretch actually wanted to know if the pail had been lost also. He seemed more concerned for the bucket than for the woman's life. What became of the poor orphan children I never learned, but their pitiful cries haunt my ears to this day. At Cleveland we chartered a small schooner called the "Rain Bow of Avon," not finished or painted. One of the sailors, an old man, had once been up the Maumee river; all of the others knew no more about Perrysburg and the navigation of the Maumee than they knew of the course of the Nile. We sailed around half a day hunting to get into the mouth of the river. Finally we got to where Toledo now is; it was then Vistula and Port Lawrence. Between Toledo and Perrysburg, we were becalmed for one day, all of us being anxious to get to Perrysburg. Robert Stewart's father, who was a carpenter by trade, suggested the idea that we go ashore to the woods opposite, where is now Toledo, and he superintend the making of large oars or sweeps. This was 418 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. carried out, and I think this was the first vessel ever propelled up the Maumee river by the strong arms of a lot of sturdy Scotchmen. We arrived at Perrysburg. Now "a friend in need is a friend indeed," and this friend we found in honest Shibnah Spink, who always had a kind heart for the stranger. He befriended us in every possible way, but no house could be found in Perrysburg to rent. David Ladd had a log house with the walls up and the place for windows cut out, but no floor in or door on. With a few boards to put our chests on, four large families of us spent our first night in Perrysburg, in this shelter, on the 26th day of June, 1834. We got work in a brickyard owned by James Stafford. I had worked nine days when I was taken with fever and ague. I recollect how terrified we were; not knowing anything of ague, they thought I had a fit of palsy. Robert Stewart says that one time he went into the house I have just mentioned, and saw thirteen shaking with the ague at one time; it was nigh nine months before I got better. After being in Perrysburg a few weeks, we had to think of getting homes for ourselves. My father and the father of Robert Stewart, and the father of Robert Davidson, went into Michigan to hunt land; it must have been near where Adrian now is. In going through openings and swamps on the road they got parted from one another, and each had to find his way home as best he could, one having to stay out all night. The father of Robert and Walter Davidson was restless, and was bound to find a home soon for his family; hearing of good land to be bought cheap in western Pennsylvania, he determined to go and see it. So he and the father of Robert Stewart, started on foot, saw land that suited, and bought, in Erie county, Penn. They returned on foot; the weather was very warm, and they were anxious to get back to their families yet in Perrysburg. When a few miles west of Lower Sandusky, they went to a house to get some water, and, being very warm and thirsty, drank freely and hastily. Davidson fell dead in the yard; now imagine Mr. Stewart's feelings; his comrade and friend, who a few moments before was a strong, healthy man, yet in so short a time laying a lifeless corpse. But now to get the remains to his family; he had to get a rude box and hire a team to get to Perrysburg, and over the then almost impassable road, and as Davidson was in the prime of life, decomposition set in very quickly. I shall never forget that awful solemn evening, between daylight and dark, when a wagon drove up to the house through the brush with the remains of Mr. Davidson. I shall not attempt to describe that sorrowful scene. Mrs. Davidson's situation and feelings, with a family of small children, and in a land. of strangers, can better be imagined than described. Not very long after, my father and Robert Stewart's father went to hunt land out the McCutchenville road, which had been under brushed out the winter before, William Muir, Sr., being one of the party, and living in tents while cutting the road, as far as the Portage river, now Householder's Corners. They came to where Levi Loomis had just started in the woods and had made a small opening. He was a man who had a good knowledge of the woods and where the section lines were, the land having been but a short time before surveyed. Mr. Loomis showed my father and Mr. Stewart the land where Hugh Stewart now lives, and adjoining the farm that David Main now lives on, eighty acres each. Mr. Loomis gave them a description of the land, and the men had to go to Bucyrus to the land office to enter it at $1.25 per acre. The difficulty they went through in getting to and from Bucyrus would take too long to tell. They got lost in what was known as the Indian Reserve, and had much trouble. In going through Rome (now part of Fostoria) they called in at Foster's little grocery store, and got some crackers and cheese, and some whisky to wash it down with. For many years Mr. Stewart's house was the only one between Perrysburg and the Portage river. We, as foreigners, had many difficulties to encounter that Americans had not, having no knowledge of chopping; but it was not long till some of the Scotchmen could be numbered with the best choppers in the county. But one other incident to discourage us was in the fall of 1834. Hugh Stewart's grandfather lived in a house on the farm of Thompson, near the Parks place, three miles from Perrysburg; he used no come in the morning and go back home in the evening, over a trail, known as the Hughy trail, till, not many years ago. One evening in going home he got benighted, and had to stay in the woos, on a wet, cold night, . caught cold and died not long after. That same winter Hugh Stewart moved all his household stuff on 3 hand-sled. Many a time I think how poorly clad we were to go through the cold winters, and some times our provisions very scanty, and at the same time I cannot but think what a merry lot we were. There was a lot of us boys just getting to be men, girls just growing into womanhood, and we used to have lots of shindigs in the winter. I have known them as often as four in one week, and in those days, some of the grandmothers and grandfathers in Webster used to trip it of night. Not long after we came to the woods, some of the Scotch boys got married to some of the Scotch girls, and everything had to be done in old Scotch style, that was, the lad went to the home of the girl's parents and there got married, and in almost every instance the wedding party would go a-foot to the home provided for himself and wife. Robert Davidson married a daughter of grandmother Forrester, living near Householder's Corners, and he had a house prepared to live in at Perrysburg, which was nearly twelve miles. The Scotch boys and girls traveled those twelve miles on foot, and a more merry lot has not gone over the road to this day, and plenty of whisky, too, in the bargain, "and danced all night till broad daylight, and went home with the gals in the„ morning." This is a sample of the many Scotch weddings that we had among us. Our nearest mill was either Waterville or Bank's mill, near Woodville, and the greatest difficulty was in getting to the mill. It was for a long time we had no team, and those we had were oxen, and in winter it was one continued sheet of ice, so that oxen not shod would slip, so we could not go. I recollect nearly all one winter we had to live wholly on potatoes, and as we had for many years no wheat, the rest of our living was corn meal, and that meal made from frostbitten corn. Sometimes our hogs used to be gone from us for months, and sometimes we had big times hunting them. I and my brothers have many a time gone to the woods with a little sack of parched corn, to use when hungry. My father had heard that a man by the name of Painter, in Portage township, made hand-mills to grind corn. He went and got one, and hired a man and yoke of oxen to go after it. There never was anyone so glad to see the finest piano come into the house, as we were to see that hand-mill. Every morning we had to grind one peck of corn; there were two watches of us-father and brother James, one; my brother John and myself, the other. We earned hard all the meal we got, but we ground it at home. The mill-stones are at the old house to-day. I think sometime I will bring the mill to the Pioneer meeting to show young America how things have improved. There was an Indian camp not far from us, on the Bellville Ridge, not far from the village of Dowling, on the T. & I. railroad. Many a night the Indians used to sleep by our fireplace. After getting some clearing done, and putting in corn, we used to be greatly troubled. with the raccoons eating it up for us. We had a good coon dog, and nearly every night we had to watch, or we would have had no corn left. In the fall, when the fur began to get good, as a matter of necessity we had to hunt nearly every night, and I have known us to catch from one to three coons of an evening. This money we used to buy our winter clothing with. Before going farther I will refer to the particular incident or cause which brought this little band of the sons of Scotia to this particular part of God's vineyard. In 1832, just two years prior to the date which begins this story, Henry Hood, Sr., with his wife and daughter, Jane, and two sons, John and Henry; also John Muir, Sr., and wife, with his sons, William, James, Samuel and John, and daughters, Jean (now Mrs. Robert Dunipace, of Webster), Maggie (now Mrs. John Fenton, of Fulton), and Fannie (now deceased), landed at Quebec, Canada. The cholera was raging, and they all left and went to Buffalo, scarcely knowing whither they would go. Here they accidentally met that well-known lake navigator, Capt. David Wilkinson, of Perrysburg, then in command of the schooner "Eagle," who induced them to WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 419 go with him to Perrysburg. They liked the location so well, and wrote back so encouragingly to their neighbors in Scotland, that our journey hither was the result. The heads of families who followed in 1833 and '34 are as follows: Alex. Thompson, Robert Davidson, John Fenton, Hugh Stewart, William Muir, Thomas Forrester, William Hadda (removed to Cleveland), Robert Reed, William Dunipace, Peter Shanks, James Shanks, William Weddell and Alexander Vass, of Perrysburg. What was originally called the Perrysburg Scotch Settlement, where our little colony squatted for a time, some of them several years perhaps, was on land just above Perrysburg, on what is now the Michael Hayes place, not far from the present cemetery, and possibly yet indicated by an old well dug there at the time. As before stated, we had many discouragements. Death came among us to claim one of our band quite often. Besides Davidson's and Stewart's death, before alluded to, Dunipace died suddenly of bilious fever the same fall we came; and about the same time William Muir walked over to Ralph Keeler's on the prairie to see his nephews, who were there, and on the road on his return, when near his home, he fell down to rise no more. The next year Thomas Forrester died, and so it was our ranks were decimated. In 1836 Mrs. Stewart, Hugh's mother, who died the past spring, had her cabin and her little store of worldly effects all burned, and herself and children were without shelter. While the beasts of the forest, such as the coon, deer and turkeys, were a great blessing to us, we found the sneaking, prowling wolves a great pest. They were very bold at times, and their dismal howling at night was terrifying to the uninitiated. Mrs. Robert Davidson had a fine heifer dragged down and killed by them. One night, when my father was gone, they came near the house, where two calves were penned up. The cows on the outside of the inclosure were nearly frantic, and bellowed until between wolves, calves and cows, there was a pandemonium of noises. The dog whined piteously at the door to get in; my mother expected every moment that the calves would be attacked, and she scarcely dared open the door. Finally she opened it a little and fired off the gun. The dog bounced in and went under the bed, and the wolves left. Shortly after Carter, the wolf hunter, came over and killed three wolves, and the Howards killed three more. This was near where Fenton post office now is. Afterward an Irishman named Tom Flynn killed a full-grown wolf with an ox-bow. He got the wolf cornered in an old cabin or near a high fence, and knocked its brains out. Wild honey was quite plenty, but the plentiest thing in the season was gnats and mosquitoes. One year-my old Webster friends will remember it very well-porcupines were unusually plenty. It seemed as if, like the squirrels, they were migrating. Near the end of our cabin stood an old salt barrel, and every night there was a continuous grating, rooping noise there. My sister, now Mrs. Robert Stewart, who was not as timid as some girls are, got up one night, and, seizing a hoe, sallied out. Just as she turned the corner she saw a dark, clumsy animal spring past her and into the open cabin door behind her. She heard the uneasy animal under the bed, and by a dim light she run him out and dispatched him. He was a large, old fellow, and the quills and blood on the floor next morning showed that he had not died without a desperate struggle for his life. I don't think there are many of the Wood county belles of to-day who would, barefooted, care to encounter an old "porky" in the night time. Deer and turkey were so plenty that we often had a bountiful supply for the table. William Davidson, while threshing oats with a flail in a field one day, noticed a deer, followed by a swarm of mosquitoes, go into a little clump of brush near by and lie down. He approached cautiously, and as it sprang out, broke its back with his flail. My wife, formerly Miss Ellen Forrester, one winter, at our place, trapped twenty-five wild turkeys, and Robert Davidson killed three deer and one turkey in his little clearing near the house one day. I mention these instances to show how plenty game was then. At the time of the death of Mr. Loomis, which was at a very early day, roads were nearly impassable, and the settlement was without material with which to make a coffin for his burial. In this emergency, Alex. Vass, of Perrysburg, a carpenter by trade, cut a straight green oak tree, split out slabs, dressed them nicely, and made a coffin. It was so heavy that it took the united strength of all the men present to handle the coffin after the body was in it. Such were the rude devices which necessity forced us to. Still, we were happy, since we were all on about a common level, and the exigencies of the situation made us alert, active and energetic. We had to be up and doing, and we rather seemed to enjoy it. The Zimmerman settlement forms an important part of the early history of, Webster. Adam Householder and his family, and William Zimmerman, with his wife, Isabella Householder, and three children, came from Virginia in 1834, arriving at the Forks of, the Portage, November 2, that year. Householder located in Center township. The little party of pioneers made immediate preparations for building a cabin, which was completed in a few days. Both families became the. occupants of 'the none too spacious room until such time as Mr. Zimmerman could erect a cabin for himself on lands which he had selected a short distance farther up the river, and within the bounds of what was then Center township. This was completed in January following, the family moving in when there was neither floor nor windows. This became his future home, and year by year witnessed the steady inroads upon the forest; 'the little patch for "garden truck" widened into broad fields which waved with golden grain or rustled with the 'yellow corn. In common with all others, they had to endure many privations and hardships incident to frontier life. The pioneer died in April, 1884, leaving the partner of his life to tell the story of their settlement in the wilderness. The cemetery of Scotch Ridge speaks in marble and granite of the end of many of the pioneers. Of others, who went forth into the wide world outside Webster township, many are referred to in the pages devoted to Biography, and a few names are recorded in the Military chapter. Cemeteries.-The old cemetery of Scotch Ridge is the most historic spot in the county. Many monuments, not a few of them works of art, remind the visitor of the pioneers, and tell plainly how their children respect their memory. Among the old settlers buried there are Thomas Forrester, who died in 1835; Levi Loomis, 1836; died on the road near the Ten Mile House; Ellen S. Davidson, 1841; Ann Anderson, 1844; James Waugh, 1845; Philinda D. Sneeden and Mary Dunipace, 1846; William Waugh, 1847; Margaret and William Stewart, and Roswell Can- 420 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. field, L848; James Corbett, 1850; Samuel Muir's child, 1851; Daniel Hathaway, Lewis Zimmerman, Jean Addie Forrest and Hugh Stewart,, 1852 ; Robert Reed, Christina Burke, Adam Householder, 1853; Jane E. Newville, Horatio N. Merrill, William Cummins, Laura E. Carr, James Dunipace, Francis M. Davidson, and Henry J. Sieple, 1854; Christopher Sieple, i855; Nathan H. Merrill, Andrew Merkle and David Merkle, 1856; James Shanks, who was killed under a falling tree, James M. Davidson, R. F. Austin's son, and Mary Muir, 1857. West of this cemetery, about a quarter of a mile; is an older burying ground, in which James Shanks, who was killed by his team, was buried. A Miss Mell, William Muir, who died in 1851, and an infant child of James Muir, who died in 1840, were buried in that ground. In the new cemetery lies Solomon Van Gilder, a soldier of 1812, who died in 1883. FENTON. Where the village of Fenton now stands, was known to Harrison's soldiers, in 1813, as the "Devil's Hole Prairie." One of his scouts, who became lost in that portion of the wilderness, being interrogated about his delay, said he strolled into the veritable home of Satan. From 1830 to 1869, it was the rendezvous of thieves. In the fall and winter of 1872, George Roiter and P. D. Nuel built a mill on C. V. Black's farm, and the notorious characters, who haunted the locality, disappeared before this emblem of progress, leaving the farmers in peace. The first postmaster was John Fenton, appointed about 1857. David Main, who came in 1848, remembers the establishment of this office, and thinks the date given is correct. Hugh Stewart held the office after the war, John Greiner followed him, then came Thomas Harrington, and, lastly, Isaac Dent, who has. been postmaster since 1886. The post office is near the south line of one of the richest agricultural districts in Wood county. Large farm houses and well-fenced farms speak of the character of the men who developed it. Fenton School.-John Ewing taught the school at Fenton in a room (from which a handmill was removed) between Mrs. Robert Davidson's and Mrs. Hugh Stewart's house. Among the pupils were John and William Fenton; Thomas and Margaret Davidson, and Hugh, Janette, Robert, John and Margaret Stewart. For four months, in 1844 or 1845, Mr. Ewing taught here; he then became a phrenologist, set out for California, in 1849, and died en route. Delia, Spink taught a school, in 1846, in a loghouse near Fenton. Then Deacon Brown's daughter taught for two terms; Mary Nutt came next; Eliza Bruce and Ann Vass followed, while Martha Scott, who married Lewis Householder, taught one of the early schools. The railroad villages of Dowling and Dunbridge have usurped the proud position once held by Fenton, and destroyed its prestige as a trading point. TEN MILE HOUSE. The Ten Mile House is one of the oldest land-marks in the township. Long before the present hamlet of Scotch Ridge was recognized, this was an important stopping place, and the post office of a wide district. In the "fifties," and from the organization of the township, the trustees assembled here to transact business, the electors to cast their votes, and the disciples of Terpsichore to dance. The church was only a short distance southeast, and the burial ground near the church, so that the funeral, marriage, dance and Sabbath meeting insured for the Ten Mile House an ebb and flow of visitors which the other settlements did not experience. The place lost its glories long years ago, when the post office was removed to the Loomis store. West of it is the United Brethren church building; south of it, the pleasant hamlet of Scotch Ridge; and, round it, fertile farms and the homes of practical, ambitious agriculturists. The Webster United Brethren Church (liberal) was organized March 11, 1887, with A. Philo, D. A. Pope, Joshiel Thompson, G. W. Loomis and Clarence Greiner, trustees. All were members except G. W. Loomis, Stephen Cupp and wife, Laura Pope, and about five others. In the spring of 1887 a building fund of $1,000 was collected, and the present building in Sec. 36, T. 6, R. 11, was dedicated August 20, 1887, by Rev. T. J. Harbaugh, P. E., and Joseph Crim, pastor. Rev. L. Moore succeeded Mr. Crim, then Messrs. Tussing, Wells, Fletcher, Ingalls, and then Rev. J.. W. Hicks of Fostoria, who was appointed in 1894. The Webster, Center, Maple Grove, Dowling, and the Davenport in Perrysburg township, are all in this circuit. The membership of the Webster Church is about one hundred. A. Philo is superintendent of the Sundayschool. The present trustees are A. Philo, Myron Chamberlain, M. Meisters, Henry Wei WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. -421 land and D. A. Pope, with Mr. Pope, secretary, since 1889 (succeeding George Housekeeper), except in 1894, when Thomas Cross filled the office. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Luckey, was organized within the Walker school house a number of years ago, and continued in existence there until 1882, when headquarters were established at Luckey. SCOTCH RIDGE. This hamlet on the banks of the Portage may be considered the successor of Ten Mile House, and Loomis Store, as the commercial Mecca of Webster. John Myers built the " Householder House," a smaller building where is now the Davidson store, the cottage where William Fenton lives, and Hanson's cottage. He was the creator of the hamlet. Walter Davidson built a mercantile house on the southeast corner of the cross-roads, about twenty years ago, where business was carried on until 1882, when the present Davidson building was erected. A few pioneers such as " Uncle Robert " and Mr. Fenton reside within the hamlet's limits, while scarcely a day passes without a visit from others, such as " Aunt Margaret " and one or two other survivors of pioneer days. The post office known as " Ten Mile House," was established long before the war, with Charles Beaupret master. During or immediately after the war, George Loomis had the office removed to his store, near the United Presbyterian's building. John Myers was postmaster for almost a quarter of a century, or until Dr. L. L. Loomis succeeded him. Robert S. Davidson was the next incumbent, followed by James Rogers, who served during President Cleveland's first administration, and, in 1885, was again appointed to succeed Robert S. Davidson. The United Presbyterian Church of Scotch Ridge, was organized in 1841, by Rev. James A. Woodbury. John Muir, James Waugh, Sr., and Alexander Vass were elected elders, and James Waugh, clerk. The members at that time were Peter Shanks, John Fenton, Hugh Stewart, Robert Dunipace, Robert Stewart, James Muir, Walter Davidson, Robert Davidson, John Fenton, Jr., Robert Forrester, Alex. Vass, John Muir, Sr., Lewis Forrest, James Waugh, Thomas Adams, John McDowell, and their wives, with James Waugh, Jr., Forrester, Samuel and John (Jr.) Muir, Robert Milk, Margaret, William and James Davidson, and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Woodbury was succeeded, in 1843, by Rev. John Bonner, and he, in 1845, by Rev. James Miller, who with others supplied the pulpit until Rev. Jackson Duff came in 1852. Ten years later, in 1862, the present frame building took the place of the old log house. The record book of this Church, in possession of Miss Davidson, of New Rochester, dates back to January, 1862, Rev. Jackson Duff being then pastor, and James Davidson, clerk, vice John Muir, who held the office from 1847 to 1861. There were eighty-six members, including two members of the Vass family, nine of the Davidson, eight of the Dunipace, four of the Weddell, six of the Muir, one of the Galloway, one of the Kelly, five of the Forrester, one of the Waugh, five of the Fenton, three of the Forrest, one of the Main, two of the Lamont, four of the Dodd, one of the Smith, Alvin Carey, Margaret Johnston, Catherine Banks, four of the Stewarts, two of the Philos, six of the Shanks, three of the Merkles, Margaret Gregg, two of the Kassons, three of the Eatons, Charles and Elizabeth Roper, David Main, Elset Christie, William and Margaret Donald, Isaac and Eliza J. Kelly, Sarah J. Weddell and William Bandeen. Of the number, forty-five died prior to the close of 1894, while a number removed or were dismissed to other Churches. In 1864, a collection amounting to $9.65 was taken up for the Freedmen's mission at Nashville. In 1865, there were seventy-eight communicants who subscribed $475.60 for the support of pastor and Church, and other sums for foreign missions. In April, 1869, Rev. Wright preached here, and declared the pulpit vacant. Rev. S. C. Hubbell was installed pastor in 1869; David Main and George Weddell were elected elders in January, 1872, and they administered the Church affairs until 1877, when Rev. J. C. Murch was called as pastor. In 1879, Rev. J. T. Caldwell preached here, and continued for a few years. Revs. John Williamson, J. K. Black, H. H. Thompson, Rev. Levy, a Jew, T. W. Monteith, and others preached here down to July, 1882, but Mr. Thompson was prominent in Church work. Mr. Caldwell was the pastor down to 1893, when Rev. E. H. Huston was called. The records, in possession of David Main, date back to the beginning of Rev. S. C. Hubbell's pastorate, or to August 1, 1871. James Davidson was then clerk of Session. David Main and George Weddell were elected ruling elders. Among the officials, other than those mentioned, were Robert Dunipace and Robert Forrester. In January, 1872, a number of members were received, and the affairs of the society were re- 422 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. ported in a flourishing condition. William Bandeen was elected elder in 1875, vice Robert Forrester, deceased. Rev. J. C. Murch was called in June, 1878. In April, 1879 (another statement says 1882), David Main succeeded James Davidson as clerk of the Session. John Wight was elected elder in April, 1882, vice Robert Dunipace, deceased, while in November, 1886, James Davidson resigned the treasurership, and Robert S. Davidson was elected. In July, 1888, Edmond Loomis and William Bandeen were chosen elders, while John Wight and David Main were members of the Session. In, 1891, the question of permitting instrumental music received favorable consideration, and Jessie Eckis was appointed organist; Mattie Wight succeeded, her, but recently Margaret Davidson and. others have filled the position. The board of elders, in 1895, comprised David Main, E. L. Loomis, Wm. Bandeen and John Wight. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE